I'm in Pokémon, but the system is Stardew Valley.

Page 24

While we're at it, let's chop down some more wood so we can build the honeycomb for the three bees this afternoon.

Fang Gu finished his snack in no time, and before he could even savor the taste, the first thing that struck him was the swelling sensation in his muscles.

Fang Gu suddenly felt that his clothes, which had been fitting well, suddenly became tight, and the axe he was holding felt much lighter than usual.

"Is this the effect of a work snack giving you extra energy?"

Fang Gu felt as if he were possessed by a fighting Pokémon, and he picked up an axe and started chopping at a big tree next to him.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"boom!"

In just three strokes, Fang Gu felled a large tree, which was more than twice as fast as before!

[Ding! Link's favorability +10]

A round of applause came from behind him. Fang Gu turned around and saw Uncle Link clapping and smiling at him.

"Fang Gu, I didn't expect you to be so strong. You look no less strong than Robin," Link exclaimed.

"I'm sorry." Fang Gu scratched his head and said apologetically, "Uncle Link, I'm so early, I hope I've disturbed your rest."

Link usually lives in the ranger's cabin, and the "thump-thump" sound of Fang Gu chopping down trees must be extremely noisy for someone who is sleeping.

Link shook his head. "Because of patrol duties, I usually wake up before dawn, so you won't disturb my rest."

"Also, I want to thank you. This place is so remote that, apart from Rhodes' family, almost no one in town would come here."

"It feels quite pleasant to have you talking to me while I'm working."

Uncle Link chuckled, and Fang Gu's notification rang again.

[Ding! Link's favorability +10]

"By the way, I didn't see those two little guys with you today," Uncle Link asked.

"I sent Bulbasaur with three bees to find flowers nearby and suck nectar, otherwise we won't have any honey to make wine."

Speaking of alcohol, Uncle Link clicked his tongue and said, "Indeed, if there are no flowers growing on the ranch, you can only collect nectar from wildflowers, which would increase the risk factor many times over."

"I remember I have some flower seeds over there. Go get them from the ranger's hut later."

Uncle Link greeted Fang Gu; the people of Guyue Bird Town were all so simple and honest.

Fang Gu nodded in response to Uncle Link's kindness, and then asked, "Uncle Link, are there any mines nearby?"

Many items in the craftsman's catalog require certain metal materials. Compared to buying them from Steve the blacksmith in town, Fang Gu actually prefers to make them himself and be self-sufficient.

Uncle Link looked troubled: "Actually, there's an abandoned mine not far from here, but..."

Chapter 31 Completing the Order

According to Uncle Link, there is indeed a mine in the Ancient Moon Bird Forest. It was originally developed to promote the economic development of Ancient Moon Bird Town, but it has been abandoned for various reasons.

"However, it does have abundant mineral resources, including not only metals such as iron, silver, and copper, but also special stones such as evolution stones that enhance the strength of Pokémon."

Uncle Link used to go to that mine often to supplement his family's income.

Because there is no mining law in the Pokémon world, almost everyone can collect and sell ores, and there are also large companies that specialize in recycling these ores, such as Devon Mineral Recycling Co., Ltd. in the Hoenn region.

I heard that the boss behind this company is former Hoenn champion Steven Stone.

He's the angel investor for those newbie trainers who proclaimed, "In the end, I'll be both handsome and powerful!"

Upon hearing Uncle Link's words, Fang Gu's pickaxe was already itching to be used. In the game, he had countless times fallen into a coma in the cave because he was so engrossed in mining. When he woke up, it was that old man Linus who safely escorted him home without charging him a penny.

I wonder if there are any good people like Linus in the Pokémon world.

Uncle Link noticed the change in Fang Gu's expression and then said seriously, "I advise you not to go to that abandoned mine. With your current strength, you can only move around in the shallow areas. The ore there has long been looted by passing rocks."

The main reason why the mines in the Ancient Moon Bird Forest are abandoned is that they are inhabited by a large number of rocks, ground, and even Steel-type Pokémon. Moreover, the deeper you go, the higher the probability of encountering Pokémon and the stronger they become.

It is said that there are even wild Pokémon with strength comparable to the Elite Four members inside.

This prevented mining companies from transporting their large mining equipment into the mine, and coupled with the frequent attacks on miners by cave Pokémon, the mine was eventually abandoned.

However, because of the abundance of Pokémon inhabiting the mines, it has become a favorite place for Pokémon trainers.

While catching rare cave Pokémon, you can also collect some ores as extra income.

During the trainer frenzy that followed the Kalos League joining the World Pokémon League, trainers thoroughly looted the first five levels of the abandoned cave, causing Pokémon from those levels to migrate deeper into the cave.

Most of the Pokémon in the caves beyond the fifth floor are strong enough for a new trainer's first gym challenge, which has curbed the crazy trainers who want to catch rare Pokémon.

Based on Fang Gu's current strength, Bulbasaur and Tribeca are Pokémon that might not even be able to win in the Baby Cup.

However, players like Fang Gu who focus on farming usually believe in accumulating experience before unleashing their full potential.

Once Fang Gu's Pokémon evolves, he might be able to challenge this abandoned mine.

Fang Gu nodded and thanked Uncle Link, saying, "Understood, Uncle Link."

"If I'm short of ore, I'll go ask Steve at the blacksmith shop first."

Link clapped his hands. "That's right. Steve comes to mine one day a week. Since you're so interested, maybe you can go down into the mine with him."

"This guy's Pokémon strength is quite high."

The situation took an unexpected turn, and Fang Gu's eyes lit up; the items in the craftsman catalog finally had a solution.

After thanking Uncle Link for his advice, Fang Gu sped up the logging. Before noon, he had prepared the ten large logs needed for the carpenter's shop, and even cut down a few more to pile behind the log house as raw materials for making craftsman's items in the future.

After recalling Bulbasaur and the three bees, Fang Gu prepared to set off for the carpenter's shop to deliver the order.

…………

Inside the carpenter's shop.

Rod, who was still wrestling with the monstrous strength, stopped immediately when he saw Fang Gu arrive, and asked in surprise.

"Young man, what brings you here?"

Rhodes had already heard Robin's account of entrusting the order to Fang Gu, and he was mentally prepared for Fang Gu, the new farmer, to postpone or even terminate the order halfway through.

After all, logging is no easy task.

But now, Fang Gu's confident expression doesn't seem to match what I thought at all.

"Have you already completed the order?" Rod finally voiced the question that had been on his mind.

Before Fang Gu could nod, Bulbasaur beside him raised its head and let out a cry.

"Dah!"

That's for sure, but don't underestimate Fang Gu.

Bulbasaur said something like that.

Fang Gu smiled apologetically, "I have indeed completed your order. I've temporarily stored the wood with Uncle Link, and he'll have Electabuzz bring it over in a little while."

Rod was surprised that Fang Gu, a greenhorn who had just returned from the city, had completed his order in just two days.

[Ding, Rhodes's favorability +10]

"Just call me Rod, or Uncle Rod."

Rod smiled slightly. "I really didn't expect you to complete the order so quickly."

"Even the Bulbasaur next to me looks stronger than it did two days ago."

Bulbasaur proudly puffed out its chest. While it was collecting honey with the three bees, it hadn't been idle; it had been training in battles against wild Pokémon in the wild!

After paying a deposit of 10,000 Alliance Coins, Rhodes continued.

"So, this afternoon, I'll have Robin go to your ranch to repair your elf house and chicken coop. The repairs should take about two days."

"If you need to build other farm facilities such as fish ponds or livestock sheds in the future, it will take longer, about three or four days."

In the Pokémon world, thanks to the help of Pokémon partners, the work efficiency here is exceptionally high.

Fang Gu gave a soft "hmm" and thanked him before heading towards Guyue Bird Town.

Finally, the second step of getting its ranch on track is about to be completed!

Repairing the chicken coop and the Pokémon hut means he has officially begun raising livestock and Pokémon!

After the chicken coop and the elf house are repaired, we'll go check out Judy's ranch.

"I wonder what kind of Pokémon Judy Ranch sells."

Fang Gu glanced at his wallet and realized he was also struggling financially. "It seems like our family's current situation means we can't afford any Pokémon."

According to the League's laws, Pokémon trading is strictly prohibited. However, in order to promote agricultural development, the League has issued a list that designates certain Pokémon that can be sold and traded on ranches, such as Miltank, which produces Moogle Milk; Olive, which produces olive oil; and Rock Salt, which produces rock salt.

"It seems that sometimes I have to go out and catch other Pokémon, just like I caught the three beetles."

As Fang Gu pondered, he unknowingly arrived at the blacksmith's shop in Guyue Town.

Chapter 32 Steve at the Blacksmith's Shop

"anyone there?"

"I'm in."

Fang Gu opened the slightly ajar door of the blacksmith shop; it was still open for business.

As soon as Fang Gu opened the door, he felt the wave of heat hitting him. Bulbasaur and Tribeca, which were weak to fire-type attacks, immediately fled to a distance of five meters.

"be careful!"

Steve, the blacksmith's owner, shouted, and then the heavy hammer in his hand fell. Sparks flew from the red-hot iron, almost hitting Fang Gu.

Looking at Steve, he was shirtless, wearing only an insulated work apron, his face was flushed red from the firelight, sweat was pouring down like raindrops, and his blond hair had fallen flat.

Fang Gu dared not utter a sound and could only retreat to the entrance of the blacksmith's shop, quietly waiting for Steve to finish his work.

After waiting for about ten minutes, Steve put the red-hot iron block into the water to cool it down. With a "sizzle", a lot of water vapor rose from the top of the bucket, and if you looked closely, you could see that the water on the top layer was boiling.

"It's you, the new rancher."