Pokemon: A Fisherman's Tale

"Yo, yo," Poliwag hadn't fainted yet and opened its tired eyes. After seeing that it was Ryan feeding it water, Poliwag opened its small mouth cooperatively, allowing Ryan to pour the water into its mouth.

Seeing this, Ryan quietly breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, Poliwag wasn't seriously injured. It had just overused its moves and was extremely fatigued. It just needed to rest.

Moreover, this battle wasn't fruitless. Ryan gave Poliwag some water and let it rest well.

He opened Poliwag's proficiency panel.

[Poliwag]

[Type: Water]

[Gender: Male]

[Potential: 31%]

[Level: 6.92%]

[Ability: Damp/0.53%] [Hidden Ability: Swift Swim/1.23%]

[Mastery of moves: (Heart's Eye /0.21%) (Ice Ball/0.31%) (Refresh/0.51%) (Bubble/1.31%) (Hypnosis/0.52%) (Double Slap/2.64%) (Pound/0.51%) (Water Gun/2.47%)]

Poliwag's experience had increased a lot, and it was close to reaching level seven. The increase last night contributed to its slap and pound moves, and just now, they both improved.

The proficiency in Heart's Eye had actually increased? Did the little Poliwag use it without realizing it?

This move is truly subtle. It increases the hit rate of other moves and enhances the ability to lock onto an enemy. Ryan felt this move was useful and could likely develop some clever tactics in the future.

Water Gun, in particular, had made the biggest leap in proficiency, almost reaching a new threshold.

However, now wasn't the time to worry about these details. Instead, he had to prepare food for Poliwag to restore its over-exerted energy.

Eating and resting are the most effective ways to recover strength.

Speaking of food, Ryan dug out some leftover fish bones from last night. These weren't suitable for the current Poliwag; it would eat them once it recovered some strength.

The meal he prepared for Poliwag was the Magikarp it had caught earlier.

After taking out Magikarp's Poké Ball, the proficiency panel popped up.

[Magikarp]

[Type: Water]

[Gender: Male]

[Potential: 22%]

[Level: 3.18%]

[Ability: Swift Swim/1.21%]

[Mastery of moves: (Splash/0.98%) (Tackle/0.34%)]

This Magikarp's potential and level were much higher than the previous one. It had no hidden abilities, and its move set remained basic.

Looking at Magikarp's potential, Ryan had an idea. Two identical Magikarp had different potential levels, both displayed in the proficiency panel. If he caught countless Magikarp, he could select the one with the highest potential and train it to evolve into a Gyarados.

However, this method only applied to Magikarp.

For other species, this wasn't feasible. Rare Pokémon wouldn't appear in the numbers necessary for this strategy. Only Pokémon with larger populations could be screened this way.

With just one glance, he could screen a high-potential Magikarp and train it to evolve into a formidable Gyarados.

Potential represents possibility, after all. It was no longer like opening a blind box.

But clearly, this Magikarp wasn't worth cultivating, so it was destined to become Poliwag's meal.

Ryan, much more capable now than he had been previously, confidently handled the Magikarp by himself.

Opening the Poké Ball, Ryan quickly pressed Magikarp's head with one hand, and with a folding knife in the other, he swiftly opened Magikarp's belly before the fish could react.

Next, he removed the internal organs, cleaned them, lit a fire, boiled water, and started stewing.

First, he stewed the fish offal since it was the easiest way to replenish the body. Poliwag needed that energy the most right now.

Soon, the water began to boil, and the fish entrails tumbled in the bubbling pot.

Ryan fed Poliwag several times. The little Pokémon gradually recovered, gaining some energy, though it was still weak and needed Ryan's help to sit up.

Once the fish soup was ready, Ryan fished out some offal to satisfy Poliwag's appetite.