A small Pokémon peeked out from the treasure chest, its two -like eyes filled with tension and unease.

  Strange as it may sound, that expression of nervousness was unmistakable.

  Two antenna-like appendages protruded from its head.

  "Gimmighoul?"

  Seeing the tiny figure, Natsume was somewhat surprised.

  Gimmighoul was a slow-moving Ghost-type Pokémon that wasn't particurly adept at mobility.

  It typically lived ireasure chests and was naturally timid—whe sehe presence of humans or Pokémon nearby, it would immediately hide, ensuring it remained undiscovered.

  Gimmighoul generally had two forms: Roaming Form and Chest Form.

  There was no fual differeween them.

  If anything, their behavior patterns varied.

  Roaming Fimmighoul wandered around, seemingly in search of its inal treasure chest, hiding the moment it entered humans or Pokémon.

  Chest Fimmighoul, oher hand, often lurked in warehouses, item shops, or other pces where few people or Pokémoured.

  If an unsuspeg human or Pokémon waoo close, it would take trol of them.

  And if someoempted to steal its treasure, it would drain their life forbsp;

  The one before Natsume was unmistakably a Chest Fimmighoul.

  At first g instinctively attempted to trol Natsume.

  Now that it had found its treasure chest, there was o stay here any longer.

  It was best to leave as soon as possible.

  However, before it could act, three pierg gazes locked onto it simultaneously.

  The sheer pressure from those stares froze Gimmighoul in pbsp;

  Its attempt to raise a hand tly interrupted, leaving it in an awkward and somewhat ical posture.

  Gardevoir and Hisuian Zorua stared at Gimmighoul coldly, ready to strike at the first sign of trouble.

  As ferpon?

  It had already pulled out a thorny club from somewhere. If not for Natsume holding it back, that club would have smashed down onto Gimmighoul’s head by now.

  @#￥% (Pokémon profanity)

  You dare make a move on Natsume? You think you have enough lives for that?

  "Gimmighoul..."

  Snapping back to reality, Gimmighoul shrank further into its chest, terrified that it might get its head smashed in the sed.

  That green Pokémohere radiated a murderous i so intehat it ractically blinding.

  It actually wao kill me just now.

  Terrifying.

  Wait—wasn’t there a saying that Grass-type Pokémon were supposed to be gentle?

  Then why was this green one so aggressive?

  Could it be that this green Pokémon wasn’t actually a Grass type?

  Like those Pokémon that looked like dragons but weren’t Dragon-types?

  "Hello, Gimmighoul. I’m the owner of this farm."

  Natsume wasn’t particurly bothered by Gimmighoul’s attempt to trol him.

  For o was simply an instinctual behavior of its species.

  For another…

  Even if I stand here a my mind go bnk, do you really think you make me flinch for even a sed?

  This is the fidence given to me by Arceus (crossed out)

  This is the blessiowed upon me by the great Hisui.

  Natsume could proudly cim that he was a man who could walk unscathed through every hypnosis-based anime.

  Of course, just because he wasn’t holding a grudge now didn’t mean he wouldn’t ter.

  Whether he let it slide depended on Gimmighoul’s cooperation and attitude.

  If it behaved well, Natsume could overlook the i.

  The farm was big enough—one more Pokémon wouldn’t make much of a differenbsp;

  Besides, it could help with the night shift.

  After all, Ghost-types were naturally more active at night.

  And Gimmighoul was no exception.

  But if it refused to cooperate or showed hostility again…

  Then sorry, not only will I beat you up and toss you out, but I’ll also break your treasure chest.

  "Gimmighoul."

  Hello, Natsume.

  Sensing the kindness in Natsume’s aura—while also notig the ‘If you don’t cooperate, I’ll send you straight to Arceus’ look on Ogerpon’s fabsp;

  Gimmighoul immediately decided to behave.

  To show its siy, it eve down the it had been clutg in its tiny hands.

  It was genuinely afraid of dying.

  After traveling aountains and rivers to finally find its treasure chest, it barely had time to settle in before being discovered by humans.

  Being discovered wasn’t the worst part—at least it could try running away with its chest.

  But it nearly got obliterated instead.

  What kind of nightmare sario was this?

  It had worked so hard to find its treasure chest.

  It had even found two extra s inside.

  These should have been two joyous occasions, a—why did things turn out like this?

  Gimmighoul was feeling a little mencholibsp;

  After going through the standard round of introdus, Natsume pulled out a thermos from his small satchel and took a sip of water.

  To be ho, he was starting to feel like an NP some game.

  The Pokémohe pyers.

  Every time a new “pyer” entered him, it would trigger a scripted versation sequenbsp;

  Followed by the iable Capture Event.

  …Though, seriously, what kind of game protagonist gets captured?

  It’s not like this was that kind of game.

  "So, do you want to join the farm?"

  NPatsume extended his invitation to Gimmighoul.

  Gimmighoul hesitated for a brief moment.

  But even that fleetiation was enough to earn a sharp gre from Ogerpon.

  THUD!

  The thorny club smmed against the ground with a dull impabsp;

  Ogerpon didn’t say a word, but somehow, it spoke volumes.

  "Gimmighoul!"

  Yes, I accept! Please spare my life, thank you very mubsp;

  Gimmighoul nodded decisively.

  As if I had any other choibsp;

  If I refused, that green menace—who was already itg to swing—would probably pummel me into Gimmighoul paste on the spot.

  Damn it.

  I still have big dreams to achieve!

  Like colleg all 999 s to evolve!

  Gimmighoul had a rather unique evolutiohod—gathering 999 of its own species’ s before evolving into Gholdengo.

  A Pokémon that gleamed like pure gold, radiatih and prosperity.

  By the way, Gholdengo had one of the most underwhelming shiny forms in all of Pokémon.

  The only difference was that a few thin red lines on its body turned silver.

  If you didn’t look closely, you’d never notibsp;

  Most people, upon seeing it, would be too dazzled by its goldeo realize it was shiny at all.

  "Then wele to the farm, Gimmighoul."

  Natsume took out a Poké Ball and held it out to Gimmighoul.

  Without hesitation, Gimmighoul obediently pressed the button.

  As the red light enveloped it, Gimmighoul stole o g Ogerpon and made a solemn vow in its heart.

  Someday… one day… I will rise up a that guy.

  In front of everyone, I will take him down with my own strength!

  Gcell