Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World-Chapter 108 -

"What's that?" Hikaru, still studying the black clouds, suddenly noticed a huge shape rushing toward his workshop through the sky. Under the sunlight, it sped closer and was soon discernible.

It was Metagross!

Metagross is entirely blue-gray and disk-shaped, with four sturdy legs branching from its body. Two red eyes peer out, and a metallic "X" spans its face.

Which means the refined young nobleman riding it must be the Champion from the Hoenn region, heir to the Devon Corporation, an avid stone collector—Steven!

"Steven is here!" Hikaru exclaimed.

Lilligant glanced up curiously; Doublade suddenly realized something.

Wait, that wealthy customer is here?

Does that mean…

Metagross gradually slowed, then landed smoothly on the ground. Steven dismounted, his expression brimming with curiosity and excitement.

"This place is really remote. I never expected anyone to be living here!"

Although Hikaru had sent him the coordinates, Shinto lay in the far north of Johto. Steven had asked around, but no one had heard of such a place. It took some effort to confirm the correct path!

As for Metagross, it was currently a standard blue one, not the signature silver shiny Metagross that Steven would acquire later. Presumably, the shiny one hadn't yet been captured at this point.

Still, this Metagross had been with Steven for quite a while.

Once Metagross landed, Steven took a look around.

This was unfamiliar territory—somewhat chilly climate, a lone workshop, and…Steven straightened his coat. Hikaru, for his part, felt a subtle surge of excitement.

After all, Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald were Hikaru's first dive into the series, and Steven was the very first Champion he faced. From personality to style and the strength of his Pokémon, Steven was truly iconic.

There's also that amusing bit about his team containing multiple Rock-type Pokémon, leading fans to joke that he's actually a Rock Champion rather than Steel. Then there's Lance—Champion of both Kanto and Johto—who ended up being called a Flying-type master, since early generations had few Dragons.

Lance responded in later games with a famous line: "It's not only Dragon-type Pokémon that can be considered dragon-like," valiantly defending his roster.

"Pleased to meet you, Hikaru. I'm Steven, a gem collector from the Hoenn region."

Steven and Hikaru exchanged a friendly handshake. The next moment, Steven's gaze locked onto Doublade.

Doublade's ribbons were covered in all sorts of purple talismans, radiating a powerful Ghost aura. Yet Steven instantly recognized its Steel attribute.

"This Doublade… It's been raised extremely well!" Steven, an expert in Steel types, could see at a glance how far Doublade had come, even though its blade was concealed within a sheath.

Just as Steven was about to examine Doublade more closely, he suddenly noticed a pale-purple stone inlaid on Doublade's shield-like guard.

[!]

It was as though an exclamation mark popped above Steven's head. He stared at Hikaru in disbelief.

Doublade's inner monologue: Perfect! That was deliberate so you'd notice the stone and be intrigued.

"That's an Eviolite. I recently discovered a second one," Hikaru said, seizing the moment. "Of course, I've already polished it, and its effect is identical to the first one."

He had always planned to sell this piece to Steven. And Steven, well, he'd surely name a good price.

"I'm so grateful!" Steven's expression lit up with excitement, the smile on his face reflecting genuine joy. "I didn't expect you would find another so soon!"

"To be honest, after I learned of this remarkable stone, I went to Azalea Town's Gym to ask around," Steven explained. "I'm quite the enthusiast for rare stones, so I often travel in search of them."

"I also asked a friend to do some excavations in the Sinnoh Underground. I thought if neither of us could find another, I might have to go to Sinnoh myself—"

"Why go to Sinnoh?" Hikaru interjected, surprised.

Steven replied with equal puzzlement, "Well…I heard that you used to work in Sinnoh, so I assumed that first stone was found there…"

Ah, that explains it!

Hikaru gave a wry smile and clarified, "I did live in Sinnoh for a time, but I didn't get the Eviolite there. I discovered it in a ruin before coming to Shinto. Actually, Doublade here was an ancient sword found with that stone."

Hikaru gestured to the Pokémon, which waved its ribbons in greeting to Steven.

"Yoo~"

Then Doublade turned to converse with Metagross. Both being Steel types, they had plenty in common. Doublade circled the Metagross, wondering if it could snag some extra steel from those limbs…

Metagross found Doublade's circling suspicious. What is this Pokémon plotting?

Steven chuckled. "Haha, it seems they're getting along quite well."

Hikaru wiped a bit of sweat. "Not…exactly."

"Ahem!" Hoping to redirect Steven's focus, Hikaru said, "Anyway, as for the Eviolite—this kind of stone appears in many places, not just Sinnoh or that ruin. Hoenn definitely has them too. There's no need to rely solely on traveling to Sinnoh."

"Eviolite often forms where many Pokémon live for long periods—whether forest, lake, mountain, or cave. It might even appear in fishing spots. Possibly, some fishermen or mountain climbers have picked one up without recognizing it, merely keeping it as a precious gem or selling it as a random trinket."

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

"In certain ancient kingdoms, this stone was set into equipment as a natural gemstone. So searching old ruins might yield a find as well."

"I've heard that near the famous berry master's home in Hoenn, the soil is rich, featuring both mountains and lakes. Many Magikarp also gather there. Who's to say Eviolite won't appear there? And there's always the Lake of Rage in Johto."

"My guess is Eviolite is tied to Pokémon evolution. Where large numbers of Pokémon evolve, residual evolution energy seeps into the environment, fusing with certain minerals and forming Eviolite. That's just my theory, though."

Steven mulled it over."Indeed, Hoenn's geological diversity can rival anywhere."

"As for mining knowledge, you seem to know as much as I do. You truly are a person after my own heart!" Steven smiled. "Actually, I want to talk about the price of this second Eviolite, and…here's what you asked for!"

He took out a stone from his pouch.

It was pitch black—like the darkness of a moonless night.

This was the Dusk Stone!

(End of Chapter)

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