Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World

"How is that possible? You're not a household item."

"Yōwu~ (But a thousand years ago, I was a household item.)"

Hikaru couldn't refute that.

A thousand years ago, people indeed carried weapons with them at all times!

Doublade let out a joyful sound, humming a work tune. Hikaru had no idea where it had picked up such a melody.

At that moment, Doublade first performed Swords Dance, and then its eyes glowed with psychic energy. Countless strands of psychic threads began to materialize, spreading out like a web around the stone materials!

Doublade manipulated these sharp psychic threads to efficiently cut and shape the stone. It had already practiced well when cutting fabric last time.

Even when Hikaru wasn't watching, it would practice its Psycho Cut, trying to refine its psychic abilities. There was actually a simple method to enhance psychic power—meditation. However, Doublade's form couldn't learn the move Calm Mind.

But perhaps, through long-term work, it could eventually learn the move?

Doublade had once entertained this fantasy.

Under Doublade's control, the stone was quickly being sculpted into the shape of a Pokémon. Watching this process, Hikaru was reminded of laser cutting. Maybe if Psycho Cut was refined well enough, it could even achieve "laser engraving" in the future?

Psychic abilities were truly convenient! Hikaru had thought this more than once.

"Yōwu~" Doublade's eyes gradually dimmed as its psychic energy waned. The threads formed by Psycho Cut could no longer maintain their solid form, rapidly diminishing before vanishing completely.

This was the most precise level of control it could manage with its psychic power for now.

"You did an amazing job—I'm not just saying that. I'll take it from here." Hikaru picked up the carving tools just as Lilligant's gaze fell upon him.

She had wanted to learn carving for a while, but her attempts using Leaf Blade had resulted in rough, unrefined sculptures. And she couldn't use Doublade's Psycho Cut technique either. So, Lilligant watched Hikaru's carving process intently.

She might not be able to learn it completely, but at least she could pick up some skills.

"Oh? You want to learn my carving technique? Feel free to watch." Hikaru noticed Lilligant's focused gaze and deliberately slowed his carving speed.

Bit by bit, the shape of a Pokémon gradually emerged from the sculpture, radiating an ancient aura.

Finally, embedding an Ancient Rock into the sculpture completed the piece.

The gemstone was placed in the eye sockets, resembling Chandelure's two round, yellow eyes.

[Artifact: Small 'Ancient Statue'—Shinto Ruins Style]

[Description: A replica styled after ancient craftsmanship. The figure is that of Chandelure.]

[Effect: Spirit Lantern—When infused with Ghost-type energy, it ignites a Will-O-Wisp, providing illumination while enhancing the activity of surrounding Ghost-type energy and spirits.]

Who would use Will-O-Wisp for lighting? And from a Ghost-type Pokémon, no less!

"So, it really is a lamp. Just a rather eerie one. Infusing Ghost-type energy to ignite it… isn't that basically 'absorbing' and 'burning' souls?"

"At least it can be manually turned on and off. Otherwise, this would be way too dangerous to sell as a regular product."

Hikaru opened his Pokégear and sent a message to his client in Unova.

["The eerie books, notebooks, and sculpture are all completed."]

After sending the message, Hikaru had another thought. He opened one of his chat accounts and once again found the "Create Business Group" option.

His last group was full of Psychic-types specialists.

Aside from those precognitive-obsessed folks, without a doubt, the next most well-informed group of clients would be the spiritualists.

Morty had been helping him advertise his products while also seemingly acting as a large-scale buyer, purchasing many talismans himself.

"Many spiritualists have a high demand for talismans. Since that's the case, I might as well create another business group and invite all my clients interested in Ghost-type items."

Hikaru quickly recommended the group to his Unovan client, who seemed surprised:

["The shopkeeper finished so quickly?! Also, what's this group about?"]

"This is a business group. Since there are many buyers of Ghost-type items, I added you all here. That way, when I have new Ghost-related products, you can reserve them in advance."

"Honestly, I didn't expect Ghost-type items to be my best-selling products."

Hikaru invited several frequent buyers of Ghost-type goods, including Morty and Ancient Explorer, as well as a client in Hoenn, who seemed to be Phoebe.

This client didn't appear to be online often, and their username was [Wandering Night Spirit].

In addition, several new customers, recommended by Matsuba, were also invited. Hikaru believed that the more customers, the better.

[Clairvoyant]: "Oh! With this group, I can immediately know when new Ghost-type products are available. The talismans I bought last time are still working great!"

[Ancient Explorer]: "So you're the one who bought all the talismans… Using the word 'procurement'—are you bulk-buying them like wholesale goods?"

[Soul Novelist]: "No wonder the items were out of stock! Leave some for the rest of us!"

[Clairvoyant]: "Ah… I didn't expect my bulk purchases to cause trouble for everyone. Next time, I'll buy fewer. But more importantly, the shopkeeper should make more! Oh, and I'll send you some Ghost-type Pokémon materials. I've confirmed with my unique spiritual sense that you have a Ghost Pokémon, right?"

[Traveler]: "Oh, thank you! And thanks for recommending my shop to other spiritualists. But honestly… your ability feels a lot like precognition."

[Clairvoyant]: "Well, spiritual power is just another form of psychic power, after all!"

[Ancient Explorer]: "Hmph, so you're using that method to secure first dibs? Well, I have even better items—a collection of cursed antiques tainted with ominous and terrifying curses, overflowing with Ghost energy. Shopkeeper, are you interested in buying them?"

[Traveler]: "That sounds like a straight-up hazardous item… But now that you mention it, I'm kind of interested."

[Ancient Explorer]: "Dangerous antiques are the most intriguing, don't you think? Also, speaking of recommendations, I won't lose. You remember that Bourgeois guy who bought from you? I casually mentioned your craftsmanship to him, and he was instantly fascinated."

So, Mr. Bourgeois was introduced by Ancient Explorer! Hikaru had just uncovered the source of yet another client.

[Wandering Night Spirit]: "Trainers from Mt. Pyre, paranormal enthusiasts, and even spirits love your talismans. But, uh… my internet connection here is terrible. Mt. Pyre is quite a remote place."

[Soul Novelist]: "Wait, did you say spirits?!"

[Wandering Night Spirit]: "Yes, after purchasing your talismans recently, many wandering spirits have gathered around Mt. Pyre. Thanks to the shopkeeper's Purification Talisman, they have been able to pass on. The spirits spread the word to one another, which is why they've gathered here. Your talismans function very similarly to the Spirit Realm Cloth!"

[Soul Novelist]: "Whoa, whoa! This sounds just like something out of a novel! Are you saying you can actually see spirits?!"

[Clairvoyant]: "Not just communing with spirits but actually seeing them? A natural-born medium? And Mt. Pyre... could it be that you're Phoebe, the Hoenn Elite Four member? This is the first time I've seen you with this account!"

[Wandering Night Spirit]: "Hehe, well, even the League needs communication channels when summoning its members. You must be Morty, from Ecruteak City! I've heard a lot about you."

[Ancient Explorer]: "Hoenn's Elite Four? Someone with strong spiritual powers… sounds like you'd be useful for dispelling curses and vengeful spirits from antiques."

It seemed that a powerful medium naturally attracted attention. Once Morty exposed Phoebe's identity, the group chat suddenly became lively with people chiming in!

Some even used their profession as their username—prayer masters, shamans, spirit mediums, and exorcists—all excitedly bombarding Wandering Night Spirit with questions about her training methods!

Hikaru couldn't help but think that his business group had turned into a paranormal study forum.

Then, a user with the ID [Prayer Master Mukae (Official)] spoke up:

"I've heard the shopkeeper is also a natural-born medium. How do you train your abilities? Is it because of your strong spiritual energy that you're able to craft such unique talismans? Your spirit power seems different from others."

Prayer Master Mukae… Hikaru found the name somewhat familiar.

Prayer masters were rare among trainers, and this one had a distinct name, so he had remembered it. If he recalled correctly, Mukae was a female trainer from Saffron City Gym in Kanto.

Wait—why would a Ghost-type trainer be working at a Psychic-type Gym?

Hikaru thought for a moment before replying:

"I died once. Or rather, I had a near-death experience. The place I live in now also has a haunted room. Maybe that's why my spiritual energy is unique."

And that was the truth. He had, in fact, died once.

Well, if he counted both his past and present selves, that would make it twice, actually.

His response sent shockwaves through the group.

[Prayer Master Mukae]: "I've heard of people gaining spirit-world powers after a near-death experience, but… are you saying that's how you got yours?!!!"

Three exclamation marks emphasized her shock.

Soon, other mediums flooded the chat with messages—exclamations of "resurrected from death", "unrepeatable phenomenon", "living with ghosts", "I want to try it", "Would that count as suicide?", and "A new urban legend about mysterious deaths?"

Hikaru started sweating nervously.

If Officer Jenny or Interpol saw this conversation, they might think it was some kind of murder cult discussion group.

[Wandering Night Spirit]: "Ah, so you should be able to see spirits as well. Your soul must be incredibly strong if even the spirit world couldn't take you. If you ever visit Hoenn, please come to Mt. Pyre! I'd love to witness your unique spiritual power firsthand!"

[Soul Novelist]: "Hold on—wasn't this supposed to be a business group? Why is it turning into a paranormal studies forum?!"

Finally, someone had steered the conversation back on track, and Hikaru felt relieved.

[Traveler]: "If any of you have Ghost-type Pokémon materials, feel free to send them to me. I'll craft them into special products. For example, my newest item, the 'Fear Glass Whistle,' is excellent for training Ghost-type Pokémon. I'll offer a discount on these since you're supplying the materials—just a small processing fee."

"I'll be adding more unique items in the future, so stay tuned!"

"@Soul Novelist, regarding the eerie notebook you requested, I've also made a special paranormal journal. If you'd like me to illustrate it with spirit-infused craftsmanship, the effect is… well, let's just say it might be unsettling for the reader."

[Soul Novelist]: "Whoa! That sounds like the perfect prop for me! And it can create ghostly hallucinations? My current notebook doesn't have that feature!"

Meanwhile, in Unova, Shauntal was no longer at Caitlin's villa—after all, that massive Snorlax statue had completely smothered her creative inspiration.

Seeing Hikaru's message, she excitedly tossed her old notebook into the air.

A novel that could immerse readers in ghostly hallucinations?

This was a revolutionary breakthrough in the literary world!

(End of Chapter)

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