Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

What if a thief misses a fleeting opportunity if he doesn't act quickly?

As usual, he jogged over, and at the same time, the Money-Seeking Spirit activated the ghost-type energy within his body, preparing to interfere with the victim.

The principle behind the interference isn't difficult; it's simply an illusion technique that Ghost-type Pokémon excel at.

It's like a youthful version of the illusion Xia Chen experienced in that abandoned hotel during his travels in the Carlos region, since this money-grabbing spirit is much weaker than the Mismagius.

But it's enough to deal with one human.

Energy spread within a small area, and a miniature illusion instantly condensed. The Money-Stealing Spirit, as always, took the five coins from the human's hand.

The reason it only took five and not more wasn't because it followed any code of honor among thieves; it was mainly because it couldn't hold any more...

After gazing longingly at the remaining coins in the human's hand, the Money-Grubber turned away reluctantly, preparing to make a run for it with the five coins.

However, the moment it took its first step, it discovered something terrible.

His body seemed unable to move...

To be precise, the space around him suddenly became extremely viscous, making it difficult for the money-seeking spirit to move.

Its once-proud speed has failed!

The money-seeking spirit was dumbfounded. What kind of move was this?

If my speed and ability haven't been reduced or affected in any way, why can't I run anymore suddenly?

No, that's not the key point. The key point is, how do I escape?

At this moment, the money-seeking spirit finally realized that this was a trap set specifically for it.

But by then it was too late.

"sticky--"

A long, drawn-out sound came from behind. Suo Cailing looked up and saw a pale purple jelly flying towards him at an extremely fast speed.

On the other side, two white ribbons with blue and pink ends lashed sharply toward their positions with a whooshing sound.

With wolves in front and tigers behind, I can't even run away.

The money-seeking spirit sighed deeply, "My life is over!"

…………

"Thank you for helping our restaurant resolve this problem. In return, I will waive your meal tonight."

After watching the wicked Moneyhound be knocked unconscious and locked in a Poké Ball, the restaurant manager thanked Xia Chen.

Although it would take a fortune-stealing spirit a very long time to steal enough to pay for Xia Chen's meal tonight, what matters is not those few coins, but the dining experience of the guests.

Therefore, the manager felt it was reasonable to waive the customer's bill.

Xia Chen did not refuse the other party's kindness and smiled, "Then thank you very much. It's a win-win situation. I also wanted to subdue a money-grabbing spirit."

Although the restaurant manager didn't understand why Xia Chen wanted to capture this elf that had no other advantages besides being able to run, he still smiled and nodded.

"Understood. Well then, welcome to Oliva Elf Restaurant next time!"

Amid farewells, Xia Chen and Ming Yi led the elves out of the restaurant and headed to the Brewing Light Hotel on the top floor of the Brewing Light Tower to check in.

Judging from its name and location, this is the best hotel in Nyang Quang City, and its price is naturally quite high.

However, Xia Chen doesn't care about that anymore; money is just a string of numbers to him.

His ultimate ideal was to enjoy life peacefully with the elves, so of course he wouldn't mistreat himself and Mingyi at this time.

So, he very generously booked two Elf Suites.

Unfortunately, it was peak tourist season and the Niangguang Hotel was fully booked. The front desk regretfully informed us that there was only one room left.

In a hurry to deal with the money-grubbing spirit, Xia Chen was too lazy to look for other places to stay. After paying and taking the key, he and Mingyi walked into the hotel.

Watching the young couple hurry away, the receptionist smiled knowingly, as if he had accomplished something great.

"What are you going to do with the Money-Gathering Spirit? Raise it to be your next main Pokémon?"

Inside the room, Mingyi asked curiously.

Xia Chen shook his head slightly and replied, "It's only for Pokémon research for now. As for our main Pokémon... we'll see. Let's capture this guy first."

Although the Moneypick is now in Xia Chen's Poké Ball, it doesn't mean he has successfully captured it.

The Poké Ball doesn't have a brainwashing effect, and if the Pokémon doesn't want to, it can escape at any time.

In the anime, Ash's Froakie and Sneasel both escaped from their original trainers' Poké Balls.

It's incredibly easy for a money-gathering spirit to run away, so Xia Chen decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with it.

"Alright, you chat with it for now, I'm going to take a shower."

Mingyi stretched, revealing a full figure that didn't look like that of an eighteen-year-old girl at all.

"Well, you go."

Xia Chen replied casually, his mind already racing with ideas on how to persuade Suocailing to become his spirit.

Mingyi glanced sideways at Xia Chen's reaction, looking slightly dejected.

This guy... sometimes I really can't figure out what's going on in his head.

…………

The sound of splashing water, suggestive and intimate, came from the bathroom, but Xia Chen, without a care in the world, tossed out a Poké Ball.

A flash of white light appeared, and Gardevoir's pure white skirt fluttered as she appeared in the room.

"Gardedoll, please open Trick Room again."

Although the money-seeking spirit should be in poor condition at this time, we still need to guard against the possibility of it escaping.

"Sana~"

Gardevoir responded, and soon after, strange energy ripples suddenly appeared in the space, and an invisible barrier appeared in this space, completing the construction of the Trick Space.

Xia Chen then summoned Googlos as an anchor to exchange speed with the Moneypick before throwing out the still-warm Poké Ball.

A flash of white light appeared, and the unconscious coin-carrying figure appeared in the magic space before them.

Seeing the money-grubbing spirit still clutching those five coins even after being knocked unconscious, Xia Chen shook his head, both amused and exasperated.

What a miser...

"Gardedoll, use Healing Pulse on it."

It's no exaggeration to say that the Money-Grubber race is weak. In the restaurant, it was knocked down by Goool and then tugged at by Sylveon's silk, rendering it unable to fight.

Xia Chen felt that if this guy were put into a game, his base stats would be at most 300, and with a small portion of that going to speed, his durability would be incredibly low.

Healed by pink super-powerful energy particles, the Money-Seeking Spirit slowly awoke.

"Chirp!"

The newly awakened Suocailing was clearly in a state of stress, letting out a loud, intense cry.

Xia Chen ignored it and let it figure out its current situation on its own.

After a two-second pause, it realized that it was now a prisoner.

Its body instincts made the Money-Seeking Spirit want to run away, but soon it found itself back in that strange space.

Feeling utterly helpless with nowhere to turn, the Money-Seeking Spirit was deeply frustrated. It looked up at Xia Chen, hesitated for a long time, and finally reluctantly handed over the five coins it was holding tightly in its hand.

Although its name is "Money-Seeking Spirit," it still knows whether money or life is more important.

"Chirp! (Don't kill me, I'll give you all the coins!)"

Xia Chen understood what the money-grubbing spirit meant from its fearful tone. He chuckled, "Foolish! Even if I kill you, the coins will still be mine!"

The money-seeking spirit was stunned. It seemed... that was indeed the case.

Wait, is this human really planning to kill me?

It's just 500, it shouldn't be that serious...

It's hard to say. What if this human had been robbed of a lot of money by other money-grubbing spirits before, and is now taking out their anger on themselves?

It's not impossible...

…………

Just as Suo Cailing was feeling uneasy, Xia Chen coughed and continued, "You should know that you have stolen too many coins in this city and committed many evils. The crimes you have committed are not limited to stealing these five coins from me."

"Now, I can give you a chance to atone for your sins and start anew, which is to work for me for a year!"

Xia Chen's true intentions were revealed, and the now-calm Suocailing gradually understood the human's true purpose...

He was lusting after his own body!

The astute money-gatherer glanced at Xia Chen, realizing that this guy had been spouting nonsense all this time in order to subdue him...

What is there to be afraid of?

Suo Cailing completely relaxed.

Those who are favored are fearless. If this human wants to subdue me, will he still hurt me?

Obviously not!

Thinking of this, Suo Cailing calmly placed the five coins on the ground, then leisurely leaned against them, looking like a lazy bum.

Subjugate?

There's no way they can be tamed in this lifetime. Rattata from the sewers speaks so nicely, and Grimer, though it smells terrible, is also very kind.

I absolutely love living there!

According to Rattata, who was abandoned by a human trainer, becoming a human means losing your freedom. You can no longer go out to steal coins, and more importantly, you have to do those pointless training sessions and battles.

Why should someone with such a small body suffer like that?

Tsk...

Looking at the money-gathering spirit, who seemed completely indifferent, Xia Chen shook his head helplessly.

This guy is pretty clever; it seems Plan A (coercion) failed.

So, Plan B will be implemented!