Natsume stared bnkly at the white light before him.

  In the first sed, he g the Everstone oable.

  In the sed sed, he turned back to watch as Gastly began to grow cws.

  Ihird sed, Natsume seriously sidered where he could press the "B" button to cel the evolution.

  The answer was: nowhere!

  The white light enveloped Gastly, its gaseous form expanding and gradually taking the shape of a jagged purple ghost face, with rows of spiky protrusions oher side of its head.

  Its round eyes had bee narrow and slitted, with bck pupils burning with a faint blue Will-O-Wisp. Its sharp fangs had turned into purple teeth.

  Oher side of Haunter's body were a pair of eerie, skeletal hands, floating in the air, appearing incredibly agile.

  Haunter's eyes narrowed into slits as it used its new hands to pick up the sauce-covered pte, lig it with glee.

  "Haunter!"

  So you evolved just to lick the pte better?!

  With the addition of hands, Haunter was undoubtedly more vehan Gastly in many ways.

  Natsume felt a headache ing on and pressed his hand to his forehead.

  I just spent over 10,000 Pokémon s on aone, and you evolved anyway?

  But then again, the Everstone was meant to prevent Gastly from evolving during battles to avoid ued situations.

  Now that Gastly had evolved, it felt like a natural progression.

  Gastly... no, it should be called Haunter now.

  After lig the pte , Haunter let out a satisfied burp, its eyes narrowing as it fshed a mischievous grin.

  "You're still the same as ever," Natsume said with a wry smile.

  "Don't fet to wash the pte ter!"

  Now that Haunter had hands, even household chores became easier!

  "Haunter!"

  With its face still smeared in sauce, Hauuck out its crimson tongue and happily lu Natsume.

  Natsume skillfully dodged the Lick attack while cheg Haunter's move list.

  In addition to SubProtect Toxid various status moves, Haunter had gaiwo new moves after evolving.

  The first was [Hex].

  Haunter enveloped its oppo in bck mist. Theoretically, the more status ditions the oppo had, the greater the move's power.

  Natsume couldn't help but shiver.

  "Dirty, so dirty!"

  This move was something Haunter had mastered after defeating Swellow while holding the Everstohe 10,000+ Pokémon s spent on the Everstone were somewhat justified.

  Still, Natsume felt a pang ret.

  "I could've waited until it learned Shadow Ball before evolving. What a waste."

  "Oh wait, I'm not even a Trainer. Never mind!"

  The other move Haunter automatically mastered after evolving was [Shadow Punch].

  Although it still raining to use it profitly, seeing Haunter eagerly throwing pu the wall made Natsume think it wouldn't take long to master.

  "Haunter!"

  Haunter looked excited as its floating fists relentlessly pouhe wall.

  Its fists melted into the wall, only to emerge from the other side aurn to Haunter's body.

  Haunter cackled gleefully, clearly having a bst.

  Natsume looked up at the ceiling.

  This se felt oddly familiar.

  It reminded him of some guy named JOJO, who summorahings and started pung wildly.

  "Haunter," Natsume called out.

  "Hide in my shadow for now."

  "Haunter!"

  Haunter nodded and, using its natural abilities, seamlessly merged into Natsume's shadow, leaving only its beady eyes peeking out to observe its surroundings.

  Natsume pced one hand on his hip, snapped his fingers, and anded, "Haunter, Shadow Punch!"

  "Haunter!"

  Haunter flew out, levitating behind Natsume, and unleashed a flurry of Shadow Punches, leaving behind tless afterimages.

  "Brilliant!"

  Natsume's eyes lit up.

  "Now I don't have to worry about sneak attacks!"

  In this Pokémon world, ensuring a Trainer's safety was a signifit challenge.

  Even the Elite Four could be caught off guard in wild, uable battles.

  In the "Special Chapter," Dragon-type Elite Four member Lance lost to Yellow's Raticate and Caterpie—a disgrace to the Elite Four!

  With Haunter's ability to hide in shadows, it provided Natsume with ara yer of security.

  Even though he wasn't a Trainer, it was always good to be prepared.

  After sending Haunter off to get used to its new body and up the kit, Natsume picked up the camera and began reviewing the footage he had just recorded.

  Within ten minutes, Natsume's expression grew increasingly impressed.

  The footage... was absolutely explosive!

  Natsume's looks were undeniably top-tier.

  Even as a Food tent Creator, his handsomeness couldn't be hidden.

  In the video, the handsome young man expertly prepared a dish, creating a visually pleasing se.

  The dark circles and faint stubble from staying up te didn't make him look u but instead added a unique charm.

  P the sauce over the ba roast, eveeam was captured clearly, along with Gastly's drooling expression.

  With a bit of editing and some filters, this would be the ultimate food video!

  And then came the final segment: Gastly's evolution.

  After finishing the roast, Gastly began to evolve—the effect was as if Natsume's cooking had triggered its evolution!

  Even Natsume himself couldn't help but ugh.

  "As expected of me."

  Natsume patted himself on the shoulder.

  "I make Pokémon evolve just by cooking!"

  But the moment, Natsume froze.

  Haunter's evolutio Natsume would have to spend more money on Haunter's food expenses.

  pared to Gastly, Haunter's costs would skyrocket expoially!

  A cold sweat dripped down Natsume's forehead.

  Not only that, but Haunter's tastes had already been spoiled. Natsume would o earn more BP Points to keep exging for Berries from the System.

  bined with the tasks the System had assigned him...

  It all felt like a giant trap.

  The goal was to foratsume, unknowingly, onto the path of a Trainer!

  "System, you tricked me!"

  Natsume's breathing quied, the excitement of Gastly's evolution repced by a deep sense of emptiness.

  Opening a calcutor, Natsume did some quick math.

  "Gastly's monthly expenses were 2,000 Pokémon s. Acc to Blue Oak's Breeding Guide, Haunter's dietary needs are at least three times that..."

  "At 6,000 Pokémon s a month, I'll be bankrupt in six months. And I still have rent and utilities to pay..."

  Natsume took a deep breath and calmly said, "It's fine. As long as it doesn't evolve into Gengar, I still afford it!"

  Reinvigorated, Natsume took out the memory card and begaing the new video.

  Thanks to the multi-angle shots, he didn't o reshoot anything. It only took him two hours to finish editing.

  By then, it was already 1:30 a.m.

  The video showcased the golden, mouthwatering ba roast, drenched in rich sauce, making it easy to imagihe burst of fvor and satisfa from biting into it.

  The aroma of the ba seemed to bloom oaste buds, the sauce overflowing, paired with Gastly's enthusiastic chewing—

  No one could resist this te-night food temptation. No one!

  Natsume swallowed hard and clicked the "Upload Video" button.

  While waiting for the video to be reviewed, Natsume called out to Haunter, who was busy ing the kit.

  "Haunter, make me a cup of instant noodles! Two sausages!"

  "Haunter!"

  [Your video has been reviewed and successfully uploaded.]

  [Click to view: "Natsume-sensei's Late-Night Kit 01: Imitation Crispy Roast Pork"!]

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