Although Naoki had a rough guess about the effects of the "Golden Finger," due to some real-world reasons, he couldn’t attempt to use it.
First, he didn’t have any Pokemon around him, and secondly, the original owner was just too poor...
At three in the morning, Naoki, having barely filled his stomach, began pondering his current predicament.
For him, traversing into this world was indeed a joyful event, but regardless of which world it was, or whatever he wanted to do, he needed to fill his stomach first.
Naoki cleaned the dishes and then sat at the desk to sort out the original owner’s belongings.
As a wanderer away from home, the original owner’s backpack was very simple.
Apart from a few changes of clothes, there were just three packs of instant noodles and a pile of scattered coins and notes.
Naoki counted, the total amount was around 2300.
This amount of money wouldn’t last him a travel journey; he’d likely starve to death in less than a month.
After doing some mental calculations about the conversion of this world’s prices, Naoki couldn’t help but sigh into his hands.
Sigh, it was too difficult for him...
But thinking of the cute and majestic Pokemon in anime, Naoki revived his spirits and lifted himself up.
"Take it step by step!"
Maybe from not having a good rest before traveling or due to this body being overly exhausted, after filling his stomach, Naoki quickly felt an overwhelming drowsiness come upon him.
He did not resist, thinking he could finally have a good sleep, not needing to worry about being late for work tomorrow, nor having to skimp and save to repay the mortgage. Tomorrow would be a new day.
Turning off the light and lying on the wooden bed, Naoki soon fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, he was awakened by a knocking sound at the door.
Naoki opened his eyes abruptly, sitting up in tension, and upon observing his surroundings, he suddenly realized the fact that he had already crossed over to another world.
He breathed a sigh of relief, with the knocking sound outside continuing.
Naoki was a bit puzzled, got out of bed with messy hair, opened the door, and saw an elderly man wearing a brown vest, slightly pudgy, with a black gentleman’s hat standing outside.
The elderly man appeared to be between sixty and seventy years old; seeing him come out, he displayed a warm and kind smile.
Beside him stood a creature that stood on two feet, resembling a lizard.
The creature was green, shiny, with a smooth sheen under the Morning Sun, a tire-like structure around its neck, and a sturdy, dark green resilient tail gently swaying behind it, with the tip of the tail a translucent white.
It opened its big eyes, curiously examining him.
Naoki was instantly drawn to it and recognized this Pokemon immediately — Cyclizar.
And the elderly man before him was the mayor of Porto Marinada Town.
The old man spoke, "I heard yesterday you said you plan to stay and manage this ranch, and I thought you might be unfamiliar with ranch work, moreover, cleaning alone can be tiring, so I brought this child over."
Naoki was slightly taken aback; after a moment’s recollection, a memory surfaced in his mind:
Yesterday morning, when the original owner returned to the ranch, he happened to encounter the old mayor, who recognized him and after some niceties, said:
"Here is the inheritance your grandfather left you. I knew one day you would return, so I come by periodically to help clean it. Although it has been abandoned for many years, the house is still livable. Feel free to stay here!"
The original owner decently thanked him.
The old mayor showed a smile, "When I was young, I was friends with your grandfather. When you were little, I held you! It’s something your grandfather entrusted me with before he passed! I must hand over the ranch to you!"
— The old mayor apparently thought the original owner returned to take care of the ranch, Naoki thought.
Realizing this, Naoki instantly understood the situation, but looking at this Cyclizar, he was still a bit puzzled.
Seeing the tall and lanky youth before him, the old mayor couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy and regret.
Such a pitiful child! All his family has passed away, leaving him alone in this world.
After seeing his state yesterday, the old mayor went home and brought over the child of his own Cyclizar.
One reason was for Cyclizar to stay by his side so they’d have company, and secondly, Cyclizar could also help along with the ranch work.
The old mayor sighed in his heart, but outwardly, he gently asked, "Can you help me take care of it?"
Naoki: "..."
As an adult, he immediately understood what the old mayor meant.
Naoki looked at Cyclizar.
Cyclizar also gazed back with wide eyes, innocent and curious.
Cyclizar, a Pokemon of Normal and Dragon Type, has lived alongside households in the Paldea Region since ancient times.
They’re gentle by nature and, due to their aversion to cold, can use human body heat to warm their backs, allowing humans to ride on their backs.
Therefore, in this particular region of Paldea, Cyclizar also serves as a mode of transportation.
Naoki couldn’t think of a reason to refuse because he wanted to have his own Pokemon as well.
Receiving a starter Pokemon from the local professor, like Ash in the anime, to travel together seemed impossible.
He didn’t have any Poke Balls on him, and it was even less possible to capture wild Pokemon with just his fists and feet.