The morning sun glinted off the golden tiles of Liyue Harbor as Shinzō pinned the freshly printed price chart to the notice board outside The Pokémon House. He stepped back, adjusting his neatly tied brown hair as he examined his handiwork with a critical eye. Blaziken stood beside him, arms crossed and nodding in approval at the meticulously designed display.
"What do you think?" Shinzō asked, smoothing down the wrinkles in his tailored merchant's outfit—a fusion of Liyue fashion with subtle Pokémon motifs embroidered along the edges.
Blaziken chirped its approval, the flames at its wrists pulsing gently. Tyranitar merely huffed from its position by the doorway, seemingly indifferent to matters of commerce but ever vigilant as the shop's unofficial security guard.
The price chart was an elegant affair, categorizing Pokémon and supplies with corresponding Mora values that Shinzō had carefully calculated based on rarity, power level, and demand. It had taken him most of the night to finalize, working alongside Blaziken whose analytical nature proved surprisingly helpful for economic modeling.
"It's all about perceived value," Shinzō murmured, tapping the section listing starter Pokémon at 250,000 to 400,000 Mora. "We need to position Pokémon as luxury companions—valued partners rather than common pets."
His musings were interrupted by a strangled gasp from behind him. Turning, he found a small gathering of local merchants who had stopped to examine his price chart. Their expressions ranged from shock to outright disbelief.
"Five thousand Mora for a simple ball? And these—these creatures cost more than a prime commercial property!" exclaimed a silk merchant, jabbing his finger at the pricing for rare Pokémon. "Young man, have you lost your mind?"
Shinzō smiled placidly, adjusting his collar with the practiced ease of a businessman who had anticipated this very reaction. "I assure you, honorable merchant, every price reflects the true value of what is being offered."
"True value?" scoffed another trader, an older woman who specialized in Liyue's famous porcelain. "No one in their right mind would pay two million Mora for a—what did you call it—a 'pseudo-legendary' creature, no matter how rare!"
The crowd of merchants grew, their voices rising in a chorus of skepticism and amusement. Some openly laughed at the prices, while others muttered about foreign charlatans trying to swindle honest Liyue citizens. Shinzō remained unfazed, his serene business smile never wavering.
"Perhaps a demonstration would help clarify the value proposition," he suggested smoothly, nodding toward Tyranitar who straightened to its full, imposing height at the silent command.
The gathered merchants instinctively stepped back as the massive Tyranitar moved forward, its armored scales catching the sunlight and casting dappled shadows across the stone pavement.
"This is what we classify as a pseudo-legendary Pokémon," Shinzō explained, gesturing to Desert Tyrant who fixed the crowd with its intimidating yellow gaze. "Desert Tyrant here is a Tyranitar—a living mountain of power and intelligence. Allow me to illustrate just a fraction of what makes creatures of this caliber worth every Mora I'm asking."
He glanced toward the harbor where several abandoned crates—damaged goods marked for disposal—had been stacked on the pier. "Desert Tyrant, Stone Edge—controlled demonstration, please."
The Tyranitar growled in acknowledgment, its eyes glowing briefly as it summoned its power. With a precise movement that belied its massive bulk, Desert Tyrant slammed one foot into the ground. A ripple of energy shot through the stone beneath them, racing toward the pier before erupting in a precisely targeted array of jagged rock pillars that shredded the abandoned crates without disturbing anything else around them.
The merchants fell silent, jaws collectively dropping as the dust settled to reveal the devastating precision of the attack.
"That," Shinzō said into the silence, "is what two million Mora buys you. A partner capable of reshaping terrain with a thought, protecting your business interests with unprecedented power, or executing construction tasks that would normally require a team of twenty workers and specialized equipment."
Before anyone could respond, the crowd parted as an elegant palanquin approached, carried by four uniformed attendants. The curtains drew back to reveal Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, who observed the aftermath of Desert Tyrant's demonstration with calculating eyes.
"Impressive control," she remarked, stepping gracefully from her conveyance. "I see you've begun establishing your formal pricing structure, Manager Shinzō."
Shinzō bowed respectfully. "Lady Ningguang. Yes, I believed transparency would be the best approach, despite the initial shock it might cause."
Ningguang approached the price chart, examining it with the keen eye of Liyue's premier businesswoman. The merchants held their breath, many hoping she would denounce the outrageous prices and put this foreign merchant in his place.
Instead, she nodded thoughtfully. "Your valuations are actually quite reasonable, considering the capabilities these creatures possess." She turned to address the gathered merchants. "What Manager Shinzō offers is not merely a pet or a tool, but a self-maintaining asset with capabilities that rival or exceed Vision bearers in many respects."
An elderly tea merchant stepped forward, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Lady Tianquan, with respect, these prices will make such creatures accessible only to the wealthiest citizens."
"A valid concern," Ningguang acknowledged before turning back to Shinzō. "I assume you've considered this issue?"
Shinzō nodded, pleased that she had given him the perfect opening. "Indeed, Lady Ningguang. While premium Pokémon command premium prices, we will also offer a rotating selection of more affordable options for those of modest means. Additionally, I plan to establish a sponsorship program for promising young trainers who demonstrate exceptional character and aptitude."
He produced a scroll from within his robes, unrolling it to reveal a detailed business plan. "This tiered approach ensures that Pokémon partnership remains aspirational while not being exclusively for the elite. It's good business—a broader customer base creates a more stable market."
Ningguang took the scroll, scanning its contents with impressive speed. Her lips curved in a subtle smile of approval. "Very thorough. You understand our Liyue values well—opportunity balanced with merit."
She handed the scroll to one of her attendants before addressing the crowd again. "The Liyue Qixing has reviewed The Pokémon House's business model and found it to comply with our regulations. Manager Shinzō has agreed to a special taxation structure that reflects the unique nature of his merchandise."
Producing an official document marked with the seven-starred seal of the Qixing, Ningguang handed it to Shinzō. "Your official business license, with all appropriate authorizations. You may continue operations as outlined in your proposal."
The merchants murmured among themselves, many reassessing their initial dismissal of Shinzō's enterprise now that it had received Ningguang's personal endorsement. The Tianquan was known for her shrewd business acumen—if she approved these prices, perhaps there was indeed substantial value to these strange creatures.
"Thank you, Lady Ningguang," Shinzō said, accepting the license with another respectful bow. "Liyue's prosperity is my prosperity."
As Ningguang departed, several of the merchants who had been most vocal in their skepticism now approached Shinzō with a more measured curiosity.
"These 'items' you sell," the silk merchant began, pointing to the Poké Balls section. "How precisely do they function? And what ongoing costs can one expect after purchasing one of these creatures?"
Shinzō smiled, entering his element as he guided the increasingly interested merchants into the shop. "Excellent questions. Allow me to give you the full presentation on the Pokémon training economy..."
By afternoon, The Pokémon House was packed with Liyue's merchant elite, all vying for information about this novel business opportunity. Blaziken expertly served tea while Shinzō fielded questions about everything from breeding potential to battle capabilities.
In the corner, Desert Tyrant watched the proceedings with what almost seemed like amusement in its typically stern eyes. Beside it, a small stack of deposit contracts grew steadily higher—advance payments for Pokémon that hadn't even been manifested by the system yet.
As the sun dipped below Liyue Harbor's mountains, Shinzō was still negotiating with a particularly persistent client when the ground beneath The Pokémon House suddenly trembled. Teacups rattled on shelves and display cases swayed precariously.
"What in Morax's name—" the customer exclaimed, steadying himself against the counter.
Desert Tyrant growled, immediately alert and positioning itself protectively near Shinzō. Outside, citizens pointed toward Mt. Tianheng, where a plume of dust rose from one of the smaller peaks.
"I apologize, but we'll need to continue this discussion tomorrow," Shinzō said firmly, ushering the confused customer toward the door. Once alone with his Pokémon, he quickly accessed the system interface:
Warning: Unusual geological activity detectedAnomaly analysis indicates: Non-native energy signaturePossible Pokémon manifestation outside controlled parameters
Shinzō's eyes widened. "Something's come through without the system's management." He grabbed his gear and nodded to his team. "Blaziken, Desert Tyrant—let's move."
They slipped out through the back entrance and made their way toward Mt. Tianheng, moving swiftly through growing crowds of concerned citizens. Millelith guards were already organizing at the city perimeter, keeping people from approaching the mountain.
"Halt!" called a guard as Shinzō approached. "The area is restricted by order of the Qixing."
Before Shinzō could respond, a familiar voice interrupted. "Let him through." Keqing stepped forward, her electro vision glowing faintly at her hip. "Manager Shinzō, I suspect this disturbance may be related to your... unique merchandise."
Shinzō nodded grimly. "My thoughts exactly, Lady Keqing."
She gestured for him to follow. "Ningguang anticipated something like this might happen. She's granted you provisional authority to handle any... incidents... related to your business."
As they ascended the path toward the disturbance, Keqing studied Desert Tyrant with open curiosity. "Will that one be sufficient if we encounter trouble?"
"Desert Tyrant is more than capable," Shinzō assured her. "And I have others if needed."
They reached a plateau where the path had been completely obliterated. Deep gouges scarred the stone, and several trees had been uprooted. In the center of the destruction stood a bewildered-looking miner, his pickaxe discarded nearby.
"It just burst out of the rock face!" the miner exclaimed when he saw them. "Like nothing I've ever seen—not a geo slime or any normal creature. It had metal skin and eyes like lanterns!"
Shinzō exchanged a knowing glance with Keqing. "Which direction did it go?"
The miner pointed toward a cave entrance partially obscured by fallen debris. "In there. I heard strange sounds—like metal scraping on stone."
Keqing ordered several Millelith to escort the miner back to safety, then turned to Shinzō. "After you, 'Father of Pokémon.' This is your expertise."
"That nickname is not catching on if I can help it," Shinzō muttered as he cautiously approached the cave, Desert Tyrant taking point while Blaziken's wrist flames provided illumination.
The cave system opened into a larger chamber where mining operations had clearly been underway. Equipment lay scattered and abandoned. In the center of the chamber, partially embedded in the rock wall, was a distinct metallic gleam that caught the light from Blaziken's flames.
"Beldum," Shinzō whispered in recognition. "A Steel and Psychic type—and definitely not one I've released into Teyvat yet."
The Beldum—a floating, cylindrical Pokémon with a single red eye—was trying to free itself from the rock face. It appeared confused and agitated, its body emitting the strange metallic sounds the miner had described.
"It must have phased into our world through a weak point," Shinzō theorized. "The system mentioned something like this might happen occasionally—random Pokémon finding their way to Teyvat through dimensional rifts."
Keqing gripped her sword hilt. "Is it dangerous?"
"Not inherently, but it's frightened and has impressive telekinetic abilities," Shinzō explained. "Normally Beldum are quite docile. They eventually evolve into Metagross, one of the most intelligent Pokémon species."
He stepped forward slowly, hands raised in a non-threatening gesture. "Hello there, little one. You're a long way from home, aren't you?"
The Beldum's eye focused on him, its struggles momentarily ceasing. Shinzō could almost feel it scanning him psychically.
"That's right. I understand what you are," he continued softly. "I can help you."
The Beldum made a curious humming sound, then suddenly its eye flashed bright red. A wave of psychic energy pulsed outward, causing loose rocks to float upward throughout the chamber.
"Take cover!" Shinzō shouted as the Beldum's confusion triggered its Confusion attack.
Keqing darted aside with lightning-quick reflexes as a boulder crashed into where she'd been standing. "If you have a plan, now would be the time!"
Shinzō nodded to Tyranitar. "Sandstorm—contained, please. Just enough to disrupt its psychic focus."
The Tyranitar growled in acknowledgment, generating a localized sandstorm that swirled around the Beldum. The disorienting particles interfered with its concentration, causing the floating objects to drop back to the ground.
Taking advantage of the momentary calm, Shinzō retrieved an Ultra Ball from his pouch and approached the Beldum again.
"I know everything is strange and frightening right now," he said soothingly. "But I promise to keep you safe until we figure out how you got here."
The Beldum's eye dimmed slightly, its agitation visibly decreasing as it seemed to understand Shinzō's intent. With a gentle toss, Shinzō threw the Ultra Ball. It connected with the Beldum's metallic body, converting the Pokémon into energy before drawing it inside with a distinctive click.
The ball fell to the ground and rocked once, twice, three times before emitting a soft ping indicating a successful capture.
"Impressive," Keqing said, sheathing her sword as she approached. "You make it look easy."
"It's not always," Shinzō replied, retrieving the Ultra Ball and tucking it safely into his pouch. "This one was confused, but not aggressive by nature. Others might prove more challenging."
As they exited the cave, Keqing stared thoughtfully at the path of destruction the Beldum had created. "If one came through on its own, others might follow. This could complicate matters."
"My thoughts exactly," Shinzō agreed. "The system warned me about potential anomalies, but I didn't expect them so soon."
Keqing nodded decisively. "I'll inform Ningguang. She'll want to establish protocols for these... incidents."
"I'll prepare a comprehensive report on potential wild Pokémon appearances and their relative threat levels," Shinzō offered. "Not all are as manageable as this one."
As they descended the mountain path, Keqing studied him with newfound respect. "You handled that situation efficiently. Perhaps your prices aren't so outrageous after all—if these creatures require special expertise to manage."
"Speaking of which," Shinzō said with a hint of a smile, "would the Liyue Qixing be interested in establishing a retainer agreement for my services in handling future Pokémon incidents? My rates are quite reasonable for emergency response."
Keqing shot him a look that was half exasperation, half amusement. "You truly are a Liyue merchant at heart, aren't you? Turning a crisis into a business opportunity."
Shinzō simply smiled as they continued toward the harbor, the Ultra Ball containing Beldum secure at his side. While the day had started with price negotiations, it had ended with something far more valuable—proof that his knowledge and Pokémon were becoming essential to Teyvat's future security.
The Millelith guards at the city gates saluted as they passed, and Shinzō noted with interest how quickly word had spread—citizens were already whispering about "The Pokémon Master" who had faced down a strange metal creature on the mountain.
"Looks like you've earned yourself some local fame," Keqing observed.
"Fame is fine," Shinzō replied, thinking of the crowded day at his shop, "but in Liyue, reputation is everything."
As they parted ways at the harbor plaza, Keqing fixed him with an appraising look. "Ningguang was right about you, Shinzō Tatsunaga. You're going to change Teyvat—for better or worse remains to be seen."
Shinzō bowed respectfully. "I assure you, Lady Keqing, I aim for the former."
Returning to The Pokémon House, Shinzō found Blaziken had already placed the earnings from the day's business in their secure safe and was now polishing the display cases. The shop looked immaculate, ready for tomorrow's customers.
He removed the Ultra Ball from his pouch and placed it on a specialized scanner connected to his system console. Data streamed across the screen as the Beldum's statistics were analyzed.
"Level 28, Adamant nature, excellent IVs," Shinzō murmured. "A fine specimen. And proof that more than just my system can bring Pokémon to Teyvat."
The implications were both exciting and concerning. If Pokémon could appear randomly, the demand for his expertise would only grow—along with the potential risks. But it also meant that Teyvat's ecosystem was becoming more compatible with Pokémon, accelerating his primary goal.
Shinzō sat back in his chair, mulling over the day's events. The price negotiations had been a success, establishing Pokémon as premium companions rather than mere curiosities. Ningguang's official approval had legitimized his business in the eyes of Liyue's elite. And now, this Beldum incident had demonstrated the practical value of his knowledge and Pokémon partners.
"Tomorrow," he told Desert Tyrant as the massive Pokémon settled into its customized resting area, "we'll need to expand our services to include security consultations. Liyue's merchants may balk at my prices, but they value protection above all else."
The Tyranitar rumbled its agreement before closing its eyes, ever the pragmatist.
Across town in the Jade Chamber, Ningguang reviewed Keqing's hasty report on the Beldum incident, her expression thoughtful as she gazed out at the twinkling lights of the harbor below.
"So, the Pokémon can appear independently," she murmured. "Just as our consultant predicted."
A shadowy figure stepped forward from the corner of her chamber—one of her most trusted agents, recently returned from a long-term assignment.
"The disruption patterns match what we observed in the northern regions," the agent reported. "Similar energy signatures, but more focused. This Manager Shinzō may have inadvertently created anchor points for these creatures."
Ningguang nodded slowly. "Keep watching him. His prices may seem extravagant to some, but I suspect he's actually undervaluing his services. Pokémon in Teyvat... the balance of power is shifting."
She turned from the window, determination etched on her elegant features.
"Send word to our contacts in the other nations. The Pokémon phenomenon must be monitored closely. And double the guard rotation on Mt. Tianheng—if one creature found its way through, others will follow."
As Ningguang issued her directives, Shinzō sat at his desk in The Pokémon House, carefully updating his price chart. Next to "Security Consultation," he added a new figure—significantly higher than his previous estimations.
The Pokémon revolution in Teyvat had officially begun, and today had proven that its true value could not be measured in Mora alone.