Chapter Twelve: The Majesty of the Cloak and the Enchanting Candy Craftsmanship

Soon, Guangtai had collected a large quantity of tattered fabric, and in the process, he made an unexpected discovery.

As he touched and carefully examined one of the old martial arts uniforms, thoughts gradually converged in his mind:

[Rare Material: Orange-red Old Martial Arts Uniform.]
[Description: A garment once worn by a seasoned and powerful martial artist. Having endured the tempering of high mountains and rushing rivers, it has condensed the power of the Fighting type. Though worn and frayed, the imperfections left by the passage of time have only served to make the fabric more resilient.]
[Crafting Skill Acquired: 1]
[Unique Powerful Textile Craft (C+): A technique for processing extremely tough and special fabrics. Through unique weaving skills, one can create special cloth items with powerful effects. By mixing the physical materials of Fighting-type Pokémon with resilient fabrics, one can craft powerful Focus-type items.]
[Resilient fabric can be carried by a Fighting-type Pokémon, allowing it to gradually acquire Fighting-type properties and transform into a Black Belt.]
[Craftable Items: Focus Sash, Focus Band.]
[If Honedge participates in the crafting, perhaps something might be gained...]

Focus... Sash!?

"This is...?" Guangtai looked toward the old herbalist, who sighed. "Ah, that was a uniform I wore in my youth. I kept it as a memento, unable to throw it away, but now... I no longer have any need for it."

The old man confessed that he had once been a powerful martial artist. Ignoring his family's advice, he traveled across the Pokémon world and even won several fighting tournament championships. However, he eventually had to retire due to an illness, and years of relentless combat had left his body broken. By the time he returned to his hometown, his parents had already passed away.

Later, he gave up being a martial artist and opened a traditional herbal medicine shop in this village.

As it turns out, his son has now followed the same path he once walked, refusing to inherit the shop and traveling to other regions instead. He has no idea when he might return.

Guangtai felt a sense of melancholy as he listened.

After collecting the fabrics, the old man gifted Guangtai some additional tough, heavy cloth: "I don't know what you plan to do with those old rags, but since you are a craftsman, what you do must be useful. If you don't mind, take these as well."

Hemp, silk, and cotton are the primary raw materials for fabric. In the Pokémon world, certain special plants can also be used to make textiles, such as the brilliant petals once nurtured by the King of Bountiful Harvests, which are described as "fabric that glows when held under the light."

Similarly, among evolution items exists the "Reaper Cloth," a fabric imbued with powerful, startling spiritual energy. Ordinary cloth, through secondary processing, can be transformed into various special materials.

Guangtai had previously purchased "Power Cloth" and used it to craft a Power Band, which was still sitting in his warehouse.

Come to think of it, in the animated world, the "Focus Sash" never seemed to appear. Many items did not exist in that world, and it seemed he was in a fused world where people did not use held items during battles, and such competitive gear was not widely circulated on the market.

Hard Stone, Silver Powder, Mystic Water... these exchangeable items, which were quite common in games, were treated as prizes for major tournaments here, which fully demonstrated their scarcity.

Guangtai prepared to bid the old man farewell, but before he left, the herbalist offered a special warning:

"You haven't been here long, so there are some things you must be told."

"If you intend to go to the Sinjoh Forest, you must be careful. Many powerful Pokémon there have staked out their own territories. If you rashly intrude and are discovered, you will be attacked. Furthermore, the trees there grow quite tall; in some places, even sunlight cannot penetrate. The ground is covered in moss and dense vegetation, and you never know when you might be ambushed."

"Recently, it seems a Scyther escaped from within, wreaking havoc in the surrounding woodlands before fleeing again."

Powerful creatures often claim mountains as their own, controlling vast areas as their private gardens; this is a common occurrence among wild Pokémon.

After a while, Guangtai returned to his workshop. He immediately and impatiently began processing the fabric.

[Material: Resilient Fabric.]
[Description: A fairly thick and tough fabric that can be used to make high-quality clothing.]

The main hall of the workshop was used as the workspace; the abandoned workshop had no particular layout.

"First, let these tattered fabrics be thoroughly immersed in the eerie environment here to become spiritual fabrics."

Guangtai piled the rags in the fourth room of the workshop. The room was empty and dark, perfectly suited for crafting spiritual materials. Basic spirit-medium knowledge taught him that these dark places where sunlight could not reach were the easiest spots for Ghost-type energy to gather.

Spiritual energy in a haunted location eventually fades. Guangtai had gradually learned from his studies that as abandoned buildings are restored, cleaned, and inhabited by life, if there are no ghosts present, the eerie atmosphere gradually dissipates, returning the place to an ordinary location.

The workshop was his home, so the eerie atmosphere would inevitably fade away sooner or later.

Subsequently, Guangtai began cutting and sewing the martial arts uniform, while also retrieving the physical materials of Fighting-type Pokémon from his warehouse—fur from Mankey, Primeape, and Monferno.

Guangtai did not forget that the information about the rare material indicated that if Honedge participated in the crafting, it might gain something...

Experience points? A new move? A stat boost?

Guangtai mused, "Relying on the power of Pokémon to revitalize this workshop and gradually become a world-renowned craftsman..."

"Hey, I'm thinking a bit too far ahead. For now, I need to make some products to sell. Only by creating high-quality items that satisfy customers will people come to commission more, and that will spread the reputation of my workshop and myself!"

"Unique craft techniques and knowledge must be learned. So, let's set a small goal... make a name for myself in the Johto region! Let every trainer in Johto use the items I craft!"

"Yo!"

✧(⦿)!✧

Honedge's eyes were filled with fighting spirit. As a sword, it had no meaning if it didn't cut things. Let it add bricks and mortar to the new King's ideals!

"Yo~ yo~"

Honedge suddenly swung its hilt, its blue ribbon swaying toward Guangtai, and emitted some chuunibyou-esque remarks:

*Since this is such a sacred moment, can you do "that"? You know, that thing! Hold the sword up with one hand, just like the ancient monarchs did when they swore their vows in their youth!*

"That's a bit too chuunibyou..." Guangtai muttered, but Honedge kept looking at him with longing eyes.

✧(⦿)~✧✧

"Alright, alright, I'll do it!"

Guangtai helplessly grabbed the hilt and raised Honedge toward the sky, the tip pointing at... the ceiling.

"Yo!"

✧（✪）♪！

*So cool!*

Honedge was satisfied. As expected, that hit the spot! If only an artist were here to draw that scene!

And so, it finally began to carefully cut the fabric, while Guangtai took over the sewing. Although Guangtai felt Honedge's little wish was a bit chuunibyou, he thought...

"It actually feels pretty good..." Guangtai whispered.

After a long time of busy work, the first piece of craftwork was successfully completed!

[Work completed: Obtained "Focus Sash"!]
[Effect: A powerful sash crafted with Pokémon materials and special techniques. When carried, if the Pokémon is at full HP, it can survive a move that would otherwise cause it to faint, remaining with 1 HP for one time!]
[Unique Effect: Bond Perseverance—After carrying the Focus Sash, even if it is down to 1 HP, it may occasionally hold on due to the trainer's encouragement!]
[Knowledge Acquired: 1]
[Fabric Processing: Fabric processing efficiency +5%.]

As the information about the craftwork appeared, Guangtai was greatly astonished.

It had fused the effects of the Focus Band and the Focus Sash?

Two uses in one; this is great! As a battle item, if a trainer is the type to be blessed by luck, would it keep triggering "Perseverance" until the opponent just gives up?

Well, the bond between a Pokémon and its trainer—now it really comes down to whose bond is stronger!

Following this, information regarding Honedge converged into new thoughts:

[Honedge helped you complete a craft, gaining experience and growth!]
[Honedge's level increased! Learned move: Endure.]
[Honedge acquired Knowledge: 1.]
[Rapid Cutting: Precision and speed when cutting fabric increased.]

"Yo~!?"

Honedge suddenly felt a change within itself. Its blade paused for a moment, then it began to gather energy on the spot, and a strange aura overflowed from its body!

This was Endure!

"Hmm, so this is the 'growth gained from assisting in work' mentioned in the information."

Guangtai mused, looking at Honedge. At this moment, a clue for a new material was randomly obtained after completing the craft.

Thoughts converged in his mind.

[Rare Material: Lum Berry]
[A green Berry known as the "Miracle Fruit." This Berry accumulates components beneficial to a Pokémon's body, so it requires a long time to ripen. It activates when the Pokémon is afflicted by an abnormal status or confusion, curing the condition. When combined with Honey and Pecha Berries, it seems one can craft incredible candies.]
[Acquisition Location: Celebi's Shrine, Sinjoh Forest.]
[Corresponding Craft: Rare Candy Crafting.]

"Rare Candy?!"

Guangtai was extremely surprised!

This was a precious item that could raise a Pokémon's level. Although in the real world, Pokémon levels were rarely visible and such concepts didn't exist, there was no doubt that evolved Pokémon were "stronger"!

"Lum Berry, Celebi's Shrine... is there a shrine to Celebi in the Sinjoh Forest? Right, the Lum Berry was originally called the Miracle Fruit, and only Celebi and Mew would carry them."

"The Berries I have on hand are Oran, Chesto, Pecha, Rawst, Persim, Chople, Lum, and Custap Berries."

"The old herbalist also said that if I found a Lum Berry, I should bring it to him. It seems that will be difficult."

*Ding-ding—*

The computer chimed, right on time, pulling Guangtai's thoughts back from his fantasies to reality.

Setting down the Focus Sash, Guangtai went to the computer to check. It was a new customer email, and the sender's ID was... [Dragon Envoy].

"How can I prevent my Pokémon from being targeted by their weaknesses... I am looking for such an item. I wonder if you have any?"

"That is what it says."

A wild customer has appeared!

Guangtai hurriedly replied and started inquiring: "Then, what type of Pokémon is it? Judging by your ID, it should be..."

[Dragon Envoy]: "It is a Dragon, a sacred creature! However, even a powerful Dragon type can fall into a disadvantageous position when facing Ice types. Besides that, Dragon-type Pokémon like Gyarados are also afraid of electricity..."

Guangtai: "Gyarados doesn't seem to be a Dragon, though."

[Dragon Envoy]: "You say Gyarados isn't a Dragon? Hahaha! Not only Dragon-type Pokémon are considered Dragon Pokémon!"

Wait, this phrase is...?!

Guangtai instantly guessed who this wild customer was!

So that's it, it's Lance!

"I see! I do indeed have an item that can deal with this method—a Focus Sash. Have you heard of it?"

Guangtai typed his reply, and the response from the other side was predictably full of question marks.

[Dragon Envoy]: "Focus Sash? What is its effect...?"

Guangtai: "Even if hit by a move that would be an instant knockout, it won't fall; it will endure! Furthermore, the Focus Sash I craft has a special property: if the Pokémon and the trainer have a strong bond, it will not fall regardless of how heavy the damage is!"

[Dragon Envoy]: "???"

"You said... what?!"

"There's no way such a thing exists, a Focus Sash? Isn't it just an ordinary sash with a fancy name?"

Guangtai: "I cannot prove it to you, but whether it is useful or not, you will find out once you buy it."

Then, Guangtai sent an image of the completed Focus Sash to Lance!

"The price is 50,000 Poké-Yen!"

That was the price of the Paldean item shop; he didn't dare to raise it by even a cent!