Chapter Two: The Lone Sword Sheath

Knowledge—an abbreviation for learning ability and knowledge—refers to the capacity to make accurate judgments and work effectively by applying one’s accumulated understanding to the things one encounters. As for craft and technique, they hardly need elaboration; they are the very foundation of any artisan’s skill.

“This feels just like a game I used to play...”

“Simulation management, gathering materials, crafting tools, unlocking knowledge, acquiring mysterious crafting notes… By building different workbenches and devices, you could create all sorts of items… You could even hire assistants to help make products, and upgrade your workstations and equipment to increase production efficiency and product quality…”

In Mossglow’s mind, the flood of newly awakened knowledge continued to unfold:

[By completing a new task for the first time, you will randomly receive a lead on how to obtain a material and a piece of knowledge. Repetition brings additional insights.]

[Acquiring materials of various rarities grants useful knowledge and craft techniques.]

[Obtaining materials of precious or higher rarity unlocks unique crafting paths, possibly revealing clues to create unique, legendary, or mysterious craftworks.]

[Some crafted items may trigger hidden events; completing them brings special rewards.]

[When a Pokémon assists in work and gains knowledge, it will undergo extraordinary growth.]

“There are six crafting paths: carving, forging, cultivation, painting, sewing, and machinery.”

“Materials… common and uncommon, rare and precious… what else?”

Mossglow muttered, feeling as though memories long dead were launching a sudden assault on his mind.

This ability seemed tailored for those scholars, didn’t it? Through sustained work, the once-abstract knowledge could be solidified into special abilities. Mossglow felt a glimmer of happiness at the thought. Though he was neither a trainer nor a researcher, the unique abilities gained from such knowledge would, without question, improve his quality of life.

Gazing at the peculiar stone in his hand, a strange sensation welled up within him. Its properties, revealed thanks to the “Ancient Treasure Seeker” ability he had gained, now appeared before his eyes.

[Precious Material: (Rough Natural Wondrous Stone).]

[Description: A highly unusual stone rarely found in nature, it seems to be connected to the power of evolution. Even unpolished, it can slightly enhance a Pokémon’s Defense and Special Defense. This unrefined, enigmatic stone has yet to unleash its full strength.]

[Usage Requirement: To be used only with a Pokémon capable of evolution but not yet evolved. The stone’s power resonates with such a Pokémon, drawing out its inner potential.]

[Acquisition Hint: Digging in locations where many Pokémon have long gathered and lived—such as forests, rocky mountains, or caves—might yield this stone. In certain ancient kingdoms, these stones were set into objects as natural gems; perhaps some can be found in ruins.]

“…I can see the basic information of the items in my hand.”

Mossglow touched each of the other crafts and tools in the warehouse, including the stones. While some information was revealed, no new knowledge was triggered.

If he wished to gain further knowledge, would he need to go out and actively gather and excavate materials in the wild? Perhaps. Or maybe the growth of knowledge was linked to certain types of Pokémon. Or perhaps he should simply polish all the stones in the warehouse and see what happens?

In any case, there would be plenty of opportunities to experiment with this “golden finger.”

He took a closer look at the ancient sword:

[Crafted Item: (Ancient Sword).]

[Description: An ancient sword found in nameless ruins, now covered in earth and stone. The scabbard is rusted beyond recognition, and the blurred patterns on its surface seem foreign in style. Perhaps it should be donated to a museum.]

[Crafted Item Effect 1: Hidden clue—something might happen…]

[Crafted Item Effect 2: While carried, stamina is gradually drained (slight)—Legend has it that ancient swords absorb the life force of their bearers.]

Drains stamina!? What a shoddy relic of ancient craftsmanship!

It would have been better not to look—now, just holding it made his body feel weak and uncomfortable.

Yet, despite its flaws, this artifact actually contained a hidden clue. Who knew what it might trigger? If this were a game, it would no doubt be an important item.

Without delay, Mossglow fetched his craftsman’s kit—hammer and chisel—donned his apron, mask, and work gloves, and immediately began prying the wondrous stone from the sword.

Though the stone resembled a piece of cheap jade, the moment it was carefully polished and made to shine, it would transform into a miraculous, precious stone—a powerful battle item.

This mysterious stone first appeared in the fifth generation—in the Unova region. Long ago, it was mistaken for a mere gemstone and dismissed, but in recent years researchers have recognized its significance and begun to study it.

The Evolution Stone: When held by a Pokémon capable of further evolution, its Defense and Special Defense increase by 50%! Among stone-based items, the Evolution Stone is among the rarest.

A weak Pokémon, upon using this stone, would gain endurance far beyond the ordinary.

Though it was a precious item, Mossglow was reluctant to part with it. But, strapped for funds and in need of a better life, he decided there was no point in holding onto such a special item for now—especially since he had no suitable Pokémon to use it.

Letting a battle item sit unused would be a waste. Better to let it shine in the place it was meant to.

After removing the stone, Mossglow truly felt faint. Once he set the ancient sword aside, his condition improved. Shaking his head, he decided to leave the sword in the basement for now and study it later.

Once Mossglow left the basement, a strange phenomenon occurred on the deepest wall: an eye appeared—a black, circular eye of peculiar shape, gradually emerging from the stone. Its overall shape resembled a black letter “E,” with the eye at its center.

A chill seeped through the basement. The E-shaped eye quivered, seemingly afraid, and then quickly pressed itself back into the wall, vanishing once more.

The source of that cold aura was the ancient sword from which the Evolution Stone had just been removed.

Crack… snap!

The blade began to tremble unnaturally, emitting faint, brittle sounds. As the grayish dirt on the surface flaked away, the once-indistinct patterns on the scabbard began to flicker with a dim glow and slowly became clear.

As the layer of dirt covering the ancient sword was finally shed and transformed to ash by a silvery-white energy—leaving no time to mourn its passing—something new appeared in the basement.

The ancient sword slowly slid forward from the shelf, gradually rising upright.

The scabbard was brown, patterned—the designs now visible. The lower half was embossed, interlocking three sharp ovals; the upper half bore a ghostly visage, as if three round eyes stared out.

A long blue ribbon was tied to the hilt, ending in pale blue, fingerlike prongs.

Now, at the top of that ghostly face, set in the openwork guard, a blue eye opened wide!

“Yo~!”

A hollow, eerie voice echoed through the basement.

Who had awakened it, infusing it with the energy of life?

Summoned by the call, you are now mine…

Where was the summoner?

And—why had its gemstone been pried loose? How rude!

“Yo~?”

The Honedge floated upward. Though it didn’t possess the ability Levitate, in the world of Pokémon, many Ghost-types had the power to float—it was nothing unusual.

It swayed its blade, surveying its surroundings. The basement was unlit; the Honedge’s eye blinked, expressing its confusion.

Where was this place, anyway? It looked like a storeroom.

The Honedge drifted about the basement, seeking a way out, and soon bumped into the door. Spinning around twice, it realized this was the exit to the outside world.

Though it was Ghost-type, its body—an ancient short sword—was tangible, so it couldn’t simply pass through the door.

Twisting the doorknob with its blue ribbon, it found it was locked—as one might expect; who would leave a storeroom unlocked?

“Yo…”

The Honedge fixed its single eye on the closed door, pondering.

First the human took its gemstone, then awakened it.

The Honedge considered its options.

It spun in place, observing the crafts and materials scattered about, and suddenly thought of a plan!

“Yo!”

Knock on the door—or make some other noise to attract the person’s attention. Hide among the crafted items, then strike when the time was right!

Though it violated the knightly code, and it was no knight…

But what right did some scavenger have to treat it as a mere collectible?

This storeroom was crammed with strange stones and crafted goods… Ah, this human must be a kind of treasure collector, like the ones it had seen back in the royal palace.

That merchant possessed many treasures: swords like itself, huge cauldrons, wondrous jade…