Chapter Ninety: The Fighting-Type Gym

Zhao Fang spent a peaceful night at the inn. When he woke, he checked his index, but there was nothing new on it.

One had to admit, the Pokédex in this world was truly a strange invention. It could identify a Pokémon’s data, send messages to other people, and even make video calls. Yet compared with the phones Zhao Fang had used in his past life, it still fell far short. The Devon Company would probably develop a more complete calling function later on, but Zhao Fang felt certain that his own messaging app would carve out a huge market.

“Today I’ll go take a look at the Fighting-type Gym. No matter what, I should at least try a battle first. Gyarados ought to be able to win a fight.”

Zhao Fang yawned, ate a simple breakfast, then picked up his Poké Ball and left the inn, heading for the entrance to the Fighting-type Gym.

Perhaps because it was still early, there were not many trainers at the gym entrance when Zhao Fang arrived. That put him at ease, and before long he stepped inside.

“Hello. Are you here to challenge the Fighting-type Gym?”

The attendant at reception was a muscular young woman, and she smiled at Zhao Fang.

“Yes. This is my trainer information, and I’m also a Pokédex holder.”

Zhao Fang handed over his trainer card and also took out his Pokédex.

Cocona had already taught Zhao Fang about this. For a Pokédex holder like him, it was necessary to present the device when challenging a gym, so that the staff could arrange an opponent of matching strength. Otherwise, it would amount to the strong bullying the weak, and the League did not approve of battles like that.

“Very good... Hello. Our Fighting-type Gym requires challengers to climb up by rock climbing. Can you do that?”

The staff member looked up at him with a smile.

Zhao Fang’s mouth twitched. So it really was rock climbing? Why was this completely different from the Fighting-type Gym he remembered from his previous life? Seriously, challenging a gym and having to climb a cliff—no wonder the trainers lining up ahead all looked a bit muscular.

“No,” Zhao Fang said with a shake of his head, a little helplessly.

He really had never climbed before. Asking a person with acrophobia to climb rocks was simply too much.

“All right. You can choose from two services. First, we have professional coaches who can teach you rock-climbing exercises. We guarantee that within one week we can teach you the techniques and methods needed to climb successfully and challenge the gym. The fee is three thousand League coins. Second, one of our staff members can carry you up the climb to challenge the gym. The fee is five hundred League coins. Which would you like?”

Smiling brightly, the staff member produced a form and handed it to Zhao Fang.

Zhao Fang drew in a deep breath. So this was the gym’s source of income. Certified gyms, besides receiving League funding, usually ran side businesses as well. He had heard people in Granite City say that the Rock-type Gym’s side business was surveying geological caves and doing stonework and the like.

Zhao Fang stroked his chin. The Fighting-type Gym’s challenge threshold was quite high. Of course, if one wanted convenience, the easiest way was naturally to have a staff member carry you up. But Zhao Fang was thinking about something else.

His trip to the tower, and the commission from Professor Birch, had made him realize that his travels in the future would not be limited to plains. Valleys, cliffs, mountains—he would have to go everywhere. And as a trainer, battling would also test physical fitness and the like. So after hesitating for a moment, Zhao Fang still chose the first service.

After paying three thousand League coins, Zhao Fang was taken by staff into a room, where a trainer was climbing a rock wall, and beside him stood a middle-aged man who seemed to have an excellent build.

From this man, Zhao Fang learned his name. Then the training began. It was not just muscle training; even finger strength and bodily flexibility were included. Zhao Fang felt as though he was paying money to suffer, but fortunately the man really knew his stuff. Over the course of a week, he not only helped Zhao Fang master some climbing techniques, he also helped him overcome his fear of heights.

“Young man, you did well. That’s enough. You can go challenge the gym now.”

The man named Daishi smiled and handed Zhao Fang a towel.

“Coach Daishi, with this level of skill, can I go rock climbing outdoors?”

Zhao Fang wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked.

“What are you dreaming about? What you learned is really indoor climbing technique. It’s fine for climbing small, gentle rock faces, but if you’re facing the cliffs and mountains of the real world, you’re still far too green.”

Coach Daishi frowned and gave Zhao Fang a sharp look as he added that.

Zhao Fang nodded. Studying for only a week and then expecting to conquer the mountains outside would be nothing but a daydream. Still, at the very least, he could now challenge the Fighting-type Gym.

He exchanged contact information with Coach Daishi. The coach was clearly quite skilled. During his training, Zhao Fang had once heard him say that he had climbed Mount Chimney with his bare hands. It sounded like bragging, but the man must surely know a great deal about outdoor climbing. Zhao Fang planned to sell his stones first, then come back and learn some outdoor climbing techniques from him.

“If even the Fighting-type Gym is this troublesome, then what sort of trial is waiting at the Electric-type Gym? It can’t be that they’ll make me become an electrician, right?”

Standing before the staff member, Zhao Fang pondered the question with a strange expression.

In that sense, the Rock-type Gym really did deserve its reputation as a beginner’s friend. The challenge was simple: just go in and take it on. Not like the later gyms, which were full of hurdles.

“Hello. Your opponent is an advanced trainer. Please proceed to Room Five.”

The staff member smiled and handed Zhao Fang a number one token made of paper. Zhao Fang took it and followed the map to the room.

Advanced trainer—below an elite trainer. But even among advanced trainers, there were still differences in strength. Zhao Fang had no idea what kind of Pokémon his opponent would use.

When he arrived at Room Five, he saw a rock wall about seven meters high. Apparently, this was the place he had to climb.

“Let’s hope the other gyms aren’t this troublesome.”

Zhao Fang sighed, then took out some grip powder and rubbed it onto his hands. After a brief warm-up, he seized the protrusions in the wall and climbed upward, step by step.

When he reached the top, he saw a girl in training clothes smiling at him.

It seemed this was his battle opponent.