Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World-Chapter 136

Time ticked by, second after second, as this ancient structure was gradually brought back to life!

Can stones speak?

Steven's answer was—of course they can!

Rocks whisper to those who come after, telling tales of what they once endured. And when shaped and crafted into ancient architecture, these stones hold even more stories, fragments of a weighty history waiting to be discovered, interpreted—or perhaps, forgotten on a shelf.

Stones, gravel, reliefs, carvings, lines, murals... Their precise combinations and arrangements, when gazed upon, created fleeting illusions—as if those freshly carved pieces had in fact existed here for eons. The craftsmen merely "awakened" what was already there.

"Metagross!"

The Pokémon continued to use its psychic power to assist Hikaru's work, yet still turned to Steven and relayed its message.

Although Steven couldn't understand Pokémon speech, after spending many years with them, Trainers and Pokémon often developed a mutual understanding. Metagross raised an iron claw, and the guiding diagram carved into the floor of the ruins by Steven was instantly illuminated with strands of dim, dark-blue glowing lines—evidence of magnetic field activity!

This was Magnetism, a force that influences Steel-type Pokémon!

Steven pondered the pulsing magnetism, then stepped onto the grid's "H-point," applying pressure gently. The crystal grid, made from ancient crystal, lit up with a faint glow!

Success?

Steven kept his eyes locked on the dim light—but it quickly faded again.

The activated magnetism wasn't enough. The ruins still couldn't operate normally. However, the rate of restoration was astonishing. Perhaps the carved reliefs and patterns held some sort of reinforcement or restoration effect for the ruins.

"Ancient psychic energy is redirecting the Earth's forces... Has Hikaru-dono and his Pokémon truly revived this power in the present era? This is unbelievable!"

Ruins were often damaged, but this level of restoration was unique!

Steven looked up and noticed changes in the dome of the ruins. Like many strange ruins, although the interior was an enclosed space, it somehow remained well-lit. But here in the Rock Mountain Ruins, it had always felt darker, likely due to a disruption in the energy flow. Now, however, the surrounding brightness was rapidly recovering. A faint light streamed from the top of the dome, illuminating the floor—and the collapsed giant stone statue.

And suddenly, the previously cold and rigid carvings became warm—each etched line began releasing a wavelength of energy beneficial for Pokémon growth. Psychic-type Pokémon sensed it first. A wave of warmth reached into Metagross' mind, echoing as if from a distant past—an ancient blessing.

"This ruin... is alive again," Hikaru said, pausing his work. In fact, the damaged sections were now mostly repaired.

A tremendous spiritual force surged through the Rock Mountain Ruins, and a hollow chime echoed throughout, bringing with it new information for Hikaru!

[Crafting Complete!]

[By combining three architectural techniques, the legendary structure—"Rock Mountain Ruins (Shinto)"—has been fully restored!]

[Description: Unlike other regions' Rock Mountain Ruins, the one in the land of Shinto features carvings and patterns created by ancient people in honor of the legendary giants. These record events from a distant past. Long ago, three wandering giants helped the early settlers survive in harsh conditions and taught them various techniques. In gratitude, the settlers built ceremonial temples as dwellings for the giants.]

[The ancients received the gift of life from Pokémon, and in turn, entrusted their own lives to them.]

[Thus, humans and Pokémon formed bonds even deeper than those seen today.]

[Craft Bonus: "Rock Mountain Soil" — Rock-type Pokémon will feel calmer, and the area surrounding the Rock Mountain Ruins becomes more suitable for their survival and growth.]

[Special Knowledge Acquired: 3]

[Lost Training Method: An ancient technique for training Pokémon, where both Trainer and Pokémon must offer equal amounts of life force.]

[Memory Crystal: Requires elemental stones or similar rare materials as a base. Upon use, a random ancient Pokémon move is recalled and re-learned.]

[Secret of Rock: A special ability for the ultimate training of Rock-type Pokémon. Feel the power of stone, enhance all abilities related to Rock-types, and turn the battlefield into a "Domain of Rock." Rock-type energy is not solid, but "slowly flowing time." With this secret art, one can artificially create environments for rare rocks to form.]

The first piece of knowledge came from an ancient legend passed down in both Johto and Shinto—a tale of entrusting one's life.

The second knowledge was of immense value for enhancing Pokémon moves. A technique that ancient Pokémon had spent their lives refining—now reawakened in a crystallized form, potentially raising the power of familiar moves to an entirely new level.

And the third piece... could it allow the creation of an artificial mining field?

Hikaru began pondering.

In the Pokémon world, minerals are essentially crystallized Pokémon-type energy. Rare stones are the product of Rock-type energy taking shape under specific environmental conditions. Their birth is relatively fast. Perhaps ancient peoples, with the help of Rock-type Pokémon and unique abilities, created mining grounds this way to generate rare minerals.

That would mean—with the aid of powerful Rock Pokémon—it might be possible to semi-permanently, or even permanently, alter geological structures.

The name Secret of Rock had a ring to it—like an Earth Secret. Maybe it was the life's work of a master who dedicated themselves to Rock-type training!

Hikaru casually picked up a repair stone and tightly gripped it in his hand. Suddenly, Rock-type energy gathered around it. In his astonished gaze, a spiritual fluctuation aged the stone—making it appear ancient and weathered.

[Rare Material: Ruin Stone (Rock Mountain Ruins)]

Handmade ruin stones?!

"Hah... Did I just accidentally unlock the secret of Rock-type Pokémon's birth?"

Most Rock-types are born within stones or deep earth veins—Geodude, Roggenrola, Nosepass... some are even born alongside special gems. When Rock energy and spiritual resonance align in the right environment, entirely new Rock Pokémon might be born.

That would explain why some Rock-types are "close relatives," even if they look entirely different!

The spiritual fluctuation of the ruins was still expanding. Steven pointed to the ground:

"Next, we must redirect the energy of the ruins—properly and precisely. Metagross, I'll need your help again. Use Psychic to guide the magnetism and energy!"

"And you too, Unown. Please lend us a hand!"

"Unown~!"

The Unown E floated down from an intact wall, brimming with excitement!

Time to shine!

Watch my... Hidden Power!

Suddenly, the spiritual waves of the Rock Mountain Ruins expanded drastically. The intense psychic tremor, carried by the Earth's magnetic field, reached two other similar ruins!

To the west of the forest, nestled in an ancient rocky mountain covered in vegetation, sat a black-colored temple. And to the north, near a peat bog, stood an icy-blue temple.

And thus, the other two giants, who had slumbered for a thousand years, were awakened along with the glowing runes! ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Rumble... rumble rumble!

The door of the Black Steel Ruins swung open automatically, and a round-bodied, metal-shining Steel Titan emerged. Yet, this one was different from those of other regions.

The runes on its face glowed and emitted strange "Rejireji" and "beep-beep" sounds. The Steel Titan seemed surprised by the changes in the outside world—the old settlements had vanished, reclaimed by the forest. Most importantly, someone had arrived uninvited before the temple.

A massive orange-gray bear stood upright not far from the Black Steel Ruins. Its black left eye locked onto the Steel Titan emerging from the ruins, while a blood-red moon above its head cast a faint glow.

Found you... So this is where it is!

The shiny variant bear let out a deep growl.

The Earth Plate, which could rejuvenate barren lands—ever since its evolution, the bear could sense its call. Yet it hadn't expected the Plate to be hidden not in the Rock Titan's domain, but rather by the Steel Titan!

Steel-types fear Ground-types. That Plate must be his—he would obtain it!

Please, Giant, lend me the Plate's power!

That was the thought of the shiny bear...

But the Steel Titan's face runes flashed once more—it turned back into the temple. Thinking the giant meant to shut the door, the bear hurried forward.

But the Steel Titan returned—this time holding a black, ancient, and incredibly sturdy forging hammer, radiating intense Steel-type energy!

A legendary giant... using a weapon?!

(End of Chapter)

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