The soft sizzling of frying meat accompanied by the heavenly scent of fried eggs with bacon was an amazing way to wake up, yet the throbbing headache reminded me of reality. With a groan I managed to sit up and open my eyes to a slightly busy base with pals I don’t know roaming about carrying rocks, wood, and other items into the wooden storage crates. Ignoring the workforce I don’t remember acquiring, my eyes latch onto the little Foxspark cooking on the magical bonfire.

“How…” I groan while holding my head as I let the pain pass.

[According to the log, the Foxspark you lost in a dimen-Dungeon was introduced into your party once you freed it from the dem-Thug’s enslav-Cage.] The Paldex chimed.

“You work now.” I glared at the suspicious piece of alien or magical technology. “What even are you…” I poke it with my right hand.

[A highly intelligent support tool…] The Paldex replied with a few flashes of color.

“Doesn’t even matter.” I mutter as I struggle to get out of the bed.

“Gu?” The little Foxspark pal looks at me with worry. I pat its head gently as I walk past it.

“So, is that other pal really dead?” I ask the Paldex after I arrive at the pond behind the base.

[Yes. If the Pal receives a lethal hit, it will perish. If you unsummon them before a certain point, it is possible to mend them.] The Paldex pulled up a small screen with three pal icons on it with a timer next to them. [Trouble the Lucky Chikipi, Alpha Chillet, and the Alpha Direhowl are all currently undergoing treatment for now.] The timers were minimized to show on the Paldex’s watch face, it was a relief to know they were getting healed.

“I can’t believe I did something so stupid.” I sighed as I sat down by the water’s edge. “How come you didn’t work inside the caves?” I lifted my fancy Paldex up to stare at it.

[There was an unknown interference which sealed off access to the system.] The Paldex beeped out. [With the newest update, this device will have limited functions restored upon your next entry.] There was almost a hint of smugness from the fancy device.

“I don’t think I’ll be going back, at least not anytime soon.” I let out another deep sigh. “I’m weak and barely survived due to dumb luck. If those thugs didn’t turn around and run, or if the Alpha wasn’t caught, I would be long dead.” After a moment of staring at the pond, I let out an annoyed scream. “Argh! Why did I even go into that damned place?!” I get to my feet, anger welling up from somewhere.

“Stop.” I smack both my cheeks. “Dumb idea…” I complained as my headache returned in full force.

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“Gu.” The little Foxspark came up behind me with a plate of eggs and what looked like bacon balancing on its head.

“Thanks.” I chuckle as I take the plate from the little Foxspark before it bounces off to the bonfire. “Overthinking about what I could have done differently won’t help me…” I take a bite of the crispy hot bacon strip. “Fuck me!” I shout in pure ecstasy, and a revelation smacks me in the face. “Is there better cooking than this?!” I shout towards my Paldex.

[This is the basic level offered for your current Power and Base level. If you want more recipes, you must gain more power, gather new materials, and capture certain pals to expand your Base.] The Paldex produced a large screen with a multitude of blacked out locked pictures, with only a few at the very bottom where shown in color or a hazy gray.

“What about better weapons?” I pull out my broken bow. “I need something lethal if I’m going to survive this place.” I drop the thing back into its item subspace.

[You can repair all broken or damaged items at your Repair Station.] A holo arrow appeared in front of me. It pointed at something behind me. I turned around to see a wooden workstation table glowing. [The Repairs will cost materials to complete.] The Paldex chimed out as the glow turned into a hovering bouncing arrow.

“What’s happening?” I ask while wondering over towards the magically glowing table.

[Please touch the workstation and think of all your equipment being repaired.] My Paldex glowed with a bright soothing green light. [Due to the low level of your basic equipment, the Repairs will take a second.] It reassured me.

“Fine.” I placed my left hand on the repair station and thought of my stuff being fixed. “Woah!” My yelp of surprise lasted longer than the burst of a bright minty green light washing over my body in a blink of an eye. “That’s all?” I glanced down at my clothes which looked brand new. “No way.” I pulled out my ‘broken’ bow, only to be blown away at the sleek newly polished and strung weapon. “It looks like a new bow!” The moment passed as the joy faded. “Too bad its usefulness is running out.” I sigh as I remember all the recent enemies and their firearms.

[Capture or defeat more Pals to gain more power.] The Paldex popped up a small screen showing I only had two more Pal Spheres in my possession.

“You’re right!” A new positive light replaced my somber mood. “I can get more powerful pals to be a literal living weapon slash friend for me, while being a mild distraction with my bow to help them in a fight!” I look up into the clear blue sky as my mind plays out some made up scenarios where the bow might be useful.

[You can make your own firearms and ammo once your Base and Power level reaches a certain point.] My Paldex softly chimed out.

“Magical watch says what now?!” My attention instantly snaps to the device on my wrist.

[Basic weapons can all be made on base once certain requirements are met. More powerful weapons require certain materials, pals, and schematics before being unlocked.] The Paldex showed me a long blacked out list of weapons, with only a bow and club unlocked so far.

“Alright, you talked me into it. Let’s catch’em all.” I swiped away the screen as I moved over to the next workstation and placed my hand on it. “Just need some more balls-damn it, I mean spheres first.” I shook my head slightly as I chuckle under my breath.