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Sato didn't head to the internal trading market within the base immediately. Instead, he first made a trip to the logistics center.
The so-called logistics center was, of course, a unit dedicated to handling the base's logistical matters. In this Team Rocket base, it was the place specifically designated for veterans to submit captured Pokemon and exchange them for merit points, or to use merit points to trade for supplies.
Although Sato was an unfamiliar face, the staff immediately understood his purpose upon seeing the large bag full of black PokeBalls in his hands—he was here to exchange for merit.
"Brother, you're something else! Most folks only come in with a few dozen at most, but you? This bag's nearly three hundred! My god, and one of them's even a pseudo Elite-Four level Yanmega… unbelievable."
For a "veteran" returning in full glory like Sato, the logistics officer naturally didn't dare show any disrespect. Before Sato even spoke, the man was already eagerly helping him tally his haul, tossing in a few flattering words along the way.
Sato didn't respond—he simply smiled and lowered his head to examine the item exchange list the man handed over.
He quickly located the pricing for revival medicine. Honestly, even without guessing, he had expected this kind of life-from-the-dead potion to be absurdly expensive.
A single dose of revival medicine required a whopping 5,000 merit points—and that was already a discounted rate, granted only because Sato held the status of a "veteran" in the Team Rocket base.
Moreover, the name listed on the exchange sheet was actually just "Basic Revival Serum." As the name implied, its potency was far from the best among revival items.
According to the notes, this basic-level serum could only greatly stimulate the body's self-healing for about one minute, thereby achieving a temporary regenerative effect.
However, the price for this revival came with steep side effects: using even one dose could cost the user at least one year of their lifespan, and leave them physically weakened for several days.
In essence, the serum worked by rapidly accelerating cell regeneration in the body to achieve rapid recovery.
Sato also saw listings for Intermediate and Advanced Revival Serums on the exchange sheet. Compared to the basic version, these two were worlds apart—their value was five to six times greater.
Of course, their effects were also far more astonishing. Not only did they lack any side effects, but the Advanced Revival Serum even extended longevity.
It was worth noting that even the basic-level revival serum was listed as a restricted item. For Team Rocket members of Sato's current level, he was only permitted to exchange one dose per month. Intermediate-level serum required pseudo Elite-Four level strength and corresponding rank clearance at minimum to purchase.
As for the advanced type, that was even further out of reach. Only Elite Four-level Team Rocket personnel were qualified to purchase it, and the price was ridiculously steep.
After evaluating the Pokémon Sato had brought in, the staff meticulously assessed and calculated his haul, ultimately awarding him 12,000 merit points. Of that, the pseudo Elite-Four tier Yanmega alone accounted for half the total.
12,000 merit points—this was an enormous sum for someone still ranked as a mere grunt. As long as he completed his promotion mission, it would be enough to leapfrog two promotion ranks and become a Platoon Leader.
Team Rocket's internal hierarchy consisted of nine ranks: Grunts, Squad Leaders, Platoon Leaders, Battalion Leaders, Elites, Cadres, Senior Cadres, Regional Commanders, and Leader/Boss.
Aside from the Boss, all other levels could be promoted through merit accumulation.
Naturally, the merit required to advance each tier multiplied drastically—usually seven or eight times that of the previous level. The jump from Elite to Cadre was especially brutal, often requiring more than ten times the previous merit total.
Because of this, most Team Rocket officers without sufficient strength found themselves stuck at the Elite rank. Advancing any further would either require a monumental accomplishment—or a long, grueling wait.
And if one failed a promotion mission? Half their accumulated merit would be deducted. Starting over to gather enough for another promotion attempt could take ages.
Take Sato's former superior, Caesar, for example. He had lingered at the Elite level for five or six years, accumulating enough strength before finally succeeding in a promotion trial.
Yet even now, Caesar was only a reserve Cadre, still needing to pass the instructor phase and build a solid team under his command.
Despite the high cost and harsh side effects, Sato didn't hesitate to spend 5,000 merit points on a single dose of the Basic Revival Serum.
After all, in a life-or-death moment, such an item was a literal second chance at life. When you're on the brink of death, who has time to worry about side effects?
Unfortunately, due to his current clearance level, Sato could only redeem one dose. Otherwise, he would've traded all 12,000 points for two without a second thought.
Since only one could be redeemed, Sato reconsidered and withdrew the Yanmega from the merit exchange, not using it for point conversion.
This Yanmega was level 51, had the Speed Boost ability, and was a pseudo Elite Four tier Pokemon. Sato figured he'd get far more value out of trading it directly with other Team Rocket veterans in the base.
At the very least, it's worth exceeded that of one dose of revival serum. If he offered it to trade for another dose, he was confident many people would be interested.
With the rest of the Pokemon in the bag, Sato earned 6,000 merit points. After spending 5,000 on the Revival Serum, he was left with 1,000 points.
Sato didn't let those go to waste. He spent every last one of them on five nutritional serums designed to be used in conjunction with the Revival Serum.
These nutritional serums were packed with highly absorbable nutrients, ideal for patients recovering from serious illness or injury. Once administered, they rapidly replenished the user's vitality.
With these on hand, even if Sato had to use the revival serum, he could bounce back quickly—no need to suffer through the long, grueling weakness that usually followed.
After fully using up his merit points, Sato immediately set off toward the Team Rocket base's internal trading market without delay.
Time was running out. He had to seize every moment, using the resources in his hands to prepare for what was to come on the island—his capital for survival.
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Meanwhile, as Sato was making his way to the internal trading market, the place itself was already in full swing.
More than 200 participants had now entered all-out shopping frenzy mode. They were furiously trading, exchanging all kinds of resources with Team Rocket veterans for rare and valuable items.
Treasures that were hard to come by under normal circumstances now filled the stalls, gleaming and varied. Clearly, in order to increase their chances in the upcoming competition, many participants had brought out everything they had.
Some groups had even banded together, already beginning to plan strategies for survival and communication on the island.
None of these 200+ Team Rocket recruits who had come with Sato were average. After learning the rules and format of the competition, they all understood what lay ahead.
So, each of them was now racing against time, making final preparations for the survival battle in whatever ways they could afford.