Opening a shop here can be quite profitable.
Most people who enter the secret realm don't plan to leave after just one day. They usually stay for several days; otherwise, the entrance fee alone wouldn't be worth it.
So, having a place to eat and sleep is definitely convenient.
These shops can earn a good amount from those services alone.
However, most people won't stay longer than a week—mainly because there's no place to take a proper bath.
"Sir, Ma'am, hello. Since you're both rookie trainers, here are your complimentary tracking watches. Please take them."
A soldier approached Nathan and Lily, handing them two devices that looked like mechanical wristwatches.
Tracking watches are mandatory in any secret realm.
Before a secret realm fully merges with the planet, its internal environment constantly changes. One careless step and you could get lost.
These watches can pinpoint the location of the realm's entrance at all times. Even if the environment shifts, the watch helps you find your way out safely.
"Thank you," Nathan and Lily said, accepting the watches and strapping them on.
"In the future, when visiting other secret realms, we'll have to pay to upload new location data," Lily commented while examining his watch.
Each realm has a unique coordinate system. Arriving at a new one requires re-calibration.
But it's pretty cheap.
Just a hundred Pokécoins.
"You're thinking too far ahead. For now, let's just head deeper into the secret realm and see what we find," Nathan said. Secret realms are treasure troves—if you're not too unlucky, you're bound to find something good.
Even something like Caterpie silk—a leftover from Bug-types—can fetch a good price.
Don't assume Caterpie silk is easy to come by. The kind produced with moves evaporates over time, but the permanent silk is only produced when Caterpie's in the mood. It's not exactly rare, but it isn't common either, and the price is decent. It's a favorite among Water-type trainers.
That's because fishing lines made from it are extremely tough—strong enough to reel in a Gyarados, assuming you have the strength.
The two continued away from the entrance, heading deeper in.
The realm was filled with towering trees and waist-high grass—primitive and wild.
"Hey, that looks like a Pecha Berry tree," Lily suddenly pointed out.
Nathan looked over and nodded. "Yup, that's a Pecha tree. Let's pick a few."
It was an ordinary tree, bearing Pecha Berries—a favorite food among many Pokémon. They can also cure poison, but only regular toxins. If you're poisoned by a deadly Poison-type, only a Pokémon Center can help.
"Pancham, come out," Nathan said, tossing a Poké Ball to summon his mischievous panda.
"Panchaa!"
"You too, Vulpix," Lily said, summoning her starter.
"Pancham, use Low Sweep on the tree," Nathan ordered.
"Panchaa!"
Pancham stepped forward, instinctively using Quick Step to dash in front of the tree, then unleashed a powerful kick.
The tree shook, and several Pecha Berries fell to the ground.
Each picked a few and tucked them into their backpacks before moving on.
As they strolled through the realm, Nathan casually asked, "What type of Pokémon are you planning to catch?"
Lily only had Vulpix, and this trip was meant to help her train while also catching a second Pokémon. The National Tournament was just a few months away.
Anyone who had confidence would compete.
Lily was no exception.
But just like in the anime, you needed eight Gym Badges to qualify. One Pokémon wasn't enough.
"I'll see what comes up. If possible, I'd like a Pidgey. There are quite a few of them in this realm," she replied.
"Pidgey, huh? Not bad. Its final evolution makes a great ride," Nathan nodded.
As they chatted, they continued deeper into the realm.
The environment around them grew dim—not completely dark, but noticeably gloomier.
"Pancham, use Thunder Punch!" Nathan commanded suddenly.
Pancham radiated fighting spirit, electricity surging around its fist as it delivered a powerful punch to a Gloom.
"Finish it with Tackle."
Pancham obeyed and tackled the Gloom, ending the battle.
"Still not quite smooth. We'll need more practice if we come across another Grass-type," Nathan said, patting Pancham's head.
"Pancha." Pancham nodded. He knew he hadn't fully mastered Thunder Punch yet.
The realm made it easy to find sparring partners.
So far, they had encountered over a dozen Pokémon, all in the growth stage.
They took turns battling them. It wasn't difficult.
Nathan focused on battling Grass-types to help Pancham improve his Thunder Punch.
Pancham had the Iron Fist ability. Even if the move wasn't fully mastered, Iron Fist boosted the power significantly.
Most Pokémon couldn't withstand a full hit from it.
Grass-types, resistant to Electric moves, were ideal practice targets.
"All done. That Gloom should be fine when it wakes up," Lily said, having just treated its injuries.
"Thanks," Nathan smiled—after all, his Pokémon had caused the damage.
But then—
Buzz... buzz... buzz...
The ground began to tremble.
"What's happening?" Lily panicked a little.
"Pokémon stampede? Doesn't seem likely..." Nathan guessed, his face twitching slightly.
"Can you not jinx us?!" Lily shot Nathan a glare.
A Pokémon stampede would be a nightmare.
Such a state only occurs when a secret realm has just appeared, influenced by some mysterious force.
Pokémon go berserk and destroy everything in sight.
If this was a stampede, Lily swore she'd never enter another realm again.
As the ground trembled slightly...
Pancham and Vulpix immediately moved in front of their trainers, standing guard.
Soon after—
Rustle rustle!
The grass rustled as dozens of Pokémon came running in fear. Grass-types, Flying-types, Poison-types, and Bug-types alike.
There were at least several dozen, maybe close to a hundred.
But they avoided Nathan and Lily, showing no aggression. Clearly, they were still rational—not in a frenzy.
"They... they look scared," Lily said in surprise, noticing the fear on the Pokémon's faces.
But the next moment—
Nathan and Lily understood why.
A massive, terrifying aura surged from the distance, pressing down on them.
It was a powerful Pokémon's presence—unrestrained and overwhelming.
"Nathan... is that the aura of the realm's Elite-ranked Pidgeot?" Lily asked, tugging on his sleeve.
"Most likely," Nathan replied seriously.
The only known Elite-level Pokémon in this realm was the Pidgeot that guarded the Salac Berry Tree.
This aura likely belonged to that very Pidgeot.
But what had triggered it to erupt with such power?
"The aura's coming from that direction. I'm going to take a look," Nathan said, curiosity burning in his eyes. More than anything, he wanted to see if he could snag a few Salac Berries. Feeding them to Pancham—especially with his Shave move—would massively boost his speed.
"Are you insane?!" Lily grabbed his clothes tightly. "That Pidgeot might be furious. If it attacks us, we're done for."
"I wouldn't go unless I was sure," Nathan reassured her, gripping a Poké Ball around his neck with calm confidence.
Lily hesitated, then glanced at the Poké Ball in his hand.
She didn't know what was inside—it was his first Pokémon.
Despite being childhood friends, they didn't live next door, so she'd never seen it.
"That thing's Elite-level. Are you sure?" she asked.
"Absolutely."
Nathan smiled, his confidence shining through.
That smile gave her a strange sense of safety.
"In that case, I'm coming with you," Lily said, teeth clenched. Her face was pale with fear, but there was no way she'd abandon Nathan.
"Then stay close," Nathan nodded. As childhood friends, he knew she wouldn't leave him, so he didn't try to stop her.
Taking a deep breath, he grabbed her hand and ran toward the aura.
"Pancham, Vulpix—stay alert. Watch for surprise attacks," he ordered as they ran.
"Panchaa!"
"Vuu~!"
Both Pokémon nodded seriously.
Before long, they reached the source.
Brushing aside the tall grass, they finally saw what lay ahead.
"That Pidgeot... it's so powerful. And that Arbok…" Lily covered her mouth in shock.
In front of them, two Pokémon were locked in fierce combat.
One was the dominating Pidgeot of the realm.
The other—undoubtedly—was a Gym-level Arbok.