After four full days of effort, Julian finally mao pletely explore the ke that covered a quarter of the secret realm.

  While he didn't find the realm's ultimate treasure, he did e across quite a few valuable items.

  He found three more Water Moon Grass pnts and four top-grade Water Stones.

  Top-grade Water Stones also purify water, but this purified water only bes Pokémon, not humans. In trast, water purified by Water Moon Grass is beneficial for both humans and Pokémon.

  In addition to these, he found a Crystal Shell, which boost a Pokémon's special defense. Julian gave it to his Metagross as a snack.

  Finally, he came across a Soul Dew, which took him by surprise. The Soul Dew is a rare item, but only oype of Pokémon use it: Latios and Latias.

  When they hold this item, it boosts the power of their Psychid Dragon moves by 20%, which is quite substantial.

  Latios and Latias have already been discovered by humans, and they aren't unique beings. They've been sighted in multiple tries.

  Three years ago, both Pokémon appeared in Drakoria's Seaport city and calmed a on-50-years massive tidal wave.

  There are statues of them in Seaport as a tribute.

  Latios and Latias have helped several coastal cities avert disasters, and so they are regarded as guardians in some pces.

  Seaport in Drakoria is one such city.

  Another example is the famous tourist city of Vivis in Vidalia. If it weren't for Latios and Latias, the city would have beeroyed by the giant waves from the Kyogre and Groudon battle a tury ago.

  (T/N: couldn't find which try in real world, so just assume whichever you like)

  During Vivis's annual Guardiaival, Latios and Latias always make an appearance, drawing tless people who flock there just to catch a glimpse of these legendary Pokémon.

  Julian looked at the Soul Dew, feeling a bit frustrated. This item took up a quarter of his Dowsing Mae's space.

  Though it was rare, it wasly useful to him—unless he somehow mao capture Latios or Latias.

  But the ces of that happening were extremely low. Whether it's legendary Pokémon, mythical Pokémon, or endary birds like Artioltres, and Zapdos.

  If they aren't willing to follow you, any attempt to forcibly capture them would lead to the power of their aura shattering the Poké Ball from the inside.

  Instead of f them to submit, winning them over through personal charm is what truly matters.

  Or, you could raise one from a young age, like Melmetal—now that would be ideal.

  "Let's go to the Shadowed Forest," Julian said.

  With the ke fully explored, there was no reason to linger. He had a month to explore this advanced realm, and seven days had already passed.

  So far, things had gone smoothly, aside from the enter with the Elite Gyarados along the way and a few other Pokémon that had tried to interfere, attempting to defend their treasures, but Metagross and Dragonite had quickly taught them a lesson.

  The Shadowed Forest wasn't on the surface; instead, it y within a vast underground cavern. Though it was teically a cave, it spanned 8,277 square kilometers, about the size of a small city.

  This area was also the most dangerous part of the secret realm, home to many Ghost-type Pokémon. Other Dark-loving Pokémon also resided there, but Ghost-types were by far the majority.

  Of the eighteen Pokémon types, Ghost-types are easily among the most dangerous.

  They appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. If you only have a Pikachu at your side for prote, you might find yourself irouble with a Ghost-type aiming for a sneak attack.

  In areas full of Ghost-types, it's best to have Psychic-type or host-type Pokémon with you for prote.

  These two types have the highest dete abilities.

  The Shadowed Forest was home to two Elite-level Pokémon: a Gengar and a Trevenant.

  After three hours of traveling, Julian reached the cave entrao the Shadowed Forest. Just standing at the entrance, he could feel a chilly aura seeping out.

  "I'm here, ghosties"

  He muttered, leadiagross and Dragonite inside.

  Si was an underground cavern, there was no natural light. However, faint green glows came from the stones and trees, providing just enough illumination to make out the surroundings.

  As soon as they entered, an eerie cold washed over him, causing goosebumps to rise. It really did feel like walking into a ghost's den.

  Julian released Lucario to stay alert. Its Aura-sensing abilities would detey Ghost-type Pokémon lurking to sneak attack.

  Julian himself had Aura abilities, but Lucario's endurah Aura definitely surpassed his.

  Then, he brought out Melmetal too.

  With Metagross, Dragonite, aal—three pseudo-Elite Pokémon standing guard—and Lucario's Aura radar, Julia entirely secure.

  If it weren't for Steelix's size making it cumbersome in tight spaces, he would have brought it out too.

  Now fully equipped for safety, he took a high-powered fshlight from his pack.

  A powerful beam of light cut through the darkness, illuminating the surroundings like a miniature sun in this shadowy underworld.

  "That's much better"

  He said, rexing as his view became as clear as daylight. The difference was like night and day.

  However—

  "Hello there"

  Juliaed, his expression stiffening slightly as he looked ahead at the dozens of Ghost-type Pokémon gathered in the fshlight's beam.

  This fshlight did make it easier to see, but in a pce as dark as this, using a strong beam was like telling every Pokémon nearby: There's someone here

  Ghost-types were known to be able to increase their power by feeding on the life force—or even the souls—of others, which was one of the main reasons many Trainers were wary of these Pokémon.

  Among the dozens of Pokémon in front of him, Julian noticed two that resembled tiny dles, each with a purple fme flickering atop its head.

  Litwick, These Pokémon could absorb the life force of both humans and other Pokémon. That eerie fme? It actually burned using the energy drawn from them.

  Normally, the fme remaiinguished. But o started drawing in life energy, it would burn brightly.

  The youhe life force it absorbed, the stronger and more ominous the fme would glow.

  Trainers who captured Pokémon like Litwick often found themselves the first victims—uhey were skilled enough to teach the Pokémon to trol its energy-draining powers.