With the Gatekeeper Dragoed, Julian and Dragonite could finally leave the tunnel without entering any other Dragon-type Pokémon along the way.

  The tunnel was very long. Julian walked for over half an hour before spotting the white light at the far end.

  As he tinued forward, stepping out of the tuhe blinding light caused him to squint slightly. It took a few seds for his eyes to adjust.

  Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through. If Dragonite hadn't grabbed hold of Julian in time, the wind might have carried him away.

  The tunnel's exit was actually situated mid a mountain. The tuself cut straight through the mountain, which stood over 5,000 meters tall.

  Though a height of 5,000 meters qualified it as a t peak, there were even taller mountains nearby.

  Julian ted at least seven ht mountains in the distahat were higher than the oood on.

  Below the mountain y a sprawling forest and serene kes.

  The Dragon's De Realm spanned about 600,000 square kilometers. While not the rgest among the special secret realms, it was undoubtedly the most dangerous.

  After all, Dragon-type Pokémon were notoriously powerful. Ohey reached adulthood, they were kicked out of their home to establish their owories elsewhere.

  "Let's go check it out"

  Julian said as he pulled out the Dowsing Mae and mounted Dragonite.

  The device dispyed ten red dots, each representing something signifit in size.

  As expected of a special secret realm, the quality of its treasures far exceeded that of ordinary high-level secret realms.

  The Dragon-type energy saturating the Dragon's De Realm filled Dragoh excitement. It was clearly excited by the enviro, feeling as though it had boundless energy.

  In its enthusiasm, Dragonite suddenly dove downward, fetting that Julian was on its back.

  When they nded, Julian, now wearing an impassive expression, straightened his hair, which had been blown back during the dive. Dragonite, however, showed no trace of remorse. Instead, it seemed almost amused by the situation.

  "If you pull that stunt again, I'll have Metagross teach you a lesson when we're out of here," Julian scolded.

  "Let's go and check it out."

  Without waiting fonite's response, Julian walked in the dire of the red dot, holding the Dowsing Mae.

  This dot was about five or six hundred meters away—close to the tun.

  Julian couldn't help but feel curious. How could a treasure remain undiscovered at such a short distance from the exit?

  Unless, perhaps, this treasure had only retly appeared.

  Few people could enter special secret realms, and the treasures in these realms also emerged faster than in ordinary high-level secret realms.

  As a result, the quantity and quality of treasures in special secret realms were superior to those found in regur ones.

  The danger level of the Dragon's De Realm was undoubtedly much higher as well.

  Take this pce for example—right at the start, you're forced to face a Gatekeeper Dragon at the early Elite level.

  If you didn't have the skills to back it up, that Tyrantrum from earlier could have easily killed you.

  When Julian arrived at the location indicated by the Dowsing Mae, he didn't see any Dragon-type Pokémon. The path leading there was equally quiet.

  Dragon-type Pokémon were known for their low reproductive rates and long growth periods, especially pseudo-legendary Dragon-types. As a result, almost every adult Dragon Pokémon trolled a sizable territory.

  The whole area practically had a "vast nd, sparse dragons" vibe.

  "Dragoneye Berries"

  Julian muttered, spotting the treasure. These berries were a special type of fruit, found only i realms brimming with Dragon-type energy.

  In fact, Dragoneye Berries were the most on treasure in the Dragon's De Realm.

  Julian suspected that many of the red dots oector were likely marking these berries.

  There wasn't a Dragon Pokémon alive that didn't love eating them.

  Dragoneye Berries had a urait: each tree produced only four berries per year.

  "Why are there non types here?"

  Julian wondered aloud, sing the area.

  Wherever there were Dragoneye Berries, there should have been Dragon Pokémon guarding them.

  This fruit was their favorite food; they wouldn't leave it unprotected.

  The ck of a guardian suggested either the Dragon Pokémon wasn't home, or it had died for some reason, and no new one had cimed the territory yet.

  Dragonite had already snatched up the Dragoneye Berry aen it in one gulp. But the moment, it spat it out with a loud ptooey.

  Dragonite: 'What the heck? Why does this taste so awful?'

  It had eaten Dragoneye Berries before, but none had ever tasted this bad.

  Julian: 'System goods are alremium quality'

  Having been spoiled by the Dragoneye Berries purchased from the system's store, tasting the wild versio like going from gourmet cuisio cafeteria slop.

  Dragonite nearly vomited.

  "ROAR!"

  Just as Dragonite was showing its disdain, an angry roar echoed from above. A vivid green Dragon Pulse shot down toward Dragonite from the sky.

  Julian looked up to see a Flyg down at Dragos face filled with rage.

  Flygon: 'You little punk! I didn't even dare eat it myself, and not only did you eat it, but you spat it out too!'

  Feeling the Flygon's aura brimming with anger ament, Julian couldn't help but think that Dragonite might have gone a little too far.

  As the Dragon Pulse barreled toward it, Dragonite didn't even flinch. With a single Mega Punch, the air around it rippled violently, scattering the Dragon Pulse with a deafening boom.

  Flygon froze midair, staring at the dissipating Dragon Pulse and Dragonite's casual demeanor.

  Flygon: 'I might have overreacted earlier. My apologies'

  A mid-Elite level Flygon might have been impressive in most cases, but to was no more than a minor nuisance.

  Dragonite shot a gre at the Flygon, and the tter didn't dare tis attack. Instead, it slunk away i.

  The w of the jungle—survival of the fittest—was the natural order among Pokémon. This principle was especially prevalent among Dragon-types.

  Dragons uood this w better than any other.

  'If you're strohan me, if you outcss me, then fine—you take my territory, my food, even my mate. I'll accept it.'

  'But just you wait. The moment I surpass you, I'll e bad settle the score.'

  The pride on Pokémon made them disdain the idea of ruthlessly killing a defeated foe.

  Watg the retreating Flygon, Dragonite picked up the Dragoneye Berry it had spat out earlier. This time, it carefully wiped off the saliva and dust before it to Julian.

  Julian: 'If you're trying to offer that for me to eat, I swear I'll give you a good smack'

  Dragonite: 'It be sold for money'

  "Just toss it"

  Julian said ftly.

  Dragoneye Berries could indeed fetch a good pri the outside world. They were valuable for making Dragon-type Pokéblocks and nutritional supplements.

  For most trainers, this fruit rized treasure worth fighting over—maybe even stabbing a friend in the back for it.

  Unfortunately, Julian wasly strapped for cash.

  Dragohrow it away? What a waste'

  After a moment's hesitation, Dragonite gulped down the Dragoneye Berry in one big bite—without even chewing.

  "I never realized you had such a thrifty nature"

  Julian remarked, patting Dragonite's round belly.

  It didn't even like the taste but still forced itself to eat it. No wos belly wasn't shrinking—in fact, it looked a little bigger now.

  Hearing Julian's words, Dragonite's goofy face broke into an embarrassed smile.