Jacob missed the grand finale of the auction. His life was more important than witnessing the excitent. A Quasi-King level trainer of unknown origin signaled sothing significant was about to unfold—a situation Jacob had neither the qualifications nor ability to manage.
Back ho, Jacob lay in bed, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Dante throughout the night. He couldn't imagine what would bring a Quasi-King level trainer like Dante to a small place like Starlight City.
Perhaps he was mistaken? Maybe that wasn't Dante after all? No, that seed unlikely—there were only a few Quasi-King level Houndoom in existence, and others had no reason to conceal their identities.
Jacob eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep.
...
"BOOM!"
In the middle of the night, a sudden explosion resonated throughout Starlight City, illuminating the dark sky as bright as day. Jacob, who had been sleeping fitfully due to his concerns about Dante, awoke instantly. He hurriedly dressed and rushed outside, just in ti to see Rory and Asher erging from the house with grim expressions.
"Dad, what's happening?" Jacob asked anxiously.
Hearing his youngest son's question, Rory forced a smile and replied, "It's nothing. Just stay ho and don't go outside."
After addressing Jacob, Rory turned to his eldest son with a serious expression. "Asher, co with ."
"Alright, let's go, Dad." Asher's face was equally serious, his usual playful smile absent. "Jacob, stay ho. Dad's Scizor and Escavalier are here for you. Take them for protection. I'm also leaving my Charizard with you. Stay inside and don't venture out."
Asher removed a red and white Poké Ball from his belt and handed Charizard, one of his main Pokémon, to Jacob.
The concern shown by his brother and father spoke volus. Both had left their primary Pokémon to protect him, making Jacob realize sothing major was unfolding tonight.
"Brother, Dad," Jacob said, deeply moved, "What's happening? Last night in the underground market, I saw a suspicious man. He looked like that wanted criminal—Dante, the forr Quasi-King Dark specialist."
"What?!"
Jacob shared everything about his encounter the previous night, omitting his purchase of the S-level Thunder Stone. He only ntioned eting a mysterious individual with a Quasi-King level Houndoom.
After hearing Jacob's account, Rory and Asher exchanged grave looks. They clearly recognized the situation was serious. "It's unmistakable—that was definitely Dante. He must have received advance information. A small Secret Realm just appeared in Starlight City. His target is that dungeon."
Secret Realms were unique phenona in this world—essentially small pocket dinsions. Generally, rare treasures appeared within them: special berries, valuable items, and Technical Machines. Simultaneously, rare and powerful Pokémon would manifest. These Pokémon typically possessed high qualifications, sotis including legendary species, like the Darkrai that appeared in the Nightmare Secret Realm three years ago.
Secret Realms were mysterious treasure troves, filled with opportunity but also fraught with deadly peril.
Three years prior, countless people had perished in the Nightmare Secret Realm. Many fell into eternal sleep, including a Quasi-King level trainer. In the end, the powerful Darkrai wasn't captured by anyone. After claiming nurous lives, it escaped the dungeon using its dream powers. To this day, many still hunted for Darkrai.
Secret Realms were like high-stakes gambling. So erged with fortunes, while others lost everything. Only such phenona could attract Quasi-King level trainers like Dante.
"Dante's current strength may have reached King level. Three years ago, he massacred an entire family for a larvitar egg. Three years is ample ti for a young larvitar to evolve into Tyranitar. We must proceed with extre caution."
Rory calmly analyzed that in three years, Dante might have beco a top-tier trainer. Even if he and Asher combined forces, their chances of victory would be minimal.
"Nevertheless, we must enter the Secret Realm as well. This represents Asher's opportunity to advance to King-level trainer. If he finds a Pokémon with King-level qualifications, he can make that leap!" Determination flashed in Rory's eyes. The progression from Gym Leader to King level represented a significant hurdle, one many couldn't overco for decades—just like Dante, who spent ten years failing to advance from Quasi-King to King level, ultimately taking desperate asures for a young Larvitar.
Now that a Secret Realm had appeared in Starlight City, Rory and his son couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
"Jacob, stay ho and don't go out," Rory warned. Many Pokémon from the Secret Realm would likely escape into the real world, posing a serious threat to ordinary people. "Zoe, please keep an eye on Jacob."
"I need to get to the Pokémon Center imdiately. I just received an ergency notice. Many people must have been injured already." Zoe rolled her eyes at Rory before turning to Jacob with concern. "Jacob, please stay ho and be careful."
Zoe's tone was filled with affection. Jacob was the weakest family mber, naturally causing her the most worry. She repeatedly instructed him not to leave ho.
"Okay."
...
"Click."
The door closed, leaving Jacob alone in the house. He checked on the restless Noibat in its incubator, fed it so energy cubes, then placed it safely in its Poké Ball.
Jacob changed his clothes and prepared to go out. While venturing outside carried risks, he had his father's Scizor and Escavalier for protection, plus his brother's Charizard—providing considerable defensive capability. As long as he avoided Dante, he shouldn't face excessive danger.
More than the danger, Jacob was excited about the rare items and Pokémon within the Secret Realm. Such phenona were extrely uncommon, especially appearing directly above Starlight City. This represented a once-in-a-century opportunity, and undoubtedly powerful trainers from across Frosthollow Region would soon converge.
If Jacob wanted to obtain treasures, he needed to act swiftly. A freshly erged Secret Realm teed with valuable items—an opportunity he couldn't miss.
Stepping outside, Jacob witnessed a dazzling white light illuminating the sky, with a silver vortex brightening all of Starlight City.
Jacob summoned Charizard, climbed onto its back, and soared upward. The entrance to the Secret Realm hovered high above.
"BOOM!"
Suddenly, with a trendous roar, the Secret Realm surged, generating a powerful air current that instantly sucked Jacob and Charizard inside.
After a disorienting mont, Jacob regained consciousness to find himself in a strange new world.
Water flowed gently through shallow streams. The scenery was breathtaking, the view serene. The fragrance of lush grass and towering trees created an almost fairy-tale atmosphere.
Was this the Secret Realm?
Jacob looked upward to see an enormous silver vortex in the sky. Just as in the real world, this celestial phenonon appeared to be the connection between the Secret Realm and reality.
If Jacob wished to return, he could simply have Charizard fly him back to the vortex.
However, having successfully infiltrated the Secret Realm, Jacob had no intention of leaving empty-handed. He recalled Charizard into its Poké Ball, summoned the Scizor entrusted to him by his father, and began carefully exploring this mysterious realm.
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