Chapter 95: A Treasure in the Swamp

Three days later, at Farm, after a blinding flash of white light, an intermediate secret realm materialized. A portal to this realm appeared before Ashborn and others.

The first fifty individuals to enter this realm were all prominent members of local families in Lavanny City. Some were elders, while others were young adults like Ashborn.

Ashborn didn't enter alone; his father, Valor, accompanied him. Before they entered, Valor warned, "Be cautious inside. Don't trust anyone."

Aristocratic families endured for generations not only due to their resources but also their willingness to employ underhanded tactics.

Such methods were common among these families, including the Zovic family, though Ashborn was unaware of this.

Originally a farm, the land was purchased by the government after the emergence of the new intermediate-level secret realm.

Secret realm relics were typically found in sparsely populated areas, but the reasons for this were still under investigation.

"I understand," Ashborn nodded. He had never expected to be in the company of these people.

"Goodbye," Ashborn waved to Valor and stepped into the secret realm.

The entry period was ten days, the same for all intermediate secret realms.

After ten days, everyone, regardless of their progress, had to exit. Primary secret realms had a seven-day limit, while advanced realms were one month.

The time limits were imposed to prevent the secret realms from being depleted by those who entered.

Although dangerous, secret realms contained food and drink, allowing individuals with sufficient resources to stay for a year or two.

They could share the treasures they found with companions outside, who could then enter and repeat the process.

Therefore, the time limits were necessary to prevent this exploitation.

Upon entering the secret realm, Ashborn encountered a man and two women in their twenties. They were the first to have entered.

Just as Ashborn was about to retrieve his Dowsing Machine from his system space, he saw the trio walking towards him.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Young Master Zovic, I'm Larry Rodes from the Rodes family," the man introduced himself. "These are the Falker sisters, Daisy and Blaisy."

Ashborn found the name Daisy familiar. Before the Pokémon world merged, the history of Xortros Country was similar to his previous homeland.

There had been a renowned historical figure named Daisy.

"It's 'Daisy' as in 'Purity'," Daisy clarified.

The Rhodes and Falker families were both influential local families in Lavanny City, but they were far less powerful than the Zovic family.

"If you don't mind, I'll go ahead," Ashborn said, aware of their intentions.

The twin sisters were undeniably attractive, and being identical twins, their allure was even more potent for some men.

"Young Master Zovic, please reconsider," Larry Rodes said quickly, sensing Ashborn's impatience.

"The Falker sisters and I are pseudo-Elite Trainers. We won't hold you back."

Ashborn was only a first-tier Trainer, so he assumed they were offering their assistance.

"No need," Ashborn replied.

"Metagross, let's go."

With that, Ashborn released Metagross and rode off on its back.

The trio exchanged glances.

"How rude," Blaisy exclaimed angrily. "Someone like him will never find a girlfriend."

She was accustomed to being pursued by countless admirers and was surprised that Ashborn had rejected her.

"It seems the rumors are true," Larry Rodes said, disappointed. "The young master of the Zovic family is immune to women."

Secretly, though, he was relieved that Ashborn didn't reciprocate the sisters' feelings.

"He must like men. If Larry meets him again, you should try using a more masculine approach," Blaisy suggested.

Larry Rodes's face stiffened. He didn't know how to respond.

"Enough, Blaisy," Daisy said. "Let's go."

The Rodes family had coordinated with Ashborn's family to wait for him at the secret realm's entrance.

They wanted to establish a connection with the Zovic family, as no family in Xortros would reject their advances.

Ashborn, having left the trio behind, had already taken out his Dowsing Machine. He had flown several kilometers and was now over a swamp.

The swamp was teeming with Grimer, Koffing, and a few of their evolutions. The entire area was shrouded in a lilac poisonous gas.

This made the swamp a forbidden zone for other types of Pokémon. Ashborn was wearing anti-virus gear, and Metagross was immune to poison.

The Dowsing Machine had a range of fifty kilometers. The size of the red dots indicated the value of the treasure.

This intermediate secret realm was indeed new. As soon as Ashborn entered, the Dowsing Machine displayed eight red dots, the maximum number it could show.

"The treasure should be in this swamp," Ashborn concluded.

The largest red dot was visible on the Dowsing Machine, but the swamp stretched endlessly.

Ashborn noticed that the number of Muk and Weezing had increased, while Grimer and Koffing had become less common.

Five hundred meters from the treasure, Ashborn halted Metagross.

It wasn't that he didn't want to proceed, but dozens of Muk and Weezing were blocking his path.

Sludge Bombs and poison gas rained down on Ashborn.

"Steel Beam!" Metagross countered with its powerful Steel Beam, disintegrating the Sludge Bombs and gas. However, more Muk appeared from behind.

"Fly higher and avoid them," Ashborn instructed.

With over a hundred Muk and Weezing surrounding them, Metagross's movements were hindered, limiting its ability to use certain attacks.

By flying higher, Ashborn could avoid the Muk's threats. Weezing could also fly, but not as quickly as Metagross.

Metagross accelerated, leaving Weezing behind. Soon, Ashborn reached the area where the treasure was located.

From a high altitude, he couldn't see anything below. As he descended, Ashborn spotted more than ten Weezing and ten Muk.

Their levels ranged from 50 to 60, with one Weezing and one Muk being level 68.

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Ara ara ~~ Sayo nara ~~