C1 The Egg Auction

"Lin Yih, pick up the pace or we'll miss out on the good parking spots!" urged a plump boy, tugging Lin Yih out the door.

On the bus.

"Yih, you think I stand a chance at snagging a decent Pet Beast Egg?"

Lin Yih glanced at the chubby kid spilling over into the next seat and shook his head. "It's all about luck."

A breeze wafted through the half-open window, brushing against their faces.

Lin Yih's mind was a whirlwind of confusion.

Just two days earlier, he was at home, gaming away, when a sneeze overtook him.

That sneeze catapulted him into this unfamiliar world.

Thankfully, his parents and the familiar faces around him remained unchanged.

But the world's new reality was a jarring shift—humans weren't in charge here. They eked out an existence in cities, while powerful Strange Beasts prowled the outskirts. And he was still stuck being a beleaguered high schooler.

In short: he was cursed with bad luck!

All those years of schooling felt like a waste.

"If I somehow pick a Divine Beast, I'll be honoring my ancestors big time!" Hai Dafu murmured to himself as Lin Yih zoned out.

"Dreaming much, Hai Dafu?" A youthful female voice chimed in from behind him, as a hand sneakily reached between their seats.

"Ouch!" Hai Dafu yelped, clutching his ear, now red from the pinch. "Babe, I'm sorry, no more bragging."

Lin Yih watched the bickering pair, his lips quirking in amusement.

He had been friends with Hai Dafu since freshman year, and for three years, he'd been third-wheeling it.

Hai Dafu, the sole heir to Tycoon Hai of Red Leaf Town, was from the wealthiest family around. Despite his ordinary looks and extra pounds, his wealth was notable.

Zhong Qin, daughter of Red Leaf Town's mayor Zhong Wuyan and Hai Dafu's girlfriend, was petite and the epitome of a 'loli'.

How did such an unlikely pair come together? It's a long story, but Lin Yih played a significant role in their union.

"Zhong Qin, how's your Rock Monster doing?" Hai Dafu asked, breaking the silence after a round of 'dog food' sharing.

Lin Yih turned to Zhong Qin, as did the rest of the students, except the driver.

In the modest Red Leaf Town, Pet Beasts were a rarity, and only a handful of Red Leaf High students had them, including Zhong Qin and Hai Dafu.

Lin Yih could've had a Pet Beast too—his father, Lin Dingtian, was a retired Silver Pet Beast Warrior, a formidable force in town. He had even been offered a greyhound pup, but Lin Yih declined. He never had an affinity for dogs, and the adult greyhound's looks didn't appeal to him.

"It's still just a second-tier Bronze rank, no progress," Zhong Qin admitted, her cheeks flushing.

"Rich girl, need a leg hair charm?" someone teased.

"Wow, that's impressive! How do we even compete?"

"I'm so envious! Why can't I have awesome parents?"

"I've got nothing. Is this the gap between the elite and the rest of us?"

The bus erupted with a mix of envy and self-pity.

But the overall mood was upbeat; they were on their way to choose their first Pet Beast, courtesy of a senior year school perk, essential for college prep.

The catch? They had to pick from a batch of indistinguishable Pet Beast Eggs.

It was a gamble—land a quality Bronze Pet Beast with luck, or end up with a basic beast that only knew how to eat.

The bus creaked to a halt in front of a towering building.

Stepping off, the group huddled together, eyeing the two Pet Beast Warriors in combat gear at the entrance with a mix of awe and nervousness.

In the heart of the crowd, Lin Yih surveyed Red Leaf Town's renowned marketplace.

The Auction and Trading Center!

The six golden characters on the sign seemed to dance with a special aura, suggesting the writer was no ordinary person.

"Over here! Kids, come on over!" While Lin Yih was lost in thought, a woman in high heels burst out from within. She emerged half-crouching, clutching her legs and gasping for breath, as if she had been running for miles.

Her name was Jiaang Yuxin, Lin Yih's homeroom teacher. She had arrived early to scout out the auction venue.

"Let's get moving," the group said, rising to follow. Jiaang Yuxin was known for her impulsiveness, something they had all grown accustomed to.

...

"Wow! It's huge!"

"Ah! Why are there so many? Are they all identical?"

"Damn! Normally you'd pay tens of thousands for just one. Isn't that a rip-off?"

Lin Yih gazed at the Pet Beast Eggs secured behind transparent glass, his mind reeling.

Jiaang Yuxin, who had been leading the way, halted. "Okay, kids! The descriptions for these Pet Beast Eggs have been removed. This is a test of what you've learned."

"I'll return in an hour. Ta-ta~" With that, Jiaang Yuxin sashayed away, leaving them behind.

Lin Yih's attention snapped back to the task at hand.

Was it time to put his Pet Beast knowledge to the test?

He hesitated, his face a mask of doubt. "I mean... I've only been to two days of classes, right?"

"Brother Yih! Do you think that Pet Beast Egg over there is any good?" A petite girl approached, tugging at Lin Yih's hand with a hopeful look as she spoke.

"How would I know?" Lin Yih was about to admit his ignorance.

But facing the girl's earnest eyes and charming smile, he faltered.

"I'll check it out for you!" Lin Yih resolved, biting his lip. Perhaps the knowledge he had acquired in this world had stuck with him?

"This one!" The girl eagerly led Lin Yih to a secluded spot in the Pet Beast Egg showcase.

"Let's see..." Lin Yih was taken aback by the sight of the earthy-hued Pet Beast Egg, as large as his own head.

Pet Beast Eggs of every variety surrounded them!

Sizes ranged from as small as a fingernail to as large as a head.

Textures varied from smooth and luminous to rough with cracks, some even adorned with delicate scales.

The colors spanned the spectrum: yellow, white, red, green, and even black.

Lin Yih scratched his head, his expression growing more troubled.

Damn it! His mind was a blank!

He glanced back at the girl, her face filled with admiration.

Now what? He was starting to panic...