The weather was clear, with sunlight stretching endlessly across the sky.
Unknown flowers released an alluring fragrance, the scent wafting into the nostrils of a young boy.
A black-haired teenager slowly awoke beneath a towering ancient tree.
"Ugh... where am I?"
The boy opened his eyes slowly, scanning the surroundings. What he saw were colossal trees all around—each one easily over a hundred meters tall! Strange and unfamiliar flowers and herbs grew all across the forest floor.
"Was I... kidnapped?!"
Panicked, the black-haired teen jumped to his feet and looked at his clothes. Everything seemed normal: jeans, a white shirt, and a pair of sneakers. Then he looked back at his surroundings. The giant trees that seemed to touch the sky made his neck ache just from looking up at them.
He was utterly bewildered, but one thing he was now sure of—he had transmigrated!
But where was he now? Where was his golden finger? A system? Why had he transmigrated?
His name was Lin Fan, originally just a regular high school student grinding his way through the education system. In his spare time, he was a passionate fan of StarCraft, especially after a player from the Dragon Kingdom (China) won the world championship. Overcome with excitement, he had played StarCraft through the night until his mind turned fuzzy, and eventually passed out at his desk.
And now, after just one night of sleep, he had actually transmigrated?!
Lin Fan's heart was pounding wildly. Judging by the sheer size and density of these trees, this had to be an untamed wilderness.
Just what kind of world was this? If the trees were this absurdly huge, wouldn't the beasts here be even more terrifying?
Lin Fan called out in his mind, "System! System? SYSTEM!!"
Silence.
Unwilling to give up, he changed his posture and pointed toward the sky, shouting, "System!"
Still, nothing.
A growing sense of unease crept into Lin Fan's heart. No way... Did I transmigrate without a golden finger?!
He began running around, jumping, shouting, making a scene—but aside from birdsong and insect chirps from deep in the forest, there was no response.
Breathing heavily, he slumped down beneath the ancient tree he'd woken up under, despair filling his heart.
It's over... I actually transmigrated without a cheat?!
Lowering his head in frustration, something black caught the corner of his eye.
Huh?
Turning his head, he noticed a strange object on the ground next to him, partially hidden beneath some grass. He hadn't seen it earlier, but now, through the gaps in the blades, he could make out some dark shape.
Swallowing nervously, Lin Fan reached out with trembling hands to part the grass.
Lying there in the middle was a massive egg.
The egg was pitch black, covered in mysterious dark patterns. Instead of reflecting light, the surface seemed to absorb it, radiating no shine at all.
Lin Fan examined the egg curiously. It was about the size of a piglet, and its black shell made it impossible for him to guess what kind of creature it belonged to.
Could it be... A divine beast egg at the start? One that evolves by devouring?
Well, who cares! No way some random creature just happened to lay an egg here and leave, right?
Besides, just from appearance alone, this egg looked extraordinary. Could this... be my golden finger?
Lin Fan moved closer and slowly placed his palm on the eggshell.
"Gululu—"
A sudden vibration from the egg startled him, and he quickly pulled his hand back.
He stared at the giant egg in surprise. Was that... the sound of water?
The moment his hand touched it, the egg had not only vibrated, but he'd also heard the sound of liquid sloshing inside.
Focusing intently, he watched the dark egg. The runes on its surface flickered faintly, the shell black as ink.
"Gululu—"
Lin Fan jumped. There it is again!
It really did sound like something swimming inside... But why would an egg have water in it?
"Gululu—"
It was as if his earlier touch had triggered something. The egg grew more active, occasionally shaking back and forth.
Gulp—
Lin Fan swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the massive egg. This isn't how I imagined this would go... What kind of creature lays an egg this weird?
"Gululu—"
Suddenly, the black egg began to shake violently. Something inside was clearly struggling, accompanied by splashing sounds.
Lin Fan's eyes widened in horror.
The shell began to warp and deform like some kind of soft tissue. Through the distortion, he could faintly make out a grotesque silhouette thrashing inside.
Why... why does this feel so much like an Alien birth scene?!
Don't tell me... I transmigrated into the Prometheus universe?!
"Gululu gululu—!"
The noise grew louder, and the egg was now violently pulsating. Inside, something twisted and hideous struggled with increasing intensity. Cracks began spreading rapidly across the shell.
Lin Fan's legs trembled. He wanted to run, but terror rooted him to the spot.
"Shriiip—"
A massive black pincer burst through the shell. The egg rapidly dissolved as if melting away under some corrosive force.
A grotesque, scorpion-like creature emerged in front of Lin Fan. It had no eyes, a circular mouth filled with sharp teeth, and was covered in sharp black barbs.
Its two black pincers were huge and gleamed with a deadly sheen. A thick tail arched over its back, ending in a venomous-looking stinger. Its body was wide and flat, supported by countless legs that crawled beneath it.
From within the egg had poured a pool of purple-black liquid, which now spread rapidly to form a dark, sticky mire beneath the creature.
Lin Fan stared in shock. Why... does this thing look so familiar?
"Screeee—!"
The monster let out a sharp screech and began swaying back and forth, seemingly surveying its environment. Then, without hesitation, it scuttled straight toward Lin Fan!
Frozen with fear, Lin Fan focused on its gaping maw—ringed with razor-sharp teeth and dripping some kind of viscous secretion.
"D-Don't come any closer!"
To his astonishment, the monster froze in place!
Huff, huff...
Lin Fan gasped for breath, his heart pounding, eyes locked onto the terrifying creature just a few steps away.
Then he looked down at his hands in disbelief. It actually stopped? Was that just coincidence, or... can I control it?
Nervously, he spoke again. "Go back!"
"Screeee—!"
The creature let out a cry, turned around, and crawled back into the black-purple mire.
It... it really worked?! Lin Fan was overjoyed.
Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his head, and his vision went black as he collapsed unconscious.
****
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/Salsita2k