Up next was the hatching process of the star gazer but all of a sudden Liam reached out and stopped the store manager.
"Is it possible for me to obtain the materials you are using to hatch this egg?" He hurriedly asked. "You do not have to go through with the actual hatching."
"Huh?" The fairy looked confused. He hesitated for a moment but then firmly shook his head. "Even if I wanted to help you out Grandmaster, unfortunately, my hands are tied. As far as I am concerned this is a black box for me. All I do is power it up and power it down."
"Understood," Liam replied. "In that case, please proceed with the hatching of the Star Gazer."
The store manager nodded and, with a swipe of his card, initiated the process. The incubator, already warm from the previous hatchings, hummed back to life, its lights flickering in a rhythm that seemed almost otherworldly.
Liam calmly watched but he was a little disappointed. This was a windfall but there was something on his mind weighing heavily. It was his second tamed beast, Violet. The little rabbit had completely disappeared. She neither randomly appeared nor answered his summon any longer. Liam's best guess was that she was tired or injured and was currently recuperating. Having suddenly come into contact with another astral beast, he couldn't help but wonder if the precious items required by the beast egg would also help Violet recover.
Liam's best guess was that she was tired or injured and was currently recuperating. Having suddenly come into contact with another astral beast, he couldn't help but wonder if the precious items required by the beast egg would also help Violet recover.
If he could have simply taken those items and handed them over to her, that would have been for the best. Unfortunately, that did not seem to be possible. Materials required for nurturing a beast were also not common knowledge, especially one as rare as Violet or for that matter even this Star Gazer.
It looked like he had no choice except to continue ignoring his second tamed beast for some more time until he found a suitable solution.
This was a pity because he really missed the little rabbit popping out every now and again. Partly because it was literally a treasure finding machine but also because he had ignored the little thing for most parts and felt a bit guilty.
Liam smiled bitterly. He simply did not have the luxury to think about these things. His gaze landed on the three younglings cutely lounging on the beast egg gambling counter table, their big eyes wandering everywhere and observing everything. He was probably going to have to ignore them too and leave them back in the guild for a period of time until they have grown to some extent.
While Liam's mind was wandering, the next egg cracked and all of a sudden, something completely unexpected happened. A ripple of energy spread out from the egg.
Liam and also many in the crowd acted fast and tried to erect a mana barrier in defense but the next second, the system shop in-built protocols interfered, making all of their efforts unnecessary. The cracked egg was engulfed in a blinding light and when the light dimmed after a second, a small cocoon now rested in the place of the egg. It pulsed with a soft, otherworldly glow, radiating an energy that was both calming and powerful. The Star Gazer, it seemed, had entered a state of metamorphosis, something that was rare and unheard of for a creature so young and newly hatched.
The store manager, his face a mix of astonishment and concern, turned to Liam. "This...this is extraordinary. I've never seen anything ." "The Star Gazer has entered a cocoon stage, possibly to adapt and gather the astral energy it needs. This is a self-preservation mechanism, but it's incredibly rare."
This was both a good sign and a bad one. Good because the Star Gazer was alive and fighting to adapt, but bad because it indicated just how critical its condition was. "How long will this stage last?" Liam asked. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"It's difficult to say, Grandmaster," the store manager replied. "It could be hours, days, or even longer. The Star Gazer will emerge when it's ready and not a moment sooner. All we can do is wait and ensure it's not disturbed."
"You could perhaps bring it to a place filled with astral energy. I am afraid I am unable to say anything more than that."
Liam nodded. He collected the cocooned egg and placed it inside the spatial artifact. A few pairs of eyes in the crowd widened in surprise because it required a high-tier spatial artifact at least of a Legendary grade to store something that was alive, but Liam did not care.
He had pretty much demonstrated everything in public and was now hanging out with three legendary beasts out in the open and one divine beast hidden in the folds of his robe. Why be shy about a high-tier spatial artifact of the same legendary grade?
Instead, he turned his attention to the last egg and signaled for the fairy to continue the hatching process. The store manager let out a deep breath and once again prepared the incubator. His face paled as the final chunk of his funds left his card and the incubar whirred to life.
There were no more anomalies or surprises waiting this time around and the egg smoothly hatched after a couple of minutes.
The last egg revealed another breathtaking creature, the Frost Wyrm. As the shell cracked and fell away, a small, serpentine form emerged, its scales shimmering with an icy sheen. The creature's eyes opened, revealing a deep, icy blue that seemed to hold the very essence of winter. It let out a soft hiss, a mist of cold air accompanying its breath. It moved with grace and fluidity, its gaze fixed on Liam.
Liam approached the Frost Wyrm, extending his hand. The creature hesitated for a moment before moving closer, accepting the silent offer of companionship.
Once again a system prompt appeared in front of Liam and he selected 'Yes.'