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Chapter 2 — The System Binds, and the Trial Begins
Ray's eyelids fluttered open as the familiar ceiling of his family's rundown home greeted him. Sunlight slanted through the wooden window, landing on the cracked floor. His younger brother's snores rumbled from the other room. Outside, he could hear his mother feeding the caged beasts — nothing dangerous, just horned rabbits and flame mice.
Then — ding.
> [System Detected: Awaiting Shop Binding…]
The voice echoed directly into his mind.
Ray froze. "What the hell?"
He looked around. No one else reacted. His brother still snored like a beast, and his parents were busy preparing the pet store for morning customers.
> [Bind to a Beast Shop? Yes / No]
Ray's breath caught. Memories flooded him. Of Earth. Of pain. Of being hit by that damn truck after saving a dog.
"System… a real one?" he muttered, a crooked grin spreading on his face.
He didn't say yes. He just stood, slipped on his worn-out boots, and walked out.
---
The Pet Shop
The family pet shop stood at the edge of the village square. A cracked wooden sign read: Stormpaw's Beast Corner. It was a tiny place, lined with iron cages and shelves of beast feed. Furry, feathery, and scaly creatures all rustled as Ray entered.
He exhaled.
"Bind."
> [Binding Complete — Welcome to: MONSTER PET STORE SYSTEM]
The entire shop shimmered — cages vanished, replaced with sleek glass containers, each with magical runes. The dusty wooden floor transformed into polished black stone. A glowing beast hologram circled above the main counter.
Ray stared. "Holy sh—"
> [New System Functions Unlocked]
1. Shop Interface
2. Plane Trials
3. Beast Sale Network
4. System Point Conversion
A blue screen opened:
> Currency Conversion
100 Copper Coins = 1 Silver Coin
100 Silver Coins = 1 Gold Coin
10 Gold Coins = 1 System Point
(Note: 100 copper = enough for a poor family to eat for 3 months.)
> First Task: Train and Sell a Level 1 Beast.
Trial Plane: Thunder Fang Plains.
Time Ratio: 1 hour = 3 days in Plane World.
A cage appeared before him — a small beast inside. Level 1 Lightning Lizard. Weak and shivering, with a tiny horn and blue scales.
Ray frowned. "You and me, huh?"
> Teleporting in 3… 2… 1…
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Thunder Fang Plains
BOOM!
Lightning struck a tree behind him as Ray landed in the middle of a wide field. Grey clouds crackled above. The wind stank of burned fur and rain.
Before him: rolling hills, electric trees glowing blue, and — monsters.
A Thunder Leopard prowled the ridge. A Level 5 beast, eyes glowing yellow. It hadn't seen him yet.
"F*** this," Ray muttered, grabbing the lizard cage and bolting behind a rock.
But it was too late.
ROAR!
The leopard leapt, crashing down behind him. Ray dove, tumbling across the dirt. Pain tore through his side.
> Beast Combat Power Check: Thunder Lizard — 6.
Required to survive: Train up to 300+ power.
Ray's eyes widened. "Six?! That's trash!"
He pulled open the Beast Panel. A list of training commands. Simple ones — Feed, Run, Shock Resistance.
"I have no gear, no weapons. And you want me to train this electric rat while being hunted?"
The lizard squeaked, as if agreeing with him.
---
Training... or Running
Over the next two plane days, Ray barely slept.
He scavenged wild fruits. Built a small hideout in a lightning-hollow tree. He electrocuted himself more than once trying to simulate lightning hits for his lizard.
The beast improved. Slowly.
Combat Power: 6 → 32 → 57 → 80
Ray grinned. "One more day. We can get you to at least 150. Maybe sellable."
Then the leopard came back.
This time, it wasn't alone.
A pack of Thunder Hounds raced behind it. Their eyes sparking with raw energy.
"Shit."
Ray turned to run — only to find more beasts ahead.
Trapped.
The lizard crawled onto his shoulder, hissing in defiance.
Ray picked up a broken branch. "Let's die together, little guy."
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The First Death
The fight was short and brutal.
Ray stabbed a hound in the eye. Electricity fried his arm. The leopard clawed into his ribs. His lizard leapt into the fight — and died in a single strike.
Ray's world blurred.
Blood filled his mouth.
> You Have Died in the Trial Plane. Returning to Store…
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