Chapter 2: A Peculiar Creature

"Such incredible speed!" 

Keqing's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the adorably obedient Shinx. 

"How much for this Shinx?" she asked, unable to suppress the affection in her gaze as she stroked its soft, furry head. 

Li Pan hesitated for a moment before replying, "Customer, this Shinx is priced at 530,000 Mora." 

The gentle stroking of the Shinx's head stopped abruptly. Keqing's hand froze mid-motion, and she looked up at Li Pan in disbelief. 

"530,000 Mora… for a kitten?" 

Though Keqing hailed from a prestigious family and held the influential position of Yuheng among Liyue's Seven Stars, her lifestyle was modest. 

She avoided unnecessary luxury, spending only the bare minimum to maintain her station. 

Spending half a million Mora on a pet was something Hu Tao, the extravagant director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, might do—not her. 

Reluctantly, Keqing placed the Shinx back on the ground and stood up, her face composed but resolute. 

"I'm sorry. I won't be buying it." 

The cost was simply too high for what seemed like a charming but impractical pet. 

While its speed was remarkable, it didn't justify the price—especially since she hadn't detected any elemental energy from it. 

Without such potential, its value dropped significantly in her eyes. 

"Wait a moment, customer. Please, give the Shinx another chance," Li Pan interjected, his voice calm but urgent. 

He couldn't afford to lose this opportunity—literally. 

The initial capital the system had provided him upon his arrival in this world was meager: one shop and 1,000 Mora. 

After covering essential expenses, that amount had dwindled significantly. 

If this deal fell through, he'd soon be out of funds altogether. 

Keqing paused, glancing over her shoulder at the pleading look in Shinx's wide, golden eyes. 

She sighed softly. 

"Alright, but—" 

Before she could finish, a sudden crackling sound interrupted her. 

A streak of electricity shot out from the Shinx, leaving a charred mark on the wooden floor. 

"This… this…" 

Keqing was utterly stunned. 

That wasn't elemental energy; it was something entirely different, yet she could feel its power. 

Without hesitation, she turned back to Li Pan. "I'll take it." 

Her tone left no room for argument as she immediately contacted her household staff to retrieve the necessary funds from the bank. 

A pet capable of wielding such power, obediently at her side? This was an entirely different proposition from just a speedy companion. 

"An excellent choice!" Li Pan beamed. "Shinx, this lady will be your new trainer. Be sure to get along well with her!" 

Shinx's golden eyes sparkled with excitement. 

It padded over to Keqing, brushing against her legs affectionately while letting out an enthusiastic, 

"Meow ah~ Meow ah~!" 

The sight melted Keqing's heart. 

"Is there anything I need to know about caring for it?" she asked, picking up Shinx and cradling it in her arms. 

"Not much," Li Pan replied. 

"Pokémon aren't picky eaters. 

They can eat whatever you do. 

However, for optimal nutrition, I recommend feeding it energy cubes like these." 

He handed Keqing a box of pale-yellow cubes. 

"These are low-grade Electric-type energy cubes. They come in various grades—low, medium, high, and top-grade—priced at 100 Mora, 500 Mora, 1,000 Mora, and 10,000 Mora per box, respectively. Each box lasts about a month." 

Keqing picked up one of the cubes, squishing it gently between her fingers. 

The texture was oddly satisfying, like a springy jelly, and it gave off a faint fruity aroma. 

"Meow ah~" 

Shinx's eyes locked onto the cube, and its mouth began to water. 

Amused, Keqing chuckled and handed it the treat, which Shinx eagerly devoured, its tail wagging happily. 

"I'll take two boxes of the top-grade ones," Keqing said decisively. "What else do I need?" 

Li Pan's grin widened as he handed her a red-and-white spherical object. 

"This is a Poké Ball," he explained. 

"To officially make a Pokémon yours, you need to capture it with one of these. Just toss it at the Shinx. This one is complimentary with your purchase, but additional ones can be bought for 200 Mora each." 

"Toss it… at the Shinx?" 

Keqing looked at the ball skeptically, wondering if it was some sort of toy. 

Nevertheless, she gently lobbed it at Shinx. 

The ball opened upon contact, transforming Shinx into a beam of white light that was sucked inside. 

The ball landed on the ground, wiggled twice, then clicked with a soft chime. 

Keqing gasped softly, her eyes wide. 

This… this was like the legendary Adepti artifacts! Stories told of a mystical Serenitea Pot that could house entire estates within its confines, yet here was a similar device being sold for just 200 Mora. 

Picking up the Poké Ball, she pressed the release button. 

A burst of light emerged, and Shinx reappeared, shaking itself as though disoriented. 

But upon seeing Keqing, it quickly calmed down and trotted over, licking her hand affectionately. 

"So adorable…" Keqing murmured, tilting her head to hide her growing smile. 

"Here's your Pokédex," Li Pan said, handing her a sleek device. 

"Point its camera at your Pokémon to view its details. It's free this time, but replacing a lost Pokédex will cost 10,000 Mora." 

Taking the device, Keqing fiddled with it briefly before aiming it at Shinx. 

"Beep!" 

[Shinx] 

- Type: Electric 

- Level: 5 

- Classification: Flash Pokémon 

- Description: Generates electricity through muscle movement. Its body glows when sensing danger. 

- Ability: Intimidate – Lowers the opponent's attack upon entering battle. 

- Moves: Tackle, Leer, Thunder Shock, Quick Attack. 

The screen displayed a wealth of information, leaving Keqing even more impressed.