The Egg (III)

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<Zero>

For the next four days, Zero did his usual routine. Every night he turned on his Embryo Deep Dive "Sense" gear and listened in on other people gossiping. By doing this he was able to hear the latest news and gossips. He even learned a new skill that allowed him to listen in on other people's conversations.

Keen hearing

A special skill that allows you to listen to a person's conversation. The radius is about 5 meters. Can be used in all forms.

Finally the last day before hatching arrived. Zero reached his goal of +30 status points and rested. His body was aching all over from his strenuous activities. He entered into the game.

20 minutes left till hatching.

Zero closed his eyes and meditated. The shop owner and a male customer's voices were heard off in the distance.

"I'm looking for the hundred million gold egg. Did you by any chance still have it?" said a male customer's voice.

"Yes sir. But I don't recommend that you buy it," said the store owner.

"Why?"

"Why don't you come and see for yourself?" Footsteps could be heard coming towards Zero.

Zero opened his eyes wide in dismay. No! I made sure no one will want me. I don't want to be bought. His mind raced to quickly formulate a plan. Loud footsteps hitting the wooden floor came towards Zero and suddenly stopped in front of him.

"Are you sure you're showing me the right thing?"

"Yes, I am. Just out of the blue it turned black with an angry-looking face. It's truly a puzzling specimen."

"So, you're saying it's a dud?"

"Yes, it's not worth your time to buy."

Zero was suddenly shaken viciously. It felt like his whole world was spinning around him.

"Sir, I wouldn't do that if I were you," said the store owner with panic in his voice.

"Why?" the male customer asked, perplexed by the store owner.

Zero scrunched up his face and was ready to hurl. His head was spinning from being shaken so hard.

"Stink Bomb!" yelled Zero.

Fame has decreased by 1!

You have damaged the reputation of the Store Owner's Shop.

"Ugh! What's that smell?" said the male customer as he coughed continuously from the smell.

KATHUMP!

The egg fell on the floor, but miraculously it did not break.

Zero had only one option as of now. He opened up his friends list to see that there was only one name on there.

Agnis.

"Call Agnis," said Zero in a hurry. He prayed that she would pick up.

Ring! Ring!

Come on, pick up, he thought desperately.

"Hello? Zero? What is it?" said Agnis on the other end of the line as they telepathically communicated.

"I need your help," Zero said.

"You're asking me for a favor. Aren't you supposed to pay off your debt first before asking for favors?" she said, a bit annoyed.

"Look, I can't move. I'm not even hatched yet," said Zero as he was trying his best to explain the situation as quickly as possible.

"Wait, you're saying you're still an egg?" asked Agnis, sounding shocked. "I've never heard of anyone taking that long to hatch."

"Yeah. I am about to be bought by a guy," exclaimed Zero. He did not want to take any chance of being a pet to a user he especially didn't know. It made him feel uneasy, plus he was running out of options.

The only person he knew in this game was Agnis, even though it was a only a day, and it was better to be contracted with an opposite gender who he knew a bit about. He could deal with Agnis's personally and talk with her about the contracts, plus he still did owe her a phone even though he did not want too.

"Where are you now?"

"Tyno's Egg Shop in Terra Kingdom. Please come quickly," Zero pleaded.

"You're in luck. I'm just around the corner. I'll be there shortly."

"One more thing. You need to buy me. I swear I'll pay you back," said Zero quickly. He knew he wouldn't be able to get out of that place without someone buying his egg. It would be worth it, even though he would be in another steep debt.

"Sorry buddy, I don't buy male prostitution."

"No. Buy my egg. I'm the supposed hundred million gold egg." Zero's cheeks turned red with embarrassment. Zero was glad that she wasn't able to see his face.

"Wait. Wait. Wait. You're that egg?"

"Yeah. Right now I can't do anything. You need to come here quickly, before this stun effect wears off of him." Even though he couldn't see, the stun effect should last for a short duration.

"Give me five minutes. By the way, how am I supposed to buy your egg? You're so expensive," said Agnis, a bit worried. "I don't have nearly enough gold."

"Don't worry. I have an idea," he said confidently. Zero wasn't sure if the plan was going to work, but he took the chance. It was also to make Agnis feel better about his plan. She was the key to making this work. Agnis hung up.

Five minutes left till hatching.

For the next five minutes, Zero continually spammed his skill. It was either his fame going down or possibly becoming a pet to another male. He cringed. Right now the second option might not be reversible for a long time, while getting back his fame sounded much easier.

"Status menu!" shouted Zero.

Name: Zero

Level: 1

Race: Hybrid Human unknown

(Form Egg)

Level: 1

Job: None

Health points: 500

Mana Points: 700

Attack: 16

Defense: 16

Agility: 10

Endurance: 22

Luck: 10

Leadership: 0

Magical Attack: 10

Magical Defense: 10

Wisdom: 10

Intelligence: 16

Fame: -255

Skills:

Both:+ Transform beginner level 1 (0%)+ Keen Hearing beginner level 2 (50%)

Hybrid Form Specialties:

+ Stink Bomb beginner level 2 (50%)

Human Form Specialties:

+ None

Origin Form Specialties:

+ Stink Bomb beginner level 2 (50%)

Info: A hybrid human that is born from an Egg. The egg is ready to hatch. The species data is currently unknown. A small bounty is placed on your head. The bounty will not be active for a month in game time.

Not bad. His hard work and training had paid off.

The male customer coughed repeatedly. "Did that egg just stun me with its foul odor? I have never seen an egg being able to do that," he said as he choked on the putrid smell. They didn't have a moment to say anything in between Zero's stink bomb until now.

"Sir. I'm telling you. It's a bad idea to buy it," said the shop owner as he was gagging from the smell.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiitttt!" yelled an exasperated voice.

It was Agnis, running into the shop with loud footsteps. She was breathing hard, like she'd been running.

"And you are?" said the shop owner.

"I came for that egg. Can I please have it?" said Agnis in a hurried tone.

"Lady, are you sure you want to buy this egg?" said the shop owner, perplexed.

"Yes. Why does it smell like rotten eggs in here?" said Agnis, confused.

"It's because of the egg you want to buy," said the male customer.

Zero privately chatted with Agnis.

"Okay, this is what we are going to do. Make them believe that this is an egg that only female users can hatch," said Zero.

"Ahem. Sir, that egg is my quest item that I've been looking for. Plus, it can only be hatched by a female. Let me show you," said Agnis confidently.

Zero could felt the egg shake as it was picked up.

"What? There is no pungent gas attack," said the shop owner, bewildered at what he was seeing. Whenever the shop owner had held onto the egg, Zero had used his Stink Bomb until he had to put it down.

"Let me try," said the male customer curiously.

"I don't think that's a good idea," said Agnis, sounding worried.

"Give it to him," said Zero. He was going to make sure that they never ever touched his egg again. Once again Zero felt the egg pass to another person.

"Thirty seconds, Agnis," whispered Zero on the private line. He wasn't going to let anyone else touch his egg except Agnis. Zero tensed up and activated his skill.

"Stink Bomb! Stink Bomb! Stink Bomb!"

Fame has decreased by 1!

You have damaged the reputation of the Store Owner's Shop.

Fame has decreased by 1!

You have damaged the reputation of the Store Owner's Shop.

Fame has decreased by 1!

You have damaged the reputation of the Store Owner's Shop.

"Aggggh! Keep that thing away from me! You made your point! I'll sell it for one gold. I don't want it stinking up my shop anymore! I've been losing a lot more customers because of it," cried the shop owner desperately.

"Thank you." Agnis breathed in. "Here's your one gold." There was a sound of metal sliding across a wooden desk.

"Before you go, we need to set up a contract with the monster. Give me a few seconds," said the shop owner. A message appeared in front of Zero.

Welcome again, child of Adam. What path would you like to take? A path towards a hero or a path towards the enlightened?

The two emblems appeared in front of him. On his left was the emblem with the six pointed star and the eye of Horus. In the center was a three-headed, snakelike dragon. It looked like triskele as it slithered around. On the right, the Yami Hikari symbol flapped its wings.

"Again? I thought I got rid of this. I'm assuming this will keep popping up if I don't choose now." Zero sighed. He was sure those trinkets were in his desk drawer. The thought of being a hero sounded interesting, but being a hero right now didn't sound like a smart path to take. It brought too much unnecessary attention.

"I'll take the enlightened path."

You have chosen well. Go and find your path.

He could feel his body become stronger; it was getting close to his hatch time.

"There you go," said the shop owner. He was gasped for air. "Your magic contract has been fulfilled."

Magic contract? He thought but it quickly disappeared when the message appeared.

0:0:0

"FINALLY! I'm hatching!!!!"

A ray of light poured through the egg as a small crack was formed.