Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Monster Egg
[AKI'S POV]
After being checked at the town gate, we were immediately given the signal to enter the royal capital. Once I stepped in, I looked for the goblin family but they were already nowhere to be found.
"That's too bad," I whispered to myself as a frown crept unto my lips. A part of me was silently hoping that our paths would cross again.
I snapped back into reality when Alrick moved in front of me. "We're going to the Guild first."
I followed in his footsteps as I looked around the scenery surrounding me. While walking, Akari gestured for my hand before placig something in it. "Here are 5 bronze coins just in case you fancy anything in the market."
I was confused at first but got where she was coming from when we took a right turn. From a seemingly quiet capital, I began to faintly hear the noise of a progressing market.
From a distance, it is already noticeable that the townscape was composed of all sorts of buildings. Lined across bustling streets, stores and stalls were stationed near the entrance of the gate with merchants convincing every passerby to buy some products.
People were coming in and out of the market. And as we came closer, the bustling noise of people promoting their products just grew louder.
"Want some mermaid hair, miss? It'll bring you luck with love!" A male merchant with a hooked hand asked me. He seemed to be a friendly pirate but I hate it when people offer me things—it makes me jittery.
I instantly got nervous and shook my head before inching closer to my sister. I peeked at Akari and she seemed unfazed with the merchant's adamant and pressuring attitude. She didn't even look or acknowledge any of the people who were giving a sales pitch to her.
I was about to cling to my sister's right arm when something tugged at the hem of my gold dress.
"CUTIEEE!" I exclaimed the moment I saw a demi-human child tugging on me. She was evidently shy while looking down.
Akari and Alrick stopped in their tracks because of the commotion I created and looked at the child as well. The child was a feline demi-human wearing a pink sleeveless dress. On her waist was a red ribbon that ties as a bow on her back, complementing her puffy tail. Her hair was tied by a pink bow in a high ponytail, with her cat ears gently poking out.
I bent down to meet her at eye level while admiring her gray fur. "Do you need something?" I asked with a smile.
The little girl blushed before nodding. "W-We're selling s-surprise eggs."
I gave her a beaming smile which kind of took her aback. "Alright! Show me the way," I said before standing up.
Akari immediately called me out to the side and left Alrick to entertain the girl. "What are you doing?!"
"What?" I asked. I don't know why she sounds pissed.
"You're ruining out itinerary. We planned on going to the Guild first," she scolded me as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"Come on! It's a little girl with pleading eyes. I can't resist her. Plus, she has surprise eggs. You know I love surprises!" I retorted in my defense.
Akari sighed before massaging her forehead. "You are hopeless. Tell that girl you're no longer interested and that we're leaving."
My brows furrowed. "No. I'm not doing that."
"Don't be stubborn and just—" I didn't let Akari finish and opted to turn back to the child.
I waved my hand towards her. "Where's your stall! Let's go!"
The little girl nodded before holding my hand as if wanting to lead me. I looked at a frowning Akari as I pointed at the little girl holding my hand. Akari rolled her eyes at me before talking to Alrick about the change of plans. I saw Alrick give himself a facepalm.
I just grinned at the both of them as I let myself be dragged by this child.
We bumped with a few people here and there so I did my best to shield the girl from the force of other people. But after walking for a few minutes, we finally reached the farthest corner of the market street and saw 3 demi-humans sitting on the cold floor. In front of them was piece of clothing spread across the floor with some sacks lined on top.
As we got closer, I got a good look at the 3 other demi-humans—they were 2 young male wolves and 1 old female cat. The wolves looked like teenage twins and wore white undershirts matched with black leather vests. Meanwhile, they wore brown leather pants and black sandals.
"Oh thank goodness!" The wolf on the left said in the relief while the one on the right remained stoic.
"Please choose any egg of your choosing. These eggs came from the West Kingdom of Amos. They just cost 4 silver coins each!" The elderly feline offered us.
"What kind of eggs are these? What makes it different from the ones here in Panolethria?"Alrick asked, evidently curious about the eggs' origin.
"Our family specializes in hunting. These eggs were picked from the Forest of Gaia, the breeding ground for monsters in Amos. Unlike in Panolethria, the eggs in our home kingdom are identical with one another as long as they were birthed in the same forest. So you'll never know what kind of monster you'll be getting here," the elderly feline replied before gesturing to the 6 eggs in front of us.
"But...don't you think 4 silver coins are too expensive for that? What if the egg hatches into a slime?" Alrick inquired some more.
The elderly feline just shrugged. "That's the risk you gotta take for a surprise. And it's not all that bad. You might even have an egg hatch into a dragon."
A DRAGON?! I want one!
I looked at Akari with pleading eyes. "Pwease..."
"No," she sternly said.
"But...eggies...dwagon baby..." I tried to say in a cute manner to convince my sister.
"No. We're leaving," she said before grabbing my wrist.
I sighed as I pulled my hand back from her. "Man, you're a tough nut to crack right now."
She raised her left eyebrow at me. "Getting that sort of egg is too expensive. It's a week's worth of food."
"But we're getting a new mission anyway. We're going to earn more. Come on. It's just one egg," I pleaded.
"No—" I didn't let her finish.
"Fine. I'll do your laundry and cook your meals for a month," I bargained in defeat.
"Three," she replied with her hands on her waist.
I squinted at her. "Two."
She held her chin before saying, "deal."
We gave each other a handshake as a sign of agreement before Akari handed me 4 silver coins.
I bent down on the floor to choose an egg. There were 3 sacks with varying sizes. I leaned closer and untied the knot of the sacks to reveal the eggs. Aside from their size, these eggs really were identical. All were oblong shaped with green spots. The base color of the eggs were beige and all had a glistening gloss over them.
"Hmmm," I whispered to myself as I inspected the eggs with my eyes.
I really want a good one!
I held the first egg and felt that it was too light. I placed it back and got the second one. It was heavier than the first. I tapped on it's shell and felt that its exoskeleton was too thin.
A dragon's egg is tough and heavy, that's for sure!
Next, I got the third egg and instantly felt a current flow through my arms.
"What the hell?" I complained in a surprised manner.
I looked at the egg closer and was surprised to feel a heartbeat. My heart was filled with awe as I felt its life. Is this what mother's feel when they hear the heartbeat of their unborn child?
Without a second thought, I made up my mind. "I'm getting this egg."
"What?! That's clearly the smallest out of the six," Akari pointed out.
"I don't care. My gut feeling tells me that getting this egg is the right decision," I told Akari with a smile.
No matter what monster this egg will hatch into, I'll still cherish it like my own child.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
albakata
albakata For this chapter, I would like to thank TheShingPen, Boilala, and RenPenRen for the power stones! Also for d_elfe for all the helpful comments they gave in the chapters!
NOTE: I am going through tough times right now. So the chapters may not be like the ones before. But I hope you still like them nonetheless. I’ll continue working harder! Next chapter will be on February 19 (Friday), 8PM (GMT+8)! <3
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