The Family Has Grown

After a short rest, I got up again with Psi and Dmol. Before leaving the Gate, I paused to sort through the mana stones I'd collected this time.

Low-grade Mana Stones — 24
Mid-grade Mana Stone — 1

"One mid-grade, huh." I thought for a moment. That must've come from the alpha wolf. The boss monster. With that sorted, I exited the Gate.

The moment I stepped out, arms grabbed me from both sides.

"Dad, let's go get treated."

"Hurry up."

It was Psi and Dmol. They practically dragged me to the infirmary.

"...Hey, wait a sec—"

No time to protest. I was hauled straight into the infirmary.

The doctor took one look at my condition and widened her eyes.

"This... the wound is pretty deep."

Treatment began immediately. I sat on the bed while Psi and Dmol clung tightly to my hands on either side. They showed no signs of letting go.

As she examined the wound, the doctor said, "No strenuous activity for a few days."

"Rest is best."

I nodded. "Yes, thank you."

After treatment, I returned to my room with Psi and Dmol. The second we entered, I sat on the bed and immediately opened my Status Window.

I pondered for a bit, then made up my mind. "Let's exchange ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them all."

I swapped every mana stone for Gacha Tickets.

At that instant—

"Not bad. Quite a few now." I called over Psi and Dmol, who were nearby.

"Girls."

Both looked up at once. I patted my knee. "Come here."

They climbed onto my lap naturally. Smiling, I said, "Let's gacha together."

Psi's eyes sparkled, and Dmol said eagerly, "Let's do it!"

"I wanna pull too!"

I spun the roulette right away. Once. Twice. Three times. The results popped up one after another.

"...Hold on." I paused. "This is..."

Way better than expected. I stared blankly at the results.

"Jackpot?"

Psi's eyes sparkled as she said, "Dad! So many good ones!"

Dmol flapped her arms excitedly. "Yeah!"

But one thing caught my eye above all. A brand-new item. I carefully selected it.

Info appeared.

I was speechless for a while.

"This..." I murmured slowly. "Is insanely good."

As I checked the results, Psi and Dmol scooted right up beside me.

"Dad, this one! This!" Psi shook my arm, while Dmol nodded vigorously and held out what she had.

Two Dinosaur Egg Gacha Tickets.

Psi's eyes sparkled. "Dad, let's pull these!"

Dmol looked up at me with eager anticipation. "...Together."

I glanced between them and chuckled. "Alright."

I opened the Status Window and brought up the gacha screen. "One each."

Psi shot her hand up. "Me first!"

I nodded. Psi pressed the screen with eyes full of expectation.

Light began to gather slowly in the air. A nest formed, and atop it, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠an egg slowly materialized. It glowed softly, radiating a strangely warm aura.

Psi held her breath, staring at the egg. "...Can I open it?"

I nodded. She reached out carefully and—tap.

A brilliant flash filled the room, then faded quietly.

"Huh...?"

Where the light had been, an egg now sat on the bed.

I reached out slowly. Touching it transmitted a warm heat.

"It's warm."

Then the Status Window appeared.

I stared at the Status Window. "Stegosaur family, huh."

Psi's eyes sparkled beside me. "Dad! Doesn't it look strong?"

Dmol approached cautiously and peered at the egg. "...It looks tough."

I nodded. "Yeah. Wonder how it'll turn out."

I lifted the egg carefully and cradled it close. Psi beamed proudly. "I picked a good one, right?"

I chuckled and stroked her head. "You did great."

Dmol smiled faintly. "Feels good."

I looked at my two girls and smiled softly. "One more left."

I turned to Dmol. "Your turn now."

Dmol stared at the screen for a moment, then raised her hand carefully. "I'll try."

She pressed slowly. The nest filled with light—brighter than before.

"Huh...?"

I narrowed my eyes. The light condensed, and atop the nest... "Not just one?"

Three eggs. Small ones clustered together.

Psi gasped. "Dad! Three of them!"

Dmol's eyes widened in surprise. "These come out too?"

I gazed at them, then reached out. "Let's open 'em first."

I tapped gently. Light flashed, and three eggs appeared on the bed.

I leaned in close. Small, light, with a subtle, rapid pulse of life. Touching them, I felt a faint vibration.

Then—

"Small carnivores."

Psi reacted instantly. "So they're fast, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, fast. And pretty playful too."

Dmol eyed the eggs carefully. "Three... do they fight together?"

I chuckled. "High chance."

Three eggs. Born together. I murmured, "They hunt as a pack, huh."

A image flashed in my mind: darting in, scattering, regrouping in combat.

Gazing at the eggs, I said, "These... "might be cooler than I thought."

Psi cheered. "Whoa! Fast ones!"

Dmol smiled softly. "They'll be cute."

I chuckled at my girls. Smiling, I said, "Yeah... our family's really growing now."

Looking at the eggs on the bed, I carefully pulled out the incubators. One by one, I placed them in.

Kentrosaurus. And the Compsognathus trio fit side by side in one incubator.

The incubators hummed to life, soft light enveloping the eggs.

I watched for a moment, then said, "Welcome."

Quietly, but clearly. "Congrats on joining the family."

I smiled faintly. "Grow strong... and let's get along from here on out."

A warm air filled the room. Psi and Dmol stood silently, gazing at the incubators. A quiet anticipation hung in the air.

We shared that moment wordlessly. Then, as if remembering, I spoke up.

"Oh, right."

Both turned to me. I shrugged. "I'm recovering, so no training..."

I glanced at Dmol with a grin. "And you've got your human form now."

Looking between them, I said, "Wanna go ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shopping? Buy some clothes, hit the market?"

Their eyes lit up instantly. Psi's tail wagged wildly.

"Yes! Let's go!"

Dmol raised her hand. "Me too!"

"Let's go, let's go!"

I chuckled at the sight. "Alright."

Smiling, I said, "Rest for today. We'll go tomorrow together."