Hello, Psi
Hello, Psi (edited).
I couldn't stand there any longer. My heart was pounding. If this was real... my life was about to change.
I headed straight home. As I opened the door, the familiar smell wafted out, followed by Mom's voice.
"Sung-jun, is that you?"
Soon, my little sister poked her head out.
"Oppa, you're back?"
Ha-rin and I were only two years apart. But we were worlds apart. I was average; she was always at the top of her class with tons of friends. No one ever compared us outright, but I ended up doing it to myself. I always wanted to be a brother she could be proud of. From that angle, I fell short in so many ways.
"Yeah, I'm home. Where's Dad?"
"He's working late today. But oppa, you seem more excited than usual. Something good happen?"
I froze for a second. Should I tell them I awakened? But it wasn't confirmed yet—I didn't want to get their hopes up for nothing.
"...Nah. Just a bit tired, that's all."
I brushed it off and slipped into my room. It wasn't much—just a cramped space my parents had cleared out from the storage room when I started high school. But from now on, this would be the most important place in the world to me.
The moment I shut the door, I sat on the bed and opened my status window. Then I activated my ability, the Dinosaur Gacha System.
A massive roulette wheel materialized in a semi-transparent window before my eyes.
① Dinosaur Egg Gacha Ticket — 10%
② Dinosaur Growth Tool — 40%
③ Dinosaur Special Tool — 25%
④ Special Weapon & Ability — 25%
I swallowed hard. At the bottom was a "Gacha" button with the note: Gacha Ticket Required.
Clicking it opened the exchange shop.
Lowest-Grade Mana Stone x10 → 1 Gacha Ticket
Low-Grade Mana Stone x5 → 1 Gacha Ticket
Mid-Grade Mana Stone x3 → 1 Gacha Ticket
High-Grade Mana Stone x1 → 1 Gacha Ticket
Top-Grade Mana Stone x1 → 5 Gacha Tickets
"None..."
I had no mana stones to exchange right now. But I did have one Dinosaur Egg Gacha Ticket from my awakening. I checked the gacha screen again. Next to the nest icon was a small probability chart.
By Type
Herbivore: 34%
Carnivore: 33%
Omnivore: 33%
By Size
Small: 60%
Medium: 35%
Large: 5%
I carefully pulled out the Dinosaur Egg Gacha Ticket I'd gotten from awakening. After taking a deep breath, I hit Gacha.
Light gathered above the nest, and slowly, an egg began to take shape.
I tapped the egg on the screen, and it appeared softly on my bedroom floor. Mesmerized, I approached it step by step.
Holding my breath, I gently lifted the egg from the floor. It was about 50cm long—big enough that I had to cradle it in both arms.
◈ Psittacosaurus (English: Psittacosaurus) was a small herbivorous dinosaur that lived in the Early Cretaceous period about 120 million years ago. Its name means "parrot lizard," due to its parrot-like beak that curved at the front. It used this beak to clip tough plants. Body length was about 1-2 meters, relatively small. It walked mainly on two legs, with a lightweight, well-balanced body and a long tail for stability. Some fossils show stiff, bristle-like structures on the tail's upper part, a distinguishing feature.
"It's really alive."
The egg was warm, and I could feel something moving inside. I stared at it in silence for a long time.
The description scrolled by, but my eyes locked on two things: hatching progress and affection level.
Tapping them brought up more info.
Time until the egg hatches. Incorrect temperature prevents hatching—maintain proper warmth.
Increases with care and love as the egg hatches and grows. Higher levels boost stats and skills. Neglect lowers it, risking attacks.
As I read, I hugged the egg close, stroking it gently. This wasn't just some power. It felt like family.
"Looking forward to it."
That night, I fell asleep on the bed, cradling the egg. It was warm, pulsing with life. I had no idea yet how this tiny life would change mine.
The next morning, I checked the egg first thing.
"It went up... for real. Not a dream..."
It had risen a bit since lunch yesterday. No doubt.
"Growing nicely... Can't wait."
The egg trembled ever so slightly. My heart skipped. Maybe imagination? But I felt it.
I hugged it tight. "Wish you could grow up fast so I can see you."
But school time loomed. I couldn't take it, so I layered towels on the bed, secured it firmly, and said,
"Psittacosaurus... too long. I'll call you Psi."
I chuckled softly. "Take care, Psi. My first child, my first family."
I pressed my forehead to the egg, listening. It felt subtly warmer.
Grinning wide, I told Psi, "Dad's off to school. Be good. We'll hang out when I get back."
Heading out, I told Mom, "I'm off, Mom. No one goes in my room—something important's there. Promise?"
At school, my mind wandered. Lessons wouldn't stick, no matter how hard I tried. All I could think of was Psi—worried, wanting to check.
At lunch, realizing mana stones were key, I searched on my phone. There was the Mana Stone Market—huge, active, open to anyone with cash. Demand from awakeners had stabilized prices, and everyday life used them too, making them popular even with normals. But for a student? Pricey.
"Way too expensive for a student..."
No way around it without awakening gigs.
After school, I raced home, anxious about Psi, dying to see her.
Bursting in, "Mom! No one went in my room, right?"
"No one's been there. Why the rush? Go wash up and rest, Sung-jun."
I bolted to my room instead. "Dad's home, Psi... missed me?"
I cradled the egg gently. A faint vibration tingled my fingertips. She reacted.
I held her, then stood—didn't want to be grimy. Quick shower, change, back to hold her and check status.
Not super fast. But that was fine.
"Take your time growing."
I murmured, cradling her. No matter how long, Psi was family—forever.
A week passed like that. Daily hugs, talks, warmth shared.
On the seventh night, the status window glowed faintly.
Affection Level 5% Reached — Bonus Effect Unlocked
"...Bonus?"
I swallowed, checking carefully.
Hatching Speed +30% (Common Effect)
Not huge, but definite. Faster now.
I stroked the egg. "Psi... we might meet sooner."
It felt a tad warmer.
After that, I doubled down. Perfect temp, blankets, constant talk. Progress surged: 15%... 28%... 41%...
Slow, but steady.
Then one night—a soft tap from the egg.
I froze, head snapping up. I heard it.
The day I'd waited for was finally near.