130. A Pure White Egg Etched with Jet-Black Stripes Like an Offering
A pure white egg etched with jet-black stripes lay there like an offering. It felt like a centaurides was slumbering inside.
It must have happened while we were sleeping. The centaurides seemed to have been affected by Melody Fox's buff.
"No hatching timer showing for the centaurides either, just like with Kinogine."
"Hooeeng! Centaurides evolving too, yang? I'm jealous, yang! I wanna evolve into a super cute shee-yang-yang-yang too, yang!"
There was no doubt that egg was the centaurides. It gave off that same sensation of being connected by an invisible thread, like all my other tamed monsters. And above all, she wouldn't have just up and left without telling me.
Lately, the centaurides always reported to me before leaving and waited for my permission—even when going to meet her brothers.
There was zero chance someone had brought the egg from elsewhere and left it here, and even less that one of my monsters had fetched it without saying a word.
Anyway. Entering this egg state didn't guarantee evolution. It could just be prep for a massive physical boost or a race change. Best not to get expectations up.
As I gazed at the egg that the centaurides had become...
The Hedgehog Summoner God yelled at Melody Fox, sounding all sulky.
Melody tilted her head.
Melody shook her head vigorously side to side. Then the Medical Mushroom sidled up beside her, putting on a hurt expression too. It didn't seem genuinely upset—just playing along with the hedgehog, probably.
Anyway. I scooped up Melody Fox, who was trapped between the two and looking flustered, and hugged her close. Then I addressed the hedgehog and mushroom.
"Why pick on Melody? Buffs don't go to who you want to give them to. They flow naturally to whoever draws your heart. And you've both gotten buffs too, even if not as big as the centaurides'."
Now that I thought about it, it was kinda weird. Melody had been getting friendlier with the centaurides lately, sure—but she'd always seemed to prefer these two.
So normally, they'd be the first to get a buff big enough to cause a change like this.
"What's with you two right now, yang? Feeling like your pure love got stolen and your innocent hearts trampled, yang? Then buck up, yang!"
Somehow, even if Melody never showed it outwardly, she must have quietly trusted the centaurides deep down. I had no idea why.
Maybe 'cause Melody spent more time with the centaurides than the others?
I could only tentatively guess that their long hours together alone in the shelter had built up that trust naturally.
While waiting for the dispatch team to return, the late-arriving allies took notice of the centaurides' egg.
After that chat flurry, speculation poured in about what the centaurides might become.
The Black Magma Slime and Iris—the two dispatched to Kendorra—were back.
As always, Merino Ulla was first to greet them.
"Welcome back, yang! Missed you all, yang!"
After hellos with me and the other monsters, Merino led them to the table laden with food. Ah, Rise had sent that table recently as support.
"Eat up, yang! You worked hard, so stuff yourselves, yang! No eating the table like last time, Black Magma Slime-yang!"
I thanked the dispatch team for their hard work. Before eating, I decided to check the Dimensional Altar.
You could view it via status window or by designating the spot where the altar linked to Kendorra was installed. The latter let tamed monsters see what offerings had been made too—no ticket consumed.
For reference, I'd installed one next to the crystal orb house.
...They've piled up a ton. Told 'em they could take it slow.
The offerings from Kendorra's natives popped up as a list with appearances, names, and specs. About 300 for the day.
Not much here I'd actually use.
I scrolled through them one by one. This was supposed to be the centaurides' job, but with her suddenly egged up, I had to do it myself.
"Huh? You guys can see it?"
"......"
Didn't expect the allies to see it too. Time to pivot.
"Dan-bi. Got a favor to ask."
"Go through the offerings one by one and sort 'em into stuff that looks useful for me and stuff that doesn't."
"'Cause you're the most reliable. Pretty please."
"No worries. I trust your judgment."
And with that, sorting duty fell to Ppururu.
Just as I finished eating and stood, Ppururu chimed in that the job was complete.
"Good work. Thanks."
"I'll dump all future chores like this on you."
Items judged useless: convert to coins.
Items judged useful: take as-is.
I skipped details on the former—too tedious, and I trusted Ppururu fully.
"Even the 'useful' ones don't seem super necessary for me."
After Ppururu's first pass, I did a quick second sort: weeding out anything from her useful pile that I didn't need.
Only two survived the final cut: a pair of Dreamwaves.
Dreamwaves were basically beds—but loaded with cutting-edge tech. Per the description:
- Adaptive mattress. Perfect weight distribution eliminates pressure points.
- Gravity control field. Generates micro-gravity to lighten body weight, like floating on clouds.
- Temperature-regulating fibers. Reacts to body heat for optimal sleep temp.
- Biometric rhythm sync system. Analyzes cycles to guide ideal sleep patterns.
- Pure air circulation. Constantly cleans surrounding air, removes allergens and dust.
- Sonic barrier field. Blocks external noise; plays nature sounds on demand for relaxation.
- Holographic ceiling display. Project stars or scenery before bed.
And more.
Best of the 300. I briefly considered reverse-supporting the rest but nah—converting to coins was smarter. They felt like downgrades of Omega tech anyway.
Reverse-support tickets are limited; save 'em for top-tier stuff. If sending to allies, Omega's gear was way better.
Omega's prepping items for Earth sales to Hwang Mi-reu anyway.
Plus, Omega stuff can't convert to coins, but altar offerings can. Stockpile coins while you can.
Anyway. I claimed one Dreamwave for myself; gifted the other to Merino. Gotta pamper our frailest.
"Yang-yang! So fluffy, yang! Melody, hop up here too, yang!"
I didn't bash Ppururu. Even if it was a half-baked idea, she'd racked her brain for me. That's plenty valuable.
True effort for others ain't easy. Felt grateful instead.
Next, I converted all the junk to coins. Daily haul from the Kendorra altar: 1,500 coins.
Labyrinth Day 68.
"Pat pat, yang. Come out pretty, yang."
Merino was tenderly cleaning the centaurides' egg when—
Crack-crack-! Fissures spiderwebbed across the shell. Hatching time.