Devitalized Egg

"Ahahaha, it's normal, who wouldn't want it," laughed the merchant, pleased to have a potential customer. He recognized the second son of the Ayuzawa middle-class family rather late, respected for its discreet members who never caused any trouble.

"How much are you selling it for?" asked Rin, who hadn't spoken since their arrival. Unlike Alliong and Shin's shock or Nikito and Hayashi's excitement, he felt nothing for this egg. He just wanted to make Nikito happy and improve their group's strength. Deep down, he felt guilty that Alliong had been injured during their first hunt.

"120 gold pieces," replied the merchant, smiling at the deal he was about to make.

The atmosphere froze. The five looked at each other with disappointment, and Alliong spoke up: "We will look at the other eggs and come back to you when we have chosen."

The merchant, experienced after years in the business, understood that the price was out of their budget and was disappointed but didn't show it. "No problem, I'll let you look around on your own. Come back to me if you need anything."

As he was about to leave, the voice of the only member of the group he didn't know reached his ears.

"Sir, I'd like to see the Devitalized Eggs, please."

The merchant turned around and looked at Rin, smiling as he said: "You can go see for yourself. It's just to the right of the counter where I am."

Rin, content with the information, headed towards the designated area, but the other four frowned at the vendor's behavior. Hayashi, whose eyes had turned orange recently, spoke up: "He inflated the price. I felt his greed."

"Of course, he's a merchant after all. Let's go with Rin. I don't like the idea of leaving him alone," declared Alliong, tapping Nikito's shoulder with disappointment. They headed towards the devitalized eggs.

Rin observed the eggs of all kinds that looked dull. There were many people around the displays as it was the main attraction here. Many people with little means didn't have the luxury of choosing their eggs and prayed for some luck here, where the eggs were cheaper. They cost only the revitalization solution plus a small margin. It was very profitable because all these eggs were worth nothing, having been injured, and their potential had already diminished significantly.

"I'm thinking if it works like the dungeon... it's the best stigma," Rin, his eyes turning sky blue, suddenly looked ahead, and multiple windows appeared instantly.

Ding! [Bloody Wolf Egg - Injured] Ding! [Double-Tailed Cat Egg - Injured] Ding! [Charging Sheep Egg - Injured] Ding! [Spiked Boar Egg - Injured] Ding! [Twin Eclipse Crow Egg - Mutated Injured] Ding! [Slippery Frog Egg - Injured] ...

Before he could react, he felt his head become confused and dizziness seized him.

Alliong and the others had arrived behind him and had seen Rin leaning dangerously. Shin, very responsive, caught Rin who was holding his head.

"Watch what you're doing in this shop, kid. A little too nosy eyes looking at what they shouldn't," declared Mr. Su at the counter, looking at Rin angrily. He had felt a gaze on him and everything in the shop, especially the back where the most precious goods were stored.

Rin, regaining his senses, didn't notice it, but focused on not forgetting which egg had the twin crow window among all the eggs.

"Mr. Su, I don't know what my friend did, but don't go too hard on him," retorted Alliong angrily, although he knew Rin was probably wrong, he didn't push it further.

Rin thanked Shin and whispered something to him, then stood up. He observed the devitalized eggs like crazy and picked one without turning around. He asked, "Hayashi, how much was in the purse you took?"

Hayashi, whose eyes had turned red again, instinctively responded to Rin's serious tone, not used to that from him: "About 600 bronze pieces, including nearly 6 silver pieces."

Rin started thinking very fast. Nobody knew what he was thinking.

All this was observed by Mr. Su: "This kid must have an ability that allows him to look into the eggs to know what's inside... I'm going to make my margin here."

As Rin took all the money they had, which was 8 silver pieces and 50 bronze and headed to the counter, Nikito handed the mutated forest wolf egg to Shin, following the latter's request, under Alliong's suspicious gaze.

"I'd like to buy this egg, please," Rin said, placing the dull gray egg 10 centimeters high on the counter.

"Ah?" Mr. Su was surprised as he took the egg and examined it carefully. He looked at Rin apologetically as he put the egg under the counter, "Sorry, sir, but someone must have made a mistake. This egg is not supposed to be sold. I don't know who put it up for sale... I'm sincerely sorry. You know what, I'll give you a 20% discount on the next devitalized egg you take."

Rin grimaced but took back his money grumpily. He spoke quietly but loud enough for Mr. Su to hear, "Darn it, such a good deal."

Mr. Su, delighted, saw the elder Genryu arrive with a magnificent egg in hand: "We would like to sell this mutated forest wolf egg."

Mr. Su was excited, as mutated eggs sold very, very well. They were usually at least twice as strong as their non-mutated version. He thought as he looked at Shin, then Rin, and understood that he had been a bit hard on a member of young Master Genryu's team. He slightly increased his offer, "I'll take it for 4 gold pieces."

"Sold, and I'll also take a devitalized egg to give to someone. Subtract that from the money from the sale, please," said Shin, placing the egg on the counter and picking up another egg not far from where Rin had taken his.

"Very well, here's the devitalization solution and the money. Hoping for a lot of luck to the lucky person who will receive this gift," concluded the merchant, satisfied with the transaction.

As he left the shop, Shin looked at Rin doubtfully, "Why that egg in particular?"

Alliong and the others didn't understand, so Rin explained with a mischievous smile, "In the slums, I saw countless people being fooled like this for small things. From the moment he found out about my stigma and even had a chance to guess that I could know which one to choose, unfortunately, I couldn't take the one I wanted anymore. So, before I stood up, I pointed out the location of the egg about the one I was going to take to Shin. Refusing a sale because of an employee's mistake is acceptable, but not two. But just in case, I had to soften his heart with the egg of the thing that almost killed the brainless gorilla."

Alliong didn't note the jab and was just as surprised as the others by Rin's elaborate plan. Nikito posed the inevitable question, "And what's in that egg you wanted so badly? A rare crow?"

Rin smiled at everyone, pointing to the egg in Shin's hand, "Not one, but two mutated crows."