Monster Pet Evolution

Gao Peng suddenly sensed that he was being watched.

He turned around and looked the blonde-haired boy straight in the eye.

"You're strong. I hope we get to have a duel one day," said Brandy humbly in English.

Gao Peng, who hadn't scored well in English back in high school, barely managed to understand what he was saying.

He was about to reply that such a day would never come. However, considering that he was representing not only himself, but the entire Huaxia region right then, he decided to simply smile and say in Chinese, "I'll try to let you lose with your dignity intact."

Naturally, Brandy didn't understand what Gao Peng had said. He simply assumed from Gao Peng's smile that he was probably complimenting him. People from Huaxia are so nice, he thought

"I'll do my best!" said Brandy happily.

Gao Peng eyed him quizzically. What?

After losing his match with Brandy, Yu Ge looked crestfallen. Both his fists were clenched tightly. One could only imagine what he was feeling right then.

The lot-drawing process of the tournament's second round was about to begin.

Gao Peng began walking towards the exit. He hesitated for a moment when he saw Yu Ge's shambling figure walking away. Finally, he strode after him.

Yu Ge slowed down when he heard footsteps behind him.

"I lost. That's all there is to it. If you're here to console me, you can save your breath. I don't need it," said Yu Ge glumly.

"I'm not here to console you. By the way, isn't your mother the leader of the Shadowblood Monster Hunter Association?" said Gao Peng.

Yu Ge turned around and eyed Gao Peng warily. "What about her?"

"I would like to discuss something with her."

Yu Ge gave Gao Peng a vague nod, still unsure what all this was about.

"Do you know what the difference is between you and Brandy?" asked Gao Peng with a smile.

Yu Ge frowned as he pondered the question. "I probably have less experience than him. My Black-scaled Tiger was too rash. We probably should have tested his familiar's ability first before going in like that..."

"No, not that. Seems like you still haven't figured it out," said Gao Peng bluntly.

"Your familiar's grade was one level lower than his! His Wailing Serpent Tree was an Epic-grade familiar, which was a grade higher than your Perfect-grade Black-scaled Tiger."

If anyone else had said this to Yu Ge, he would have left with a huff on the spot. However, this was Gao Peng he was talking to. Yu Ge began mulling over his words.

"An Excellent-grade monster would probably have been able to handle two to three Normal-grade monsters, while a Perfect-grade monster would be able to deal with two to three Excellent-grade monsters. An Epic-grade monster, on the other hand, can take on two to five Perfect-grade monsters with ease," explained Gao Peng.

"Brandy's familiar is a plant-type monster, which means that one-on-one fights aren't its specialty. However, despite being a lower level than the Epic-grade Wailing Serpent Tree, your Black-scaled Tiger still managed to keep it at bay!"

Yu Ge was stunned to hear all this. The Wailing Serpent Tree was... an Epic-grade monster? So that's why Brandy chose to send out a plant-type monster against my Black-scaled Tiger.

Plant-type monsters had notoriously restricted mobility, which made them nothing more than sitting ducks in the face of long-range attackers. Most of them were also at an extreme disadvantage against fire-type monsters.

"If your Black-scaled Tiger had reached the Epic grade, it would have had the speed and power necessary to shred the Wailing Serpent Tree into pieces before it even had time to regenerate its limbs."

"I see," said Yu Ge, nodding.

"I've recently discovered a way to evolve your Black-scaled Tiger," said Gao Pen, patting Yu Ge's shoulder. He turned to leave. "Let me know if you're ready to take the next step. You can come find me when all this is over."

Yu Ge stared at Gao Peng incredulously.

...

Gao Peng returned to the referees' break room and poured himself a cup of water from the dispenser beside the sofa.

"Yesterday's news was all about you. You're famous now, kid," said Li Yu from the sofa.

"Only for a little while. Everyone will forget I even exist after the tournament," said Gao Peng. He put down his disposable cup, took his phone out of his pocket, and opened an app he had installed.

Li Yu smiled. He had only been teasing the youngster. In truth, this didn't bother him at all. He was just way too old to care about fame.

"Da Zi, what are you doing?!" Gao Peng suddenly shouted at the phone.

Li Yu looked at Gao Peng curiously.

At that moment, Da Zi was lazily basking in the sun on the training grounds. When it heard its master's voice, it scrambled to its feet and cautiously surveyed its surroundings. Is Gao Peng here?

Da Zi quickly dismissed the idea. That's impossible. I can smell him from 100 yards away. There's no way he could sneak up on me. I must be imagining things.

It resumed its basking. Its yellow claws clicked lightly against its abdomen as it let out a contented chirrup.

Gao Peng still needs to go to work to feed me, while I'm just here, lying in the sun, thought Da Zi. Poor Gao Peng. Work must be so tiring for him.

Gao Peng smiled coldly at the sight of Da Zi's sleeping figure on his phone.

Don't underestimate the power of technology, he thought.

"I already know that you've been slacking off all this time. I wanted to give you a chance to realize your mistakes, but since that's too tall an order for you, I'm just going to punish you by adding a thousand more sets to your training routine," said Gao Peng.

Da Zi woke up with a start and flew into the air, frantically searching for any sign of Gao Peng in the vicinity.

"I must be going mad! Where is he?!"