Survival in the Core: I'm writing a guide for the entire server.

[The second round of bidding has begun; 5 minutes remain for bidding.]

The cold system notification pulled Lin You back to reality from her reverie.

He stared at the phantom image of the egg on the auction screen, his brows furrowed.

I couldn't even get it for 200 copper coins.

What does this tell us?

This indicates that at least one player in auction house number 42 is also determined to get this egg.

Moreover, that person's bid was at least twice the starting price—that is, more than 100 copper coins.

"Anyone who can come up with that much money is definitely not an ordinary player."

Lin You took a deep breath, her brain racing.

He currently has over 500 copper coins, plus some supplies.

Logically speaking, at this point in time, there are very few players who can come up with so much cash.

"But since we've run into each other, let's each rely on our own abilities."

A resolute glint flashed in Lin You's eyes.

"Since that's the case..."

After careful consideration, he entered a number in the bid field.

[Bid: 300 Copper Coins]

[Confirm?]

"confirm."

[Bid successful, awaiting auction results...]

Three hundred copper coins.

This represents more than half of the cash he currently has on hand.

If he can't win this round, he'll have to give it his all in the final round.

Time passed by, second by second.

The countdown numbers on the auction page kept jumping.

3 minutes... 2 minutes... 1 minutes...

In the chat channel, players also began to notice the egg's unusual nature.

"Wait, why is the bidding for this egg so fierce?"

"Yes, it's already the second round and no one has won it yet, so the premium must be very high."

"Could it be some kind of rare item? Otherwise, who would spend so much money on an egg?"

"Possibly! Maybe it's a pet egg or something!"

"Pet eggs? This game has a pet system?"

"I don't know, but since it's the third to last item, it can't be bad."

"When gods fight, we'll just watch the show."

The chat channel was buzzing with discussion and various speculations.

Lin You glanced at it but ignored it.

All his attention was focused on the auction interface.

There are 30 seconds left in the countdown.

20 seconds.

10 seconds.

[The second round of bidding has ended!]

We regret to inform you that you were unable to win the bid for this item.

Your bid ranking in this auction is: 1.

The final round of bidding will now begin, with the highest bidder winning, and no premium required.

"It's ranked number one again, but I didn't take a picture..."

Lin You's lips twitched.

This means that the competitor bid more than 200 copper coins in the second round.

However, the exact amount was not disclosed by the system.

"It's the final round..."

Lin You took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

The rules for the final round are simple—the highest bidder wins, with no premium required.

In other words, whoever offers the highest price gets the item.

There are no complicated calculation formulas, and no premium multiples.

Simple and straightforward.

But it is precisely because it is simple that it tests the player's determination and courage even more.

"I currently have around 550 copper coins..."

Lin You quickly took stock of her assets.

And that competitor...

Lin You didn't know how much money the other party had left.

"We can't hold back in the final round."

Lin You gritted her teeth and entered a number in the bid field.

[Bid: 550 Copper Coins]

Confirm? This is your last chance to submit a bid.

"confirm."

The moment Lin You pressed the confirm button, she felt her heart leap into her throat.

550 copper coins.

This was almost all of his possessions.

If he wins, he can get the gold-quality pet egg.

If we lose...

Then he would have to leave the auction empty-handed.

[The final round of bidding has ended!]

[Calculating the auction results...]

Lin You stared at the screen, her palms sweating profusely.

The discussion in the chat channel continued, but he had no time to pay attention to it.

Every second felt like an eternity.

Congratulations! You have successfully won the bid for this item with a bid of 550 copper coins!

Please wait a moment; the item will be sent to your inbox via email.

Lin You stared at the message for a full three seconds.

Then, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"We won..."

He leaned against the cold iron wall of the mine cart, feeling as if all his strength had been drained away.

550 copper coins can be exchanged for a gold-quality pet egg.

Is it worth it?

Lin You felt it was worth it.

The moment the auction results were announced, the chat channel of Auction Room 42 exploded.

[Auction Results Announcement: Player "Lin You" successfully won the bid for this item with a bid of 550 copper coins!]

"Lin You?! That Lin You who wrote the walkthrough?!"

"Holy crap! The big shot is at this auction house too?!"

"550 copper coins?! Are you that rich, sir?!"

"Lin You, the great master! I'm begging to be your follower!"

"Wait a minute, 550 copper coins for one egg? Are you kidding me?"

"Yeah, what if it's just an ordinary egg? We'd be losing money hand over fist!"

"I don't understand the world of the rich... 550 copper coins, that's enough to buy so much food."

"With this money, you'd be better off buying something practical. What's the use of buying an egg?"

"It seems that Boss Lin You acted impulsively this time."

The voices of doubt rose and fell.

But these doubts were quickly and completely crushed.

[Auction item information has been revealed]

……

[Pet Egg: Flametail Cat (Gold)]

[Type: Combat Pet]

[Note: After hatching, you will obtain a combat-type pet called "Flametail Spirit Cat". This pet can grow to level 80 and can master powerful fire magic from its bloodline.]

[Incubation conditions: Blood bondage is required; incubation time is 24 hours]

……

The chat channel went silent instantly.

Then came an even more frenzied flood of posts.

"Gold...gold quality?!"

"A combat-type pet?! And it can grow to level 80?!"

"This is way too outrageous!!"

"I take back what I just said. Buying this for 550 copper coins is a steal!"

"I just said the boss acted impulsively... I was wrong, the boss is always right!"

"I'm so envious! I want a golden pet too!"

"Master Lin You, please, please release a pet guide! I want to get a pet too!"

"I second that! Pet strategy guide! Pet strategy guide!"

In the chat channel, all the previous doubts disappeared.

Instead, there was an overwhelming flood of congratulations, envy, and lamentations.

Some people envied Lin You's luck, some marveled at the master's strength, and some even begged for a strategy guide.

Lin You looked at these messages and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

He typed a line and posted it in the chat channel.

Lin You: Just lucky.

Five words, described in a very understated way.

There was neither boasting nor explanation.

But this only drives other players even crazier.

"Good luck? Is this a matter of good luck?!"

"Don't be modest, sir! You're willing to spend 550 copper coins, that takes guts!"

"Exactly, I wouldn't dare to gamble like that."

"So they're the pros, and we're just regular players."

Lin You did not reply.

He turned off the chat channel and refocused his attention on the auction.

Two more items will be auctioned later.

But he had lost interest.

Having spent 550 copper coins, he now only has a few dozen copper coins left in change.

Even if I see something I like, I can't afford it.

"Why don't we take this time to organize what we've learned today?"

Lin You exited the auction interface and opened her backpack.

Aside from the pet egg that hasn't arrived yet, his biggest gain today was the mushroom monster cards and the giant mushrooms dropped by elite monsters.

As for that gold ring...

Lin You glanced at his level.

Level 2.

It works perfectly.

He took out the gold miner's ring from his backpack and put it on the ring finger of his left hand.

The ring automatically adjusted its size to fit his finger snugly.

A warm power surged from the ring and merged into his body.

You have equipped the "Gold Miner's Ring" (Gold).

"That feels good."

Lin You nodded in satisfaction.

This ring can play a huge role in excavation.

The double mineral effect is especially beneficial, essentially giving away resources for free.

Just as he was organizing his equipment, the system notification sounded again.

The public auction has ended; the next date is to be determined.

You have a new transaction email. Please check it.

……