Flickering with dazzling special effects—
On the translucent screen in front of Chen Ran, a burst of brilliance exploded outward as items of every color appeared one after another, overwhelming the senses.
Among them, the most eye-catching by far was a Pokémon-shaped item radiating vivid, rainbow-colored light.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. The refresh was successful. The Flash Sale Shelf has been updated. Please check the items!"
"Ding! Attention, Host. The God-Tier Refresh Opportunity is available only once per year. Eleven items have been generated this time, including one guaranteed god-tier item!"
God-tier item?!
Was it the one glowing with seven-colored light?!
Chen Ran's eyes burned with excitement as he stared nervously and expectantly at the shelf.
Without hesitation, he tapped the item wrapped in rainbow brilliance.
—Swish—
The radiant light dispersed.
An orange-yellow Pokémon appeared on the screen, exuding powerful momentum, baring its fangs and claws as if ready to leap out at any moment.
"It's Charmander!"
Chen Ran took a deep breath, forcing himself not to shout in excitement.
His gaze locked onto the Pokémon on the screen, eyes filled with pure exhilaration.
"The Fire-type starter of the original three starters—Charmander!"
"This is the Pokémon every player remembers the most."
Compared to the Grass-type Bulbasaur and the Water-type Squirtle, Charmander—with its high damage output and speed—had always been the most popular choice among players, especially for clearing the early game.
And once it evolved into Charizard, its combat power skyrocketed.
For a protagonist, a signature ace was practically mandatory—and Charizard's strength was legendary.
"The most famous ones are Lance's Charizard, Leon's Charizard, and Alain's Charizard…"
"And the strongest of them all—Red's Charizard!"
Battling the three Legendary Birds alone.
Mega Evolving to defeat Mewtwo.
If it weren't for the fact that it couldn't survive in space, it might have been Charizard, not Rayquaza, who dealt with extraterrestrial threats.
"According to the system, rainbow light represents god-tier quality… so the upper limit of this god-tier Charizard should be on par with Red's Charizard!"
Chen Ran's heart surged violently, excitement flooding his entire body.
He quickly checked the flash-sale price of the god-tier Pokémon.
Even if it cost tens of thousands, he would still try to get it!
But—
A system was still a system.
It truly lived up to the name Flash Sale.
—
[Charmander] (God-Tier)
Description: One of the original Fire-type starters. Born from primordial flames, this Pokémon possesses terrifying growth potential. Loyal, brave, and destined for greatness—an absolute top-tier choice for elite Trainers.
Flash Sale Price: ¥99.99
—
"Holy—!"
Chen Ran nearly choked.
"But… this is still a steal!"
Without the slightest hesitation, he recharged one hundred yuan and instantly purchased the god-tier Charmander.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. Purchase successful!"
"Ding! Based on the Host's current situation, would you like to replace the Pokémon inside the egg in front of you with Charmander?"
"Ding! Special Notice: The current Pokémon Egg contains Caterpie. Its quality is ordinary, with an extremely low growth ceiling."
"…Caterpie?"
Average quality.
Low potential ceiling.
What was the point of keeping something like that?
Chen Ran decisively chose Replace.
"Ding! Replacement successful. Charmander will hatch in one minute."
"One minute?"
That was fast enough.
For now, Chen Ran didn't even bother checking the remaining ten items on the shelf—many of which were still shining brightly.
Right now, nothing mattered more than witnessing Charmander's birth.
The dormitory was silent.
Ever since the four of them returned with their free Pokémon Eggs, everyone had been extremely careful, afraid that making noise might somehow affect the hatching process.
Chen Ran and Wang Bo sat upright, eyes fixed on their eggs.
Chen Kai and Ma Gang lay on their beds, holding their Pokémon Eggs without saying a word.
—Crack—
A faint cracking sound echoed.
The four of them froze.
"Whose egg cracked?!"
"Holy—!"
"Someone's Pokémon is hatching!"
Once a Pokémon Egg began to crack, it meant hatching was imminent.
After quickly confirming that their own eggs were still intact, the other three immediately turned toward Chen Ran.
"Oh damn…"
"Chen Ran, your Pokémon is about to hatch!"
"Looks like you're gonna be the boss of Dorm 427 from now on."
Earlier, the four of them had agreed—
Whoever's Pokémon hatched first would be the dorm boss.
Rank decided by hatching order.
"Quiet."
Chen Ran raised a finger, signaling them to keep their voices down.
At the same time, he turned on his phone camera to record the moment.
Soon—
Under the tense gazes of all four—
An orange claw punched through the Pokémon Egg.
The shell shattered completely, fragments scattering across the floor.
A small Pokémon emerged.
An orange body.
A cream-colored belly.
A tail tipped with a burning flame.
Its bright, spirited eyes radiated confidence and pride.
It was unmistakable.
Charmander.
For a split second—
Dormitory 427 exploded.
"What the hell?!"
"It's Charmander!"
"No way—Charmander, one of the original starters!"
"Damn it, Chen Ran, your luck is insane!"
"A once-in-a-decade miracle and you're the one who gets it!"
The shouting nearly burst Chen Ran's eardrums.
He quickly covered Charmander's ears to keep it from getting startled.
"Char?"
Charmander looked up at Chen Ran, studying his face carefully.
As if engraving it into memory.
This was the Trainer it would protect for the rest of its life.
Before long, the news spread.
Dormitory 427 hatched a Charmander.
Within minutes, the entire dorm building knew.
Less than half a minute later, the doorway was completely packed.
In an era where Pokémon reigned supreme and Trainers stood above all—
Owning one of the original starter Pokémon meant a guaranteed path toward becoming a professional Trainer.
And Chen Ran was only a freshman.
His future was limitless.
"Let me see Charmander!"
"Get lost—I was here first!"
"I've never seen a real Charmander before!"
The corridor was packed shoulder to shoulder.
It wasn't until the dormitory staff arrived that the chaos finally settled.
After everyone left, Chen Ran carefully let his roommates take photos with Charmander.
Then—
He turned his attention back to the Flash Sale Shelf.
"A Flash Sale refresh only lasts for one hour…"
"Miss it, and it's a massive loss."