Museum of Deadly Beasts Chapter 1: Lin Jin

“Lin Jin, look at your mess! How could you recommend a weak and useless wolf as a top-tier pet beast? You even tricked the customer into signing the blood contract! Do you have any professional ethics or integrity as a beast appraiser? You did it on purpose, or you’re simply unintelligent, incompetent, or blind. I truly don’t understand how you managed to become certified as a beast appraiser.”

Inside the room, a man with a pencil-thin mustache, who towered over a younger man slumped against a table, was unleashing a tirade. The older man’s voice was shrill, spitting as he spoke, while the younger man remained perfectly still, silent.

“I don’t know what you’ve been up to, but I know you’ve been slacking off lately. Let me tell you… that customer has lodged a formal complaint against you. According to the regulations, your salary will be docked this month. Furthermore, I will be submitting a detailed report of your conduct to the association. Whatever consequences follow, you’ll have to handle them yourself.”

With that, the mustached man angrily flicked his sleeve and stormed out. The apprentice beast appraisers who had been eavesdropping with amusement scattered like startled insects. Once the mustached man was out of sight, the whispers began.

“Chief Wang Ji is truly furious this time. But it’s Lin Jin’s fault for messing up in the first place…”

“Hush! Keep your voice down. He’s still an official beast appraiser. What you’re saying is disrespectful.”

“Tsk, why should I be afraid of this good-for-nothing trash? It would be for the best if his qualifications are revoked. That would open up a chance for our promotion.”

“Even if a spot opens up, it wouldn’t be your turn…”

As a beast appraiser for the Maple City branch, Lin Jin’s livelihood was hanging by a thread. The cell-like lodging he occupied was the most isolated, lacking any windows, a stark contrast to the apprentice beast appraisers’ quarters. Not only was his salary reduced, but he felt utterly drained. For the past few days, Lin Jin had been working overtime, organizing books on pet beasts and tending to ten beasts in the branch’s pen. He hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep.

Finally, he closed his eyes, his consciousness drifting away…

At that very moment, an apprentice beast appraiser tiptoed in. “Appraiser Lin… Ch-Chief insisted that you head to Everlasting Town for a beast appraisal immediately!”

The apprentice speaking was a shy young girl, appearing to be around seventeen. Even though the chief was angered by Lin Jin, he remained a certified beast appraiser of the Maple City Beast Appraisal Association. No one dared to show him outright disrespect.

Lin Jin remained motionless. The girl mustered her courage and gently nudged him a few times. Finally, he lifted his head unsteadily, his expression listless.

“Where am I?” Lin Jin mumbled hazily, his eyes squinted.

He only recalled having a drink before heading home and then falling asleep. After what felt like a brief period, he woke to someone nudging him. He realized he had awakened in an entirely different place.

This was not his bedroom; there was no computer, and the ceiling lacked an old electric fan. Before him was only a dim room, where a lovely young girl in traditional attire stood. It felt as if he had woken up in another world.

“Appraiser Lin?” Zhao Ying called out again. “For this appraisal trip to the countryside, Chief has assigned me to accompany you. He also mentioned that we must depart at once to reach Everlasting Town before nightfall. Otherwise, we… we would be punished for negligence of duty.”

Zhao Ying was actually quite reluctant to undertake this task. However, as a new apprentice at the association, she had no other choice. She had to obey whatever her superiors decreed.

By now, everyone aware that Appraiser Lin Jin’s “days were numbered.” Most people were actively avoiding him, believing that association would bring misfortune. Yet, Zhao Ying found herself stuck with this assignment. Being timid and new, she had no one to rely on. Thus, this situation was hardly surprising.

This so-called ‘Teacher Lin’ before her was still groggy and bewildered.

“Teacher Lin? Teacher Lin!”

On her final call, Zhao Ying raised her voice an octave, finally jolting Lin Jin out of his stupor.

Lin Jin was startled. First confused, then contemplative, he finally had a moment of realization. He then let out a bitter laugh.

“Wait for me outside. I’ll be out shortly,” Lin Jin instructed.

Zhao Ying hesitated for a moment but then lowered her head and exited the room.

Lin Jin was now alone within the room.

“Who knew I’d experience something as thrilling as transmigration,” Lin Jin muttered ecstatically to himself. A round of drinks had actually ensouled him into this world, which was surprising news indeed.

Not too long ago, he managed to regain a substantial portion of the previous owner’s memories. He began to piece together what happened and became aware of his current predicament.

“Other people receive miraculous adventures during transmigration. They either become skilled masters or wealthy young lords. Even the least fortunate among them would have an elder in a ring to guide them, but I seem to have nothing.”

Through his recalled memories, Lin Jin understood the misfortune that befell the original owner of this body. He was scorned by his immediate superior, lived a life of poverty, and just a few days prior, he had the audacity to recommend a sickly and defective wolf to a walk-in customer, making a complete mess of things. He realized that in this world, almost everyone signs a blood pact with a single pet beast, and they only get one chance in their entire lives. Therefore, a botched appraisal would lead to irreversible consequences and shatter a person’s future. Burdened by the immense pressure of this failure, compounded by his superior’s constant adversity, the previous owner hadn’t rested properly for days. In this manner, he ultimately died from exhaustion.

That was precisely the chance that opened the door for Lin Jin’s transmigration.

Lin Jin explored his new body and experimented with a few things. It appeared he wouldn’t be returning home anytime soon.

“Forget it!”

As the proverb goes, ‘since you’re here, make the best of it’. It was imperative for him to find solutions to his current plight and reclaim his lost standing.

He found himself at a beast appraiser branch located in Maple City. The Chief, identified as Wang Ji – the mustached man who had reprimanded him earlier – was the person in charge. Beneath the Chief were two resident and certified beast appraisers; Lin Jin was one of them.

Apart from the Chief and the two official appraisers, numerous apprentice beast appraisers were also present, much like the young girl Zhao Ying, who was currently waiting for him outside.

Unsurprisingly, their hierarchical ranks were clearly defined.

At that precise moment, Lin Jin’s foot appeared to have brushed against something. He glanced down towards the object and saw a young wolf beast with a gray coat, adorned with red stripes. It was so emaciated that it bore no resemblance to anything other than a stray mongrel.

Lin Jin recognized this as his ‘pet beast’, Xiao Huo.

This mongrel-looking wolf beast was sprawled out beneath the table. Judging by its skeletal frame, it had likely been starved for several days. It also appeared incredibly fragile, as if it could cease breathing at any moment.

Lin Jin shook his head, filled with pity. Only the predecessor of this body would endure such a tragic existence. Regarding pet varieties like the wolf beast, they possessed a high consumption rate and subsisted on a carnivorous diet, making them incredibly difficult to care for. To be frank, without a substantial financial background, they could easily plunge their masters into destitution. Lin Jin’s predecessor was himself a mere wisp of a person, so it was only natural that his pet beast would suffer such extreme starvation.

In this world, possessing a pet beast was commonplace. Some individuals even chose their pet beast at a tender young age to forge a blood pact. Pet beasts that trained and grew alongside their masters exhibited a higher compatibility rate, thus enabling them to become stronger.

A blood-bonded pet beast offered utility in numerous aspects of life in this world. Some demonstrated prowess in battles, others served as protectors, and those with exceptional endurance could assist in transporting items. Some were capable of flight, while others could traverse rivers and oceans...

“Xiao Huo!” Lin Jin called out. The small wolf stirred slightly in response. Just as Lin Jin anticipated it would rise, the rascal merely rolled over and resumed its slumber.

“F*ck!” Lin Jin cursed under his breath. Not only were other people looking down on him, but even his own pet was treating him with the same disdain. Unbelievable! Lin Jin promptly slapped Xiao Huo on its head.

In that instant, Lin Jin experienced a searing pain, as if a bolt of lightning had detonated within his brain, crackling loudly. Simultaneously, a brilliant light emanated from his head. Amidst Lin Jin’s profound astonishment, he heard a cacophony of roars and howls, like a thousand beasts, reverberating in his ears, accompanied by the melodic chirping and buzzing of insects and birds, gently strumming the strings of his heart.

A flash of light appeared before him; the clouds parted, revealing a hall constructed of white jade, with a stone tablet at its entrance inscribed with the words, ‘Museum of Deadly Beasts’.

While still in awe, Lin Jin stepped into the hall as if by reflex. The interior was vast and profound, illuminated by ethereal lights. The area upfront was brightly lit, gradually dimming as one proceeded deeper. The hall transformed once more, and in the blink of an eye, a display case materialized before Lin Jin. Within it lay the preserved specimen of a wolf beast that bore a striking resemblance to Xiao Huo, accompanied by a stone tablet densely inscribed with characters.

“Level one pet beast: Xiao Huo. Fire Wolf Beast. Juvenile. Blood Pact Owner: Lin Jin!”

“Status: Starved.”

“Attribute: Fire. Potential Rate: 1. As the potential is too low, there is room for growth. The thirty-six methods to increase potential rates are...”

“Status: Heavily injured with three hidden injuries which are... There are twelve treatment methods which are...”

“...”

Lin Jin’s jaw dropped. First, he had no clue what this Museum of Deadly Beasts was or why it had so much detailed information about Xiao Huo. Second, this pet of his was incredibly 'useless' – not only was it defective, but it was also sickly with a terrifyingly low potential rate. Lin Jin couldn’t comprehend how this creature had managed to survive until now.

Even after some investigation, Lin Jin remained in a state of shock.

The Museum of Deadly Beasts had analyzed Xiao Huo’s details so meticulously that it could even identify its wolf parents. In this world, where pet beasts were highly valued, the practicality of such a tool was undeniable.

Lin Jin was overjoyed.

Recalling the memories of his predecessor, he understood just how invaluable the Museum of Deadly Beasts was. It seemed he hadn't transmigrated into this world empty-handed; he possessed a significant asset.

With the Museum of Deadly Beasts, would he still need to fret about failing to enhance his reputation in this beast-dominated world?

This delightful thought made Lin Jin burst into laughter. However, those outside mistook his joy for madness.

“You lead such a miserable life as an official beast appraiser, yet you can still laugh like that. Oh Lin Jin, you’ve truly lost all dignity.”

At that moment, a voice dripping with contempt and disdain jolted Lin Jin’s attention away from the Museum of Deadly Beasts.