After the intense tournament and the successful capture of several formidable beasts, Lu Fan decided it was time to take the next step in his journey. With a collection of Rank 2 Sandstorm Scorpions in his possession, he knew these valuable beasts could fetch a good price at the market.
Early the next morning, Lu Fan visited the bustling beast market, where merchants, tamers, and traders haggled over the prices of various beasts. The marketplace was alive with the sounds of animals, the clinking of coins, and the chatter of negotiations.
Lu Fan approached a well-known beast trader with his scorpions. The trader's eyes lit up when he saw the impressive Rank 2 Sandstorm Scorpions. These creatures were prized not only for their combat abilities but also for their rarity in the region.
"Impressive catch, young man," the trader said, inspecting the scorpions closely. "These will sell quickly. I can offer you a fair price."
After a brief negotiation, Lu Fan managed to secure a substantial sum for the scorpions. With the money safely in his pocket, he began to consider his next move.
Owning a pet shop had always been one of Lu Fan's dreams. It would allow him to work closely with beasts, build relationships with customers, and establish a steady income. Now, with his newfound wealth, that dream was within reach.
Lu Fan spent the next few days searching for a suitable location. He wanted a place near the academy, where students and local tamers could easily access his services. After some searching, he found a small, vacant shop on a busy street corner. The building was modest but had enough space to house several beasts and display equipment and supplies.
Excited by the prospect of starting his own business, Lu Fan approached the shop's owner and negotiated a rental agreement. Renting the shop was relatively easy, but as Lu Fan soon realized, running a successful pet shop was going to be a much greater challenge.
The Challenges of a Pet Shop
Once the rental agreement was signed, Lu Fan set about preparing the shop for business. He cleaned the space, set up display cases, and arranged for the delivery of basic supplies. However, the most critical component of a pet shop was still missing: the beasts.
To attract customers, Lu Fan needed to stock the shop with a variety of appealing and high-quality beasts. However, acquiring such beasts required significant investment or luck in capturing them in the wild. His recent success with the Sandstorm Scorpions had been fortunate, but he couldn't rely on luck alone to sustain his business.
As the days went by, Lu Fan grew increasingly concerned. The shop was ready, but without beasts to sell or rent, potential customers would pass by without a second glance. He needed a plan, and quickly.
A New Strategy
Determined not to give up, Lu Fan began to explore alternative strategies. He knew that many tamers in the area were constantly on the lookout for specific beasts, whether for combat, support, or companionship. Instead of trying to stock a wide variety of beasts, he could focus on offering a service that sourced specific beasts based on customer requests.
Lu Fan placed a sign outside the shop that read, "Custom Beast Sourcing – Tell Us What You Need, and We'll Find It!" He also reached out to local tamers, spreading the word that his shop could help them acquire the beasts they desired.
In addition to the custom sourcing service, Lu Fan considered offering training and care services for beasts. He had experience from his previous job at the animal care center, and he could leverage that knowledge to provide valuable services to tamers who needed help training their beasts or taking care of them while they were away.
The First Customer
One afternoon, as Lu Fan was contemplating his next move, the shop's bell chimed, signaling the arrival of a customer. A young tamer, around Lu Fan's age, entered the shop. He looked around, slightly puzzled by the lack of beasts on display.
"Welcome!" Lu Fan greeted him with a smile. "How can I help you today?"
The young tamer hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I heard you offer custom beast sourcing. I've been looking for a specific beast for a while now but haven't had any luck finding it."
Lu Fan's heart raced with excitement. This could be his first real customer. "What kind of beast are you looking for?" he asked.
"I'm looking for a Thunderclaw Wolf," the tamer replied. "It's a rare breed, and I need one for an upcoming tournament. Do you think you can find one?"
Lu Fan's mind raced as he considered the request. Thunderclaw Wolves were indeed rare and powerful, known for their speed and lightning-based attacks. Catching one would be a challenge, but it was precisely the kind of opportunity he needed to establish his shop's reputation.
"I can find one for you," Lu Fan said confidently. "It might take some time, but I'll make sure you get the best Thunderclaw Wolf available."
The tamer nodded, impressed by Lu Fan's determination. "Thank you. I'll leave it in your hands. Please keep me updated."
As the tamer left the shop, Lu Fan felt a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that if he could successfully source the Thunderclaw Wolf, word would spread, and more customers would come to his shop.