The four grayed-out skills are host skills based on Divine Origin Power that can be purchased and learned. Besides these, all other host skills with a learning requirement of more than 15 points of Divine Origin Power are displayed as question marks.


    It''s no surprise that the skill "Divine Origin Potential Expansion" costs a staggering 5,000 points to learn, considering it might allow a pet beast to expand its potential for unlimited growth. If that''s the case, such a powerful skill justifies its high learning cost.


    Wow, the strength of these four grayed-out host skills is incredible. Each one, whether "Wild Gift Assimilation" or "Wild Gift Transfer," is astonishing.


    "Wild Gift Assimilation" allows the host to acquire the innate wild abilities of various beasts, essentially granting them extraordinary powers.


    Upon understanding the profound potential of "Host Skills," Rossell was exhilarated, feeling as if he was unstoppable. He saw a path not just to strengthen his pet beasts but to fundamentally enhance himself.


    Pulling his wandering thoughts back, Rossell''s eyes flashed with a peculiar glint. Unable to resist, he decided to use the only host skill he currently had, "Divine Origin Feeding," on the cactus sitting on his desk for the first time.


    The next moment, the effect of the "Divine Origin Feeding" skill left him stunned. The cactus, previously only the height of his palm, came to life and began to grow at an observable rate after Rossell expended 1 point of Divine Origin Power.


    In just a minute, the cactus grew nearly a meter high, almost bursting out of its original pot.


    "Damn! Can this get any scarier?" Despite being mentally prepared, Rossell was still shocked by the overwhelming effect.


    "Since you fed a life form that is not your pet beast, unpredictable consequences may occur..."


    As Rossell marveled at the effect of the host skill, the system issued a warning.


    "Unpredictable consequences?"


    The result was soon apparent. The cactus, having grown rapidly to nearly a meter, began to wilt and die within moments, seemingly unable to sustain its growth—clearly the consequence the system mentioned.


    Rossell felt a pang of sadness over the cactus''s demise. As he was about to check the conditions for learning the remaining host skills, his old mobile phone on the desk rang: "Hey, I really miss you, it''s raining outside again, and I feel like crying, not knowing where you are now..."


    Seeing who it was, Rossell couldn’t help but smile wryly and answered the call.


    "Hey, Rope... What happened yesterday? Lily said you got fired again?"


    "..." Rossell remained silent, not knowing how to explain this to his good friend. This was already the third job Fatty had found for him.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "Sigh, I knew it! Bro, you''re not getting any younger. Can''t you just endure it sometimes? There''s so much injustice and suffering in this world. Can you fix it all? Even if not for yourself, think about your mom..."


    After a brief silence, Fatty sighed heavily. It''s not that his friend lacked ability; his heart was just too soft.


    "Fatty, this time I really couldn''t control myself!"


    In truth, Rossell knew he had changed significantly over the past two years. He''s not as soft-hearted as Fatty imagined, but this time, the helpless look from that girl fresh out of school was something he couldn''t ignore.


    "Rope, why don’t you come help at my place?" Fatty suggested.


    "No, I know it''s tough for you too. The restaurant just opened, and managing it is hard enough. Besides, if I help, you''re just letting me off easy, huh? No way!"


    Rossell cut off any further offer from Fatty, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep puff before speaking: "I appreciate your kindness, bro. We''re like family; no need for formalities. I''m a grown man, I''ll find my own path."


    "Fatty, I need some time alone. I''m tired and need to think things through." Rossell expressed his thoughts quietly.


    He couldn''t let anyone know about the mysterious pet beast system. If it became public, it wouldn''t just fail to bring him benefits; it could endanger his family and friends. Thus, Rossell used this as an excuse to dissuade Daniu from arranging more jobs for him.


    Fatty, his real name Luo Daniu, lived up to his rustic name. He was Rossell''s closest friend from college.


    After graduation, the two stayed in the city to pursue their careers. Fatty, with his love for food and innate talent for cooking, excelled as a chef. His hardworking and adaptable nature, coupled with a bit of luck, led him to open a small restaurant, becoming his own boss.


    Though simple and small, with only two floors and about 200 square meters, it was flourishing and providing a decent living!


    His wife, Huang Li, was gentle and easygoing, a CEO at a small Korean company. She had always been a great help in finding jobs for Rossell.


    Rossell felt lucky his friend could marry someone as wonderful as Huang Li. However, this time he didn’t want to burden them, knowing that favors are debts that eventually must be repaid.


    Moreover, he now had an idea to delve into the pet beast system.


    "Alright, Rope, if you need anything, just let me know. Don''t try to brave it alone." Fatty finally agreed after a pause.


    Though Fatty was straightforward, he sensed a change in his friend''s tone—a newfound confidence that dissuaded him from further pressing the issue.


    Hanging up, Rossell sighed in relief. With the emergence of the pet beast system, he knew at least financial worries were behind him.


    “Knock, knock, knock...” Just as he hung up, there was a persistent knock on his tattered wooden door.


    "Rossell, I know you''re in there. Time to pay up; the rent''s due for the quarter. Why do I always have to remind you? It''s just a thousand or so, yet you''re still late. And whose mop is this, brand new too? Well, if it''s out here, it must not be wanted. Just perfect, mine broke..."


    The landlord’s wife had arrived again, and Rossell frowned, choosing to ignore her. Though technically he had a day before the deadline, her nagging was already annoying him.


    Besides, she was incredibly stingy, always trying to snag freebies despite having plenty of money, even taking a mop from across the hall that had only been used a few days.


    Yet her visit reminded him that his cash was running low. With 2,000 in his account, his total savings amounted to just over 2,600.


    With three months'' rent at 700 per month, he’d be left with just 500 after paying 2,100, having had nothing but expenses this month.


    Five hundred? Forget sending money home; he couldn''t even support himself. Damn... He needed to figure out a way to make more money, at least to afford a decent place where he wouldn''t have to deal with the landlord’s wife.


    “Ping, side quest generated. Find a sum of money within 24 hours to improve your living conditions and distance yourself from the unsightly landlord’s wife. Task Completion Reward: Divine Origin Power limit +1, reward points unknown.”