Chapter 1

In this world, every human turns eighteen and gets to choose a Beastkin.

In my last life, my parents always favored my older sister. They brought her a Merman whose tears could turn into pearls.

I, on the other hand, chose an utterly ordinary white cat Beastkin.

Then, the high-temperature apocalypse hit. The entire world was plunged into chaos, resources became scarce, and everyone fended for themselves.

The Merman’s pearls, no matter how many there were, couldn’t buy a single cup of ice water. But my white cat Beastkin had nine lives. He braved the scorching heat, venturing out to find supplies for me.

My sister, Blair, hated me with a vengeance. She killed both me and my white cat Beastkin, devouring our flesh and drinking our blood.

When I was reborn, Blair immediately snatched the white cat, leaving the Merman for me.

But she didn’t know this: A cat might have nine lives, but with each death, its hatred for humanity grows stronger.

“I want the white cat Beastkin!”

The moment my eyes fluttered open, I heard my sister Blair’s voice.

Hearing her choose something completely different from my last life, I knew she had been reborn too.

Last time, at the Beastkin Selection Center, Blair had her eyes fixed on the exceptionally handsome Merman.

Merfolk were beautiful; they could differentiate their gender according to their owner’s wishes, their tears turned into pearls, and their scales were worth a fortune.

My parents knew how many people wanted Merfolk, so they pulled some strings at the selection center, just to ensure Blair could successfully bring a Merman home.

As for me? My parents didn't even spare me a glance. In the end, I chose a white cat Beastkin nobody else wanted.

Right after we’d chosen our Beastkins, the high-temperature apocalypse struck. Global temperatures soared, reaching up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius).

Our entire family was trapped indoors, and Blair's prized pearls became utterly worthless. They couldn't even buy a single glass of ice water.

Moreover, Merfolk needed to live in water. Under the extreme heat, rivers dried up, tap water stopped flowing, and the Merman became nothing but a burden.

Just as Blair was on the brink of dying from thirst, she discovered I was enjoying ice water and popsicles.

That’s because my white cat Beastkin had nine lives. He could endure the scorching heat outside to scavenge supplies for me.

She lured me and the white cat Beastkin back home, drained our blood, guzzling it down, then carved off our flesh to eat.

“Why would you pick that cat? It’s useless,” my parents said, confused.

Blair, however, clung to my parents’ arms, pouting playfully. “I want that white cat! Look how pathetic he is; nobody else is choosing him.”

Hearing this, my parents’ faces softened with a complacent smile. “My darling is so kind-hearted.” Then, their tone shifted. “But the Merman is what we specifically chose for you, honey. Are you sure you don’t want it?”

The money they’d spent pulling strings was already out. If Blair didn’t take the Merman, that money would be completely wasted, like throwing it into the ocean without even a splash.

“Then give the Merman to Alice,” my dad, Richard, declared. “She hasn’t chosen yet anyway.”

I quickly waved my hands. “How can I? The Merman is an S-tier Beastkin! I couldn’t possibly accept it.”

Beastkins also had tiers. Rare species like Merfolk and White Tigers were S-tier, while common ones like cats and dogs were B-tier.

Blair, like me, was reborn. Right now, she was probably gnashing her teeth in hatred, determined to get her revenge this time. So, today, I *had* to take that Merman.

“How can you be so stupid? The best Merman, and you don’t want it? What do you want then? What if someone else snatches it away? What will you do then?!”

My dad quickly chimed in.

Given that, I stopped pretending to refuse and chose the Merman.

Blair and I took our respective Beastkin ID cards to the registration office. A flicker of madness crossed her eyes. “Sister, this Merman is all yours. It needs a massive amount of water every day, or it will die.”

I smiled and nodded. “Of course, Blair. I’ll take good care of it.”

After registration, we returned home with our Beastkins.

The Merman hadn't differentiated its gender yet. It lay in a glass tank, bored, blowing bubbles. Its long, dark hair was like smooth, lustrous satin. When it saw me approach, it quickly flipped over. “Are you my owner?”

I shook my head. Neither in my past life nor this one did I like the term "owner." Even though they were Beastkins, they spoke and communicated just like us humans. Their lifespans were also much longer. In some ways, they were even more advanced than us.

“Don’t call me owner. Just call me Alice. From now on, we’re friends, companions.”

To survive the apocalypse, I needed a companion.