Chapter 8: Offerings to <Lucky Cat-sama>: Are You Team Meat or Team Fish?
"Alright then, everyone got their glasses? To celebrate our graduation from the Beginner Low-tier Dungeons—cheers!"
""""Cheers!""""
It was Sunday evening, and a celebration was underway in <Eden>’s guild room.
Yesterday, on Saturday, we’d cleared the Beginner Low-tier dungeon <Abandoned Stone Bridge Mine>. Then, starting this morning, we challenged and finished the Beginner Low-tier dungeon <Stillwater Underground>.
Now Lana, Ester, and Sierra had all reached Job Level 15, earning the right to challenge Beginner Mid-tier dungeons. So that evening, we’d all gathered to hold this graduation party.
By the way, we hadn’t farmed the bosses.
Even without repeats, just the three of them going through a dungeon was enough to hit level 15. Back when I was leveling, I skipped as many trash mobs as possible, aside from what I needed for deliveries—but if you do a normal full clear, you’d naturally reach about this level.
So really, it’s more efficient to farm the Beginner Mid-tier bosses instead of the Beginner Low-tier ones. Better materials, too.
The only reason I ground myself to the cap on Beginner Low-tier bosses was to prepare for taking on the Beginner mid-tier ones—where parties are basically required—almost entirely solo.
Honestly, if I hadn’t pushed myself to level 20, I probably would’ve lost to the <Emperor Goblin>. So, no regrets.
"Also, just so everyone knows—all the drinks here are non-alcoholic."
"What do you think you’re doing!? You can’t go serving alcohol to an underage princess!"
"Lady Lana, that was a little vulgar. Please mind your words."
I’d only said there was no alcohol, but somehow Lana jumped at me, and Ester had to scold her.
Her face was a little red. Embarrassment? Or did she just realize how her words sounded? Surely she wasn’t expecting actual alcohol… right?
"That’s a bit unexpected. Knowing you, I figured you’d drink normally at a celebration."
"‘Knowing me’? Sierra, just what kind of person do you think I am?"
For the record, in my previous life, I didn’t drink much either—performance in games dropped, after all. So non-alcoholic was fine by me. Not that I was a lightweight or anything.
I downed the orange juice Hanna poured for me. Mm, good stuff.
"So now we can all go to Beginner mid-tier together! …But, um, will I really be able to keep up?"
"Hanna, you’re basically our 『Guest』. You’re focused on gathering and crafting, so you don’t need to fight."
"Gathering is fun, sure, but just standing around watching feels kind of lonely, you know?"
That’s the fate of a crafter, though. Fighters fight, crafters craft—that’s the most efficient division of roles.
Besides, Hanna’s Fireball was pathetically weak.
"Hanna."
"What?"
"Give it up."
"Gaaahnn…"
Hanna drooped her shoulders, dejected. Poor girl, but really, the timing’s just not right.
"Well, normally up to Beginner mid-tier, you can still contribute with your current gear, though."
Beginner mid-tier dungeons were designed so you could manage with just support-fireballing from the back.
I looked around at the others.
Lana, Ester, Sierra—their gear was too good.
With everyone else already decked out in mid-tier equipment, Hanna’s Fireball was like throwing a candle into a bonfire. Ester had been one-shotting enemies left and right anyway.
So yeah, making space for Hanna in combat was the harder problem here.
Actually… maybe this was all because Hanna hadn’t had much chance to shine with crafting yet. (Let’s just ignore the whole "Slime Marathon" fiasco for now.)
Or maybe we’d been pushing her into combat too much despite her being a crafter?
In truth, her job, 【Alchemist】, was considered mid-tier in rank but was incredibly practical. Honestly, every guild needed at least one.
I see. The problem was probably that Hanna herself hadn’t realized just how valuable she was.
"Alright, I’ll have you focus more on crafting from now on."
"Eh?"
"Just our future plans. I’ll announce it properly when it’s settled. For now, just keep gathering as usual. More importantly, we’re in the middle of a party. We’ll talk later."
"Ah—uh, okay?"
Leaving the still-confused Hanna behind, I went over to the next group.
"O <Lucky Cat-sama>, O <Lucky Cat-sama>—thank you for blessing us with rare drops once again! Please accept this fine meat as an offering, and enjoy it to your heart’s content!"
We must never forget our guardian deity, <Lucky Cat-sama>. It is a precious, irreplaceable member of <Eden>.
The day before yesterday, yesterday, and today—the boss dropped a <Silver Chest> three times in a row.
No doubt this was the effect of 『Luck』. As expected of our blessed <Lucky Cat-sama>.
Oh, most gracious, most gracious.
As thanks, I offered up some high-quality meat.
"Y’know, I’ve always wondered… why is it always meat?"
"Oh, Sierra. You just touched on something you really shouldn’t have."
What we should offer to our god (god item) <Lucky Cat-sama> has always been a hot topic among <DanKatsu> players.
Everyone insists that this is the one true offering for <Lucky Cat-sama>, and no one’s willing to back down.
The meat faction extremists and the fish faction extremists even clashed in wireless guild battles.
For the record, I was in the meat faction.
If you disagree, then let’s settle it in a guild battle.
"Does Lucky Cat-sama… like meat?"
"Yes."
I nodded firmly.
There isn’t a cat alive that hates meat. That’s all there is to it.
Sierra seemed to think it over for a bit, then took out some <Ragu Meat> from her <Item Bag (Capacity: Small )> and offered it up.
Good. That meant Sierra was on our side—the meat faction.
The other three, watching her, ended up gathering in front of the shrine too.
Oh? What’s this? You’re all offering to <Lucky Cat-sama> as well? Very good. That’s the spirit. Surely tomorrow we’ll be blessed with rare drops again.
While I was basking in that thought, Lana’s hand reached out.
"It’d be unfair if <Lucky Cat-sama> just stayed up there all alone, don’t you think?"
"What!?"
In an instant, Lana scooped up <Lucky Cat-sama>.
Before I could even react, she placed him on one of the open seats.
Hey, hey, hey! That’s sacrilege!
"It’s fine, isn’t it? Today’s a celebration. <Lucky Cat-sama> should join in too."
"Guh!?"
All I could let out was a strangled sound. I–I mean… maybe Lana had a point.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get talked down to by Lana.
"Sir Zephyrus…"
"Urgh. W-Well, today is a special day. I suppose it’s only right that <Lucky Cat-sama> joins us as well."
"Yes. Thank you."
"N-No need to thank me for that… but fine, in return, make sure to give plenty of gratitude. To <Lucky Cat-sama>, of course."
"I know, I know."
And so, one more seat was added, and our joyous celebration carried on.
Tomorrow, we begin the Beginner Mid-tier dungeon run. Can’t wait.
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