Chapter 17: The Guaranteed Gold Chest Item Appears! Let Me Be the One To Hunt That Boss!
<DanKatsu> is packed full of items that stir the heart of any adventurer.
This time, let me introduce one such gem.
Its name: <Golden Jackpot Taaru (○-Grade)>. (金(きん)当(あ)タ～ル（○級)
Its effect is exactly what it sounds like: The boss chest will become a <Gold Chest> upon use.
In other words, a guaranteed gold chest item. Naturally, it’s one-use only.
Normally, this ultra-rare drops only from <Silver Chests>, and it comes in four varieties: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Supreme. Each one can only be used in dungeons of its corresponding rank.
For example, if you want to use it in a Beginner dungeon, it has to be <Golden Jackpot Taaru (Beginner)>, or it won’t work.
Well, one second-year party had the luck to pull one of these miracle items.
Excited, they rented out a whole dungeon just for themselves.
But then, unlucky them—a rare boss spawned.
Their eyes went wide with greed at the thought of a <Gold Chest>, and they blew their <Golden Jackpot Taaru (Beginner)>.
The result? A crushing defeat.
They were carried back to the infirmary committee in tears, but even then, they couldn’t give up, so here they were now, making a fuss at the gate.
As a side note, if you send in a Distress Report against the same enemy on the same day, the Academy slaps you with penalties—like a quest point fine.
That’s why they were hesitating to try again.
Incidentally, since the rare boss isn’t dead, the effect of the <Golden Jackpot Taaru (Beginner)> is still active.
Which means… if I charge in right now and take it down, I’ll walk away with a guaranteed <Gold Chest>.
Brilliant. Truly brilliant. I have to go. Leave the cleanup to me! And don’t worry, senpai—I won’t even ask for a reward! See how generous I am?
So I went straight back to the party and laid it all out. The upperclassmen collapsed to their knees, but oh well, not my problem.
"So yeah, we’re heading into the <Poison Mushroom Cavern Dungeon> to take down the rare boss."
"…I have so many things I want to say, Zephyrus. Like, why you agreed to something like this without asking, or how you plan to handle tomorrow’s prep, or how you think you’ll get it done starting after 5 p.m.… but for now…"
"Yeah, what is it, Sierra?"
"…If you’ve already decided, then fine. Do your best."
"Whoa, that’s one hell of a glare!"
And wait—that totally carried the nuance of ‘I’m not helping.’ Sorry for deciding on my own!
"What are you talking about, deciding all that on your own? It sounds amazing! Of course I’m coming too! That rare boss’s <Gold Chest> is mine!"
"Princess Lana, what about tomorrow’s prep? Weren’t you supposed to meet Ester and the others?"
"Some things are more important than that!"
What a slave to her desires. But I’m all for it—I want to live true to my desires too!
"C’mon, Sierra, don’t sulk. Join us! It’s a rare boss with a <Gold Chest>!"
"…Muhh…"
Ohh, Sierra’s wavering. She had already carved out time she didn’t have to join us today. I can’t force her, but it wouldn’t feel right to just say goodbye here. I know she really does want to fight a rare boss. I’ll never forget what she said after we beat the <Cactus Cowboy>.
And besides, she can relax. I’ve already arranged for backup to ease her worries.
Looks like they’ve just arrived.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sir Zephyrus. I have returned."
"Perfect timing, Ester!"
It turns out that the other party she was with had just wrapped up their boss's run, too.
I’d checked over the Student Handbook chat and asked Ester to help. The other five planned one last attempt, but Ester slipped away early to join us.
With her <Mount>, we can blaze straight to the deepest part in no time. We’ll be back before 6 p.m., easy.
When I explained all this, Sierra turned wide eyes toward Ester.
"…Is it really that fast?"
"I never had the chance to show you before, Lady Sierra. But yes—it’s incredibly fast. Sir Zephyrus speaks true."
"…I see. If we can be back by 6, then… fine, I’ll come."
Yes! Sierra’s on board!
"Ester! I want to come too!"
"Of course, Lady Lana. Let’s go together."
"Hey, Ester. Don’t you think you’ve been spoiling Princess Lana a bit too much lately? Didn’t you have things you needed to do?"
"S-sometimes, a little sweetness is necessary. Classes start again tomorrow, after all, and her free time will be limited. Don’t you think it’s a little sad for her?"
"…I suppose you’re right. Just one hour, then."
Sierra looked thoroughly conflicted at Ester’s sugary-sweet words, but she managed to squeeze out "just one hour" to convince herself.
That made four of us. Now, for the last slot… who would it be?
"Can I… come along too, Zephyrus?"
"…Kalua?"
The one who raised her hand, unexpectedly, was Kalua.
She’d been quietly watching everything unfold beside Rika the whole time. Usually, she hardly ever spoke up for herself, so what got into her?
"Mm. I don’t know why… I just feel like I have to go."
"…Hmm?"
Even Kalua herself didn’t seem to know why she volunteered.
If anything, maybe it was intuition? Come to think of it, she has the same 『Instinct』 skill I do.
Back in the game days, 『Instinct』 didn’t give you any "gut-feeling warnings," but even in daily life, my hunches have been surprisingly sharp. Maybe she really sensed something.
Kalua turned her gaze toward Rika, as if asking for permission. It seemed she didn’t like the idea of leaving her usual partner behind.
Rika, understanding immediately, chuckled softly and replied:
"I don’t mind. I’ve already had plenty of fun today. This time, I’ll let you have it."
"Really?"
"Of course. But in exchange, if something like this happens again, you’ll let me take the spot, alright?"
"Mm, I promise. Thank you, Rika."
And with Rika giving up her place, the final member was decided—Kalua.
"Alright then, let’s head out right away. The sooner we go, the sooner we get back. That <Gold Chest> is waiting for us!"
"I can’t wait! Rika, we’ll be back soon!"
"Yes. Please be careful, all of you."
With Rika seeing us off, we hurried through the gate that led to the dungeon.
It looked like our last day of class exemption still had a little more adventure left in it.
Previous Chapter - TOC - Next Chapter
Comments
Post a Comment