Vol. 7 - Ch. 392 - <Gold Cat Coin> activate!

"D-D we finally have it!?""It's ‹Gold Chest›, yay! Sparkly Chest, yay!"

Two chest, shining in golden hue, were enshrined where ‹Meownarch› was just a moment ago.

The instant our eyes laid on it, Lulu and I exclaimed in sync.

Thank you very much, ‹Sachineko-sama›! ‹Meownarch› wasn't a rare boss so two gold chest must have to be the blessing of ‹Sachineko-sama›.

Also, ‹Gold Coin› seemed to have finally done its work. Oh the great golden chest, how much I missed you! That golden radiance and its beauty is just like that warm sunlight after a wintry season!

"It came, Zephyr."

"We kept you waiting, Zephyr. Sorry for lagging behind earlier."

Karua and Rika, who were dealing with the cat duo, A boss's subordinates naturally disappear when the boss does.

The cat duo shouldn't have been that strong compared to the main boss, but it seemed like they couldn't take them down all this while. They were able to defeat one, but we took down the boss first before they could defeat the remaining subordinate.

Well, cat monsters in general are that strong. Especially the cat duo, ‹White Cat› and ‹Black Cat›, were the cream de la creme among the bunch. So, I guess a tank and an attacker formation was bound to take time.

On the other hand, we had our two attackers... hmm, if I include my intermittent attacks, that makes three attackers essentially focusing on ‹Meownarch›. So this might have contributed to the difference.

After this boss battle, I think we can have just one person just focusing on keeping the cat duo away while the rest of the members can focus on the boss, right? This may be a viable tactic after all.

Ah, right, I could think about it later. First, it's time to thank them for their work.

"Good job, both of you. You both did your best. And Rika, you really don't need to be so dejected. We know the boss just had bad compatibility."

"Uhh, I know that, but your tank play has enlightened me to strive harder......"

"Just don't let yourself run out of gas, okay? Anyway, that's enough pep-talk! Look, both of you! Can't you see the treasure chest! It's time for the event!"

"Hn, ‹Gold Chest›. And two. You're in a good mood, Zephyr."

"He is always like this whenever it comes to gold chest."

Karua and Rika muttered some odd things about me, but I ignored them. I mean, it's our first ‹Gold Chest› since we have come to the ‹Cat-Dun›! Even considering Int-mid, it's our first ‹Gold Chest›, no? Excitement was the inevitable outcome!

"I heard you!"

"We heard you, Zephyr-kun!"

Just as I was going through my thoughts, a wild Lana suddenly appeared! Along with a wild Hannah!

W-W-What the hell are they doing here!?

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"What, of course we came through the gate since we saw it opening!"

"Celia-san invited us over."

"Yeah!"

Rearguard Celia was positioned closer to the gate. I was wondering why she wasn't here, it turned she had went to call then over,

"It's a beautiful ‹Gold Chest›, right?"

The way I see it, Lana and Hannah's eyes, as they stared at the ‹Gold Chest›, were laced with suspicious glint.

"You can't open it, you know?"

"Ah, I am not, alright!?"

Then why the sudden startled tone? I gave Lana a doubtful gaze.

"W, What's with that look? You're being rude. I, we just came to see it. Real. Right, Hannah?"

"Y-Yeah, Zephyr-kun. We are just here to take a sneak peak, can we see it?"

"Indeed."

Ah, I guess I was just being too paranoid, there's no way I will try to steal the ‹Gold Chest›. Suspicious begets more doubt, huh. I also put away my doubtful gaze.

In the due time, the rest of the members showed themselves. I presume they seemed to have heard we got ‹Gold Chest› in drop so everyone was looking at it with keen interest. It was the ‹Gold Chest› from Int-mid dungeon after all. One, that has been the centre of attention.

Once everyone had gathered, I announced.

"Alright then, I think I, as the representative of ‹Eden›, should open the ‹Gold Chest› this time!"

This drop of ‹Gold Chest› was our long-sought oasis in the desert that we couldn't see a slight glimpse until now! Moreover, it's from over one in the Int-mid, a matter of commetration!

Of course, I don't think there could be any more suitable person for this occasion than me, their guild master.

Lana and Hannah, who had once opposed my very statement previously in the Int-low, were having a conflicting expression. Well, of course, since they already said they were here only to look. So, they obviously couldn't have any say in it. Fuhaha!

Just as I was sure of my victory (that even I am not sure what I am gloating over), a hand shot up from an unexpected angle.

"Lulu also wants to open the chest together!"

Oh the other hand, out of left field, Lulu appealed while waving her head with all her might to appear noticeable.

The situation had now taken an unexpected turn. Her innocent smile was so dazzling I almost felt like melting away in its presence.

I suddenly glanced at Sierra.

Previously, during our monumental event of opening the Int-low's first ‹Gold Chest›, Lana, Hannah and I ended up arguing over who was gonna open it and ultimately incurred the wrath of Sierra. That event was still vivid in my mind.

She was just acting like a bystander for now, but I might run the risk of incurring her wrath once again if I dashed away the hope of Lulu!

But it's alright, I am someone who changes with time! And lessons!

Let's open the treasure chest together, everyone. Sierra's thunder is terrifying. Only a fool would dare take the risk of stepping on the same landline like last time.

Fortunately, ‹Sachineko-sama› blessed us with two treasure chests. Albeit, I apparently made made a fundamental mistake in understanding Lulu's words.

"Lulu wants to open it with Zephyr onii-sama!"

"Well, let's do it this way, then!"

"Not in my wake!"

"Huh!?"

However, there was someone who objected to the group work. It was Celia. Her arm had already pulled Lulu towards her in an attempt to say 'I will definitely not hand over Lulu to you.'

"Lulu, why don't you open with me if you want to do so?"

I really didn't expect such an ambush from her. Lulu had just raised her hand when Celia swiftly come to snatch my position. That being said, Lulu's question was—

"Lulu already opened the treasured chest in that hidden door with Celia onee-chan! Lulu wants to open it with Zephyr onii-sama this time!"

"No way!?"

Celia reeled in shock hearing Lulu.

In this way, we concluded I and Lulu will be opening one of the ‹Gold Chest›, while Celia will open the other.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me to one of the treasure chest.

"Zephyr onii-san. Here, please bend down here!"

"A, Alright. Here?"

"And then, Lulu will be here!"

Just as I had kneeled in front of the treasure chest that Lulu had led me to, she snuggled her way into my arms. It looked like I was hugging her from behind. Apparently, she wanted to open the treasure chest in this position.

I mean, Lulu was almost too young in appearance, so this arrangement made sense if we wanted to open the treasure chest together. But, that being said, wasn't this a bit too risky a position from a bystander perspective?

I quietly glanced at everyone and my eyes met with Lana whose body was trembling all over.

"Hey, Zephyr, you better have prepared yourself." (Lana)

"Zephyr-dono, it seemed like we needed to talk things out." (Celia)

"............" (Sierra)

Lana and Celia said, their eyes tinged with sharp glint. Sierra was already shooting a chilly stare my way. I swiftly averted my eyes and decided to focus on the treasure chest in front of me.

Ugh, yeah, I just need to focus on it. Whatever happens in the future will be handled by my future-self. May you live long, the future me.

"Zephyr onii-sama. We have to count 1, 2 and then open the chest, right?"

"Yeah."

I put my hand on the treasure chest in tandem with Lulu. Lulu's body frame was pretty small, so my arms easily slipped through her side as they rested on the lid of the treasure chest.

Alright, preparation ready. Lulu, too, had her hand grasping both sides of the treasure chest with her tiny hands.

" "1, 2 and——!" "

Both of our voices overlapped as we opened the treasure chest. Everyone, and Lulu and I, leaned over to see.

Inside, there was a black and white ocarina with a golden crown design carved into the centre of it that emits a golden radiance.

"Woah, ‹Ocarina› is here——!"

It was a ‹Flute› item from the ‹Rare Monster Flute› series—it's official name was ‹Rare Monster Ocarina›.