[Gold, Mithril, and Orichalcum are available too. But theyâre rarely seen, so you donât have to worry about them. By the way, the treasure chests after dungeon conquests donât have any locks or traps. They have already been disarmed.]
âSo, when you find them in the dungeon, there are locks and traps, right? Thatâs terrifying.â
I muttered, opening the silver chest. Since treasure chest traps donât seem significant, high-ranked chests must be available only after dungeon conquests.
The chest opens easily, revealing a silver cup slightly larger than the palm of my hand. It is impeccably polished, reflecting my face when I hold it. It appears to be a simple silver cup without decorations, but it emits a faint glow. I can feel the mana from it.
ââŚLetâs destroy it.â
Shizuku says, looking at the silver cup with a serious expression, surprising me. I donât see any joking around, so this silver cup is bad.
[This is a Blessed Chalice. Its effect is that once a day, it fills with water that possesses a blessing. Drinking it has a mild effect similar to a low-level potion and slightly improves your health.]
âAlright, but what about the trap?â
I get it, at least to that extent. There must be some downside, right? Like getting addicted or something?
As I play with the silver cup, tapping it lightly, Shizuku furrows her brows. It seems Iâve hit the mark.
[It improves your health. It gives you a slight resistance against diseases and poisons. If youâre overweight, youâll lose about 200 grams, and if youâre thin, youâll gain about 200 grams. If youâre bald, youâll see a few strands of baby hair growing.]
âSo, itâs an item that triggers a world war, huh? I see.â
Itâs worse than addiction. Ah, gaining a little health is dangerous. Adult diseases gradually make you unhealthy, so you end up getting them. An item that gradually improves your health is the best.
[Itâs an item that the rich would give anything for. Even a slight improvement in health means you donât have to worry about detoxing your skin or getting fat or adult diseases. It even cures baldness.]
âWill it trigger a world war?â
There are fat and bald people. If I sell it in this world, itâs a guaranteed wealthy life.
[Itâs the story of seven heroes vying for a silver cup that prevents obesity, cures baldness, and prevents adult diseases. I suppose Iâll be Saber then. Sakimori-san, Iâm hungry!]
âWeâll eat later. I see, itâs a tear-inducing effect.â
When I say that Iâll make food later, Shizuku clings to my face like a baby monkey and protests with grunts. It seems she has some dissatisfaction with our conversation. Did I say something strange?
Anyway, its performance is wonderfully tear-inducing. Itâs useless to me but undoubtedly a coveted item for the wealthy. If it becomes known that I possess it. Theyâll either offer a fortune or try to steal it. Either way, it wonât end well.
[Iâve only seen it a few times myself. Usually, people fought over it, and it broke within six months. Itâs quite rare.]
âDoesnât an initial potion have the same effect?â
[That one restores your body. It doesnât make you healthy but healed you. The effects are similar but different. Potions that improve health are of a much higher rank. You canât use them casually.]
Thatâs a harsh story. This item is cursed?
[So letâs destroy it, Sakimori-san.]
Shizuku says, perched on my shoulder and peering down from above. I sigh as I see her adorable face getting closer to me. I wanted to do the same.
âWell, youâre a bit late with that decision.â
Iâm looking away and focusing my gaze on the nearby forest, where the grass rustles.
âSakimori? What a coincidence-nyaa⌠Geho, Geho!â
A familiar cat girl appears, gasping for breath. She hurriedly ran here under the scorching summer sun, her face drenched in sweat and leaves sticking to her body. Her hair, cat ears, and tail are all disheveled.
Thatâs not much of a coincidence. Iâm giving Hanako a stern look. It seems she heard that I was heading for the dungeon and rushed over in a panic. Despite encountering Lesser Mandragoras, Worms, and Mothmen in the forest, she doesnât seem to have any noticeable injuries.
âYou have sharp ears. I only arrived just a moment ago.â
âW-What are you talking about-nyaa⌠So, youâre going to conquer the dungeon-nyaow?â
Karin is wearing a rather unusual outfit. Itâs a green camouflage combat uniform with dull lead-colored stripes running along the limbs. She wears a lightweight and sturdy metal breastplate on her chest and carries a small sword sheathed on both sides of her waist, along with several knives.
She doesnât have a gun, but itâs an impressive set of equipment. Sheâs wearing a bandana that looks tough on her head. She must have chosen a different gear to navigate the forest than her usual attire. Karin is cautious and timid, prioritizing her safety over revealing her true identity.
âNo, Iâm actually on my way back. Iâve already finished conquering the dungeon.â
âWhat?! Youâ were going back already-nyaa? You canât conquer a dungeon alone. I didnât have to rush here-nyaa.â
Karin dejectedly dropped her shoulders. She pouts and points out that it was a pretty dangerous journey, but it doesnât matter.
âKarin, please gather the cores and chests scattered around here. Iâll reward you for it.â
âSigh⌠Well, alright-nya⌠But why are there so many cores and chests lying around here-nyaa?â
Karin finally notices the piles of cores and chests and gasps in astonishment.
âWell, considering I conquered the dungeon, itâs only natural, right?â
Itâs already getting tiresome, picking up cores and chests like picking up pebbles in the midsummer. But Karinâs complexion turns pale.
âCould it be⌠Youâve already conquered the dungeon-nyaa?â