Vol. 13 - Ch. 740 - Unveiling «Sea Stream» & How to Trap a Cat!

We'd come to «Solitary Cat Dungeon», or «Cat Dungeon» for short, an int-mid dungeon. To be precise, we're on its 2nd floor, in a corner slightly distance from the viewing gallery of students; Cat monsters had a lot of admirers.

"Alright, I think this is a good spot."

"That's quite a large crowd you called in, and in this place, Zephyr. Let me guess, you’ve gone and got something built again?”

Sierra posed the question.

Truly, sharp as ever. I hadn't told this surprise to other guild members, but she was so familiar with my modus operandi, huh. And it appears she wasn't alone to guess in the crowd.

Hmm, I guess my frequent request for drop materials must've given the hint.

"Bingo! Today, I'm going to unveil—Rosetta's carriage!"

"Wha—m-mine?!"

Rosetta, not expecting her to be name-dropped out of nowhere, yelped in surprise. And with everyone's attention now on her, it further flustered her.

And then, Fraumina and Katalina approached her.

"C-Calm down, Rose. This might be your chance. This could get you one step closer to your place in «Eden»!"

"She is right, Rose. Take a deep breath. Also, if it goes well, don't forget to pull me too, alright?"

"KA-TA-LI-NA, how about you not speak any words?! This is serious talk! Rose, come on, show more spirit!"

"U-Understood! Then I am going ahead!"

Their good banter inadvertently reached me. Then, acting like a stout soldier, Rosetta took the front spot.

Well, their conversation wasn't quite as they thought. Regardless, Fraumina and Katalina cheered on for their dear friend with warm gestures. "You can do it, Rosetta." For some reason, I found myself shouting for her inwardly. Must have been affected by their energy.

While basking among everyone's curious gazes, I stuck my hand inside the «Item Bag» and brought that thing out.

"TA-DAA!! Here comes today's surprise! The fourth carriage of «Eden», and it's name is «Sea Stream»!"

"Ooh!"

*Thud!* Like certain cartoons, it was as if the sfx of thud hovered in the air, and revealed to a familiar looking object, the carriage. And with the two bumps on its front, it made sure everyone knew it was a brand new carriage.

"Wow, a new «Carriage»!"

"So this is Rosetta's."

Lana and Ester curiously sized the carriage. In fact, they were so pulled by it they almost walked past Rosetta, the star of the moment. Hey, let her be the first one to board, okay?

“I probably don’t need to tell anyone here, but as members of «Eden» and «Arc-Arcadia», you know how vital a carriage is for dungeon conquest. Since Rosetta recently unlocked her third-order skill tree and acquired the «Driving» skill, I decided it was time to build her the «Sea Stream.»”

“That’s wonderful.”

“We’re counting on you, Rosetta. Let’s do our best together."

“Y-yes! It’s an honor!”

Hearing the warm welcome from her fellow carriage-drivers, Ester and Aegis, Rosetta seemed to relax. Those two had a lot on their plates, after all.

There was Celestine, too, who could operate the carriage, but unfortunately, he couldn't use it like equipment to tank monsters and attack them as well. So our knights were bearing the entire responsibility.

That's why Rosetta would be another pillar of support in the guild's endeavour.

Rosetta was startled at first, but perhaps remembering our talk—I had once asked her how she would like her own carriage—she regained her calm. Instead, a flush dyed her cheeks as she expressed her gratitude.

"Thank you very much, everyone! I will put in all my effort!"

"We'll be counting on you, Rosetta. Feel free to check it from inside."

"Of course!"

"Do you mind if we join you, Rosetta-san?"

"You don't have to ask, Aegis-senpai. Please, let's take a look with everyone!"

With that, I opened the doors to everyone, letting them check out the interior and get a feel for the handling. As expected of the girls, even though the base layout hasn't changed much, they were already excitedly buzzing about how to decorate and customize the cabin.

Ester’s Ver.1 and Aegis’s Ver.3 have changed drastically since they first got them—they’re quite stylish now. At this rate, it won't be long before Ver. 4 gets a makeover too.

Meanwhile, the boys were—

“It's here! The «Wild Meow» appears!”

“Take it down! «Purple Lightning Flash»!”

“Meow?!”

They were busy hunting. Honestly, none of us—myself included—felt like we could squeeze into that high-energy "girl talk" atmosphere. I had planned to explain the strategy for Ver.4, but I figured it was best to wait for the excitement to die down first.

Eventually, the girls seemed satisfied. Rosetta led the way back toward us, flanked by Fraumina and Katalina.

Speaking of, it must be confusing to see low level members stepping into the Int-mid dungeon, eh?

Well, to be precise, the trio already had acquired the two Mark of Conquerors from the Intermediate-mid dungeon before the announcement of the job transfer system. Back then, they'd yet to step into the int-mid dungeon though. Apparently their levels were lacking. Between yesterday and today's morning, it was one of the reasons why I’d gathered members with low levels, and took them out for boss grind.

I didn't expect to be done with the first 20 floors of «Altar Dungeon» so quickly. So, I, alongside Ester. just turned the free time into betterment of our guild members.

It was quite fruitfull, and now they're sitting at LV50. The trip also helped them acquire their third Conqueror's Mark.

“Zephyr-san, thank you for the incredible equipment. I vow to keep improving and become a true asset to Eden."

“You don’t need to be so stiff, you know? But I am counting on you. «Arc-Arcadia»’s progress rests on your shoulders. I want you to focus on raising the overall floor of the sub-guild’s strength.”

As of late, Ester had become an unchangeable member of our party, and Aegis was constantly in demand, too. The demand had far surpassed the supply.

I explained my plan to her—I want Aegis to be the wheel for «Eden», and Rosetta to be of «Arc-Arcadia».

“Understood! I won't let you down!”

“That's the spirit.”

With that settled, I noticed Fraumina staring intently at a cat monster peeking out from the forest.

“Something wrong, Fraumina?”

“Fue!? Oh, uh, nothing, Zephyr-kun!”

She jumped, her cheeks turning a slight shade of red. She looked embarrassed about being caught staring.

“Don't tell me... actually, it’s pretty obvious. You want a cat, don’t you?”

The moment I asked, a shadow of disappointment crossed her eyes.

“Well... yeah. But I’ve tried so hard, and I just can’t tame one.”

Fraumina’s Job was «Alpha», a Tamer-type class. That didn't mean she was restricted to dogs, of course; she could technically tame the cat monsters here too. The problem was the success rate. In this dungeon, the odds were abysmal. (T/N - Her job name lit. translates to Mighty Dog/Strong Dog. Though Alpha sounds better, but Mighty Dog doesn’t seem bad now that I put it.)

“The cats here are tough customers. The taming rate is something like one in a thousand.”

“Y-yeah... that’s what I heard. It’s okay, I’ll give up. I don’t want to be a bother for everyone.”

“Frau, we don't mind at all!. We can help you try again whenever you have time.”

“But that would slow down our exploration, and we're already the one most lagging behind everyone in «Arc-Arcadia»."

So that was the source of her sadness. Katalina tried to cheer her up, but Fraumina just shook her head. However, she was jumping to conclusions a bit too fast.

I just didn't choose this dungeon randomly for my surprise. There was a reason why I'd focused on their levelling in my free time.

It was because I wanted Fraumina to get her cat.

Of course, I didn't want to make it look like I was playing favorites, so I kept my tone casual.

“Come to think of it, I helped Katalina with her «Closeted Maiden» requirements, and I just gave Rosetta the «Sea Stream». I haven’t really given you a gift yet, isn't it, Fraumina?”

“Eh?”

As the three of them looked at me in confusion, I made my declaration.

“You want a cat? Leave it to me. There’s a trick to taming the cats in this place. Just give me a second.”

“Whaaaaa?!”

While Fraumina was busy being stunned, I walked over to Rika.

“Rika, give me a cat-teaser.”

“I-I-I-I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

Rika was visibly shaken. She tried to play it cool, pretending she didn't even know the item existed.

But, naive.

I knew the truth. I knew Rika had been secretly using the «Master’s Cat-Teaser» to play with Karua. And I knew for a fact she always kept one tucked away in her.

Rika tried to maintain her poker face under my steady gaze, but she eventually crumbled. With slumped shoulders and a sigh of defeat, she handed over the «Master’s Cat-Teaser».

“So, uh... what are you going to do with that?”

“Isn't it obvious? I’m going to use it.”

“Use it? Zephyr, are you planning to dote on Karua too?!”

“No, not Karua. I’m using it on an actual monster.”

Good grief, Rika really was obsessed with Karua. In fact, it wasn’t a simple cat toy. Its intended purpose was to be used on cat—no, wait a minute. Karua was technically a cat, right? Ugh, it sounds so confusing.

Whatever.

I took the teaser and headed back to Fraumina, with Rika trailing behind me for

some reason.

“Um, Zephyr-kun? What is that?”

“This is a «Master’s Cat-Teaser». It’s an item that massively boosts the taming

success rate for cat-type monsters.”

“Whaaaat?!”

Fraumina’s jaw dropped.

Cat monsters in this game were Solo Monsters, meaning they appeared alone and were significantly stronger than those that hunt in packs. Naturally, that makes them harder to tame. To catch one, you really needed an item that skewed the odds in your favor.

The «Master’s Cat-Teaser» was exactly what it sounds like—a specialized tool for cats. It only works on cats, but boy, does it work. Once a cat starts playing with this, it’s game over. They turn into a purring, mushy pile of fur, and before you know it, they’re your new best friend.

Right on cue, a cat emerged from the brush. Better yet, it was the specific one I was looking for. The bipedal cat monster «Chamisen».

—Gotcha!

“Look! A «Chamisen»!”

“Surround it! Katalina, trap it in a barrier!”

“!! O-on it! «Box Barrier»!”

“Meow?!”

Katalina reacted instantly, locking the «Chamisen» inside a shimmering cube. The bipedal monster, carrying a sword made of fish bone, immediately started trying to slash its way out with a skill.

Uh-huh, I ought to act quick!

I signaled Rika—who looked ready to pounce on the thing herself—to stay back, and I charged in with the cat-teaser in hand.

“Hey there, would you look at it? Come on~.”

—Flick, flick. Swish, swish.

“Nya?! Nya-nya-nya?!”

As I waved the teaser in front of the barrier, the Chamisen froze, its eyes locked onto the fluttering feathers. Its murderous intent evaporated instantly, replaced by pure feline curiosity.

“Alright, Katalina. Drop the box.”

“U-understood!”

The Chamisen had already abandoned all thought of escape. It had dropped its fish-bone sword and was pressing its little paw-pads against the barrier. When the box vanished, the monster actually tumbled forward in its eagerness. (T/N - Reminds me of Puss in the Boots.)

“Now’s the time——!”

I kept the teaser moving. The Chamisen flopped onto its back, batting at the feathers with all four paws, completely lost in the joy of the hunt. Heh heh heh. Look at him—he’s putty in my hands.

“ “ “ “ “Sooooo cuuuuute!~” ” ” ” ”

The sudden chorus pulled me to glance behind, and noticed all the girls had gathered around, their faces melting at the sight.

"T-That's not fair, Zephyr. Change with me! Hand over the cat teaser to me!"

Lana demanded, alongside the sparkle of expectation in everyone's eyes intensified.

"Well... just wait a minute, alright? I need to first finish the task. Fraumina, it's time to tame. Do it now while it’s distracted. Once it’s yours, you can let it purr to your heart’s content.”

“Right! —«Monster Tame»!”

“Nyaaa~”

The signature ring of light associated with taming appeared around the «Chamisen»’s neck. It shrank and solidified without shattering—the universal sign of success. If it had failed, the ring would have burst into fragments.

The «Chamisen» was now officially Fraumina’s companion.

At that exact moment, having fulfilled its purpose, the «Master’s Cat-Teaser» dissolved into a shower of light and vanished.