Vol. 13 - Ch. 752 - Unexpected Drops!

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Five. 

This was the maximum limit of people in a group when challenging the last boss of the dungeon. It didn't matter if these people were members of different parties, as long as any five people passed through the entrance to the boss room, they would be immediately recognised as one party. 

In other words, we could challenge the boss with any five members from both parties combined. It was different from field boss, where everyone was recognised as challenger, and the field boss would get multiplied stats depending on the number of party.

Anyway, the reason why I was explaining this was—

"Nico, turn on your «Equipment Set Drop Rate UP» and «Rare Drop UP» skill. You're going to join us in all the boss battles!"

"A-are you a demon?! ...Though I suspected as much when you pulled me in!"

Oh? It appeared Nico had a firm grasp on Eden's operation logic. That's why, we're counting on you~!

"Our target is advanced-grade equipment from the rare boss's gold chest. To be precise, we're after all sets. This is all in preparation to sort ourselves for the advanced dungeon. Hannah, Aruru, and Marie-senpai are all waiting for us to drop the materials to them, so let's not keep them waiting, alright?"

"......Ah, so I didn't mishear.... Boy, if only it was mere hallucination. Alas..."

Nico's lament filled the safe zone with a rather odd atmosphere. Sierra even hurled me half-eyed stare! Hurray! 

"Haa... just give up here, Nico. We will be there so it’s going to be fine."

"Nice support, Sierra! You know me so well!"

After all, all the princess' job members were long due for new equipment. There's no way I would've them challenge advanced dungeons with standard princess equipment!

"Alright, let's begin then! The first party to kick the door will have three of us from the 1st party, since we've experienced against «Bumor», and two from the 2nd party. And of course, Nico is a permanent stay in all parties!"

"Y-A-Y!"

With my spirited announcement, and Nico's hollow cheer, we began our rare boss grind. This was going to be our fixed stop for a while until we'd collected all the sets.

It would've been a tough challenge to collect all, but fortunately we'd have Nico. Her skills raised the drop probability for equipment set and rare drops. Of course, we also had the blessing of «Sachineko-sama» and «Koneko-sama», so I'd say it shouldn't take us long.

We're almost there, so I really was looking forward to our haul! 

I estimated it should take us a month to gather all three sets. And honestly, this was quite an achievement even from my standard as someone who'd grind for them in the game. In the game, the preparation to advanced dungeons would've typically required a grind for somewhere between a month and two. 

As long as our luck wasn't going south, we should be stepping foot in the advanced dungeon in October. Of course, we might as well not have to wait for one whole month, but I'd never underestimate the greed sensor yokai. I'd have my perfect plans extended for an eternity due to them in the game, so I was taking the maximum time frame. 

There was nothing I'd factored in this plan... or so I’d thought. 

Perhaps having farmed equipment for countless hours in the game, the following event made me realise I was looking at our grind from the perspective of a gamer to a certain degree. I forgot, no, failed in proper accounting of reality luck. 

A few days had passed since we started our grind, and it was the last day of dungeon week. Our party of I, Rina, Lana, Sierra, and Nico had just taken down «Bumor» for nth time when a certain phenomenon occured.

—There were four gold chests before us.

"B-B-Beauty-4-Phenomenon?!!?!"

I was so taken aback by the situation I didn't even notice myself pumping my fist and shouting at the top of my lungs.

It was here. 

The phenomenon everyone had dreamed about. 

It was the «Beauty-4-Phenomenon»!!!

"Everyone, take your spot now!"

"I'm taking this!"

"Calm down, Zephyr!"

"Zephyr-san’s excitement sure is off the roof."

"Fuhaha! It's a gold chest after all! Wait, why are you guys still standing?"

At my prompt, Lana swiftly put herself in front of one of the gold chests. Albeit, Sierra, Nico, and Rina didn't seem that exhilarated by the situation. If anything, there wasn't even a single reaction from them. 

It was one moment I would've expected everyone to jump on their feet!

"Can you see it, everyone? We have four gold chest. Four. Isn't it fantastic?"

"He's at it again..."

"It's like a child's pure burst of delight. So lovely."

"T-that's lovely in your eyes, Rina-kun? You too, Sierra-kun?"

"Alas! We're one gold chest short to open them with everyone. One have to be shared by two of us. No one's going to stay empty-handed!"

"......That's a point."

"Hmm? Have I got it correct that one of us can have the chance to open with Zephyr-san?"

"I don't think it's limited to opening with Brave-kun—.... no, never mind."

"Stop there! If that's the case, I don't mind opening with Zephyr."

"One moment, please, Your Highness Lana. That can't be done. I shall have this opportunity to collaborate with Zephyr-san."

"Mmh, so you're not going to back down, huh, Rina."

"Perhaps it wouldn't be bad to open once in a while."

 "You, too, Sierra?!"

"I-I will just take another gold chest alone. ...But boy, Brave-kun really stands up to the title, huh."

In the meantime I tried to explain the wonderfulness of Beauty-4 Phenomenon, Sierra, Rina, Lana seemed to have started some sort of discussion. 

Though, a moment later, I found Sierra by my side. Lana and Rina appeared somewhat dejected. 

Truly inexplicable. I, for one, couldn't imagine being disappointed before such a marvelous occurrence. 

"Ah? Wait, so we're opening it together, Sierra?"

"That's how it turned out. Well, unless you don't want to?"

"What are you saying? I can't be any more glad to open it with you! I have a hunch we're going to get something good!"

"...I see."

It was an invitation from someone as beautiful as Sierra. There's no way I was excited! Hell, I was sure we're going to get something incredible too. There's just no way it's going to drop something dud with all that perfect setup!

I am counting on you, «Sachineko-sama», «Koneko-sama»! Please!

"Alright, so everyone has done their prayer, right? Sierra, at my signal."

It's time to check out!"

"And—now!"

A symphonic *SNAP!* echoed in the surroundings as soon I gave the signal.

Kneeling beside Sierra, we both cautiously open the lid, grabbing the respective edge of the box. 

I peered into it, and—my mind went blank, as if a lightning had struck it. 

"What an exquisite sword—"

"—«Sword of Sacred Radiance: Galantine»?!!"

I only managed to hold a grip on myself when Sierra expressed her impression. That's how shaken I was. 

This was one of the holy swords you could find in «Dungeon Activity». And true to its name, the sword was as if forged from the sun’s radiance itself, capable of tearing the literal darkness apart. 

It was a famous sword that had made its appearance in many games as well.

I unconciously took it out of the treasure chest. Slowly, I drew the blade out of its beautifully adorned scabbard in red, revealing it to everyone's eyes as it exuded a golden illumination.

"S-So cool!"

"Truly."

Sierra and I both found ourselves spellbound by its appearance. The attraction of this sword was just that much to incur a reaction even from Sierra. 

The sword itself was every bit powerful to match its enchanting glamour. When strengthened, this one-handed sword could easily carry one till the advanced-high dungeon.

"That, can I use it?"

"Sounds good. I'd say you seem the perfect fit than anyone else for this."

"Thanks."

Unwittingly, I claimed it as my weapon. Though our sub-guildmaster didn't seem to mind it, or rather, she even recommended it. 

In a corner of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if I should really be having it all. I mean, just a few days ago, I'd also got the recipe for my armor before anyone else. With these feelins on one side, I unshouldered my «Firmament Sword». 'Thank you,' I expressed my sentiments for having me carried all the way to here, and stored in inside «Item Bag», replacing it with «Sword of Sacred Radiance: Galantine».

From here onward, it was going to be my partner! 

Thank you very much for such a wonderful blessing, «Sachineko-sama», «Koneko-sama»!

This was unexpected, but there were three more gold chests to go. And holy goodness, the next openings were all mind-boggling.

My foremost targets in this grind was Lana's «Sacred Devotion Garb Set», Sierra's «Sacred Shield Luminous Armor Set», and Ester's «Regal Azure Armor set». And much to everyone's astonishment—the other three gold chest dropped the complete set recipe of all these sets one after another!