Vol. 9 - Chapter 473 - The protector of ‹Treasure Chest›, a wild ‹Ghost Ship Captain› appears!

"Eeeiiiyaaaa!?"

"It's Nicocchi's scream!"

We heard Nico's scream traveling from the dark staircase.

We hurriedly climbed down the stairs and found ourselves in an office-esque room. Nico was wildly shooting at a ghost monster in hysteria.

"It's a ghost!! But all I want is the treasure chest, not you!!?"

"Grrarrrarrr---graarrrarrr---"

"Eeeek!"

That monster was...a rare ghost monster ‹Ghost Ship Captain›. It was a skeleton monster with a hook on one hand, cutlass on another and a cowboy-esque hat on head. It was releasing a blinking light which further sparked a fear.

Uh-huh, well it's certainly spooky to encounter a skeleton captain in a dark ship. I could relate to Nico on that.

"Don't come here, never ever! Just stayyyy away!"

"Grraawww----"

"Watch out, ‹Cover Shield›! ---Eeek!"

Sierra wedged herself between the ‹Ghost Ship Captain›, who was swinging its sword at Nico, and Nico in the split second and activated her skill.

Alas, she was missing her usual composure and couldn't get a good hold on her steps. She managed to take the strike but ended up staggering back as a result.

"Grraawww---"

"Ee-eeeek!"

"Sierra! ‹Sonic Sword›! I'm your opponent, skelly!"

"Graaaaarrrrr------!?"

Following Sierra, I wedged myself to interrupt the ‹Ghost Ship Captain› path. I slashed at it with holy-attribute enchanted ‹Firmament Sword› and caused it to stagger back.

"Sierra, retreat to Nico's spot."

"Z-Zephyr......"

"Relax, I will take from here! ‹Shine Lightning›!"

"Grrrraaaaaaaaa----!!"

My ‹Shine Lightning› was an AoE skill, and given the size of the room, the monster obviously couldn't dodge within the confines of this room. It took a direct strike and further stumbled backward.

I chased after it immediately to put an end to it.

"Haaa! ‹Quick Strike›! ‹Lightning Slash›!"

The instant effect of my magic ended, I brandished my sword into slanted slash in downward motion, then followed up with another slash but in upward direction. I closed any chance for it to atack and did an upward slash with the lightning clad sword.

"Grrraaa---Graaarrrrrrr!?"

The attack was effective as the monster received huge damage and was sent flying backward, slamming into the room's wall.

It immediately lost its balance and collapsed like a bowling ball striking the pins.

"Face your demise! ‹Brave Slash›!!"

My sword shined with an intense radiance as I activated my unique skill and delivered the finishing blow on the captain's head.

Thump

A tremor ran across the room.

"Ggggrrr---rrr---"

My full powered attack robbed ‹Ghost Ship Captain› of its last silver of HP and pushed it to disappear in the pool of light particles.

After concluding there was no more monster in this room with my 'Intuition,' I sheath my sword.

I turned around to notice the intense gaze of three people, following with Sachi's sudden shout.

"Holy fantasssssticl! That was awesome`, Zephyr-kunnnn!!!"

"Woaaahh!?"

It was a small room, so Sachi’s voice echoed in the whole space. I feel like my ear just went deaf for a moment.

"Umu...... This was truly a spectacular performance. What'cha think, Sierra-kun?"

"I-I never doubted Zephyr’s ability to help…in pinch......"

"Is that so? It was the first time where I felt my heart throbbing for a boy. It’s really an exhilarating sensation. I mean, I never expected for such a heart throbbing situation and spectacle to really play out in front of my eyes. Honestly, this sensation is far more enchanting than novels had described."

"......I'm not going to hand him over?"

"Whoops, spare me from misunderstanding. Let me clear myself, I have not the faintest idea to jump into that pandemonic contest alright. I just want to relish on this heart-throbbing moment for a moment."

"Quite a convoluted statement that was…"

"It's fine. You just need to know I am not planning for Brave-kun."

Sachi was squealing around me like an excited...puppy? Meanwhile, Nico and Sierra were whispering something.

I guess as long as they're fine? Anyway, Sachi was really frolicking like a puppy finding its favourite toy. Apparently, the reason she didn't jump in the earlier battle was because she was simply spellbound by my appearance. Err, well, I was flattered, truly, what would be the best thing to say here?

"Woohoo~, I'm so happy. I didn't expect to fall into such a dashing scene. Fufu, Emicchi and Yuukachi are going to die of envy once they know~. Heehee~. You were amazing."

Err, should I take a cool pose here? My response was kinda falling in front of peppered Sachi. Uh-huh, what a pickle.

Alright, let's try with the signature Brave face.

"Kya~, so cool~!"

"Alright, that's enough merry making. Let's finish our work here." (Sierra)

"What a pity, such short lived happiness~. Aye-aye, Mam~. Wait, what was our objective?" (Sachi)

"What? Come now, Sachi. We are here for a test of courage, do you forget?" (Zephyr)

"Huh? Was that so? But I thought..."

"Zephyr, mind telling, what is that about the test of courage?"

"...Cough, you misheard. It's of course a treasure chase? Anyway, look, I have found a ‹Gold Chest›!"

"Yahoooo! ‹Gold Chest›!!"

Phew, I almost called a disaster on me. Sierra seemed like she wanted to pursue the topic so I hurriedly pointed at the treasure chest hiding beneath the desk and steered their attention toward ‹Gold Chest›.

What a close call that was.

The room was kind of designed like a hidden room but it wasn't a hidden room per se, so treasure chest varies from wooden to gold. Their drops were also completely random so I had no idea what they might drop.

Also, ‹Ghost Ship Captain› wasn't a boss, but was certainly one of the stronger variants among normal monsters. It was more like the protector of treasure box, and I reckon Mert and Karua must have defeated the same type of monster in upper floor.

We were completely lucky to have the gold chest. I bet this must be the blessing of ‹Sachineko-sama› and Nico's ability.

"C-Can I open it!?"

"Hmm, but Zephyr-kun has done all the heavy work, so isn't it his turn?"

"Oh, you have a point! Come on, Brave-kun, hurry up and open it!"

"You sure are quite adaptive at changing tune, eh. Alright, just wait a second. I need to pray to ‹Sachineko-sama›!"

"O' Glimmering Unique Skill of Mine! Bless us with the radiant drops!"

Should I break it to her that the window to use unique skill had already passed? And it also wasn't effective on treasure chest's drop.

I also hurriedly, but with complete devotion, prayed to ‹Sachineko-sama› and opened the lid of ‹Gold Chest›.

"Woah! Isn't it ‹Water Scooter›!?"

"Ah~, it's also slightly bigger than the academy's rental one. 5 people can easily...no, 6 can ride together if we try even harder?"

Nico released a squeal as she saw the drop inside the treasure chest was ‹Water Scooter› that they had used to their heart's content in the daytime. Furthermore, it even had the sidecar-esque accessory!

A larger number of people could easily ride on it. It was definitely a lucky...drop. Or, perhaps not? I feel like the timing was a bit late.

It could be used inside the dungeons as well, which should be useful to reach isolated islands for treasure chests... Yeah, let's just say it was a lucky drop.

"I wonder what's the engineering behind this ‹Water Scooter›! I'm super curioussss!"

Besides, Nico was just as excited. Yeah, it was definitely a jackpot.

Ah, but don't think about disassembling it, alright? No wait, was it even possible to disassemble the item?

Hmm, and wasn't it going to take up whole space if we take it out from treasure chest?

We had to face a teeny-bit of trouble but otherwise we scored a huge spoil. After that, we decided to return back.