kscans

Chapter 604 - Seeking Treasure, Desiring the Unique

To begin with.

Today's summons was a spontaneous affair born from the mood and flow of events, but why had I planned to come here in the first place?

It all started two months ago when I obtained the [Nine Tail]. My exclusive artisan proposed, "The set effect is gone now, so why don't we craft a new ring for you, too?"

In other words, the whole thing kicked off when I was tasked with an order to (and I'm paraphrasing here) 'go find some good-lookin' gems.'

My left ring and right bracelet. The 'El-Eme Series' was undoubtedly a top-tier set, with a total correction value of MID+100 including the two-piece set effect. But with the bracelet updated, the blessing bestowed upon my avatar has dropped to the +30 of the ring alone.

As Nia taught me when we first met, even a single piece with +30 is first-class by normal standards—but now, I am, both in name and in reality, an exceptional player, a ranker.

If asked whether I should be content with an item of normal standards, the answer is, of course, NO.

And so it was.

Once I made up my mind, I started by simply walking around and searching. I quickly came to the realization that 'the world is too big, this is an impossible game' and lifted my ban on internet information. I asked Nia and other friends and acquaintances if they knew of any promising gem materials...

But if you want something beyond first-class, the gem material for it must also be super first-class or better—in other words, something unique is the minimum requirement.

It's 'unique' because there's only one of it, and if there's information about it, it means it's been discovered, which usually means it's already in someone's hands.

To be blunt, it's not the kind of thing you can just find by seeking information. That's why so many players wander the world in search of the unique.

In the end, my conclusion in the past was that 'it's difficult to aim for an upgrade in a short period of time.' If I were to resort to any means necessary, I could have tried putting out a call to buy one, but that just felt... wrong, so I passed.

And so, I gave up, putting it on hold about a month and a half ago. The situation changed just the other day, about a week ago.

—I found a cool place!!!

That was the message I received from Lux.

A secret area where an enemy that eats minerals roams, leaving its remains behind after being defeated... an existence closely resembling the rock ants that inhabit the [Great Rock-Eating Hive], that paradise of mineral materials.

That alone made me think, "Oh?" But then she told me the location was outside the circle.

It was just her impression, but when the number one ranker gives her seal of approval on the area's difficulty, saying, "They were at least stronger than the ants," you can't help but have high expectations.

I had some personal matters to consider and was worried about my 'equipment' in general, not just accessories, so the news from Lux was a godsend.

So, I asked her if she could guide me soon, around the time the selection matches were over, and she replied with a cheerful and enthusiastic, "Just call me, and I'll be there, even on the same day!!!"—

"Hey, Har-kun. What do you think that is? Is it okay to touch it?"

"If the great `Traveler`-sama doesn't know, there's no way I would. And stop trying to touch everything you see. Are you a child—I said don't touch it, didn't I!?"

"Aww! It's fine, just a little bit!"

"Don't try to poke a mysterious object that looks like a thorny bomb just to see what happens!"

I had already gotten her word, so that's why I summoned her today, but...

It's kind of, unexpected.

This is the second time Lux and I have partied up, including the 'White Throne' subjugation battle, but it's the first time we've 'adventured' together. However, Sora-san has been with her through two events, so I thought she would naturally gravitate towards her familiar partner.

But as it turned out—

"...Somehow, Lu-chan is super attached to you, isn't she? Why is that?"

"Ah, haha... I think I have a vague idea why."

For some reason, it's always me who gets dragged along by Lux, who latches onto me at every opportunity.

She wanders here and there, a problem child who seems like she'll cause trouble the second I take my eyes off her. I can't just leave her be, so I'm playing the role of her guardian... but the stares from behind are painful.

The source of the sidelong glances is mainly Nia. As she once gushed to Mitsueda-san, she doesn't usually get jealous of anyone other than Sora and Ashe... but, how should I put it.

It's not quite jealousy, but I feel a vibe of this guy, again...

"Oh? And what's the reason?"

"Huh? Oh, um... Haru is, you know, he's earnest with everyone."

"Earnest, hmm?"

"Even when he seems to be slacking off, I think he's only consciously acting that way... and I think that's something that just... comes across, you know..."

"Ah... well, ah... I see. He looks annoyed, but he dutifully goes along with her, so Lu-chan, who usually leaves others behind with her high tension, is happy about it."

"Um, I think that might be it."

"I see, I see."

"—It's not 'I see, I see.' Could you please stop having a deep character analysis session right behind my back where I can hear you, ladies?"

"Hey, hey, Har-kun!"

"You should care a little, too. Are you invincible? We were just the subject of a rather embarrassing conversation. What's wrong with you, is the only thing in your head what's right in front of you???"

"Who cares about that! Look, look, look at that!"

"Whoa, hey, don't pull me...!"

When she grabs my hand without mercy, I can't resist, maybe because I'm losing in STR. As I'm dragged along, I glance behind me again—

"Such a player."

"Regarding this... it seems we'll just have to give up...

An indigo sidelong glance, softer than before, and an amber gaze filled with resignation.

It seems I've been forgiven for now, but I know this means I'll have to listen to each of their selfish requests later. I've become quite familiar with this pattern recently.

Oh well, I'll give up. For now, I should switch gears and focus on...

"...But seriously, what is this?"

"It's huge, isn't it?"

The thing that was there when I was dragged by Lux—a shining, strange mountain made of countless layers of a familiar golden 'shell.'

Hey Nia-chan, I need you to do your job. What is this?