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We started our conquest of «Apple Dungeon» on Wednesday, progressing at a rapid pace, clearing 10 floors each after classes.
It was Friday, the after-school hour. Today, we had entered the dungeon to finally tackle floor 41 and beyond.
"So, this is the 41st floor!"
"It's almost like a farm. You really can't see it coming from the scenery of the upper floors."
"Mmm, lots of delicious fruit. Can I pick some?"
"Don't let your guard down like last time, Karua. This is the lower level of an intermediate-high dungeon, so please help with reconnaissance."
My party members surveyed the vista of the newly reached floor, uttering their impression in order.
Everything was as expected up to this point. Sierra made easy work of the 30th floor field boss. The opponent was «Darkapple Wood», a rotten tree as boss with dark element, master of negative ailments like «Fear» and «Curse». But, of course, it was no match for Sierra and fortified defense, even against the debuffs.
The notable attacks of this particular field boss were «Dark Apple Chorus», an all-targeted area attack that inflicts anyone with «Fear», and «Eat the Oreo», a «Curse» inflicted via apple throw. Defensive skills such as «Induction Cover» were a perfect counter against them. As long as those attacks were well defended, and made sure the debuffs were taken care of soon, it was an easy game. The boss was brought to its knees by Lana's «Rise of Sacred Tree», pitting them into a holy vs dark face-off, an ironic ending for the boss with dark rotten tree appearance.
The field boss of the 40th floor was «Metalapple Wood», a tree composite of entirely metal.
Could you even call it a tree? Honestly, even I had no answer to it. I would believe it if someone said someone just moulded a huge chunk of metal into the shape of a tree. Well, one might think, "Wait, it's the metal version! Surely it's bound to give an overloaded experience, right?!" alas, reality was disappointing. It was no different than other regular bosses. (T/N - Reference to dragon quest games. The rare metal versions of slime family in it gives exponential XP if you could defeat it before it escapes. They only have hp in count of single digit, but high chance of fleeing and missed attack. Multi-attacks were the best counter you could hope for.)
It was quite a striking change though. I mean, our earlier bosses were mage-type, but this one was clearly attuned for physical attributes, with focus on artillery-type attacks. Its branches would suddenly open (or break?), and hollow branches would greet us with a thud. Since branches grew 360 degrees around, there was no blind spot to exploit.
We formed a single-file line, with Sierra defending us, and then charged forward in a frontal assault, much like a Jet Stream Attack, to engage in close combat and defeat it. An annoying opponent, undoubtedly.
We handled it by forming a row with Sierra at the helm to defend us. From the shadow of Sierra, we jumped straightforward using a charged attack «Jet Stream Attack», closing distance in one breath and bringing it down. (T/N - The jet stream was censored, apparently Gundam reference.)
Regardless, this was the rundown of our last two days of exploration.
"Hey, Zephyr! I found a golden apple tree! Hurry and play the «Ocarina»! No, I'll play it!"
"I've told you many times, it's not golden, it's just gold-colored."
Quick-eyed Lana had already discovered a gold-colored apple tree that made «Golden Applepul» less likely to escape. Well, this was Lana for you. I pulled out *four* «Ocerina», the beckoner of rare monsters, from my «Item Bag».
Now, it must be question marks all over how we suddenly came to have that many flutes when we only had one until now. The two of them were found from assets of «Temple Saber», and the 4th one was obtained by Rika during their dungeon exploration. And that's how, «Eden» was now the proud holder of four «Ocarina».
For the past two days, we had repeatedly used the ocarinas to their limit and then restored their uses, hunting Lana's favorite «100% Mellow Apple Juice», acquiring an astonishing 16 bottles. Well, four of them disappeared to keep Lana and the others in a good mood. And from today's forecast, I dare say we're going to have two more of them vanishing. Oh well, that's the privilege of the gathering team.
Well, it wasn't completely without any interruption. "Woah, there are so many of them. Let's put a few of them on sale!" came the argument from our starry-eyed «Merchant» Maria. It took substantial effort to quiet her down. I mean, could you imagine if those words fell into Lana's ears?! I, for one, would like to keep it lying!
Nevertheless, it's a secret from Lana that I put one bottle up for auction to cover the cost of the ocarinas. Since the budget for the flute's expenses was secured, it's all good.
With practiced movements, Lana played the «Ocarina», and promptly, the rare monster «Golden Applepull» appeared.
"«Silent Slash»!"
"—?!"
And Karua silently finished it off. It was a familiar sight. And a drop fell. Lana, as usual, was cheerfully going to retrieve it, but she stopped halfway.
"Huh?! There's no apple juice?!"
"Oh?"
Lana's cry echoed through the orchard. Rare monster drops, due to the difficulty of their subjugation, usually comes only in one type, with an extremely high probability. It's a relief that even the developers seemed to know what would happen if they set 20 types of materials to drop from rare monsters.
However, having a probability also meant that other drops might come out. And it seemed that just happened. I was surprised, truly!
"Ohh! How rare! It's a medal! A «Goldpul» medal!"
"Wait, is it?!"
I lunged at it before Lana picked it up and held it aloft, and, surprisingly, elicited a cry of astonishment from Ester. Lana had a blank look on her face. She didn't seem to understand what it was.
"See it for yourself, Ester."
"I-it's really it. I've never seen a «Medal» before."
"These rarely drop after all."
I showed the palm-sized, slightly large gold medal to Ester, who had rushed over, uncharacteristically flustered.
"Hey, hey, Zephyr, Ester, what is that?! Where's my apple juice?!"
"Fufufu, allow me to explain. Apple juice is nothing compared to this! This is one of the rare monster drops, an incredibly useful and extremely rare item that makes it easier to encounter the rare monster that dropped it! With this, you can encounter «Goldpul» more easily even without an «Ocarina»!"
"T-There's something so heavenly?!"
I puffed out my chest and, with a flourish, explained the medal's effect to Lana.
Yes, this medal was an item unique to golden-type monsters, possessing the exceptional effect of making it easier to encounter the rare monster that dropped it just by possessing it. Previously, rare monsters had an extremely low encounter rate, making it difficult to encounter them without playing the flutes, but with this, the appearance rate increases to about the same as a low-probability encounter that you might occasionally stumble upon.
And this medal, officially called the «Golden Applepul Medal», literally increases the appearance rate of «Golden Applepul». This was a serious deal!
Back in the game, I would send a sub-party on auto-exploration with this for the rare drop farming.
"Not even the royal family have this. Zephyr-dono, we will buy it at your asking price."
"Really?"
I was surprised by Ester words in more than one way.
Ah, wait. It shouldn't be surprising. Seeing how it's for Lana and Yuri-senpai, the royal family would desperately want it. We really got something incredible then, huh. With its ultra-low drop rate, I could see why even the royal family wouldn't have it. Then again, it was astounding on its own.
Hm, but something so hard to come by, but to sell it? It would be a waste. Any gamer knows to save the rare items till all the way! Uh-huh, that's a dilemma.
Just as I was at a loss for words, it was surprisingly Lana who interjected, stopping Ester's words.
"Hold on, Ester! If we sell it, then it wouldn't be *my* medal anymore! I will never allow it!"
"—! Ah, that was a blunder. I'd lost my purpose due to the item's immense value. My apologies, Lana-sama."
Ester shook violently at Lana's words.
Oh, yeah. While Lana could use it freely now, if, for example, the royal family bought it, it would be taken away. Lana would still be able to use it, but she wouldn't be able to use it as freely as she wished. Besides, if its guild property, guild members could use it as they please. Guild members could even go and get apple juice for Lana.
That's probably what it means. As expected of Lana.
"Oh, thank you, Lana."
"It's nothing. More importantly, I'll hold onto that medal. Lend it to me!"
"That's fine by me."
And so, Lana became the holder of the medal. Lana's face was beaming. And then,
"Karua, use «Sonya»! A «Golden Applepul» somewhere here!"
"Mm, there is? «Sonya»! Mm, four reactions over there."
"Four! Let's go, Karua, follow me!"
"P-Please wait, Lana-sama. I'll accompany you too."
Lana, giving a familiar command to charge forth, grabbed Karua's hand and charged ahead herself. Ester quickly followed. But no matter how much easier it was to find them, it was still a low probability. It shouldn't be that easy to find...
Or so I thought, until Lana came back, clutching a bottle of «100% Mellow Apple Juice».
Lana's luck was in high heaven today from the get go!!