Volume 3 Chapter 18-2 Be Careful of What’s Inside the Treasure Chest
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I also responded with a wry smile.
Kéa seemed to reflect on her actions, so there’s no need to drag this out any longer.
Right now, checking the items that came out of the treasure chest is the priority.
I received the book from Kéa.
It looks like an old book.
The black leather cover is reinforced with metal edges.
Overall, it has a vintage feel, but it’s not too damaged.
And it has an eerie presence.
Honestly, it feels a bit creepy.
What catches my eye is the magic circle drawn on the cover.
The intricate pattern might not be just decoration.
Is it a spellbook, or does it serve some special purpose?
There are letters engraved on the cover, but I can’t read them at all.
They don’t seem to be in the common script of this world.
”Lifia, can you read this?”
When I showed her the book, she narrowed her eyes and stared intently.
”I’m sorry, I can’t read it. It looks like an ancient script.”
Lifia’s voice carries a hint of regret.
Only certain scholars or high-ranking magicians can decipher this script.
I feel a strong urge to open it, but I hesitate.
Tifi told me that while items from treasure chests usually don’t harm the user, sometimes there can be cursed equipment mixed in.
Most of the time, these curses activate when worn or used, and it’s rare to be affected just by holding it.
However, since it is in the shape of a book, there could be some danger when I open or read it.
”We need to identify this. Even Moo-Moo seems a bit on edge.”
Lifia said in a careful tone.
If Moo-Moo, Lifia’s Guardian Spirit, says so, it’s even more concerning.
At the Adventurer’s Guild, we can get it checked for curses and such.
”Yeah, let’s take it back and talk to the guild.”
So we decided to end our exploration for the day and head back to the Love Hotel.
* * *
Back in town, we headed to the Adventurer’s Guild with the book in hand.
When we opened the door, a big man with a beard came out from the back.
He is Gaedaf, the leader of the Gold Rank adventurer party “Star of the Dawn.”
”Hi, Gaedaf.”
”Oh, Taro…”
Gaedaf said to me when he saw my face, but his voice was not strong.
He was not as strong as usual, and he looked a little tired.
Then, he looked at the book in my hand.
”What is that book?”
”Oh, I found a treasure chest in the dungeon. It’s the contents.”
I showed him the book, and Gaedaf smiled and nodded.
”Good job! It’s good to see you doing well, Taro. I can’t relax. But…”
”Thank you. But what’s wrong? You don’t seem to have much energy today.”
He shrugged his shoulders and sighed at my question.
”I got a message from the country. They told me not to go into the dungeon.”
”No dungeon? Even though you’re a Gold Rank adventurer?”
”That’s why I’m Gold Rank. I’m told to avoid exploring.”
Usually, high-level adventurers can’t come back for days or weeks if they go to the deep part of the dungeon.
So, they are told not to explore if there is a chance they will be asked to do a job.
I see, I nodded.
The country wants to use its power effectively.
”Well, the treatment and rewards are good, so I can’t complain. But, I still want to go to the dungeon.”
Gaedaf answered with a wry smile.
In his expression, I could see that he still wanted to explore the dungeon.
”So, what kind of job will you get?”
I asked him, and he shook his head.
”They won’t tell me anything. It might be a secret. In that case, I can’t tell Taro either.”
Then, he thought for a moment and continued.
”But, considering the recent situation, it won’t be an interesting job. Well, that’s the fate of a Gold Rank adventurer.”
After saying that, Gaedaf waved his hand and went through the guild door, walking outside.
His back looked a little smaller than usual.
I was watching him and thinking about my own strength.
My skill “Love Hotel” can instantly reach the deep parts of the dungeon.
Normal adventurers take more than a week to get there, but I can skip ahead.
If I can lend that power to Gaedaf, he can keep exploring without worrying about the kingdom’s rules.
I owe Gaedaf a lot.
If I can repay him, I want to lend my help.
The Love Hotel’s abilities are better than before.
I can also prepare a private room where they can rest comfortably.
But…
If I lend my power, I need something in return.
Giving help freely only lasts a little, it’s unhealthy.
Can Gaedaf pay what my Love Hotel is worth?
I’ve helped him, but I don’t think I should tell him my secret to let him use the Love Hotel.
That’s not all.
Gaedaf is trustworthy, but revealing my secret to all his party members is another thing.
More people knowing means more risk.
I want to avoid leaking my secret.
I lightly shake my head and get my mind straight.
I want to help Gaedaf, but I need to be careful.
Sorry to him, but I can’t show him the Love Hotel’s power yet.
* * *
”To tell the truth, it was cursed.”
Tifi, the receptionist at the adventurer guild, said calmly while taking out a book.
Her face shows a slight awkwardness.
Same as always, in the guild’s meeting room.
We are waiting to hear the test results of a book from the dungeon.
The returned book is tightly bound with a belt and fixed so it can’t move.
It looks like they took measures so it won’t open by mistake.
”It needs to be purified from magic contamination.”
Tifi quietly adds.
”Purify? How do we do that specifically?”
I ask, and she answers with a bit of hesitation.
”Usually, you use holy water bought at the church. But this time…”
Tifi mumbles the rest.
”Looks like the book might be ruined.”
I scowl.
Even if it’s holy water, if you splash it on something, old paper will easily fall apart.
The curse may be gone, but the book will be unusable.
”Yes, that’s likely. If you ask the church, they might use a purification method that doesn’t involve holy water, but it’s very expensive. I can’t say if the purified item will be worth that price.”
Some adventurers sell things without purifying them, just to get a bit of money.
”What a shame.”
It’s frustrating to have to give up an item I got from my first treasure chest in this way.
As I sigh and drop my shoulders, Lifia, Kéa, and Tifi try to comfort me.
”Master, don’t let it get to you.”
”Mr. Taro, adventures are full of repeats like this.”
”Would you like to grope boobs?”
Each of them offers kind words.
It soothes me.
As I grope Kéa’s boobs, I suddenly have an idea.
”Hm? ‘Curse’ to ‘purify’…? In other words, just make it clean, right?”
A possibility occurs to me.
Maybe… my ‘Love Hotel’ could solve it.
It seems worth a try.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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