Seeker 213.1

Test

Chapter 213.1. Two Treasure Chests

We pushed through the chamber with the lava flow and suspension bridge and continued into the tunnel ahead. 

As we moved away from the chamber with the lava, the heat became more bearable, though it was still sweltering.

After the battle, I confirmed with Yuzuki that the 2 monsters we had just fought were called Flame Eagles and Salamanders. Both of them were clearly high-level monsters.

 In terms of experience points gained, Flame Eagles were worth 1500 points each, and Salamanders were worth a whopping 3000 points. 

For reference, Flame Skulls were worth 200 points, and Hellhounds were worth 600 points. 

It was evident how high-level the 2 types of monsters we had just faced were. It was a tough battle.

Thanks to this, Yuzuki had earned 6000 experience points from this single battle alone. 

The 100,000-point special mission is pretty daunting.

As a result of facing formidable enemies, my shortcomings in battle were becoming clearer. 

When I focus on my battles, I lose sight of the overall situation. 

As the party's sole healer, this is unacceptable.

I should probably work from a position where I have a better view of the whole situation. 

So, when facing tough opponents, should I avoid close combat? 

But doing that would render my newly acquired [Three Strikes] and upgraded armor useless. 

It's a dilemma.

One thing is clear, though. I shouldn't get fixated on my performance. 

The most important is we all make it through this dungeon without anyone getting left behind. 

If necessary, I should be prepared to take on a supporting role behind the scenes.

We've cleared three chambers so far, and we might be approaching the end of the dungeon soon.

As the four of us continued down the corridor, we eventually reached the fourth chamber. 

Compared to the previous chambers, it was a much smaller space, about the size of a six-tatami mat room. 

In this chamber, we saw 2 treasure chests placed side by side, one on the left and one on the right. 

On the other side of the chamber, a corridor continued.

"These treasure chests are placed quite conspicuously, aren't they? But this time, we can probably proceed without touching them." 

Yusefia-san commented.

Indeed, unlike the previous chamber, no iron bars were blocking our path. 

However, Yusefia added.

"These treasure chests are placed in a dungeon of this level. There's a high likelihood that they contain valuable items. What to do is up to you."

So, the three of us, Kazane-san, Yuzuki, and I entered into a discussion.

Should we open these treasure chests, or ignore them and continue forward? 

The recent high-risk events have made us acutely aware of the danger of the 100,000-point mission. 

Our caution had increased, whether we liked it or not.

However, leaving these treasure chests behind also seemed regrettable.

If, as Yusefia-san suggested, they contained valuable items that could only be obtained in places like this. 

It would be a shame to walk away from them.

After much discussion, we ultimately decided to open the chests.

There's a chance there are items inside these chests that will be useful for conquering the dungeon ahead - that's the justification we settled on. 

But in reality, it was probably curiosity and greed that won out.

So, it was time for the treasure chest challenge. 

There were 2 chests, one on the right and one on the left. 

First, Kazane-san attempted [Trap Detection II] on both of them. 

If there were ordinary traps or if the chests were mimics, we should be able to find out with this.

As a result, only the right-side chest glowed red, indicating a trap had been set. 

"The right-side chest has an explosive trap. If you open it, the entire chest will explode. It's a bit anticlimactic for a dungeon at this level, though."

"There are parties who don't have [Trap Detection], after all. You're quite amazing, Kazane-san. You always come in handy."

"Ehehe, I'm flattered! Then, Daichi-kun, you can give me a big hug as a reward later. After we get back to the inn when you've taken off your armor."

"Huh...? Uh, sure."

I was asked for a mysterious reward at an even more mysterious time (for who?), but I couldn't come up with a reason to refuse, so I just nodded.

I resolved to safely exit the dungeon.

"Alright, [Trap Release]!... Hmm, I've disarmed it."

Kazane-san used the [Trap Release] skill to disarm the trap set on the chest.

This part went smoothly as usual. 

For parties without skills like [Trap Detection] or [Trap Release], things might be more of a rollercoaster, but with Kazane-san having these skills, it felt somewhat mundane.

I won't say it out loud, though.

Come to think of it, what about Bargamund-san and his team of dwarf warriors? 

With that many members, they should have at least one dwarf warrior with these skills.

"Okay, let's open it. Since the right-side chest had a trap, we'll go with the left one."

Kazane-san reached for the lid of the right-side chest and opened it. 

The rest of us remained on high alert, ready for anything to happen.

"Oh, looks like we hit the jackpot here."

Kazane-san pulled out a scroll from the chest. 

When it comes to scrolls found in treasure chests, there's only one thing that comes to mind.

"Is it a skill scroll?"

I asked Kazane-san. 

A skill scroll allows you to unconditionally acquire the skill specified on the scroll when used - it's a super rare item in our world, and its value matches that rarity. 

Depending on the enclosed skill, it could be worth anywhere from several million to several hundred million yen, or even more, in trades. 

I don't know about this world, but at the very least, it's not a run-of-the-mill item.

"I think so. Hotaru-chan, could you appraise it, please?"