BXBX NOVEL Chapter 293，Part2: 2 - Treasure Chest
Chapter 293，Part2: 2 - Treasure Chest
Chapter 293 Treasure Chest
Part 2
However, this did not seem to matter to Liz.
It was placed majestically at the center of the Lounge, and with sparkling eyes, she let out a happy voice.
“*Kyaaaa*! What’s this, it’s amaaazing! A treasure chest~!” (Liz)
“It is indeed a treasure chest, Onee-sama! And what’s more………… Isn’t it one from a Treasure Shrine-san?” (Tino)
“It must be a genuine product from a Treasure Shrine-san. It has that unique impact.” (Eva)
With Eva’s endorsement, Tino looks at me with a little envy.
It was not a very fancy one, but it was a basic and perfect treasure chest.
It had a wooden structure with rusty metallic frames. A large padlock was attached to it. It was large enough to hold Liz and Tino together, but heavy enough for me to not be able to lift.
The appearance of the treasure chest is exactly what I imagine a treasure chest to look like, and probably no Treasure Hunter would dislike this treasure chest. Especially if he or she is the 『Thief』 in charge of unlocking it.
Treasure chests are one of the most delightful things to discover among the things that appear in a Treasure Shrine.
Treasure chests exist in modern society, but the extremely rare treasure chests that appear in Treasure Shrine are Relics themselves, and unlike Relics that appear one by one, you can find multiple Relics inside.
It took on that form maybe because the Mana Material reproduced the concept of a box containing treasures. There is a theory that the level of a Relic found in treasure chests is higher, and some people have actually found large treasure chests containing several rare and powerful Relics and have made a fortune (By the way, there is a rare chance that the treasure chests may not contain anything inside).
It is safe to say that finding a treasure chest in a Treasure Shrine is the dream of every Treasure Hunter.
However, at the same time, treasure chests also present a significant risk. Most treasure chests have strong locks and powerful traps in them.
Treasure chests, which are a type of Relic, are very sturdy, so it is impossible to break the box and just grab the contents. This is also the reason why Treasure Hunters require Thieves with excellent unlocking and trap-disarming skills in their Party, and also the reason why heavy, unopened treasure chests are on the market.
We don’t see this very often in the Imperial Capital because there are many excellent Hunters, but it is said that in other countries there are more treasure chests that have been abandoned than opened. Well, if you fail to disarm the traps, you usually die…… Even our party almost died a few times.
In the basement of the church that Anthem guided me to, there were a large number of treasure chests of different sizes, materials, and appearances. Apparently, they were donated by pious Hunters but the church was in trouble because they could not handle them without care, nor could they open them carelessly because they were dangerous.
I chose the best of the best treasure chest among them. There were several other treasure chests made of wood with iron frames, but this one had the most impact and had the most treasure chest-like feeling.
Even if there isn’t anything inside, it can become a small container…… No, more like a big container, maybe? It should be good for something. It is crazy heavy, tho’.
“Isn’t this a great looking treasure chest? I knew it the moment I saw it. I knew it had to be this treasure chest!” (Cry)
“Yattaaaa! It’s been a long time since I opened a treasure chest! Come on, Ti, get over here too!” (Liz)
“Eh!? Me, too, is that okay!?” (Tino)
Being beckoned, Tino hurriedly went near Liz.
She is cute being confused whether it is alright or not, but………… Liz is probably just trying to train her. Because unlocking a treasure chest is really dangerous……
I lightly tap Eva’s arm and we both move away from Liz and Tino. Many of the traps set in a treasure chest are one-shots. I don’t think there will be a problem since we have Barrier Ring, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Eva asks in a whisper while standing next to me.
“…… Cry-san, what is inside that box?” (Eva)
“……………… What do you think?” (Cry)
Eva ponders with a serious look on her face. The answer is…… I don’t know!
So far, there is only one way to peek inside a treasure chest from a Treasure Shrine that has been discovered, and that is to use a magnifying glass-type Relic――The 『Treasure Tracer』.
However, the Hunter who discovered the too-enviable Relic was assassinated after publicizing its existence, and the Relic got destroyed. Since then, a second Treasure Tracer has never been found.
Liz was excitedly checking the locks, but immediately said something in wonder.
“Hmmmm? Cry-chan, this lock is quite a simple one, right? And for the trap……………… Hmmmm……?” (Liz)
Liz knocked on the treasure chest and lifted it up to check the bottom. It was so heavy that I couldn’t hold it myself, Liz-chan is amaaazing. So strong!
It is said that not only knowledge but also certain sense and skill are required to open a Relic treasure chest manifested by Mana Materials. Those girls, who use all their senses and their sixth sense to challenge unknown traps, may be the most suitable person to be called Treasure Hunters.
After observing the treasure chest from all directions, Liz said with a difficult expression on her face.
“Hmmm, anyway, let’s open it for now?” (Liz)
“Yes…… It doesn’t look like it has an explosive trap or anything similar.” (Tino)
“………… Tiii, I’ll let you unlock it. It’s not every day you get a chance to actually open a treasure chest, so show Cry-chan the results of your practice.” (Liz)
“Eh!? Are you sure!?” (Tino)
Tino opens her eyes wide and asks happily. Eva looks surprised, but Liz looks at us while being proud.
Un, un, that’s right! You are doing a good job as her “Master (Shisho)”! You were doing a chokehold earlier, though!
Tino knelt before the lock hanging in front of the treasure chest, pulled a picking tool out of her hair, and carefully inserted it into the keyhole.
Just as Liz said, it must have been a simple one. Within seconds, there was a click and the lock was released. It was a remarkable feat of skill, reminiscent of Liz’s skills.
But here is the main part. Unlocking the lock is essential, but disarming the trap is even more important. Because your life depends on it.
Tino looks back at her Onee-sama with a smile, perhaps relieved that she was able to unlock the lock successfully, and then looks at me. I unintentionally waved my hand at Tino, who had a proud expression on her face which was somewhat similar to Liz’s. And it was at that precise moment it happened.
――It was so quiet, so vivid and so comical.
The treasure chest, which had just been unlocked, opens without a sound, *pyon* jumps up and covers Tino, who had her back turned to it, swallows her whole, and returns to its original location.
Only a few seconds passed. Liz couldn’t react. Eva couldn’t react either. I am sure Tino herself must not have understood what had happened.
“Ah…………” (Liz)
“Eh…………?” (Eva)
Liz blinks her eyes and Eva freezes with a dumbfounded look on her face.
“………………” (Cry)
It was a move as brilliant as Tino’s unlocking skill…… Not! I am really glad I kept Eva away――Not that either!
………… There wasn’t even a scream, isn’t that bad?
Is it not…… A treasure chest? A Monster? No…… A Relic? Eh?
………… Come to think of it, they said that sometimes people go missing in the church’s warehouse. That was why they called me――.
“Tino-san…… Has been eaten.” (Eva)
Eva turns pale, puts her hand over her mouth, and mutters something that no one could say. I knew she would be eaten up someday…… Not!
………… Why are all the people in this country hiding dangerous things?
“Eh? Eeeeeh? Tiii!? What’s this, Cry-chan!?” (Liz)
Liz shouts in confusion. The treasure chest *bakun* swallows Liz from behind.
“Ah…………” (Cry)
The perfect treasure chest closes its lid and returns to its original state. Eva looks at me in amazement. Silence falls over the lounge.
The treasure chest doesn’t show any sign of moving again, maybe because it has its full with the two of them. Or will it start moving when you turn your back to it?
………… Liz………… You were definitely looking at me asking for my opinion…… Just because it is a treasure chest I brought.
I can’t believe that Liz’s, who is used to incidents, can be eaten so easily…… You should have fought back! You should have gone on a rampage like you always do!
TL notes:
Thanks for reading!
Waaaah Tino and Liz have been eaten by a mimic!
I just saw D&D Honor among Thieves and there was also mimic.
A coincidence? I think NOT! All hail Cry’s divine strategy!
Tchao à plus!