The Egg's Identity

Come to think of it, there was that egg Rokuko got from putting in 10,000 DP a while back.

We'd had no idea what it was, but maybe Haku-san would know.

So we showed her the egg, which had somehow grown to about the size of a softball.

… I don't think eggs are supposed to grow like that, though. How mysterious.

"This thing here, do you know what it is, Haku-neesama?"

"Oh my, this is… it's been a while since I've seen one, but it's a phoenix egg… The meat is quite delicious, you know?"

According to Haku-san's appraisal, it turned out to be a phoenix egg. And apparently, the meat is delicious… Since it's a phoenix, does that mean it's an all-you-can-eat bird?

"It's an existence that's essentially a mass of magical power… its blood can be used as medicine too. It has many uses, though it's not particularly strong as a monster."

"It's not strong?"

"Even though it revives on its own after dying, it's basically just a bird that's on fire, you know? It's classified as a B-Rank subjugation target because of how rare it is, but in terms of actual combat, even a solo C-Rank adventurer could hunt one."

Hmm, so using it as a dungeon boss seems difficult then.

Maybe it could work as a rare monster that occasionally appears in the dungeon.

"By the way, to hatch it, you need to keep it as hot as possible… you'd literally have to put it in a fire. Not that it would die even if you froze it solid, though. It's a phoenix even as an egg."

… Also, apparently it revives even if you crack the egg open. As an egg. The mechanics of that are a complete mystery.

It seems phoenixes only truly die of old age. Though since they apparently turn back into an egg when they get old, whether you can even call that death is debatable.

"A phoenix, huh. Thanks for telling us, Haku-neesama… I'd like to thank you somehow, what would be good?"

"Fufu, just your feelings are more than enough, Rokuko-chan… Ah, but actually, that massage chair in the room… I'd like it, but, um, would that be too much to ask? I can pay DP if you need?"

Ooh, a business opportunity. I'd like to sell it for as much as possible.

"Aah, that thing? It just tickles me and doesn't really feel good… Kehma, can't we just give it to her for free?"

"No way! … Is what I'd like to say, but Haku-san is always helping us out, so sure, free is fine."

"Oh my, really? That makes me happy."

Haku-san's smile was wordlessly asking, "What are you scheming?"

I returned the best smile I could manage. My facial muscles are killing me.

"No, really, it's purely goodwill. If I had to add something, it'd just be please continue to patronize our inn, [Dancing Doll's Pavilion], from now on?"

"You don't even need to ask for that. So?"

"Yes, and if you could tell us more about that dungeon on the other side of the mountain that might become a problem for us… that would make us quite happy."

"Oh my, that much is easy enough."

Haku-san smiled softly and gave us information about the dungeon on the other side of the mountain.

The dungeon's name is [Flame Cavern]. Its location is exactly on the opposite side of Tsuia Mountain.

To enter as an adventurer, you need to be C-Rank or higher. Information disclosure is also restricted to C-Rank and above.

The monsters that appear are fundamentally fire-attribute. Occasionally there are earth-attribute ones mixed in.

Fire-attribute monsters… things like magma slimes and red lizards.

Now, this much is information any adventurer (at least C-Rank) could find out by asking at the guild.

And from here on is information you couldn't find out without asking Haku-san.

The Dungeon Core is a salamander-type. Number 112.

… Salamander-type, huh. Right, they don't have to be humanoid.

"Humanoid types are actually the minority. That's why I dote on Rokuko-chan so much."

Wait. This person was actually aware that she dotes on her?

And apparently, this dungeon [Flame Cavern] has a Dungeon Master.

Moreover, it's a dragon. A red dragon that originally nested on Tsuia Mountain is apparently that dungeon's master.

"Dragons have a habit of hoarding shiny things. It should have quite a lot of treasure, you know?"

"No, more importantly, a dragon…? So even dragons can become masters, huh."

"As long as they have intelligence and are compatible… also, I think having a name was one of the conditions? It's not something that's talked about openly, so the conditions for becoming a master still aren't well understood."

Come to think of it, I still don't really know how I became Rokuko's master either.

Additionally, she said that once a Core has a master, a new master won't just attach to it on their own, so she has no interest in investigating further at this point.

"… Ah, right. If you ever have a Dungeon Battle with that dungeon, you won't be able to use your mouse conquest strategy."

"Eh? Why not?"

"That dungeon's floors are fundamentally hot. It's not a problem if you're wearing boots, but it would be too harsh for mice. At best, their feet would be burnt and useless after just one floor."

That's good to know. If I hadn't known beforehand, I probably would have mass-produced roasted mice.

… Actually, I should probably plan ahead assuming we might have a Dungeon Battle. There's no harm in thinking about countermeasures now… Though, would that cut into my sleep time? I've finally been getting twelve hours of sleep a day lately.

Anyway, that's about all the information I could get from Haku-san.

In any case, I was able to obtain very useful information. I'm extremely grateful that I could get all this in exchange for a handmade massage chair.

Information that adventurers could get, sure, but who knows how long it would take for us E-Ranks to reach C-Rank. Plus, getting information about the Dungeon Master too is genuinely appreciated.

"That said, as I mentioned earlier, it's on the other side of the mountain, so you probably won't encounter them for a while."

… Haku-san, that really sounds like nothing but a flag to me!

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Haku-san gave Rokuko one last tight hug before reluctantly heading home.

We gained a lot from this visit. Both funds and information.

Something just occurred to me: Haku-san is totally a bonus character, isn't she… She's starting to look like a goddess of fortune to me. Should I start worshiping her?