Chapter 264
Cash shop items are exactly what the name implies—items you can't obtain without spending real money. If asked whether you'd pay cash that supports your real life for in-game items, you probably wouldn't want to.
There are various types of cash shop items.
Low-value items include convenient sets for around 100 yen, single useful adventure items for about 500 yen, and even random boxes for chasing ultimate rare items for the sake of romance.
"Why was this in the treasure chest?"
Its appearance coincides with me recalling how companies relentlessly sold these cash shop items to gamers like us. If I speculate maliciously, I could think a god put it there, but that would mean my thoughts are constantly being monitored.
That's beyond sending chills down my spine—it makes you wonder just how bored gods must be. Even if they read my mind and placed a cash shop item in the dungeon chest, what we got is an item that changes equipment color—useless if you have artisan characters. It's far from what I actually want.
Thus, the most plausible possibility is that it was originally there.
Despite its limited use, it's a cash shop item. Sold as a ten-color set for 100 yen, I've never bought it myself, and I don't recall it ever dropping in the game.
Other chests from the Thunder Dragon contained normal items, so the chest mechanics haven't changed.
Fellow gamers would understand the shock—I was so stunned I barely managed to stay calm, take a deep breath, and decide to return for the day.
Who would expect items you pay for to suddenly drop? The idea that items bought with money could be earned through effort is no joke.
I'd like to think I was calm for not shouting, "Give me back my money!"
I managed to brush it off as nothing to Nell and the others, but they probably suspect something. Grateful they didn't press further, I returned on the promised day, bathed, ate, did all the things I couldn't in the dungeon, and now sit in my room, arms crossed, staring at the item on my desk.
"First off, items that should be sold in sets appearing individually is also weird."
The more I analyze, the more inconsistencies arise. Currently, it seems only rainbow chests might drop cash shop items.
Did they not appear before because our class was too low? It's not impossible to think they start dropping at a certain class.
But then, veterans like Claudia should have defeated field enemies, obtained rainbow chests, and information about cash shop items dropping should have spread.
Yet, judging by Claudia's reaction, this item seemed new to her.
"...A feature only in dungeons?"
That makes it even more confusing. Information is extremely scarce. If they drop from Class 7 monsters, there should be more reports.
An item that changes equipment color has decent value. For a drop from a Class 7 boss, a cash shop item feels too low-value, but considering cash shop prices, it's not an impossible price range.
Then it should drop normally, but it doesn't.
So, the drop locations must be limited.
"Or maybe the talent capable of hunting Class 7 monsters hasn't fully developed yet? The auction frenzy over Fire Dragon materials alone—does that mean higher-tier materials barely circulate?"
Muttering to myself, I try to organize my thoughts, but truth feels distant.
"Am I missing something else...?"
Assuming they don't drop until Class 6 at least, there must be other reasons for the lack of information.
Maybe there were drop reports in the past, just none in modern times.
Long-lived species in the western continent might have that information, or the warrior northern continent might have records of challenging Class 7+ monsters.
I know my common sense is unconventional, but could cash shop items dropping be normal in this world?
"...Dragon species?"
Questioning my own common sense, I recall one peculiar condition among the EXBP requirements.
Why add a species restriction here? In the game era, we thought it was because dragon materials were strong, encouraging hunting them, and the verification team agreed.
But what if that game world is linked to this one, and EXBP conditions were set by something in this world, not the developers?
I never thought much about it, but realistically, what astronomical odds would make EXBP conditions identical here?
Same world, same atmosphere, same countries—I thought I'd entered the game world or that this world was the prototype. But that would require information from this world leaking into FBO's development.
You could call it coincidence—maybe they received inspiration via some signal—but that's hard to swallow, though not entirely impossible.
But conversely, creating such a similar world without miraculous conditions is impossible. Even Japanese technology shouldn't be able to observe other worlds.
It would have been big news. I'd rather not think that.
Layered speculation, barely worthy of being called conjecture—more like delusion.
But it feels right. It clicks. It settles in my chest.
In many isekai novels, protagonists recognize the world as a game and embark on adventures. I was like that too, so I didn't care, but now that I've realized this world might have influenced FBO, I can't ignore it.
It's like the chicken-or-egg problem, feeling like the egg came first.
"Could cash shop items only drop from dragon species?"
Though only circumstantial, it's entirely possible. If we can obtain more cash shop items, it would be a tremendous advantage.
Specifically, it could significantly shorten future training time.
"Recall the types and price ranges of cash shop items, and the number of dragon species. Do they match?"
To turn this possibility into certainty, I hastily reach for parchment in the cupboard, grabbing ink and a quill.
With internet access, this would be easier, but no such thing exists here.
So, it's up to my oddly good memory since arriving in this world.
Scratch, scratch, scratch—first, I list dragon-type monsters and their classes.
"With EXP boost cash shop items, future training would progress much faster. Class 8 and 9 are brutal without paying. Not impossible, but..."
I want EXP boost items.
Originally sold as beginner aids, veterans used them too. Higher ranks cost more but granted more EXP per use.
The cheapest was a 10-set for 500 yen. Potion-like, each lasted 1 hour, boosting EXP gain by 50%. No stacking, overwritten by higher-tier boosts.
Sometimes the management distributed them. The top tier was a 3-set for 1000 yen, lasting 3 hours with a 300% EXP boost—a cheat item.
They sold singles, but at 500 yen each, everyone bought the cheaper sets.
"...Yeah, that's it."
Imagining desired items, I swiftly write on two parchments. Assuming my memory is correct, the number of permanent dragon species and their classes matches the price range and quantity of permanent cash shop items.
Coincidence? Briefly considering, I add limited-time cash shop items and event dragons—the information aligns further.
Event monsters included other species, but during events, they didn't sell new cash shop items; instead, they offered limited-time deals on existing ones.
I always wondered if the management had a thing for dragons, but now I feel I've glimpsed the truth.
"Thus, hypothetically, cash shop items might be obtainable from dragon species Class 7 and above."
The lowest-priced cash shop items correspond to Class 7. The lowest price range includes items under 100 yen per unit in sets.
In my breakdown: under 100 yen for Class 7, 101–200 yen for Class 8, 201–300 yen for Class 9, and 301+ yen for Class 10.
Too convenient? Wishful thinking?
Maybe my desire for it to be true makes me believe the coincidental data matches.
Pondering what to do with this information, I realize I want to verify it now that I've thought of it.
"Do I have time to verify?"
The issue is whether I have time for verification. With Rainy Devil and Azhdaha looming, realistically, the probability of this not being true is higher.
But I have a strange certainty I can't let go of.
If this drop pattern is real, the benefits for future training and combat would be immense.
"...Best to consult others in times like this."
Overthinking won't help. This problem is better solved with the party than alone.
Thinking that, I reach for the lamp and turn off the light. I might not sleep tonight, but I should try, so I crawl into bed.