Chapter 492: The Remnants of an Attempted Eschatology

Author's Preface
Sorry for the wildly inconsistent update times...

So what does this mean? When Dulnyata saw what was inside the Roen-Anva Amber Crystal, he realized that not only was it Superior-grade, but the thing sealed inside it was seriously dangerous.
I think I submitted that request to Catzeria around Level 99. In the context of the New Continent's harsh environment, that's basically still a beginner.

Of course, since it's a gem, turning it into the ultimate accessory would be child's play in Dulnyata's hands. But "the ultimate" also means "the maximum effect," and if the accessory he made ended up bringing harm to me on the off chance, it would be no laughing matter.

I'd like to interrogate him a bit about why the thing he made instead was a handy device for experiencing what it's like to become a stain on the wall, but well, I'll let it slide this time. Because it ended up being useful.

"So you didn't use it."

"Y-Yes..."

Now, what to do about this... He can't cover up the fact that he embezzled it, but Vash just gave his stamp of approval regarding the reason why he didn't use it.
Although he's avoided the matter of taking Responsibility, the ones who lose face in this situation are Catzeria.

"Yo, Nyai. I commend ya for bringin' Dulnyata here without tryin' to hide anythin'."

"N-Nya! We have been indebted to your sons on numerous occasions, Nya. We could not possibly betray that trust, Nya."

"But ya know... I can also understand the reason why he lost his nerve..."

Tch, here it is! The technique of slipping in an explanation to make Dulnyata's actions seem correct in hindsight!!

"Aniki, just what exactly is sealed inside that amber? If it caught the attention of someone like you, Aniki, it can't be anything ordinary."

"Yeah, inside that thing... is the 'Wind'."

...Wind? Wind?

"Brings back memories... That ain't just any regular wind. It's somethin' called the Flesh and Blood of Agatleo."

"Flesh and Blood of Agatleo...?"

The name wasn't among the Unique Monsters, and Raid Monsters don't have distinct, singular proper nouns. In that case, it's neither Unique nor Raid... Right, could it be a monster like the "Scar-red"? But am I the only one who feels like "Flesh and Blood" and "Wind" don't really connect?

"You know this Agatleo bastard, Oyaji?"

"Damn straight. I'm the one who put him down."

Hm, Vash glanced at me for a split second. What's the intention there? Does that mean it's information I shouldn't know yet? No, that's not it... If that were the case, he could have just dodged the fact that he defeated Agatleo himself.

"Let's hand down the verdict... Dulnyata."

"Y-Yes, sir!!"

"Sunraku over there ain't too bothered by it, and I can't say I don't understand yer fears. But ya still oughta reflect a bit on those sticky fingers of yers... Rabituza's gonna be sendin' a massive job yer way. Ya better work yer ass off for a while."

"T-Thank you so much for your immense generosity!!"

Smack! Dulnyata bowed his head, slamming his narrow forehead against the floor. Then, Vash shifted his gaze to the Maneki-neko King standing nearby and continued speaking.

"Nyai, if we just settle this right here based on my judgment alone, it won't save yer face... There's a storm brewin' nearby. I'll lend ya some troops from our side."

"Hm... We are grateful, Nya. If Vysache-dono says so, it must mean that having more fighting strength is for the best, Nya."

A storm... Does he mean a Raid Monster? If I recall, the Devouring Great Crimson Clad became re-challengeable after Siegwurm's defeat, so it's highly likely that other Raid Monsters were unlocked at the same time. Does this mean there's a Raid Monster near Catzeria? No, or perhaps...

"Ah, and lastly... Sunraku. With how ya are now, ya should be able to master... that amber."

"Oh, for real?"

Alright, I got the permission to use it. I'm not letting you go home for free, you damn stray cat...!!

"So that's how it is. We're right in the thick of the party... but how 'bout we call it a wrap here?"

With Vash stepping down from his throne and leaving for somewhere else as the signal, almost everyone in the room let out a collective sigh of relief.

"You dodged a bullet, Nya, Dulnyata. Give thanks to Vysache-dono's generous heart, Nya."

"Y-Yes, sir..."

"Be prepared, for we shall be working you to the bone for a while."

"A-At the very least, I ask that you guarantee me three meals a day..."

"How brazen, Nya!"

Thwack! Nyai... the Thirteenth, was it? Well, the Maneki-neko King dropped a fist on Dulnyata's head with a massive, heavy sound that was hard to imagine coming from his round appearance. Anyway, I walked over to them.

"Hold on a sec. Do you mind if I interject, Cat Kings?"

"Bird-person."

"I'm Sunraku. It might be an item with a troubled history as far as you guys are concerned, but since the Boss gave it his stamp of approval, I have no intention of just putting it on display as a gem... Can I officially request a commission from you this time?"

Missing materials? I see. Well, money is no object, you know? I've got sponsors now, so unless it's a ridiculously rare material, I can get my hands on it.
And so, as I handed over some ores and other things, I lightly placed a hand on Dulnyata's shoulder.

"Trust is important, isn't it? At the very least, I think it's important. At the same time, my trust in you right now is sitting exactly at net zero... You know what I mean, right?"

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Depending on how you handle this job, that trust will be firmly established. Don't disappoint me too much, alright...?"

"Hiyiii!"

"Well, I don't doubt the skill of the guy who crafted my other two accessories! I'm counting on you, Dulnyata-kun...?"

"I-I will make the absolute greatest masterpiece!!"

That's great to hear.
Oh? Looks like someone's trying to sneak out unnoticed...

"Hey, Evelle."

"What's yer problem, punk? Ya wanna go?"

"Come on, don't be so aggressive. Let's get along, yeah?"

Cue the pose asking for a handshake.

"..."

"..."

"...Ah! Sorry, sorry!! Was I holding my head too high?! My bad, I guess I just look at the world from a much grander perspective!!"

"Yeah, I was thinkin' ya were pretty dumb for yer size, but with a head like that... I guess it can't be helped. You're a birdbrain, after all, eh?"

Click (The sound of some kind of switch flipping inside my head)

"Alright, it's a fight! I'm gonna make you eat dirt, so step outside, you bastard!!"

"You're on!"

"Why are you two completely in sync in the weirdest ways when you're completely hostile to each other, desu wa Kiiiiiick!!"

"Ogguh!!?"

I've told you... so many times... that a kick from you, now that you've broken past the Level 100 threshold, is legitimately life-threatening...!

"Haaah! Serves ya right, hey!! Now yer head's low enou—"

"Shut yer damn trap!!"

"Obugyuu!?"

"Evelle! Hear tell yer breakin' weapons... agaaaaaaain?! Time I gave ya a piece of my mind!!"

"A-Aneki... The back of the head is... an accident waiting to happen... A fatal... accident..."

It seemed Bilac's knee drop was super effective. While watching Evelle being dragged away, writhing in agony—looking like he'd be sprouting a lump or smoking from the back of his head if this were a different kind of game—I tried to heal my heavily gouged HP. Ugh, Fool's Gacha, seriously, you...

Wait, I feel like I'm forgetting something?

It wasn't until the sun rose that I realized I had originally logged into ShanFro just to take a breather, and had completely forgotten about the existence of GH:C...

Two days left until X-Day.

Author's Afterword
The Difference Between Villain vs Villain and Self-Hatred (Kindred Spirit Hatred), Explained for Monkeys

Villain vs Villain is basically playing catch. Although they are constantly throwing fastballs aimed right at each other's faces, they are still fundamentally throwing it back and forth.
Self-Hatred is both sides pitching at full power simultaneously. The option to catch and throw it back doesn't exist from the very beginning, so the moment the opponent's ball makes contact, a brawl breaks out.