The Ember Dragon Chapter 226: Kai Xiusu's Secret Treasure (Part 2) - Novel Cool

Chapter 226: Kai Xiusu's Secret Treasure (Part 2)

For such a rare customer, the Serpent Woman flashed a dazzling, intoxicating smile—her voice dripping with honeyed charm as she cooed,

"Of course, dear guest."

She was just about to signal the burly Ogre to carry over the crate when Charlotte’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

"No, I don’t want any of your pre-selected crates. May I pick one myself?"

"Huh?" The Serpent Woman blinked in mild confusion, but her politeness remained intact. "Sure, no problem. Though I doubt it’ll make much difference."

"Make a difference?" Charlotte smirked, pushing his glasses up with a flourish, eyes gleaming with confidence. "Oh, the difference is massive."

He leaned forward, voice dropping into a conspiratorial tone.

"According to the official storyline, this is Kai Xiusu’s Gift. That means there’s something valuable hidden inside—something worth the hunt."

"But let’s be honest—what’s the official’s track record? Would they ever let you easily pull out the good stuff?" He gestured toward the rows of identical crates, his eyes flashing with certainty. "What if the first dozen players already drained all the good loot? What happens to the rest? Just junk, right?"

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

"So of course, they’re going to gouge you hard at first—maximize profit, lock in the cost. Then, maybe they’ll drop a few scraps. But they never expected me to go for the nuclear option."

He threw his arms wide, voice rising like a war cry.

"Watch closely, everyone. This is how you outsmart fate itself."

The crowd of players murmured in awe. Charlotte’s logic was undeniable.

"Whoa… no wonder he’s the Guild Leader of Great Guild. Real brains."

"Totally makes sense. I’m gonna follow his lead."

"Mastermind. He’s cracked the system. No wonder no one’s been getting loot before."

But in the royal palace, Kai Xiusu watched the scene unfold, his expression caught between amusement and exasperation.

"You’re overthinking it, honestly. I didn’t rig anything. Just buy normally—you’ll get loot. No tricks."

He sighed, staring at the chaos below.

"My beloved God-tier gear… where are you?"

Charlotte strode to the farthest corner of the shop, eyes scanning the identical crates. He paused, feigning deep contemplation, then pointed decisively at one.

"Hmph. Looks like the first Blue Gear is about to appear."

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, he yanked open the crate—

A sudden burst of white light flared.

"Shwaaap—"

【Ogre’s Leather Tunic】

Quality: None

Item Description: A rough, tattered tunic stitched from Dire Wolf hide, worn for years by an Ogre. It reeks of sweat, blood, and ancient filth. Might be useful for scaring off nosy neighbors.

The crowd, brimming with anticipation, stared at the grimy animal hide swarming with flies. Silence fell—then, a few scattered groans, a few snickers.

"…What the hell?"

Charlotte’s eyes widened in disbelief. He glanced around at the sea of skeptical faces, cleared his throat, and forced a strained smile.

"Even I don’t get it right every time. After all, loot drops are random. And I still have nine crates left. Just watch."

He picked another crate—this one looked slightly less cursed.

The crate opened.

【Lakanman Noble’s Whip】

Quality: None

Item Description: A whip discovered beneath the Lakanman family’s ancient fortress, its silent groans echoing centuries of cruelty and bloodshed.

Charlotte’s face darkened. He noticed the smirking glances from the crowd—so he forced a weak chuckle.

"Uh… just a fluke. I’ve still got eight crates to go."

Eight more crates opened in rapid succession.

【Great Goblin’s Stink-Smelling Shoes】

【Goblinoid Merchant’s Faded Green Cap】

【Lizardfolk’s Ancient Bone Club】

【Orc’s Tattered Pants】

"…No way," Charlotte whispered, his voice hollow. He stood frozen, a cold dread spreading through him.

He’d drawn eight pieces of trash—worthless, laughable junk. Even the beggars of Northwind Keep wouldn’t touch them. And he’d paid fifty gold coins for this?

The crowd stared in stunned silence, then erupted into murmurs—some pitying, some snickering, some openly laughing.

"Man, you’re a full-on African Chief."

"Classic Charlotte. Just had to go all in."

Hundreds of eyes mocked him. The usually proud Charlotte turned crimson, his pride shattered. He stammered defensively, "You don’t understand! This is data collection! I’m analyzing the drop mechanics, mapping the lottery system, figuring out the true pattern! My goal has been achieved—I’ve found the Gacha experience points! Now, I will get loot!"

The crowd, momentarily fooled by his intense delivery, began to believe him.

But then, someone shouted, loud and clear:

"Prove it! Show us a drop!"

"Show us one!"

"Another crate! Let’s see!"

The onlookers, now buzzing with mischief, surged forward, demanding proof.

Charlotte’s face burned. He panted, jaw clenched. Then—after a long, silent struggle—he slammed his hands on the table.

"SLAM!"

He emptied his entire backpack—fifty gold coins—onto the surface, his voice roaring:

"TEN MORE!"

"I’ve cracked the system! Since single pulls have no guaranteed drop, I’m doing a Ten-Draw Pull!"

"Whoa… he’s insane with money!"

"Only Charlotte could do this."

Ten crates—each carefully selected—were carried forward by the Ogre. At Charlotte’s command, they were all opened at once.

A thunderous, awe-inspiring spectacle unfolded—ten beams of pure white light erupting in unison, bathing the crowd in blinding brilliance.

Charlotte clenched his fists, whispering desperately in his mind:

"By all the True Mages of legend—please… just one piece of loot… I beg you…"

But then—another horror.

Ten white lights. Ten.

Each crate revealed a common item.

A pair of pants. A tunic. A cap. A cloak.

Together, they formed a complete, absurdly lavish Beggar’s Set.

"…No…" Charlotte whispered, his voice cracking.

"Nothing… not even a Green Gear… nothing…"

His legs gave out. He collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the sky.

"My entire year’s savings…"

The beautiful Serpent Woman stepped forward, concern in her eyes. She gently reached down, placing a hand on his shoulder, leaning close to whisper—softly, sweetly—into his ear:

"Guest… if you’d like to keep buying, we offer a Loan Service. With your impressive Contribution Points, the annual interest is only five percent."

"…Fck me."

Charlotte spat out the words, his face twisted in agony. He wanted to scream. To die. To vanish.

The crowd reacted in waves—some sighing with pity, others cackling with glee, others breathing a quiet thank goodness I didn’t buy.

"Good thing I didn’t. This place is a scam."

"Secret Treasure? More like a junkyard. Twenty crates and still nothing!"

"Charlotte’s the ultimate pioneer. We’ll remember your Contribution Points."

In the palace, Kai Xiusu watched, his expression tightening.

"Is this… really how this event ends? After all this preparation?"

"That guy’s unbelievably unlucky. Even random selection shouldn’t fail twenty times in a row!"

He wanted to storm down and slap Charlotte senseless. Just open it normally—you’d get loot!"

But he held back. He’d been careful—very careful. After all, even the most skilled players need sustainable development. He couldn’t scare them off with a single brutal failure.

So he’d left a few decent Rare items in the mix—just enough to keep the hope alive.

Because once the official launch hit, those veterans in the forums would boast:

"Back in the day, I got a Blue Gear for just five gold coins!"

And the new players? They’d drool. They’d ache to try.

And then—like moths to flame—more and more would fall into the pit.

But Charlotte’s Gambler’s Curse was stronger than any plan.

After him, several other players tried—each influenced by his flawed logic, blindly picking crates from the stockpile. All ten resulted in white light.

"This is actually a scam," one muttered.

"Blood money. Don’t buy."

Meanwhile, the Flying Witch stood by, eyeing the ornately carved crates with a mix of curiosity and delight. She loved collecting strange, bizarre trinkets—especially for brewing potions that made people wish they’d never been born.

She twisted a few gold coins between her fingers, hesitating.

"Ah well… everything’s about trying. Might as well experience the Shutdown Event. Even if I don’t get loot, I’ll at least cheer up the Guild Leader. Poor guy’s been through hell."

She didn’t expect anything. Just a little fun.

The Serpent Woman approached. "Guest, are you going to pick your own crate too?"

The Flying Witch waved her hand with a smile.

"No, no. I’ll just join in the fun. Give me one at random."

"Here you go. Exactly five gold coins."

Even five coins stung. She stared at the coins in her palm, reluctant to let go.

The Serpent Woman chuckled, pocketing the gold. The Ogre brought over a crate—the very one Charlotte had been about to open.

The Flying Witch flipped it open.

"Clang—!"

A sharp, clear sound. Then—

A brilliant blue light burst from the cracks.

Inside lay a magnificent wand, embedded with seven shimmering, colored crystals, pulsing with a deep, ancient magic.

【Miracle Wand】

Quality: Rare

Item Description: Contains seven charges. When held, it allows you to cast a spell on a target—a living being, an object, or a point in space. The effect is entirely random:

From harmless tricks like Slow or Stink Cloud, to bizarre ones like Skin Turns Bright Blue or Ejects a Stream of Gemstones.

> "The marvel of magic—endless wonder, endless change."

> —Trinad, High-level Mage, after studying the Chaos Sea

The Flying Witch gaped, mouth agape.

The crowd froze. Then—

Chaos.

A roar erupted.

"DROPPING LOOT!"

"Rare! A Rare Wand! Probably worth over a thousand gold coins!"

"European, eat my spear!"

"Xuan doesn’t change fate—spending changes everything!"

Far away, Charlotte—still sprawled on the ground, half-dead—felt the commotion. He turned his head weakly, eyes widening.

There—before the Flying Witch—was the very same Blue Gear he’d been meant to open.

And the crate… it was his.

"Oh, great heavens… why me?"

He choked, blood rising in his throat. He wanted to die. Right now.

The Flying Witch, feeling the weight of hundreds of eyes, blushed.

Then—she spotted Charlotte.

Her face lit up. She waved wildly, beaming.

"Guild Leader! Look! I got loot!"

"Don’t call me that."

"Call me Chief. A true African Chief. You and I… we’re separated by a thick, shameful wall. Goodbye. No… forever."

Charlotte didn’t move.

His eyes closed.

His breath slowed.

He was gone.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end

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