Chapter 156

Chapter 156
Chapter 156: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“Hmm?”

Even after donning the mask, nothing shifted.

Peering at himself through his own sight, he remained dressed in his sleepwear.

‘It’s impossible for it to malfunction.’

Lion strode over to the looking glass and inspected his reflection.

“Oh.”

Thankfully, his appearance in the glass was altered.

He had genuinely transformed into “an unknown individual.”

The striking mask was visible, yet any details concerning the person beneath it were entirely obscured.

“Good.”

As one would expect from a costly artifact, the effect was unmistakable.

Lion adjusted his mask securely and drew forth an Egg Coin.

“Shall we begin, then?”

As Lion slid the token into the receptacle on the side of the stationery, a sharp *clink!* rang out, and the currency vanished without a trace.

In its place, an oval magic circle, matching the exact outline of the Egg Coin, materialized upon the flooring.

It appeared to be a transfer portal.

Lion gently shut his eyes.

*Whirrrrrr.*

Accompanied by a soft hum, the magical array activated, and he sensed fresh illumination filtering through his closed lids.

When he unsealed his eyes… an entirely unfamiliar realm spread out before him.

Up to this point, Easter had emphasized comfort, refinement, and inner tranquility.

‘This location…’

What term fit best?

He developed a distinct impression that this venue catered to a more primitive style of amusement.

“Welcome to Easter’s Arcade, Guest!”

The attendant greeted Lion brightly and passed him a token.

It was the very piece he had deposited moments prior.

“Ah! While we cannot ascertain guests’ identities here, confirmation is possible through dialogue, so please exercise caution if you prefer to keep your personal details concealed!”

The staff member imparted this warning before Lion could even voice a word.

It seemed standard procedure to ensure the patrons’ privacy remained protected.

“Understood. I will be mindful.”

“Splendid! Then I shall proceed with the orientation!”

The remainder of the briefing covered the venue’s amenities.

Most of the details focused on the complimentary bar being open for limitless consumption alongside various exclusive gaming devices unique to Easter.

It seemed designed to build excitement as well.

“The entertainment apparatuses are separated into two categories.”

“Two categories?”

This constituted the crucial part of the explanation.

“Indeed. Within the gaming halls, the pathways split in two directions. The left corridor is completely free to use, whereas the right requires the expenditure of Egg Coins.”

In short, those seeking riskier thrills were all funneled toward the right.

Naturally, given the higher stakes, more enticing rewards would be prepared there.

“We have access to both sides, correct?”

“Naturally! The left zone is likewise an exceptional facility here at Easter, so if you thoroughly enjoy yourself, you might even earn Egg Coins along the way.”

Following this explanation, the attendant offered a polite bow.

It served as a signal for him to begin exploring and experiencing the space himself.

“Very well.”

Lion chuckled softly and stepped into the gaming hall.

He had fully deduced how to maximize the utility of this establishment from the briefing he just received.

‘Accumulate Egg Coins within the left section, then transition to the right.’

The patrons here had already cleared the steep hurdle of acquiring scarce Egg Coins.

Consequently, obtaining further tokens within this space would likely prove relatively straightforward.

Why?

Easter prioritizes the enjoyment of its visitors.

The management reasoned that guests should not have to scour the area for tokens while exhausted, as though completing chores, even upon visiting an entertainment hall.

By doing so, patrons would depart, spread favorable word-of-mouth, and attract additional visitors, generating a continuous cycle.

In other words, it was a sophisticated marketing strategy engineered to encourage return visits while seemingly offering complimentary perks.

It struck him as a tactic feasible only within a specialized commercial district catering to affluent clientele.

‘Still, considering this area has remained sealed for quite some time…’

The interior of the gaming hall was so grand that the term itself slipped out involuntarily.

Vibrant, glittering chandeliers and flashing illuminations filled the space.

At the central bar, beverages boasting a remarkably refreshing appearance cascaded like a waterfall, while nearby bartenders crafted intricate cocktails and appetizers.

Patrons held individual drinks while engaging with various gaming apparatuses.

“You can win complimentary cloud plush toys!”

“There are even Egg Coin replicas!”

A machine where one could win adorable stuffed figures.

“I used to be quite handy at chopping timber in my younger days!”

“Honestly, I’ve always wanted to try splitting firewood.”

Games involving swinging an axe to divide toy logs with precision!

There were even specialized telescopes for observing the entirety of the hall and lounges for resting when fatigued!

It was genuinely a dreamlike entertainment center!

Among them all, a particular feature immediately caught Lion’s gaze…

“Is that a pond?”

A body of water positioned prominently in one corner of the hall.

How on earth did they transport a pond all the way into this interior space?

Lion approached the water feature as though hypnotized.

Quite a few individuals were already attempting to fish there utilizing toy fishing poles…

“I’ve hooked something!”

A man, beaming with delight, hauled upward whatever he had caught with his miniature rod.

Clear droplets sprayed outward, yet the surrounding onlookers stared on with envy without even minding the splash.

That item was…

‘An Egg Coin?’

He had assumed acquisition would be simple, yet it required a fishing minigame?

“That’s an Egg Coin exchange ticket, right?”

“Ah, valued guest. Regrettably, this is an ‘Egu Coin’.”

“What? Damn it! I’m trying again!”

“Certainly! You have two attempts remaining!”

“……”

Ah, right. Securing one wouldn’t prove quite that effortless.

‘An ‘Egu Coin’ exists as well? This is maddening…’

Lion was well acquainted with Egu Coins.

On one occasion, during an Easter event in ‘In the World’, they had circulated ‘Egu Coins’ as an April Fools’ prank.

-An Egu Coin? What a troll item;
-I genuinely thought those were kitchen scraps lololol

Of course, the system had permitted trading three of them for a single genuine ‘Egg Coin’…

-A three-for-one ratio on scraps, insane;
-Thought it was diet waste lol

……Well, since it marked their debut, everyone let the joke slide, but Egu Coins never surfaced within the world again.

“Would you care to try your hand as well, guest?”

At that instant, an attendant drew near and extended a toy fishing pole.

“Shall we?”

Lion accepted the rod without hesitation.

The equipment possessed a design falling somewhere between a standard fishing pole and a child’s plaything.

“The mechanism is straightforward. Cast the bobber, wait for a tug, and the moment you detect a definitive bite, reel it in!”

Lion nodded in response to the attendant’s cheerful instructions.

The intensity of the tug presumably fluctuated depending on the nature of the prize.

“There is no time limit, so please enjoy at your leisure! However, you possess three total attempts.”

That explained the earlier mention of two remaining chances.

‘Three tries should prove sufficient.’

Lion lightly clenched and relaxed his hand.

Had he not accumulated ample fishing experience back in the labyrinth when dealing with aquatic life?

Especially that unforgettable sensation of hauling in that giant sturgeon at the very end…!

‘It remains crystal clear in my mind.’

It was the sort of ordeal that left one wondering how success was ever achieved.

“Then, after a brief moment…”

Shall I cast a line?

Lion tossed the toy fishing rod—which required no actual bait—toward the pond.

By then, an amused, anticipatory smile curved across his lips.

*Plink.*

Given that the setup was a game, the initial tug materialized sooner than anticipated.

‘It feels surprisingly authentic?’

He distinctly experienced a vibration resembling a moderately sized fish gently nudging the line, leaving him to wonder how the developers had programmed the simulation.

Even so…

‘Let me reflect carefully.’

The prize to target was the Egg Coin.

Egg Coins possessed an oval profile, making them broader than standard round currency, yet they would not generate this level of heavy pulling force.

For one, they were flatter than typical fish, lacking softness and possessing a rigid structure.

Furthermore, their scale was at most slightly larger than a minnow.

‘In truth, a milder tug likely indicates a higher probability.’

Moreover, the attendant’s guidance contained a subtle clue.

He had mentioned enjoying the activity leisurely since time restrictions were absent.

It implied that securing actual Egg Coins required a considerable duration of waiting.

And…

‘I ought to target the pull that least resembles a living fish.’

Naturally, the system would be calibrated to mimic a genuine fish bite as closely as possible, yet Lion had fished purely to stay alive.

He could readily differentiate between an artificial object and a living creature.

The complication lay in the fact that the odds of catching an ‘Egu Coin’ remained high as well…

‘Any outcome is acceptable.’

Even should he hook Egu Coins across all three attempts, the management would likely permit exchanging them for a completed product.

Just then, while he maintained his composure outwardly.

*Tick.*

Something unyielding tapped softly against the rod.

‘This is the one.’

It was a remarkably faint yet distinct sensation.

Under normal circumstances, one would need to wait for a forceful yank before reeling to prevent the quarry from escaping, but…

*Whoosh!*

Lion immediately jerked the rod upward and cranked the handle.

What surfaced from the water was…

An object shaped like an oval coin.

As anticipated, it possessed a coin-like outline, though celebrating immediately would be premature.

Lion calmly retrieved the item and inspected it from every angle.

Had it been an Egu Coin, the foundational coin design would feature visible fractures.

『Egg Coin』

-This constitutes a token utilized for special events at Hotel Easter.

-The rounded egg contour leaves a striking impression!

“……!”

The token, intricately sculpted to resemble an Easter egg, rested securely in Lion’s palm.

It matched the identical form of the currency he had acquired from the ranch moments earlier.

“Oh my goodness! Congratulations, valued guest!”

“My word, how did you secure it on the very first try?”

“Isn’t your fortune a bit excessive?”

The surrounding space erupted with the attendant’s celebratory remarks.

Most onlookers appeared envious! To secure such luck on a primary attempt!

Was the fortunate individual perhaps paralyzed by shock?

“……”

Indeed, Lion remained motionless for a fraction of a second, clutching the Egg Coin tightly.

Naturally, his silence stemmed from more than mere joy over securing the token.

The cause was…

『You have retrieved a rare treasure from a specialized pond!』

『Fishing Proficiency has advanced to Apprentice Lv. 5.』

‘…Fishing levels increase even when utilizing a toy rod?’

The unexpected level advancement triggered his surprise.

In addition, the awarded experience points proved quite substantial.

‘My proficiency was definitely lingering around Apprentice level 3…’

He had bypassed two tiers in a single leap!

It appeared the system categorized the Egg Coin as a rare hidden treasure chest concealed within the pond.

‘When one considers it, the logic holds.’

Wait, if that circumstance applied…

“I retain two additional attempts, correct?”

“Yes! Without a doubt.”

Should fortune continue favoring him, it meant he could elevate his fishing mastery even further within this entertainment hall.

‘…Is this outcome favorable?’

Lion suppressed the urge to laugh aloud.

Even though patrons remained anonymous behind their masks…

There was no reason to expose any distinctive personal habits.

‘Some eccentric individual might take an interest.’

Instead of chuckling, Lion casually brushed his palm across his face.

Then, slipping the Egg Coin into his pocket, he promptly cast his line once more.

He endeavored to maintain an utterly nonchalant demeanor…

“……”

The surrounding onlookers murmured amongst themselves for an entirely different reason.

‘J-just how audacious must someone be to remain this composed after landing an Egg Coin on the first try?’

‘That person is clearly no ordinary individual.’

‘T-terrifying! I ought to keep my distance…’

They perceived a strange intensity within his forced tranquility.

Slowly.

Patrons began drifting away from his immediate vicinity, and…

Consequently, Lion was able to immerse himself even deeper into the fishing minigame.

The outcomes of his remaining three tries proved thoroughly satisfactory.

He walked away with a cumulative total of two Egg Coins!