Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 156

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Successor? Never Heard of Her—Let’s Just Relax. Episode 156

“Hmm?”

After putting on the Mask, nothing seemed to change.
Even when he examined his own body through his field of vision, he was still just himself in pajamas.

‘There’s no way it wouldn’t work.’

Lion went to the mirror to check his reflection.

“Oh.”

Sure enough, the face staring back at him was different.
He had become truly unrecognizable.
The ornate Mask was visible, but the identity of the person behind it remained completely obscured.

“Nice.”

As expected from an expensive item, the effect was undeniable.
Lion secured the Mask firmly once more, then retrieved an Egg Coin.

“Well then, let’s be off.”

When Lion inserted the coin into the slot carved on the Letter, a bright chime rang out, and the coin vanished without a trace. In its place, an elliptical magic circle identical in shape to the Egg Coin appeared on the floor—evidently a Teleportation Magic Circle.
This was presumably a Teleportation Magic Circle.
Lion slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened them, an entirely different world lay before him.
Until now, Ester had been a place devoted to comfort, elegance, and inner peace.

The sensation hit him immediately—this was somewhere that pursued more instinctive forms of enjoyment.

It was the same one he’d inserted moments ago.

It seemed they had preemptively warned him so that a guest’s personal information wouldn’t be exposed.

“Yes! Then please allow me to explain the facilities!”

Most of it centered on the fact that the Free Bar inside was available without limit, and that there were many special amusement devices exclusive to Ester.
It seemed designed partly to stir anticipation as well.

“Two categories?”

That was the important explanation.

“Yes. Inside the recreation facility, the path splits into two directions—the left side is free to use, but the right side requires Egg Coins.”

In other words, anyone seeking risky thrills would be funneled to the right.
Of course, with that level of gambling appeal came equally attractive amusements waiting to be discovered.

“Can you enjoy both sides?”
“Of course! The left side is also an excellent Ester facility, and if you enjoy it properly, you can even earn Egg Coins.”

The employee finished the explanation with a bow.
Now it was time to experience everything firsthand and enjoy.

“Good.”

Lion smiled faintly and walked into the recreation facility.
From that explanation alone, he’d grasped exactly how to use this place effectively.

‘Gather Egg Coins from the left section, then move to the right.’

These were people who’d already cleared the difficult hurdle of obtaining rare Egg Coins.
So within this place, earning Egg Coins would likely be relatively straightforward.
Why?
Because Ester prioritized guests’ enjoyment above all else.
She wouldn’t make people come all the way to a recreation facility only to have them gasp and strain hunting for Egg Coins like some homework assignment.
That way, people would leave, spread the word, and the virtuous cycle of new guests arriving would repeat itself.
In other words, it was sophisticated business strategy disguised as generosity—reeling them back in.
It was a tactic only possible in this special commerce catering to the wealthy.

‘That said, even though this section’s been closed for quite a while…….’

The interior of the recreation facility was nothing short of spectacular.
Chandeliers gleaming in every color, brilliant lighting everywhere.
From the bar in the center, refreshing drinks cascaded like waterfalls, and bartenders crafted delicious cocktails and treats on the side.
Guests held glasses of those drinks while enjoying themselves at various amusement devices.

“You can win Cloud Sheep plushies for free!”
“And there are Egg Coin designs too!”

A claw machine where you could grab cute stuffed animals.

“Back in the day, I did some axe work!”
“Actually, I’ve always wanted to try chopping firewood at least once.”

A game where you bring down an axe to split toy logs with precision, and more!
There was even a special telescope to view the entire recreation facility, plus rest areas for when you got tired!
It was truly the recreation facility of one’s dreams!
But what particularly caught Lion’s eye was…….

“Is that a pond?”

There was an actual pond sitting openly in one corner of the recreation facility.
How did they even manage to bring a pond here?
Lion approached the pond as if entranced.
Already quite a few people were fishing there with toy fishing rods, and…….

“Got one!”

A man lifted what he’d caught on his toy fishing rod, his face alight with joy.
Clear water splashed and scattered, yet the other patrons barely noticed—their eyes fixed on the man with undisguised envy.
That was…

‘An Egg Coin?’

I’d thought they’d be difficult to obtain, but he’d gotten one from a single round of fishing?

“That’s an Egg Coin voucher, right?”
“Ah, sir. Unfortunately, that’s an ‘Egu Coin.'”
“What? Damn it! I’ll fish again!”
“Yes! You have two more chances remaining!”
……

Right. There’s no way it could be that easy.

‘But there’s an Egu Coin too? This is frustrating…’

Lion knew all about the Egu Coin.
Once, during an Ester event in In the World, they’d scattered Egu Coins as an April Fools’ prank.

-Egu Coin? This game…
-I thought it was feed lol

Of course, they did exchange three of them for one Egg Coin, but…

-One-third feed is insane;
└thought it was diet feed lol

…Well, it was the first time so people let it slide easily enough, but after that, Egu Coins never saw the light of day again.

“Would you like to try as well, sir?”

At that moment, an employee approached and handed over a Toy Fishing Rod.

“Why not?”

Lion accepted the rod without hesitation.
The rod had a form somewhere between a standard fishing rod and a children’s toy.

“The method is simple. Cast your float and wait for a bite, then reel in when you feel the most decisive bite!”

Lion nodded at the employee’s spirited explanation.
The bite strength probably varied depending on what prize you’d hook.

“There’s no time limit, so please enjoy at your leisure! However, you only have three chances.”

So that’s why they’d said two chances remained.

‘Three times is plenty.’

Lion flexed his fingers lightly, then released them.
Fish—he’d fished enough of them during his time in the Labyrinth to last a lifetime.
Especially that last sturgeon he’d caught…

‘I can still feel it now.’

It had been so unexpected he’d actually asked himself how on earth he’d managed it.

“Then, after all this time…”

Why don’t I try a bit of fishing?
Lion tossed the toy fishing rod toward the pond without needing to bait it.
A playful smile of pure delight had already spread across his face.

Plunk.

Perhaps because it was a game, the first bite came faster than expected.

‘Not bad—surprisingly realistic.’

The sensation of a fish larger than he’d anticipated gently nudging the bait with its snout was vivid and convincing.
But then again…

‘Let me think about this carefully.’

What he was supposed to fish for was an Egg Coin.
An Egg Coin, being elliptical, was larger than an ordinary coin, but it wouldn’t attract a bite this strong.
For one thing, it would be flatter than a regular fish, lacking softness and distinctly hard.
And its size was barely larger than a killifish, at most.

‘I’d have better odds if I focus on subtle bites.’

And there had been a hint in what the staff member said.
Take your time and enjoy it, since there’s no time limit.
The Egg Coin must take quite a while to catch.
And besides.

‘I should be looking for a bite that’s the least fish-like.’

Of course, they’d made the bites as realistic as possible, but Lion was someone who’d fished for a living once.
He could tell the difference between what was alive and what wasn’t.
The problem was that an Egu Coin might bite just as easily…

‘Either way, it doesn’t matter.’

Even if he caught three Egu Coins in a row, they’d probably exchange them for one finished product anyway.
Even as he maintained that calm reasoning.

Tick.

Something hard tapped lightly against the rod.

‘This is it.’

Subtle—yes, but the sensation was distinctly different.
Normally he’d set the hook with a firm bite to keep the fish from escaping…

Whoosh!

Lion lifted the rod immediately and began reeling in the line.
And what came up was…
something shaped like an elliptical coin.
At first glance, it did have the right coin shape, but it was too early to celebrate.
Lion examined it carefully, turning it over in his hands.
If it were an Egu Coin, there would be a crack running through its original shape.

[Egg Coin]
-A coin used in special events at Hotel Ester.
-That round, egg-like shape is quite charming!

“……!”

A coin carved as ornately as an Easter egg appeared in Lion’s palm.
It was identical in every way to the one he’d caught at the Ranch moments before.

“My goodness! Congratulations, sir!”
“How on earth did you manage it on the first try?”
“Your luck must be incredible!”

The staff member’s congratulations set the arcade buzzing with excitement.
Most of the onlookers wore expressions of envy. To have such fortune on the very first cast!
Even the angler himself seemed taken aback, frozen in place for a moment!

“…….”

Indeed, Lion had gone still, the Egg Coin clutched in his hand.
Of course, his surprise wasn’t merely from landing the coin itself.
The real reason was…….

[You have caught a treasure from a special pond!]
[Fishing Proficiency has reached Apprentice Lv.5.]

‘……I’m gaining Fishing levels from a toy fishing rod?’

It was the unexpected level-up that had stopped him short.
Moreover, the experience gain had been quite substantial.

‘I was certain I was around Apprentice 3…….’

He’d jumped two whole ranks in an instant!
The system must be treating the Egg Coin as some sort of rare treasure chest from the pond.

‘In a sense, it’s accurate enough.’

Wait. That meant——

“I still have two more chances left, correct?”
“Yes, of course!”

If luck continued to favor him, he could gain even more Fishing levels here in this arcade.

‘……That’s not bad at all.’

Lion made an effort to suppress his usual grin.
With the Mask on, he couldn’t be identified by appearance, but…….
There was no need to draw unnecessary attention to himself.

‘Some odd character might latch onto me otherwise.’

Instead of smiling, Lion brushed his face lightly with his palm.
Then he pocketed the Egg Coin and immediately cast his line again.
He tried to move as naturally as possible, maintaining perfect composure…….

“…….”

The onlookers stirred again, but for a different reason.

‘J-just how bold does someone have to be to land an Egg Coin on the first cast and show no reaction whatsoever?’
‘This is no ordinary person…….’
‘S-scary! I should stay away…….’

He’d caught something peculiar in that studied composure of his—a glimmer of barely concealed madness.
Bit by bit.
The onlookers gradually melted away from the scene.
Free at last from their gaze, Lion could devote himself entirely to his Fishing.
The final three casts yielded results that satisfied him greatly.
He’d secured two whole Egg Coins.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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