100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full?-Chapter 47 - Maxim’s Gift

"Uncle Max, don’t be too formal," Lucien said with a grin. "Didn’t you already give me the medal with your family’s insignia? That alone is a huge favor."

Maxim looked at Lucien. A thoughtful expression was on his face.

In his hands, he held something wrapped in a red cloth.

He seemed almost hesitant. It’s like he was preparing to reveal a surprise.

Then with a small shake of his head, he spoke.

"A mere medal is nothing," he said at last. "Nephew, I’m not that petty. Even this gift... I don’t think it’s enough to express what I truly want to give you."

Lucien fell silent. He hadn’t expected Maxim to take it so seriously.

Maxim then presented the gift.

Without another word, Maxim stepped forward and gently placed the object in front of him. He pulled away the red cloth revealing...

A birdcage.

It was beautifully crafted.

An intricate piece of work made with care.

Inside, there were two birds.

Two pure white birds.

Lucien leaned in.

"Doves?"

He furrowed his brows in confusion.

Seeing Lucien’s puzzled expression, Maxim let out a soft chuckle.

"Actually," he said, "this wasn’t the gift I originally planned. But after some thought and seeing how well you handle monsters... I figured this would suit you better. Especially now that you’re far from your sister."

Lucien tilted his head. "What kind of birds are these, Uncle Max?"

Maxim smiled with a glint of pride in his eyes.

"They’re called Skyskippers. Not easy to catch, mind you. Once tamed, they’re incredibly useful. They can travel vast distances in a blink. You could use them to send letters to your sister in the capital... or," he chuckled, "have them swipe a few gold coins from the Coalheart region. Anything’s possible!"

Lucien’s eyes lit up with curiosity... and mischief.

Part of him knew Maxim was joking but the idea of stealing from the Coalhearts was oddly tempting.

Still, it was the mention of letters that stuck with him. The thought of staying in contact with his sister despite the distance brought a warm feeling to his chest.

"They can fly that far?" he asked. "Even teleport?"

Maxim nodded. "Exactly. And... there are two of them. Quite the pair, actually. We caught them on the way here. Or rather... they didn’t try to flee when they saw us. Turned out, they’re mates. The female’s pregnant. Skyskippers become vulnerable during that time and the male stayed by her side to protect her. Loyal little things."

Lucien listened closely, absorbing every word.

He nodded in understanding.

He and Maxim talked a while longer. The conversation was light but meaningful.

Eventually, Maxim stood up to leave.

"I’ll let you get to know them," he said with a final smile. "Take care of them, nephew. They might just surprise you."

Lucien gave a grateful nod as Maxim stepped out.

As the door clicked shut behind Maxim, Lucien raised his hand and summoned the MONSTERDEX.

A glowing screen flickered to life in front of him. He navigated through the entries until he found it.

Skyskipper.

***

Name: Skyskipper

Habitats: High Cliffs, Stormy Skies, Windy Plateaus

Entry:

A rare bird known for its blink-fast flight. It can vanish and reappear mid-air across great distances. More myth than bird, travelers often report seeing one... then doubting they did at all.

Trait:

• Capable of short-range teleportation while airborne

• Leaves behind a brief trail of light or sound when it skips

• Can phase out of danger in the blink of an eye

Behavior:

• Skittish but observant

• Often travels alone but flocks briefly during storms

• Extremely loyal

Likes:

• Thunderstorms

• Windy environments

• Shiny objects

Weaknesses:

• Disrupted air currents

• Dark Magic (Silence, Illusion, etc.)

• Females become vulnerable during pregnancy

***

Lucien’s eyes gleamed as he read.

"Good," he murmured. His lips curled into a smile. "Very good. If I can tame it..."

He stared at the two birds nestled in the cage.

Lucien glanced back at the MONSTERDEX. His eyes narrowed as he reread the entry.

Likes:

• Thunderstorms

• Windy environments

• Shiny objects

He smirked.

"Shiny objects huh?" he muttered. "Well... everything I have is shiny."

Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out a few glossy Carrot Bits. He gently placed them inside the cage.

The two white birds perked up immediately.

Curious, they hopped closer then began pecking at the food with enthusiasm.

Lucien watched with interest.

"They like it," he murmured.

He added a few more bits.

After a while, the two Skyskippers nestled together. Their heads leaned into one another in a tender embrace.

They let out soft, rhythmic chirps. It’s almost as if they were quietly communicating. Sharing a secret.

Lucien remained still, captivated.

’They really are something else.’

That’s when Lucien heard it.

[Ting!]

[The Skyskippers want to follow you.]

[Accept / Decline]

A slow grin spread across his face. "Accept."

Another prompt immediately followed.

[Please assign names to the creatures.]

Lucien tapped his chin in thought. The two birds stared at him with gentle curiosity.

They chirped softly as if patiently waiting for their names.

Then, inspiration struck.

He snapped his fingers. "The male will be Peek. The female, Aboo. Together, you’re Peek-Aboo!"

[Ting!]

[Peek and Aboo are now registered in MONSTERDEX.]

[Peek and Aboo can now be stored and summoned via MONSTERDEX.]

Lucien carefully opened the cage.

Peek and Aboo hopped out with excited little jumps, stretching their wings as they chirped and fluttered about.

Lucien smiled as he watched their lively energy.

Then, a memory drifted into his mind.

A soft melody from his past life.

He exhaled and sang under his breath, "Why do birds... suddenly appear..."

Suddenly...

Blink!

Peek vanished from view and reappeared on his shoulder.

Lucien flinched, surprised. "Whoa! That scared me!"

The little bird settled comfortably on his shoulder, blinking innocently.

Lucien let out a laugh. "Yeah... it’s definitely the right name. Peek-Aboo."

Then, an intrusive thought crept into Lucien’s mind.

The female is pregnant. She’ll lay eggs soon.

"What if I..." he muttered.

He quickly shook his head.

"Nope. Intrusive thoughts... be gone!"

But the idea lingered for a moment longer.

’What would happen if I killed the unborn chick? Would it drop something rare? A skill? Maybe... I’d learn how to blink like them?’

Lucien shivered and shook his head again.

More firmly this time.

"I’m not that greedy," he muttered to himself. "That’s not me. That’s... way too much."

He looked at Peek and Aboo, now grooming each other affectionately on the windowsill.

"Besides," he added, quieter now, "having them as companions is already more than enough."

Even if such a thing did drop something powerful, he couldn’t bring himself to harm them.

Not after they’d chosen to follow him. Not after showing such trust.

"And if I did..." he glanced at them again, "their loyalty would vanish in a heartbeat."

He sighed, letting the dark thought fade.

There were lines he wouldn’t cross.

Not for power.

Not for loot.

Suddenly, a familiar sound echoed in his mind again.

[Ting!]

<Achievement: Lootless Pacifist>

Resist the urge to loot in favor of a higher moral path (You saw. You could. You didn’t.)

Reward: Banner of the Untainted

***

<Banner of the Untainted>

Description: To stand above gold is to lead without fear

Use: Can be displayed within your base

Effect: Allies receive minor buffs in willpower and morale. Enemies hesitate to strike first

***

Lucien’s eyes gleamed with delight. "Hah! So it’s true! Being good does come with rewards."

He paused then added with a smirk, "Well... only if you have a system backing you up."

Still grinning, he turned back to Peek and Aboo. They fluttered gently around and chirped playfully.

Lucien reached out and let them hop into his hands. He gently stroked their soft feathers.

"Alright, you two. Let’s get to know each other better."

And with that, he spent the rest of the hour bonding with his newest companions.

He was grateful for their trust and even more grateful that... for once... he had chosen restraint over greed.

•••

The next day.

Aldren and Roneth were preparing to leave the territory to return to their families and seek confirmation regarding the road construction proposal.

Just before their departure, Lucien approached them with a lingering question on his mind.

"Before you go," he said, "why did you give Sparkles to me instead of selling it yourselves? A creature that rare could’ve fetched a fortune."

It wasn’t just idle curiosity. Lucien genuinely didn’t understand. As border lords, every coin mattered.

Selling a rare monster like Sparkles could’ve gone a long way toward improving their territories.

Aldren and Roneth exchanged a glance.

Aldren spoke first. "Baron... truth is, we don’t have the right connections. If we tried selling it, we’d just get taken advantage of. Scammed, most likely."

Roneth nodded. "Or worse, it could’ve sparked a blood feud. Some people would kill over something like that."

Lucien’s expression sobered. He understood.

It was one of the harsh realities for minor nobles on the frontier.

Without influence or reliable allies, even wealth could be dangerous.

"Having strong connections," he muttered, "really does change everything..."

It was true in this world... and in his past one.

Aldren then added. "Also, your subjects showed us the medal bearing the tax collector’s insignia. We figured... if Sparkles was with you, it’d be of much greater use than if we tried to handle it ourselves... since you have connections with the tax-collector’s family."

Roneth nodded in agreement. "Yes. In the end, it’s a win-win for everyone."

They had chosen honesty and it wasn’t just strategy. They realized something about Lucien.

He valued sincerity over scheming.

And, well... it didn’t hurt to stay on good terms with someone who could tame a unicorn.

Lucien gave a quiet nod, finally understanding their reasoning. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

’So they’re the type to put their territories before personal gain.’

Baron Hornvale and Baron Needlehart.

It would be wise to form an alliance with nobles like them.

Without hesitation, Lucien extended his hand.

The two young heirs shook it firmly. Their guards watched silently from the nearby carriage.

Lucien stood at the gate, flanked by members of the Lootwell team who had come to Hornvale territory. They bid goodbye to the young heirs who had become their friends during their travel.

Together, they watched as the carriage pulled away with its wheels crunching over the uneven path.

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