Just as Nicole was about to grab the two Bangboos...
Sam Li looked thoughtfully at Golden Bangboo and Platinum Bangboo. "You two—have you ever met a bard?"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (He was a drunk. He tricked us)..."
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm (That drunk told us there was fortune here and sent us over)..."
The two Bangboos were in a panic. While cursing Venti for being a bad guy, they desperately tried to escape.
But in such a small room, there was no way to slip past Nicole's large hands.
The next moment, Nicole reached out. Golden Bangboo rolled away and narrowly dodged her grasp.
"Sam Li, block them from that side!"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm (You won't catch us)!"
When Nicole lunged again, Golden Bangboo tried the same trick—but this time, it didn't work. Looking down, he saw that at some point, a stone had pinned his foot. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free.
In a flash, Nicole pounced and scooped up the tiny Golden Bangboo.
She immediately pulled out a rope she had prepared earlier and tightly wrapped him up, leaving no room for escape.
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Platinum, help me! Save me, Platinum)!"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Don't worry, I'll beat the bad guys)!"
Nicole and Sam Li worked together to catch the other Bangboo—Platinum Bangboo—using the same method. Soon, he too was wrapped up like a dumpling.
"Run all you want. You're not getting away this time."
Nearby, Sam Li stared at the tied-up Bangboos. He could sense a faint but intense trace of Anemo element lingering on them.
Despite how subtle it was, the elemental signature was unmistakably strong.
Only two beings could cause this: Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, or Dvalin, the Wind Dragon.
It had to be one of them—transported to this world via ley line and statue of The Seven's teleportation function. If it was Barbatos, that was manageable. But if it was Dvalin... another battle might be unavoidable.
After a pause, Sam Li asked again, "Have you two seen a bard?"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (You mean that drunk guy? Yeah, we saw him)..."
Before Golden Bangboo could finish, Platinum Bangboo cut in:
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Idiot! He's the bad guy—don't tell him anything)!"
Sam Li frowned slightly. "…"
Clearly, these two still didn't understand the situation they were in.
Off to the side, Nicole scoffed. "Sam Li, bring out your axe. Let's chop them up, grab the Dennies and gear coins, then sell them for scrap."
That made both Bangboos jump in fear.
Golden Bangboo blurted out, "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Wait, we'll talk)!"
Platinum Bangboo followed right after. "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm-da, mm-hmm-da (That drunk's a bad guy. He said there was fortune here and told us to collect Dennies)!"
Then, the two Bangboos took turns explaining everything that had happened.
At first, they thought Venti was a good guy. Never did they expect he'd lead them straight into a trap—setting them up for disaster.
After listening to them, Sam Li said calmly, "That bard didn't lie to you."
In theory, wherever Sam Li was, fortune would follow—and wealth would gather.
This was exactly what had happened.
Sam Li had simply been waiting on the street, and Golden Bangboo and Platinum Bangboo had come right to him. That was the power of luck in action.
Meanwhile, Nicole had already begun searching them for gear coins and Dennies.
"Sam Li, stop wasting time. Let's empty them out first."
Just then, voices echoed from outside the door—
"Nicole, where are you? Golden and Platinum Bangboo are gone. Did they escape the building?!"
"Nicole, we lost them!"
"Nicole, meow, where'd you go?"
"Stop shouting! Sam Li and I are here. Hurry over!"
Nicole opened the door and called out.
Soon, Billy, Anby, Nekomata, Soldier 11, Lucy of the Sons of Calydon, Piper, and Caesar were all drawn in by her voice.
As they entered the room, they immediately spotted the two Bangboos on the floor—one glowing gold, the other shimmering white. Sure enough, they were the Golden and Platinum Bangboos they'd been hunting.
"As expected of Sam Li and Boss Nicole! We searched everywhere and thought they'd gotten away..."
"Nicole, hold them tight. Don't let them escape!"
"No worries. I tied them good—they're not going anywhere."
Nicole looked at the tightly wrapped Bangboos like they were piles of treasure. She grinned from ear to ear.
This was a real payday.
Everyone crowded around, curiously examining the Bangboos.
Nekomata even poked Golden Bangboo's ear. It was soft—not hard metal, but a unique, flexible material.
So the rumors were wrong. Golden Bangboo wasn't made of gold after all.
At that moment, both Golden and Platinum Bangboo looked nervously at the crowd.
When they spotted Eous, controlled by Belle, they suddenly cried out:
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm-da (I'm a Bangboo! You're a Bangboo too! Save us)!"
"Mm-hmm-da, mm-hmm-da (Humans bad, Bangboos good. Bangboos stick together)!"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Help us, quick)!"
They spoke rapidly, as if clinging to their last hope.
But the next moment...
Eous, under Belle's control, opened his mouth and said, "Sorry. I can't help you. Just hand over the gear coins and Dennies."
He spoke—perfect human language.
Golden Bangboo and Platinum Bangboo were stunned.
Since when did Bangboos speak human?
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm-da (You traitor! You've betrayed Bangboos)!"
"Mm-hmm-da, mm-hmm-da (You're talking like a human! Traitor!)"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Gold good! Platinum good! You bad!)"
They shouted angrily at Eous and even tried to lash out.
Thankfully, Nicole's rope work held firm.
Otherwise, if they had broken free, they might've really ganged up on Eous for being a "Bangboo traitor."