Chapter 24
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Giant's Heart
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“Anyway, Telesium for the core, and the outer layer…….”
“……would that give it enough strength?”
“Hmm. If it’s for Miles grade or higher, better materials would be ideal.”
Vulcanus and Abel began conversing with serious expressions, as if they’d never traded barbs.
Even if he simply voiced his desires, something excellent would result, but Abel had no intention of settling for that.
What Abel sought wasn’t just a passably great weapon—it was one perfectly tailored to him.
“Couldn’t we use a softer material here?”
“No. Given the direction of the force, it can’t be merely soft. We need something with good elasticity.”
The two went on like that for nearly two hours.
Abel’s meticulous planning combined with Vulcanus’s masterful craftsmanship yielded satisfying results in that time.
“Phew. Talking with you leaves me feeling like I’ve pulled an all-nighter.”
“That just means it was a dense conversation.”
“You and your fancy words.”
Vulcanus kept up the jabs, but a smile played on his lips.
“If anything needs changing or if issues crop up, I’ll reach out separately.”
“Fine as long as it doesn’t stray from the overall framework.”
“Fine, my foot. You’re pickier than I am. I don’t make half-baked goods.”
He stated it flatly.
Abel smiled in response.
With Vulcanus’s skill, mediocrity was impossible.
“Speaking of…….”
Vulcanus glanced over the blueprint they’d sketched during their talk and spoke up.
“You sure you can wield this thing at Miles grade?”
The two-handed sword Abel had commissioned was enormous.
It was designed for use even after upgrading to higher Gigants down the line.
A Miles-grade unit would naturally struggle under its weight.
Yet Abel replied without a care.
“Of course. Don’t you know what I can do?”
Vulcanus snorted with laughter.
“You talk a big game. If you can’t handle it properly, I’ll take it back.”
“No worries. Once I score some good materials, I’ll return for an upgrade.”
“Right. Now beat it—I’m getting back to work.”
“Yes, sir. Was just about to.”
With business concluded and no desire to keep Vulcanus from his tasks, Abel offered a farewell and departed.
“Abel! Take care!”
“Come visit when you’ve got free time next!”
The muscular employees called out once more as he left. Reaching the lobby, Kaya greeted him with a smile.
“Everything go well?”
“Yeah. I’ll swing by again once the item’s ready.”
“Good. Give me a heads-up next time. We’ll grab a meal.”
“Sounds good.”
Wrapping up with Kaya, he stepped outside to welcoming cool air.
Abel paused for a moment before heading off to one side.
Not toward the carriage— the opposite direction.
He still had one more stop.
* * *
The area around Vulcanus’s workshop was notorious as a den of vice.
The main road where the carriage had halted was tolerable enough.
Pickpockets at worst—the mood discouraged anything more serious.
Any uproar would summon the guards, which spelled real trouble.
But venture into the alleys branching off that boulevard, and things changed.
‘A lawless zone, plain and simple.’
Abel himself had wandered those alleys cluelessly on early visits, taking beatings more than once.
Thud, thud.
Yet here he was, strolling down one now.
Swish—.
A man sprawled on the ground ahead caught the footsteps and glanced at Abel before rolling over.
Abel noted it, widened his distance, rested a hand on his waist, and passed by.
Once some space opened up, rustling came from behind.
‘As expected. Same old story.’
The beggars staking out these alleys weren’t your average down-and-outers.
Nine times out of ten, they turned predator at the first whiff of weakness—guard down at your peril.
No matter how honed your body, a blade to the vitals was fatal all the same.
Average thugs wouldn’t land a hit on him easily, of course.
Abel scanned his surroundings, senses sharp.
‘Should be around here.’
His destination shifted spots regularly.
He knew the rough pattern, but the maze of alleys made it no simple hunt.
After roughly thirty minutes threading the paths, Abel spotted a bluish iron door at the base of some stairs.
‘There.’
He descended without pause and rapped on the door.
Thump, thump—!
Movement stirred inside right away, followed by a low, gravelly voice.
“Password?”
“What password? Cut the crap and open up.”
Abel shot back with clear irritation.
Moments later, a click sounded, and the door slid open.
A dark-skinned bald man filled the frame. He eyed Abel and grunted.
“Abel. Been a while. Still got that shady look.”
“Yeah. You’re still ugly as sin.”
“Wanna die?”
“Won’t fix that bald head even if you kill me.”
The man scowled at Abel, then chuckled.
“Get in here.”
They traded barbs, but they were on decent terms.
Abel had picked up odd jobs here a few times before first entering Vulcanus’s workshop.
He followed the man inside.
The hall was crammed with back-to-back tables, and a pungent booze stench assaulted his nose.
“Don’t you ever air this place out?”
“Gotta smell the booze reeking everywhere to feel like a tavern.”
Abel ignored the nonsense and pressed toward the back.
There stood an elderly man in a black suit, silver hair neatly combed.
The old man wiped a glass with a cloth as he addressed Abel.
“Lately, your name’s been coming up a lot.”
Abel took a seat at the bar stool and replied.
“Word’s spread all the way here?”
“Only ’cause your exploits are that impressive. First time I laid eyes on you, you looked no better than a street rat.”
“Was a street rat back then.”
Scrounging scraps from eateries, getting jumped by rival beggars for crossing turf lines.
Even when he ate, nine times out of ten it was spoiled, landing him flat on his back sick.
Honestly, surviving that long felt like a feat.
His game knowledge offered little help scraping by on the streets in a boy’s body.
What saved him was the memory of over twenty years as a modern Earthling.
“Yeah. Just another dime-a-dozen gutter orphan. On the surface.”
The old man said as much, then tilted his head up to meet Abel’s gaze.
“But those eyes burned with smarts, and your moves, your words—they weren’t a kid’s. That’s why I trusted you with jobs.”
“You’re laying it on thick for a reunion.”
“Who knows.”
He set the spotless glass down and fixed Abel with a proper look.
“Figured you’d amount to something. Never dreamed you’d land in the Klein Count’s household and enroll at the academy, though.”
“Good luck.”
“Yeah. Luck must’ve smiled on you plenty. Though that’s not the whole story.”
The old man smiled.
“That why you’re here today?”
“Yes.”
Abel nodded and drew a pouch from his breast. He opened it and set ten gold coins on the bar top.
The old man snatched one up to inspect it.
Acquaintances or not, he was meticulous about this.
Only after verifying every last coin did he nod.
“Del Kior gold coins—more than enough value.”
“So I can have the item?”
Abel watched the old man.
The old man owned this place, the Wild Horse Tavern, but he doubled as an info broker and fence.
There’d been good reason for Abel’s first visit seeking work.
He’d needed to build rapport for one specific prize.
Game intel, of course—a hidden item known only to veterans.
Rapport alone wouldn’t cut it, though.
The conditions were thus:
Sufficient rapport.
Sufficient fame and reserve rider status.
And cash.
With all boxes checked at last, Abel had come.
“Hmm.”
The old man toyed with the coins, seeming to mull it over, then nodded.
“Wait here a sec.”
“Yes.”
He turned, opened the door at the back, and slipped inside.
A few minutes later, he returned cradling a fist-sized box.
“This is it.”
“Mind if I open it?”
“First, let me ask one more time.”
The old man stared Abel down.
“No special traits detected, no mana signature at all. Might as well be a trinket.”
“I see.”
“Still want it?”
“Naturally.”
Abel answered without hesitation, prompting a sigh from the old man.
“Fine. My job’s just selling it.”
“It won’t be useless. I want to check the structure, see if it holds any hints for dealing with those things.”
At that, the old man wordlessly slid the box forward and pocketed the gold.
Abel flashed a grin and scooped it up.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me. You bought my junk—I should be thanking you. Swing by for a drink next time.”
“I’m still underage, you know.”
“Since when did that matter.”
Abel traded a few more words with the old man before heading out.
He didn’t forget to rib the bald doorman on the way.
“Come evenings next time. Don’t drag in during the day when I’m beat.”
“Then I’ll come evenings and wear you out.”
“Ugh.”
Leaving the sighing bald man behind, Abel exited the underground tavern.
Only after climbing the stairs fully did he let out a long breath.
‘Finally.’
A thrill of accomplishment washed over him, mingled with unease. The box in his hand felt leaden.
It was as if someone might lunge for it right that instant.
But Abel tamped down the anxiety and steadied his breathing.
‘No one knows its worth.’
He repeated it to himself.
He tucked the box into his breast and resumed walking. Time to head back to the carriage.
He itched to crack it open and peek inside, but he’d hold out until somewhere safe.
‘Just a little longer. Just a bit.’
He’d gotten turned around coming in, but retracing steps made exiting simple enough.
A few vagrants tried picking fights or eyeing openings on the way out, but most backed off without trying.
Abel’s presence carried an aura they couldn’t ignore.
Thanks to that, he reached the carriage spot swiftly.
“You’re back.”
“Yes. Sorry to keep you waiting so long.”
“Not at all.”
The coachman dipped his head politely, showing no signs of fatigue despite the wait.
Abel instructed him to return to the academy, then boarded.
Outside errands were done.
Next trip out would be for weapon troubles—or completion.
Click—.
Abel shut the carriage window and retrieved the box from his breast, cradling it.
The box itself was unremarkable.
It had been made apart from its contents.
“Fuuu.”
Taking a deep breath, Abel slowly pried it open.
Inside lay a fist-sized orb etched with intricate runes.
He lifted it out, gripped it in one hand, and stared with tense anticipation, as if awaiting something.
Some thirty seconds passed.
[‘Core’ confirmed.]
[Hidden Quest ‘Giant’s Heart’ completed.]
Messages bloomed before Abel’s eyes.
[Reward granted.]
[Dormant core awakens.]
Relief and elation lit Abel’s face.
His primary goal since arriving in this world had been academy admission, but he’d endured all manner of hardship for this too.
It was every bit as vital to his future as his cadet status.
Unlike the old man’s verdict of worthlessness, an eerie blue glow pulsed from the orb.
Eyes shut, Abel clenched it tight.
Some time elapsed.
[Who awakened me?]
A voice resounded in his mind.