Chapter 95
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The Lenium Gauntlet
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Abel examined the disc closely.
‘Amazing.’
He was already in awe, even before checking its functions.
That was because its craftsmanship was impeccable.
For starters, there were seams all over, but they were so fine you wouldn’t notice unless you looked up close.
On top of that, the inscriptions on the back and sides were traces of exquisite magical engraving.
‘No wonder it’s famous.’
He couldn’t appreciate those details in the game, but seeing it in person stirred a strange sense of wonder.
It was probably because of his experience working in the workshop.
Even at Vulcanus’s forge, they’d produced artifacts in small quantities.
Abel flipped the disc over, murmuring in admiration.
“Sorry to say it about the old man, but this looks two or three levels above.”
Vulcanus would’ve thrown a fit if he heard, claiming his expertise lay elsewhere.
Abel inspected it a bit more, then peered into the box.
Artifacts like this always came with something extra.
“There it is.”
His hunch was spot on.
Inside the box were a certificate of authenticity and a manual.
It detailed the artifact’s name and precise usage instructions.
Since he was alone in the treatment room, he could read aloud comfortably.
“The name is… Lenium?”
Quite an intriguing name.
Lenium was said to be an item used by the god of war.
Naming artifacts after legends wasn’t uncommon, but this one carried real confidence.
Abel continued reading the manual.
The usage was straightforward: place a hand on the disc and channel mana.
“Hmm.”
After finishing the manual, Abel infused mana into the disc.
Wuuung-.
It vibrated faintly, then suddenly shrank dramatically.
From the size of a human head to that of a coin.
“Whoa.”
Now it was small enough to carry around daily without issue.
Nodding in satisfaction, Abel channeled mana again to see Lenium’s true form.
The disc expanded back to original size, then split into dozens of fragments.
Charrararak!
The pieces wrapped around Abel’s arm.
Once the transformation finished, it took the clear shape of a gauntlet.
A metal gauntlet covering from below the elbow to the hand.
“Oh…”
Abel flexed his hand this way and that.
He’d expected some discomfort with it on, but surprisingly, it felt quite comfortable.
Its size even fit his arm perfectly, as if tailored.
‘It’s a bit heavy, though.’
Not enough to hinder use.
Abel glanced around the treatment room, then stood up.
Mana exhaustion lingered, but he could move.
Thanks to his newly acquired Recovery Enhancement, walking was no problem now.
“The gauntlet’s main effect… strength enhancement.”
A simple ability.
Abel personally preferred that.
Something reliable in one clear function beat a mishmash of gimmicks.
After a moment’s thought, Abel gripped the edge of his bed.
A sturdy wooden bed with some weight to it.
Swoooosh-.
But with the gauntlet-clad hand, it lifted easily.
“Whoa.”
The strength boost was impressive.
He’d planned to get a decent artifact after this incident, but this made it unnecessary.
‘Pair it with my new ability, and I could handle lesser mana beasts.’
His new ‘Iron Scale’ was an excellent defensive skill.
With that and this gauntlet, even the naga he’d barely beaten would fall easily.
“Ugh.”
Mid-celebration, dizziness hit, making Abel stagger.
Recovery was quick, but not complete.
Having tested what he needed, Abel deactivated the gauntlet, returned it to the box, and lay back down.
‘I wonder if the kids are having fun.’
He didn’t know details, but they probably weren’t.
His condition aside, a Gigadeus Fragment had invaded right near the mansion.
That thought led him to yesterday’s events.
-Why…
The variant’s words were still fresh.
Why did he have that power? Hand it over.
Abel’s hand traced the tattoo on his body.
The sudden blackout at sea before that—none of it was dismissible.
‘Gigadeus Fragments. Some crave my power.’
From their reactions, it was more than craving.
The variant had raged about why he possessed it.
That suggested this tattoo was a power tied to the ‘Gigadeus’ itself, separate from the system.
So, what exactly was it?
He knew two things for now.
Absorbing abilities from defeated foes—specifically Gigadeus and their fragments.
And understanding their speech.
“Not an ordinary power…”
Imagine a Gigadeus with this ability.
Already immensely powerful, absorbing more through battle?
That would be apocalyptic.
‘I need to investigate further.’
A strong but dangerous power.
To protect it, he had to keep getting stronger.
Abel closed his eyes, resolving inwardly.
* * *
Tweet-tweet-.
Tickled by birdsong, Abel tossed and turned before opening his eyes.
Turning his head, he saw sunlight filtering through the window.
Rubbing his eyes and sitting up, Abel checked his body.
“Hmm.”
A bit sluggish, but no heavy fatigue from mana exhaustion.
“Better than I thought.”
Stepping down from the bed confirmed it.
Intense activity was still out, but movement was fine.
To loosen up, Abel did some light stretching.
As he finished,
Knock-knock-.
Someone knocked.
“Come in.”
The door opened promptly.
Through it stepped Hena and Iolin.
An unusual pair.
“What’s up?”
“Uh, well…”
As Hena hesitated, Iolin spoke up.
“Hena was worried, so we came.”
“Huh?”
Hena whipped around to Iolin, her expression priceless.
Iolin blinked innocently.
“I was worried too, so I came along.”
“Ah, thanks.”
Sensing awkwardness brewing, Abel moved as he spoke.
“Got plenty of rest. Body’s fine now. No wounds to begin with.”
“Isn’t mana exhaustion supposed to sideline you for days?”
“I’m tough by nature.”
Iolin nodded at Abel’s words.
“You are pretty tough.”
“Right? So what’ve the others been up to?”
“Played yesterday’s game, toured around.”
Hena’s eyes flickered again at Iolin’s candid reply.
Abel chuckled.
“Good to hear. Worried you couldn’t have fun because of me.”
“Yeah. Everyone’s fine. Just Hena… mmpf.”
Hena physically silenced Iolin.
Iolin stared at her, baffled.
Hena ignored it lightly.
“G-Glad you’re okay. Carriage leaves in three hours. Rest more if you’re still off.”
“Nah. I’ll head back with you. Feeling fine.”
He’d planned to leave soon anyway. Time for food and packing.
Hena looked subtly disappointed but nodded.
“Wait a bit, then. Servant’ll bring fresh clothes. Head to the dining hall after.”
“Got it.”
Hena hurried off after that, dragging Iolin along.
Soon, a servant brought clothes.
With an attached bathroom next door, Abel washed up and changed.
‘Nice.’
The fabric screamed quality the moment he put it on.
His old clothes were torn from fighting, so he’d asked them to dispose of it.
Prepared, Abel followed the servant to the dining hall.
“Abel!”
Daniel waved enthusiastically as he entered.
Abel smiled, nodded, and sat beside him.
“Feeling better?”
“Yeah. Good as new.”
“Glad you’re not hurt bad.”
Darin, across from them, spoke sincerely.
Hearing concerns from all sides was embarrassing but nice.
Abel insisted he was fine multiple times before digging in.
As they nearly finished the lavish breakfast, Hena spoke.
“Everyone heading straight back to the academy, right?”
“Yeah. Darin’s going home after the capital.”
“Five of us total, then.”
Hena counted.
Exactly five, as she said.
One was so quiet she barely registered.
Abel glanced over: May, dozing off post-meal.
‘She seemed lively at the beach.’
While he thought that, Hena, pondering, spoke up.
“We’ll take one carriage back.”
“One?”
“Yeah. For safety.”
Hena’s eyes flicked briefly to Abel.
“Better with escorts. You never know.”
“Hmm. Fair point.”
Daniel nodded, others agreeing.
The villa attack surely influenced that.
“But I prepped a bigger carriage. Should be comfy.”
“Hey, piling in together sounds fun. More like a real trip.”
Abel said it positively on purpose.
Hena’s faint smile showed relief.
“Glad you see it that way. Thanks.”
“No, thank you. Escorts for safety? I appreciate it.”
“Right, right.”
Darin chimed in.
Hena continued lightly.
“Finish eating, pack, and chill. I’ll call when it’s time.”
“Cool. You worked hard, Hena.”
“Hard? It was a blast after so long.”
They wrapped up breakfast amicably, and Abel headed to his room with Daniel.
Packing and chatting flew by until departure.
Servants announced it was time; all went downstairs and boarded the prepared carriage.
It was much larger and sturdier than before.
“This could tank cannon fire.”
“Probably.”
Hena dropped the bombshell casually to Daniel’s mutter.
She’d gone all-out on safety.
With luggage loaded and all aboard, Hena said wistfully.
“Safe travels, everyone.”
“Yeah!”
Waved off by Hena, the butler, and staff, the carriage left the villa.
Abel gazed out the open window.
Incidents aside, leaving brought regret.
‘Wanna come back sometime.’
But regret faded quickly.
Too much to do for pit stops.
Abel turned from the scenery, thinking.
‘First, DeVora’s experiment.’
Back to the grind.