Chapter 99
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Red Hole
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“You mean the one in Red Hole.”
Abel smiled at Deborah’s response.
“That’s right.”
The fact that she’d immediately brought up Red Hole meant she had at least some clue.
“Red Hole is a place shrouded in all sorts of rumors.”
Deborah took a sip from her cup before continuing slowly.
“Especially the red pit that gives it its name—it’s been off-limits for a long time. Do you know why?”
“Yes. Because most who went near it never came back.”
“But after the Imperial expedition explored and developed it, the secrets were revealed.”
Abel nodded.
Red Hole wasn’t open to the general public, but it was still one of the Empire’s managed zones.
In other words, it was firmly under control.
“The area around Red Hole has such high mana density that it causes severe mana poisoning in anyone who approaches.”
“On the other hand, that same mana draws in Gigadeus and Gigadeus Fragments.”
“Exactly.”
Deborah nodded again, paused for a moment, then spoke.
“As you’ve probably guessed from our earlier talk, the Gigadeus remains are believed to be inside Red Hole itself.”
“I figured as much.”
Abel wasn’t particularly surprised.
The question had been mere confirmation to begin with.
He’d planned to head to Red Hole during this break precisely because of those Gigadeus remains.
The Gigadeus remains weren’t just the corpse left behind after a Gigadeus died.
Long ago.
Before the ancient Gigadeus awoke from slumber to ravage the continent.
A fragment of one such being’s body—that was what Abel meant by Gigadeus remains.
However, it was less a confirmed existence and more a legend.
That was exactly the point Deborah raised.
“That said, no Gigadeus remains have ever been found. Not even after the Imperial expedition searched the interior themselves.”
“I’m not set on finding them no matter what. But I’d at least like to try.”
Even as he said this, Abel wasn’t truly worried about locating the remains.
He already knew their approximate position.
Whether he could actually claim them was another matter entirely.
‘It’s not something you get just because you want it.’
Even in the game, obtaining Gigadeus remains required considerable luck.
So if it proved impossible, he’d abandon it without hesitation.
There was plenty else to gain from Red Hole.
As Abel sorted through his thoughts, Deborah spoke as if she’d made up her mind.
“I’ll install a mana shield on your Gigant strong enough to withstand Red Hole’s intense mana.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Consider it payment for your continued cooperation in my research. I can’t afford to lose a capable partner.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Abel grinned.
It was a feature he’d planned to add separately anyway, so this was a big win for him.
“I’ve received quite a few gifts today.”
“Hehe. Feel free to think of them as bribes.”
Deborah winked as she said it.
Bribes were never truly carefree, but Abel grinned and acknowledged it.
If the rewards weren’t excessive compared to his efforts, it was fine—Deborah needed him just as much.
No need to burden his conscience over exploiting that fact further.
“Then I’ll take my leave for today. I’m sure you’re busy, Deborah.”
“Yes. Safe travels.”
Deborah smiled and saw Abel all the way to the door.
He followed the waiting attendant down the hall and boarded the carriage out front.
‘Three days from now, huh.’
In three days.
Abel would head to Red Hole.
His entry permit had come through early.
He still vividly remembered Kaul shaking his head at the tournament victory news, telling him to come back safe.
The reason for the three-day delay was that the Gigant modifications were still underway.
Thanks to entrusting it to Vulcanus’s workshop, though, there was no need to push the schedule back further.
Abel considered stopping by the workshop today but shook his head.
He’d gone yesterday only to get an earful from Vulcanus: if he wasn’t there to help, don’t bother him and go home.
‘Lady Temarin was on the verge of collapse too.’
Word was, for this commission, she’d been living at the workshop, working nonstop.
She’d probably grow a great deal personally once it was done.
Abel nodded in satisfaction and turned his gaze out the window.
He faintly smiled at the darkening scenery outside.
* * *
Three days later, in the morning.
Abel headed not to his usual carriage stop, but to the hangar.
Straight to Red Hole.
Safe zones allowed carriage travel, but Red Hole was a strictly controlled special management area.
Carriages couldn’t go there—and shouldn’t.
It’d be suicide.
As he neared the hangar, a familiar face came into view.
“Abel!”
A man whose rippling muscles danced with every wave. Instructor Kaul.
Abel immediately bowed in greeting.
“Good morning, Instructor.”
“What good morning? Do you know the headache you’re causing me?”
Kaul said this while clapping a hand on Abel’s shoulder.
“Keep in mind this isn’t a picnic.”
“Of course. I couldn’t face you if I came back injured.”
“It’s not about facing me. Coming back safe is what matters.”
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”
His tone was as rough as his face, but Kaul always looked out for cadets.
He’d personally arranged the best transport to Red Hole, after all.
Kaul lowered his hand from Abel’s shoulder and pointed to the hangar.
“The Gigant’s already loaded. It’ll follow right behind the vehicle you ride in.”
“Understood.”
They’d travel to Red Hole via school vehicle.
Then, at the entrance, board the Gigant and head inside.
Kaul said this as he opened the hangar doors.
“The mercenaries you hired are already waiting there, right?”
“Yes. They’re a group certified through the academy.”
“Hmm. The ones run by your tournament final opponent?”
“That’s correct.”
The initial plan had been to enter Red Hole alone, but Kaul shot that down immediately.
No way it’d get approved.
So Abel revised it, contacting Jackal—his finals opponent—and hiring his mercenaries.
Better ones existed, but circumstances made it unavoidable.
‘The problem is money.’
Mercenaries didn’t come cheap.
Very not cheap.
He could lower the fee by adjusting loot shares, but it was still pricey.
Hence hiring Jackal’s group, with their relatively low rates.
“Alright. Can’t hold you any longer or I might curse you out, so off you go.”
Kaul stepped back, waving him away.
Abel bowed politely once more to Kaul before heading to the vehicle.
The driver, preparations complete, spoke up.
“Then we’ll depart.”
“Yes.”
Vrooom—!
With the hum of the magic stone engine, the vehicle began to move slowly.
Abel gazed out the window.
The vehicle sped through dedicated roads, leaving the capital behind in moments, accelerating toward Red Hole.
‘Vehicle speed really is on another level.’
Most civilians rarely rode them.
They weren’t for civilian use to begin with, and even aside from that, they were ‘dangerous.’
Vehicles were noisier than carriages, naturally attracting more Gigadeus Fragments.
‘Widespread civilian adoption will take a lot more time.’
Abel passed the hours lost in such thoughts.
Red Hole was quite a distance from the capital, but the vehicle got them there in just four days.
On the fourth day, early dawn.
Abel awoke and peered through the window at the massive building in the distance.
‘That’s the entrance to Red Hole.’
One of the Empire’s knight orders was permanently stationed there, managing entry and handling emergencies.
They also culled periodically to keep numbers in check.
No wonder it was classified a special management zone.
Vroooom—.
The vehicle slowed, stopping before the large building.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Thank you for the ride.”
Abel bowed politely and disembarked.
Someone approached and greeted him.
“Welcome. Safe travels.”
The man wore armor emblazoned with the knight order’s emblem.
Abel bowed courteously at once.
“Thank you for the welcome. I’m Abel, first-year cadet from Del Modor Academy.”
“Yes. We’ve been informed about you, Cadet Abel. You’ll be exploring the interior for ten days with Jackal Mercenary Corps in tow?”
“That’s right.”
“The mercenaries arrived two days ago and are standing by. We can discuss details inside.”
“Understood.”
Abel followed him into the building.
He led Abel to a reception room not far from the entrance.
“I’ve instructed the mercenaries to come here, so let’s discuss your exploration plan in the meantime.”
“Got it.”
It was a standard procedure before entry, so Abel nodded without protest.
The man immediately began firing questions.
“You said ten days total—what specific areas do you plan to explore?”
“For the supplies submitted, explain the purpose of each.”
“Jackal Mercenary Corps has almost no track record—how did you come to hire them?”
“For sellable loot upon return…”
The questions were highly detailed.
The man probed every little thing meticulously.
But Abel answered calmly, without flinching.
He’d known entry was strict, so he’d prepared responses for every likely question.
Only after nearly thirty minutes of interrogation did the man smile in satisfaction.
“You’ve prepared thoroughly. Most people show up half-ready, begging to be let in. Excellent work.”
Abel gave an awkward smile.
Honestly, even to him, some questions felt excessive.
The man was just following orders from above, of course.
Knock knock—.
As conversation lulled, a knock sounded.
The man rose and opened the door himself. A familiar face appeared.
“Hello.”
It was Jackal, Abel’s tournament opponent.
He greeted the man and Abel with far more courtesy than before.
“Please proceed at your leisure. All entry procedures are complete—you can go in whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank you.”
Once the man left, Abel turned to Jackal.
“You arrived early. How’s the Gigant prep?”
Jackal answered the direct question promptly.
“Five Tito-grade. Ten auxiliary Midget-grade.”
Exactly as Abel had requested.
Midget-grade were practically unrated Gigants, useless in serious combat, but handy for exploration.
Hauling gear, dismantling Gigadeus Fragments, that sort of thing.
Real combat power came from the five Tito-grades.
‘I wanted Miles-grade if possible.’
But that was impossible.
The fees would skyrocket.
Abel asked a few more questions, nodded in satisfaction, and extended his hand.
“Please take good care of this expedition.”