‘Isn’t this a profit?’

Hyeonu was momentarily flustered when the topic he brought up to overcome the awkward atmosphere actually caused it to come back. Nevertheless, he quickly regained his composure and attempted to grab onto the opportunity that came.

“Can you tell me more? It is very interesting.” He tried to have Hugo continue the next story.

Hugo smiled slightly as Hyeonu focused on his story with glowing eyes. Meanwhile, Tang-E came down from Manong’s arms and was embraced by Hyeonu. Tang-E was also curious about Hugo’s words.

“This was written in a book passed down from generation to generation through the Marionette clan,” Hugo said.

Then he closed his eyes and started to recite like he was reading from a book: “The demon kings who ruled the demon world dazzled the black magicians. They promised to give the black magicians what they wanted. In return, they demanded the deaths of the imperial family of the Luos Empire and some of the talents who graduated from the academy and were the ones impeding the demon kings’ entry to the middle world. The stupid black magicians were tricked by the sweet lies of the demon kings, and as a result, demonkin descended on the continent. Eventually, dragons intervened to clean up the chaotic continent.”

‘It is a common storyline,’ Hyeonu thought.

It was indeed a very common story—one that would appear in any virtual reality game. There was no novelty in it, but it spurred curiosity nonetheless.

‘The academy graduates must’ve been strong, especially Rondal... So why the imperial family?’

Having experienced it first-hand, Hyeonu knew the academy graduates were strong. He had cleared it without much difficulty, but it wasn’t easy at all for the other players of Crescent Moon. Each stage was difficult and a series of hardships.

“I understand about the academy since I’ve experienced it myself, but was the imperial family so strong? Enough to make the demonkin wary of them?”

Hugo’s eyes widened at Hyeonu’s question.

Then he started to explain what he knew: “From what remains in the literature, the academy was originally an educational institution for the imperial family. They were the descendants of giants, a pre-empire race from the Age of Mythology. To be exact, they were half-bloods? Still, they were stronger than the original lineage. It is written that they were an amazing species.”

‘Giants?’

It was a familiar name—one that Hyeonu knew better than anyone else.

“Are you talking about the giants that are over 5 meters tall and have shamans and a chieftain? Their holy city is Arperium,” Hyeonu spoke as he revived his memories of the giant dungeon.

It was where he had gotten the last remaining giant ring.

“You know it? I didn’t think there were any humans who knew about the giants... Moreover, you’re an adventurer...” Hugo looked really surprised.

He never imagined that information about the giants would come out of Hyeonu’s mouth.

“I found it by chance. These rings were also used by the giants. The giant shaman I met called the ring a holy relic.”

Hyeonu took off the gauntlets and raised his hand to make it easier for Hugo to see. His fingers had three similar rings. It was the Age of Mythology giant set. Hugo looked really surprised. This was the holy relic of the giants. It was unbelievable that it was before him now.

Hugo closely examined Hyeonu’s hand and stared deeply for a long time before getting up with these words: “Um... Can you wait a minute? It seems impossible to judge from this alone. I’ll bring a book that says something about the giants.”

Some time later, Hugo returned while holding a thick book with an antique brown cover. “Here... It is about the giants’ holy relics.”

Hugo opened the book to a page that had a few drawings with explanations underneath.

“Would you like to see it for yourself?” Hugo turned the book to make it easier for Hyeonu to see and pushed it in front of him.

Hyeonu glanced at the first image. ‘Hmm... Is this the first ring I got?’

The top picture was a ring with a rough pattern. Below the picture, the name and description of the ring were written.

[Ring Containing the Form of a Giant]

[Part of ‘courage’, one of the giants’ holy relics. Three rings gather to form one holy relic. The ring is full of images of the giants.]

‘The item name is the same, but the rest is a bit different?’

Naturally, the item name was the same as it was stated in Hyeonu’s item window. However, the explanation was slightly different.

‘Part of the holy relic?’

The fact that it was one of the things meant it was part of a set.

‘Is there anything else?’

Hyeonu’s eyes quickly moved to the next one. The second picture was just a black ring. Hyeonu also had it.

[Ring Containing the Soul of a Giant]

[Part of ‘courage’, one of the giants’ holy relics. Three rings gather to form one holy relic. The ring is infused with the souls of the giants.]

The third seemed to be a combination of the first two—a black ring with an unknown pattern engraved on it.

[Ring Containing the Origin of a Giant]

[Part of ‘courage’, one of the giants’ holy relics. Three rings gather to form one holy relic. It contains the origin of the giants.]

So far, it was like what he knew. However, it was the first time Hyeonu was seeing the picture below it, which was of a bracelet. The bracelet looked like a twisted white rope with irregular black stripes engraved on it.

[Wisdom of the Sky]

[Part of ‘wisdom’, one of the giants’ holy relics. It symbolizes the vast wisdom of the giants. Mainly worn by the shaman leader.]

A slight smile appeared on Hyeonu’s face when he read the description.

‘It smells.’

He could smell the scent of an epic item. Another rise in his specifications seemed possible.

‘By the way... if the shamans used it...’

“It is unclear...” Hyeonu unknowingly expressed his thoughts.

“Unclear? Are your rings not the same as the pictures?” Hugo asked carefully after listening to Hyeonu’s words.

Hyeonu quickly shook his head. “No, my words came out wrong. The rings in the pictures are the same as what I have.”

“Then you really have the giants’ holy relics. It is amazing...” Hugo's words ended there. There was no follow-up.

‘Shouldn’t he give a quest?’ Hyeonu remarked inwardly. If the story was carried out to this extent, it was assumed that a quest would appear, even if it was out of courtesy. Eventually, the thirsty Hyeonu dug a well.

“Do you have any literature that describes where this bracelet might be? I want to give it as a gift to Tang-E. These three rings are enough for me.”

He truly had good lip service.

‘I’m not greedy at all. I want to present it to Tang-E. It isn’t for me. It is a gift for your child, Tang-E.’ Hyeonu said this in a different way.

‘Well... if it is useless to me, I will naturally give it to him,’ he thought.

If the relic had the effects Hyeonu needed, then he would use it himself, even if he had to take off something he was wearing.

“Let’s see... There are few records of the Age of Mythology in our clan...”

The answer that came back was negative, but Hyeonu didn’t give up.

‘If it isn’t this, then something else is fine.’

“Then do you know where traces of the Luos Empire might remain? For example, the location of the imperial palace...” Hyeonu asked persistently like a hyena rushing to its prey.

“Fortunately, the location of the imperial palace of the Luos Empire is written here. It’s just... I’m not sure where it is based on current standards.” Hugo made an apologetic expression.

Hyeonu shook his head vigorously. There was no need to feel sorry about this.

Why?

‘I can find it. I don’t need a quest. I just need a clue.’

All Hugo had to do was answer. The rest would be left to Hyeonu.

“All you have to do is tell me what you know. I can find the details myself. Then won’t it feel rewarding when the relic is given to Tang-E?” Hyeonu continued to pester Hugo.

As Hugo remained silent, Manong came forward.

“Just tell him. It is a gift for our child anyway. Or are you going to obtain it? I’ll pack you some lunch boxes. Do you want to go?” Manong snapped at him.

The pressure she gave off was strong. It seemed like she could hit Hugo at any moment. Motherhood was really scary.

“No... It isn’t hard to say it. I’m just wondering if I’m making him suffer for nothing... That is the reason,” Hugo replied to Manong while waving his hands. His face showed that he was quite flustered. “I will tell you. It’s documented that the capital of the Luos Empire is somewhere in the northern glacial zone. I’ll copy the map for you. However, the terrain has changed over a long period of time, so it might not be accurate.”

Hyeonu smiled. It didn’t make any sense why Hugo hesitated. By his standards, this was a very good thing.

‘Isn’t this good enough?’

Wandering around was originally a strength of Hyeonu’s anyway. He often went around well without the help of a map.

“It’s okay. This is really good. All I need is the map.”

“Just wait and I’ll draw it for you right away.”

***

“Tang-E, are you sure it is okay if we just leave like this? We can stay a bit longer. Why are you in a hurry?”

Hyeonu left Bung Bung Island due to Tang-E urging him to leave. He came out as soon as Hugo handed him the map.

‘I wanted to talk to Leon Meyer.’

He didn’t even get to see the face of Leon Meyer, the dragon on Bung Bung Island. Dragons were always a great source of quests. Sometimes it was good to see them.

“It will soon be time to eat. We almost had to eat before going. Thank me, Master dude.” Tang-E looked at Hyeonu with eyes filled with horror.

“You hate eating it that much?”

“Master dude has never eaten it. Didn’t you see my dad’s expression before? My mom said she would pack lunch boxes, so he looked like he was going to die.”

The secret was revealed now. Hugo wasn’t flustered by Manong’s urging but by her words that she would make lunch boxes for him.

“It must really be tasteless.”

“That’s right. In fact, I didn’t know. I only found out after meeting Master dude that the food Mom gives me isn’t tasty at all. This is why my dad disappears when it is meal time.”

Once he finished talking, Tang-E jumped into the arms of Hyeonu, who held him carefully.

“By the way, if we go to the glacier, I won’t be able to cook meat. Is it okay?” Hyeonu whispered to Tang-E.

“That isn’t possible. You have to buy food first before going,” Tang-E complained from Hyeonu’s arms.

“Yes, let’s go.”