Chapter 24 : A Title For Calling Something (Part-2)

“Is there a reason you don’t use a throwing axe? Or, if not, wouldn’t it be easier to just shorten the handle a bit?”

Though she had seen him fight monsters like goblins and trolls over the past few days, she hadn’t known he was this strong.

“Or wouldn’t it be more comfortable to use a sword or a hammer? With your strength, an axe might actually be more cumbersome.”

Eden took a moment to reflect on her question, weighing the implications and the context before responding.

The item in question was a weapon he had relied upon ever since he first found himself transported into the captivating and perilous realm of the game world.

He recognized that ordinary items lacked the durability and fortitude to withstand the immense power and ferocity that came with being a barbarian, which led him to form a deeper connection with this particular weapon.

Out of this fondness and emotional investment, he had even chosen to bestow upon it a unique name that carried special significance for him.

After careful contemplation, he ultimately provided her with the most straightforward and uncomplicated answer he could muster.

“Too lazy.”

It was an honest answer, reflecting true intentions and unfiltered thoughts without any embellishment or deception.

He had already taken the [Axe Master] perk, after all, which demonstrated his commitment to mastering the use of axes and showcased the effort he had put into developing his skills and abilities in that particular area.

Then, Eden added,

“And there’s also the hero who uses olive wood as a weapon. An axe should be a fine weapon.”

“…Such a hero really exists?”

Yes, there was indeed.

Heracles.

Naturally, that legendary hero, renowned in myth and folklore for his extraordinary feats and adventures, did not have any presence or existence in this particular world or reality we find ourselves in.

Among the gathering of individuals, Neb stood out as the sole person capable of grasping the subtle humor embedded within the conversation, comprehending the layers of irony that went unnoticed by the others in the group.

“A hero wrapped in a lion’s skin.”

“That’s one unusual fellow.”

The conversation was about to continue when the skull’s voice interrupted them.

[Very well.]

Everyone turned their gaze to the chair where the skull’s head was still impaled with the axe.

There was no movement, yet the voice continued.

[To become a great hero remembered in history, one needs overwhelming ability, but… more important is the ability to calmly assess the situation.]

Despite the axe lodged in its skull, the skull’s voice was calm.

[With this, the final trial has been passed.]

“So, you’re saying you didn’t just split the skull open for no reason?”

It was just split open, but Eden didn’t feel the need to answer.

He had been contemplating whether he should throw another axe to decisively finish it off, weighing the implications of such an action and considering the potential consequences of his next move.

[But, a hero like that wouldn’t need my meager abilities… Still, I can offer a small bit of help.]

The skull grabbed the axe stuck in its head.

[Warrior, what is the name of this weapon?]

“Huh?”

Eden tilted his head, signaling a moment of contemplation or curiosity.

In the gaming world, the weapon was known as ‘Barbarian’s Double Axe,’ a title that conveyed its fierce and powerful nature, but in his everyday life, he had chosen to bestow it with a unique name of his own, reflecting his personal connection to the item.

He didn’t think too deeply about the implications of this choice.

After all, in contemporary society, it was a common practice for individuals to assign affectionate or whimsical nicknames to their vehicles, much in the same vein as a castaway might refer to a volleyball as ‘Wilson,’ deriving significance from an emotional bond or a memorable experience.

“Gimbap.”

“…?”

Neb tilted her head at the name.

But Eden ignored it and continued,

“And Ramen.”

He had debated between Kimchi and Gimbap, but when he first fell into the game, the food that came to mind was Gimbap.

The skull, upon hearing the names, nodded.

[‘Gimbap’ and ‘Ramen’. I don’t understand the meaning, but they seem like good names.]

Then, a greenish light began to shine from the axe.

The axe in the skull’s hand suddenly flew toward Eden.

It spun quickly as if thrown, but Eden’s reflexes didn’t miss the movement.

He grabbed the axe’s handle, feeling its heavy weight.

‘…Could it be?’

A slight possibility made his heart race.

[I am Desideros of Abandie. I hope my name will come to mind every time you wield this weapon.]

The skull’s body scattered like powder.

Eden realized that something had disappeared from the space.

And it wasn’t just the skull that turned to dust.

“No…!”

Cotton’s horrified voice echoed.

The red jewel that had been attached to the chest of the statue also scattered into dust.

“My, my jewel…!”

Cotton kneeled down in despair.

He didn’t know when it had become his jewel, but Eden patted Cotton’s shoulder to comfort him.

Every time Eden patted him, Cotton’s body shook violently from the strength.

“That steel alone must be worth a lot, but do you want to take that with you?”

“…How am I supposed to carry that?”

Cotton looked conflicted, unsure whether to be happy or sad.

The jewel still shimmered in front of his eyes.

Suddenly, feeling some sort of confidence, Cotton puffed out his cheeks and looked at Eden.

“…Didn’t you say something earlier?”

“What?”

“You said something like, ‘I don’t negotiate with mages.’ But it seems like you didn’t reject putting a spell on your axe.”

“Mm.”

He didn’t like mages, but that didn’t mean he disliked useful spells.

“A good mage is a dead mage.”

“…What?”

Still, he felt like testing it once.

Eden grabbed the axe.

‘…Formally?’

Then, he threw the axe toward the wall with a loud thud.

After the loud sound, the axe embedded into the wall.

Since he had thrown the axe with his right hand, the name he needed to call was a dish.

‘But do I have to say it out loud?’

Eden muttered “Ramen” under his breath.

A moment later, the axe shuddered in the wall.

Whoooosh!!

“Yikes!”

The axe, having been launched with significant force, returned toward him at the exact speed with which it had initially been thrown.

Eden expertly caught the axe once more.

This was no ordinary axe; it possessed magical qualities that set it apart from any standard weapon.

The outcome of this impressive feat was immensely gratifying and brought a sense of accomplishment.

Nevertheless, this sense of satisfaction was short-lived as complications arose almost immediately thereafter.

As the axe, which was deeply embedded within the sturdy wall, was forcefully extracted, the void it left behind began to expand alarmingly.

With a resonating thud, several stones began to loosen and tumble from the ceiling above him.

‘…Formally?’

Eden didn’t answer the call.

He merely muttered briefly to himself.

“That’s what a wicked mage would do. I bet he made the ruins collapse. Desideros… We’d better get out of here.”

“No, you just broke it yourself!!”

Eden chose to disregard Cotton’s remarks entirely, brushing them aside as if they were insignificant and inconsequential.

This was, ultimately, a consequence of the mage’s actions and influence on the situation they found themselves in.

The members of the group made a collective decision to return to the village initially, as they had successfully addressed the issues that had been plaguing it and could now move forward with a clear conscience.

Before embarking on their journey to Mordelan, they thought it would be a good idea to take a moment and enjoy a proper meal at a nearby tavern, allowing themselves a brief respite to savor the comforts of good food and companionship.

“Well, since this is fate, I’ll treat you to something good. The tavern makes great food, you know.”

Eden quietly chuckled while looking at Cotton, who was walking ahead. In the end, it would probably be

‘Eternal Stew’ on the menu.

As they continued, they met the village chief, who was preparing to head to the city to sell the jewels.

He was loading the wagon with supplies.

“Mm?”

The chief raised an eyebrow when he saw Cotton.

“Weren’t you leaving for good?”

“Huh? What do you mean? My things are still here in this village…”

Cotton, sensing something ominous, cut off his words and ran toward the tavern.

When he reached it, he found it completely empty. There was no sign of life.

The only one still in the tavern was the innkeeper, who asked Cotton,

“Did you leave anything behind? You left in quite a hurry, after all.”

Cotton found himself unable to articulate a response.

What he had abandoned… encompassed everything he held dear.

He came to a profound understanding of the situation that had transpired.

The Paladin and the barbarian had successfully captured the leader.

The loyal followers.

And all the possessions he had once considered invaluable.

Even Cotton understood clearly that if he chose to remain there instead of fleeing, he would be making a grave mistake.

But now that he had been abandoned, he couldn’t just let it slide.

“Those damn bastards…”

Eden silently shook his head, observing Cotton as he muttered curses quietly under his breath in frustration.

It truly was a medieval world, a harsh reality where individuals exploited others’ vulnerabilities, even when one was fully alert and aware.