Chapter 58
Another day passed, and the next morning arrived.
I stopped by the Hero Corps office to report that I’d completed Faber’s request.
And right away, I had to face Belinda’s cold gaze through her square glasses.
“Hmph. So you actually finished it. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten.”
Her words stabbed right into my conscience.
It had been quite a while since I’d accepted that request, so there was no room for excuses.
Unable to meet her eyes, I kept dodging her gaze—until she said something unexpected.
“Well, it’s not like you were slacking off. You’ve just been busy. Faber seemed satisfied too, so you don’t need to feel too guilty.”
“…Th-thank you, Belinda.”
I hadn’t expected her to say something like that, so my chest felt a little warm and ticklish for no reason.
Only for a moment, though—she quickly returned to her usual businesslike tone.
“Come to think of it, you haven’t taken any requests lately, have you? Is it because you’ve changed your name and don’t need to anymore?”
“Well, it’s not that… I’ve just been a bit busy. Why do you ask?”
“There’s a request I’d like you to take. I heard you have some skill in woodworking. Could you make a wooden training dummy for the practice yard?”
At her next words, I instinctively avoided her gaze again.
“W-wooden dummy?”
“Yes. The one in the training yard broke a few days ago. Craig said he accidentally broke it, but let’s be honest—it was probably Darren.”
I half-listened as Belinda shook her head, saying Craig was too kind for his own good.
‘A-actually, I’m the one who broke it… Sorry, Darren.’
He must have covered for his student’s mistake by claiming responsibility himself.
It stung a little that Darren was taking the blame for my mistake… but still—
Master, your unworthy disciple is deeply grateful.
“Anyway, we could ask Carpenter from the woodworking shop, but the budget’s tight. Of course, we’d pay you too, Elaine, but… well, it’d probably cost less than hiring him—ahem.”
Belinda adjusted her glasses and looked away.
I could tell she’d almost said what she was really thinking out loud.
“I’ll take it.”
I accepted the request immediately.
After all, the one who broke it should be the one to fix it.
Besides, I needed to raise my gathering and crafting skills to make items for the next region.
This would be good practice for that.
I’d already planned to go gathering in the Silvagrove Forest today anyway—so this worked out perfectly.
After finishing my conversation with Belinda, I packed my things and headed to the fountain plaza, ready to teleport to Silvagrove.
But when I arrived, I just stood there blankly.
‘…Wait. How do I teleport, again?’
When we traveled as a group, Leo always cast the teleport spell, so I’d never actually done it myself.
Maybe if I just said “Teleport!” in my head, it would work automatically, like dodging?
I tried thinking Teleport! in my mind.
And that turned out to be the right answer.
I couldn’t believe I’d been overthinking something so simple.
My vision darkened—and when it cleared, the familiar scent of forest air tickled my nose.
I had arrived at Elm Square in Silvagrove City.
And then—
“Huh? Isn’t that our hero?”
A familiar female voice reached my ears.
It was Ferdia, the same woman I’d met not long ago as a holographic AI guide inside the dungeon simulation.
“Ferdia!”
I waved to her happily.
The AI inside the simulation had looked a lot like her, but of course, it wasn’t really her.
Seeing the real one made me genuinely glad.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Gathering materials! I told you I’d come by often, didn’t I?”
And that wasn’t just empty talk.
I proudly swung my well-used axe.
I was going to make the higher-ups at the Forestry Guild regret giving me gathering rights so carelessly—those cowardly old men who only cared about their own profits.
“Oh-ho, our mighty protector of the forest is into gathering too? Most people think of that as a lowly job.”
“Well, I’ve got my reasons.”
If I tried to explain why a combat specialist like me started gathering and crafting, it’d take all day.
And not only that—I’d have to dredge up embarrassing parts of my past, including that shameful old name I’d rather not even say aloud.
“Anyway, I need some sturdy wood today. I’m making a training dummy for the Hero Corps.”
Of course, the fact that I’d broken the last one was a secret.
“Hmm, in that case, I’d recommend merbau wood. It’s very strong and dense—should last quite a while. And if you enchant it, it’ll withstand almost any impact.”
Ferdia stroked her chin thoughtfully as she gave her recommendation.
Apparently, even though she was a herbalist, she knew her lumber.
When I asked about it, she flashed a grin, showing off a little fang.
“My dad used to be a lumberjack. He hurt his back and had to switch to office work later.”
“Ah, I see.”
I nodded.
Then she started examining my axe with a look of clear disapproval.
“Hmm… but with that rusty old axe, I’m not sure you’ll even be able to cut merbau. What is that thing? A scrapyard reject?”
Hey, isn’t that a bit harsh…?
I swallowed the protest and looked down at my axe.
It was just a beginner’s tool, and I’d never once repaired it—so of course the blade was dull by now.
Still, I couldn’t justify wasting a rare magic repair kit on such a cheap axe.
So I’d just kept using it as-is.
“Guess it’s about time I make a new one. Should’ve brought a spare.”
By now, I was skilled enough to mine iron ore myself.
I could make a new axe and pickaxe from the ore I gathered…
‘Hmm, though that would take a lot of time.’
“…Make one? You mean you can forge weapons too?”
Ferdia looked at me like she couldn’t believe her ears.
Her expression practically said, Is there anything you can’t do?
‘I didn’t think I’d end up learning blacksmithing in another world either, you know.’
“Hmm, no need for that. Come with me.”
Ferdia grabbed my sleeve and started dragging me somewhere.
Our destination turned out to be a small wooden house on the outskirts of town.
It looked quite old but well maintained.
I blinked in confusion.
“Where are we?”
“My house. Wait here a sec.”
Without further explanation, she went inside.
What on earth was going on?
Feeling awkward, I scratched my head and waited for her to come back out.
A short while later—
“Ta-da! Here, take this.”
Ferdia came out holding an axe.
It looked well-used—nicks and scratches on the wooden handle—but the blade was smooth and gleaming, as if freshly oiled.
“Wh-what’s this?”
I stammered and hastily opened the status window to read the item’s description.
[Axe of the Retired Lumberjack]
Logging speed +30%
Increased chance to gather rare materials
…Was this another entry in the “Retired” series, after the Retired Air Marshal’s Pistol?
I was stunned.
“W-wait, isn’t this your father’s axe? It looks so well cared for—are you sure it’s okay to just give this to me?”
It was obvious that it had been lovingly maintained for years, the kind of tool a man might cherish after having to leave his trade behind.
Was she really just handing it over like this?
What kind of fiery filial piety was this!?
My head was spinning.
And then—
“Ahem. I gave her permission. I trust our hero will make good use of it.”
Her father stepped out of the house as he spoke.
“Uh—hello, sir.”
I bowed politely—East Asian manners die hard, even in another world.
While still bent over, I started thinking fast.
‘If the owner himself is offering, then maybe it’s okay to accept…? It does look like a really good item, though.’
A 30% boost to gathering speed and a higher chance for rare materials?
It didn’t say how much higher, but still—it was a solid tool.
Was it really alright to just accept it?
Maybe I should at least decline once, out of courtesy—
But before I could say anything—
“Ahem. This whole situation’s made me think a lot. The age of old men like me is over. It’s time for new generations—heroes like you and my daughter—to lead the world forward. So I’m passing this axe on to you. Use it well.”
He added that he wouldn’t be using it anymore anyway, and that it was time to let go.
His face showed not a hint of regret as he gestured for me to take it already.
“Th-then… thank you very much.”
I bowed deeply and accepted the axe from Ferdia.
This was the second time I’d received a tool imbued with the heartfelt sincerity of someone who had already retired from their craft.
