Chapter 426: Do You Even Hear What You're Saying?
To be honest, Steven had zero interest in that so-called "special reward" Gladiia mentioned—not even the slightest bit. As a gentleman who long ago transcended base desires, how could he possibly be swayed by such things? He was a civilized person, a refined person, an upright person who had studied the classics. Those unhealthy thoughts? He'd discarded them ages ago.
So the reason he immediately shut himself inside his room on Rhodes Island and started researching how to give his Yamato the same kind of special abilities as the real Yamato through mods—that was absolutely, purely out of academic curiosity. And out of concern for Gladiia and the other Abyssal Hunters. Definitely had nothing to do with what happened earlier.
However, this time Steven was a bit troubled. After rummaging through his entire mod inventory, he really didn't find any add-ons for a blade that could cut through concept itself.
He tapped his forehead in frustration, walked out of his room, and looked up at the night sky with a sigh.
He had bragged so confidently… If he failed to deliver, wouldn't everyone laugh at him?
No thank you.
Just as he was thinking that if worst came to worst, he could do something even more outrageous than inputting commands—like secretly using his in-game authority as the wielder of Minecraft's power to write such a mod himself—that was when he spotted a white-haired girl walking by, carrying a bronze cauldron bigger than half a person. And suddenly, he found his solution.
He could write the mod himself, sure. With the full power of the Minecraft world, it wouldn't be hard. But if he did, the will of this world would probably file a complaint or even revolt against him. Claiming Iberia already strained its tolerance—and now he'd tamper with the system? That was way too disrespectful.
Luckily, here was a fragment of a god—someone who possessed a form of authority within this world. If he asked her for help, maybe he'd discover something new.
With a few steps, he caught up to the girl carrying the giant cauldron. Steven even helped her lift it off her shoulder, offering a warm smile.
Nian—humming a tune from some unknown movie—felt the weight suddenly leave her shoulder. She turned back in surprise and saw Steven's handsome face wearing an awkwardly cheerful smile. Honestly, it wasn't the kind of expression he usually made.
If anything, it looked more like the smile she herself used when sneaking a homemade firecracker into her little sister's room while trying to fool her big brother.
"What's up? Why are you smiling so weird? You need something? Or are you trying to mooch some hotpot off me?"
She asked suspiciously—but halfway through, she leaned closer, sniffing around his collar like a curious little animal.
"Why do you smell like some familiar—and disgusting—seafood? Did you mess with something you shouldn't have?"
She muttered quietly, then grabbed Steven by the wrist and hurried him into her own little room.
She might not have understood why Steven stopped her earlier, but now the strange aura coming off him had definitely piqued her curiosity.
Judging from her instinctive reaction, this was definitely the lingering aura that only her former kind could possess. Which meant… in the less-than-one-day he and Steven had been apart, he had somehow gone and provoked a god?
Even her irresponsible little brothers and sisters wouldn't likely manage something so ridiculous, alright? So how did this kid do it?
And what made it even more absurd—the smell clearly came from the ocean. Yet Rhodes Island was currently an absurd distance away from any coastline. Even she couldn't pull off a round trip that fast.
"Let's not worry about that. We didn't even fight—just saw each other briefly. Honestly, kind of a shame. But from what you're saying... are you making hotpot? In a bronze cauldron?"
Steven set down the giant cauldron he'd helped her carry, speaking as though it were the most normal thing in the world—completely indifferent. His attention had already shifted to the pot itself.
Eating hotpot in something like this… actually suited the girl's style quite well. It even sparked a bit of curiosity in him.
"You seriously think that is the priority here? I always thought I was thick-skinned, but wow—you're really something too."
Her lips twitched involuntarily. She had intended to keep pressing him for answers, but after hearing his casual reply, she froze for a moment… then broke into a resigned smile.
If Steven didn't care, why should she? What did it have to do with her anyway? Better to just get the hotpot started.
Realizing their personalities were oddly similar, she figured he must have his own reasons. And if so, she might as well let him be—it wasn't her problem.
Skillfully lighting a fire beneath the bronze pot, she poured in clear water and some fiery-red seasonings from who-knows-where. Then, with pride, she puffed up her chest.
"You've definitely never tasted this before. With my secret honey-spicy sauce, I guarantee it'll make you feel like you're dying and coming back to life. In a good way."
"Oh? Then I'd better give it a proper try. Is it okay if I bring my own ingredients for dipping?"
Steven was already taking out various cuts of raw meat from his inventory, setting them neatly beside him as he grabbed a stool and sat right next to the cauldron.
"Of course you can. And besides—it's easier to talk things out when we're eating, right? Not so tense."
Sitting down beside him, she watched as he pulled all sorts of strange food items out like a magician. She quietly put away the two frozen meat trays she'd planned to use—why waste her own supplies when there was better food right here?
"Actually, it's nothing huge. I just wanted to ask how I could help my weapon awaken an ability… something like a god authority."
Steven scratched his head awkwardly and finally shared what he'd been struggling with.
—And then, right after taking a sip of the hotpot broth…
Pfft!
She sprayed the soup all over his face.
"—Do you even hear what you're saying!?"
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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