Return of the Woodcutter

"But… how?" Aito asked, more in actual astonishment than for the sake of getting an answer.

He thought that at first, Valinar, the dead goddess of bravery, had given him some kind of magical metal to help him in his endeavor. The kind of unbreakable, legendary, super-duper-killing-god-kind of metal—at least he had hoped so. Well, in a sense, it was a magical rock since it could repel aura.

The minerian said there was a high possibility of a living thing hiding at the center of the stone as if it was an egg of sorts. Furthermore, the metal protecting whatever was inside could regenerate. Meaning it could only be something important, precious. He certainly hoped it wasn't some kind of industrial toy hiding inside. 

If that were the case, he'd sign a complaint to the goddess of bravery. It'd make for a poor reward, after all.

How-the-very-ever, in his opinion, it was also extremely suspicious. If it weren't, then why hadn't Valinar talked about the potential surprise hiding inside?

"I don't know, boy," Ainar replied, shrugging. "I've tried to open it, but the closer I got to the center, the faster the regeneration. To the point of being visible to the naked eye. Regenerating faster than I could carve a piece out. Truly fascinating."

"Fascinating?" Aito asked, confused. The minerian was obviously passionate, which was not Aito's case. He only wanted the result. He'd leave the how, what, when, where, whatever-stuff to the minerian. 

"Yeah, it's not every day I see that kind of rock, boy. In fact, I've never seen anything like this before. And believe me when I say strange materials are my specialty. Fiery rocks, scales emitting electricity, hide tougher than steel. I've studied all sorts of weird materials, but this… this is something else." Ainar said, clearly interested in spending more time studying Aito's item.

"If I leave it with you for a while, do you think you'll be able to crack it open?" Aito asked, taking notice of the minerian's growing interest in the rock. If he could take advantage of that to incite the minerian to study it, then why not?

"Boy, who do you think you're talking to?" Ainar said, slightly puffing his chest to manifest his pride in his abilities, but not too much as to avoid over-exaggeration. He was past the age of being conceited. He'd leave that to those boys and girls ascending the Tower. 

"A thousand-year-old minerian whom, according to Roan, is one of the best blacksmiths in existence," Aito said, before adding. "But I've actually never been able to test out your products. And it seems you aren't capable to identify a simple rock."

Ainar scoffed, "Let me clarify a few things, human boy. I have mastered blacksmithing and magic engineering, which makes me an inventor. A title few can brag about. Also, I dare you to find someone else in this scrog's ass place who can identify the content of this rock. And if you're so intent on testing out my work, how about buying it before opening your toothy mouth?"

'Bingo,' Aito thought, thinking how prideful the minerian was. Ainar seemed like a reasonable person who wouldn't get angered by common insults. However, the minerian appeared to take great pride in his profession. Something Aito intended to use to his advantage.

He had two objectives in coming here. First, identify the Ancient Shard to know its origin. Two, order new equipment with which he could ascend the Tower.

After giving it some thought, he intended to use all his TPs before fighting his way to the tenth floor. Why? Because Tutorial Points could only be used inside the Tower—at least that's what he thought.

What's more, to his knowledge, TPs couldn't be used on other floors. He could be wrong, but in the case, he was right, what would be the point of keeping TPs then? Better spend them wisely where he could. 

Since he didn't plan on returning to the second floor after starting to climb the Tower, there was no point in holding on his TPs. It was a better investment to spend them on equipment.

After using Ogoro's knowledge to compare Ainar's weapons and armors with those found in the other districts, Aito came to the conclusion that Ainar might indeed be the best smit—…correction, inventor in the Tower and intended to order tailor-made equipments.

Aito already had a somewhat good armor, but it didn't fit him perfectly and could sometimes hinder his movements. That was one of the reasons he also wanted a new armor.

He was stirring Ainar for that purpose. Although it could also be a double-edge knife resulting in Ainar refusing the order he was about to place, it could also do the exact opposite. Increasing the quality of the equipment the minerian would produce because of his desire to show Aito his skills.

"Certainly," Aito said, smirking provocatively. "If you can promise me, it'll hold until I reach the tenth floor, that is."

At those words, Ainar's angered facial expression immediately changed to one of surprise. "You intend to clear the Tower?"

"Yes."

"Bahahahaha!" Ainar laughed, his deep voice resounding through the whole street, erasing his anger. His shoulders repeatedly moved up and down. As if laughing in ridicule to the joke too. 

Aito sighed, wondering why everyone he told that to would laugh like it was the funniest joke ever told. Gwen had the same reaction. Only Roan had taken him seriously, but… the guide was a strange man who couldn't be judged by common standards. Aito didn't know if he could be judged at all. 

"Hahaha! That was a good one, boy." Ainar said, then progressively stopped laughing as he realized Aito's poker face showed he was serious. The minerian held his gaze as if gauging his determination and finally said, "I see. You seem to know what you're getting into."

"Yes."

"If that's the case, tell me what you need," Ainar said, regaining a composed demeanor.

"That's it?" Aito asked, confused. "No asking me why I'm doing this? No ridiculing me on how foolish I am?"

This development seemed unnatural to him, anti-climatic even. He was expecting waves of questions about his motives and sanity.

"Nah, I'm too old for that," Ainar shamelessly said, though he had already mocked him. "I admit I was surprised at first, since only fools would try to reach the tenth floor. But a great perk of living for almost a thousand years is that I can rapidly recognize determination from foolishness. And determination is something I can respect. Although foolishness can drive determination. But that's your problem. So, I'll ask again, what do you need?"

'What a weird guy…' Aito thought. Switching from a laugh outburst to a serious expression in no time. The more he interacted with Ainar, the more he saw his similarities with Roan.

Ainar didn't appear to be as unpredictable or easygoing as Roan was, but… he shared that kind of weird wisdom. Albeit the fact that Aito was more inclined in believing the minerian was wise. Roan seemed more… more… for the lack of a better term, he seemed more like Roan.

"I need durable equipment."