The faint green glow of the crystal glimmered in the hulking giant's hand.
Compared to its titanic fingers, the gem was barely the size of two knuckles—yet Lister could tell, even from a distance, that it was anything but ordinary.
It shimmered like cut jade, shaped in an irregular, prismatic form.
And the way the elite giant handled it—with care and reverence—confirmed Lister's suspicion.
"Target locked: Ghost-Eyed Giant – Alpha Class"
[Scanning target...]
Level: 31
HP: 10,313 / 10,313
Stamina: 6,981 / 6,981
Stats: STR 31 | VIT 31 | INT 9 | AGI 9
Skills:
• Laser Eye (C) Lv10 – Emits a cone-shaped paralysis beam; applies group stun based on relative strength.
• Hardening (D) Lv18 – Reduces incoming damage by 54% via skin reinforcement.
• Heavy Smash (F) Lv31 – A delayed, high-damage physical slam (630–670 dmg).
Class: Elite | Rank D
⚠ WARNING: This enemy significantly outlevels you. Avoid direct engagement.
And yet... that's not all, Lister thought.
Another window appeared:
Item Identified:Turquoise Resonance Crystal (B-Rank)
A rare crystalline byproduct of turquoise mining. Upon use, grants +10 Free Attribute Points and 500,000 EXP instantly. Gradually enhances base physical stats over time.
Warning: Cannot be crafted or artificially reproduced.
So that's why the ghost-eyed giants invaded.
Magical creatures typically stayed within their native regions unless compelled. Something had drawn this swarm here—and now Lister had confirmation.
A natural turquoise vein...
In the world of Divine Revelation, turquoise was the primary reagent in Lucian Turquoise Tonic, a rare consumable that boosted passive attribute growth.
The monsters might not understand alchemy, he realized, but they can instinctively sense power.
And this elite giant?
It had somehow claimed the crystal core—a B-rank treasure with immense value.
Lister's breath was steady, but his muscles were tense.
I could maybe scratch it. Maybe even land a good crit. But kill it? Not with that much HP. Not alone.
Not with a group of 40 more giants standing outside like loyal meat shields.
He lingered, memorized the terrain, and marked the escape paths.
Then—he turned away.
Not today.
Days Later — Back at Rechton Town
A knock at the door.
Lister opened it to find a man in a grey-brown noble's coat, his snowy white hair flecked with road dust. Though his face was expressionless, the long ride had clearly worn him down.
Lawson Connor.
He was the firstborn son of Count Connor, heir to the powerful house of mages—and currently the most influential noble family in the entire Wil Duchy.
Backup. Finally.
Lister greeted him warmly and invited him inside.
"Sir Lawson," Lister said with a smile, "may I offer you some red tea? It's infused with a mild magic herb from the Gabriel barony. Not powerful—but the bitterness is much softer."
Lawson took a sip and nodded. "Tolerable."
His gaze was sharp, his voice blunt.
"Is it true?"
Lister raised an eyebrow. "About...?"
"The turquoise. The mine. Your letter to my father." Lawson set his cup down. "You're saying this wasteland holds a rare mineral vein? That these giants attacked for that?"
Straight to business, huh?
"Yes," Lister replied. "If you'd like, I can take you there directly. You can judge for yourself."
Lawson waved him off. "Not necessary. If my father believes you, I'll go along with it."
He paused, then asked:
"Have you assessed the vein yourself? Mapped its size? Verified it's actually turquoise?"
"No," Lister said honestly. "I haven't seen the vein directly. But I have seen something far more telling."
He turned, retrieved a small item wrapped in cloth, and gently unwrapped it—a sliver of turquoise crystal, glowing faintly.
Lawson's eyes widened ever so slightly.
"You saw one of these?" he asked.
"It was in the hands of the strongest of the giants. I believe it's the reason they invaded. Not coincidence—instinct."
Lawson leaned back and nodded slowly. "Then the mine is real."
"And currently... fully controlled by that giant horde."
Lister nodded.
Lawson tapped the table.
"Which means... to mine it, we'll need to kill every last one of them."
Alliance Formed
With the Connor family's reinforcements, Lister finally had a viable strike force. The Connor lineage specialized in AOE magic and battlefield control—perfect for crowd-clearing enemies like the giants.
Lawson himself wielded a rare Vine Binding Art, perfect for immobilizing clustered enemies.
With him locking them down and me cutting them apart... even the boss might fall.
But Lawson had another question. One that made Lister pause.
"My father also asked about the duke's son. Quent. Can he be trusted?"
Lister blinked.
Right...
From Connor's perspective, Quent could easily be a spy planted by the duke—sent to monitor the other houses under the guise of failure and exile.
But Lister knew the truth.
In the game's timeline, Quent becomes Duke Will III. That alone proves he succeeds—and isn't loyal to his father.
"He's trustworthy," Lister said firmly. "But if you're unsure, this mission is the perfect test."
Lawson smirked. "Fair enough."
A Political Gamble
Turquoise wasn't just valuable—it was strategic.
With a steady supply, an entire army of retainers could ascend in power. Even elite nobles would kill for access to such a vein.
But that access would be impossible under the current duke's control.
That's where Quent came in.
As the official baron of Lai, he had the legal authority to mine the land. If he chose to share the profits independently, bypassing the duke entirely...
It would be a game-changer.
"Alright," Lawson said at last. "Let's plan this properly. I'll defer to you on scouting and preparation—but when the assault begins, I take command."
Classic noble logic, Lister thought. He still sees me as a tool.
He didn't argue.
Power was power. Ego meant little.
As long as I get the boss kill and that crystal, he can take all the credit he wants.
Meanwhile – Elsewhere in Rechton Castle
Click. Clack. Step. Step.
A woman climbed the staircase.
Barely dressed. Skin the color of warm bronze. A faint sheen of sweat covered her chiseled muscles. Crimson hair flowed over her shoulders like fire.
Her clothing? Scandalously minimal. Strips of fabric barely covered the essentials. Every step flexed the sculpted muscle along her thighs and abdomen.
This was not a woman to underestimate.
This was Karina—a three-star warrior, one of Duke Will II's most elite enforcers.
She didn't knock. She kicked open the door.
Inside sat a young man—Quent—looking up with a calm but wary expression.
Karina's lip curled.
"You said it was important. It better be."
She stepped forward, cracking her knuckles.
"If you're wasting my time... I'll give you training you won't forget. You may be a baron, but don't forget—I'm not your pet."
Quent simply smiled.
"Relax," he said. "I wouldn't dare."