Chapter 329 - Mine (6)
While Carl was fighting with the bodies rising from Death, Astron plunged into the darkness of the chosen tunnel, his steps silent against the cold, hard ground.
The tunnel bore the scars of heavy use, with marks on the walls where tools had chipped away at the stone and footprints long set in the dust, leading deeper into the heart of the earth.
As he advanced, the unsettling laughter that had accompanied them thus far resonated through the tunnel once more, wrapping around him like a chilling breeze. "Have you discovered the answer to my riddle, wanderer?" the voice taunted, its tone dripping with amusement and malice.
Astron remained silent, focusing on the environment.
He had considered the riddle, its words echoing in his mind, but he decided to not answer it.
Seemingly disappointed but not deterred, the voice cackled again. "No answer? Perhaps you require a clue to guide your way. But remember, every clue has its price," it sneered, and with a final, mocking laugh, it vanished into the silence that followed.
Before a second passed, the ground beneath him stirred. From the earthen floor, figures began to emerge, not of bone and decay, but formed from a viscous, black liquid that seemed to absorb the faint light around them.
These figures, shaped into the forms of miners complete with uniforms and pickaxes, stood before him, a ghastly imitation of life.
Their eyes, empty yet filled with a haunting light, fixed on Astron as they brandished their tools menacingly. "He has the 'thing,'" they whispered amongst themselves, their voices a chorus of despair and accusation.
"Give it to me!"
"Give it to me!"
"Give it to me!"
Without hesitation, the liquid-formed miners charged at Astron, their movements eerily silent. Astron, had already noticed that he would combat against something, so he didn't mind.
These were no ordinary foes; they were manifestations of the earth spirit's power, shaped from the memories and despair of those who had once toiled in these tunnels.
Dancing between the swings of their pickaxes, Astron fought back with precision and grace. Each strike he delivered disrupted the liquid forms of his attackers, causing them to momentarily lose cohesion before they reformed, relentless in their assault.
SPURT!
And after not even a minute have passed, the miners all disappeared, returning to the black liquid they once were.
However, in the corner of his eyes, Astron could see a source of mana moving. It had the small black liquid form, but he knew it was the culprit.
Yet, as he attempted to chase, another wave of miners rose from the ground.
"I need it. I need the reward."
"I need it. I need the reward."
"I need it. I need the reward."
"I need it. I need the reward."
This time they had repeated a different word, yet they pounced at him with their eyes bloodshot.
As Astron continued to fend off the relentless waves of liquid-formed miners, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him.
Each time he dispatched a wave, they dissolved back into the black liquid from which they came, only for another group to rise up in their place.
As he continued to fight, Astron's mind raced with possibilities. Perhaps there was a relic or artifact hidden within these tunnels, something that held the power to control or manipulate the earth spirits.
Or perhaps it was something more sinister, a curse or enchantment that had bound these miners to an eternity of servitude and suffering.
But regardless of the cause, Astron knew that he could not afford to falter. With each step closer to the end of the tunnel, he felt the weight of his task pressing down upon him, urging him forward.
But it wasn't just the ceaseless onslaught that troubled him. There was something different about these miners compared to the previous attackers.
They all referred to him as if he possessed something they desired, repeating the same phrase with a disturbing fervor: "I need it. I need the reward." Or with something like, "I am the one who can only get it."
Their eyes, once filled with haunting light, now glinted with madness and cruelty, a stark contrast to the hollow gazes of their predecessors.
Astron realized that there was a pattern emerging—a pattern that hinted at a deeper connection between these miners and the source of the voice.
******
Sometimes, we people wonder what fate is awaiting us. Is this life worth going through? Do we really need to overcome all these obstacles?
Everyone had these types of moments to think. But then, as we live our lives in our monotonous ways, in the flow of our daily lives, we forget to question such things.
After all, even after questioning, how many could get the answer they wished? This was essentially why most of the nihilist and anarchist people were observed to be the ones who had a lot of free time.
Then, what happens to those who are tied into this underground place, working for their lives on the line? Do they get to question these things? Do they have free time?
Do they even live as a human being? Living in the darkness underneath the ground where no sun could enter, trying to meet the next month's daily expenses.
How do the people giving them these jobs view them?
Isn't the answer obvious?
Numbers.
Just numbers. Many can go, and many will come. The people will leave, and others who need money will come. The cycle will continue, and the things will remain the same.
These were the questions that suddenly appeared in my head as if my thoughts were influenced by the surrounding atmosphere.
'It makes sense, though. I had far long noticed the Psychic-Mana influencing me.'
It was kind of ironic that now, after encountering Belthazor, such things felt like child's play.
'And maybe that is the case?'
But then, before my thoughts could linger about those things any longer, I saw something materializing before me.
It was a body that was slowly being made from the black liquid.
I already knew what was awaiting me the moment I entered this tunnel. With my eyes, I could see that the number of mana veins that were connected to just one place concentrated there.
It supported my assumptions, so I didn't hesitate.
'And now here we are. Facing myself three times.'
The clones materialized fully before me, and their appearances were strikingly similar to mine—identical, in fact, except for the uncanny smiles that stretched across their faces.
These expressions, eerily out of place, were a clear divergence from my usual demeanor. The smiles were like of a grin, but at the same time they held the innocence of a child, and I knew I didn't have such a thing any longer.
It was disconcerting, a visual reminder that these were not mere reflections but entities with their own intent.
Each clone was dressed in the same attire I wore, their purple eyes and black hair mirroring my own, yet the light within those eyes seemed different, almost twisted.
The paleness of their skin under the dim light of the tunnel added an otherworldly aura to their presence.
"Why don't you smile?"
I heard myself saying that, but the tone was somehow sound unnatural.
"There is no need for me to."
"….."
Without another word being exchanged, it was as if an unspoken agreement was reached—a silent acknowledgment of the challenge that lay ahead.
The tension in the air was palpable, a prelude to the imminent confrontation.
SWOOSH!
With a burst of speed, I dashed forward, closing the distance between us with swift, decisive steps.
My grip on my daggers tightened, the familiar weight of the blades offering a semblance of comfort amidst the uncertainty.
The clones mirrored my movements, advancing with equal speed and intent, their own daggers poised for attack.
The engagement was immediate and intense, a flurry of movements and clashes. Our blades met with sparks, each strike and parry a testament to our mirrored skills and capabilities.
The clones, despite their unsettling smiles, fought with a precision and agility that matched my own, their attacks seemingly predicting my every move.
At least that was what they probably thought.
'I see.'
The exchange made me realize what was happening. After all, essentially what they were doing now was the moves they saw before me while fighting the previous monster. As if like an collective consciousness was around, it transferred the information.
This was already what I had suspected from the start, as the previous clone attacked me with a pickaxe while these ones were holding the same dagger in my hand.
I understood their strategy, their potential moves, because, in essence, they were an echo of my own.
–SWOOSH!
As I engaged the first clone, my initial attack was a feint, designed to be evaded, playing into the expected choreography of the clash.
True to form, the clone sidestepped my strike, its movements mirroring my own anticipated reaction. In the instant it moved to exploit the perceived opening, I tapped into the essence of my skill [Umbral Steps] derived from [Shadowborne], vanishing from sight only to reappear behind it.
–SLASH!
Before it could react to my sudden disappearance, my dagger found its neck, severing the connection to its existence with a decisive slash. Its form started to dissipate in an instant, turning black liquid, returning to the darkness.
The momentary focus on the first clone left me ostensibly vulnerable, a weakness the second clone did not hesitate to exploit.
CLANK!
It lunged forward, aiming to capitalize on my engagement. However, prepared for such a retaliation, I deflected its dagger with a swift parry, redirecting its momentum.
In that fleeting opportunity, I invoked the [Celestalith]'s Nebula form, unleashing the energy of Dark Moon that snared the remaining clones in a gravitational bind.
The first of these caught in the Nebula's embrace met a swift end as my blade cleaved through it, dispersing its form into nothingness.
The second clone, however, faced a different fate. Instead of a quick destruction, I chose to trap it within the intensified gravity of [Celestalith]'s Nebula form.
The air around it thickened, an invisible force pressing down with overwhelming weight, immobilizing it completely.
After all, it was the source of this whole ordeal.
"You got me."
Chapter 330 - Mine (7)
"You got me."
Standing before me stood the faceless figure. Its face didn't have any features, neither did it show any reaction aside from the smile of 'innocence.'
Now, with the gravity pressing on it, the 'thing' was unable to escape as it used to. Yet, I knew it no longer had the intention to do it in any case.
"Was that fun?"
I asked, looking at the dark, faceless figure. Though its face didn't contain any distinct features aside from a mouth, pair of eyes, and nose, I could see that his pupils shook for a second.
"…."
There was no answer for a second, but then it turned to look at me, raising its head.
"I had fun…..But, I still haven't got my answer."
It replied, looking at me with its eyes sparkling.
"Do you have the answer to my riddle?"
The voice sounded creepy while somehow its smile seemed 'innocent.'
This whole idea of a riddle made me sure that what I was facing was a Spirit. Most of them tended to be unique, and in general, they had the tendency to be influenced by fairies, making them mischievous and attention-seeking.
Thus, I initially thought it was an evil earthen spirit, something that eventually mutated from a normal Earthen Spirit.
But then, I realized there were many things contradicting that. First was the lack of deaths. When Carl's group was attacked first, the spirit had the ability to definitely kill the girl named Becky, according to Carl. He remarked that she was out of vision and Martin had already been affected by the clone for a split second.
Yet, contrary to what one would expect, the spirit didn't kill Becky, let alone gravely injure her. However, at the same time, there was definitely an intent behind the attacks. According to Carl, he could even sense a remnant of madness inside there.
This was the first contradictory thing, making it somehow unique.
Secondly, the tremors that were created by the earthen spirit somehow lacked destruction.
Sure, the tunnels collapsed, but they somehow collapsed in such a manner that only a handful of people were affected. Though I wasn't sure of this part, from the direction the seismic wave traveled, I noticed that its direction wasn't into the mine but to the outer side of it.
This made even less sense; if it was an evil spirit, there was no need for it to hold back. Burying students under the ground, trapping them, and then savoring their souls would be a lot better and the most reasonable act.
Yet, it didn't do it; it made the tremors so that people who were affected by it mostly fell into another tunnel.
This was the case for Carl and me, and it seemed Carl's group was precisely targeted. These things made me think of a certain scene in my head, a small hypothesis.
'The enemy I am facing is a remnant spirit formed in this place. Something had happened in there, maybe an accident. The person died with strong emotions still lingering, making it deflect the death fully. Their soul was still attached to this place because of their feelings.'
I thought. But, for such an assumption, there was an important thing.
'For a remnant spirit to be formed and control the earth in such a manner, it needs an energy catalyst, and that catalyst is basically something that could be easily found here. That indicates a possible bonanza zone.'
If a place had a dense amount of mana in it, it was possible for the spirit to mutate and acquire the attributes of the mana around. And, under such mine, there was no lack of such locations.
This was the reason why I decided to track this spirit down, since by finding the source, I could basically find the Magic-stone bonanza filled with High-grade Magic Stones.
'Then, this brings us to another problem. What made this spirit attach this place in such a manner? What is its origins?'
This question wasn't that important. After all, I could easily deal with this spirit before me by just destroying it. Yet, at the same time, my intuition told me that I shouldn't act rashly.
'This spirit acts like a bipolar. It has madness inside it, but it doesn't completely act with that madness. Does that mean something inside it restricts itself? The man that made it evolve contained a type of madness qualities, making it half-mad, but the inner soul is resisting it?'
This was the thought process that followed.
'Then, I should act as it wishes, satisfying the inner soul and releasing it from reality. After all, its only attachment to this world as a dead person is its strong emotions. Once that anchor is removed, it can be satisfied, and the spirit will disappear. This is definitely the safest and least dangerous option.'
"…."
The spirit looked at me intently as if it was waiting for my answer. At this point, I had already reached my conclusion.
"Once lost below, now call my name,
In whispers soft, I'm still the same.
Though time has worn the stones to dust,
I linger on, in echoes thrust.
What am I, in this realm of gloom?
A spirit bound, denied a tomb.
Yet in these depths, my plea I cast,
To those who roam, in shadows vast.
Answer true, and find your way,
Through tunnels dim, where spirits stray.
For in the heart of darkness lies,
The key to break eternal ties."
I whispered the riddle that was spoken by the 'creepy' voice. And then, looking at the faceless spirit, I spoke.
"The answer is 'Forgotten one,'" I declared, holding the spirit's gaze if one could call it that. Its reaction was immediate; its form, though featureless, conveyed a sense of shock, an astonishment that rippled through the very air between us. I hadn't anticipated this answer, perhaps not from me, not at this moment.
"Was that correct?"
"It was."
It replied.
But I didn't halt at that revelation. Stepping closer, I saw its form quiver, a shadow amidst shadows, yet now tinged with an aura of vulnerability. "It must have been painful," I continued my voice a whisper against the stillness of the underground. "Being abandoned in the tunnels as a child. Wasn't this the real answer to the real riddle?"
The spirit's reaction was visceral, a tremor that seemed to shake its very essence. It looked up, its face still a blank canvas, yet somehow now etched with an emotion that pierced the veil of its formlessness. "Why did you think so?" It asked, its voice a mixture of curiosity and an almost forgotten pain.
While I was pondering how to satisfy the spirit, I thought about certain things.
"This place," I began, my eyes scanning the darkness that enveloped us, "is steeped in history and tragedy. Miners, men, and women who came here seeking fortune or maybe just survival had been your companions once. But your presence and your actions don't speak of malevolence, not entirely. They speak of a longing, a desperation."
I paused, letting the words hang in the air, heavy with implication. "Firstly, it was those miners. The ones you had conjured once I had entered this tunnel. It was where everything took place, wasn't it? The place where you have been betrayed by the ones you had worked back-to-back."
I took a moment to let it sink.
"Their voices were real, as they each were different. Those were the ones you conjured from your memories. From their words, I concluded that they were corrupted by something inside these tunnels. They attacked me, but initially, you were the one who was subjected to that attack.
Once in these tunnels, you were working, trying to make a living for yourself. But then, you found a special Bonanza where many different magic stones were gathered. You wanted to report it to your overseer, the one responsible for you. But maybe because you were a child, you were naïve. You didn't have many people that you could play with; maybe you didn't even know what it meant to play.
Therefore, you spoke to others about what you had found in there to somehow form connections."
I knew those feelings well. Especially the Astron of this world knew it a lot more. How it felt to not be understood and not to be able to speak to anyone.
"But then, this resulted in your end. It was because the humans were greedy. The ones that you spoke to wanted to get recognition for themselves since they saw this as an opportunity to fill their quota and leave as early as possible. But then, they decided to ensure you'd never speak of it again. They plotted against you, a child with no malice, only a desire to share, to belong.
In their greed, they saw you not as a companion but as a risk to be mitigated, a voice to be silenced."
I watched the spirit closely, its form now flickering like a candle threatened by a breeze. "They led you deep into the tunnels under the guise of seeing the Bonanza together, but their intentions were as dark as the earth that would soon become your prison. They left you there, alone, abandoned in the darkness.
You called for help, your voice echoing off the cold, unyielding stone, but there was no one to hear your cries."
"The madness of the stones, the Bonanza you found, it was real. It contained energies unknown, ancient, and capable of warping minds and hearts. Those miners, after sealing you away, sought to claim the treasure for themselves. But they were not left untouched. The madness seeped into them, corrupting their minds and turning them against each other in a frenzy of violence and paranoia.
They massacred each other, their sanity unraveled by greed and the malignant force of the stones. All the miners here died because of that."
I paused, letting the tragic narrative sink into the silence between us. "But you, the first to encounter energy and with a soul so strongly attached to this world, were transformed in a way none of them were. In your final moments of desperation and solitude, your essence merged with madness, grief, and the unyielding desire to live. It changed you, mutated you into something more than a mere ghost.
You became a spirit, bound to these tunnels, fueled by the anguish and the unresolved torment of your demise."
I stepped closer, my voice soft but firm. Somehow, regardless of it was logical or not, I wanted to satisfy this soul before me.
Rather than attempting to destroy it, I wanted it to leave this world on its own. To have the salvation that it wished.
'She probably would do it this way, wouldn't she?'
Thinking about her somehow made me bitter.
"But I see you now. I understand the depth of your tragedy and the injustice of your fate. Your actions, born of isolation and despair, were never meant to harm but to speak. To tell your story to those who would listen."
The spirit, slowly started taking its form at the end of my words. Slowly, an outline of a young kid appeared.
The child before me had slightly dark skin, his body skinny, a clear sign of the lack of nourishment he had endured in life. His lips were a bit too large for his small face, but it was his eyes that caught me—the innocence within them, a stark contrast to the tale of betrayal and abandonment he had suffered.
He looked at me, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the child he once was, free from the burdens of his tragic end. "You're like one of those detectives my mother told me about," he said, his voice carrying a lightness it probably hadn't in centuries.
"I always wanted to meet one." His gratitude was palpable, his small form bowing slightly in a gesture of thanks.
'It seems his mother taught him how to thank others.'
Before the moment could slip away, I reached out, my hand gently ruffling his curly hair. "You did well, enduring for this long," I told him while stuffing my voice with emotions if it even existed.
"You're one of the strongest people I've ever seen." The words felt heavy, laden with more meaning than I intended.
For a fleeting second, his face overlapped with 'hers,' the memory sharp, piercing through the veil of time and grief that separated us.
A single tear traced its way down his cheek, falling to the ground with a weight far greater than its size. The child's smile widened, pure joy radiating from him. It was a smile that reached deep into the heart, touching something primal within.
"Un," he voiced in agreement, a sound of contentment, of peace finally found. And then, with a softness that filled the cavernous space around us, he disappeared into nothingness, leaving this world behind.
Yet, at the same time, behind the child revealed the Magic Stones that were already mined, as if to give me a present.
Chapter 331 - Mine (8)
As Carl fought against the skeletons, his hammer smashing through their bones with relentless force, he gradually culled their numbers, reducing their ranks by half. The ground trembled as his attacks reverberated through the cavern, the echoes mingling with the eerie laughter that still echoed in the darkness.
–SMASH!
As the hammer smashed the ground while Carl was fending off the monsters, the earth rumbled for a split second.
CRACK!
The ground moved, creating a weird circular formation that was centered around Carl.
"Stumble."
Carl's eyes shone brown for a second as he mumbled, activating a part of his trait mixed with the magic of 2nd order.
「Unraveling Earth 」
But then, just as the skeletons were preparing to launch another attack, the circular formation he had laid on the ground suddenly exploded.
It was as if the skeletons had unknowingly triggered a trap, each step setting off a hidden mine of stone.
BOOM!
The explosion rippled through the cavern, causing the skeletons to stumble and collapse to the ground, their undead forms crumbling into pieces.
Carl stood amidst the chaos as he watched the scene unfold before him. This was already a usual occurrence on the battlefield, both against monsters and against other species on the border.
Even though he didn't participate in the deadliest battles, the ones he participated in had shown more deaths than any average student of the academy would see.
TOK! TOK! TOK!
But, just as he was reminiscing these feelings, he suddenly felt a strange wind passing through him.
Following that, the remaining skeletons fell to the ground, crumbling as if the force that was supporting them no longer existed.
"So, he finished."
There, he understood the reason for why. After all, the reason why these skeletons moved was not natural but because of the evil spirit.
–SCREECH!
Then, a loud screech echoed from the tunnel Astron entered. However, its screams disappeared as it appeared. In a matter of seconds, the screams were finished.
Carl had already trusted Astron in this matter, letting him enter. It was both to measure his overall capabilities and evaluate him as well as to see if he was trustworthy or not.
I wanted to see if he was someone who could put his back and lean on or not, and from the looks of it, things seemed to be right for the time being.
CRACK! RUMBLE!
Just at that moment, he sensed the presence of the two people approaching from above!
The ceiling was shaking as well, and with his Earthen affinity and trait, he was able to sense the source. Closing his eyes, he focused on his trait and the waves that were used to receive the information. A picture started forming in his mind.
Two silhouettes appeared.
One appeared to be a young man, his silhouette outlined against the dim light filtering through the cavern. Though Carl couldn't discern colors, he could sense the determined energy emanating from the figure in the front. The other person was a young girl positioned slightly behind the man.
In the mental image, the young man led the way with a swirling force in front of him, seemingly clearing a path through the earth. A barrier of repulsive force surrounded them, deflecting any rocks or debris that might have obstructed their progress. Within moments, they would breach the cavern from above.
Recognizing the newcomers, Carl remained composed, knowing there was no need to take a defensive stance. He awaited their arrival, ready to greet them as they descended into the cavern.
CRACK!
Following that, after around a minute, the cavern cracked, and the two people made their appearance.
SWOOSH!
But since they appeared from the ceiling, the two people didn't immediately connect to the world.
The young man, with his chestnut fluttering, fell, but as if a force underneath him was repulsing, he silently landed on the ground without any sort of inconvenience.
As for the girl, she needed to adjust her position and then activate a special magical spell.
「Air Current」
The wind blew underneath her body, and as if she had been blessed by it, she slowly landed.
"Tch."
Yet, she couldn't help but click her tongue, her amber eyes looking at the guy before her with annoyance.
"This is not how you treat a lady." She mumbled. Yet, she didn't hide her words, neither did her voice as if to say that she didn't care if he heard it or not.
The young man before her didn't even respond and looked at Carl, who was sitting there with his hammer in his hand.
"Victor."
Carl mumbled his name, looking at the incredibly handsome young man. Yet, no matter how handsome he was, the situation right now differed from normal, making him appear with a rather cold aura.
Without answering, Victor first looked around the place, his eyes observing everything coldly. No matter what, he was a Blackthorn and the heir of the family that owned this mine.
Thus, this situation was under both his responsibility and authority. That was what he thought, at least.
"What happened here?"
Victor coldly asked, locking his eyes with Carl.
Carl met Victor's cold gaze with an unwavering expression, his own demeanor calm but firm. He didn't respond immediately to Victor's question, taking a moment to process the young man's overbearing attitude.
The lack of acknowledgment upon arrival and the dismissive demeanor irked Carl, especially considering his own standing as a member of the Braveheart family. It was unacceptable for Victor to treat him with such disrespect.
However, Victor didn't seem to have any intention of backing down either. Why would he? In the place of Blackthorn, he had the authority, and he was also the strongest youngster of this generation. Therefore, there was no need for him to look up to others. Victor
"I asked a question."
Victor asked once again, this time leaking a bit of his intent.
"!"
Carl was alarmed, not expecting such a reaction. From his past experiences and the times he met with Victor, this guy was someone who was a lot more amicable and understanding. He was cold, but he at least shared the basic courtesy.
But now, it looked different.
'He changed.'
Now, the Victor before him was not the same. But that didn't matter. Slowly leaking his own intent at the same time, he faced Victor's, matching it.
Victor's intent and Carl's clashed as the two looked into each other's eyes.
Amidst the tense standoff between Carl and Victor, Irina remained largely disinterested in their power plays. This wasn't her first encounter with displays of authority and dominance, especially within the confines of the academy and its surrounding territories. Instead, her attention wandered elsewhere, her senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the environment.
Suddenly, a familiar presence caught her attention, drawing her focus to one of the nearby tunnels. Concentrating her senses, Irina honed in on the source of familiarity, her curiosity piqued.
As she observed, Astron emerged from the tunnel with a leisurely pace, his movements calm and deliberate. In his hand, he held something, though, from her vantage point, Irina couldn't discern what it was. Nevertheless, she watched intently as Astron approached, his gaze scanning the cavern until it locked onto hers.
At that moment, a chill ran down Irina's spine as she felt the weight of Astron's stare. It was as if he had sensed her prying eyes and directed his attention squarely upon her.
'He probably did….But why should I feel tense? So, what if I am looking at him?'
Feeling like he didn't need to feel this tense, Irina shrugged. She knew he would be able to see her anyway. She even had the urge to stick out her tongue at him to mock him, but she thought that would be way too childish.
Unnerved but determined not to show any sign of weakness, Irina met Astron's stare head-on, her expression cool and composed.
On the other side, sensing the impasse between them, Victor eventually retracted his gaze, realizing that his attempts to assert dominance over Carl were futile. Despite his position as a member of the Blackthorn family and his formidable combat abilities, he understood that Carl was not one to be easily intimidated.
For a brief moment, Victor contemplated the idea of engaging in a direct confrontation with Carl. However, he quickly dismissed the thought, recognizing the futility of such a clash.
Carl was like a mountain, steadfast and unyielding, and any attempt to overpower him would likely result in a prolonged struggle.
In terms of pure combat prowess and battlefield experience, Victor knew that Carl ranked among the top fighters, perhaps even within the top three, despite his occasional absence from academic pursuits due to military engagements.
His reputation as a skilled and formidable warrior preceded him, and Victor understood the risks of engaging in a physical confrontation. Just because he wanted to reign over him didn't mean he was stupid enough to make an enemy of Carl.
With a subtle shift in his demeanor, Victor recalibrated his approach, opting for a more diplomatic stance. Though he still harbored a sense of frustration at Carl's defiance, he recognized the importance of maintaining a semblance of composure in the face of adversity.
As the tension between them eased slightly, Victor redirected his focus to the broader situation at hand, acknowledging that their immediate priority was to address the disturbances within the mine.
"Carl."
With a curt nod, he gestured for Carl to proceed with his explanation, signaling his willingness to cooperate, albeit begrudgingly.
And, since now Carl was acknowledged, just like in a military, he explained.
"After falling down, we encountered the suspected culprit, an entity resembling an evil spirit. It led us to this place," Carl stated evenly, his voice unwavering despite the lingering tension in the air.
Victor's interest was piqued. "Who is 'we'?" he inquired, his gaze scanning the cavern for any sign of additional presence.
As he looked, he noticed a figure approaching, its presence faint and almost imperceptible. With his superhuman vision, Victor discerned that it was a young man with purple eyes and black hair clutching something in his hand.
'!'
A sense of urgency gripped Victor as he immediately dashed towards the approaching figure, appearing before him in an instant, his demeanor intense and cold.
"Where did you find this?"
He asked with his hand on the young man's neck.
Chapter 332 - Mine (9)
"Where did you find this?"
The chilly and cold voice echoed in the underground cavern as Victor held Astron from his neck.
The aura surrounding Victor was overwhelming as it overlapped Astron's body. His eyes were fierce as the mana around him surged.
"Kurghk-!"
Astron wasn't able to reply, let alone react. In a matter of a second, Victor appeared right before him with an insane speed. Even if he had activated his skills, he wouldn't be able to evade the attack.
Victor's basic speed was just that overwhelming. Even Carl was seemingly taken aback by that, as he noticed that Victor wasn't even going all out when they were clashing their auras. That was within his expectations, but what he didn't expect was him suddenly attacking Astron like that.
"Where did you find this?" Victor's voice, icy and sharp, reverberated through the cavern once again, heightening the tension.
His grip tightened around Astron's neck, lifting him from the ground. The overwhelming aura emanating from Victor enshrouded Astron, rendering him unable to speak or react.
Astron's usual calm demeanor faced the storm of Victor's mana, his eyes empty yet unwavering, staring back into the depths of Victor's fierce gaze.
"Answer me," Victor demanded, his voice echoing as he peered deeply into Astron's eyes, searching for a flicker of fear or hesitation.
But Astron remained impassive, his body not betraying any signs of distress or desperation, an unsettling calmness in the face of Victor's escalating threats.
Victor, not receiving the reaction he anticipated, increased the intensity of his grip and created a force field around Astron's right arm, bending it to the breaking point. The atmosphere thickened with Victor's frustration and the growing danger enveloping Astron.
The thing that Astron held was something this much of an importance to him.
Suddenly, Victor's senses were engulfed by an enormous surge of mana, far surpassing the normal limits, wrapping around him in a tight cocoon.
SWIRL!
Sensing an imminent threat, he released Astron, propelling him aside as he narrowly dodged a towering pillar of fire that erupted from the ground where he stood moments before.
As Victor regained his footing, his gaze shifted towards the source of the attack, meeting two amber eyes filled with unmistakable anger and intent. Irina stood there, her posture radiating a powerful aura, her voice cutting through the tension, "Get your hands off him."
"Cough…..Cough….."
And at the time that Irina had seized, Carl had already appeared before Astron, who was regaining his breath and crossing the path between him and Victor.
It was an attempt to protect him. After all, what Victor was doing right now was attacking an innocent person, and Carl upheld the principles of Noblesse as well as heroism.
He was not someone to ignore other people's misfortune.
"What is the meaning of this?" Carl asked, probing at Victor.
"….." Victor didn't answer but only kept looking at the thing in Astron's hand. "Where did you find it?"
Astron, regaining his composure amid the volatile atmosphere, lifted his head to lock eyes with Victor. His gaze was devoid of fear or emotion, betraying none of the turmoil that had just transpired.
With a deliberate motion, he raised his hand, revealing the object that had precipitated the confrontation—a small, pitch-black sphere. The sphere itself seemed to absorb the light around it, making it a focal point of darkness in the dimly lit cavern.
Atop the sphere, a peculiar symbol was etched, drawing immediate attention. It depicted a hand appearing to rise from the ground, its form partially obscured by white bandages that seemed to writhe around it. Above this hand, a purple light shimmered, casting an eerie glow that seemed almost alive.
Within this glow, a small tree was visible, its branches stretching out as if reaching for something unseen.
Carl, observing Victor, followed his gaze, and there he felt a chill as he noticed the object in Astron's hand. There was something deeply unsettling about it, something that made his instincts scream that this was far from ordinary. His gaze shifted between the sphere and Victor, trying to gauge the significance of the moment.
Astron, breaking the silence, addressed Victor directly, "I obtained this after dealing with the evil spirit." His voice was steady, carrying a hint of inquiry, "Do you know something about this?"
The question hung in the air.
"It is none of your concern, neither something you are capable of dealing with." Victor's voice echoed coldly in the cavern.
"Is that so?" Astron mumbled. And then, he suddenly threw the seemingly dark sphere.
Victor's eyes widened as he saw the sphere flying.
'This Lunatic!'
THUD!
In an instant, he rushed and grabbed the sphere, flying. And then he looked at Astron, his eyes filled with intent once again.
Yet he saw no remorse. Astron also looked into his eyes and opened his mouth.
"This is your payback for what you did." He hinted at his neck, implying that he hadn't forgotten what Victor had done.
Looking at the interaction between the two, Irina couldn't help but somehow release a sigh. She knew she had reacted a bit harshly, as she attached Victor Blackthorn, but this guy was more reckless!
'Well, this is just like him.'
Knowing that this was how he treated her at the start, she knew Astron wasn't someone who feared people with high standing.
"You…" Victor noticed that Astron didn't hold any fear towards him, seemingly thinking that they were equal. "Where does your confidence stem from?" He asked. He was genuinely curious about what ants like this guy thought.
In the future, it would be very beneficial for him to know how these ants thought about managing his subordinates and the family.
"Confidence?" Astron returned with another question.
"I can kill you right here, right now," Victor said, releasing a bit of his aura. "What makes you think that you can leave after offending me."
"…." At first, Astron didn't answer, but then he shook his head. "If you want to kill me, you are welcome to try. Regardless of the reason, if you have the strength, you can do the act. I have no authority over your actions. If you kill me, it is not because I did something to offend you but because you decided to do so. I have no say in this matter."
Victor narrowed his eyes. This guy's way of thinking was sophisticated. It may be correct, but he didn't believe so. Even if he didn't have control over his actions, Astron could easily reduce the risk of such an outcome by emotionally influencing him.
'Hmm?'
Then, coming to such a conclusion, Victor noticed something. While thinking about this, he had already neglected the idea of dealing with Astron. It was as if what he thought was also thought by Astron.
Trapped in this web of thoughts, Victor decided to let this matter go. He acknowledged that he had been acting rashly in recent times, as this was the result of the things he had been dealing with over the past months after his brother died and he became the next possible heir.
Astron, with a deliberate stride, approached the tunnel from which Victor and Irina had emerged. His eyes narrowed as he measured the distance, his focus unwavering. With a precise movement, he extended his hand and released a shot of mana, testing or signaling something known only to him.
Irina, observing Astron's actions, couldn't help but approach him. Her presence, usually so full of poise and confidence, seemed slightly softened in this moment. "Are you okay?" she asked, her gaze drifting to his arm, which hung at an awkward, perhaps painful, angle.
"It's nothing," Astron assured, his voice carrying a nonchalant tone. "I've already taken a potion." His demeanor suggested a mix of annoyance and dismissiveness towards his own injury, a clear indication of his reluctance to show any signs of weakness.
Knowing that this was his usual way of doing it, Irina didn't mind. Somehow, she compared this attitude towards Victor and his way of speaking, and Irina felt this was a lot better.
She, standing beside him, felt an unexpected wave of relief wash over her. After spending an extended period navigating the tunnels with Victor, Astron's familiar presence brought her a sense of comfort she hadn't realized she was missing.
However, her instincts told her not to take his word at face value. "Show me," she demanded. She needed to see for herself that he was truly alright, unwilling to simply accept his assurance.
Astron, meeting her gaze, offered no such satisfaction. "No," he replied flatly, a clear refusal to comply with her request. His expression remained unreadable, giving nothing away.
Irina clicked her tongue in frustration, not surprised by his response but disappointed nonetheless. She had expected as much, knowing Astron, in general, didn't like to comply with any type of request concerning him.
"Then, what happened here?"
She asked, changing the question. Astron looked at his healing arm and then opened his mouth. Since Irina had saved him just now, he knew it was better for him to pay that favor back.
If Irina hadn't attacked, things would get tricky. Of course, he showed himself knowing that, but then again, he disliked owing things.
"I dealt with the evil spirit."
"I know this much. I am asking for the details." Irina said with an annoyed face.
"It will take a bit long. Will you be able to listen?"
"Heh…..Do you think I can't? I am really patient, you know."
"…..You are patient? This joke is not funny."
THUD!
Seeing Astron's nonchalant demeanor and his dismissive remark about her patience, Irina couldn't help but let out a small huff of annoyance. Her response was swift; she threw a light punch at Astron's arm, a physical manifestation of her protest. "I can listen until the authorities arrive, thank you very much," she retorted, her tone a mix of irritation and challenge.
Astron, feeling the impact, looked at her and then nodded, conceding to her point. "That would be okay. The authorities will take at least twenty minutes to get here," he admitted, acknowledging her willingness to listen and also revealing a bit about his awareness of their situation.
"Did you measure how deep we are?" Irina asked, her curiosity piqued by his assessment of the time it would take for the authorities to arrive.
Astron simply nodded in response, confirming her suspicion.
"Impressive," she conceded with a hint of admiration. Then, without further comment, she walked over to one of the large pillars that supported the cavernous space. She sat down in front of it, leaning her back against the cold stone, signaling her readiness to listen to his story.
Astron followed her steps and sat right beside her. On the way, he checked Victor's reaction and saw that he was immersed in the orb.
'Let's see what Blackthorn's can do with this….'
He thought inwardly.
'After all, I had already recorded the structure in my head.'
Chapter 333- Mine [Interlude] (10)
In the mine, two pairs of arms rose and went down constantly. Each pair of hands controls an amount of mana to mine the stones.
Lilia, who had encountered Lucas' group, was now in the same place as him, mining. This place was where some high-quality stones were gathered. Thus, only the strongest of the group could mine them.
Lilia and Lucas came to a tacit agreement, and they mined it together. The one who mined more would get more; it was akin to a competition.
"You seem to have grasped how to do it now," Lilia spoke while focusing on mining.
"….." Lucas didn't say anything.
Because Lilia was better at controlling her mana, she had a head start, making her a lot faster compared to Lucas.
Though Lucas was a high-ranking student, he was good at using swords more. That was the reason for his initial stumble. But then, he was smart, and he got his experiences from a parallel world.
It was strange, but because he had also 'experienced' another timeline, he somehow inherited the skills and abilities that were integrated into his very being at some point. And now, he was able to go on par with Lilia because of that.
As they continued, Lilia threw a casual question over her shoulder, "What happened to you and Ethan? I haven't seen you guys together recently. Did something happen?"
Lucas paused for a moment before responding, "I've been busy with something, and Ethan has been busy as well. We just didn't have time." His answer was vague, intentionally skirting around.
'Hmm….'
Lilia hummed thoughtfully, glancing over at Lucas with a scrutinizing eye. "Ethan's improvement was quite fast. It would be better for us to make him adapt to his newfound strength as much as we can."
Hearing this, Lucas' body stiffened a little. It was a small reaction, something that he immediately took control of.
Lilia was known for her perceptiveness, and her ability to read between the lines often led her to insights that others missed; thus, he needed to be careful.
Lilia, still focused on the vein of stone before her, didn't miss the slight change in Lucas's posture. Her next words, carefully chosen, were meant to probe further, perhaps to understand more or to push Lucas in a way only she knew how.
"It's impressive, really. Ethan's natural talent and the speed at which he's adapting remind me a lot of Julia. They both have this… innate ability to just understand and connect with mana on a level that few can match." Lilia paused, her tool momentarily stilling against the stone. "It's a rare gift to see such rapid progression. Not everyone has that kind of talent.
Some people are bound to illuminate the world, while others are bound to stay underneath their shadow, I suppose."
The word "shadow" struck Lucas like a physical blow, reigniting the flames of an inferiority complex he had long battled with. In his mind, the word echoed, morphing into a cacophony of doubts and self-criticism.
To Lucas, "shadow" was a chasm that separated him from Ethan and Julia, as he was someone who was never able to pass through that "shadow."
Lucas forced himself to keep mining, though his movements became slightly more mechanical.
He was well aware of his own strengths, but Lilia's words, especially her comparison to Julia, brought forth the insecurities he had worked hard to keep at bay.
Ethan and Julia, both blessed with what seemed like effortless mastery and understanding of mana, represented everything Lucas knew he was not.
Attempting to mask his internal turmoil, Lucas replied, his voice steady but colder than he intended, "Yes, talent is a gift. It is undoubtedly true that Ethan is an abnormal one."
"That is right." Lilia nodded and turned. On her side, all of the high-ranked stones were mined, showing her insane talent.
"Though, he will never surpass me." And with a confident grin, he went past Lucas while slightly patting his shoulder. As she passed through, she threw a quick look at the high-ranking mana stones on Lucas' side and then extended a trail of mana there.
SWOOSH!
And then, with a smooth move, she grabbed the Magic stone, putting it into her loot. It was an act akin to show how easy this was for her to do.
As Lilia departed with a confident stride, Lucas found himself slightly trembling, her figure etching a deep imprint in his mind.
The curl of her mouth, meant as a grin, morphed into something far more sinister in Lucas's perception—an insult, a degradation of his very being.
The moment Lilia's mana swept through the space, effortlessly claiming what he had worked hard to uncover, Lucas felt a coldness seeping into his very bones. It wasn't just the loss of the stone that stung; it was the ease and confidence with which Lilia operated, her abilities overshadowing his.
To Lucas, her actions spoke louder than any words could; they whispered of a superiority he feared he could never challenge despite his every effort.
"….."
In the darkness, Lucas' blue eyes were locked on the departing figure of Lilia, yet subtle darkness spread in the background.
********
As the group of three, including Ethan, Julia, and Emily, traversed through the underground caverns, they stumbled upon a formation of mid-rank mana stones shimmering in the dim light.
Excited at the discovery, they wasted no time in setting up their mining equipment and getting to work.
However, as they mined away, the monotony of the task began to weigh on them. Julia, feeling particularly restless, threw herself to the ground with an exasperated sigh. "Ugh, this is so boring! We've been at this for over an hour already."
Ethan, ever the pragmatist, chimed in with a practical suggestion. "Well, we don't have anything better to do right now. We might as well use this time to improve our grades for the assignment until a rescue team comes."
But Julia, feeling mischievous, saw an opportunity for some playful teasing. With a smirk on her face, she seized Ethan from top to bottom and suddenly leaped up, wrapping him in a headlock. "Or," she teased, tightening her grip playfully, "I could just do this until the rescue team arrives."
"You! Release me!" Ethan shouted, trying to escape Julia's grip. Yet, as if he was against a boulder, he wasn't able to move at all.
"Hehehe…. What can you do if I don't?" Julia smiled sheepishly, feeling the power as she pressed Ethan into her body.
"Mmmf….." Ethan growled, his mouth releasing a muffled sound, yet he felt something over his head touching.
'What is this? It feels soft?'
As he looked around, he saw a white peak covering his vision as well as a feminine scent. He now noticed where he was, as his ears, as well as his face, turned crimson with a blush.
"You can't answer, huh?" She said, keeping him locked. Somehow, his wavy hair looked orderly, and she wanted to mess with it.
As Julia playfully ruffled Ethan's blue hair, she felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Sensing someone's gaze, she turned to see Emily staring at them, her expression strangely stiff.
Caught off guard by Emily's unexpected gaze, Julia quickly released Ethan from the headlock, her cheeks flushing a little with embarrassment. "Cough," she coughed, trying to act nonchalant despite the awkward situation.
But Emily's response was not what Julia had expected. Instead of returning the greeting with her usual warmth, Emily simply nodded curtly, her expression remaining impassive, her eyes somehow looking cold.
And, somewhere in Julia, an intuition made her flinch against Emily's gaze, making them feel uncomfortable.
Yet, Julia wasn't someone to back down, as she just smiled and faced Emily's gaze head-on.
******
"We are sorry for the inconvenience," announced one of the mine managers, addressing the group of students who had gathered at the main entrance of the Mana Stone Mine.
The students, buzzing with the excitement of having completed their unique assignment, quieted down to listen to the manager's solemn tone.
"There was an unexpected incident today. Due to an earthen spirit's influence, a small quake struck the western wing of the mine. This resulted in some of the tunnels collapsing," he explained, his voice steady but filled with a hint of regret. "Thankfully, the situation has been resolved, and no one was harmed.
However, we understand that some of you have lost progress in your work due to this incident."
A murmur of concern spread among the students, some exchanging worried glances about how this unforeseen event might affect their grades. Before the unrest could grow, Eleanor stepped forward, her presence commanding silence.
"I want to assure everyone that those affected by today's incident will be compensated," Eleanor declared, her voice firm, reassuring the students of the fairness of their evaluation. "We will take into account the work you have already submitted, and adjustments will be made to ensure that no one is unfairly penalized for the situation that was beyond anyone's control."
The students visibly relaxed, nodding in understanding and gratitude for the fair resolution proposed by their instructor.
"Your safety and education are our top priorities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation," Eleanor added, her gaze sweeping over the students to ensure her message was received. With a final nod of satisfaction at their calm demeanor, she gestured towards the buses. "Now, we are to head back. The report submission deadline is today at midnight; keep that in mind."
With those words, she had walked to leave the place.
Just as Eleanor was about to leave, her gaze swept over the crowd of students one last time. Among them, standing at the back of the group, was a particular student who seemed to catch her attention.
"Astron Natusalune."
There was something about this student that sparked a flicker of recognition in Eleanor's mind.
Despite being an incredibly annoying person, this student had always found himself at the center of various incidents and cases.
At first, her evaluation of this student was really low. Specifically, he was a student who didn't pay attention to classes and had an arrogant demeanor.
His grades were low as well, thus making him not have a bit of a likable trait.
However, this was changing now. Though his demeanor didn't change, this student was involved with way too many cases.
'First mid-terms and him being targeted by traitors, then Student Sylvie's abduction attempt. Following that, Phantom's Land and now this case of remnant-spirit. He was at the center of all these events.'
As his gaze seized him from top to bottom, Eleanor somehow felt like this whole ordeal was not a coincidence.
'In the place where strong fates gather, a place filled with wisdom….'
'Don't tell me….'
Somehow, something inside her told her that she needed to reevaluate her decisions.