Chapter 45: MINERS
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Mei Ling explained that soldiers of the Emperor faction ambushed three mining teams. She only escaped because she was running an errand between two locations. In an attempt to flee, she fell off a steep ledge, causing the soldiers to abandon their pursuit.
We immediately mobilized for a rescue.
NEW MISSION: MONK MINER RESCUE
Rescue the Monk mining team from the Emperor faction.
"This is yours, Sora," I said, holding up the ninjatō I''d been using for training.
"Now yours," she said.
I stowed the sword in my inventory. Our eyes met briefly before we turned away to continue preparations. The gesture felt significant, but I didn''t have time to dwell on it.
"Ember," Cragmarr''s voice came from behind me. "You should not go. You risk alerting the Emperor faction of your location."
"I need to do this," I sighed, not turning to face him.
The truth was, I was itching to leave. The awkward conversations and unresolved tensions were suffocating. This rescue mission was an excuse to escape, even if just for a while.
Master Xiang approached, his face solemn.
"Ember, I am sending you down the same tunnel you used before," he said. "You should remember the way."
"Yes, Master Xiang," I said, pausing for a moment with the memory of Li Wei. The last time I''d taken the tunnel, the Amazons had slaughtered so many. This time, it was the Emperor faction. These Monks couldn''t catch a break.
"Be careful, all of you," Master Xiang addressed the three of us. "Do not enter the mines unless certain. Many become lost that way. And be careful using fire magic. With enough force and flame, the octranite crystals will ignite, and the tunnels may collapse. May the spirits guide you."
We all acknowledged Master Xiang and set out towards the tunnels. Kitty jumped up and nestled on my shoulders. Heading towards the exit, Cragmarr called out again.
"Em, please... be careful."
I paused, feeling a pang of guilt. Our relationship had soured, and I knew it was mostly my fault.
"I will," I said, not looking back.
* * *
Emerging from the tunnel, I used the Jingozi arena to scan the area, quickly locating the first team of miners being watched by two guards outside the cave entrance. The familiar canyons filled with rainbow-colored crystals glowed even in broad daylight. But it was getting late, and a night search would make things much harder.
As I crept towards the cave entrance, I passed the altar where Cragmarr and I had burned Li Wei''s body. I touched it briefly, a silent gesture of respect.
"Hi Li," I whispered. "We took care of your parents. I hope you''ve found peace… wherever you are."
I expected to see the bones of the Amazons from our last encounter, but the area was clean. They must''ve come back for the bodies.
Ducking behind a column of stone and crystal, two soldiers guarded the cave entrance. I glanced at Kitty perched on my shoulder.
"Sorry, girl. We can''t blink together. Time to go in the ring."
Kitty bristled briefly before disappearing into the familiar ring with a soft shimmer. Text popped up in my vision.
SELECT A PET EVOLUTION
Option 1: Stealth
Option 2: Flight
Option 3: Diamond Armor
Charges Remaining: 1
Looks like we''ve got some choices to make later, Kitty.
I tossed a rock into the cave behind the guards. As they turned to investigate the noise, I blinked as deep into the cave as they could see, ducking behind a cluster of octranite crystals.
Loading my Jingozi hand, I waited, ready to defend myself if the guards noticed my entry. But they remained oblivious, focused on the cave''s mouth.
The crystals provided just enough light to illuminate my path deeper into the tunnels. I moved carefully, adjusting my eyes to the dim glow as I ventured further, searching for the captured Monks.
I released Kitty from the familiar ring, her silver scales glinting in rainbow colors. She nuzzled against my leg.
"Alright, Kitty. Let''s see what we''re dealing with."
I blinked into the Jingozi arena and started to explore what turned out to be a vast network of tunnels and caverns. It was like tracing an ant farm through a sheet of glass, each passage visible from this vantage point.
The system was far more extensive than I''d anticipated. Tunnels branched off in every direction, twisting and turning deeper. As I traced the paths on the arena floor, I noticed the crystals growing denser and brighter the further they extended.
I walked, following the maze from my body, marking my entry point, and checking my North Star for every rotation. And after a few moments of searching, I spotted the Monk miners. Ten of them were chained together around a stalactite in a large cavern. They''d been stripped bare except for their undergarments. But something was off—there were no guards in sight.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.
That''s weird. Leaving them unguarded?
I mentally noted the directions, memorizing each turn and fork in the tunnels that would lead me to the miners. Satisfied with my reconnaissance, I blinked out of the arena.
"Come on, Kitty. I know where to go."
We moved silently through the tunnels, following the path I''d mapped out in the Jingozi arena. The crystals grew brighter as we descended, casting a multicolored light show across the rough stone walls.
I slowed as we approached the cavern where the miners were held, listening for any signs of guards or traps. But the only sounds were the occasional water drips and the faint clink of chains. Scanning through the Jingozi arena once more for good measure confirmed we were alone.
But why?
Materializing right next to the Monks, they jerked in surprise, chains rattling, but I quickly raised a finger to my lips.
I immediately saw why no guards were posted or even necessary. My stomach turned as I took in the gruesome sight. Each Monk had one foot crushed, mangled beyond recognition. It looked like someone had smashed them with a hammer. They didn''t need guards because they couldn''t run if they wanted to.
* * *
I spent time freeing the Monks from their chains. Using my Jingozi cards, I sliced through the metal links, careful not to make too much noise.
As each Monk was freed, attention to their injuries came next. I channeled my Zii, directing healing energy into their mangled feet. I didn''t have the skill to heal them completely, but I could at least get them mobile. Kitty played her part, moving from Monk to Monk, her long tongue flicking at their wounds.
We worked in near silence, communicating only through gestures and nods. The occasional muffled groan of pain from a Monk was quickly hushed. Each drank from my waterskin, which was passed around until empty.
As I healed, exhaustion crept over me. The constant use of Zii was draining, and the exertion and high humidity drenched me in sweat.
Finally, the last Monk stood shakily on his feet. They weren''t fully healed—far from it—but they could walk. I gathered the Monks around me, keeping my voice low, outlining our next move.
"We''re heading to the entrance," I whispered. "I''ll take care of the guards before they can raise the alarm. Stay close, stay quiet."
* * *
I scouted ahead using the Jingozi arena. An entire platoon of Emperor soldiers waited for us at the cave entrance.
"Damn it," I muttered. The injured Monks wouldn''t stand a chance against that many soldiers. But there was no way out. I blinked back to the group.
I turned and faced the terrified monks, shaking my head. I signaled to turn around and pointed back down the cavern.
We''d have to barricade ourselves inside. But then what? Come on, Em, think.
Suddenly, a chillingly familiar name popped on my interface.
Name: Lance Lightslayer [Judgment Dealer]
Tier: VII [Obsidian] Rank ???
Faction: Emperor [Overlord]
I instinctively blinked back into the Jingozi arena. It was Lance the Lightslayer, one of Edric''s soldiers from Katorro''s vision. And if not for my ability to see his stats, he would''ve snuck right on top of us. How was he so hidden and quiet in that armor?
I loaded my cards and checked my hand.
Hand: [5/6] [Poison Strike] [Force Field II] [3/5] [6/6] [2/2]
What was I going to do? Hit him with a [Poison Strike]? What good would that achieve against him? I recalled Master Xiang''s warning about fire and force. The last thing I needed was to blow the whole mine up—or maybe…
Blinking back to the Monks, I yelled, "Run!" and mentally told Kitty to go with them. The group sprinted down the tunnel.
I felt the Zii in the air vibrate as a ball of light, the size of an open umbrella, hurtled toward me. It was Lance''s mace—the same attack he used in the vision. My [6/6] and [2/2] cards would grant me a 100% chance to dodge, but what if it hit the Monks?
Force Field II
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<li>
PVP: Pay your defend/reward. End the hand and freeze the pot.
</li>
<li>
PVE: Create a shield that neutralizes one opponent''s attack. The shield size can be increased based on the defense score and Zii multiplier.
</li>
</ul>
I paid 6 Zii to cast [Forcefield II] with a [5/6] card and then charged it with two more Zii to make it a [10/12]. Please, god, let this work.
The mace deflected mid-flight like it hit a shimmering energy wall that filled the entire tunnel, sparking where it made contact. It ricocheted off the wall, dislodging crystals.
I launched a maximum-charged [6/6] with [Poison Strike] at a part of the wall with the highest density of octranite crystal formations. It exploded, sending rainbow shards through the air. My next card, a fire shot, ignited the tunnel.
NINJA KIMONO: FIRE PROTECTION [PASSIVE]
Cost: 2 Zii
Flames wooshed past me like a fiery tidal wave, knocking me off my feet. The tunnel shook with a furious rumble as pieces of rock and crystal fell from the ceiling. I continued hurling cards upward from my back, causing more rubble to rain. Dust billowed in the air as the tunnel entrance collapsed.
When the tremors settled, a wall of rocks peppered with octranite stood between me and the Emperor soldiers. Light peeked through a small opening at the top of the pile.
"That was most impressive, if not tragically wasted," Lance called from the other side.
My eyes watered, and I was covered in soot and fine crystal dust, hesitant to breathe. I pulled my Ninja mask over my mouth and nose.
"You have only trapped yourself, Ember. How long do you think you can last in there?" His tone became even more smug. "Why protect those heathens? Surrender and repent, and I will ensure you are cleansed."
I ignored him, focusing on our next move. We were safe for now, but Lance was right—we couldn''t stay in these mines forever.
Lance''s voice drifted through the gap, taunting me one more time.
"May Zebelma find mercy on you all."
* * *
SELECT A PET EVOLUTION
Option 1: Stealth
Option 2: Flight
Option 3: Diamond Armor
Charges Remaining: 1
"I think it''s option two, Kitty."
We all huddled in the tunnel, surrounded by glowing crystals. Summoning Kitty into my familiar ring, I examined the options, looking for anything to help our plight.
Kitty was pretty stealthy as is. So, I wasn''t sure how much good Option 1 would do. And diamond armor made sense if we needed more protection, especially when she draped over my shoulders.
I chose flight for the current situation.
DO YOU SELECT OPTION 2: FLIGHT?
This choice is permanent.
[YES/NO]
Yes.
The two pearls on the familiar ring glowed, emanating a shimmering swirl that formed into Kitty levitating before me. She zipped around the cavern, squealing with pleasure, before returning to nuzzle my nose with hers.
"Alright, girl. We can have fun later. Right now, I need you to squeeze through the gap up there and get help. Let Cragmarr know where we are. But be careful. Fly past Lance and those soldiers as fast as you can. Got it?"
She squeaked in acknowledgment and streaked away, now through the air, leaving a silver trail.
"What will we do?" one of the Monks approached and asked.
"How about we start with your name?"
"Yong Ming."
"Okay. My name is Ember. Nice to meet you. And I’m still thinking about the next move." I surveyed the group of ten bald Monks looking at me worriedly with wide eyes. "Do any of you know another way out?"
They all shook their heads.
"This is as far as we''ve ever ventured," Yong Ming said.
"Well," I said. "We have two choices. We can stay here and take our chances with the Emperor faction, waiting for help to arrive. Or we can press deeper and see if there''s another exit."
All the monks started speaking over each other.
"We should stay."
"What if help doesn''t come?"
"I don''t want to die!"
"Master Xiang will find us."
"I won''t wait. We need to move."
"But the cursed elves…"
"Hang on," I interrupted. "Cursed elves? Like dark elves?"
"No," Yong Ming replied. "We call them cursed elves because they are dark elven that have been overexposed to the crystals in these mines. They are scavengers of the dead that only come out at night."
I blinked into the Jingozi arena and walked straight in the opposite direction of the cave entrance. Keeping an eye on the North Star, I scoured the tunnels reflected in the floor for any alternative exits—or other signs of life. After an hour or so, I found them… elves… and something else...