'Your kidding, right?'
A young man - Zyro. Stood Infront of a Mine cave mouth, disbelief written all over his face.
By some miracle, The returning caravan didn't face any disastrous assault through the entire journey. Even though the chances of it were slim to begin with, added Zyro's presence who embody misfortune itself. Yet... The rare possibility of one secure travel had fallen on them, keeping peace till they arrive at their destination safely.
'It can't be, there must be something wrong here!'
Misfortune had always been by his side to the point being in luck at once felt amiss. But what's the point in thinking about it? Although he seemed to be forsaken by the goddess of luck, it atleast spare him enough mercy to live, so more bad luck may fall upon him. What's the fun in that if he die, right?
Throwing disturbance aside, Zyro sighed in delight with lifted mood. Such a rare occasion deserve a celebration. He felt like his pent up luck had finally opened, blessings this halved day. It just so happens that his job greatly concerned one's luck to earn a bountiful harvest. Maybe he'll strike plenty or a big one before night.
"Will you wipe out that creepy smile of yours. Its really disturbing you know?" Pert came to him with an insult said in a cheery tone, as if Zyro's smile in something to be proud of.
"Just watch me kid." Zyro shrugged with new found confidence as he made his way inside.
The day is still young to work and earn some magical crystal. Although he just acquired a number of dried meat that been temporarily hidden in Pert's room. Getting additional food is always welcome.
Under ground, digging at the same cruel area of the cave they mined before, where magic stones are rich and the temperature are merciless as ever, thin air that straining their breath.
Slaves brought their tools up and down like clockwork as they take labored breaths, bathed in sweat. Another usual day of arduous labor for slaves of the mine.
Meanwhile, at a certain corner. Zyro was sweating heavily, tired to the bone. His former confidence gone replaced by forlorn exhaustion.
'I knew it...' his hazy mind voiced.
It had already been hours since they started working. However, differ to what he had expected, luck wasn't with him. The quantity and size of magic crystal he found were nothing special. Least he got a general prevalent yield of an average slave.
Not like it actually matter, his idea of a lucky day was nothing but delusional thinking anyway.
Now that Zyro thought about it. When did he - A special force soldier with extremely disciplined mind start wasting time in stupid thoughts? The answer is pretty obvious.
'Damned you, Aizra'
When he finished his mental complain, the screen showing in his retina - a mental, optical hallucinations. His using to watch some random fantasy anime series disappeared, ending his source of entertainment. He had been using his mental AI to keep boredom at bay while he work. It helped him endure the tacks of cruel heat and heavy labor longer.
Such luxury, akin to having a giant television with you all the time. Loaded with thousands of modern entertainment programs to watch in this ancient world can only be experience by Zyro alone even as a slave.
Aizra, his mental AI had really ducked up his mind anyway, might as well made full use of it by watching anime series connected to vampires, magic etc... Zyro wasn't aimlessly wasting time for pleasure, he was "studying".
However, jokes aside. His mind health had deteriorated at a noticeable rate after having a mental AI injected in his brain. Erasing his old character. Back then, Zyro was a impassive, silent soldier. Always wearing emotionless face that only speak if needed, even then, as short as possible. All his time are spent on training to improve, not wasting even a second for unnecessary things.
But now... He even used that cursed smile of his that been long sealed. As for the other changes in his characteristics, Zyro didn't know and didn't want to think about it with his disturbed mind.
If only he can get a new one.
He smirked.
'I wish...'
Interrupting his reverie, he notice a golden glint, reflecting the torches warm light in the rubbles below where he had dug. He narrowed his eyes and bent down. Then, his eyes widened in excitement at the sight, gratified by his discovery. However, he didn't let his emotions betrayed his movement. Acting normal as if he had a average find, doing the usual as he freed the golden fist size crystalline stone from the rubble's.
'Told you it's my lucky day'
Zyro pocketed his discovery.
He had heard tales of fortunate miners having fortuitous discoveries. It's a popular topic among slaves for it elevate their delusional thoughts of being one of those blessed diggers. Still, those lucky finds in stories were mostly orange ores, that's valued ten times higher than the usual red. Some were sizable red crystals or orange. For others, it's already sounded heavenly. Yet, compared to what Zyro's find, it fall short.
For what he had uncovered was a golden, fist size magic stones. The highest known quality in the mine. Greater than orange that's already valued ten times more than red. If his understanding is correct, then the single yellow crystal he hold were equal to ten orange stone. If measured in the weighting scale outside, considering the size. it'll be equal to a thousand red pebbles or more.
Zyro was momentarily daze by its value. Suddenly troubled by what he should do to such outrageous amount of molded bread slices he could obtain.
Well, he wasn't dumb enough to exchange such treasure for spoiled breads if he could trade it for something more valuable.
After a while, Zyro finally ended his work. His muscles ache, almost at limit.
'What a nice day'
Indeed, not only were there no creepy blood sucking stalkers longing for his blood, he even obtain a huge haul. Not to mention the heavenly dried meats awaiting him for dinner. Since arriving in this world, this is the finest day he ever live... disregarding the extremely swift assault of the mysterious beast that almost murdered without even reacting.
As Zyro made his way out, the blonde kid hastily followed him. His Pert's client after all, earning the lad a few pieces of magic stones basically for free. Furthermore, he too was excited about the dried meat. Knowing Zyro for a while now, Pert could tell he'll least be given a taste of meat.
Zyro pay the kid no mind, for him. Pert was just a harmless underling that might aid him in times of need. Granted, the lad keen knowledge and Intelligence that void him of unnecessary conundrums.
After a few moments walking into the rocky tunnel of the underground mine. A group of four manly slaves was seen ahead, chatting merrily, leaned against the wall as if waiting for passerbys in the exiting path.
Zyro sighed.
Of course they exist. Retarded bastards that refuse to mine. Chosing the second option of earning stones through plundering the weak.
It just so happens that Zyro - having jet black hair rated his racial talent, which actually had none. Making others assume the triviality of his strength. While Pert is a widely known prey.
What's worse, they know what they're doing. The path those retards blocked was the only exit in the deep area. The dou had no choice but to past them to reach the higher region of the underground caves.
"Do you think we should turn back?" Pert apprehensively ask.
Anxious for the following events, despite going through this experiences dozens of times, Pert can't get used to it. However, Zyro wasn't having it either. His bathed in sweat and in desperate need to quench his thirst. Added, the heat this deep in the cave are hazardous for human body. Although an Aster - Pert may become fine after prolonged exposure, Zyro wasn't. Every second, his bodily fluid keep decreasing, blurring his vision until heatstroke dawn upon him. He'll die if they wait to long. By then, Zyro condition will deteriorate, weakening him unable to combat if push comes to shove.
Zyro look around, to his dismay. There's no nearby guard. Differ to the higher area, where the vulnerable slaves dwell. The quantity of guards here were few. For those who mine in this hellish region are considerably capable enough to endure the tacks of the cruel environment. Hence, barely needing protection of guards from others.
There were rare cases like Pert. His Aster racial talents gave him superior endurance, helping him withstand the heat and exhaustion. His even doing well compared to Zyro.
"Can we call a guard" Zyro inquired.
In reply, Pert shook his head in denial.
"Those greedy guys won't leave their pose without anything in exchange."
Even the guards were corrupted. It's reasonable though, their stationed area were their responsibility. Therefore, if anything bad happened in their absence, they'll bear the punishment. So why would they take such risk for free?
Zyro could use the dried meat, but would they believe him, a slave? Pert and Zyro had concealed their secret to well, unbeknownst to everyone the meat they have.
Knowing he couldn't rely on anyone, Zyro didn't halt his steps as he keep moving towards the four plunderers. Unexpectedly, the blonde kid followed his steps without turning back.
Noticing the kid resolved. Zyro prepared him for what comes next.
"Be ready to run at full speed any moment."
Pert opened his mouth, wanting to say something but keep his words and nodded.
Soon, the dou was sighted by the retards. They meticulously analyze the two for a moment before mischievously smiling.
"Well, well. What do we have here?!"
One of the leaning man step forward to greet their prey. Zyro could tell from a glance that his the leader of the pack. Boosting a height of almost 2 meter, clad in bulging muscles, with his broad shoulder and hairy chest exposed. As the man drew closer, they were able to see his smug, savage face. It's lower part covered by bushy beard dyed in dark red.
Surely he was well feed by meats. It was available at the trading table but was too costly for average slaves to afford. But not for this guy, not only did he work, he also stole.
"Hope you got a bountiful harvest!" Another man said. While the others joyfully laugh.
The leader three companions seem to be average slaves working as underlings with frail bodies.
With the savage, big man walling their path. Zyro halt his steps, so does Pert behind him with a nervous expression.
The man was a meter away, but Zyro could feel a light microwave heat coming from the person before him. It's like facing a burning fire itself, heat caressing his skin.
'A Helios' Zyro concluded.
Not wanting a fight, Zyro take out five red pebbles from his little sack. Pert imitate his actions.
Both offered their mined magic crystals to the man. Already knowing the plunderers intentions without need to say.
Seeing the count of what they're giving, The big leader tilted his head. And voiced his indignation, his tone were deep and intimidating.
"What's this?"
Followed by his underlings laugh.
"Don't anger the boss, dimwits"
The quantity of Pert and Zyro's digged magic stones were few, below the average yield of miners in the deep area. Due to them joining the caravan, half of their day was spent. They used what little time left to mine, earning them a trivial amount. That is now being offered to the leader to let them pass without trouble.
Pert defended.
"Please accept our offer, that's all we have."
Despite saying the fact. The big guy wasn't convinced.
He leaned forward and let out his breath of anger.
"Do you think of me as a fool!?"
Pert quivered in fear.
A tense silence settled over them for a second. Broken only by an underling advice.
"Why don't we search them boss?"
"You don't have to tell me! Now. Give me your pockets!" The leader demanded their pockets - refered to an easy to make little sacks they use to store their mined magic crystals.
Zyro, who's been unspoken the whole time sighed.
Differ to anomaly's like Pert and Zyro who's background were deep. Majority of slaves weren't the brightess due to their lowly status disabling them to get a proper education. So arguing with them is troublesome, to say the least.
He had done what he could to appease this issue peacefully. Even giving all the red pebbles they work so hard for. Normally, Zyro wouldn't. But he did for the golden magic ore he discovered.
Now, however. Things are getting complicated beyond negotiation. He knew giving them empty pockets weren't going to fully convince this brutes. They'll atleast search their entire body to be let go.
And Zyro cannot guarantee, hiding a fist size, golden magic stone in that conditions. If it were seen, things will get really wild beyond his control.
Fortunately, he knew the two solutions to every problem. Its intelligence or violence. Clearly, intelligence alone don't work.
Opening his lip, Zyro spoke in Influent beast language. Carefully saying every word.
"What... Did... You... Say?"
The bearded, big man yelled in annoyance, blurting wild words as he draw closer.
""I SAID TO GIVE ME YOUR POC...!!!"
However, amidst his shout. A lethal impact assaulted his nether region, as if someone had hammered his crotch. Freezing him in pain with drooped jaw and widened eyes.
At some point in time, Zyro's right foot found itself deeply pressed in the big boss poor, "sexual finger".
Zyro had performed a back kick, one of the most powerful taekwondo technique. Carrying 1500 lbs or 680 kg of force upon impact. Directed at the poor man testicles, one of human anatomy most delicate part. The agony Zyro had delivered were unimaginable.
Before the big man could fall to his knees, Zyro was already on the move. Sprinting through the dazed underlings at the scene. One of them subconsciously reacted and reach out to the passing Zyro by instinct, but only manage to grab the young man pickaxe. Which Zyro let go wisely, he could get another for free anyway.
Already prepared, Pert followed suit. Swinging his heavy tool to shun the enemy away as he made his path. Eventually, it was caught. Pert had no choice but to free his grip to bolt out.
"ARGHH!!!"
A horrid cry resounded behind them, as the two run away.