The journey to the mana ore deposit was long, the carriage swaying gently as it traversed the uneven dirt paths leading out of Rockgrove. DK sat quietly inside, his mind buzzing with the possibilities the deposit might hold. If mana-infused soil could enhance food to the point of accelerating recovery, then a concentrated deposit of raw mana ore could be exactly what he needed to stabilize his Nexus Core.
Lucy sat across from him, arms crossed, her expression grim. "You're not even fully recovered, DK," she muttered, watching him through narrowed eyes. "Are you really planning on diving headfirst into something like this?"
DK smirked but didn't look at her. "I don't plan on fighting anything if that's what you're worried about. I just want to see it. Maybe there's a way to absorb some of the mana without any unnecessary risks."
Lucy let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "Unnecessary risks? You? That's rich."
The journey stretched well into the evening, the sky shifting from a deep orange to an indigo blue. The road became quieter, and the sounds of civilization faded behind them. The only noises accompanying them were the steady trot of the horses and the occasional rustle from the surrounding forest.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the mana ore deposit, it was already dark. However, the exposed veins of raw mana ore glowed faintly, casting a soft, eerie luminescence across the rocky terrain. DK leaned forward in the carriage, eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight.
The ore deposit was massive, a natural cavernous pit where glowing blue crystals jutted out from the rocky ground, pulsing with a quiet energy. It was a breathtaking sight, almost surreal in its beauty. As DK and Lucy approached the mining site, the air was thick with residual mana, the faint hum of energy vibrating through the ground. The exposed ore deposits jutted out from the rocky surface, their glow pulsating rhythmically like the heartbeat of the earth itself. The deeper veins shimmered in brilliant hues of blue and violet, a mesmerizing sight against the darkened surroundings.
Almost all the workers had already left for the day, their silhouettes retreating toward the small settlement nearby. Only a handful remained, rugged men and women whose physiques marked them as physically enhanced laborers. Their muscles bulged unnaturally, their movements precise and controlled. Unlike magic users, these workers relied on raw strength rather than mana manipulation. The risk of magical interference in such a delicate environment was too high; even the slightest imbalance could trigger an implosion within the cavern's depths.
DK and Lucy stepped past the last group of workers heading out, their tired faces barely sparing a glance as they packed their tools. The scent of sweat and crushed stone lingered in the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of mana-infused dust.
As they reached the entrance of the cavern, something on the ground caught DK's eye. A small chunk of raw mana ore, no bigger than a pebble, lay near his feet. He bent down, picking it up, feeling an immediate pulse of energy ripple through his fingers. The system interface flared to life before his eyes.
—
SYSTEM ALERT
Mana source detected. Would you like to absorb? Yes/NO
DK proceeded yes thinking it might be the solution.
—
Warning: Low-concentration mana source. Insufficient for stabilization.
—
DK frowned. He had hoped that even a small piece might provide a boost, but the system was already dismissing it as negligible. He clenched his fingers around the stone, feeling the slight warmth radiating from within, then let out a slow breath.
"Figures," he muttered.
Lucy leaned in, glancing at the notification hovering in DK's vision, though she couldn't see it. "What's wrong?"
DK turned the stone over in his hand before slipping it into his pocket. "It's too weak," he admitted. "I need something with higher concentration."
Lucy exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "And let me guess—you're thinking of going further inside?"
DK flashed a grin. "You know me well."
"Unfortunately, I do," she grumbled, shaking her head. "Fine. But don't blame me when we get chased out for trespassing."
As they stepped forward toward the cavern entrance, a group of the last remaining workers approached from the path leading out. Their eyes, weary but sharp, flicked between DK and Lucy with a mixture of suspicion and mild curiosity.
One of the men, a broad-shouldered worker with dust-covered arms, slowed his pace. "What're you two doing here?" he asked, his deep voice carrying an edge of wariness. "Miners are done for the day. You shouldn't be hanging around."
DK kept his stance casual, raising his hands slightly in a non-threatening manner. "Just passing through," he said smoothly. "We heard about the mana deposits here and wanted to see them up close."
The worker eyed DK's blade and Lucy's staff, his gaze lingering a moment too long. "Adventurers?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
"Something like that," Lucy replied, keeping her response vague.
The worker grunted. "Look, I don't know what you've heard, but this isn't some treasure trove for magic users. Mana ore is unstable when tampered with by spellcasters. That's why only physically enhanced laborers work here." He gestured toward the glowing cavern behind him. "You mess with it the wrong way, and you could bring the whole place down."
DK nodded thoughtfully. "Understood. We're not here to cause trouble."
The man studied them for a long moment before exhaling. "Just stay clear of the deeper tunnels. That's where the high-grade ore is, and it's off-limits unless you have a permit."
DK offered a friendly nod. "Got it. Thanks for the warning."
The worker gave one last assessing glance before continuing toward the village with his fellow miners, their heavy boots crunching against the stone path. The air around the entrance grew quieter as the last of them disappeared into the night.
Lucy turned to DK, her arms crossed. "You're still going in, aren't you?"
DK gave her a lopsided grin. "Obviously."
Lucy sighed, but there was no real protest left in her. "Then let's make it quick."