Chapter 278 - Searching For Stone (2/2)

”The surrounding areas are too dangerous...but...do I have a choice?” Cultivating has never been a priority for him. Not only was his talent average, but his resources, methods, and arts were practically non-existent. Even if he cultivated, he'd be all tower and no foundation. ”Well, its this or robbery, but I clearly don't have the strength for the latter.”

The next day, he readied himself and told his father that he was going to be gone for most of the day in an especially long project, but he should be back by tomorrow morning. After stringing up some food from the neighbors, which was as difficult as asking a cat for their catnip, and setting aside clean water and a tad bit of crushed medicine that barely covered a day's worth, he was set to depart.

”I'll be back father!” With a smile and a chuckle, one filled with confidence and happiness, he left. His attitude and beliefs had never been tainted and neither has his resolve.

Several minutes passed before his father spoke, his eyes weak but tears flowed in an endless stream. How could he not notice his son's bruises from the abuse of rejection or the attempt to hide away the food he was eating to prevent him from knowing it was lesser or the longer hours each day? As his father, how could he not notice?!?!

”...” The amount of sorrow he felt was heart-wrenching. Why did he have to be sick? Why did he have to fail as a father? If...if he was born a woman, could he have given Damian the life he deserved?! Alone and crying he laid, unable to work, unable to leave this shoddy hut, and filled with prayers for his son's safety.

”I think he'll do, maybe I need to change my plans a little.” A soft voice echoed like a ghost within the hut.

-----

The Ridge had an ordinary name, but it was quite exceptional. For beginning hunters, it was the ideal location. Oftentimes with a little digging, one could find Objects of Law related to the Law of Stone. The Law of Stone was a Mortal Law that embodied the essence of a stone, dense and hard solid material. If lucky, these stones could contain traces of earth or metal laws!

The Law of Stone was an interesting law, and many often confuse it with the Law of Earth. However, before essence is refined into crystal, its often in a stone like form. Essence stones were typically in special locations or mines. Refining them was an exceptionally easy task that any cultivator could do, so its very unlikely to find an unrefined essence crystal.

The Law of Stone could be described as the law of solidness of a material, be it earth, metal, essence, or water. If not, how could heavenly materials of fire, water, and even wind exist in stone form?

There wasn't much danger in this area, mostly because it has been mostly cleaned out. Whatever's left is little leftovers and that was enough for hunters starting out in the beginning.

A small boy was at the edge of The Ridge, his eyes surveying the area. He wasn't the only one and he wasn't the only male. In truth, there were dozens of people around, mostly young ones like Damian and they were all males.

They seemed to have their own struggles as they searched relentlessly. Some didn't bring shovels, like Damian, either because they can't afford one or they didn't think about it, so they had to use their hands or normal rocks with sharp edges.

There were a few that'd use their qi to dig, but with their foundation, it was a brief excavation before exhaustion. Without essence liquid to recover, they had to spend hours or even days to fully recover.

After several hours, Damian found nothing. His body was drenched in sweat and his hands were bloody, but he didn't stop.

”Ahh!” A voice exclaimed nearby attracting everyone's attention. A boy, no older than sixteen, had found an object and held it in his hand with excitement written on his face. ”I found a-”

Boom!

Just as he was in the midst of his excitement, a bone-crunching sound caused everyone's heart to tense. A rock had flown at rapid speeds and turned the boy's head to mush. His brain matter and pieces of his cranium had splashed on Damian's face. His left eye twitched in reflex.

A figure appeared beside the headless boy. It was a cute figure, a young woman no older than ten? Maybe eleven. She grabbed the stone from the boy's corpse. For some reason, Damian felt bone snapping sounds as if the boy, even in death, refused to give up the rock.

The young, cute girl appraised the rock and frowned. ”Damn! It's just a normal rock. Idiot! Excited for nothing.” She kicked the boy's body in frustration and left with an adorable pout.

”...” For the next ten minutes, Damian was frozen. The others, however, returned to searching and placing the rocks, regardless of special or normal, into their bags. When its full, whether they find something or not, at least their lives wouldn't be taken as they returned home.

”I need to find something for father.” Snapping out of his daze, he continued searching with his bare hands.

He had to.

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