Chapter 329: Mining Cave (1/2)

Mining Cave Number Three, Mount Meredith.

“To what do we owe the honor, Lord Mickey?” A lead miner asked Strom Mickey, who had appeared there for some reason.

Although miners such as them were paid well enough, their jobs were still hard labor and most nobles wouldn’t bother looking into their ashen-faces, believing that they were beings just a little better than slaves.

Naturally, for some big shot in Crookes like Strom himself to come here suddenly was leaving the stout lead miner—who resembled a dwarf in appearance-confused.

“I’m just looking around,” Strom replied. “I am a city official in Crookes after all, so I should learn a little about the mining caves that are the lifeblood of the city.”

The lead miner accepted the reply at face value. Even if Strom was showing signs of losing power, he remained an important official and noble of the city, someone whom peasants like the miner himself must never provoke.

Hence, even though he didn’t know what was going on, the lead miner did as he was told and freed up a mining cart before having two other strapping miners drive it for Strom.

Strom didn’t protest. His face was serene even as he sat on the cart that slowly ventured deep into the mining cave, as if he really was there for an inspection.

No one saw that a clear fluid no different from water was dripping all over the cave from his fingertips-and when the unusual fluid seeped into the dirt, it would quickly sneak beneath ground without a trace, preventing anyone from seeing it. Still, nothing changed, although the Illum crystal ores on both sides of the cave that the miners left as markers and a source of light seemed to brighten a little…

***

“Are you awake? We’ve finished your Red Scream!”

Zazu woke up to find his good friend Simba telling him that whilst standing over himself. Startled, he promptly checked his bag, only to find that the expensive fire potion ‘Red Scream’ was still inside and untouched.

“Don’t joke even about that. It’s an item I need for class change.” Zazu said as he carefully stuffed the potion deeper inside the bag and then closing it once more. “It’s so expensive on the market.”

“Are you really planning to change class to Skyblaze Herald? I think Tidecallers are quite good too—they could summon seafood, so we won’t have to worry about going hungry.” Simba suggested. “Aquatic Angels are the ones who could summon seafood. They are very different from Tidecallers, please.” Zazu retorted even as he stretched his body.

At the moment, they were sitting in a Crookes alley.

Crookes was no tourist spot and therefore did not have many taverns, and any lodgings were soon full house after the Players had poured into the city in droves. Third-rate Players like Simba’s group who moved slower in comparison were therefore forced to sleep at the cleaner alleys when they eventually reached the city.

It was fortunate that the System shop provided sleeping bags to handle the problem, so they did not have to worry about the cold. Moreover, Simba, Zazu, and Nala were never pampered children, which was why they were alright aside being a little stiff when they woke up.

“Where’s Uncle Mufasa? Hasn’t he arrived in Crookes yet?” Nala then asked Simba in confusion.

“He accepted a job from Marni to escort the wood elves Trinia is sending to Crookes,” Simba replied after checking Mufasa’s comments on the forums. “Although I have the feeling that Mister Marni who is tagging along with the wood elves wants Uncle Mufasa to protect him as well.”

With Eleena always playing pretend and Princess Leah usually not being considered a Player, the Players whom other players considered to be the strongest in the Church of Games was either Edward or Jessica (thanks to the buff of the divine spear Sefarim). That lasted until after Mufasa’s dazzling performance in the Twin City Cup tourney, which promptly left most Players certain that he was now the best of them.

“But do the wood elves need escorts? I think they are stronger than us…” Nana asked softly.”