The sun barely kissed the horizon when Miguel gathered the villagers in the crumbling square.
"Today, we take the first step towards rebuilding our home," he announced, his voice steady despite the tight knot of anxiety in his chest. "We need materials. And there's only one place left untouched — the old mines."
Silence answered him at first.
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, whispering about the curses and monsters that lurked below.
Then, a voice spoke up.
"I'll go," said a girl with light brown hair tied behind her back, her voice trembling but firm. She clutched a pouch of herbs at her waist. "I'm Serena. I… I can heal minor wounds. I may not be strong, but I want to help."
Before Miguel could answer, another voice cut through the crowd.
"And I'll join too," said a young man leaning casually against a post. His short, messy hair and sharp eyes spoke of a mischievous spirit. "Name's Elias. I studied under the old village scholar before he… well, before he vanished. I know a few tricks."
Miguel's eyes widened slightly.
A healer and a mage?
Fate must be smiling on him today.
[Potential Party Members Detected!]
[Serena - Class: Novice Healer]
[Elias - Class: Apprentice Mage]
[Form Party? Y/N]
Miguel mentally selected "Yes."
[Party Formed!]
[Party Members: Miguel (Leader), Sylvara, Serena, Elias]
A translucent blue map appeared before him, highlighting the route to the mines.
Miguel smiled. "Alright. Let's gear up."
The Forgotten Mines
The entrance to the mines loomed like the gaping mouth of some ancient beast.
Broken wooden supports sagged dangerously, and cold, damp air flowed outward like the breath of a slumbering giant.
Rusting mining tools and shattered carts littered the ground.
A cracked stone tablet near the entrance bore faded words:
"Beware those who wake the forgotten."
Serena shivered, clutching her pouch tighter.
Elias snorted. "Typical ominous warning."
Miguel drew his simple iron sword and nodded toward the darkness.
"Stay close. Stay alert."
Together, they stepped into the gloom.
First Challenge: The Cave Rats
The first stretch of tunnel was eerily silent, save for the dripping of water and the creaking of old timbers.
Then came the scratching.
From the shadows, dozens of red-eyed, oversized rats surged toward them, fangs bared and claws flashing.
Miguel instinctively stepped forward, swinging his sword in wide arcs.
Sylvara darted like a shadow, her dagger flashing as she felled rat after rat.
"Behind you!" Serena cried.
Miguel turned just in time to block a leaping rat, sending it sprawling.
Elias raised a trembling hand.
"Fire Sparks!"
A spray of tiny flames shot from his palm, scattering the rats and setting several ablaze.
Miguel grinned. "Nice shot!"
The battle ended with a pile of smoking, twitching rat corpses.
Serena rushed forward, her hands glowing faintly green as she healed a shallow gash on Miguel's arm.
Miguel felt the magic seep into his skin, warm and soothing.
"You two are incredible," he said sincerely.
Serena blushed. Elias smirked.
"We're just getting started," the mage said.
The Forgotten Armory
Deeper in the tunnels, they stumbled upon a half-buried wooden door.
With some effort, Miguel forced it open.
Inside, they found a small, dust-choked room — the miners' forgotten armory.
Old weapons lay in heaps, most too rusted to use.
But in the center, embedded in a cracked stone pedestal, gleamed a pristine tool.
A Silver Pickaxe.
[Silver Pickaxe - Item Grade: Rare]
[Effect: +50% mining efficiency. Can mine magical ores.]
Miguel stepped forward, reverently lifting the pickaxe.
The System chimed:
[Congratulations! You have obtained a Legacy Tool: Silver Pickaxe!]
[New Resource Nodes Unlocked: Magical Stone, Enchanted Metal.]
His heart pounded with excitement.
This was it — a real chance to rebuild!
Trouble in the Depths
As they continued deeper, the air grew colder.
Strange claw marks marred the walls.
Faint growls echoed from unseen depths.
"We should turn back," Sylvara said, her voice tense.
Miguel hesitated.
He wanted to push forward — but risking everyone's lives wasn't worth it yet.
"Agreed," he said. "Let's head back. We'll plan a full expedition once we're better equipped."
Relief flashed across Serena's face. Elias muttered something about 'boring but smart decisions.'
They turned around, making their way back toward the entrance.
But fate had other plans.
The ground trembled.
Rocks fell from the ceiling.
A roar, deep and furious, thundered through the tunnels.
From the darkness ahead, a massive figure emerged — skin like stone, eyes burning like coals.
A Rock Troll.
Twice the size of any man, armed with a crude club made of a fallen tree.
Miguel tightened his grip on his sword.
"Run!" he shouted.
They fled through the collapsing tunnels, the Rock Troll's furious bellows chasing them into the night.