"it's really hot in here." A young man of no more than 18 years sighed.
He had short black hair thin frame and a bit pale skin. He wore a the official miners outfit, a brown jumpsuit with thick boots and a yellow helmet with a lit torch.
In his hand was a rusty pickaxe that looked to give out any moment now.
Tilting his head a bit he stared at the pile of rocks with colours varying stacked on the floor.
I still haven't reached the minimum requirement for today. A light frown tug at the corner of his lip. Looking upwards he let out another sigh.
Mom and yuki will be waiting, I have to be quick. Slightly shaking his head he resumed work. Lifting the pickaxe up then slamming it down with force towards a section of the wall.
There were some small cracks evident on the wall highlighting the countless strikes made from the axe.
Come on.. Max muttered a little frustrated. He'd been hitting this section of the wall for so long his hands were already numb. And the pickaxe wasn't of much help not being in the best of conditions.
But still.. no matter how much force he applied the wall didn't budge. Only cracks along with little sparks of flames were made.
"Am not giving up that easily!" Steeling his resolve he striked more harder. Gritting his teeth through the sheering pain coursing through his body.
Clang clang!
The sound of metal hitting against something solid resounded in the cave. Detailing just how much power being used despite having a thin frame.
Just when all hope seemed lost the wall finally gave in. Crumbling under the sheer force of the last strike made from Max.
F-finally.. tired and exhausted his wobbly legs gave out. With him falling to the hard ground.
I-i hope I was right. He inwardly prayed staring into the open space of the wall. There were some mineral stones and granites but not the item he was hoping for.
Ha.. guess there wouldn't be any homemade bread today. A weak smile formed on his face. Stretching he picked all the valuable mineral stones along with the granites he could find.
Getting up he was about leaving but stopped seeing he missed a stone.
Almost missed you. Picking the stone his eyes widened seeing something shiny underneath.
Gold.. he lightly muttered. A look of excitement and relief washing over him.
Guess like we're gonna have bread afterall. With a light smile he picked the finger sized gold up. It was very small and rough debunking the idea of it being gold. But in max eyes it was a lifetime worth of valuable treasures.
Strapping the black bag to his side he proceeded to the outer section of the cave.
Everyone's already gone. Looking round there were traces of left over derbies and rocks, but no signs of people.
Am late again. Rushing out he used whatever little energy he had left. Navigating his way through the hard ground to the exit of the cave. There he could see two armed personnels dressed in military outfit.
S-sorry am late.. he apologized bowing his head a bit. Stunned a bit the two male guards were shocked to see someone still left in the mines.
It's 45 minutes past closing time, what the hell where you still doing in the mines boy? The guard by the left scowled.
They were just about leaving after rounding up the figures of the total mined items today. But unfortunately a thorn had decided to sprout out.
I wasn't conscious of the time while going deeper in the cave. Please forgive me.
Hearing him the two male faces contorted into that of surprise.
Deeper into the mines, do you have a death wish!? The one by the right exclaimed not believing max.
There were different caves with different unknown precious stones hidden in their walls. Which were further divided into sections or phases mined by skilled miners employed by the government.
A group of about ten armed guards were then stationed at each cave to monitor and guide the excavation process.
Rules were also setup to ensure the safety of the miners and guards alike. One of which was never to venture alone deeper into a cave.
You know the rules.. venturing alone deeper into the cave means a deduction of 5 from your payment.
Of course I understand. Max softly nodded. He knew the rule quite well and had broken it a few times.
He accepted that easily. The male guard by the left had expected max to put up some resistance but surprisingly he didn't.
Seeing this as an opportunity for extortion the guard acted.
Why don't you pay us 10 coins each from your payment each and we won't report this.
Of course, thank you. Max bowed with a look of gratitude.
Grinning widely they then collected the black bag. Placing it on a rectangular briefcase like device.
[Scan complete..]
[Daily requirement of 1000 granites and 500 mineral stones reached!]
The system voice resounded confirming the met daily requirement. Dipping his hand to his pocket the guard brought out an item.
Here, your daily payment. In his hand were bronze coins. 30 in number to be exact after the deduction of 20 which he handed over to max.
With a nod of acknowledgement the latter then proceeded out the cave.
…
Hey what took you so long man! A younger male with silver hair and the same features as max frowned.
Silas, you're still here?
Of course! What did you think I was gonna do. Leave you here and get turned to a mythr back home? Heck no! Silas chuckled earning a light smile from max.
What took you so long anyways? Knowing max he could only think of one reason he stayed after finishing hour.
You ventured deeper into the cave again.. right. He asked to which max calmly nodded.
Before you scold me I did get lucky this time.
Really?? Let me see! Silas eyes lit up in excitement. He was impatient in nature and max was well aware of that.
Not here. Understanding what he meant Silas didn't pester much on the topic. Though his curiousity couldn't be tamed.
...….
In a sturdy structure surpassing a two story building containing a strange crest. Of two serpents coiled together around a sword in a circle. The tapping of heels could be heard to the smooth tiled floors.
Sir beru. A soldier in uniform bowed seeing the figure approaching. Casually waving the figure proceeded towards the lift.
Ding!
Stepping out from the elevator the man steadily made his way through the narrow passage. Filled with armed military personnels guarding this floor.
Sir beru!
Ignoring them the bulky man in a blue suit then proceeded to the 6th door by the left.
I see you still haven't learnt your lesson old man. A voice spoke from the other side.
.....
So you're telling me you found a freaking gold bar! Silas exclaimed hearing max words. He wasn't expecting to hear such news from his friend. But as always max had his way of surprising him.
Not a gold bar more like golden finger haha~ max awkwardly chuckled scratching his head.
But still.. gold is gold. You sure are one heck of a lucky guy. Slightly nodding the duo then highlighted from the public train. Passing by some houses in poor conditions.
So, when are you going to the dark- max hurriedly placed his hand to Silas lip before he finished his words.
You know the rules, we never speak those words outside.
A-am sorry.
It's alright, you just got a little carried away like usual. Max teased earning a light scoff from Silas. Reaching the end of the road the duo then bid farewell.
Am home. A light smile formed on max face seeing the small home that looked more like a cottage in front.
Brother brother! A little girl rushed out the door with a bright smile plastered on her innocent face.
Slow down or you'll- he didn't finish his words when the predicted occured. Rushing over he held the little girl in his arms like a precious artifact.
You shouldn't have rushed in like that yuki. Look what you've done to yourself now.
B-but-
No buts, what if something more bad had happened than this? Do you know how worried mom would be. Max angrily yelled scolding yuki. Making small droplets of tears fall down her puppy eyes.
A-am sorry..
Looking at her he could feel her emotions. Being an innocent child she was bound to make mistakes. And he would always be there to help her out.
Ha.. it's alright. I can't stay mad at you. Drawing her close he wrapped his arms around her. Embracing her in a warm hug.
Come on, let's go see mom. He smiled to which she nodded. Making their way into the small house that looked more like a cottage.
The interior was much worse than the exterior with several holes and cracks. With very few items.
Maxxy.. you're back. A soft voice uttered. There sitting on the bed was a beautiful matured woman in her middle 40's. She had long black hair wearing a smooth white dress complimenting her skin.
M-mom.. max shakily uttered clenching his fist tightly. He held the urge not to cry and the two women could sense it.
Hmph! Who's the softie now. Yuki scoffed puffing her cheeks. Earning some light chuckles from the two.
You're right, I am a softie. Shaking his head a bit he brought out a brown envelope.
What do you say we make some bread huh yuki? Hearing that the little girls eye brightened up. Without delay she snatched the envelope from her him rushing over to her mother.
Max you shouldn't have. H-how could you afford the money?
Ha.. I knew you'd ask that. But not to worry, I worked extra hard today. Staring at him she could tell her son was lying. But she didn't mind. Having trained him well she was confident he wouldn't engage in any illegal stuff.
Alright then let's make bread. Susan smiled to which max and yuki nodded.