The next moment, Karma found himself standing amidst a spacious desert. Behind, the shimmering vale remained intact, perhaps preventing the intrusion of external spiritual energy.

Projections of burning incense shone scattered about the arena, each stick representing an hour.

Using only his passive senses, he could not immediately ascertain the location of any buried treasures or their associated golden threads. Karma surmised that should he seek to extend this range, the key lay in the further consumption of untethered golden threads.

Nevertheless, Karma came prepared for this eventuality.

Making a scene of anxiously entering the nearest dig site, Karma began silently stimulating his inner ability.

Subsequently, his eyes underwent a mysterious transformation: The central pools of hazy brown dispersed abruptly, scattering about the circumference of his sclera. The former vestiges composing each eye's iris and pupil coalesced, revealing a pair of self-devouring serpents.

Concurrently, the fabric of reality appeared to unravel, superseded by a limitless void of black and gold.

Karma's movements came to a sudden halt as a cosmic tapestry unfurled before him, his mind commandeered by a familiar network of golden threads. Fear took hold as he recalled the sensation of absolute extermination, unwilling but resigned to his untimely doom.

…

"Not dead?" he spoke, voice tinged in slight incredulity. Blinking, it was only now he noticed an imperceptible sphere delineating the bounds of his perception, shielding him from the finality inherent to the infinite.

With a renewed sense of urgency, he swiftly memorized the locations of nearby unbound threads before deactivating his special state.

A familiar ocean of sand once again graced Karma's vision, inciting a long-drawn sigh of relief.

Noticing a slight dampness trailing down his cheek, Karma realized that blood had unknowingly begun seeping from his eyes.

Wiping his face using the inside of his sleeve, Karma couldn't help but lament, "I just washed these …"

Once he was confident any traces of his injury had been removed, he realized the suspiciousness of his actions should anyone choose to investigate.

Forcing out a muffled whimper, he made a show of whispering, "Mother, father, I will avenge you! If you can hear me, please guide my shovel. I dig not for wealth but for hope; hope for justice and vengeance!"

That should do it.

Karma resumed digging with renewed vigor.

Even though he knew his current position contained no treasures, he diligently expanded his initial plot until 15 minutes had passed.

After spending a quarter of his allotted time without "success," only then did he move to relocate.

Hopping out of his hole, Karma scanned the horizon, eventually settling on a desolate area sporting numerous craters. He arrived there in a sprint and directly leaped down into the deepest of the surrounding holes.

Karma hoisted his shovel and tunneled—not further downwards—but to his flank.

Batch after batch of sand was deposited in Karma's wake as he continued towards his original trajectory, the surrounding granules thankfully compact enough to avoid collapse.

After several minutes of continuous digging, the monotonous sound of sifting sand welcomed a resounding clank. Karma, accelerating his movements, quickly dug out a fossil-like mass; per convention, he energetically bellowed a delighted yelp.

"The heavens have eyes! Don't worry, this unfilial son will force those evil villains to repent!"

Shovel and prize in hand, Karma hastily retreated from the mining site, retracing the route up to the surface. Clutched beneath his bosom lay a fossil of similar size and weight to a watermelon.

Given how massive the thing was, Karma discarded any thoughts of repeating his success.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Once: I can chalk it up to a stroke of luck.

Twice: I open myself up to scrutiny, if not now, then in the future.

Thrice: I'd have trouble finding a faster way to join my 'mother and father' in the afterlife.

Also, I've likely provoked enough attention as it is, given the event rules don't apply once you leave …

Equally suspicious, however, was suspiciously squandering his remaining allotment.

Finding another deserted segment, this time free of men and riches alike, Karma used his one free hand to dig about the surroundings slowly. Taking frequent glances at the half-consumed incense stick, he went into autopilot, sinking into thought.

At least, I don't think I have any parents … Though I lack much evidence to support that claim, at the very least, I've not once perceived a golden thread extending to or from myself.

Shrugging, Karma felt he'd done more than enough introspection, opting to simply shut off his brain until it was time to depart.

…

It should be about time.

Karma made his way back to his original ingress.

During his journey, he passed by a handful of fellow shovel-bearers, each flashing him a look of envy but in too much of a hurry for anything more. Of course, there were also those whose expressions hinted at darker emotions, but none proved brave enough to violate the event's rules.

Eventually, he successfully passed through the gate, returning to the admissions booth a minute or two before his time ran out.

Popping over to the counter, he was reacquainted with the attendant from before.

"You're back! And with quite the find, I see," the attendant exclaimed, appraising the fossil-like object.

Without much ado, Karma placed the fossil and shovel on the counter. "Any idea what it's worth?"

Grinning, the attendant responded, "Well, why don't we crack it open and find out!"

Exchanging the shovel for a set of chisel and hammer, he then added, "Only with your permission, of course."

Seeing Karma nod, he excitedly wedged the chisel in one of the fossil's many nooks. After performing a small set of practice swings, he lofted the hammer in ascent, arcing a tight crescent as he drove it down fiercely.

Boom!

The mighty swing, unable to part the heavens in one move, significantly advanced the wedge's penetration. The fact only seemed to excite its wielder as he again brought the hammer down, then again, each smash driving the wedge deeper.

Finally, a mighty bang! thundered, closely followed by two thuds. From the wreckages of the bisected sediment spilled a dark purple crystal, its translucent exterior revealing onyx currents winding throughout its structure. A few passersby, attracted earlier by the attendant's energetic display, eagerly inspected the mysterious gem.

"Ohh, not bad, Abyssal Amethyst. Decent portion too," exclaimed the attendant, just loud enough to inform the spectators without drawing additional eyes.

Whispering to one another with mild envy, Karma caught a few snippets detailing the material's usage.

"Mm, good balancing agent when dealing with unstable elements. Maintains potency while suppressing violent reactions."

Excited, Karma subtly smiled, listening in for any other interesting details. He then heard the same voice continue, "Though it works in both pill concoction and weapon forgery, in fact, the most common usage is to treat the symptoms of impotence. Quite popular with the old folk, who oftentimes use its alternate nomenclature, Arousal Amethyst."

That sentence and the following surprised gasps vanquished any lingering excitement. Especially a particularly heated rendition from one of the older women in the group …

The attendant asked, "Are you interested in keeping this item? I'd like to remind you, we offer market price for all winnings; that said, should the Abyssal Amethyst catch your fancy, you are by no means obligated to trade."

Choking, Karma waved his hands and responded, "Trade! Trade, I'd like to trade. Cough anywho, how much would an Arou—Abyssal Amethyst of this size go for?"

Smiling whimsically, the attendant briefly held a piece of jade to his forehead, then responded, "Current market price hovers around 167.72 SSF, so let's call it 168 SSF. Would that be agreeable?"

Nodding enthusiastically, Karma responded, "I accept!" before suddenly donning an awkward expression. "Ahh, could you exchange a portion of that for a spatial pouch? I don't think I can carry that many on my person …"

Surprisingly, the attendant agreed immediately, explaining, "However, we only offer a standard 7x7x7 meter option at the cost of 20 SSF."

"Let's go with that."

"Excellent. Please grant me a moment to retrieve your winnings."

Sweeping up the Abyssal Amethyst, the attendant entered a compartment near the back of the booth.

Left alone, Karma idly swept his gaze behind, catching the departing figures who'd watched him "cash in." Luckily, it seemed none were overcome by greed's nefarious allure. However ... a certain hunchbacked woman glanced back periodically, her expression one part regret, two parts longing.

Shivering, Karma found himself wishing she'd looked back with greed instead. Thankfully, the attendant returned right then, halting Karma's spiraling descent.

"Apologies for the wait. Here you are, 148 SSF and one standard spatial pouch, feel free to count it yourself."

After a momentary lapse, he added, "Of course, the stones were provided by our premium grade dispensary array, so I wouldn't anticipate any shortchanging!"

"No need, no need," replied Karma.

On the off chance the attendant had done something underhanded, it wasn't like Karma was in any position to cry foul. After all, this was technically a robbery …

To be fair, the attendant did say that anyone powerful enough to breach their formation was free to rob them. So, technically, I haven't broken any rules.

Happily receiving his spatial pouch, Karma bade farewell to the friendly attendant before briskly slipping away. Caution was of utmost necessity; it was still unknown whether any bad actors coveted his bounty, and Karma held no delusions of invincibility.

To any that dare approach, do so with caution. There will come a day when our roles reverse—that of the hunter and that of the prey.

When that day comes, can you hide?