The mine’s warm air wraps around me, thick and heavy—a stark contrast to the bitter cold of the surface. Maybe that’s why I like it down here. The world above carries too many memories I’d rather bury. But here? In the dim glow of lanterns and the steady rhythm of pickaxes striking rock, there’s a quiet simplicity. A fleeting peace, even amidst the chaos of this mismatched group of miners.

The rhythmic clang of pickaxes echoes through the mine, a steady soundtrack to life in the underground mine. The air here isn’t suffocatingly hot—thank the gods—but comfortably warm, a welcome reprieve from the biting cold outside. Somehow, working here feels more bearable, even if the company occasionally tests my patience.

"Can’t believe we’re changing mine locations again," I mutter under my breath.

"Yeah, Slimmy. But the Earth Mine’s being handled by the authorities now," Bunchy says, his voice carrying that ever-curious edge. "They’re trying to figure out what’s up with the pests down there."

I raise an eyebrow. "Authorities?"

"Obviously, the knights, dumbhead!" Sorey butts in, striding into the conversation like he owns it. His grin is wide, smug, and just a little too irritating.

"Do not disrespect the hero, Sorey," Bunchy rumbles, his deep voice like distant thunder. "He might just give you a proper knockout."

Sorey scratches the back of his head, feigning innocence with an awkward laugh. "Oh, my bad, Slimmy. Old habits die hard, you know?"

Before I can retort, Josh jabs an elbow into Sorey’s ribs, wearing a sly smirk. "But Sorey, it’s not just the knights. Detectives and medical examiners are on the case too."

Sorey grimaces, glaring at Josh like he’s already plotting revenge. Their endless banter fills the air, and while I hate to admit it, it’s oddly comforting in this cold, dark place.

I step aside with Bunchy, lowering my voice. "Those two are getting along better lately, huh?"

Bunchy shrugs, the corner of his mouth twitching into a knowing smile. "Yeah, ever since that prank—I mean accident. Guess they’ve learned a few things about each other."

My expression darkens. "I still don’t think it was funny, Bunchy. That could’ve gone really bad for me. I’m just trying to keep this group in one piece, but the memories... they still hit me sometimes."

"Hey, you two!" Sorey’s voice cuts through my thoughts like a whip. "This isn’t break time!"

"Come on, Slimmy," Bunchy says, chuckling softly as he straightens up. "Sorey’s right. We can gossip later."

I sigh and nod, though my frustration lingers. "Fair enough."

As we get back to work, I glance at Sorey and Josh. Their bickering continues, but beneath the surface, there’s a strange camaraderie—something forged in the chaos we’ve endured together. It’s messy, annoying, but undeniably human.

“Move!”

I stumble as a burly man shoves me aside. He’s definitely a miner, judging by his soot-covered clothes and rough demeanor.

“Hey, dude, chill!” Bunchy steps in, glaring at the man.

“Yeah, chill, man!” Sorey voice chimes in from the crowd. “This guy’s a hero, you know! He’s the one who took down the giant rats in the other mine!”

The miner doesn’t seem impressed. He snorts, crossing his arms. “Oh yeah? Do I look like I care?” His tone is loud, dripping with sarcasm. Then, with a mocking grin, he raises his voice. “Hey, guys, this is the big shot who made our shifts shorter!”

I can feel all eyes in the mine turning toward me. Whispers ripple through the crowd.

“Wait, wait, guys, chill out! It’s just a shift!” Bunchy tries to defuse the situation, stepping between me and the miner. “More time to relax for everyone, right?”

But the man isn’t having it. His face twists in anger, and before I know it, he grabs Bunchy by the collar.

“Relax? I need this job to pay for my daughter’s medicine. That’s why I’m in this godforsaken place!” His voice echoes off the cavern walls. “Shorter shifts mean less pay per day. Less pay means my daughter doesn’t get what she needs!”

The tension thickens as other miners begin to speak up, their frustration spilling over.

“Yeah! Who’s gonna pay my rent now?”

“Do you know how expensive it is to have a wife?!”

The crowd divides into two groups—the miners from the Earth Mine, who were recently relocated here, and the ones who’ve been working in the coal mine for months. The air feels like it’s about to snap as tempers flare.

“Guys, stop!” I say, trying to intervene, but my voice gets drowned out by the growing arguments.

“Nobody’s at fault here!” Bunchy shouts, shoving the angry miner back. “I bet the authorities will be done with their inspection in a week or so. Then everyone from the Earth Mine will go back, and things will go back to normal. So back off!”

His words only stoke the fire. The crowd looks ready to explode into punches when a calm, authoritative voice cuts through the noise.

“Rafael.”

An old man steps forward, his gray hair and stern eyes giving him an air of experience. His voice is calm but carries the weight of authority. “I leave for a few minutes to go to the bathroom, and you’re already causing chaos?” He looks at the angry miner—Rafael, I assume—with a disappointed sigh.

“Who are you?” Bunchy asks, his curiosity breaking through the tension.

The old man straightens, pointing at Rafael and a few others in the crowd. “I’m Iwa, one of the group leaders here. Specifically, his boss.” He turns to the group, his eyes narrowing. “And yes I’m pointing to you guys—shouldn’t you be ashamed? You’re bosses of your own groups, and yet you’re acting like children.”

His words are calm but hit like a hammer. The miners begin to shuffle awkwardly, their anger cooling under Iwa’s sharp gaze.

As the tension drains from the air, I can’t help but glance at the old man. There’s something about him—his presence, his authority. A part of me wonders if I’ll ever command that kind of respect.

As the wave of warm air fades, signaling the end of my shift, I feel a strange mix of exhaustion and relief. Sorey and Josh are still stuck on theirs, so Bunchy and I decide to grab a quick meal.

“He’s a way better boss than Tenque. Why can’t we have someone like him in charge?”

“I don’t know, man. Just be grateful for what we’ve got. At least Tenque’s in the hospital, so no boss breathing down our necks for now.”

“Yeah, but who’s gonna tell us what to do?”

“Tenque left detailed plans. Obviously, the company signed off on them. If we stick to the routine, maybe—just maybe—I’ll be the next boss. I can see it already.”

Leaving him to his fantasies, I decide to explore the area. Wandering through the mine’s intricate tunnels, I spot Iwa and Rafael standing near the edge of a dimly lit section. As soon as Iwa catches sight of me, he waves me over.

“Yes?” I ask, stepping closer.

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“Rafael here has something to say to you,” Iwa says, gesturing to the man.

Rafael shifts uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. “...Sorry,” he mutters, the word as hollow as an empty tunnel.

I can tell he doesn’t mean it, but I decide not to press the issue. “Apology accepted,” I reply simply.

Iwa watches Rafael for a moment before turning his sharp, calculating gaze to me. His eyes don’t just study my face—they seem to look through me, weighing my experiences and intentions.

“I heard about the rats,” he says, his tone calm but tinged with curiosity. “It’s impressive that one guy managed to take down those monsters.”

“Yeah, well… I had some help from the company’s magnetic boots. Now that I don’t have them, I’m just an ordinary worker.”

“Ah, the magnetic boots,” Iwa says with a chuckle. “Those things are amazing. Not for someone like me, though.”

“Why not?” I ask, confused.

He pulls up the hem of his pants, revealing a long, jagged scar running down his leg.

“Working here, sooner or later, you’ll have an accident. And not everything heals,” he says with a sigh. “But let’s change the subject. If you’re interested, there’s a shop near Section G that sells advanced tools for work. Just mention my name and the seller will treat you like gold.”

“Thanks, Iwa,”.

“No problem, slim-Can I call you slim, right?”

“Yeah sure, and you don’t have a nickname?”

“Let me guess you are in Tenque’s group”

“Yes, how do you know?”

“Years of experience, make me see things that youth can’t see. Talking about, youth its time for my young body to work again, hoho. You too should return to your spot.”

I nod and follow my own path.

When I return to Bunchy, he hands me a shovel and a burlap bag with a smug grin. “Well, Slimmy, there’s not much going on right now. Just collect debris, toss it in the bag, and you know the drill.”

One scoop. Two scoops. Three.

By the time I reach my 144th scoop, I’m drenched in sweat. My arms ache, and my focus is slipping, but the monotony is occasionally broken by the miners around me. I notice a pattern—they bump into Sorey, Josh, or Bunchy almost like clockwork. Every five minutes, someone shoves one of them and mutters, “Sorry, didn’t mean to,” with a smirk. It’s obvious they’re doing it on purpose.

“Uff… 219,” I mutter, heaving the last shovelful of debris into the bag. “Finally done. My shift is almost over.”

Nearby, I spot Iwa crouched over a pile of coal, casually picking through the miners’ bags like it’s a leisurely game.

“I think I get why you’re so relaxed,” I say, wiping my forehead. “You’re not even doing your job. You’re just picking through the coal like it’s a game.”

“Game?” Iwa repeats, looking up at me with a smirk. “Do you even know what coal is used for?”

“Uh… steak?”

“Steak?” He lets out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. “Let me guess—you don’t know the difference between regular coal and premium coal either, do you?”

“Premium coal?” I repeat, frowning.

He holds up a small chunk, its surface glinting faintly in the lantern light. “Coal isn’t just coal. Some of it’s high-quality, crucial for specific industries. It’s valuable. But most people see it as just dirty rocks.”

“Okay, so what’s your point?” I ask, crossing my arms.

He stands, his tone growing serious. “Do you see yourself as just a coal miner with a shovel, or do you see yourself reaching for the stars?”

“...Huh?”

“After my accident,” he says, tapping the scar on his leg, “I couldn’t rely on strength anymore. So I developed something better—an eye for detail. I learned how to spot premium coal, how to lead people, and how to make myself indispensable. That’s why I’m a boss now. Strength will only get you so far. You’ve got to think beyond the shovel if you want to rise.”

As Iwa's words sink in, I can't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Leadership? Unique abilities? Spotting premium coal? What is he even talking about?

“Wait, wait,” I say, raising a hand. “You’re messing with me, right? It’s just coal. Dirty, black rocks that make a mess of everything. You can’t be serious about all this premium coal nonsense.”

Iwa smirks, leaning casually against the wall of the tunnel. “Messing with you? No, Slim. You’re just ignorant.”

I narrow my eyes. “Hey, I’m not ignorant. I know what coal’s for. It’s… uh, for making fires. Cooking steaks. And… heating stuff?”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “You really don’t know, do you? Sit down, rookie. Let me educate you before you embarrass yourself further.”

I hesitate but eventually drop onto a nearby crate. “Fine. Enlighten me.”

Iwa picks up a chunk of coal from the pile next to him, holding it up between two fingers like it’s a precious gem. “This little black rock isn’t just for heating or cooking steaks, as you so eloquently put it. It’s made mostly of carbon, one of the most important elements in the world.”

“Carbon? Like… the stuff in pencils?” I say, raising an eyebrow.

He nods. “Graphite in pencils, yeah. Same element. But carbon doesn’t just stop there. It’s the foundation of chemistry, the backbone of life itself. Every living thing on this planet has carbon in it. And coal? It’s a treasure trove of carbon.”

“Wait,” I say, holding up a hand. “Are you telling me coal is alive or something?”

Iwa groans, rubbing his temples. “No, genius. Coal is the result of millions of years of pressure and heat acting on dead plants. It’s ancient plant matter, compacted and transformed into carbon-rich material. Think of it as nature’s way of recycling.”

I blink, trying to process that. “So… you’re saying coal is, like, super-old plants?”

“Exactly,” Iwa says, tossing the coal chunk into the air and catching it effortlessly. “And because it’s so rich in carbon, it’s not just fuel. Coal’s carbon content makes it useful in creating steel, and even in products like dyes, plastics, and medicines. The world runs on carbon, Slim. Coal just happens to be one of the easiest ways to get a lot of it.”

I lean back, crossing my arms. “Okay, fine. So it’s useful. But why does that matter to us? We’re just mining it. It’s not like we’re making steel down here.”

Iwa grins. “It matters because knowledge is power. The more you understand what you’re working with, the more valuable you become. You think a guy like me became a boss just by digging and carrying sacks of debris? No. I learned everything there is to know about coal. How to spot the best chunks. How to negotiate with suppliers. How to lead people. If you want to rise above the shovel, Slim, you’ve got to stop thinking like a grunt.”

I stare at him, half-annoyed, half-impressed. “You really like to make a guy feel stupid, don’t you?”

“It’s not about feeling stupid,” he says with a shrug. “It’s about waking up. You’re not just a miner, Slim. You’re part of a system that powers the world. If you can’t see that, you’re wasting your time here.”

I can’t respond to Iwa. It’s like my thoughts are tangled, and I have no idea what to say. Am I really embarrassing myself? Was I that clueless this whole time? Instead of replying, I let the moment hang awkwardly in the air. Finally, I decide to go. My shift is over, and I need to clear my head.

“Well, Slimmy. Time to go home,” Bunchy says with a tired grin.

“I guess… yeah,” I mumble, my voice distant as I follow him out of the tunnels.

----------------------------------------

The next day, as we park the car, something feels… off. My unease grows as I notice ambulances lining the entrance. Paramedics move with urgency, wheeling out stretchers, their burdens hidden beneath white sheets or writhing in pain.

At least thirty miners are being carried out, their faces pale, drenched in sweat. And then I see him. Iwa. He’s on one of the stretchers, his usually sharp eyes closed, his body eerily still.

I push through the crowd, my heart pounding. “Iwa!” I call out, but there’s no response. My voice cracks as I reach a nurse tending to the stretcher.

“Is he… is he okay?”

The nurse looks at me with tired eyes and shakes her head. “He passed away.”

“What? Why?” My words come out louder than I intended, disbelief tightening my chest.

The nurse sighs. “I’m not sure. You’ll need to ask the crew.”

My head feels light as I stumble back, trying to process her words. Passed away? Iwa? The guy who stood there laughing at me just yesterday?

I spot Rafael standing in the corner, his head low, tears streaming down his face. Without hesitation, I approach him.

“Hey,” I say, my voice shaking. “What happened?”

Rafael doesn’t look up. He sniffles and wipes his nose with the back of his hand before muttering, “The ventilation system failed.”

“What do you mean it failed?”

“The fans stopped working, man. The air got so hot, people didn’t know what to do. Everyone panicked. It turned into chaos—people pushing, shoving, trying to find air.” His voice cracks as he continues. “Some got really sick, but Iwa… he couldn’t handle the heat. The stress. The crowd. His heart…”

He doesn’t finish, but he doesn’t need to. I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.

“Wasn’t there a technician on-site?” I demand.

Rafael shakes his head bitterly. “The technician is coming today… but it’s too late. No one knew how to fix this.” His voice cracks, grief tightening his throat.

A shuddering sob escapes him. “He was like a brother to me. We worked side by side for nearly ten years.” He squeezes his eyes shut, his hands trembling. “And now he’s gone.”

My fists clench, rage and frustration boiling inside me. “Then this is the fault of the com-”

Before I can finish, Rafael’s hand shoots out, grabbing mine tightly. His tear-streaked face is suddenly inches from mine as he whispers urgently, “Don’t. Don’t say something you’ll regret.”

“What? Why not?”

“There are bosses here,” he hisses, glancing over his shoulder. “And people from the company’s departments. If they hear you complaining—if you start pointing fingers—you’re done. Fired, blacklisted, or worse. They don’t want troublemakers. They’ll get rid of you without thinking twice.”

Rafael releases my hand, his voice softer now, almost pleading. “Just… keep your head down, Slimmy. For your own good.”

“I thought you hate me for the shifts and such”

“I don’t hate you, but I am a father, my daughter is always first. But is enough damage for today, I think”

I glance back at the ambulance where Iwa’s body lies, then at the crowd of pale, shaken miners. The weight of it all presses down on me—the loss, the injustice, the helplessness. My fists unclench, but the fire in my chest doesn’t die.