As I sit down to eat dinner with Bunchy, my phone buzzes.
“Ey, Bunchy, I’m stepping outside for a bit,” I say, already pushing my chair back.
“Sure, Slimmy,” he replies, barely glancing up from his food.
As soon as I step out the door, I answer the call.
“Hey, boy,” comes a gruff voice.
“Dad?” I say, caught off guard.
“Yeah, how’s the adventuring life treating you?” he asks, his tone casual, but I can hear the smirk behind it.
I can’t tell him the truth—that I’ve been robbed and now I’m working in a mine. I don’t want to admit he was right.
“Heh, good,” I lie, forcing a cheerful tone.
“I bet you’ve made a lot of money, huh?” He chuckles, but there’s a hint of concern underneath.
“You bet I did, Dad,” I say, gritting my teeth. “So, what’s up? Why are you calling me now?”
“Huh? So I can’t talk to my own son now?”
“Son?” I almost scoff. “We barely even talk.”
“Heh, yeah, talking and corny stuff aren’t really my thing. But I need a favor.”
“Dad, if this is about money, the answer’s no.”
“If I were there, I’d give you a good beating,” he mutters, coughing into the phone. “This is serious. Your sister Rika’s headed to the capital.”
“Oh…”
“Oh? What the hell, Daryn?”
“Sorry. Why’d she leave? Wasn’t she applying for that scholarship?”
“She was,” he says, voice heavy. “But somehow, she got into an argument with her mother. Last night, she just took off. According to Carol, her last words were, ‘the capital.’”
“She’s heading to the capital?” I laugh, the absurdity of it hitting me like a bad joke.
“What a joke. The princess who won’t eat a meal without her fancy yogurt is going to rough it out there? This is just a whim.”
“I hope you’re right,” Dad sighs. “But can you talk to her? She’s stopped listening to me.”
I rub my face in frustration.
“Dad... she’s not even my real sister. She’s not going to listen to me.”
“Listen to me, Daryn. She’s just an innocent girl. You can’t leave her to fend for herself in this crude world. If you’re a real man, you’ll help her. She left yesterday. You might know where to track her.”
The weight of his words settles over me, freezing me in place. Before I can protest, he hangs up.
“Dad? Wait—how am I supposed to find her?” I mutter into the silent phone.
Track her.
She left yesterday. She’s had all of today to travel… That means—
My stomach churns as realization hits me like a brick.
“She’ll meet the bandits!” I shout, eyes wide with panic.
Bunchy looked up from his plate, confusion etched on his face. “What?”
“Bunchy, I need to go. My sister—she’s gonna meet the bandits! They’ll take everything from her if we don’t stop them!”
Bunchy’s face shifted, a mixture of concern and understanding.
"Where?" he asks, his voice tense.
"In the valley," I reply, gripping the edge of the car door.
Bunchy's face freezes. “That’s almost two days by car… We’ve got work tomorrow, Daryn.”
I can’t afford to think about that. My sister—Rika—is in real danger. That’s all that matters now.
"Bunchy, my sister’s in real danger. I have to help her."
Bunchy scratches his head, clearly torn. “Umm…” He fumbles for something in his pocket and hands me the keys. “If you can drive, go. I’ll stay here, Sorey will pick me up. But are you sure about this? It’ll mess up your chances.”
I hesitate, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. But can I really ignore my sister’s plea for help?
I think about it for a moment. Would I really regret it? If a random person on the street died, I wouldn’t feel bad. A hobo under the bridge—no one would care. And Rika… she isn’t much different, right?
I chuckle darkly to myself. “Good one,” I laugh, almost at my own absurd thoughts.
But as I grip the steering wheel, something shifts in my chest. My mind clears.
“I might regret this…” I mutter, turning the key in the ignition. The car roars to life, but so does the unease in my gut. Maybe I’m throwing away the only real opportunity I’ve ever had, all for a sister who never even listened to me. But I can’t leave her. Not like this.
I slam my foot on the gas pedal, making a mess of the road.
"Yeah, not really a good driver," I mutter, glancing at the rearview mirror, remembering the countless infractions I racked up in my past life. The courts, the fines, the judgments—none of it seems to matter now.
But what does matter? Rika. My mind is on her. For once, I plead for her to stop causing trouble for me.
"Rika… for once, you can’t keep giving me problems!" I shout into the empty car, my frustration boiling over. It feels so far—so impossible. But I have to get there. I have to save her.
And then, something unthinkable happens.
As I speed down the road, something catches my eye. A figure—slowly walking down the middle of the highway.
I panic. I swerve, slamming my foot onto the brake, but it’s too late. The car barrels toward him at full speed.
Then, instead of the impact I expect, it feels like the world flips upside down. He doesn’t even flinch. The front of the car crumples, metal bending as if it just collided with a solid brick wall. I’m thrown from my seat, my body launching forward with a sickening lurch.
The car doesn’t stop—it’s pierced by the man’s body, as if he were an immovable object. I hit the asphalt hard, pain shooting through my limbs.
For a moment, everything is silent. The car is wrecked, its engine sputtering and smoking, but the man—he doesn’t even seem phased. He doesn’t react, doesn’t acknowledge the crash. He just keeps walking down the road, earbuds in, his pace steady.
“What the hell…?” I groan, struggling to push myself up from the ground. My head spins, but the shock of the situation is only beginning to settle in.
Then, for the first time, he turns. His gaze meets mine. He doesn’t look angry, confused, or even apologetic. He just stares, face completely indifferent, as if nothing happened.
“Hey!” I shout, frustration and disbelief rising in my voice.
He takes out one earbud and looks at me.
“What?” His voice is calm. Too calm.
I can’t believe this.
“You destroyed my car! What the hell is wrong with you?!”
The man glances at the wreckage behind him, his expression unchanged. “I see,” he says, not a hint of regret in his tone. “I’m busy. Are you done talking?”
He starts putting his earphones back in, completely uninterested in my frustration.
“Hold up! I was in a hurry!” I snap, trying to hold it together. “Someone might get hurt, okay?”
He sighs, clearly irritated. “Fine… where did you want to go?”
I stare at him, still processing what just happened. Was he even human? Who was this guy?
“I was heading to Aetheris Valley. You know, in a hurry?” I say, my voice shaking with anger and confusion.
He pulls out his phone like this is just another ordinary day for him. Is he calling a taxi? No—he’s probably just trying to ignore me again. But when I catch his eyes, he’s staring at me—waiting.
“What?” he asks, as if he hasn’t just destroyed my car and acted like nothing was wrong. His indifference is maddening.
“Did you—did you not hear me? You just asked where I was going, and I’m telling you! Are you even paying attention?” I shoot back, feeling like I’m talking to a wall.
“Oh, yeah, yeah.” He waves his hand dismissively, as if my car doesn’t matter. “You don’t have to thank me.”
Before I can process what he said, everything around me blurs. The ground beneath my feet shifts, and in the blink of an eye, I’m no longer standing in the middle of the road. The crash, the pain—everything is gone.
I stumble, catching myself, my heart pounding.
I’m standing in a place I recognize instantly—the valley.
I blink hard, my mind scrambling to catch up. How did I get here?
“W-what the hell?” I stammer, looking around. The landscape of Aetheris Valley stretches out in front of me—the familiar dusty terrain, the jagged rocks.
“How…?” I’m speechless. This isn’t possible. One minute, I was about to argue with that guy, and the next… I’m here.
Who the hell was that?
----------------------------------------
Poker
I push myself forward, each step quicker than the last. The sounds of grunting men reach my ears, and my heart races. If those bastards lay a finger on Rika, they’ll regret it. No one is going to touch her while I’m still breathing.
I reach the clearing just in time to see a surprising sight.
Rika stands confidently, one foot planted firmly on the head of a bandit who lies unconscious beneath her. Around her, the rest of the men are scattered on the ground, groaning in pain. They clearly underestimated her, and now they’re paying the price.
She turns her head toward me, her expression hard and serious. But the moment she recognizes me, her eyes soften, a flicker of relief in her gaze.
“Let me guess,” she says, stepping off the bandit’s head. “Dad sent you, huh?”
I take a deep breath, trying to hide the mixture of disbelief and pride churning inside me. “Yeah, he was worried, but I guess there’s nothing to worry about, huh?” I can’t help but smirk.
She defeated ten bandits—by herself—and I’ve barely been here long enough to process what I’m seeing.
I quickly check her stats, wanting to confirm what I’m witnessing.
Name: Rika
Category: Shaman
Level: 3
Mana: 30
Description: A girl struggling with college tuition fees. Expert in voodoo and runes.
Skills:
* Thermal Perception (Passive): Rika can sense heat variations in her surroundings, helping her detect hidden enemies or temperature changes. This effect is noticeable when she is in a state of focus.
* Craft Rune (Active) - Mana Cost: 5: Rika can carve simple runes to imbue objects or the ground with temporary elemental properties, using an element as a catalyst.
* Voodoo Fireflies (Active) - Mana Cost: 10: Rika summons spirits in the form of fireflies, confusing enemies by entering their minds and distorting their senses.
B: 80 / W: 57 / H: 83
“Rika, I’m so glad you’re okay. And I know there’s a lot to catch up on, but… I have work tomorrow. You can tell me everything on the road.”
She looks at me in disbelief. “The capital is like two days from here.”
“Actually, more like four if we don’t hurry.”
I barely manage to catch my breath before my phone buzzes. It’s Josh.
“Ey… Daryn,” comes his familiar, casual tone.
“Josh…” I reply, trying to keep my irritation in check.
“Bunchy told me about your problem,” he says without preamble, “and when you come I’ve got a solution. Near where the hides of the bandits might be, if you walk about two hours west, you’ll find some flags—white and red, just a few. That’s your landmark. In that area, there’s a place called Gnome City.”
“Gnome City?” I repeat, eyebrows furrowing. It sounds both absurd and oddly fitting in this strange world.
“Yeah, it’s an underground city with sprawling channels and passageways,” Josh continues. “If you can explain your situation to them, there’s a good chance they’ll sell you access to an underpassage. You’d be able to make it back in less than twenty-four hours.”
That’s a relief—a glimmer of hope in a situation that feels impossibly tangled. “Good to know. Thanks, Josh,” I say, ready to hang up.
But his voice stops me. “Wait—one more thing. Be careful, alright?”
“Careful?”
“The gnomes aren’t bad people,” Josh explains, his tone taking on a rare note of seriousness, “but they’re notorious pranksters. Jokers through and through. If you lose your temper with them, they’ll cancel any deal on the spot. You’ve got to stay patient, no matter what.”
“Understood,” I mutter, already dreading the prospect of dealing with a city full of tricksters.
“Good luck on your journey, Daryn.”
The call ends, leaving me with mixed feelings—relief at the possibility of finding a quicker way back, and dread at the thought of navigating a maze of gnome pranks.
“I guess we’re heading west for two hours,” I say, starting down the path.
“Huh? The capital is straight ahead,” Rika mutters, clearly annoyed.
“Yeah, but I need a shortcut to get to my workplace. Besides, while we’re at it, you can tell me what happened.”
She lets out a deep sigh but follows me anyway. Minutes pass in silence, and she still doesn’t say a word.
“Well? Are you going to tell me or not?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder.
“Why are you so pushy? I already told you,” she snaps, crossing her arms.
“No, you didn't, isn't this about your college fee?”
“Yes. I couldn't support to stay in that home. Too much to handle when she told me about my future, she told me I was average! Can you believe it? Telling me I am peasant, like you?”
“Hmmm Thanks? I supposed I am average now”
“ Yes, now I am a free independent woman!”
“So that’s it? That’s why you ran off from the house?” I press.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“Well... for the most part yes,” she mumbles, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“Speak, then!” I say, giving her a light slap on the back. Her eyes widen in surprise as she straightens up.
“I… I don’t want to admit it, but I found…” Her voice trails off into a barely audible whisper.
“What? I can’t hear you,” I say, leaning closer. “Come on, we’re siblings! Speak louder!”
She coughs and glances at me with a hint of embarrassment.
“I found it admirable when you defeated Dad,” she says clearly.
I blink at her, not entirely sure what she means by that. Beating the old man was just something that had to happen. I tilt my head, trying to understand her point.
“You didn’t give up challenging him, and now you’re an adventurer. You really fulfilled your dream.”
“Adventurer?” I echo, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, isn’t your workplace the guild with your party?” she asks, her tone matter-of-fact.
I laugh nervously, scratching the back of my head as I search for the right words.
“About that…” I start, then explain how I ended up as a miner instead of the adventurer she assumed I was.
----------------------------------------
“So you gave up,” she says flatly.
“No! Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
“Sounds to me like you did.”
She chuckles, her expression lightening.
“Of course, Mr. Miner,” she teases, her voice dripping with mockery.
“And you? You gave up by just leaving the house,” I counter.
“Not exactly,” she replies with a small huff.“ I am planning my future already, bigger leagues”
“Like what?”
“Council of the mages!”
“Council of mages? Why?”
“Because I am not giving up, to enter into the High Society, Daryn!”
“Oh…”
I am still not sure of her actual dream or goal, is she just a materialistic, person?
“I could enter the most famous place in the kingdom. The Council of Mages is still something only prestigious people can join. But I figured I’d start from the bottom and work my way up—just like you, saving money first.”
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m going to start by opening a shop.”
I nearly laugh out loud. The idea of this spoiled girl running a shop, dealing with customers? It’s hard to picture.
“You? A shop? What kind of shop?”
“I’ve picked up some skills from Mom. Don’t worry—I’ll figure it out. Soon enough, I’ll rise economically, get a degree, or take the special exams from the kingdom. One way or another, I’ll end up in the Council of Mages,” she says, trying to sound confident.
Her determination is admirable, but I can’t help sensing the cracks in her plan. It’s not entirely reliable, but hey—it’s something.
“I still don’t get it. What’s so great about the Council of Mages? That place sounds stupid,”
Rika glares at me, clearly offended.
“You and your ignorant brain, as always,” she snaps. “Only the most respected magic users can enter the council. Their word is law, their presence commands respect. They stand as one the third highest tier of laws power in this world, Daryn.”
She pauses, taking a breath before continuing with a level of passion that makes me think she’s about to gush over her favorite yogurt brand again.
“The three pillars are as follows: The kingdom—specifically the royal family of each kingdom. The Three Heroes—legendary figures chosen to protect the world. And finally, the Council of Mages—an independent organization, globally recognized for its immense influence. Their words alone can end wars. Each member is revered, their knowledge deeper than any scholar’s. They hold secrets no commoner could ever hope to learn!”
I raise an eyebrow, unimpressed. “I still don’t see the point,” I mutter, deciding not to push the topic further.
----------------------------------------
We shift to talking about food. Somehow, yogurt becomes the main subject. She goes on and on—nutritional facts, flavor profiles, ways to make it more delicious. By the time we approach Gnome City, I’ve spent what feels like hours listening to her wax poetic about yogurt.
“I see the flags, but no sign of any gnomes,” I mutter, scanning the area.
“Gnomes? You brought us to a gnome city? Are you out of your mind?” Rika hisses, her voice filled with panic.
“What? I need to make it to the mines by tomorrow,”
“Daryn!” she grabs me by the collar of my sweater, her eyes wide with urgency. “Gnomes are not something we want to mess with. Trust me on this. Let’s go back before—”
Before she can finish her sentence, a rustling noise comes from the bushes nearby. Suddenly, a small figure steps out—a little person with a pointed hat and a mischievous grin.
“Welcome,” the figure says in a high-pitched, cheerful voice. “I heard someone mention Gnome City. May I ask who’s seeking it?”
“That would be me,” I say confidently, stepping forward. “I’m Daryn, and this is my sister, Rika.”
The small figure strokes his wispy beard, his eyes glinting with amusement.
“I see…” he says thoughtfully.
Then, without warning, he raises his hand, and both Rika and I are lifted off the ground as if by invisible strings.
“I told you!!!” Rika screams, flailing in mid-air, while the little figure bursts into laughter.
“Is this little human a gnome?” I shout, struggling against the unseen force, turning my head to glare at Rika.
“Yes, obviously!” she yells back, exasperated.
The gnome continues to laugh, his small frame shaking with glee. “Oh, you two are going to be so much fun,” he says, his grin widening.
I focus on him, activating my skill to check his stats:
Name: Kurobibi
Category: Psychic
Mana: 40
Level: 3
Skills:
* Basic Telekinesis: Mana cost: 30. The user can lift objects weighing up to 140 kg with their mind. Mana is consumed per target rather than over time. It can control the body of an object but is limited to its extremities.
* Magic Shield: Mana cost: 20. The user can conjure a barrier that blocks incoming magical projectiles.
* Connection with Nature (Passive): While in forested areas, the user can skip enchantments to create a spell.
“Rika, do something!” I shout, struggling against the invisible force.
Rika glances at me, determination flashing in her eyes.
Suddenly, I notice fireflies circling the gnome, almost as if they’re drawn to his presence.
“What the hell is this?” the gnome mutters, his voice laced with confusion.
The fireflies seem to weaken his telekinesis, and I feel the pressure around me loosening. Just as the gnome starts regaining control, Rika swiftly scoops up some dust from the floor. She moves with precision, summoning a glowing rune with a wave of her hand, then places the dust inside it.
“Sand Burst!” she shouts, and a burst of radiant energy explodes from the rune, sending the gnome flying backward.
“You didn’t have to go that far,” I mutter, watching the gnome tumble across the ground.
“Let’s go,” Rika says, ignoring my protests.
“We have to enter the gnome city,” I insist, standing my ground.
“You’re crazy! Did you not see what just happened to him?” she snaps, pointing to the gnome still recovering on the ground.
Before I can respond, the sound of laughter echoes through the air.
“Not bad,” the gnome says, standing up and dusting himself off.
“How?” I ask, utterly confused.
“I used telekinesis on myself,” he explains with a smirk, clearly impressed.
“Listen, we don’t want any trouble,” I say, trying to calm the situation. “I heard from a friend that you guys offer underground passages, and I need to get to the edges of the capital, near Section 35, Avenue H, by tomorrow.”
“Isn’t it a bit late to avoid trouble now?” the gnome replies, amusement dancing in his voice.
Rika steps forward, her posture stiff with defiance. “If you don’t want to go flying again, you’ll do what he says.”
I shoot her a look, but she stands her ground. The gnome chuckles, clearly entertained by our bickering.
“Hmmmm, fine,” he says after a pause. “But a fee is required.”
I pull out some silver coins from my pouch and hand them over. The gnome glances at the coins, then shakes his head. “Not enough.”
With a sigh, I pull out a few more coins and place them in his hand. He studies them for a moment, then finally gives a satisfied nod and opens the entrance to the underground passage.
“Enter,” he orders.
Rika and I step into the dark tunnel. The air is damp, the walls slick with moisture, and the ground soft beneath our boots. It’s nothing compared to the mines I used to work in, but I can tell Rika is less than thrilled. For her, this place is a nightmare; for me, it’s a walk in the park.
As we make our way down the narrow path, we pass a group of gnomes sitting around a table, playing poker. One of the larger gnomes notices us and calls out.
“Kurobibi, why did you bring humans down here?”
“Sir Parakiki, these two insisted on using the underpass. I told them no, but they wouldn’t listen,” Kurobibi explains before darting back outside.
The gnome leader, Parakiki, turns to us with a wide grin. “Hohoho, you over there,” he says, his eyes glinting mischievously. He points a stubby finger at Rika. “You single?”
Rika stiffens at the question, and I can practically feel the heat rising in her cheeks. I’m not having any of it.
“Ey!” I shout, stepping between them. “What the hell are you playing at?”
The gnomes burst into laughter, clearly amused by the situation. Parakiki raises an eyebrow at me, his grin widening.
“What? Afraid I’ll snatch your girl?”
“She’s not my girl, she’s my sister!” I snap, irritation lacing my voice.
The gnomes laugh even harder, clearly enjoying the awkward tension.
“And I’m Santa’s assistant!”
“Can we just use the tunnel already?” I demand, my patience wearing thin. “We don’t have time for this.”
Parakiki’s grin widens even further. “Sure, sure, but after the wedding.”
“What wedding?” I ask, blinking in confusion.
"Of course your sister and I"
"Huh?"
The gnome leader’s grin doesn’t waver as he gestures toward Rika. “Your sister needs to change into something appropriate for the ceremony, of course. We can’t just let any human stumble through our tunnels without a proper wedding.”
“How long will that take?” I ask, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“If you hurry her along, maybe an hour,” Parakiki replies with a mischievous chuckle.
“You can’t be serious!”
He just laughs, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
----------------------------------------
Parakiki's Stats
Name: Parakiki
Title: Chief
Category: Psychic
Mana: 40
Level: 10
Skills:
* Advanced Telekinesis: Manipulates multiple objects weighing up to 200 kg. Drains 5 mana per minute. Can control extremities but not an entire body.
* Magic Shield: Conjures a barrier to block magical projectiles. Mana cost: 10. The shield’s strength depends on mana used and sustains multiple hits before breaking.
* Connection with Earth (Passive): When in contact with soil, bypasses enchantments, casting spells without outside interference. Enhances magical stability in nature-bound environments.
* Magic Control: Activates and controls magic through objects. Each object costs 5 mana to empower. Mana expenditure is per object, not duration.
----------------------------------------
I glance at Parakiki, weighing my options. There’s no way I can beat this gnome in combat, not even with Rika’s help.
“Fine… you can marry my sister,”
Rika’s eyes widen in shock. “What the hell?!”
“But only if you defeat me in poker,” I add, ignoring her protests.
Parakiki’s grin grows. “Oh… testing your luck, are we?”
“Perhaps. But if I win, you’ll take us wherever I need to go.”
The gnome laughs, clapping his hands together. “Sure! A free ride wherever you want.”
The other gnomes start gathering around the table, dealing the cards. Rika shakes me like a rag doll.
“You bastard! You can’t bet me like I’m some prize!”
“But you are. Technically, you are,”
“Go fuck yourself!”
“Relax,” I say, prying her hands off me. “What other options do we have?”
“I don’t know… walking to the capital?”
“And do you think they’ll let us leave now? Not a chance. So chill and let me handle this.”
----------------------------------------
The gnomes surround the table, their tiny hands shuffling the cards with practiced precision. The scent of damp earth and wood fills the air, blending with their raucous laughter. I sit across from Parakiki, my hands resting on the table as I try to steady my nerves. Rika stands behind me, arms crossed, her frown deepening.
Parakiki’s eyes gleam with mischief as he deals the first hand. The cards fall onto the table. I glance at mine: a two of spades, a five of diamonds, and a queen of clubs. Not great.
“Well, human?” Parakiki says, tapping his tiny fingers on the table. “Ready to lose your sister?”
I force a smile. “We’ll see about that, gnome.”
The first few rounds fly by, and the weight of the game presses down on me. Parakiki is a seasoned player, his skill evident in every card he plays. My stack of chips dwindles as he outmaneuvers me at every turn.
The gnomes laugh, their high-pitched voices echoing in the cavern. “Looks like you’re out of luck, human,” .
Gritting my teeth, I clutch my cards tightly. I can’t give up, not with Rika’s freedom on the line.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. The game shifts from one of luck to one of observation. I study Parakiki’s movements—the twitch of his fingers when he’s confident, the gleam in his eyes when he bluffs.
The next round begins, and as the cards are dealt, clarity washes over me. I start bluffing, reading his tells, and playing the gnomes’ arrogance against them.
Parakiki smirks as he lays down his hand: a full house. My heart pounds in my chest.
I set my chips down, my voice steady. “I’ll raise you.”
The gnomes gasp. Parakiki’s grin falters for a moment but quickly returns. “Let’s see your hand, human.”
I lay my cards down with a flourish.
The room falls silent.
A royal flush. The perfect hand.
The gnomes stare in disbelief, their laughter replaced by stunned silence. Parakiki’s smug grin vanishes as his tiny hands tremble. For the first time, he looks uncertain.
Rika blinks, her jaw dropping. “Wait… how did you—?”
I brush off her question, unwilling to explain the countless nights spent gambling just to survive. I learned how to bluff, and outmaneuver opponents. It wasn’t always pretty, but it prepared me for moments like this. Parakiki was not different than some thug in the poker tables in my other life.
“It was just luck,” I mutter, feigning nonchalance.
Rika narrows her eyes but doesn’t press further.
“So, Parakiki, what now?” I ask, leaning back in my chair.
The gnome chuckles, shaking his head in admiration. “You’re a shark, human. A deal’s a deal.” He gestures toward a dark passageway.
The tunnel stretches ahead, illuminated by faint glowing fungi. A minecart sits on rails, the tracks disappearing into the darkness.
“Go on,” Parakiki says, motioning toward the cart.
“I’m not going into that,” Rika says, looking like she might faint just from being in the underground tunnels.
Parakiki raises an eyebrow and teases, “Then you stay with me, my lady!”
Without a second thought, Rika jumps in, more eager to leave the gnome city than to argue further. I sigh and reluctantly follow.
"What if I want to use your tunnel again from the other side?"
"Uy, the ride cart automatically will come to me, after you guys leave it, but there should be gnomes city around, but each gnome passage has to be dealt with a gnome boss. So nothing I can't help."
“What’s with the lack of lights? No electricity?” I ask as I climb into the cart, my eyes scanning the shadows ahead.
Parakiki's mischievous grin widens as he gestures to the cart. “This rail system runs on magic. Way easier than messing with electricity and far less likely to fail. The downside, of course…” He trails off, his smirk deepening ominously.
I barely have time to process his words before the minecart jerks forward violently, throwing me back into my seat. Within seconds, we’re hurtling down the track at a breakneck speed. The world around us dissolves into a chaotic blur of shadows and streaks of faint light reflecting off the damp tunnel walls.
Her arms lock around me like a vice, her body pressing against mine with desperate force. I feel her trembling, though whether it’s from fear or adrenaline, I can’t tell. My own heart is pounding, each beat thundering in my ears as I fight to steady myself against the relentless motion.
The tunnel twists and turns with no pattern or mercy. Sharp curves whip us to the side, slamming us against the cart’s walls. Sudden drops pull my stomach into my throat, and narrow stretches bring the tunnel walls so close I swear I can feel the magic humming against my skin.
The wind slams into my face, sharp and biting, as if trying to peel my skin away. My instincts scream to hold on as the cart shakes and wobbles on the rails, rattling like it could fly off at any moment.
The air rushes past like a hurricane, stinging every exposed inch of me. I hastily pull my scarf free and wrap it around Rika’s face, shielding her from the worst of it. Her grip tightens, her silence unnerving in the chaos.
The ride stretches on, an endless, harrowing journey through darkness. The repetitive twists and jolts of the track become almost hypnotic, but the fear doesn’t ease. Every minute feels like teetering on the edge of disaster, the cart always one wrong move away from derailing. I don't know If can handle this for hours.
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The cart begins to slow. The air grows cooler, carrying the faint, damp scent of earth and moss. The deafening roar of wind subsides, leaving behind an almost eerie silence. Only the faint rattle of the cart and the occasional drip of water break the stillness.
The cart lurches to a halt, throwing us forward slightly as it settles onto the tracks with a groan. My heart continues to pound as I glance around, my eyes adjusting to the dim glow.
Rika releases her grip, looking pale but composed, though her trembling hands betray her nerves. "That was the worst thing I've ever experienced," she mutters, glaring at the minecart as if it had personally offended her.
I step out of the minecart, my legs shaky from the harrowing ride but relieved we’ve finally reached solid ground. The tunnel’s damp, oppressive air gives way to a faint glimmer of light filtering in from outside. I take a deep breath, forcing a grin to lighten the mood. “Well, we’re alive, so it wasn’t that bad,” I say, trying to sound casual despite my pounding heart.
Rika steps out behind me, brushing herself off with an irritated huff. “Speak for yourself,” she snaps, smoothing out her wrinkled clothes. Her usual sharp tone is back, a clear sign she’s regained her composure.
I reach into my pocket, pulling out my last few coins. “Come on, Rika. I don’t want to be late for my job,” I say, holding the coins out to her. “You can head to the capital and buy yourself something.”
She takes the coins, eyeing them with a mix of surprise and disdain. “What am I supposed to do with this?” she sneers, turning the coins over in her hand. “I can’t even buy yogurt with this.”
“Not an organic one, maybe,” I reply with a smirk. “But a normal one? Definitely.”
She lets out a dismissive hum, pocketing the coins anyway. We start walking toward the tunnel’s exit, the faint light ahead growing brighter with every step. As we emerge, the scene before us takes shape. The air is fresh, carrying a faint breeze, and the path ahead is dusty but clear. In the distance, the towering walls of the kingdom stretch toward the horizon, their imposing presence both reassuring and intimidating.
From here, it looks like the job site is a solid twenty-minute run. I glance at Rika, adjusting the straps of my bag. “Good luck,” I say, hesitating for a moment. “You have a phone, right? I’ll give you my number, just in case.”
She nods, pulling out her phone and handing it to me. I quickly type in my number and hand it back. “There. Call or text if you need anything.”
Rika tucks her phone away, her usual aloofness softening for a brief moment. “Thanks, I guess,” she says, her tone less biting than before.
I take off running, the path stretching endlessly before me, but compared to past experiences, this is a breeze. The real worry is the clock—I can’t afford to be late. Judging by the light, it’s probably around 7 a.m., so I might be in the clear. Still, I push myself harder, unwilling to let even a minor delay ruin my first impression.
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When I finally reach the job site, I spot Bunchy, Sorey, and Josh waiting near the entrance. Their familiar faces ease some of my nerves.
"What? How did you get here so early, Slimmy?"
"Well, Bunchy, it's the power of friendship, don't you think?"
"And my car is fine?"
"Well... the power of friendship might save your car."
Bunchy groans, rubbing his temples. "Great. Just great."
Sorey smirks. "So, how’s the sister, Slimmy?"
I take a deep breath, still recovering from the morning rush. "She’s good. And thanks, Josh, for the tip about the gnomes. That was… quite an experience."
Josh lets out a dry chuckle. "Don’t sugarcoat it. They’re a handful, but they’re the fastest way to get anywhere underground. A pain in the neck, but necessary."
"Alright, so what’s today’s job?" I ask, shifting gears.
Bunchy pulls out a worn clipboard, glancing at the assignments. "Well, look at this. We have to pick someone from our group to start training for the bulldozer certification."
Josh frowns. "Wasn’t that for advanced miners?"
"Yeah, but after the disaster the other day… some of the advanced miners passed away. They need new talent. So, for each group, someone gets assigned a type of heavy-duty vehicle. The question is, who’s the best option? Me, Slimmy, Sorey, or you, Crack?"
"Don’t count me in, Bunchy. And why can’t Tenque do it?" Sorey asks, leaning against a metal beam.
"Tenque’s still in the hospital. Nothing we can do."
I tilt my head. "And uh… what’s a bulldozer?"
"Alright, Slimmy, listen up," Bunchy says, cracking his knuckles like he's about to drop some ancient wisdom. "A bulldozer is a beast of a machine, a giant metal brute with tracks instead of wheels and a massive blade on the front. It’s used to shove around dirt, rocks, and anything else that gets in its way. Think of it like a giant mechanical rhino, but instead of charging at enemies, it clears paths, levels ground, and makes sure mining sites don’t turn into chaotic death traps. “
“Oh, so someone would have to do it, I see.”
Josh suddenly speaks up. "I think Daryn should do it."
Bunchy strokes his chin, thinking deeply. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he exclaims, "Yes! You should do it, Slimmy!"
"Me?"
"Yes! Who’s better than you for this?"
I exhale, weighing my options. "Hmmm…"
Bunchy’s eyes gleam like he’s discovered the ultimate burger recipe. "Listen, they’ll pay you more, Slimmy. And if you get certified, they’ll pay us more too!"
"Huh?"
"Yeah! Even if one of us becomes an advanced miner, the rest of us can use you as a reference. We all win!"
More money… Not exactly an incentive for me, but if Rika’s staying for a couple of weeks, I will need the extra cash.
"Fine, I accept."
"Then it’s decided! Good job, team!" Bunchy cheers, raising his fist.
The rest of us follow suit, only to be cut short by a nearby miner yelling, "Oi! Keep it down!"
We laugh it off, but deep inside, I feel the weight of this decision settling in. A bulldozer, huh? Another challenge in this strange world. Well, bring it on.