There were many different jobs in the mines.


    The most basic ones included ore extraction, sorting and washing the ore, clearing fallen rocks that constantly blocked the entrance, tool maintenance, and mine toll collection.


    On the main side of the mine, where the air was barely breathable, a group of porters carried ores and other minerals using stretchers.


    Some were even glad to see newcomers—the burden on their shoulders, even if just slightly, became lighter.


    There were also miners with riding beasts here.


    Ore-Bearers—that’s what they called the four-legged creatures with stone skin and sturdy shells, with magical crystals growing on their backs.


    But only high-class miners could use them, and of course, they were present.


    Gloomer was once again welcomed in this hell.


    —Gloo, last time you were yelling that you''d never come back here, — a voice called out from the crowd.


    —And now they say you ran to the cave like a four-legged beast.


    The miners burst into laughter.


    Almost everyone here knew Gloomer—as the bravest failure. His antics, even if just a little, lightened the heavy atmosphere.


    He stopped, threw off the stretcher, and climbed higher.


    —Heh heh, idiots, you should’ve seen how that old man begged me to come back! Got down on his knees, gathered a whole group of people just to get me back into this damn hole. For you! For you bastards, I''m back, and also...


    Gloomer kept going, while behind him, his friends whispered among themselves.


    —Hey, did he go crazy after that forest, or what’s with him?


    Marlo, whom Gloomer had recently met, quietly asked Lark.


    Lark smirked.


    —This idiot is always like that. It’s just that when the time comes, he gets serious and useful.


    Gloomer jumped down and cursed to himself.


    Damn, carrying this crap is unbearable. Maybe screw all this? Run away, live outside?


    He almost let himself seriously consider it.


    But he had to push the thought aside—someone hit him from behind.


    Only… he didn’t even feel the impact.


    —Even a pillow hits harder.


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    —Hits, you say? — a familiar voice rang out. — I barely touched you.


    Gloomer turned around.


    Naomi stood before him.


    Black hair, short, barely reaching her neck. Simple, worn-out clothes, no different from what the miners wore.


    —How do you endure this hell? — he asked. — I get these guys, they’re drifters through and through, but you…


    —Maybe I''m just not that weak?


    —Weak? Even the head of this cave didn’t dare say that to me.


    —Hey, morons! — a rough voice interrupted them. — You here to work or chat?


    Brute Henry, one of the main overseers, looked at them with disdain. Like everyone else, he was dirt-poor, but he had managed to climb up and gain at least some power.


    —Gloomer, you bastard, one more word and you’ll be my punching bag for the evening.


    —Naomi, you shut up too and get to work.


    Gloomer snorted and walked past him.


    Naomi was his best friend. Among the miners, she was probably even more well-known than he was.


    Now she worked as an ore distributor and had the same authority as the overseers, but once, just like everyone else, she had carried ore on her shoulders.


    She was different from other girls. Unusual endurance, strength that could rival even the guys.


    She had grown up among men since birth.


    And it was hard for her to connect with people—they saw neither a friend nor a girl in her.


    She had tried talking to the women, too, but… the mortality rate among them here was abnormally high.


    Gloomer himself had befriended many, but almost none of them lived past the age of eight.


    Why?


    He didn’t know. And still couldn’t find the answer.


    Naomi was incredibly tough compared to them. Gloomer had dragged her along, protected her until she became strong enough to handle things herself.


    Now she was respected even more than he was.


    Some people didn’t even know that she was a she, not a he.


    The only clue was her voice.


    But oddities were taken as a matter of course here.


    The day dragged on painfully long.


    Gloomer cursed every minute spent in the mine.


    But finally, the work was over.


    Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


    Time to wash up and crash into bed.


    Gloomer was the first to go to the water, quickly rinsed off, and was the first to head to the room.


    After a day like this, he had no energy left even for complaints.


    He just collapsed onto the mattress and instantly passed out.


    It seemed nothing could wake him.


    —Gloomer.


    He didn’t react.


    —Gloomer, wake up.


    No response.


    Usually, his alertness was extreme—even the slightest touch could have him on his feet.


    But now he was exhausted. Mentally. Physically.


    He couldn’t even say a word.


    But suddenly, he felt…


    Someone’s hands on his head.


    Cold.


    A whisper.


    Gloomer’s eyes snapped open.


    And he immediately rolled back, flipping over his shoulder.


    In the dim light of the room, figures in black robes stood before him.


    Faces hidden.


    Naomi.


    Henry.


    And even his friends.


    Gloomer hadn’t even had the chance to ask when he heard:


    —Get up. Urgent business. You’ll get the details on the way. Just put this on and follow us.


    Naomi stepped closer.


    —Hurry.


    Gloomer stared at them for a moment, then silently pulled on the offered robe.


    Whatever this was…


    I hope it’s at least something worthwhile.


    Outside, it was quiet.


    They moved carefully, swiftly.


    No one spoke.


    No one explained anything to Gloomer.


    Don’t tell me we’re about to escape?


    No way. That’s way too risky…


    But they didn’t even head for the exit.


    They went deeper into the cave.


    Sixteen people.


    But that wasn’t the important part.


    What mattered was Henry.


    Even he was in on this.


    Suddenly, they slipped into a narrow crevice and continued through a dark corridor.


    But the strangest thing…


    They moved as if they could see in the dark.


    Gloomer had no idea where they were taking him.


    Until a dull sound echoed ahead.


    Someone kicked a stone, and the wall…


    Opened.


    A secret entrance.


    Gloomer froze.


    Just followed the others inside.


    And then stopped dead.


    The first thing he saw…


    Stones.


    Countless.


    He immediately knew what they were.


    These stones granted people magical abilities.


    All they had to do was absorb them.


    They were called immortal star stones.


    And they…


    Had been created by nature itself.