Mei Ling explained that soldiers of the Emperor faction had ambushed three mining teams. She only escaped after being sent for an errand. In an attempt to flee, she fell off a steep ledge, causing the soldiers to abandon their pursuit.
We wasted no time mobilizing for a rescue.
NEW MISSION: MONK MINER RESCUE
Rescue the Monk mining team from the Emperor faction.
"This is yours, Sora," I said, holding up the ninjato for my training.
"Now yours," she said.
I stowed the sword in my inventory. Our eyes met briefly before we turned away to continue preparations. The gesture felt significant, but we couldn't spare the time to dwell on it.
"Ember," Cragmarr's voice came from behind. "You should not go. You risk alerting the Emperor faction of your location."
"I need to do this," I sighed, not turning to face him.
The truth was, I was itching to leave. The awkward conversations and unresolved tensions were suffocating. This rescue mission was an excuse to escape, even if just for a while.
Master Xiang approached, his face solemn.
"Ember, I am sending you down the same tunnel as before," he said. "You should remember the way."
"Yes, Master Xiang." I paused for a moment, remembering Li Wei. The last time I'd taken the tunnel, the Amazons had slaughtered so many. This time, it was the Emperor faction. These Monks couldn't catch a break.
"Be careful, all of you," Master Xiang addressed the three of us. "Do not enter the mines unless certain. Many lose their way due to the sights and sounds of the crystals. And caution with magic. With enough force and flame, the octranite crystals will ignite, and the tunnels may collapse. May the spirits guide you."
We all acknowledged Master Xiang and set out towards the tunnels. Kitty jumped up and nestled on my shoulders. Heading towards the exit, Cragmarr called out again.
"Em, please... be careful."
I hesitated mid-step, feeling a pang of guilt. Our relationship had soured, and I knew it was my fault.
"I will." I didn't look back.
***
Emerging from the tunnel, I used the Jingozi arena to scan the area, quickly locating the first two guards outside the cave entrance. The familiar canyons filled with rainbow-colored crystals glowed evenly in broad daylight. But dusk approached, and a night search would make things much harder.
Creeping towards the cave entrance, I passed the altar where Cragmarr and I had burned Li Wei's body. I touched it briefly, a silent gesture of respect.
"Hi Li," I whispered. "We took care of your parents. I hope you've found peace… wherever you are."
I expected to see the bones of the Amazons from our last encounter, but the area was clean. They must've come back for the bodies.
Ducking behind a column of stone and crystal, two soldiers guarded the cave entrance. I glanced at Kitty perched on my shoulder.
"Sorry, girl. We can't blink together."
Kitty bristled briefly before disappearing into the familiar ring with a soft shimmer. Text popped up in my vision.
SELECT A PET EVOLUTION:
-
Option 1: Stealth
-
Option 2: Flight
-
Option 3: Diamond Armor
Charges Remaining: [1]
Looks like we've got some choices later, Kitty.
I tossed a rock into the cave behind the guards. As they turned to investigate the noise, I blinked as deep into the cave as they could see, ducking behind a cluster of octranite crystals.
Loading my Jingozi hand on my interface, I waited, ready to defend myself if the guards noticed my entry. But they remained oblivious.
The crystals provided just enough light to illuminate my path deeper into the tunnels. Stepping carefully and adjusting my eyes to the dim glow, I searched for the captured Monks.
I released Kitty from the familiar ring, her silver scales glinting in rainbow colors. She nuzzled my leg.
"Alright, Kitty. Let's see what we're dealing with."
I blinked into the Jingozi arena and explored what turned out to be a vast network of tunnels and caverns. From this vantage point, I could see each passage, like tracing an ant farm through a sheet of glass.
The system appeared far more extensive than I'd anticipated. Tunnels branched off in every direction, twisting and turning deeper. As I followed the paths on the arena floor, I noticed the crystals growing denser and brighter the further they extended.
I walked, following the maze from my body, marking my entry point, and checking my North Star with every turn. And after a few moments of searching, I spotted the Monk miners. Ten of them huddled, chained together, around a stalactite in a large cavern. They'd been stripped bare except for their undergarments. But something was off—no guards in sight.
That's weird. Leaving them unguarded?
I mentally noted the directions, memorizing each tunnel fork leading me to the miners. Satisfied with my reconnaissance, I blinked out of the arena.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"Come on, Kitty. I know where to go."
We moved silently through the tunnels, following the path I'd mapped out in the Jingozi arena. The crystals grew brighter, casting a multicolored light across the rough stone walls.
I could've sworn I heard faint whispers, but dismissed them as the wind.
As we approached the cavern where the miners were held, I slowed, listening for signs of guards or traps. The only sounds were the occasional water drips and the faint clinking of chains. Scanning through the Jingozi arena once more, I confirmed we were alone.
Materializing right next to the Monks, they jerked in surprise, chains rattling, but they quieted upon seeing the finger to my lips.
I immediately saw why no guards were posted or even necessary. My stomach turned at the gruesome sight. Each Monk had one foot crushed, mangled beyond recognition. It looked like someone had smashed them with a hammer. They didn't need guards because they couldn't run if they wanted to.
***
I freed the Monks from their chains, careful not to make too much noise. It took ten cards to slice through ten metal links, an unexpected resource investment. I considered cutting them all simultaneously with one card, but the chances of injury didn't seem worth it. At least Zii-Jutsu allowed me to use the weakest cards first.
-
Zii: 90/100
-
Cards: 16/26
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[Error]: 13/13
Attention to their injuries came next. I burned another ten cards and the maximum Zii, channeling healing energy into their mangled feet. Without the skill to heal them completely, I could at least spend the Zii to get them mobile. Kitty played her part, moving from Monk to Monk, her long tongue flicking at their wounds.
-
Zii: 70/100
-
Cards: 6/26
-
[Error]: 13/13
Shit, down to six cards already. Max tier can't come soon enough.
We worked in near silence, communicating only through gestures and nods. The occasional muffled groan of pain from a Monk was quickly hushed. Each drank from my waterskin, which they passed around until empty.
As I healed, fatigue crept over me. The constant use of Zii felt draining, and the exertion in high humidity drenched me with sweat.
Finally, the last Monk stood shakily on his feet. They weren't fully healed—far from it—but they could walk. I gathered the Monks around, keeping my voice low to outline our next move.
"We're heading to the entrance," I whispered. "I'll take care of the guards before they raise the alarm. Stay close, stay quiet."
***
Scouting ahead via the Jingozi arena revealed an entire platoon of Emperor soldiers standing in formation at the cave entrance.
"Damn it," I muttered. The injured Monks wouldn't stand a chance against that many soldiers. But there was no way out. I blinked back to the group.
I turned and faced the terrified monks, shaking my head. At my signal, they turned around.
We'd have to protect ourselves inside. But then what? Come on, Em, think.
Suddenly, a chillingly familiar name popped onto my interface.
Name: Lance Lightslayer [Judgment Dealer]
Tier: VII [Obsidian] Rank ???
Faction: Emperor [Overlord]
I instinctively blinked back into the Jingozi arena. It was Lance the Lightslayer, one of Edric's soldiers from Katorro's vision. And if not for my ability to see his stats, he would've snuck right on top of us. How was he so hidden and quiet in that armor?
I blinked into the Jingozi arena to load cards and prepare a hand, once again, reminded of how few battle cards I had left.
-
Zii: 70/100
-
Cards: 6/26
-
[Error]: 13/13
I'd have to use spells. But what was I going to do? Hit him with a [Death Strike]? Sure, it was a +5 attack that doubled with a tier multiplier, but would it be strong enough? Lance was five tiers above me.
Master Xiang's warning about fire and force repeated in my mind. The last thing I needed was to blow the whole mine up.
Unless, of course, that's exactly what I needed to do.
Shuffling through my spells, I loaded the ideal cards for the situation.
Hand: [0/6] Evolve] [Force Field II] [Mytsic Strike] [6/6]
Blinking back to the Monks, I yelled, "Run!" and mentally told Kitty to go with them. The group sprinted down the tunnel.
Zii in the air vibrated as a ball of light, the size of an open umbrella, hurtled toward me. It was Lance's mace—the same attack he used in the vision. My [0/6] gave me a zero percent chance to dodge, and even if I did avoid the attack, what are the chances it hit the Monks?
I cast [Force Field II] with 2 Zii.
Force Field II
-
PVE: Create a shield that neutralizes one opponent's attack. The shield size can be increased based on the defense score and Zii multiplier.
The mace deflected mid-flight like it hit a shimmering energy wall that filled the entire tunnel, sparking where it made contact. It ricocheted off the wall, dislodging crystals.
I launched a maximum-charged [Mystic Strike] at a part of the wall with the highest density of octranite crystals, expecting the same effect during the fall off the cliff with Katorroro. And I was right. The card exploded, sending rainbow shards through the air. My next card, another max [6/6] fire shot, ignited the tunnel.
NINJA KIMONO: FIRE PROTECTION [PASSIVE]
Cost: 2 Zii
-
Zii: 62/100
-
Cards: 5/26
-
[Error]: 11/13
Flames wooshed past like a fiery tidal wave, knocking me off my feet. The tunnel shook with a furious rumble as pieces of rock and crystal rained from the ceiling. Dust billowed in the air as the tunnel entrance collapsed.
When the tremors settled, a wall of rocks peppered with octranite stood between me and the Emperor soldiers. Light peeked through a small opening at the top of the pile.
I heard boots crunch the debris on the other side.
"That was most impressive, if not tragically wasted," Lance called.
My eyes watered, blinded by soot and fine crystal dust. I hesitated to breathe and pulled my Ninja mask over my mouth and nose.
"You have only trapped yourself, Ember. How long can you last in there?" His tone became even more smug. "Why protect those heathens? Surrender and repent, and I will ensure you are cleansed."
Ignoring him, I focused on our next move. Although safe for now, that asshole was right—we couldn't stay in these mines forever.
Lance's voice drifted through the gap, taunting me one more time.
"May Zebelma find mercy on you all."
***
SELECT A PET EVOLUTION
Option 1: Stealth
Option 2: Flight
Option 3: Diamond Armor
Charges Remaining: 1
"I think it's option two, Kitty."
We all huddled in the tunnel, surrounded by glowing crystals. Summoning Kitty into my familiar ring, I examined the options, looking for anything to help our plight.
Kitty was pretty stealthy as is. So, I wasn't sure how much good the first option would be. And diamond armor made sense if we needed more protection, especially when she draped herself over my shoulders.
I chose the flight option.
The two pearls on the familiar ring glowed, emanating a shimmering swirl that levitated Kitty off the ground. Squealing with pleasure, she zipped around the cavern before returning to nuzzle my nose with hers.
"Alright, girl. We can have fun later. Right now, I need you to squeeze through the gap up there and get help. Let Cragmarr know where we are. But be careful. Fly past Lance and those soldiers as fast as you can. Got it?"
She squeaked in acknowledgment and streaked away, now through the air, leaving a silver trail.
"What will we do?" One of the Monks approached.
"How about we start with your name?"
"Yong Ming."
"Okay. My name is Ember. Nice to meet you. And I’m still thinking." I surveyed the group of ten bald Monks with defeated despair in their wide eyes. "Do any of you know another way out?"
They all shook their heads.
"This is as far as we've ever ventured," Yong Ming said.
"Well," I said. "We have two choices. We can stay here and take our chances with the Emperor faction, waiting for help to arrive. Or we can press deeper and see if there's another exit."
All the monks spoke over each other.
"We should stay."
"What if help doesn't come?"
"I don't want to die!"
"Master Xiang will find us."
"I won't wait. We must move."
"But the cursed elves…"
"Hang on," I interrupted. "Cursed elves? Like dark elves?"
"No," Yong Ming replied. "We call them cursed elves because they are dark elven enraptured by the crystals in these mines. They are scavengers of the dead that only come out at night."
The word enraptured sounded ominous.
I blinked into the Jingozi arena and walked straight in the opposite direction of the cave entrance. Keeping an eye on the North Star, I scoured the tunnels reflected in the floor for any alternative exits—or other signs of life.
After an hour or so, I found them… cursed elves… and something else...