12 Trying to Escape
It said that the Bresson Kingdom was the weakest in the world. About forty percents of terrains were mountains where minerals and crafting materials resided. The other kingdoms might aim for resources, but they agree to move on diplomacy instead of war. It's quite strange that stronger nations did not take resources by force. Why not took advantage when they had a chance?
The answer might be in dead general's diary, but Heiner refused to know. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss. If it could increase his survival rate, he would read it through the end, but it was more likely to increase his death rate.
TANG!
TANG!
TANG!
[What are you doing?]
"A hook." Heiner though that Hephaestus was asking about a piece of metal he was hammering. The system already knew what he was making, but Hephaestus mentioned the purpose of it.
[Are you going to throw it through the hole above? No way! That hole was higher than you for twenty times. With your current strength, it was nearly impossible to use this method for escaping.]
"I have to try the safest way first. It was too reckless to fight those guards head-on, and I would do it only I have no choice."
[Didn't you already become reckless? Those guards were stronger than you, but you risk your life just for collecting free resources.]
"Did you get upgraded because of that part of me? You must enter the tiger's den to catch his cubs. If I don't get here, how can I ley my hand on these free resources? How can I craft better equipment? How can I get a reputation point for you? Only our kingdom provide civilian free mining areas. If I don't come to get this important stuff, then I will be a fool." Heiner still busily hammered but he paused before saying the next sentence. "But I don't expect it to be this complicated."
[It's not cubs you will get this time but a grave. The actual cemetery already existed here, and you also dig a feces hole for yourself.]
"That pit was just for shiting. You, the shitless moron, cannot even shit then do not provide any suggestion in this topic. It makes you look like more an idiot. And this is a serious matter, stop joking around if you don't have anything better to say."
[...]
I seemed Hephaestus had annoyed a young blacksmith who prioritized the way of smithing. It was not greedy but a duty. He put his life on the line to fulfill his role. This way was characteristic of a hero who shouldered the world. His great achievements would shake the entire continent. But the future was such a dilemma, 'The glory or his death would come first?'
"Okay, I finished it." Heiner got a rope out of his storage bracelet. Thanked his father who left him with this spatial bracelet, there were a lot of useful things inside. He tied the rope to the hook tightly and then threw it with all his might.
WHOOOOOSH!
CLANG!
The hook flew up for a moment then dropped to the ground. Heiner put ten contribution points to strength, and now his strength was total twenty-six. He threw it again but failed, tossing back and again till he concluded that was not his throwing technique but strength. The solution was simple, leveling up.
He took out furnace from his storage bracelet and started crafting. Swords, spears, axes, maces, war hammers, armors, and shields, he crafted everything. Worked then rested, rested then worked, repeating this process until he reached level ten, gaining fifteen contribution points. He increased his strength and threw again.
WHOOOOSH!
CLICK!
Heiner smiled as the hook flew out of the cave, the timing was great, and it was stuck with the rock or something outside. He gripped the rope and climbed up for a foot, it worked.
By testing it out, Heiner had more confidence and then brought the furnace back to his spatial bracelet, tidying the place and prepared to leave. Now, he was ready and starting to climb for real.
WHOOOOSH!
THUD!
"Arghhh!" The hook was loosened once Heiner reached the halfway, everything falling back into the cavern. Heiner cried out as he hurt his back, falling from that high was no joke. Mission failed, he needed another courage to climb again, but the atmosphere was a bit creepy as it was a graveyard.
Heiner, however, could not give up. He tried tens more time, but not a single one succeeded. Maybe if he could throw it further, it would be able to climb out, but he was not able to level up anymore. His supplies ran out and left him no option. He would starve to death before raising his strength.
"Sighed, in the end, I had to get out of this place through the main entrance." He gave up and walked to the main entrance, but it changed. The open entry was now had a large metal door and closed tightly. The reason why he could not see other people might relate to this door. The mining team might bring materials they mine to build it, or Titan company sent them back since the one who left behind would die due to hunger. Maybe both.
"Now I was sure that they are targeting me, but They were naive to think that this door was enough to kill me. EXTRACT!"
