Chapter 5: A Challenge

Chapter 5: A Challenge

Demitas possessed a keen knowledge of the mine's intricate network of veins and deposits. Through years of observation and exploration, he had uncovered the best areas to find gemstone-rich veins. He carefully selected his mining spot each day, choosing the most promising locations to maximize his yield.

Today, his intuition guided him to a particularly lucrative vein. The gems flickered enticingly in the dim light, a testament to the richness of the ore. It was a stroke of fortune, but to Demitas, it was a result of his meticulous planning and unwavering determination.

While Demitas surveyed the pile of gemstones he had amassed, he couldn't help but feel a sense of astonishment. The quantity before him far exceeded his initial expectations. It seemed that luck had favored him on this particular day, granting him a bountiful harvest of precious stones.

Fingers trembling with anticipation, he reached for the communication device that connected him to the Monarch System. His heart raced as he requested a gemstone count, the seconds ticking by like an eternity.

The response from the system finally came, its words appearing before him, shining brightly in his mind's eye:

[Current gemstones: 75/100]

"Ah, only 25 more to go!" Demitas exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and exhaustion. He had mined at an accelerated pace, pushing himself beyond his usual limits. The beads of sweat that adorned his brow were testament to the physical toll the endeavor had taken on him.

As the minutes ticked by, Demitas's sense of urgency grew. He was acutely aware of the competition within the mine, the constant jostling for prime mining spots. The vein seemed bottomless, its riches appearing endless, even as his stamina waned.

Aware of the need to protect his find, Demitas meticulously covered the exposed area with layers of sand and heavy rocks, disguising the entrance to the vein. It was as if he was guarding a secret treasure, hidden away from prying eyes. The depth of the location and its reputation as a daunting and perilous section of the mine worked in his favor, ensuring that his actions went unnoticed by others.

[Current gemstones: 100/100]

[Congratulation, you have completed the stage 1 of the tutorial.]

[Reward: Shop unlocked!]

[You now have permanent access to the Shop, enabling you to procure essential items whenever necessary.]

Overwhelmed with excitement, Demitas wasted no time in accessing the newly unlocked Shop, his eyes fixed on one item in particular—the coveted Health Potion, renowned for its healing properties. Without hesitation, he added it to his cart and proceeded to make the purchase.

[Shop]

[Health Potion]

[Grade: E]

[Price: 100 SC] [You can apply for 90% discount for the first purchase.]

[Buy/Exit]

'SC?'

[System Coins.]

'Wait, so how many do I have?'

[Zero.]

"Huh?"

[Balance: 0 SC]

[Do you get it? You have zero system coins.]

'…'

'How do I earn it the-,' Demitas began to inquire, but his question was abruptly interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Instinctively, he swiftly retreated from the area, not wanting to be caught in any unwanted attention.

As the noon sun hung high in the sky, the slaves were called out of the mines to receive their daily rations. The aroma of the cooking pot wafted through the air, enticing their hungry stomachs.

With their wooden bowls and spoons in hand, they formed a line, eagerly awaiting their turn. The cook, stirring the contents of the pot with a worn-out ladle, nodded at Demitas as he approached. Recognizing his exceptional contribution of gemstones, the cook ladled an extra portion of porridge into his bowl.

Though Demitas had reached the required count of 100 gemstones, he had not surrendered all of them. Cunningly, he kept 50 gemstones for himself, carefully stashing them in his inventory—a hidden function of the system—while generously giving away the remaining 50 to his fellow slaves.

"Bahahah! Good lad! You've earned yourself an extra bowl for a week. Consider it your reward for your outstanding contribution," the burly man exclaimed, a hint of appreciation in his voice. He was the one responsible for distributing their rations day after day, a task he took pride in. His words carried a promise of better treatment for Demitas if he continued to excel.

The envious stares of the other slaves bore into Demitas, brimming with a mix of jealousy and resentment. Among them was a notorious former killer, who still commanded an air of authority, even in their current predicament. The killer had a loyal underling by their side, another lost soul condemned to a life of servitude as punishment for their past crimes.

Troubles seemed to follow in rapid succession as Demitas and his brother encountered a menacing duo who exchanged a gesture, mimicking the act of slitting throats. The sight made Demitas's heart skip a beat, causing him to nervously swallow his saliva. Aware of the danger that lurked around every corner, he focused on his meal, trying to savor every bite and draw strength from the nourishment for the demanding tasks that lay ahead.

Nightfall eventually arrived, marking the end of their grueling mining shift. Exhausted, Demitas retreated to his room, his mind consumed by thoughts of the elusive system coins. Every time he sought answers from the system, it would cryptically instruct him to complete the tutorial first, leaving him with no clear path to earn the much-needed coins.

As Demitas entered the room, expecting a moment of respite and contemplation with his brother, he was abruptly halted by an unusual sight. A stone lay on the ground, adorned with a cloth carrying inscriptions in charcoal. He picked it up, his heart pounding as he read the ominous message scrawled across its surface.

"Meet us in the arena tomorrow and we will fight there. The schedule was already arranged by me. You, not appearing will make your brother dead. For real!"

Demitas stood frozen, his mind racing as he connected the dots. There was no doubt in his mind that the orchestrators behind the threatening message were none other than Berthold and Gale, the notorious killers from the opposing team, Kian. These two players had always reveled in chaos and bloodshed, and now it seemed they had set their sights on him.

The weight of the situation bore down on Demitas, his exhaustion from a grueling day of mining threatening to consume him. He hadn't even had a moment to rest, and now he faced the grim reality of stepping into the arena, knowing the odds were stacked against him. It felt unjust that a mere bowl of porridge could lead to his demise.

If he were to survive this ordeal and live to tell the tale, it would indeed be a story worth sharing with his future children. But would he?