Under the gray sky, the wastelands were silent yet dangerous.
However, in the midst of the hazy fog, there were faint flashes of brilliance. Only when one got closer could one see that they were lights.
Light blue gemstones hung from the Seymour tribe's single horn, lighting up the path leading to the darkness.
The lights weren't very bright. They were like fireflies in a forest ten meters away. However, under each light, groups of exhausted travelers were walking on the wastelands.
Around them, two tall metal giant guards gave them a sense of security. However, they were also covered in wounds.
They were tired and lost. This was already the seventeenth day that they had been walking in the mist. Ever since they accepted the mission and left Cape Town, they hadn't been able to enjoy a single night of safety.
To put it nicely, this was a group of adventurers made up of commoners. However, to be honest, they were just a group of adventurers and amateurs trying to get rich. They were trying to find resource points in the wilderness and become rich overnight.
Since the resource wars were becoming more and more intense, all the factions were offering great rewards. Naturally, there would be many brave individuals … or perhaps, some reckless individuals.
After more than half a month, they had reached their limit of food and water. The adventurers didn't have the ability to survive in the wilderness. The wild beasts in the mist were nothing more than hunters to them, not prey.
The temporarily hired guards didn't want to work anymore. The two light magic armor "Pike Mark III" that weren't even as powerful as the third generation of magic armor could only be used to chase away wild beasts.
Everyone knew that they had reached their limit. If they still couldn't find anything in the next two days, they would probably have no choice but to leave. No matter how unwilling they were, there was nothing they could do.
At this time, there were only seventeen people left in the original group of thirty, and most of them were injured.
Two people had fallen behind and gone missing. Four were confirmed dead, and four were seriously injured … Actually, without a safe environment in the wilderness, and without clean food, water, and medicine, that was as good as death.
The lightly injured returned with the injured, but nobody would believe that they had safely returned home.
After paying such a heavy price, they still hadn't gained anything. This was already the border of the Harlet Wastelands' shallow zone. If they continued forward, they would reach a zone that no ordinary person could reach.
However, if they returned … they had lost so much without gaining anything. They couldn't even afford to pay compensation. How could they possibly be willing to return now?
"… It's about time. Let's try again."
It was hard to tell the age of the bearded captain, but thirty years ago, "Explosive Fist" Wavier was a famous adventurer in Cape Town. At least, that was before he lost his famous Explosive Fist and right arm.
After the captain gave the order, the steel guard turned around and took out an instrument from the trailer behind him. It was a two-meter-long drill platform.
One of the demonic armors began to operate, while the other remained vigilant. The rest of the team also cautiously hid behind the steel giant.
"Crack!"
Although the sound of the ground being drilled could not be heard from a distance, for the hungry predators in the demonic fog, it was enough to guide them in the direction of their prey.
"… Do you still want to try? You've already failed so many times. "
"Aba and Xiao Mi were both captured while drilling, but they're still here … this is too dangerous. Why don't you tell Captain about this?"
"Don't be silly. If you offend Captain now, what if they don't save you the next time you're in danger?"
Professional adventurers probably still had some determination and willpower, hoping to complete the mission and recoup their losses. But most of the rookies, who were just rookies and farmers not long ago, now only wanted to end this "nightmarish" adventure of their first life and then obediently return to the leaky but incomparably safe outhouse, no longer dreaming of becoming rich overnight.
As a professional adventurer, Wavier wasn't too old. According to the Aishi People's standards, he could be considered one of the strongest as a rank 4 job class.
However, it was difficult to say how much combat strength this pugilist still had due to his old age and lack of limbs.
The rookies who had just been farmers not long ago were unable to understand the strength of a professional warrior. Naturally, they didn't know that their "whispers" were clearly heard by everyone in the team.
However, the captain had a bitter expression under his large beard. What could he possibly say?
They had already failed far too many times. Now, even he wasn't optimistic about the future of his team.
The young alchemist who was also a geologist was squatting next to the drilling well. He was doing some simple tests on the stones that were collected. However, he kept shaking his head, causing everyone to feel disappointed and depressed.
Some of his old companions came over and whispered to each other about how they should retreat. However, old Wavier still didn't agree.
"… There's no way out for us … this place is unexplored by anyone … if there's a chance … wait for a day … and see how things go …"
There were some intense yet suppressed arguments. In the end, no one was able to come to an agreement. However, a sudden scream broke this extremely stifling silence.
"Ahhh!"
Everyone became nervous before they noticed where the scream came from. Someone had been taken away by a beast in the magical mist?
"… What are you screaming for! Are you tired of living? You'll attract the attention of the beasts … "
Only now did everyone notice that the scream came from the young alchemist. Just as Wavier was about to continue scolding the rookies about how their actions would attract danger, he noticed that the young alchemist was so excited that his face was distorted.
"… You found them?"
The old mercenary asked in disbelief. However, the young alchemist kept nodding his head, causing him to be overjoyed.
"You found the raw thunderbolt stone ore less than three meters underground! It contains more than 50% of the ore! This means that below us, below us, it's less than three meters underground! This means that it's a natural, semi-open mine! "
A natural thunderbolt stone ore mine? A bare mine near the surface?
In an instant, everyone was overjoyed and teared up uncontrollably.
A super ore mine that was almost completely open? What did this mean? Boundless wealth and lofty prestige? A ladder to becoming a noble? A super holy water that could heal broken limbs? Or perhaps all of the above.
"Dig, dig!"
Everyone's previous nervousness had completely vanished. Everyone was excitedly looking at the drilling machine. Some even couldn't wait and started digging with their shovels.
Even the magic armor pilot on duty adjusted his angle and looked at the drilling machine with eager eyes.
However, at this moment, the shadows in the magical mist suddenly changed. Several gigantic shadows appeared.
East, South, West, and North. These gigantic shadows slowly walked over, faster and faster. It was as if something was slowly awakening.
"We're rich!"
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