All the miners gathered together and began excavating the area.
A miner who was fairly familiar with the man who had spoken first could not help teasing him. "Jerry, you're really lucky! If this place really has mining potential, then the donation needed to send your son to the church to become a priest is basically secured."
By the rules, exploration teams like theirs would receive a hefty bonus upon discovering a mineral vein. As the first discoverer, Jerry alone could receive twenty percent; the scholars and superhumans would split forty percent, while the remaining forty percent would go to everyone else.
Jerry had always dreamed of sending his son to study at a church. As long as he could become an apprentice priest, he would have a chance to escape the high-risk profession of mining, and his future would undergo a complete transformation.
Hearing his companion's words, Jerry visibly relaxed, a broad smile appearing on his face. But at that moment, the surroundings suddenly began to shake.
In the narrow mine shaft, gravel rained down continuously. The supports they had just secured began to slip and deform, while cracks spread across the walls like a spiderweb.
"Retreat!"
The accompanying knight's expression changed drastically at the sight, and he immediately ordered everyone to flee.
So many cracks could only mean one of two things: either there was a problem with the surrounding geology, or that legendary monster was coming. Either way, staying here meant certain death.
"My Iron Ore..."
Everyone scattered and ran outside, but Jerry continued clawing at the wall, refusing to leave no matter what.
The knight did not indulge him. He grabbed Jerry directly and dragged him outside.
They sprinted wildly for over a hundred meters before the ground finally stopped shaking. Yet the spiderweb-like cracks continued