CHAPTER 1011: A NEW TYPE OF TREASURE (1).

Beorstone’s face twisted, as though Cain had just told him his wife looked like a Highlander.

"You... want us... to work for you?" His words were slow, tasting each one like they were bitter.

"That’s right," Cain said, folding his arms.

The mood changed nearly instantly.

It was as though he had just collectiveky insulted all their mothers.

The other dwarves muttered among themselves, voices low and heavy. Metal clinked as a few adjusted belts heavy with tools. Someone even spat on the ground.

Gungir didn’t move. His eyes instead stayed fixed on Cain, as though he were weighing the words he had just spoken on invincible scales.

"Not even a thousand of these caves are worth our hands. Forget about it, Hooman." Grimdor said with a dark frown.

Beorstone seemed rather serious for the first time since the Dwarves landed on Urbus.

"He’s right, kid. I can forgive the insult the first time because I know you know no better. But..."

Wisps of smoldering black flames wafted off the fists and shoulders of this great Dwarf.

’There it is!’

He suddenly chuckled,

"So this is the black {Flame of Darkness}." He muttered.

He had already undone the Seal that held the mana within the chamber to a standstill, so he could finally observe the Mana flow patterns.

His eyes widened.

Unlike the mana flow patterns of his {Flame of Darkness} spell, that of these flames seemed more mystical.

More divine, in a sense...

Theoretically, they were the same. But the soft dark fire rolling off the leather armor of the dwarf had more substance than his.

It was also much hotter from what he could tell.

Just that much flames, and he could sense that a few nearby walls were already melting away.

"Calm down, Boss." Gungir said calmly.

The dark flames began to subside.

All of a sudden, Cain chuckled and shook his head,

"But I am being serious. I want you all to work for me. Of course, you will be compensated."

Beorstone’s eyes narrowed, "Now, you are testing me."

Cain shrugged, "Even if you aren’t interested now, I’ll lay down my conditions. It’s up to you to decide or not..."

Gungir raised a brow, obviously skeptical.

In his eyes, there was a bit of urging not to take the conversation further than it had already gone, lest Beorstone really did blow his lid.

However, Cain didn’t care if the blasted dwarf turned into a smoldering ball of dark flames.

After all...

Cain extended his palm forward.

To their amazement and horror, a deep dark flame ignited at the center of his palm, burning with a wicked, black glow.

The chamber, the floor and walls covered in an endless network of spiderweb cracks seemed to tremble ever so slightly.

The silence was deafening, so much so, Cain wondered if he had unintentionally fried the brains of the {Black-Hearth Dwarves}.

He smiled faintly. "Surprised, aren’t you?"

The explanation for his ability to create the {Flame of Darkness} was quite simple.

He simply had a lot of affinity for both of those elements. This was something that wasn’t common at all in all the known universe.

Usually, beings with affinity to darkness usually had affinity with death, corruption, or even the elements and paraelementals of water.

Rarely were there creatures that possessed affinity for such opposing elements.

And to the same degree as his, it was nearly impossible.

If one didn’t account for the existence of the {Black-Hearth Dwarves}, of course.

Beorstone stared right into his eyes.

Gone was the stern looking dwarf with an oddly contrasting carefree demeanor.

Instead, what replaced it, was the cold bearings of a warrior. A dark brutality mixed in with clear cut killing intent.

Things had become tense once again...

"The Dark Flame. A blessing granted to us by the gods of the Aether; the Black Stone Turtle, and the Vermillion Flame Eagle. How does a human possess it?"

He muttered slowly.

Gungir’s expression also wasn’t good as he said,

"Boss, I believe that might be just a cheap rendition of the true Dark Flame."

Cain shrugged and nodded,

"You are right. Unlike yours, my {Flame of Darkness} had not been steeped in divinity, so it might feel a bit lackluster for now. However..."

He smirked, "However, that still doesn’t change the fact that I am capable of wielding it. "

Gungir shook his head,

"Although it’s left me shakin’, we all can wield the Black Flame."

Cain’s grin widened,

"That’s not all." He said.

He activated {Black Warrior}.

A subtle layer of darkness rose from the surface of his body like wisps, burning darkly in the darkness.

The aura was so black, it could still be made out in the dark cave. Like a black that was deeper, more vibrant and much richer than any other.

Bilfur felt to his knees, his black, soot-covered skin turning a shade whiter.

The other Dwarves trembled in their boots as well.

"T-that is..."

Cain nodded, "Indeed. I am a champion of your god."

He wasn’t exactly a champion of Fuji. But these Dwarves didn’t know that, so there was nothing wrong with him adding a touch of flagrancy to his words.

Cain cleared his throat as he postured himself and looked down at the five dwarves,

"Not only do I have this mine, I also have many others, each and every one of them filled with all kinds of treasures. I also have a forge that spits out the purest of flames. All of that would be for you to work with as much as you want. All I want from you all, are your hands, and your minds. Now that, is a damn good deal."

The {Black-Hearth Dwarves} went silent again. Their brows were furrowed and their faces were dark as their murmurs stretched within the darkness alongside the whispers of the Rift.

Cain continued, "I do not know of the world you are coming from, but I can tell you about the world you are on right now."

"The presence of the gods and the devils is still abundant. The resources abound so greatly, it is impossible to use it all. If you join me, stones and ore will be the least of your problems."

"Say no more, kid." Beorstone suddenly cut him off.

Cain frowned. He wanted to say something, but was cut off again,

"We are going to join you! Gungir!"

"Yes, boss."

"Find a darned way to pass all this stuff back to the elders. Invoke the mountain spirits of you have to!"

He paused for a moment then added,

"Also, tell them we won’t be coming home for a while."

Gungir the {Black-Hearth Dwarf} adjusted his dirty goggles,

"Right away, boss."