CHAPTER 999: A BIG PROBLEM (1).

Once he was done cleaning up after himself, Cain took the liberty of heading down to give himself a good wash.

Returning to his room, hair still dripping with moisture, he considered what to do next...

In order of priority, what he needed to do the most was to focus on organizing and collecting even more resources.

If the {Blood-Curse Bats} and the {Willow Direwolves} were to leave Redscale Island, they would need to have proper space and resources to accommodate them on Valestorm, or maybe directly on the coastline close to Gwendolyn.

Not only that, but there was still a lot of work to be done in Valestorm, further expansions to reclaim the city that was still in a state of devastation by Devil occupancy.

Then, there was his pending visit to Alvi’s mines...

There was also the issue with establishing contact with the other human settlements across the continent.

But he could only take on these issues one after the other. That meant arranging them in order of their priority was paramount.

’What to do, what to do...’

Currently, resources were being collected everyday by the thousands of hunters. There was a limit to the difference a single person could make when it came to collecting the resources that would influence the quality of life of several thousand people.

Some things couldn’t be solved with force.

In this case especially, it was the more hands, the better.

Cain huffed, ’I guess I can start with the least urgent ones...’

And the first on that list would be.

’The mines...’

***

The day was gloomy and grey. Just as it was every other day.

However, compared to the past, it was still much brighter than it had been in a long time.

Alvi took in a deep breath. Usually, his presence was not needed in the mines, but today, they had a special guest.

If the Sandsea was to the north of Valestorm, then the mines would be located to its west, running all the way to the south, or behind it.

Most of them were quarries where the stones and sediments used to create the buildings in Valestorm were gotten.

Although they had been mostly cleared of danger, it was not uncommon for there to be a random Aether Beast attack, or even a collapse, so there were quite a few hunters around and inside the quarries.

The miners got busy harvesting the stones and looking for ores, while the hunters provided security.

Alvi turned to Cain,

"Our operations here are the bloodline of Valestorm. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say we are necessary for the future of humankind."

Cain raised a brow and gave him a strange look.

Alvi cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment,

"Anyway, now that we are here, what do you intend for me to do?"

Cain wore a grin on his face,

"The {Sandbile Worms} are only powerful enough to get past the outer crust. Anything beyond that and you’ll need explosives."

Alvi frowned and nodded,

"Explosives, or simply using earth elemental magic."

Cain nodded, "I see. Then, I’ll just need you to give me a secure route down. Preferably the deepest ones you’ve ever dug."

Alvi went silent then placed a hand on his chin,

"The deepest route we’ve ever dug is the farthest thing from secure. Routes that are closer to the surface are generally safer. The deeper dug ones areore prone to collapse."

’I suspected as much.’

"I’d like to see map of the layout if you have one."

Alvi nodded. He rubbed a finger over the spatial ring on his finger and pulled out a large yellowing sheet of parchment.

He handed It over.

Cain quickly scanned over it before giving it back.

"Thanks."

Alvi nodded, "Have you decided?"

Cain chuckled,

"I have. I’ll take the route that runs the deepest."

Alvi frowned, "Even though you know it is the most dangerous?"

Cain nodded, "Danger is subjective. It is also the most convenient route down. So it is decided. By the way, you are coming with, no?"

"Sur— what?!"

Cain nodded thoughtful, "Then it is decided," He said before walking away.

Alvi’s face was pale,

"I... I can’t–! You can’t..."

Cain cackled, "Just kidding."

Alvi let out a sigh of relief with his hand placed over his chest.

Cain waved at him as he walked towards a particular quarry. The miners and hunters alike stared at him curiously. After all, he was a new face.

Someone ran up to Alvi,

"Boss, who is he? A new guy?"

Alvi glanced at him and snorted,

"That is Cain, the leader of the Golden Asura."

The eyes of the man widened,

"Y-you are kidding, right? He doesn’t look anything like the rumors make him out to be."

Alvi sighed and shook his head,

"No, I wouldn’t say the rumors are inaccurate. If anything, they might be even more tame than the real thing. That guy is a true monster."

The man frowned,

"Then..."

"But," Alvi continued,

"But he can be counted on. At least for now, we don’t have anything to worry about."

"Is that so..."

Meanwhile, Cain was oblivious to the conversation that had just happened.

That, or he probably wouldn’t care to listen either way...

The entire place was filled with magic tools rumbling to life to break, process and transport the stones and mine ores back to Valestorm.

And then of course, there were the {Sandbile Worms}.

Looking down a dark shaft, Cain could see very clearly with his eyes, the thousands upon thousands of worms burrowing into and through the earth.

It was a rather disgusting thing to witness.

Their abrasive stomach acids weakened the rocks and broke through them, allowing them to eat their way through with ease.

In that way, the hole would get deeper and wider.

To make things better, the worms left behind a residue that would harden over time and make the walls of the shaft tougher and more resistant to damage, meaning they would remain that was for a long time without the need for man-made structures to hold them up.

Eyes glowing with austere intent, Cain jumped in without warning.