"Boss, we finally got out of this dreadful place, do we really have to go back in?"
The archer Kelu stared at the dark mine ahead, still feeling a lingering fear.
Hart, dressed in leather armor, was applying sword oil to his longsword: "Lord Baron gave the order. If we don't dig out gold, we'll all die."
The Barbarian Scar, clad in bearskin, said displeasedly: "What Lord Baron? He's just a young brat. What right does he have to send us to our deaths?"
He snorted coldly: "If it weren't for the gold, I would have quit long ago!"
Kelu also chimed in: "Exactly. We should have just taken the gold and run earlier."
Hart had finished cleaning his sword by this point. He stood up and said gravely: "That's no young brat. Who can survive in this territory if they offend the North Wind Eagle? Do you think you can outrun the Eagle Guard?"
Scar Face roared: "I don't care what kind of eagle he is, even if a giant dragon came, it couldn't treat us as cannon fodder."
Hart merely said: "Save your strength. What we do is already putting our lives on the line. Now that we finally have a legitimate identity and have latched onto this powerful figure, we can't waste it."
"That accident was just an anomaly. Even if there really is some monster, after eating so much, it should be in hibernation."
"What's more—" He changed the subject.
"I also got quite a few serfs from the Baron, ah, no, according to the Northern Kingdom's official statement, they are called 'honest and loyal farmers' to work as miners."
He looked behind him, where over a hundred thin humans carrying baskets were arriving one after another, walking numbly under the whips of the overseers on both sides. The recruitment wages were just a few words—food provided, won't starve to death.
However, what awaited them was not work where they wouldn't starve, but the deep, dark mine and the unknown monsters lurking within.
"Take up your spears," Hart called out.
"These are specially bestowed upon you by Lord Baron for self-defense."
"If you encounter a monster, retreating is a dead end. Don't be afraid, just throw your spears at it."
"If anyone sacrifices themselves, don't worry. Lord Baron will remember his contribution, reduce his family's taxes, and compensate his family with food."
"Oh, right, take your pickaxes too."
These serfs were cannon fodder he specifically recruited from the Baron. Naturally, he couldn't let his subordinates go first into such a dangerous place, much less lead the charge himself.
According to his years of experience traversing the wilderness, the best method to deal with large monsters was to throw spears. As long as there were enough people, even massive mammoths could be easily killed.
And even if they failed, with these cannon fodder as a cushion, filling the monster's belly, it wouldn't pursue them any further.
"Go in!"
"Hurry up and go in! Don't dawdle!"
The deceived miners picked up their weapons and walked haphazardly into the cave.
Even if someone realized something was wrong and wanted to escape, under the merciless whips of the overseers, they had no choice but to obey orders.
Yet, why did dozens of armed men offer no resistance against a few people?
Perhaps it was something deeply rooted in their hearts…
Facing an unknown territory, the person forced to lead trembled as he raised his torch, exploring forward under the coercion of whips and swords.
Scar, following behind the large group of serfs, clicked his tongue in wonder: "When it comes to slave trading, these noble lords are truly formidable."
"They don't even need to bring in goods to sell people."
"Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and go in."
Soon, Hart and his group all entered the mine, leaving only a few soldiers at the entrance to receive them.
However, they did not realize that something else was quietly following them into the mine.
Nor did they realize that there was a spell called Invisibility, which could completely conceal one's form, making them undetectable by ordinary mortals.
"Boss, I feel a bit strange."
Kelu's senses were quite keen. He always felt something was off, but looking around, he found nothing.
"Don't be so paranoid here. We haven't gone very deep yet, and there's still a long way to go," Scar said disdainfully.
Hart merely lightened his steps at the back and said in a low voice: "Speak softer, and watch the situation ahead."
Following the crude signposts previously erected, the group descended, gradually reaching the depths of the mine.
The space inside was very wide. This was where the Kobolds had previously toiled, and broken pickaxes, mine carts for transport, and accidentally dropped ore were still scattered on the ground.
One "miner" couldn't resist picking up a piece of gold ore from the ground and secretly tucking it into his rough burlap clothes.
However, this action was spotted by the sharp-eyed Scar.
The Barbarian walked up, lifted the man's frail body with one hand, shook him twice, and the ore, shimmering with golden light, fell out.
"Truly a despicable creature like a Kobold."
Scar slammed him hard onto the ground with one hand, then stepped forward and skillfully stomped on his arm, causing the man to let out a miserable scream of pain.
"Remember, everything here is Lord Baron's property."
"You are here to mine, not to steal."
"If anyone violates this again…"
"Heh heh, you'll never leave this mine in your lifetime."
Scar grinned. He enjoyed the feeling of controlling others' lives; it was one of the few amusements in his life as a slave trader.
Meanwhile, at the end of the line, Hart was carefully observing the damage to the mine—wooden doors violently smashed open, furnaces crushed and deformed, human remains, and fences torn apart by immense force.
Looking at these traces, cold sweat broke out on Hart's forehead.
"A very terrifying monster."
"Its strength might not be inferior to a Frost Giant."
For him, this was already a very high praise, as those giants who came with the cold wind were one of the Northern Kingdom's most terrifying enemies.
Hearing Scar loudly proclaiming next to him, Hart became even more furious. He rushed forward, lowering his voice to say to him:
"That monster is likely still here."
"If you want to die, just say so, don't drag me down."
"But, Boss, our gold…"
The Barbarian, who spoke without thinking and glorified violence, wanted to reply, but a strange sound came from deeper within the cave.
"Don't speak, listen carefully," Hart frowned.
"Thump-thump…"
"Thump-thump…"
A heavy, footstep-like sound echoed within the pitch-black mine, making one's heart pound.
"The sound is coming from the rock wall," Hart thought.
He looked around the cliff face, but the surroundings remained completely dark.
"It's ahead."
"It's to the left."
"No, it's above," Kelu said in a deep voice.
The sound seemed to be moving and circling everywhere within the mine, making it impossible for everyone to determine its source or direction.
Only, the sound seemed to be getting closer and closer…
The crowd became chaotic and noisy. Soon, someone again suggested returning to the surface, and this time, even the overseers involuntarily became flustered.
"Don't panic, pick up your weapons."
Hart's back was already soaked with sweat. He hadn't had close contact with that "monster" before, and the chaotic situation before him was truly beyond his expectations.
"Don't be afraid, raise your torches."
"It's over. This is definitely not an ordinary monster, but a terrifying hunter. It's creating panic, trying to catch us all in one swoop," Hart thought.