After he had left the masters room he had been abused by the old servant for what seemed to be the better part of an hour. The old servant must’ve had super hearing, because he knew everything he had said. Kyros wasn’t one to care for what another said, but this old servants reprimands were brutal; at one point he thought he saw his health drop from the abuse.

After the old servant was finished with him, the servant told him he were to clean up and report to the guards to be transferred to the new mine. He was then ushered by a young female slave to a bathing area. She was cute, she had to be to work in this household. Her brunette hair was tied into a ponytail and her maid outfit seemed to accentuate her narrow waist and busty chest. Kyros had to admit that she was cute, however females were worse than males in his opinion. He had received a hard time as a child from a girl in his class who bullied him because she was jealous of how pretty he was.

On the way to the bathing area she had tried to make small talk.

“Wow, I’ve never seen an elf before.” She said with a sheepish voice.

What’re you getting at girl?

When she noticed he hadn’t responded, she decided to continue.

“I heard you're a gold class miner. That’s really impressive!” She smiled as she tucked a few loose hairs behind her ear.

I see. She likes the idea of status.

He still didn’t answer her. She began to pout, however still led the way to the bathing area.

They had stopped in front of a door, behind which he suspected the bathing area.

“Here we are. Did you want a hand with bathing, since it’s been so long?” She was now coming on stronger, seeing as how her previous attempts failed.

Never has a girl wanted anything to do with me, yet now I have status among us slaves, and already one is throwing themselves at me. Useless.

“No, wait here. I’ll be out shortly.” His tone of indifference and straight out rejection had caught her unexpectedly.

“Ye.. yes of course.” However, this cold attitude and indifference to her charm had only made her want him more.

Inside the bathing room, stood a naked Kyros as he stared at this bath tub. It was only used for the soldiers and slaves of this house, but he could imagine the jealousy the slave master would feel. It was only a simple metal tub, truly nothing extravagant, but the water inside was crystal clear. Without wasting anymore time, Kyros had jumped into the bath tub and started washing himself.

Getting out of the tub, he had a slight feeling of guilt for the next person who was going to use this bath; as the water was black and filthy. It was only a slight feeling though, because he couldn’t remember when he had last been cleaner then now. He felt wonderful and fresh now that his pores had been cleaned of all the junk blocking them, he truly felt like a new man. Getting ready to put on the clean set of clothes that had been laid out before, he saw a mirror hanging in the corner of the room. As soon as he had spotted it, he was running over to it. It was a strange feeling to not know what you look like, but now he was about to find out.

Looking into the mirror, he didn’t know what to expect, but this definitely was something he hadn’t considered. He suddenly made a weird facial expression, to be sure it wasn’t a picture but indeed a mirror. It was a mirror.

How to describe it. The most noticeable point was of course his silver hair and blue eyes, as blue as the sea. That wasn’t all though, his face was so… pretty, but handsome at the same time. He felt like he was looking into a poster of one of those supermodels back in his old world. Although, he looked young; eighteen years old young. So this explained why he was always being referred to as lad and kiddo, he truly seemed to have grown two years younger. It was strange, he could see resemblance with his old face, but it was like everything had been enhanced. How strange it was to look at yourself but see a stranger reflected.

I guess I’ll get used to this face sooner or later. At least it’s not as girly as I had first thought.

Now no longer so caught up on his face, he looked at his body. His muscles were ripped yet lean at the same time, probably because he hadn’t the nutrients to grow bigger. The mines really had changed him, but for better or worse?

This time I’ll throw myself at him, I’ll be damned if he can resist my charm! The maid no longer cared for the status anymore, this was about a females pride.

The door to her side opened, a figure walked out.

Here’s my chance, resist this! She pretended to trip over and flew into the arrogant elfs arms. She purposely leaned her bountiful breast into his chest.

“Ohh sorry, did I hurt you?” She said sheepishly as she looked into the elfs face.

“Stop playing around. I have to get going to meet the guards.” He looked her dead in the eye.

Wha… How can someone change this much from a bath? She thought.

“I.. ahh… yes, it’s over this way, sir.” She had understood why her charm hadn’t worked, this elf would have a wide selection of girls much prettier than her to choose from. Also because of his indifferent personality and beautiful appearance, she had unconsciously started treating him as if he were a master of the house. It seemed as if she had mistaken his attitude of indifference for arrogance, since Kyros honestly treated her this way because she was an annoyance.

I see, so such a simple transformation causes such an extravagant change in attitude. Maybe this isn’t so bad… She’s now not bothering me anymore.

“I don’t believe it. Not only do you escape a death punishment, you get promoted to a gold class miner.” Kyros was now back with the blonde hair guard, it seemed the same two guards were going to be delivering him to his new mine.

“Actually I was hoping your captain would’ve pulled through for me, a soldier is better than a miner.” Kyros responded to the blonde haired guard.

“I respect that kid. However, don’t be too upset, even though you’re still a slave; being a gold class miner is quite the status.” The blonde haired guard explained. “Also care to explain how a simple bath changed you so much. Oh the things I’d do if I looked like you…”

“Wait, so does a gold class miner have higher status than that slave master back in the copper mines?” Kyros was curious to this question but mainly just wanted to avoid talking about his appearance.

“Hah! Don’t even joke. A gold class miner is worth more than all the slaves in that mine.” The Blonde hair guard said haughtily.

“Wait, no way... there has to be over 5000 slaves in that mine!” Kyros hadn’t expected it to be this big of a difference.

“Think of it this way, out of the tens of thousands of slaves working under the Mavis family; only a little more than 200 can mine gold.”

“Wait, than an adamantine miner would be worth even more.” Kyros’s mind wandered.

“That’s just a rumour. However, let’s say the family did. Well that miner would be by himself worth more than all the slaves combined.”

Kyros knew it wasn’t a rumour though.

“Now we best be going, you want to make it to the mines sometime this year, do you not?” The guard joked.

“Actually before we go, do you know anything about any other slave getting transferred?” Kyros inquired.

“Yes actually, from the same sector as yourself. A silver class miner they say, apparently he had been extorted for ores and only found now. Quite rare for a gold class and silver class to come out of the same sector. I imagined you’d be getting famous, now lets go.”

Back in the copper mine, a story had been spreading like wild fire. It told of how a slave murdered three other slaves, sending chills down the spines of the listeners; but becoming a gold class miner straight after, causing veneration in the eyes of the listeners. Being a gold class miner was the dream of all miners. After spreading throughout the copper mine, it started to spread through the surrounding ones as well.

They had arrived at the new mine, to get there they had to pass through a military camp where questioning was done to be sure they weren’t spies. This gold mine was a high source of income for the Mavis family, they weren’t going to take chances and be lax with it.

Standing in front of the gold mine really showed Kyros how small he was compared to the rest of the world. The mouth of the cave was ordinary, however the mountain was larger than he knew possible; Mt Everest of his previous world would pale in comparison.

“I can never get used to how big this bloody mountain is.” The blonde hair guard spoke to Kyros and the brunette hair guard. Over the course of the trip Kyros had gotten familiar with these guards, turns out the reason they treated him differently was because they respected his stare; the stare of a soldier they said.

“Tell me about it. Who knows one day we might get posted here.” The brunette hair guard replied.

“Haha quit dreaming, with your talent you have no chance.” The blonde hair guard had joked. Kyros had noticed that all the guards around here were level 40 and above, he even saw a captain at level 58.

“You can talk.”

“Hey guys, is that camp really necessary? I mean would anyone openly attack a high income source for the Mavis family?” Kyros had no idea at the state of affairs in this kingdom he lived in, but he suspected there must be tension between the twelve great families.

“Ah well yeah, there is always the risk of being attacked by another house or being raided by bandits. Although the main job for the guards here are to keep you safe.” The blonde hair guard replied.

“What, keep me safe? Are the other families trying to kill the miners?” Kyros thought that was an odd notion.

“Hahaha of course not. If anything they’d want to kidnap you. Back on topic though, the guards stationed here are tasked to protect you miners, from the mountain.”

“The mountain? It’s just a mountain. Isn’t it?” It was ridiculous to believe a mountain could try and kill you.

“No you idiot. The creatures inside. A mountain as grand and rich in ore as this is bound to have all sorts of monsters living inside. The real issue are the cave goblins, but every now and then a golem might pop up. Damn hard things to kill a golem.” The blonde hair guard was passionate about this, all he wanted was to be promoted to fight these monsters with his brothers.

Monsters… I should have known since I’m an elf, not even human… but monsters. This won’t be like sitting on the other side of a screen and clicking buttons, will I be able to keep my composure if I run into one? Kyros thought to himself. He had never had the time to consider what to expect in this world, as he was always exhausted from mining day in and day out.

“Alright you guys, stop scaring the new recruit.” An older man had come over. He looked to be in his fifties as he had a head full of white hair and his face was starting to see signs of wrinkles.

“So you’re an elf, don’t think we’ve had one of your sort down here before. I’m Lewys by the way, your new slave master. Now we best get going, it’s nearly nightfall and the goblins grow restless over the night.” It seemed Lewys wasn’t in the mood to stay and chat with the guard.

“Right, well we best be off as well. Stay strong kid, I’m sure one of these days they’ll see the warrior blood inside you.” With a slap on Kyros’s back, the two guards started to leave.

“Ah thank you! I mean for talking to your captain for me.” Kyros yelled to their backs as they left. He had grown to quite like the talkative blonde hair guard and the more silent brunette one. Although he never did learn their names…

‘Don’t mention it. We have to look out for our own, don’t we.” This time they were leaving for good.

“Quite friendly with the guards… Not bad. Connections are needed in this place.” Lewys stated.

“Connections?” Kyros inquired.

“Come let’s walk and talk.” Kyros started to walk beside him and into the cave mouth. “This mine will be much different to any of your last. Here you will get three meals a day, regardless of how much you mine. You’re also permitted to clean yourself once a day. You will have your own room with a soft bed, well soft for us slaves. However, it is very competitive between fellow slaves.” Lewys was lecturing.

“Competitive?” Kyros questioned.

“Yes, here everyone’s weekly ore contribution is tallied and released; so we can keep track of how we compare to our fellow miners. Why does this matter? Well it’s because the higher up you are on the list, the better treatment you’ll receive. Not only that, if you stay on top for 10 weeks in a row you’ll get your freedom.” Kyros started to keenly pay attention at the mention of freedom. “Of course you won’t be able to leave the mines. However, they’ll pay you for your work, and when you can no longer mine; you’ll be able to leave with all your money you have earned. Quite the dream for us slaves.”

They were now in the slaves mess, everyone was looking at him. Was it because he was an elf? or because of his beautiful appearance? or maybe it was because he was the first gold class miner in a long time. Either way, Kyros didn’t like it. The mess was much better than the one in his copper mine. Here the tables were wooden as well as the seats rather than the hard and edgy stone he had to sit on before. He also noticed how guards were a constant presence around the slaves, in the copper mine the slaves were left to themselves. Also the aroma of the food had drifted over to him, and he couldn’t help but salivate.

Such a difference… Hmm what’s that? Kyros noticed in the middle of the chamber was a hole, probably 5 metres in diameter. It was a weird sight because it was right in the middle of the chamber.

“Hey Lewys, what’s that hole over there?” Kyros inquired. At mention of the hole, Lewys smirked.

“I knew you were going to ask that, all new recruits do. They say the hole has been here longer then the mine itself, that they built this chamber around it. They’ve tried sending people down but no one ever returns. So it’s used for executions, you might see it happen at some point. When guards leave their post because of monsters or the rare case a miner breaks a law, they’re sentenced down the hole. Realistically, it’s probably just a hole to nowhere and at the bottom lays a series of corpses. But, some people say they hear noises down the hole…” Lewys was intentionally trying to scare Kyros, it was an initiation of sorts. All new recruits were curious of the hole, and once they find out; they feared it.

Kyros however didn’t feel fear of the hole, but something told him to stay away from it; instinct. It was like how Dwenn could feel his aura of bloodlust, however this was much more dangerous. This aura had an ancient feel to it.

Acquired New Skill - Perception

Skill Name:

Skill Rank:

Skill Level:

Skill Experience:

Perception

Beginner

1

2%

Determines how well you can perceive. Higher levels will allow you to see things others cannot.

Something is down that hole… Something dangerous.