**Chapter 13: The Pit and Mercenaries**

  In the village of Eldoria, Thorne stood beside his master, Haldor, awaiting the first wave of monsters to invade the northern side of Drakhelm. Though called a village, Eldoria was comparable to a large modern city, at least in the memories of Thorne from Alex.

  No one knew how the monsters began appearing from the north, but that region was a perilous place. Most adventurers and mercenaries avoided it due to the inherent dangers.

  The northern mountains were vast and largely unexplored. Monarchs who attempted expeditions there often suffered heavy losses. This was why Eldoria was ignored by the nobles of the kingdom of Ferma, where local lords' greed ran rampant.

  few Years ago, a young noble from the northern mountains had formed his own faction, creating the dukedom known as the Land of Glacia.

  After years of constant monster attacks and losses, Glacia crumbled, leaving only a few settlements like Eldoria holding their ground.

  Thorne, now regressed with knowledge of the future, knew he couldn't remain weak and unsupported. Haldor, an elder of Eldoria, was still alive and well. In Thorne's previous life, Haldor had been among the elders trying to save the village.

  While the monster waves were currently weak, in about five years, a massive and terrifying monster would emerge from the northern mountains, forcing many villages to retreat with heavy casualties. Thorne's master had lost his life saving him during one of these retreats.

  Even in the future, the origins and nature of the monsters remained unknown. The northern mountains were a desolate land where anything could happen. Thorne wondered what sustained these bizarre creatures and what kind of terrifying beings they were. The thought sent chills down his spine.

  Thorne and Haldor were moving from an abandoned mine pit near the northern mountains. The pit gaped open like a jagged wound in the earth, its edges rough and unstable where the heavy snow had caused further collapses.

  The ground around the opening was a churned mess of mud and half-melted snow, littered with discarded rocks and the remnants of mining equipment – broken carts, rusted tools, and lengths of rotting timber that once supported the mine's workings. The air hung heavy with the damp chill of the earth and the faint, acrid smell of old metal and something else… something earthy and unsettling that hinted at the pit's current inhabitants.

  The entrance itself was a dark, shadowed maw, promising nothing but blackness and the unknown depths below. From the edge, one could see the beginnings of rough-hewn steps or a precarious, sloped path leading downwards, disappearing quickly into the gloom.

  Above, the snow-laden branches of stunted pines clung precariously to the unstable ground, their needles a dark contrast against the white blanket that covered the surrounding landscape.

  The whole scene spoke of neglect and danger, a place best left undisturbed, yet now a temporary trap for those seeking shelter or profit within its depths. With Haldor and Thorne were several others who had come to mine ore for trade, and some, like Haldor, for forging.

  Haldor: "You little shit! Put some more strength into your digging! Your posture is sloppy, your mining is sloppy, and your forging is sloppy! Do you think you can become my successor with that kind of attitude?"

  Thorne chuckled inwardly, enjoying the moment. It had been over a decade since he'd heard his master's scolding. Haldor noticed his smile and a hint of amusement crossed his own face.

  Thorne: "Ouch!" (Haldor smacked Thorne's head.)

  Haldor: "You little runt! Do you think I'm joking? Now, pick up the ores, put them in the bags, and move them near the pit entrance."

  Thorne, regretting his earlier amusement's, obeyed.

  The miners worked diligently, the rhythmic clang of picks against rock echoing through the damp air. Thorne, despite his earlier grumbling, found a rhythm in his work, the familiar motions a comfort in the otherwise unsettling atmosphere of the abandoned mine. But the relative peace was shattered without warning.

  A low rumble, like the growl of some slumbering beast, resonated from the depths of the pit. The ground beneath their feet trembled subtly at first, then more violently. A long, jagged crack snaked across the frozen earth near the pit's edge, widening with alarming speed.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Small stones and clumps of dirt began to crumble and fall into the darkness below.

  "Cave-in!" someone screamed, the cry cutting through the rising panic. Miners scrambled back from the widening fissure, dropping their tools and scrambling for safety. Another, deeper groan echoed from below, followed by the distinct sound of earth giving way.

  A larger section of the pit's edge, perhaps ten feet across, sagged precariously, then broke off with a resounding crash, plunging into the darkness. A cloud of dust billowed upwards, momentarily obscuring the already dim light. Those closest to the collapse stumbled backwards, some losing their footing on the uneven ground.

  Panic seized the group. Some fled blindly, while others found themselves trapped between the crumbling edge and the press of panicked miners. As the day ended, the miners began returning. Haldor and Thorne brought up the rear. Thorne, though trying to move quickly, was hampered by his young and untrained body, slowing down Haldor and the mercenaries hired to protect the miners.

  Haldor, Thorne, a mercenary named Klien, and his three companions found themselves in a precarious situation. Klien was a veteran warrior from the north, and his companions had joined him during an expedition into the mountains.

  Before returning, they had taken on the task of escorting the miners and blacksmiths in exchange for weapon and armor repairs from one of Glacia’s finest blacksmiths. Now, they were trapped.

  Klien: "Ugh! Why does this have to happen now?"

  Archer: "Haha! Our expedition to the north was a disaster from the start."

  Tank: "Always think positive, Archer. We might find another way out."

  Dealer: "It's all because of your greed, Klien!"

  Klien was taken aback.

  Klien: "Stop it! This route might be closed." He shouted to the miners, "Does anyone know another way back to the village, a safe way, before the pit kobolds come looking for us?"

  Haldor: "I know a way, but it's long and close to a kobold dwelling. We might have to fight them."

  Archer: "Does anyone know a *safe* route?"

  Tank: "How did you become a mercenary if you're this cowardly?"

  Dealer: "Klien, you greedy bastard! This is all your fault!"

  Thorne chuckled. Klien glared at him, but Thorne avoided his gaze, hiding his smile.

  Haldor: "Stop laughing, you runt!" (Smack)

  Klien and Haldor huddled together, making plans to return to the village safely.

  ...Klien and Haldor huddled together, making plans to return to the village safely.

  Alone for a moment, Thorne focused on his tattoo. His gaze seemed to shift, as did his hearing.

  Alex: "Are you alright, man? I saw you stuck in that cave-like thing. In your memories, Haldor seems like a strict master, but in my world, that's called child abuse."

  Zara: "He was kind to Thorne. Nobody in my world cares for a child unless they have some worth."

  Alex: "I also saw that, compared to you guys, I sometimes feel like I had it pretty good in my world before the infected appeared. Is that why I was so weak?"

  Thorne: "It's the mind that makes you weak, not you. Remember, you survived in that apocalyptic world for almost a decade without magic or awakenings. And you think you're weak?"

  Zara: "Sometimes I forget I was an assassin, used as a living weapon. Seeing your world through your memories…"

  Alex: "Well…"

  Thorne: "Wait. Have either of you used the Tri-Skills? I'm using the Inventory skill. I can store anything, any size or weight, but it's limited. I can store multiple of the same item if they're bundled."

  "I'm using it to carry food, water, and some weapons."

  Alex: "Something's wrong with mine. It says 'one-time use' and I can only store one item per level."

  Zara: "When I put some of my broken cybernetics in the inventory, it seems to rewind time or repair them. The Chain of Oath seems to create a connection for an absolute master-servant contract, but nothing's working."

  Alex: "Slaves are a bad word, you know. But you said the contract can be made with anything, depending on level, right? How about making a contract with your cybernetic parts? It might help."

  Zara: "You're right! I didn't think of that. The description says I can make anything my subordinate if they're willing. Let me try, even though you look dumb, you're smart, Alex."

  Alex: "What do you mean by that?"

  Zara giggled. Thorne interrupted.

  Thorne: "I have skills too. I've only tested Blacksmithing, but the results were amazing. It seems even with the knowledge, we have to level up the skill before we can use it effectively."

  Alex: "I might be the first awakener in my world. I don't know what the Rain of Awakenings will bring. If I can level up these skills, I can survive the apocalypse more bravely."

  Zara: "See you guys later. I'm on the run. The Hollow won't leave you alone if you covet their stuff. Thanks for the help, Alex. I think I have a way to use this unknown skill from the Tri-UI."

  Alex: "You're welcome. Do you know why we were sent back in time? And this tattoo… doesn't it resemble the pendant I had?"

  Thorne and Zara shook their heads. They were just as clueless.

  Alex: "We have to figure it out. What do you think of that pentatope thing at the top? Do you recognize it? Could it be connected to the synchronization part of the UI?"

  Zara: "I don't know. It's like our souls are bound to it."

  Suddenly, the symbol spun, and doors to their respective worlds opened.

  Thorne: "Time's up. Let's meet again if we survive and try to figure this out."

  As they were about to leave, their UIs appeared, displaying in golden letters: "Two hundred and forty hours until Stage One opens. Please be prepared." Dumbfounded, the three disappeared into their own worlds.

  Thorne opened his eyes to see Archer and Dealer looking at him enviously.

  Archer: "Look at this kid, trying to sleep in this chaos. You seem brave for your age."

  Dealer: "It's because of that damn Klien's greed!"

  Thorne was surprised by their reactions.

  Haldor: "In loud it seems we can't move out today. We'll make camp here and move tomorrow towards our exit. Get a proper rest, and people will take turns guarding the camp."

  The miners were still uneasy, but no one objected. Haldor was a blacksmith, a respected elder, and a warrior.

  Thorne knew what was going to happen. There had been no incidents in the future he remembered, nothing dangerous.

  Unbeknownst to Thorne, something else was present in the depths of the pit. It smelled something delicious, opened its eyes, and only fate knew what would happen next…..!