After twenty-seven full days of relentless, back-breaking excavation .. buried within a suffocating pit choked with dust and earth .. the first ray of light finally emerged beneath Ethan's feet, crowning his monumental effort.
The moment he saw it, Ethan began striking the ground beneath him with frantic speed, driven by a desperate hunger to reach the end.
With every swing of the shovel, the gap that birthed the light widened further… and further…
Until, at last, the earth beneath him gave way entirely.
Excitement surged across Ethan's face ... but it turned to panic almost instantly as his footing vanished and he plunged downward, falling fast through open air.
Moments later—
He crashed hard onto solid ground after dropping several meters.
Lying there, Ethan grimaced in pain, clutching his back where the impact had struck.
"Damn it… feels like I broke a bone or two…"
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself upright, his eyes scanning his surroundings carefully.
