The ascent up the eastern mountain took far less time than expected. Not one hostile monster crossed their path.
The zero-mana domain had driven off normal wildlife, leaving the rocky trail silent while the group climbed between gray crags.
Raw gold veins broke through the stone beneath their boots, confirming every word of Marrick's warning about the sector.
Hajin marked several exposed seams on his map, though none could be worked safely yet.
One seam ran wide as a wagon, glittering yellow beneath a thin crust of gray stone.
Loccy tapped the glittering crust with one claw, then whistled a long low note of pure greed.
"That rock would buy the whole town new shoes," she said while pressing her face close.
"Keep walking before the mountain decides we are thieves," Juna answered while hauling her back by the collar.
Establishing a mine would demand roads, guarded camps, and continued cooperation from whatever owned the mountain.
