When the sensation passed, they found themselves deeper inside McFarland's Mine, the entrance sealed behind them. The rail tracks led further into the darkness, and the air was filled with the faint echoes of unknown sources.

Another menu popped up for everyone, this time detailing a quest.

New Quest: Free McFarland's Mine

Description: The ancient and once-thriving McFarland's Mine has fallen under the control of a malevolent force. The Kobold king has taken over the mine, subjugating the creatures within and twisting the natural energies of the mine to his dark purposes. He is attempting a forbidden ceremony that could unleash chaos upon the realm. Defeat the King in combat to gain your prize.

Rewards:

Experience

Crystalized Mana

Unknown

Accept?: Yes/No

Sinclair looked at his friends and shrugged his massive shoulders. "In for a penny, in for a pound." Hitting yes on the menu, he closed the screen and prepared himself for the future.

"We're in this together now," Sinclair said, trying to reassure his companions. "Stay close, and stay alert. We don't know what's ahead."

Ed and Rose nodded, their faces pale but determined. They readied their weapons and followed Sinclair into the depths of the mine.

The mine was dimly lit by a string of lights mounted along the walls, some flickering or entirely out, casting long, shifting shadows across the rough stone. Sinclair moved carefully, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The faint scuffs and marks on the walls caught his attention, subtle indicators of recent activity. In the distance, he strained to hear the faint echoes of movement, each sound amplified by the eerie stillness of the mine.

Sinclair's eyes narrowed as he caught movement up ahead—a faint rustle, a subtle shift in the air. His instincts screamed danger.

He raised a hand, signaling for Ed and Rose to halt. Slowly, he crept forward, his senses sharp and focused. Peering around the corner, he activated Valkyrie's Gaze, his vision sharpening as the spell highlighted the three monsters lurking ahead. The shimmering aura revealed them to be Kobolds—small, reptilian humanoids with wiry frames. Two carried pickaxes slung over their shoulders while the third gripped a spear.

Name: Kobold Guard

Level: 48

Description: Kobolds are small, reptilian humanoids, typically standing between 3 to 4 feet tall, with scaly skin ranging from earthy browns to deep greens. Often found in mines, caves, or other subterranean environments, they are industrious creatures skilled in mining and basic engineering. Kobolds are known for their clever traps and ambush tactics, making them dangerous in groups despite their diminutive size. While their intelligence is modest, they are highly resourceful and fiercely loyal to their leaders, often serving under more powerful beings in exchange for protection. Equipped with simple tools or weapons, Kobolds are a persistent threat in confined or resource-rich areas.

The Kobolds were grumbling about being stuck mining materials while others got easier jobs, the spear-wielder commanding the other two. Sinclair's mind worked quickly, devising a plan.

"Listen carefully," he whispered to Ed and Rose, his voice low and measured. "We only need one alive to question. The one with the spear is in charge. Ed, trap one of the miners with your root spell. Rose, knock the other two off balance with your water jet spell. I'll handle the rest."

Ed and Rose nodded, preparing their spells as Sinclair crept closer. The rhythmic clinking of the Kobolds' mining tools masked their approach. Sinclair raised a hand, signaling the moment.

When his hand fell, they each rocketed into action.

Ed's root spell shot forward, vines erupting from the ground to ensnare the Kobold on the right. Rose's water jet followed immediately, striking the other two Kobolds and sending them tumbling to the ground. Sinclair moved in, his axe a blur of precision, dispatching the fallen Kobolds swiftly.

The miner struggled against the roots, his eyes wide with terror as he realized the situation.

Sinclair approached him slowly, his weapon at the ready. "You're going to answer some questions," he said, his voice cold and determined.

The Kobold spat a curse but said nothing, evident terror in its eyes.

Sinclair looked back at Rose and Ed, satisfaction in his eyes. They had acted flawlessly, executing their plan with precision. Now, they had a captive and a chance to uncover vital information about the mine and what lay deeper within.

They dragged the Kobold miner further back the way they had come, pulling the monster out of the magic trap that Ed had put in place. Sinclair removed some rope and tied the Kobold up before quickly heading back up the tunnel. Setting it down, he turned to the Kobold and said, "I know you can understand me, just as I can understand you. Tell us what we need to know, and you'll stay here tied up and gagged instead of being killed."

While Sinclair spoke to the Kobold in a strange, guttural tongue neither Rose nor Ed could understand, they exchanged glances.

Ed's brow furrowed as he kept his eyes on the odd exchange. "Umm… any idea when he learned how to do that?"

Rose kept her gaze mainly on Sinclair's back, though she periodically swept her eyes up and down the tunnel, wary of any movement. "He has that skill, Skald's Tongue," she answered quietly. "I'd imagine that's what we're seeing. Still… strange to watch it in action."

Her words trailed off as they both returned their attention to Sinclair, watching the scene unfold with curiosity and caution.

The Kobold glared at Sinclair and, in a guttural, halting voice, demanded that Sinclair make an oath that he would not kill him if he talked.

"You make oath, you no-kill. I talk."

Sinclair reluctantly agreed, and immediately, a system message appeared, witnessing the oath. He was momentarily taken aback, forgetting that words had absolute power.

New Oath: Oath of Mercy

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Description: You have vowed to spare the life of the Kobold Nurk in exchange for his cooperation and answers to your questions.

Failure Penalty:

Loss of a random title

Loss of skill experience

The Kobold seemed to relax slightly; its eyes were still filled with suspicion and a glimmer of hope. "You swear, human, so I speak. What you want to know?"

Sinclair kept his voice calm, his gaze locked on the trembling Kobold. He spoke in a tongue unfamiliar to Rose and Ed—sharp, fluid, and full of clipped consonants that didn't resemble any human dialect.

The Kobold flinched at the first word, then cautiously replied in the same harsh language, its voice low and uneven. The exchange flowed rapidly between them, growing more intense with each sentence. The creature's hands twitched where they were bound, its eyes flicking nervously to the tunnels behind them.

Ed leaned toward Rose, his voice pitched low. "You understanding any of this?"

Rose shook her head. "Not a word. That's not English, and it's not anything I've ever heard before. Has to be that skill he mentioned… Skald's Tongue, I think?"

"Right," Ed muttered, watching Sinclair closely. "Well, it's unsettling hearing them chirp and growl back and forth and not know if they're about to strike a deal or kill each other."

The Kobold's final response came in a rush, its voice cracking with fear. Sinclair nodded once, his face unreadable, and replied with a short phrase that made the creature freeze in place. He stepped back, glancing at the ropes binding the Kobold, then turned to rejoin the others.

"Anything useful?" Ed asked as Sinclair approached.

"Plenty," Sinclair said. "This mine runs deeper than we thought—magic crystals everywhere. Gralk, their king, has them digging nonstop. Traps and guards everywhere. He's gathering weapons, maybe more. Planning something big, but even this one doesn't know the full scope."

Rose frowned. "Wait… so you understood all of that? Just like that?"

Sinclair nodded. "Skald's Tongue. Lets me speak and understand native languages… apparently fluently."

"Well," Ed said, raising an eyebrow, "it sounded like you were growling at each other and having a diplomatic meeting at the same time."

Sinclair grunted. "Wasn't far off."

"Right," Ed replied. "You going to translate as we go, or should we just keep guessing which grunts mean 'run' and which mean 'trap ahead'?"

"I'll keep you informed," Sinclair said dryly. "Let's move. We've stirred enough dust down here already."

Without further delay, they fell into formation. Sinclair took the lead, Rose at his flank, and Ed bringing up the rear. The tunnel stretched forward in its familiar, oppressive darkness, the rough walls closing around them. Until now, there had been no branches, just a single, unbroken corridor. But as they pressed deeper, they came upon a narrow side passage veering off to the right, its shadowed entrance gaping like an open maw.

Sinclair gestured towards it, his eyes narrowing. "Let's take that way, so we're leaving nothing at our backs."

The trio moved cautiously down the narrow tunnel, the rough walls and dim lighting making their journey slow and arduous. Every footfall and scrape of their armor was amplified in the close space, and they tried to make as little noise as possible.

"I don't like this," Rose muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Feels like we're walking into a trap."

The tunnel twisted and turned, and it wasn't long before they stumbled upon a chamber filled with the soft glow of magical crystals. The room was littered with mining tools, and the crystals jutted out from the walls, floor, and ceiling in an almost surreal display of geometric beauty.

"Look at this," Ed breathed, his eyes wide as he examined one of the crystals. "These must be what the Kobold was talking about."

Sinclair approached one of the larger crystals, his senses tingling with a strange energy that seemed to emanate from it. "They're powerful, no doubt about that. But how are they being used? And what exactly is Gralk planning?"

Before anyone could respond, a sudden noise echoed through the chamber. They all turned to see a hidden door slide open, revealing a group of armed Kobolds, their eyes filled with malicious intent.

"It's a trap!" Ed yelled just as the Kobolds charged, weapons raised.

Sinclair's heart pounded as he drew his ax. The question of what lay more profound within the mine and what Gralk's true intentions were would have to wait.

From the small entrance flowed out multiple Kobolds. Everyone wore ratty armor, and some carried tools while others had weapons. Twenty of them were grouped into four pods of five. Sinclair's Valkyrie's Gaze showed that they ranged in levels from 41 to 45.

Rose and Ed backed up a little to give themselves some casting room. Sinclair quickly took command, barking out orders over chat. I'm going to leap behind them and cast Wild Shout. They'll turn to me. Ed cast Root on one pod and give me some working room. Rose, focus on burning the ones he pins down."

His plan was laid out, and the three prepared for battle, their faces set with determination. The Kobolds were unaware of the plans, but that would change soon. It was time to strike.

As soon as Sinclair took his first step, all the Kobolds' eyes focused on him. They must not have good eyesight. He thought as he triggered Leap, soaring over the top of them. Misjudging his strength, he hit the wall behind him, making a mental note to train that skill more later. He triggered Wild Shout, watching as all twenty Kobolds turned towards him and hefted their weapons.

As the Kobolds advanced, Sinclair caught sight of a pod on his left suddenly ensnared by Ed's spell, roots twisting up from the ground to immobilize them. Turning his attention to the remaining pods, Sinclair hefted his large axe and began channeling Cleave. The weapon glowed faintly as he charged the attack, focusing on creating the most expansive arc possible. As the Kobolds closed in, he unleashed the skill. The mighty swing sent the creatures sprawling, their bodies slamming against the cavern walls. Some groaned in pain, their weapons clattering to the ground, but none were fatally injured.

Behind him, Rose's voice rose steadily as she focused on the Kobolds wielding the more dangerous weapons. Her hands moved in deliberate motions as she chanted, the air around her shimmering faintly with magic. Sinclair could hear the hum of her spell building, though none of the creatures had fallen yet.

The tunnel echoed with clashing metal as Sinclair's axe swung in precise arcs. Each blow deflected the crude weapons of the Kobolds, their strikes bouncing off his blade or missing him entirely as he kept their attention locked on him. The quick and resourceful Kobolds countered his attacks with surprising tenacity, forcing him to maintain his relentless assault.

Ed spotted an opening and advanced on the group he had rooted earlier. With his mace gripped tightly, he swung with calculated force, the heavy weapon crashing into the Kobolds' defenses. The creatures scrambled to recover, their movements frantic as they attempted to fend him off, but the sudden assault left them vulnerable and exposed.

Rose's chanting reached its peak as she completed her spell. With a final, fluid motion, an orb of ice, jagged with sharp spikes, materialized before her and shot forward with deadly precision. The frozen projectile struck a sword-wielding Kobold square in the chest, eliciting a shrill screech as it stumbled back. Upon impact, the orb exploded, sending shards of ice outward. Two nearby Kobolds cried out as the jagged spikes tore into them, leaving them bloodied and struggling to maintain their footing.

The tide of the battle shifted, the air thick with the sounds of combat and the determination of the group to hold their ground.

In a whirlwind of strikes and maneuvers, Sinclair brought down two more Kobolds, his axe biting deep into their flesh. His triumph was short-lived, though, as one of the remaining Kobolds thrust a sword into his thigh. Pain seared through him, but he gritted his teeth and pushed on until he took a spear in his side, causing him to lose his wind for a few seconds as he reached over, jerking it out.

Meanwhile, Ed killed one of the Kobolds and quickly backed up to reapply his root spell, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he muttered the incantations. Rose's magical assault continued unabated, her spells raining down on their enemies, keeping them off balance and on the defensive. Aiming off to the side of Sinclair, she vocalized the trigger word for Infernal Gale. Sudden wind laced with streaks of fire cycloned out from her and streaked forward, slamming into the back of the Kobold line, dropping four of the more wounded creatures.

With eleven of the twenty Kobolds now dead, the remaining nine were rattled. They began to edge back toward the tunnels from which they had come, their eyes darting nervously.

Sinclair, sensing their fear, triggered Wild Shout again. The remaining Kobolds turned to him, their eyes filled with rage and desperation, intent on taking him down.

His axe was charged, humming with energy, and he swung it with all his might. Unleashing Cleave, he cut through three more of the injured Kobolds, their bodies collapsing to the ground in a spray of blood.

With just six left, the team moved swiftly to dispatch them. The final Kobolds fought with the ferocity of cornered animals.

The echoing clash of weapons subsided, leaving the tunnel in heavy stillness. As Sinclair shifted, a sharp sting in his leg reminded him of the price they'd paid. The dim light caught the gleam of the blade embedded in his thigh. I do not like getting stabbed.

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