Clanging metal echoes. A pot struck with a spoon.
The noise tears the kids from their stupor. They're curled up, too close together, like a couple that aged too soon.
Hitaru sits up first. The sound still vibrates in his chest.
When he looks around, he can only make out silhouettes. People getting up slowly, clumsy, just as lost as he is. No one speaks. No one seems fully awake.
Then he turns his head.
He sees the legs of yesterday's pet, right behind him.
His body reacts before his mind. He jumps, his heart leaping into his throat, like something snapped inside.
—Give some warning you're here… you almost gave me a heart attack—he says, then stops.
He sees her bruised face.
—What happened to you…? Did he do this to you?—he asks, with concern he doesn't try to hide, as he tries to stand.
Pain cuts through him.
A sharp spike in his chest forces him to stop halfway.
Damn goblin… they really do hit hard.
—Don't worry about me…
—Hitaru. That's my name. And yours?
—Héctor, but call me Mantown. That's the name of my channel—he replies, extending a hand to help him up.
—Your channel…? Are you a bearer?—he asks curiously, taking the help. As he gets to his feet, he looks down again.
The girl is still asleep.
—Yeah. But I barely get any views. Getting captured by goblins and failing to escape doesn't help, you know?
—I imagine… I wouldn't watch a slave's life either if it wasn't interesting…—he stops when he notices Mantown's annoyed expression—. I didn't say anything. What are we doing now?
—Well, you and the other slaves… in a bit you'll be going to the mine to dig.
—And the girl? What's going to happen to her?—he interrupts, his voice tight.
—I was getting to that. She'll help with the injured female slaves, cook, things like that. Nothing will happen to her—he says, then adds sarcastically—. Being challenged, for some reason, their orc ancestry doesn't allow them to break their "bravery."
Before they can keep talking, a bell rings in the distance.
Hitaru turns his head. The sound comes from the cabin.
Then he lowers his gaze.
A dozen armed guards enter the enclosure, shoving bodies, lining up slaves without looking them in the face.
—What's going on…?—the girl asks, still half asleep.
—You'll have to work—Mantown replies, making air quotes with his fingers.
—They won't hurt you. Mantown assured me—Hitaru says, helping her stand.
—Take your jacket…
—I don't need it. Keep it—he replies, nodding.
—Alright, lovebirds, I'm leaving before they beat me again. Just don't do anything stupid—he says, waving goodbye.
—Love what…?
—Ignore him—Hitaru cuts in—. Hey… what's your name? You never told me.
—My name is Layla…
—Damn slaves! Gather now, unless you want me to kill you right here!
The shout cuts through the air.
Hitaru and Layla turn in unison. The goblin who spoke wears purple and black robes, far too big for his small body. They hang off him as if he were wearing a dead man's clothes.
Without a word, both walk toward the entrance.
The goblin gives orders in his language. When he finishes, the guards move.
One drags Hitaru by the arm. Another does the same with Layla.
—Easy, let go… I can walk—Hitaru says.
He's ignored.
They separate them. Men to one side. Women to the other.
No one protests. No one speaks.
They're herded through fences like those of a stable. Each is given a pickaxe and a backpack. Hitaru tries to speak to the men beside him.
No one answers.
Empty stares. Faces that have already given up.
They're led to a nearby mine. It's only a few minutes' walk. The entrance is dark, guarded by more goblins behind a counter piled with papers.
They receive documents one by one.
When it's Hitaru's turn, he takes it without understanding.
He reads as he walks.
Daily quota:
[15 ultra-basic mana stones]
[10 mega-low mana stones]
[5 low mana stones]
[1 Lotus crystal]
[1 Margo crystal]
What is this…? How am I supposed to get something I don't even understand?
—Hey, kid. Move—whispers a man behind him.
—Sorry… I don't understand what this is—
—Lower your voice—warns the old man—. You don't want a whipping. Trust me… they're not pretty.
Hitaru falls silent.
Later, when the guards move away, he turns to the old man. They speak in low voices. He learns the basics.
Mana stones. Color. Purity. The quota.
If they fail: whippings. If they cause a cave-in: death.
Strangely, Hitaru feels something warm. Something he hasn't felt since childhood. With this old man, the world feels a little less hostile.
He doesn't leave his side.
They start mining.
Each strike burns his palm. The hole in his hand bleeds. Even so, he doesn't stop.
Fear weighs more than pain.
Hours pass.
He doesn't even reach half his quota.
—Damn it, old man—he whispers—. Does it always take this long? My hand hurts like never before…
—Shut up and keep going—he replies without looking—. Unless you want punishment.
Hitaru lowers his gaze.
Then he sees it.
A small stone, round, smooth. About the size of a ping-pong ball.
He touches it.
A floating window appears in front of his face.
He startles and drops it.
—You okay?—the old man asks.
—Yeah… yeah. I'm fine.
What the hell was that…?
Curiosity wins.
He picks it up again.
The window reappears.
* Welcome, Hitaru.
I am a mana stone. I will help you see your physical and mental statistics. I will be your energy and your mana… *
He doesn't get to read more.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a guard approaching.
Panic floods him.
He has no pockets. Nowhere to hide it.
He looks at the stone. He looks at his wounded hand.
They're the same size.
He doesn't think.
He pushes the stone into the wound.
The pain is unbearable. Blood gushes out. The stone burns, as if it's scorching him from the inside.
He hides his hand just as the goblin arrives.
Don't notice. Please… don't notice.
The goblin stretches out his hand—
A thunderous crash shakes the mine.
Screams. The ground trembles.
A cave-in…? Am I going to die buried…?
—Watch out, kid!—the old man shouts.