Chapter 15, What people do for money

On the morning of the 10th, after finishing breakfast, Owen set out for the mine whose location he had discovered the day before through the guild. The mine was situated approximately 30 kilometers into the rugged terrain of the Pavae Mountain range.

Owen's goal was to extract a unique material known as black obsidian. Despite its name, black obsidian is not a mundane volcanic glass but rather a magical substance prized for its extraordinary properties. It is commonly used to enhance and fortify gear, thanks to its resilient nature, and plays a crucial role in the purification of metals, as it possesses an inherent ability to remove impurities effectively.

Before heading to the Pavae Mountains, Owen made a quick stop at Don's to purchase a basic pickaxe. It was a simple, unassuming tool, but Owen had plans to transform it into something far more extraordinary. Once he left the shop and began his journey to the mountains—a trip that would take roughly 30 minutes—he decided to enhance the pickaxe using magical enchantments.

First, he imbued it with earth magic to significantly boost its durability, ensuring it could withstand the strain of mining even the toughest materials. Next, he added wind magic to reduce its weight, making it incredibly light—approximately 1 kilogram—without compromising its strength.

Finally, Owen inscribed a series of intricate magical notes onto the pickaxe. These notes allowed him to channel fire magic into each strike, amplifying the power of every impact by nearly fivefold. This combination of enchantments transformed an ordinary pickaxe into an exceptional mining tool, and as a bonus would train his magic levels and mana stat.

With the enchantments complete, the timing was perfect as they arrived at the mine's entrance. Owen stepped off the carriage, taking in the sight of the rugged terrain and the promise of untapped riches within. Turning to the driver, he thanked him for the smooth ride and handed over the fare with gratitude. The driver acknowledged with a nod before guiding the horses to begin their journey back toward the city, their steady hoofbeats fading into the distance as Owen stood before the mine, ready to embark on his task of mining for black obsidian.

Before stepping into the mine, Owen was alerted by the system of a new skill that had just become available. Intrigued, he immediately opened the notification to learn more about it. The skill, called "Scan," was exactly what he needed. It enabled him to input the specific object he was searching for and then initiate a wide-ranging scan, covering up to a 1-kilometer radius. Recognizing its immense utility, Owen didn't hesitate to purchase the skill.

Afterward, Owen decided to allocate the rest of his resources to upgrading his stats. He focused on enhancing his strength, increasing it from 2 to 5, which consumed all of his remaining energy and made all his muscles flex with strength. With these upgrades complete, Owen activated the scan and eagerly watched as the system highlighted multiple hits for black obsidian scattered throughout the area below. Seeing the numerous pings confirming the material's presence filled him with determination. Without wasting another moment, he descended into the mine, ready to uncover and claim every last fragment of this valuable magical resource.

Upon entering the mine, Owen cast a ray of light to illuminate his surroundings. The hallways stretched before him, measuring 4 meters wide (approximately 12 feet) and 3 meters high (around 9 feet). Their dimensions created an imposing yet navigable space, the echoes of his footsteps reverberating through the endless stone corridors.

Relying on the results of his earlier scan, Owen moved purposefully through the labyrinth of hallways, following the path that led toward the obsidian deposit. The journey seemed endless, each turn blending into the next, until he finally arrived at the section of the wall concealing the valuable material.

With determination, Owen hefted his newly-forged pickaxe and struck the wall with precision, breaking through the stone barrier. As the debris cleared, the obsidian revealed itself—a striking black, glassy surface glinting in the light. Its appearance was almost mesmerizing, a testament to its rarity and allure.

Owen approached carefully, fully aware of the material's fragility. Using a steady hand and measured force, he began extracting the obsidian, striving to remove it in the largest intact chunk possible. Preserving its integrity was crucial, as unbroken obsidian—known as True Black Obsidian—retained its mana, preventing it from seeping out. In this unbroken state, the material commanded a significantly higher value, often 10 to 15 times more than its fragmented counterpart. The task required patience and precision, but the reward of retrieving such an exceptional piece was well worth the effort.

After approximately five minutes of careful effort, Owen successfully extracted the entire 9.8-kilogram piece of True Black Obsidian. Its flawless, unbroken state glistened under the faint light, a testament to the precision and care Owen employed during the process. Knowing its immense value, Owen promptly stored the valuable material within his secure storage space to protect it from harm or mana leakage.

With the first piece safely stowed away, Owen resumed the meticulous procedure, systematically working through the remaining sections of the deposit. The process required unwavering focus and measured force as he continued to carefully extract each piece of obsidian while striving to maintain their integrity. Hours passed as Owen toiled within the confined corridors of the mine, sweat steadily accumulating from the physical exertion and the heat generated by his unrelenting efforts.

After nearly fourteen hours of repetitive labor, Owen finally completed the task. Exhausted and drenched in sweat, he could feel the toll the effort had taken on his body. His shirt, now soaked and clinging uncomfortably, was no longer serving any practical purpose. With a decisive motion, he removed it, revealing the defined contours of his physique—strengthened and refined through his stat increases. The brief respite allowed him to appreciate not only the fruits of his labor but also the physical resilience he had gained from the system.

After completing the arduous task of extracting the True Black Obsidian, Owen began his journey back to the surface. The ascent through the winding mine corridors was uneventful, though the echo of his footsteps against the stone walls served as a steady rhythm, breaking the silence. Emerging into the open air, Owen felt a profound sense of relief as the natural light bathed his surroundings, contrasting sharply with the dim glow of the mine.

Owen started the trek back to the city, the path quiet and undisturbed, with no signs of monsters or threats. The lack of conflict felt like a small victory in itself. As he neared the city's gates, Owen quickly pulled his shirt back on. It was essential to adhere to societal norms, as walking shirtless in the bustling streets would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention and perhaps even disapproval. Restored to an acceptable appearance, he passed through the gate unchallenged, the city's familiar hum welcoming him.

Once inside, Owen's first stop was his estate, where he took the opportunity to refresh himself. After hours of labor and travel, his body was coated in sweat and dust, the toll of mining evident. A quick shower washed away the grime, and Owen donned a fresh set of clothes, feeling revitalized and prepared for the next task.

Refreshed and ready, Owen headed to the guild to deliver his haul. Asa greeted him upon his arrival, her usual composed demeanor unwavering as she escorted him to the warehouse Owen had grown so accustomed to. Together, they began the process of unloading the ore Owen had painstakingly mined. The weight of his efforts was tangible as the gleaming chunks of True Black Obsidian were carefully placed for inspection.

Asa diligently weighed and calculated the total mass of the obsidian. When she finished, she looked up, her expression uncharacteristically stunned. The final tally was an astounding 5,684.32 kilograms of pristine True Black Obsidian. Asa's surprise was evident as she remarked on the rarity of such a find. Most black obsidian received by the guild was of the standard, fractured variety, its mana already seeping out and its value greatly diminished. In stark contrast, Owen's haul consisted entirely of untouched True Black Obsidian, its unbroken state preserving both its integrity and immense worth.

After her initial shock, Asa promptly left to summon the guild leader, as this transaction far exceeded the scale of Owen's previous sales and required his personal approval. Ten minutes later, she returned, accompanied by a man who appeared to be around forty years old. However, during their exchange, Owen later discovered that he was nearing eighty—a detail that added to his aura of experience and authority. He introduced himself as Caleb Jefferson, his voice steady and commanding, yet laced with a hint of intrigue.

After their introductions, Caleb's eyes fell upon the towering stacks of glass-like True Black Obsidian, their gleaming surfaces reflecting the faint light in mesmerizing patterns. He chuckled softly, clearly impressed by the magnitude and quality of the haul before him. His reaction conveyed both admiration and disbelief at the rarity of such a find.

Without hesitation, Caleb posed a question: did Owen truly intend to sell all of the obsidian? Owen assured him that his goal was to sell the bulk of it, reserving only 50 kilograms for personal use—a detail Asa had already accounted for, having separated Owen's personal share from the larger stacks. With this clarification, Caleb nodded thoughtfully, and his expression shifted to one of professional consideration.

Caleb then outlined the terms of the sale. The guild would purchase the regular black obsidian at the current rate of 981 Thal per kilogram and the True Black Obsidian at an exceptional price of 1 Ran and 2,263 Thal per kilogram. After accounting for the standard 5% sales fee, the total payment amounted to an astonishing 6,622 Ran and 1,476 Thal—a sum that left even Caleb slightly impressed as he calculated the figures. He informed Owen that he would need to accompany him to his office to finalize the transaction and collect his payment.

Once in his office, the exchange was completed swiftly and without issue, the weight of the coins a tangible reward for the grueling hours Owen had spent mining and extracting the precious material. With the transaction concluded, Owen felt a sense of satisfaction that was equal parts exhaustion and pride.

As Owen departed the guild, the physical toll of fourteen hours of intense labor finally caught up with him. His journey home was marked by fatigue, each step heavier than the last. Upon arrival, Owen treated himself to a quick dinner and a much-needed shower, the warmth of the water washing away the remnants of sweat and dirt. Finally, Owen collapsed onto his bed, his muscles aching and his mind succumbing to the overwhelming pull of sleep. Within moments, he drifted into unconsciousness, the events of the day fading into the void of restful slumber.