The morning sun poured through the warped shutters of the little room they had rented. Yoshiya blinked awake first, listening to the low hum of the common room below and the clatter of pots from the kitchen. Beside him, Omina rolled over and groaned softly, burying her face under the blanket.
"Up," Yoshiya said, voice still rough from sleep. "We need to be at the guild early."
Omina groaned again but dragged herself up. After washing quickly at the basin, they headed down to the inn's common room. The smell of barley porridge and fried root vegetables greeted them, warm and familiar. The innkeeper, already busy polishing mugs, reminded them, "Two silver fifty each for the room and breakfast, same as yesterday."
Yoshiya laid down five silver coins for the pair, and Omina counted hers carefully before handing over her portion.
"Let's see… after paying, I have about fourteen silver and sixty copper left in my pouch," she muttered, glancing at the remaining coins. "Better not spend any more than we need."
Breakfast was quick but filling—dark bread, a wedge of cheese, and stewed beans. They left the inn feeling ready for the day ahead, the morning air of Korvath crisp and tinged with the scent of stone and pine.
At the Korvath guild outpost, a small crowd of adventurers moved between the counters, scribes hunched over ledgers, and notices fluttered in the breeze. Yoshiya found the listing for a **mining escort mission at the Cave of Fukosei**. The miners had been harassed by earth moles and the rare queen variants, and they sought protection.
"We can also collect any rare ores or claws we find," Yoshiya explained.
"That could come in handy," Omina said, giving her pouch a reassuring pat.
They approached the counter. The clerk confirmed the quest and reminded them of the dangers: five normal earth moles and two queen-sized variants lurking in the tunnels.
"We'll need equipment," Yoshiya added.
"One silver each for the mining package—pickaxe, ration pouch, lantern," the clerk said.
Omina groaned. "One silver here, fifty copper in Reflynne… prices go up fast in big cities."
Yoshiya shrugged. "We'll earn it back."
They handed over the coins and accepted the supplies.
The path to the cave twisted through scrubby pines and outcrops of stone. Ahead, a massive man with a long beard, broad shoulders, and a rugged leather apron was standing next to a small cart of mining supplies.
"You must be Kuma," Yoshiya called.
The man turned, brushing his beard with a calloused hand. "That's me. You two must be the escort. I hear there have been monsters inside the cave. Can't have my miners running scared."
"We'll make sure they're safe," Yoshiya said. Omina simply nodded, hefting her sword.
"Good," Kuma said, giving them a long look. "Follow me and keep your eyes open."
The mouth of the Cave of Fukosei yawned like a dark mouth in the hillside. Miners fidgeted nervously near the entrance. Yoshiya and Omina positioned themselves at the front.
"Stay behind us until it's safe," Yoshiya instructed. The miners nodded, moving closer to Kuma, who hefted a massive pickaxe.
Lanterns flickered across the damp stone as they entered. The first tremor shook the floor, then five earth moles—creatures resembling enormous digging rodents with sharp, curved claws—burst from side tunnels.
Omina's short sword flashed. "Let's go!" she called.
Yoshiya planted his shield, raising a shimmering mana barrier. The first mole crashed into it, claws sparking. Omina danced around the creature, striking at its softer flanks. She pried loose a claw and slipped it into her pouch.
One by one, the remaining moles fell to her relentless strikes. Between attacks, she scooped up loose ores and small gemstones scattered around the cavern walls.
"Five down," she panted. "That's not even counting the queen variants."
Yoshiya nodded, keeping the barrier strong while monitoring the miners' positions.
A deep rumble vibrated through the cavern. Two enormous earth mole queens, armored in stone-like plating and bearing claws long enough to shred carts, emerged from deeper tunnels. The miners froze.
"Back!" Yoshiya shouted, bracing himself. He raised the shield just in time to intercept a strike from the first queen, sparks flying from the barrier.
Omina didn't hesitate. "Time to see what this Aura Blade can do!" Mana coursed along her sword, coating the edge with a blue shimmer. She dashed straight at the nearest queen, ignoring Yoshiya's shouts to fall back.
The battle stretched, a whirl of steel, claws, and sparks. Yoshiya held one queen at bay, mending small cuts with his heal spells while keeping the miners clear. Omina danced around the second, slashing, striking, and harvesting shards of ore and loose gemstones mid-fight.
"Got the claws!" she shouted over the roar of battle, slipping them into her pouch. "These are going to look great on the sword!"
After what felt like hours, both queens finally collapsed. Dust and pebbles rained from the ceiling. Omina panted, wiping sweat from her brow.
The miners quickly packed the remaining ore. They cheered when the last queen fell. "You two… unusual pair," Kuma said. "Woman fights upfront, man supports. Works better than expected."
Yoshiya helped the miners to the carts and protected them on the walk out. Omina counted the coins in her pouch.
"Start of the day: fourteen silver and sixty copper. Minus one silver for the mining package… plus six silver reward from Akira… minus two silver fifty for the inn last night… That leaves us at seventeen silver and ten copper each."
Yoshiya nodded. "Good work today."
Following Kokoro's directions, they found a modest stone building with a timber door and a painted sign: a lightning bolt over a mug of ale. Hammers rang from inside. They pushed open the door, and a broad man with wild hair looked up from his forge.
"I'm Tetsukichi Muramura," he said, grinning. "Best smith in Korvath. Armors, accessories, weapons—you name it. What can I do for you?"
Yoshiya placed the claws and gemstones on the counter. "We'd like to reinforce Omina's sword using these."
Tetsukichi's eyes gleamed. "Oooohhh! New sword from scratch—twenty silver. Enhancement of your existing blade—five silver. Sharpness, strength, and mana channeling guaranteed. Friends of Kokoro get a discount!"
Omina's eyes widened. "Five silver… that's… a lot."
"Worth it," Yoshiya said calmly.
Omina pulled out the coins, counting carefully. "Seventeen minus five… twelve silver and ten copper left." She tucked the pouch away.
"Return tomorrow morning," Tetsukichi said. "Your Aura Blade will last longer and strike harder."
They walked back through Korvath's streets, lights beginning to glow along the cobbles. Omina flexed her sore fingers and glanced at her pouch. "Twelve silver and ten copper left. Not too bad for today."
They found the same inn and rented a room for the night, paying **2 silver 50 copper each** again. Dinner was modest but hearty. Afterward, they opened the skill books they had purchased days earlier and began practicing quietly by lamplight—Omina tracing mana paths for her Aura Blade, Yoshiya rehearsing healing techniques.
Finally, Omina set the pouch on the table. "All accounted for. We're ready for whatever comes next."
Yoshiya nodded, and they settled into bed. Outside, Korvath's skyline loomed, promising new challenges and opportunities.