Chapter 90: Miner (2)

Jake didn't think he was in the basement but in a cave.

At the feet of this new world was a bottomless mouth of darkness. Jake could make up the jagged floor and rough walls of this corridor. Hanging above them were salacities, like the monster's sharp teeth.

The air was different, too.

It was fresh, yet so different Jake couldn't find proper words to describe it.

"I forgot to introduce myself," the man next to Jake smiled, "I'm Saku! Nice to meet ya!"

"I'm Archer," Jake nodded, "Likewise."

The men shook their hands. It was a short contest of strength, which Jake quickly noticed and participated in. He exerted enough strength for a low-level player that Saku's smile widened in response.

He opened the shelf nestled in a groove in the wall and took out two helmets.

Those were yellow, with a magic flashlight orb protruding in the middle. Using them through the game system was easy, so there weren't any tricks for them.

Next were clothes.

There wasn't any requirement for them, so Jake could put them on without any problem.

The clothes were typical workwear, black in color. Yellow stripes ran through the sleeves, back, chest, and pants. Those stripes were a product of magic and alchemy that Jake could turn on to make them shine—the purpose of those stripes was similar to a high-visibility vest.

Boots, however, were a real surprise to Jake!

The rough boots didn't make any sound. When he looked at their description, he found out that magical crests were in them, preventing any crunching sound! It was an amazing feature that stirred Jake's crafting senses.

'I wonder when I will learn to add various attributes and passive skills to my equipment... I want this silent step to be one of them! It should work so well in Joker Form!' Jake thought.

"Our clothes suit ya!" Saku exclaimed, "Anything suits handsome men."

Jake dismissively waved his hand, "I'd not call myself handsome. A little above average, I guess?"

"More belief in yourself, mate!" Saku grinned and replied before turning serious. "Since ya have skipped a few important steps, I'll explain from the start. We, miners, face dangers! A few old and retired miners have had felt more hazards than soldiers of the empire! I am not joking!"

Jake commented, "It's similar to my perception skill."

Saku exclaimed, "Oh! Ya have already learned that?"

Jake nodded, "Yes."

"Awesome!" Saku didn't hide his surprise and elation. Jake wasn't sent here because of the receptionist's blunder! He really had what it takes to be a good and efficient miner! "Alright! Here's your pickax! I'll follow ya around for now.

You need a miner's proficiency first."

Jake grasped the pickax's handle.

He peeked at the description and noticed it was enhanced to help anyone pick up a miner's proficiency faster. It was an excellent learning stuff.

Jake stepped over the threshold of the safe zone and headed inside the abyss.

The miner's helmet's flashlight blew away the darkness ahead of him in a cone. It took barely any mana, so keeping it activated for a long time was fine. The suit also didn't take much mana.

Jake noticed the first ore and got to work.

A new, pleasant sound of his pickax striking the ore resounded in his ears. It was much different than cutting a tree but engaging all the same.

'Maybe Master is right, and I'm a masochist,' Jake chuckled.

After some time, Jake noticed the first system message.

[You have learned the miner's proficiency—Beginner(I)]

The second ore took Jake a little less time because of it.

The new grind began!

The new journey started!

Jake's eyes shone with excitement.