Chapter 100: Spelunking

Words : 1229 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 100: Spelunking Three newly minted miners and one aspiring supervisor slash ore detector discovered how to get rich overnight. None of them knew what to expect, especially Ollie, who couldn’t detect ores and had no idea that an entire mine could exist in a spatial dimension. Technically, it couldn’t, but since when was this Dungeon a normal space? Luca knew about the resources found in each dungeon, and the higher the level of the dungeon, the better the resources. He just didn’t expect this one to keep everything intact after being cleared. In fact, it was so intact that even life forms could be preserved, but that was for a different time. More pressing was Ollie’s project submission, which dictated his right to stay in the academy. Luca knew better than to expect to find anything by the mouth of the cave and decided to go spelunking based on D-29’s directions. It was a decision that would eventually change the lives of several people and a few civilizations. Meanwhile, Ollie decided he was willing to live there. Right there in that cave, fully accepting the dew, the darkness, and the money. Luca, on the other hand, just copied his brother’s reaction. If Ollie looked elated, then there must be something to smile about! The little money grubber wasn’t actually that sure about what was on there. Especially since the lecture he got earlier depicted the processed ingots and not exactly the raw ore counterparts. "Are these good enough for your project?" Luca asked, hopeful this time around. "Good enough?! You’re asking if they’re good enough?! Ha!" Ollie was practically getting taller as he spoke. "Luca, if my project cannot get a good grade with these materials, you might as well bury me with the ores!" The blonde pounded on his chest, which surprised the waiting Luca. "Oh no, Ollie! I don’t think the ores would like that one bit!" Luca dissuaded Ollie, who had some questionable plans. Well, technically, there was one that would, but it was rather picky, thought D-29. When Sid heard this, he wondered if it was okay to stay with this crazy bunch, but as a mecha with a master to follow, he was bound to stay, whether he liked it or not. But maybe he was going to like it more than expected. "Host, I detect the presence of Nanite Ore, but it’s far deeper into the cave!" Luca had to ask D-29 about specifics, "Is that an important ore?" "Host, it’s the one used for self-repairing armors and systems. If I am right, it should be an important material for Sid." "Wow! And you’re saying we have some here? Where do I go to look for it?" D-29 depicted a path so narrow that it was definitely impossible for the mecha to follow. Even Ollie, who wasn’t as slender as the undernourished Luca, would likely find it difficult to squeeze in! "Host, maybe we should wait to save up for the appropriate tools so we can excavate this properly." D-29 realized that the calculations were just cold numbers that didn’t consider the identity of the miner. It was obvious that just getting there would be a stretch for the Host, and it would likely be wiser to prepare better for this kind of operation. Luca considered D-29’s concerns but just now remembered how battered Sid was after dealing with the ancient spider. He never thought that it would be like this where the damage couldn’t be fixed using conventional means. "Will getting a few be enough to at least fix him up?" "Yes, Host, but we would also have to figure out just how to process the ores into repair materials." D-29 knew from the very beginning that this would require someone with enough knowledge and a lot of spiritual power. Now, they clearly don’t have enough knowledge, but they surely have more than enough power! "Then I’ll go get some! The sooner we get this, the sooner we can fix the damage!" It was a matter of principle for Luca. The small cuts and bruises may not be deadly, but they stung more than necessary. And it surely hurt more whenever he was made aware that medicine was available, just not available to him. So, Luca figured it would be a risk he was willing to take just so someone wouldn’t end up in the same situation. And this was his space, so what could go wrong? Well, shit. No one pointed out that these nano organisms have deep-seated grievances against miners. The instructions were generally simple: avoid direct physical contact. The problem with such a rare material was the lack of information. Nanite Ores, a vital upgrade component, had long been depleted due to rampant mining and was something that Sid never thought he’d hear about again. So when Luca used his usual protective gear, he was surprised to find it disintegrating, or more like being consumed by these nano organisms. And it was actually about to eat into his hands if not for his reflex reaction to erect a barrier of spiritual power the moment the protective gear gave way. He would surely get blisters, but it seems like he found a way to grab the raw ore without losing a few fingers. But Sid and D-29, who were always connected to Luca’s sea of consciousness, saw what had just happened. The imagery was more gruesome than what it actually was, as the spiritual barrier was only erected after a few wounds had opened up. D-29 wanted to abandon the whole thing and was again scared out of its wits, but Luca, it’s Daredevil of a Host, just pushed on even with all those injuries. Sid could not understand why someone would go to such lengths. But Luca’s sea of consciousness had been calm and collected; he had no anger or blame. He was just genuinely doing his best to mine that blasted ore. "I got it!" Luca shouted, immediately transferring whatever he could detach into the system inventory. "D-29, do you think we have enough to fix at least the worst scrapes?" Luca asked as he checked for any remnants before releasing the energy barrier. However, D-29 couldn’t really respond; it was overwhelmed by what just happened. The incident was a wake-up call. The little system had a few plans, but D-29 figured they needed to be executed as soon as possible. And for that, he would need this guardian mecha, who was equally dumbfounded. Sid remained silent, but behind that was a revision of code as its ingrained concept of loyalty was challenged. Getting back was a lot of Ollie screeching at Luca like a mother hen for not even calling him to assist in that suicidal mission. But Luca just grinned back at his angry brother, who was seriously threatening to tell on him for today’s stunt! What would’ve happened if no one else saw him? Ollie shuddered in fear and figured he needed more babysitters to ensure that his brother could keep on seeing the next days. But Ollie didn’t have to do that because a bigger mother hen was waiting for them when Luca and Ollie stepped out of the dungeon. And all Sid could do was hide in some corner as it was not his desire to rat his new master out!

Chapter 100: Spelunking

Comments (0)