Xu Lin woke up groggy

 and began looking around.

 He was confused about what he was doing here or where

 he was and how he got there

 He was in a well lit clean spacious room lying on a

 cosy bedroll

 He looked around trying to put his finger on where

 he was and what he was doing here but the place started

 to confuse him even more.

it was as if

 He was almost forgetting about something important.

 He could feel stressed as he began thinking hard 

Suddenly it came

to 

 back to him 

 The memory of the last few days came back to him

 his father the war his mother the looting enemy soldiers

 and then the running from home as they escaped the

 war and famine then he began 

remembering about the

 official soldiers that met them on the official road

 and how he was sold by them as a slave to some sect 

 And then he remembered he was not qualified to become

 a handyman and he was forced to work in the mines

 He curled up into a ball thinking about his father

 hoping he had found a place to stay and realizing that

 this was his life now he was going work to the bone

 in the mines and die here as well he was never going

back

 to meet his father ever again 

 He began crying silently cursing his fate as he lay

there sobbing quietly while tears rolled down his face.

A sudden noise of someone coughing brought him out of his reverie. 

He looked up as the two people walked in 

one of them was the boy he had seen yesterday the eyeless boy

Xu Lin felt scared as he looked at the empty eye sockets.

They were empty, 

 yet he could tell he was looking at him

 It was like staring into an abyss darker than the empty black that hid in his eyes 

 It was a darkness that was meant to consume, a vacuum that would see the end of everything.

Xu lin began shaking I fear 

 The other person was a tall girl with her long black hair tied behind her head

as she walked in followed by a boy

the boy was the same height as the girl but his hair was a little longer

this time he was wearing dirty sackcloth all over his body and he was wearing a Palin mask at the side of his head as did the girl 

the girl spoke up

"you need to get up now and get dressed up  we need to go"

the girl spoke calmly

she took a moment to look at Xu Lin as he sat on the bed with tears rolling down his cheeks

Xu Lin said nothing as he slowly stood up

and began looking around confused as to what to do next 

"there" the boy spoke up pointing in a certain direction 

 his voice was soft and low pitched completely mismatched with his scary appearance 

the voice was very feminine but also sounded rough as if he hadn’t spoken for a while.

Xu Lin was still confused but as he looked at the diffraction in which the boy was pointing he saw a pair of clothes neatly oiled up on a wooden table 

they were very similar to the girl's clothes 

he shakily made his way to the table to free up completely  giving in to his destiny 

..................................................

I couldn’t help but sneer as the hopefuls stepped into the square, 

 my facial  expression turned into one of disgust as each poor soul was given a small bag

that seemed to contain everything you would have needed during your life.

They were a motley bunch, to be sure. 

Only two of the eight were human as far as I could feel 

yesterday I had found a scrawny scared malnourished child standing in front of me he had soon fainted out if exhaustion 

I first checked on him to make sure he was alive

 then I ran out to find rain and ask who this kid was and how he got here 

then learned that new blood was being added to the mining camp 

as I looked at the eight newcomers I couldn't feel anything but disgust 

except for the scrawny kid, none of these was children or innocent for that matter 

two of the eight were humans but the rest were a variety of different races

there were the three beast race men one was a cat of some sort the other had the face of a snake while the third was part wolf

their skin tone varied depending on their species 

which was from light browns and reds to dark browns and blacks

each was accompanied by guards of varying heights and sizes

some of the guards looked bored others seemed eager to get going as they watched the eight hopefuls and listened to what they were saying

it was the usual shit 

there was a mistake he wasn't supposed to be here or some other 

 crap like that

I don't care either

"Why do they keep bringing up how innocent they were," I asked Lin Su who was standing next to me 

" be nice David they are just confused,"

 the mature pregnant woman said to me in a stern tone 

I looked at her bulging belly I had more than once asked her about her condition

but all I had got for my trouble was a savage ear pulling that hurt even when all my acupoints were running on overdrive

I mean what kind of baby did she conceive 

it was almost a year since I came here and the little buddy hadn't come out yet 

after a while I just accepted she wasn't human then the badge would be carried for a longer term than a normal human being baby 

I tried to concentrate on the newcomers instead of. her baby 

it had already eaten a huge chunk of my time 

it was useless to think about this topic when I couldn't get any additional information on it 

thankfully the other three of the newcomers  interesting 

the first one was the tallest dude amidst the litter 

he was as tall as the kandarians 

what distinguished him was that he and ash grey skin with a few scales protruding from his belly 

his arms were so thin and frail it would seem like he could pass a single punch off of me without breaking a sweat

his clothes were simple and clean but somehow seemed like they wouldn't fit correctly on his body

it wasn't until he moved that I noticed 

the dude had two heads like one in the front and one behind his back 

not two heads rather two faces

he literally had eyes at the back of his head as well as a mouth, a nose even an extra pair of two eyes

 holy shit 

I thought to myself

this dude is a freak

but he seemed harmless enough to me 

the second dude was a pretty normal white dude with giant red wings  that grew from his back

unlike the others, this fellow was smiling ear to ear like he was very happy and excited to be hear 

the last dude was the short 

I mean he was barely 4 feet tall  which seemed impossible considering his size but no one really cared about such trivialities 

it wasn't until he opened his mouth that I finally realized who he reminded me of

he reminded me of a certain lizardman...

the weirdo lizardman

but unlike all of those other lizards that were always on television

these lizard man lizards never had green stripes

he didn't look lizardfish or reptilian in any way.

 he looked  a bit more...feral

not to mention the army forms protruding from everywhere on him 

did he have horns down there too 

as my imagination went wild 

I looked at the newcomers for another minute or so before finally being bored enough 

I was happy today because  I had gotten my hands on some new clothes 

I was wearing a tunic, trousers, and shoes which I assumed had been made for a person of higher rank than the beggar

but whatever

I was ready to leave

"Where are we going," I said to the girls

"

long ago noticing rain who had sneaked up and stood close to Lin Su

" we will be going back to get some sleep as should you do," Lin Su said with a 'don't mess with me' tone

I just nodded 

"We have found a place for the boy he will be moved...........

" don't bother he will stay with me" I cut rain if as I made my way back to my place 

"I will take care of him," I said without looking back at the pair

the boy was very similar to me  in many ways

when I heard him call upon his parents in his sleep

I felt a chill run up my spine

I shook my head trying to banish those 

feelings as I reached my cave and went inside

......................................................................

Xu Lin used his iron prick to knock out the small stones of ore from the wall 

it had been a week since he came here to the mines 

big brother was the one who had led him inside the mines told him how and what to do and what not to do 

 

at first, he was  scared but then he slowly got used to the feeling as time passed

Xu Lin sighed as he continued to pick away the rocks from the walls 

After prying off seven or eight greenish more he began to pack his things and moved deeper into the mines as he entered another small hole in the wall 

he had soon realised he had a knack for finding his way around the mines so he asked big brother to go on his own today 

up till now, everything was going well 

Xu Lin once again turned into a small branch hole.

 This branch hole was not very deep.

after some time he reached the end of the mine 

 The surrounding walls were very full of the greenish ore

but It was wet, and the bottom of the mine was red mud mixed with some gravel, piled aside, 

Xu Lin dug a small hole with an iron pick at the highest point of the mine and put the kerosene lamp on it.

it was the most magical lamp he had ever seen 

it emitted no smoke smell or any fire that could be seen but it illuminated everything around him with a bright golden glow 

Xu lin looked like his hands shuddering for a moment then After thinking for a while, he showed a firm expression on his face, and then he took the iron pick, 

and began to dig up a hole 

　　The mud in the mine was very moist red mud, 

 along some gravel which was occasionally dug out of along with the mud.

 After half an hour of digging, a flat circular hole the size of a foot was dug out, 

Seeing the hole Xu lin showed a satisfied expression 

he then took his pickaxe and began digging 

After digging for two hours, Xu Lin looked at the dozen thumb-sized emerald ore in the bamboo basket.

 His face became a little ugly.

 After digging for so long, he had only dug out this small amount of ore 

if it continued like he won't be able to complete the task of 60 kg for the month 

Thinking about the miner who was whipped, Xiao Lin's face was a little pale

it was a terrible sight he thought

After gritting his teeth, Xu Lin continued to dig.

 He can only do his best to mine out the ore. If he really failed to deliver  the number of the ore for  tasks before the end of the month, 

then he will have to run. 

After all, in the primaeval forest, There is still a glimmer of hope to escape from the beast's mouth, 

 but if he was flogged dozens of times, there will be absolutely no hope for life.

In the silent mine, 

 there was only the sound of iron picks digging and Xu Lin’s gasping.

 After all, he was only twelve years old.

 In addition, he hadn't eaten enough for a long time, and his body was very thin. 

so After digging for two more hours, he Stopped breathlessly, he was hungry and exhausted 

he took out a food pill and cheer on it as he bitterly looked at the pitiful amount of ore in his basked 

Xu Lin sighed heavily but decided to head back now he would have figured something else or he would have asked for help from Big Brother 

he suffered as he thought about the big. brother 

he didn't know his name but for the last week, it was him who took care of him.

but even so every time he saw him he felt a lump in his throat as he watched the eyeless eyes that stared straight at him 

he was asked about his thoughts but he did not want to see that scared face with two pitch dark pits of darkness that scared him immensely 

his footsteps became heavy as he moved towards the exits contemplating what to do next 

even after he left the branch tunnel and entered the main tunnel  he still felt haunted by the eyes

Just judging from the current mining quantity, the hope of digging 50 kilograms of emerald gold ore in a month was very slim.

but he had no choice to continue to dig 

Although the days of mining in the cave were bitter, the time passed quickly. 

two weeks passed quickly.

 Xu Lin sweated profusely and put down the iron pick in his hand and shook his sore arms. , 

He turned his head and glanced at the bamboo basket this time it was half full 

he smiled bitterly at the basket 

he had barely hit the 60-kilogram mark a week before the end of the month 

he had continuously rigged in the mines like a mad man 

In the past ten days, 

he kept changing directions, 

he dug out at  five or six small branch holes, 

 and carefully collected every piece of the iron ore  

And finally,

his quota was almost full.

But it was not filled enough he knew the 

The longer the miner stayed in the mine the bigger target he would become 

He knew there were many ways he could finish digging faster than the time needed to bring all the ore together

he also knew about the drivers would come for him if he got his ore too quickly 

but he refused to let fear consume him he wouldn't lose it. He promised himself as he walked back home.

Xu Lin began of all the ways he could save himself from the attention of the briberies and big brother 

he did not want to 

 risk losing his chance  at a better future

he didn't want to lose his freedom

he couldn't afford the loss

after a while, he made a quick decision 

to submit the ore early 

then he happily skipped back to his cave. room 

The next day, he carried the bamboo basket and walked outside. 

Anyway, this month was nearly over 

. He wanted to hand in the task ahead of time to take a good rest for the rest of the free days, and sleep away into the day and take a bath 

After not taking a bath for a month, Xu Lin felt that he was about to start moulting.

on the way out of the mines, Xu lin was constantly looking around cautiously for any sudden danger that may come out of nowhere 

keeping his right hand in his robe tightly clutching the sharp dagger big brother had given him 

big brother had told him that it was normal for killings and looting to happen here 

the Kandarian guards wouldn't lift a finger to stop the violence so Xu lin had to protect himself because no one else would 

as he walked toward the exit he began missing Xiao Shi if he would have been here his strength would have double 

both of them had been living and playing together since they could crawl 

both of them had gone through much and they were inseparable.

He missed him more each day and he was glad that he was safe somewhere far away

He missed the feeling of being close to someone and having a warm smile on his face

He missed him as he continued walking. 

As he approached the exit 

the light balls began flickering and a dozen figures appeared out of nowhere 

Several figures approached Xu Lin.

in response, Xu lin raised his lamp at the group

 Xu Lin only saw them clearly when they stepped out of the flickering light and into the light of the lamp

Five people were blocking the way. 

The first one had a beard and almost covered the lower half of his face. 

A pair of triangular eyes kept turning, watching.

 When he arrived in front of Xu Lin, his beard suddenly split, revealing a mouth full of yellow teeth.

　　"Haha, finally someone came out with a decent haul." 

The other four people also had ferocious expressions on their faces as they snickered. 

The most important fact about these people as they all were adult miners. 

The leader seems to be forty years old, and the other three were rather young

maybe in their thirties.

　　"What do you... what do you want to do?" Xu Lin took a step back, his heart full of horror.

　　"What do we want to do? 

Boy, are you new here?

 Don't you even understand the basic rules?"

 A man next to the bearded miner walked up, patted Xu Lin's frightened pale face lightly, and smiled. Said.

　　"I just came here last month, there are...what are the rules?"

　　"Oh? It turned out to be really a baby, Wang Ji, tell this little brother about the rules of our No. 3  rule of the Pit gang ." The bearded miner grinned and said to the miner beside him.

　　Wang Ji was the miner who slapped Xu Lin’s face.

 He sneered when he heard that, and said to Xu Lin:

 "Boy, if you are lucky, you entered our mine. The No. 3 pit mine belongs to our pit gang. 

and we are subordinates of the site lord

for any miner to mine in our mine, he needs to pay one-third of his haul as taxes that is the normal practice 

　　"site lord?" Xu Lin was surprised. 

this was the first time he heard the term big brother never told. him about this practise 

Now when Wang Ji said it, he immediately became confused 

but Xu Lin understood one thing this was a robbery 

　　Wang Jishun grabbed the bamboo basket behind Xu Lin and weighed it with his hands. 

A surprised expression appeared on his face: 

"Ah, this kid is great 

 he can even complete this amount of load he is far better than many adult miners and he has just arrived. 

good job kid 

hey Xiang Jun see this"

wang Ji then passes the basket to the born man 

　　Hearing what Wang Ji said 

Xiang Kun was very surprised: 

"Your boy is really lucky, 

 he seems to be a good seedling

kid pay 20 kg of the ore as task and the pit gang would protect you from now on now get going 

　　Hearing Xiang Kun's words, Xu Lin's face turned pale and bloodless.

 Although these people did not snatch all of his ore, leaving only 30 kilograms meant for him to be subjected to twenty whips.

 Twenty whips can definitely kill him.

He looked up at several people, his eyes full of hatred.

　　"Pop." With a slap, Xu Lin staggered back several steps, his face aching fiercely.

　　"Boy, never look at me like that otherwise I will kill you right here" 

Xiang Kun said as he began playing with a short sword 

　　Xiao Lin was startled, he narrowed his eyed 

the hatred light in his eyes dimmed as he 

 sighed softly, gritted his teeth, and fell silent

　　"Good boy, you am quite capable of bending and stretching. I admire you very much, I appreciate it. 

but

The rules cannot be broken. Everyone has to pay 20 kilograms of ore risks per month. This is the bottom line if you want to cross it. There is only one way that is going to end with you becoming a corpse rotting in a corner of this mine "

Xu lin just shook his head 

" Can I go now?" he said while slipping his right hand in his robe 

"oh are hiding more ore wang Ji go and check him," Xiang Kun said.

Hearing that, Wang Ji walked forward.

speaking  Wang Ji walk towards him, Xu Lin stood motionless with a look of helplessness forming on his childish face 

wang Ji sneered at him as he approached Xu lin 

as he reached Xu Lin 

Xu lin just stepped forward and took out the sharp daggers and stabbed them in the leg of wang Ji 

a scream rang out and echoed 

 in the cave 

the other four men obediently rushed Xu lin 

Xiang Kun was the first to reach him as he came and kicked Xu lin straight in the middle of his chest 

causing him to fall back a few meters

while he landed on the ground, spitting up a mouthful of fresh blood from his mouth

He held the dagger tight between his fingers and used both legs to push himself away from the men 

he felt dismayed as he saw the savage expression of the men as threw out short swords and charged toward him 

he just closed his eyes waiting for the end 

.

Xu Lin was afraid.

he feared that after getting hit by the long swords and daggers thrown by the men

would end everything he lived for

He feared that he will lose his life

before ever finding his father again

as he waited for the dreaded blows he prayed 

he prayed for his father for Xiao shi and Xiao shi's sisters 

then he silently waited for his fate

but the attacks never came 

the cave suddenly went silent instead of the charging scream of the men

 Xu lin heard nothing he opened one of his eyes to tentatively check at what had happened.

He gasped in shock.

All the men charging that we're charging him moments ago were now headless corpses lying on the ground 

while big brothers stood over them staring at him with those haunting eyes 

he stood there in silence as he continued to stare at him 

the awkward silence was broken by a loud noise 

the loud noise was Xu Lin who had broken into painfully loud sobbing cries 

the boy was  crying out to the sky

his tears mixed with snot falling off his nose

the boy was screaming

as he cried for his father.

for his mother 

the one called big brother walked toward the crying child and embraced him. 

"there, there  you are okay now"

after a few minutes because of big brother consoling the child fiscally topped crying but he still clung tightly to big brother 

" there now don't cry I will help you become strong if you stop crying"

Xu Lin looked at those Pitts for eyes without fear with hope and desire 

"Really" 

the one called big brother nodded 

"yes"

Xu Lin silently let go of big brother and shakily stood up then suddenly knelt down 

"Please help me"

then he once again began crying