Theo and Luke learned that Angela’s brother wasn’t the only person in Podina to have started a job and then disappeared under mysterious circumstances. However, since most of the missing individuals lived alone or without close family, their disappearances had gone unnoticed for some time.
“You thought of Gellu because of this guy’s characteristics, right?”
Luke casually tapped the small monster perched on his head. Its fur, previously shifting colors, began turning silver again.
“Exactly. The amount of fur suggests it likely thrives in cold environments.”
Gellu mana stones were known for a few unique traits, the most notable being the cold energy they emitted. Some researchers speculated that this cold helped preserve the internal energy of the stone more efficiently, though, as with most academic theories, it was yet to be definitively proven.
Because of this, Gellu was notoriously difficult to mine. Many miners had succumbed to frostbite while trying to extract it—a fact the miners they’d spoken to at the tavern had emphasized. In the past, Gellu had been indispensable due to the scarcity of high-energy mana stones. However, with the discovery of more efficient alternatives, its mining had become almost obsolete.
“If even the miners avoid a red-flagged mine, it makes sense that shady characters would use it as a hideout,” Theo remarked.
Luke nodded in agreement as they reached the entrance to the mine. From the moment they’d approached, the air had noticeably grown colder, confirming what the miners had described earlier.
Near the entrance, a red flag fluttered high on a post—a stark warning for anyone who dared to enter.
“Well, let’s head in,” Luke said, handing the little furry creature back to Theo before striding confidently toward the entrance. Unlike Conenium, he had a strong feeling that they’d uncover a critical clue to solve this case here.
“Luke, hold on.”
Theo stopped him mid-step and approached, tying the front of Luke’s new cloak securely. The miners had warned them that if they absolutely insisted on going in, they should at least wear something thick to stave off the cold. Following their advice, they’d hastily purchased cloaks at a nearby shop.
“What... what are you doing?”
“It’s going to be freezing inside,” Theo replied as his hands deftly fastened the cloak.
Luke awkwardly looked down at Theo’s broad hands, so close they filled his field of vision.
“And this will be much trickier than the ones we dealt with in Conenium.”
Luke already knew that. Conenium had been a den of petty criminals at best. But this place felt different—there was a palpable weight to the situation. Sparse information and increasingly complex circumstances suggested that the perpetrators were far more than just ordinary smugglers. The fact that they’d chosen such a perilous mine as their base was evidence enough that something larger was at play.
“Be careful not to get hurt.”
“You don’t think I’m that easy to take down, do you?” Luke brushed off Theo’s hands with a light smack and spun away, his usual confident demeanor intact. Theo chuckled faintly before turning his attention toward the mine’s entrance.
The miners had said the Gellu mine wasn’t especially deep compared to others. Still, its untouched, natural state was undeniable.
There were no rails, no lamps—nothing but raw, rugged terrain. Uneven ground was littered with rocks and dirt, making even walking a challenge. Most striking, however, was the sheer, biting cold, far beyond anything they’d expected. The energy of the mana stones buried within was palpable, adding to the frigid environment as Luke and Theo carefully made their way forward.
As the passage grew darker, Theo snapped his fingers. A glowing orb of fire materialized above his hand, illuminating the area and pushing back the shadows. By its light, they pressed onward, their senses sharp and on high alert as they scanned their surroundings.
They walked for what felt like a considerable distance. Given the location and circumstances, they’d expected something—anything—to happen as soon as they entered. Instead, they encountered an entirely different challenge.
“There’s... nothing here,” Luke muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.
They had reached the end of the mine, but there were no signs of smugglers, no clues, not even the faintest trace of life. A solid rock wall loomed before them, marking the mine’s end.
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“Did we miss a side passage or something?”
“If there was one, there’s no way both of us would’ve overlooked it,” Theo replied firmly.
Luke sighed deeply. The plan had been to storm in, apprehend the smugglers, free any captives—including Angela’s brother—and uncover details about the unidentified monsters. Yet here they were, faced with nothing but silence and stone.
“Did we get it wrong?” Luke voiced the possibility aloud. Perhaps they’d picked the wrong mine, or maybe their initial assumptions were flawed.
“This is the right place,” Theo said confidently.
“What makes you so sure? Do you have proof?”
“Just... a feeling.”
“A feeling?” Luke’s eyes widened in disbelief. Theo, the meticulous strategist who relied on evidence and logic, was now claiming intuition? It was almost laughable.
Theo wasn’t the type to act on gut feelings. He pieced together facts, analyzed situations, and reached conclusions based on solid reasoning. He had often scolded Luke for relying on his instincts during military meetings, demanding hard evidence instead.
“Why? Isn’t that your usual line?” Theo teased, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
The soft glow of Theo’s magic cast shadows across his face, making his expression seem even more compelling in the dim light.
“Well... yeah, but it’s strange hearing it from you,” Luke admitted, still caught off guard.
“Well, to be honest, it’s not really a feeling,” Theo said nonchalantly.
“What?!”
Luke glared at Theo, who chuckled and approached the rock wall. Placing a hand against its cold, hard surface, Theo closed his eyes briefly.
He gestured for Luke to do the same. With a skeptical expression, Luke followed suit, pressing his hand against the wall and focusing his senses.
“...”
Luke’s eyes snapped open, turning toward Theo.
“Feel that?”
“Yeah... That’s not Gellu mana.”
The mine was brimming with the distinct energy of mana stones, something both Theo and Luke had been attuned to since entering. Yet the sensation from the wall was entirely different.
“It’s some kind of barrier magic,” Theo confirmed.
“Wait, does that mean...?” Luke’s brow furrowed.
If someone had set up a barrier this meticulously, it implied a significant level of magical expertise—and a clear intention to keep something hidden.
“Whoever did this... is a magician like us,” Luke concluded.
He had underestimated them. Assuming the smugglers were mere criminals had been a mistake. If they had the resources to employ a skilled magician capable of casting such a sophisticated barrier, this was no ordinary operation.
“The barrier is dense and intricately woven,” Theo murmured, running his hand along the wall. “Whoever cast it is pretty skilled.”
“How do we break it?” Luke asked. Barrier magic was a high-level specialization, much like teleportation spells. While both Theo and Luke were capable of setting up simple barriers, dismantling one of this caliber was another matter entirely.
“For the record, I don’t know how to dispel barriers,” Luke admitted, raising his hands in mock surrender.
Theo tilted his head, slightly amused.
“If we try to break it carelessly, the caster will notice.”
“Exactly.”
“So, what choice do we have?”
Theo raised his right hand, clenching his fist as veins bulged along his forearm. Flames flared up, encasing his hand in brilliant fire.
“Wait, Theo—” Luke started, but it was too late.
With a resounding crack, Theo punched the wall.
The impact shattered the barrier and the rock face, sending chunks of stone crashing to the ground. It was crude, but effective—one way to dismantle a barrier was simply to destroy it, though it risked alerting the caster. Still, Theo’s overwhelming mana made it clear the barrier’s creator couldn’t hope to match his strength.
As the dust settled, Luke blinked slowly, taking in the aftermath.
“We’re here to catch them anyway,” Theo said calmly. “If they’re holding hostages, we don’t have the luxury of wasting time.”
“...Theo, you used to criticize me for being reckless, and now look at you,” Luke said, laughing in disbelief as he gestured toward the rubble.
“Maybe I’ve picked up a thing or two from you,” Theo replied with a faint smirk.