The inspection was more strict than Gary could ever imagine. First, there were about five men who were nicely dressed and looked well built who had come into the mining area.

Gary noticed this because there was a stark difference between their bodies, faces, and so on compared to the workers. Everyone was told to get out of the mining area, and instead were now in the sorting area.

Here was where the large pieces of rock would be placed into the machine for processing and to be broken down even more, before more workers would sort out all the materials. It was now that Gary was starting to realise how big of an operation everything was.

There were thirty or so manual laborers. They were in charge of the mining and moving the materials from area to area. Then out of the sorters, there were around another thirty or so.

Also, not everyone worked at the factory every day, so Gary imagined that the place must have employed around 100 people. Although that sounded like a lot, for the amount of work they were doing, there should have been more.

It also seemed like the type of work one couldn't do for a long time, otherwise they would have to deal with multiple injuries.

All of the workers were lined up one after the other, and Gary was standing next to Elijah who was standing next to Earny and the rest that were in their group.

Wow, they're really searching everyone top to bottom one by one. Gary whispered.

What was surprising was how crude they were in their search. After giving a pat down, those that they suspected might be hiding some sort of crystals, they told them to take off all of their clothes, right there and then, in front of everyone.

The thing was, there was no difference whether it was a female or male worker. One of the gang members had looked a younger woman up and down a few times, his cheeks were getting a shade redder as thoughts ran through his head.

Hey, I think this one might be hiding some crystals, especially in this area, it looks particularly big. The man said, pointing at her chest.

The other men seemed to nod, and she knew what she needed to do, she started to undress there and then on the spot. The other gang members started to whistle and howl as they saw this, while the woman was breaking down into tears.

What the f*ck is wrong with them. Gary said, clenching his fist, it looked like he was about to move, that was until Elijah grabbed him by the wrist.

You beating them up isnt going to do anyone any good. Elijah said. Think about it, do you really think that woman wants to take off her clothes? No, but shes doing it, for the same reason as everyone else in here, they need the money.

If you act out, they might just use it as an excuse to punish everyone, then everything that theyve done will have been for nothing. Never mind the gang being on your back.

Elijahs cool headedness allowed Gary to take in a deep breath. The last thing he wanted was to hurt those who he wanted to help.

Finally, the gang member that was doing the inspections came across Gary, the first thing he noticed was his good body build and bright green hair, but there was something else as well.

Whats with the mask? the man asked.

Gary had to bite down hard on his back teeth just to reply to this man. Just looking at him was making his anger grow.

The air here, it isnt the best. I dont want to get sick. Gary answered. It's not like I could hide anything under my mask anyway.

The man looked at Gary suspiciously for a second, until he had made his choice.

You're right, but that doesn't go for the rest of you, now strip.

Gary did as the man asked, lifting his shirt up from the bottom. Immediately everyone could see his chiselled abs on display. His defined arms, triceps and every part of him. There was next to no fat on him, and as the man stared at Garys body it was almost shining at him.

The men who had been working with Gary, had expected as much. Seeing how hard he worked, and how easily he could do things, the body matched his output.

After taking off the rest of his clothes, and confirming that there wasnt anything else, he went onto the next person, he didn't believe Elijah was hiding anything so he continued, and continued until everyone had been seen and not a single crystal had been found.

The five gang members lined up standing next to each other, they still didnt look satisfied by the results.

Look here! The man who was doing the inspections from before stood forward. We know that something is going on. You see that big machine over there, it sorts out materials per 1kg of rock you put in there.

We roughly have a kind idea of how many minerals we get from each piece of rock.

The man then walked over and picked up one of the beast crystals.

And it just so happens, that the mineral that we have been getting less of recently, these crystals, which are the most expensive thing that one can get from these rocks has suddenly lessened, and not just by a small amount either.

Couldn't it just be a coincidence? Earny asked. I mean, we could just hit a part that is lacking those crystals. Besides, we have been sorting through more than before, surpassing the quota.

The man smiled.

You're right, it could be coincidence, but if there is any chance that any one of you has been stealing crystals, well, we need to make a clear example of them right? Until we're a hundred percent sure that none of you are taking our product, then we will continue the search. Search their rooms!

*****