Chapter 47

Rumble!

From far away, the ground rumbled.

Creak! Creak!

The door and window let out piercing screams. The bed sloshed like alakedisturbedby a stone.

Huh?

Sam opened his eyes from his deep sleep. His vision was blurry from lying down, but he abruptly got up.

An earthquake?

He arched his back. Everyone feared a natural disaster like an earthquake, but miners feared them even more, andSamespeciallydisliked earthquakes.

The earthquake soon stopped, but Sams heart failed to calm down.

Let me take a look outside.

The earthquake might have affected the mine. He couldnt investigate its effectscarefully at this time of the night, but he could scan the mines exterior. He quickly put on his clothes and got out.

* * *

Hans stared at the window that Zich jumped out of.

What is going on?

Hans thoughtZichwould return soon, buteven after much time had passed, Zich still hadnt come back.Hanseven thought of going to sleep first since Zich seemed open-minded about these kinds of matters;he didnt think Zich wouldnitpickaboutwho slept first. However, the earthquakelingered on his mind. It was ridiculous to think that there would be any human involvement in a natural phenomenon, butit seemed possible with Zich.

It could totally happen.

Thus, Hans couldnt go to sleep peacefully.

Huh?

While wonderingifthe earthquake involved Zich or if itwas just a coincidence, Hans saw someone walking in the night.

Isnt that Sam?

What was he doing so late at night? Hans ran out of the window. Althoughhe denied such claims, he was becoming more like Zich.

Mr. Sam?

You gave me a scare!

Sam looked startled. He was walking in a dark night with only his torchto rely on, so Hans surprised him by dropping down from the sky. Sam clutched onto his thumping heart and tried tostillit.

A-Are you ok?

Yes. I was just a bit surprised.

Hanslooked atSamwith an apologeticface.

Hans was someone who stuck to Zichs side like an accessory. Zich called Hans his servant, but Sam knew that Hanswasnt a slave, so he maintained his etiquette.

What are you here for,Mr. Hans?

I was looking out of the window and saw you passing by.

Hans pointed at the building next to them. Only one window was openwith the light onfrom one ofthe many attached to the buildings walls.

Did he jump off fromthere?

Sam looked at Hans in surprise, but Hans was calm as if he hadnt done anything special. It almost seemed as if Sam was the unusual one.

I thought he was normal and meek in comparison to Zich, but as expected of Zichs servant.

Hans was also different from ordinary people like him.

Where are you going in a hurry in the middle of the night?

I amgoing tocheck the minebecause of the earthquake.

At this time? Wouldnt it be better to go whenits bright?

If I dont check it immediately, my heart wont be able torest.

Sams face looked urgent and desperate, so Hans gave up on trying to persuade him. However, it was late, and it was especially dangerous at this time. Even if there werent monsters, a mountain beast was enough to pose a great danger to a normal person.

If I just let him go and something happens to him, I will probably hear a lot of insults.

Hans scratched his head andsaid,I will go with you. If Sir Zichwas here, he would have probably done that.

Wont I be inconveniencing you?

Although he said this, Sam was glad. If he was guarded by someone who hunted monsters,hewould be a lot safer.

Its fine. Lets go quickly and come back.

Hans wrotewhere he was goingonapiece of paper and went up the mine with Sam.

* * *

While crossing his arms in front of the mines entrance, Zichstartedthinking. An unusual energy overflowed and rose out of the mine. The energy, which leaked little by little, exploded out of control after the earthquakeerupted. A massive piece of earth blocked the path of the energy flow, so it was hard for Zich to assess the direction and origin of the energy. However, the energy was definitely comingfrom the mine.

Zich felt a sense of dull robustness and vitality; itwas the earths energy.

Nowem must have woken up.

Zich didnt know Nowems exact identity. He just knew thatsinceNowem had complete authority over the earth, it was probablyNowemwho had woken up inside the mine.

As expected, those guys are related to Nowem.

It was definite sincerightafter the assassins leader went inside the mine, a being who sounded like Nowem appeared.

This is good.I came to thiscityto meetNowem in the first place. I will kill him here.

Since the mine was far from the city,Zich didnt have to worry about inflicting damages on properties and peoples lives.First,Zich began to examine his body.He wasnthurtingnor did he feeldiscomfort anywhere; and since the assassinswere likeappetizers to him, his body was perfectlywarmed up. The dead assassins would have probably gritted their teeth in anger if they heard this, but Zich was calm. His armor wasin good condition, andhe tightly gripped the sword in his hand.At last, he checkedthemana inhis bodyby circling it around and stood a short distance away from the mines entrance.

Zich didntplanto go inside the mine. The mine environmentwould be advantageousto Nowem, who could use the earths power. Zichs current strength was far from the strength he had in his prime days, and he didnt want to go inside his enemys home territory if he didnt have to.

And he is going to come out anyways.

The spectacular entrance of the EarthsTyrant started with Suols destruction; thus, Zich knew Nowem would get out of the mineat one pointto destroy Suol.As if agreeing with his conclusions, Zich soon sensed a presenceapproachingthe mines entrance. The earths energy moved with the presence, and Zich was sure that it was theEarthsTyrant, Nowem.

Huh?

However, after he felt the presence, he tilted his head sideways.

ThisI have sensed this presence before.

The presencewasa bit differentfrom before, but he had definitely felt it.

Is it!

A memoryflashed across his mind and surprised Zich.

Step! Step!

He heard footsteps inside the mine. Zich uncrossed his arms and pulled out his sword.

Ahuman was in front of him. A completely normal humanbeing thatcouldbe foundanywhere in the village. The only special thing about the man was hisdazed, blank eyes. However, the earthysmell that flowed out of his body told Zich that he was theEarthsTyrant, Nowem.

I cant believe its you.

Zich clicked his tongue. It almost seemed like a trick of destinyto think that theEarthsTyrant, Nowem, was someone he knew. Zich said his name.

Snoc.

Snoc didnt respond to his name, so Zich asked,Didnt you get dragged off by assassins? What happened inside the mine? And what is the energy you are carrying?

There was no answer. Snoc seemed like he was out of his mind.

Are you perhaps familiar with thename, Nowem?

Finally, at Zichs question,Snoc showed a response.

Blink!

His pupils came into focus and staredno, glared at Zich.

It seems right.

Snocdidnt respond to any other questions except the one about Nowem. That meant he had some relationship with Nowem.

Koooooo!

Snoc growled like a beast.

Was Nowem always like this?

The Nowem he knew was a professional guy. According to survivors testimonies, Nowem was violent and cruel, and he diligently cornered his opponents by utilizing his authority over the earth. No information said that he was like a mindless beast in any way.

Kuaaaaah!Snoc cried out.

Pop!

The ground shook lightly, and a stalagmite popped out near Zichs feet. With the speed at which it popped out, the stalagmite was more dangerous than most spears or arrows. It looked like it could pierce Zichs body like a skewer; but instead ofZichsbody, the stalagmite pierced the air. Zich struck down the ends of thetwo-meter stalagmite that now looked as if it had lost its aim and spirit.

You seem to be out of your mind, but do you think you will be fine afterattackingme?

Zich smiled. Even the senseless Snoc twitched at themenacingsmile.

Now that Ivereceived anattack, I guess I can go back to my original goal.

The reason why Zich had come to Suol was to do thekind actof eliminating theEarthsTyrant, Nowem.

Since we know each other, if you gain your senses back in the middle of the fight, I will stop. So

Crumble!

As Zichmovedhis feet, the stalagmite crumbled. Simultaneously, Zichs new power shot out like arrows.

If you dont want anything terrible to happen to you, quicklyregainyour senses!

Zich clamped down his sword.

Taaang!

It was a deep, clear ring. The power of the mana-imbuedsword went beyond imagination. However, it failed toinflictany damage to Snoc.

Screech! Screech!

The swords edge scratched the stone and made disturbing noises. A rock barrier burst out from the ground and blocked Zichs sword in front of Snoc. ButZichexpected itand heplaced more pressure into his grip and poured mana into his sword.

Crack!

The wall exploded.Between the flying stone pieces and a cloud of dust,he saw Snocs surprised face. It seemed as if Snoc didnt expect the wall to break so easily. Then, with one of his fingers onhis free hand, he flicked one of the scattering stones.

Push!

Urgh!

A small stonepiercedright into Snocs stomach. Snoc backed off while spitting outpainfulgroans.

His durability hasrisenconsiderably.

It wasnt a force that a normal person couldve endured.Honestly, Zich had flicked the stone thinking that it didnt matter if the stone penetrated through Snocs stomach.

Kuuaaaah!

Snoc raised his hand.

Craaaaash!

The ground below Zich exploded. Grains of soil and large stones flew in all directions andlaidwaste to their surroundings. Zich backed off while swinging his sword.

Ttatatatang!

Zich usedahigh-levelskill.For the small stones and sand that flew towards him,Zich made moving wind currents to block them, and for the bigger rocks,he individuallyblocked each one of them. Then, he used the Air Piercing skill to shootburstsof air at Snoc.

Push!

Urgh!

The force pierced a hole into Snocs shoulders, and bloodspurtedout. Now,there were more holes in his body. Snoc pulled up a boulder to stop Zich's attacks, but he still gained two more holes.

Hes weak.

Zichtiltedhis head sideways at Snoc who was struggling tofight backwith his head hanging low. Considering how he gained the titleoftheEarthsTyrant, he was waytoo weak.

Is this guy really

Zich began to doubt the existence of theEarthsTyrant.

Craaash!

Stalagmite shot up under his feet again.

Crumble!

Zich stepped on the stalagmite with his feet andcrushedit. He blocked Snoc