All eyes turned to the slave, who had bravely stepped in to block the path of the Third Division.
"You… you killed my father in front of me, and I will never forgive you," the boy repeated, gripping his pickaxe tightly.
Arthur didn't respond. Instead, he fixed the boy with a piercing gaze, studying his prey.
One of the Third Division guards stepped forward in his place.
"You insolent brat! How dare you disrespect Arthur Debian in our presence!" The man didn't hesitate to draw his sword.
A golden blade—long, yet refined and delicate—its edge engraved with the word Lazus along a small border.
Mihon was taken aback. Even though he wasn't from this world, he could still read their language.
"I'm not afraid of you. A week ago, I awakened," the young slave declared fiercely.
The expressions of those present shifted instantly. The boy's words seemed to carry tremendous weight.
"Hey, Martin, what's this 'awakening' thing?" Mihon asked his companion.
Martin gave him a puzzled look, as if criticizing him for not knowing, but merely sighed and answered.
"You probably don't remember, but awakening is what we call it when someone gains abilities suited for magic."
Mihon understood somewhat, thanks to his experience with web novels. Awakening had to be something rare—no wonder everyone was staring in awe.
He could even consider himself awakened in a way—after all, he had his phone.
"Awakenings aren't to be taken lightly. They mark an exceptional talent. The world changed when the first awakened appeared in the Crimson Era."
Martin's tone carried gravity. Being awakened must be something incredible.
"Hahaha! You should lie better, boy. There's no way a useless village like yours could produce an awakened," the knight sneered arrogantly.
But the young slave didn't flinch. Filled with vigor and courage, he charged forward, pickaxe in hand.
The knight waited patiently for the boy's attack, thinking he'd simply dodge and counter.
His confidence wavered when the strike was aimed at the ground instead of at him.
Like a switch being flipped, a massive fist of stone burst from the earth, slamming into the guard with crushing force.
The golden helmet flew across the mine as the man collapsed, blood filling his shattered jaw.
Seeing the threat was real, all the gold-armored guards stepped in to shield against the boy.
But the young slave didn't back down. He gripped his pickaxe tightly, ready to attack.
"Your fight is with me, isn't it?" But before the attack began, Arthur Debian stepped forward.
His face was calm, his serene expression framed by a faint smile.
"There's no need to pit my men against you in our quarrel, young one. I challenge you to a duel—one on one."
Arthur drew the weapon from his belt. Unlike the imposing swords of his men, he carried an elegant golden saber.
"But sir, he's just a boy, let us—" one guard began, only to be silenced by Arthur's sharp glare.
"He's a boy, yes… but a warrior nonetheless. What kind of man would I be if I didn't grant him a fair fight?" Arthur said, pointing his saber at the slave.
That was all the signal the boy needed. He struck the ground with his pickaxe several times.
More stone hands, identical to the first, shot toward Arthur.
But the man didn't flinch. With a graceful motion, his saber burst into blazing flames, slicing through each attack.
"That man… he's awakened too," Mihon murmured, eyes fixed on the duel.
Arthur steadily closed the distance until he could easily end the boy with a single strike.
"You struck down one of my men, but you have talent. If you wish, I can take you out of here," Arthur offered, saber pointed directly at the boy.
The pupils of every slave widened. The opportunity being offered was astounding.
Becoming a knight of Lazus under Captain Arthur Debian was an unmatched honor.
No one in the world would turn down such a thing.
"I refuse."
To everyone's shock, the slave rejected him. Rage and hatred still burned in his eyes.
"I will never serve a kingdom that rises by trampling the weak," the boy declared, gripping his pickaxe fiercely.
"I see… a pity."
Arthur's smile shifted into something darker, laced with malice.
By the time the slave realized the danger, it was too late—a perfect slash tore across his abdomen, flames igniting the wound.
Even though the flames consumed his skin, inflicting great pain, the young slave didn't scream; he just gritted his teeth and endured. He wasn't going to give Arthur the luxury of his pain.
Slowly, his body was consumed by fire until the young slave collapsed lifeless before them all.
"Throw this young warrior's body into the pit! My visit ends here for today!"
With his order given, Arthur left the cave, leaving behind a mix of emotions.
Some felt fear, others awe, and a few even excitement.
What they had just witnessed was far from ordinary—it was a true battle between awakened.
Mihon's body was tense, not because of the fight itself, but from excitement and possibility.
If he could complete his phone's missions, he could be as strong as Arthur.
No… he had to become even stronger than him.
The thought alone sent a rush of dopamine surging through his mind.
The day carried on as before—working in the mine without rest, a quick shower, and a meager meal.
Mihon took the chance to ask around about the awakened, gathering bits of information.
Though awakened were, in essence, the most gifted humans, their rarity had forced others to seek different paths of power.
Beast tamers, knights with divine weapons, martial artists…
The pyramid of strength was more balanced than Mihon had expected.
"Hey, Mihon, what was it you wanted to ask me?" Bazt suddenly remembered, his gaze distant.
It was nighttime, and his friend Brush wanted to ask him something in secret. It had to be important.
"Yeah, Bazt… it's a question I think you can answer."
Bazt looked at him expectantly while Mihon took his time, drawing out the suspense.
"Where is the pit, and how do I get in?"