The maze was built starting with the mother skeleton replenishing its magic.

"You hide it first."

Lance gave an order to prevent the hard-won labor force from dying.

He then moved toward the direction of the human adventurer's voice, intending to meet the adventurer.

As he got closer, Lance heard shouts like "Push harder, keep pushing!"

If it weren't for the occasional clanging of metal, Lance would have been afraid of encountering two men doing business in the maze.

The mine ahead was gradually illuminated by torches on the walls. At a fork in the road, three adventurers were gathered around a piece of ore that had grown into the wall.

Two men were digging with pickaxes, while another man kept watch, guarding against any monsters that might appear at any moment.

Judging from their equipment, the two male adventurers carrying shields were likely warriors or knights in the vanguard.

The other lookout was a hunter wearing a green cloak and carrying a bow and arrows on his back.

The hunter was extremely perceptive and sensed his presence even before he got close. He drew an arrow from his quiver, nocked it on the bowstring, and aimed it in Lance's direction.

"Do not move!"

With a loud shout, the two teammates mining behind him also came to their senses and looked up to look at him.

This is a labyrinth. Besides monsters, you also need to be wary of treacherous adventurers.

The three of them stared intently at Lance, who was standing motionless in the distance.

"Friend, we were the first to discover this iron ore deposit," the human warrior on the left said.

Lance was satisfied with the adventurers' reaction.

So, how do you negotiate with the other party without saying a word?

"We don't want to attack you," the soldier on the right replied. "Don't come any closer."

Lance pointed to his mouth, then shook his head.

"A mute?" the hunter asked, puzzled.

Compared to warriors and mages, intelligent people are indeed an essential component of every adventurer's party.

Just as they were pondering how to express their goodwill, Lance used his Darkvision to spot a spider stealthily approaching from the shadows of the tunnel behind the three-person team.

The timing was perfect.

Lance raised his hand, and flames began to gather in his palm. Then, he fired three [Fireball LV3] spells.

[Magic Power: 600/900]

The two soldiers quickly raised their shields to block the fireball, but the fireball grazed past them and shot directly behind them.

When they looked back, the area illuminated by the flames was illuminated, and finally, three fireballs struck the cave spider.

With a "squeak," the spider turned into a charred corpse.

Only then did the three adventurers realize that the knight in front of them was attacking a monster that was about to ambush them.

The previously tense atmosphere eased slightly.

After exchanging glances, the hunter smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Sorry, just now..."

Lance gestured for the other person to stop and not come any closer.

Just as adventurers are wary of Lance, Lance is equally wary of adventurers.

The hunter instantly understood Lance's meaning, retreated to his teammates, discussed it quietly, and then spoke to Lance again:

"We can give you a piece of refined iron ore as a token of our gratitude."

Unexpectedly, the other party shook his head and pointed to the bow and arrow behind him.

Bow and arrow?

"Baker, it seems like someone's taken a liking to your hunting bow," a teammate joked.

"How much does a bow cost? We'll get you a better one after we sell the refined iron ore in Byronding." Another teammate patted him on the shoulder.

"No way!" Bell clutched his prized hunting bow. "This bow was a gift from my girlfriend!"

Lance gave the three of them a deep look, said nothing, and turned back to leave along the way he had come.

Based on the description, refined iron ore has considerable value in human society.

Since they're not magic crystals anyway, Lance won't need them for now. Getting some to trade with humans wouldn't be a bad idea.

Upon finding the kobold he had just instructed to remain in place, Lance asked:

Do you know where there is refined iron ore?

Upon seeing Lance, the kobold instinctively knelt down, clasped his hands together, and repeatedly kowtowed, begging for mercy.

Lance kicked him away, and the kobold rolled twice on the ground before rushing over to hug Lance's leg and pointing in a direction.

The little thing is quite interesting.

"Lead the way," Lance said.

Being natives of the second floor, they followed the kobolds through several mines and finally discovered a whole deposit of fine iron ore in a cave.

However, there were three mine spiders guarding the way.

Lance inspected his panel.

————"Basic Information"

Name: Mine Spider

[Level: LV.18]

[HP: 300/300]

【Magic Power: 200/200】

[Race: Beast - Spider]

Occupation: None

——"Racial Talent"

Web weaving: Does a spider weaving a web need any explanation?

Dark vision: the ability to see clearly in the dark.

--"Skill"

[Venom LV2, Silk Shot LV3, Jump Enhancement LV3, Bite LV3]

......

This attribute makes it the strongest monster in the first two levels.

The kobold race's ability to fight against the cave spiders is likely entirely due to their numerical advantage.

But it wasn't enough for Lance, who quickly dealt with the spider guarding the mine.

[Racial talent already stolen: Web Weaving]

[Skill already acquired: Silk Shot LV3]

Then they saw the kobold holding up his iron pickaxe, looking at the mineral deposit in front of him with excitement, not knowing where to start digging.

Thinking about it that way, these refined iron ores should be useless to the kobolds.

But I just love digging, and I enjoy the process of mining.

However, before the kobold started digging, it turned back and asked Lance with a sneaky look, not daring to make a move without its boss's permission.

After all, Lance was more terrifying to him than three spiders combined at that moment.

"Dig it."

"Awoo!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Don't you think that knight is strange?" Lincoln said while digging for iron ore.

Ollie, wiping the sweat from his brow, asked, "Really?"

"Idiot, didn't you notice his eyes are red!"

"So what? I've seen blue tongues before."

"That's a fucking lizard!"

Hunter Bell chuckled and interjected, "But he's incredibly strong. Despite being a knight, he can use magic, and he conquered the dungeon all by himself."

Lincoln and Ollie stopped using their pickaxes, exchanged glances, and said in unison:

"But you made him leave in anger."

"Shut up! That's a bow and arrow my girlfriend gave me!"

Footsteps came from ahead, and the three who were bickering immediately stopped their playful antics and stared intently into the darkness.

"Thump—"

A knight, wielding a sword and shield and dressed in a long, dark purple armored robe, came into view.

He threw a fist-sized piece of refined iron on the ground, then pointed to the hunting bow behind Bell.

Bell froze on the spot.

Clutching the hunting bow, he shook his head repeatedly, his face pale: "Sir! This is a hunting bow my girlfriend gave me!"

"Thump—"

It was another piece of refined iron, even larger than the previous one.

"This bow is very important to me."

"Thump—"

Another one.

Belle bit her lip, her eyes fixed on the refined iron on the ground, her voice becoming slightly weak: "I...I love her very much..."

"Ta-da!"

"I'll pay! I'll give it to you! Don't raise the price any further!"

The fine iron on the ground, if put together, would be enough to exchange for ten decent iron swords.

Lance took the hunting bow and quiver, examined them for a moment, and then hung them on his person.

Now I can finally practice my hunter skills.

Humans are easy to deal with; money can solve most problems. If money can't solve them, it's because not enough money has been given.

Bell squatted down, picking up the refined iron, and looked up at Lance: "Sir, are you sure you only need one hunting bow?"

Lance shook his head decisively.

Of course not.

He then held up his finger to show the number "30", indicating that he wanted thirty.

"Thirty of them!" Bell exclaimed.

"While we would be happy to run errands for a generous gentleman like you, we are not carpenters after all."

Ollie stepped forward from behind and continued, "But if it's ten, they can be delivered to you in three days."

Lance continued to shake his head, making a "20" gesture, then a "3".

Three days, twenty attempts—if you can't do that, don't touch refined iron.

"Five days," Ollie bargained.

Lance pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Looks like Bell will need to date twenty girlfriends in five days," Ollie joked with a smile, seemingly accepting the job.

"Where should we find you in five days, sir?" Lincoln stepped forward, shovel in hand, staring into the bloodshot eyes beneath his helmet.

Lance pointed to the ground.

"Underground?" Lincoln asked in surprise. "You mean the maze?"

Lance nodded and then pointed to the ground.

Not only do they have to meet in the maze, but they also have to meet right here.

The three exchanged glances, and finally Bell spoke.

"Sir, the Starfall Maze experienced a massive tremor more than ten hours ago. Something serious may have happened in the depths, and the monsters have become restless."

"What I mean is, the maze might be a bit unsafe lately, so how about we meet in Byrontin in five days?"

Lance shook his head again, then pointed to the ground, this time reaching out to reclaim the refined iron.

The three discussed it in hushed tones for a moment, but in the end, they could not resist the temptation of such immense wealth.

"Alright, in five days, I'll give you twenty bows and an extra hundred arrows. Let's meet here."

Ollie took the lead and stepped forward, trying to shake hands with the mysterious knight, but was stopped by the other party.

Lance shook his head at him and turned to walk into the darkness.

"A cautious and mysterious knight."

Ollie squinted and sighed softly.