NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55: M0001
"If I'm going to theorize why this mine is still active even after all these years… it must be because it's very important," Bach said in a serious voice, nodding from time to time as if what he had just said was shocking.
"You just said something…" Kael glanced at the miner.
"Amazing, right?" Bach puffed up his chest, smiling proudly at Kael.
"Obvious," Kael replied, turning back to the mine that looked more like a military base than a rock excavation site. "What kind of rocks do you get from here?"
"Big rocks, small rocks, common rocks and stones," Bach said halfheartedly. "Doesn't matter though. There's nothing special in this place besides the occasional ice we take."
"When you found me, was there ice everywhere?" Kael asked.
"A bunch," Bach nodded, glancing at the White Prime with doubt and suspicion in his eyes. "Those ice chunks took forever to melt, but after years of mining here, we managed to destroy most of them. I think it's best to show you."
"Then let's go," Kael said.
"Wait, let me grab something from the car," Bach excused himself. Moments later, he returned holding another miner's jacket. "Here, put this on. It's a simple disguise, but in this mine, no one will care."
Kael took the jacket without a word and slipped it on. Then the two headed toward the entrance of the mining site, where a guard sat inside the booth.
The guard was lounging comfortably in his chair, his hat covering his face.
Bach peered in, and seeing the man still asleep, motioned for Kael to follow him quietly. Normally, he would sign the logbook inside the booth, but since they were here unofficially and the guard was sleeping peacefully, they slipped in without a sound.
They passed through the gate without issue.
Along the way, Kael glanced up at the sign above the entrance, where the name of the mine was written along with other information.
"M0001 South Outskirts…" Kael muttered, his eyes lowering to a logo beside the name.
"The very first mine," the miner said, glancing at Kael. "I've heard rumors this place has been here for decades."
"All these years… they never stopped," Kael murmured.
"I go from mine to mine, and all of us eventually come back here to excavate rocks. We've basically treated this place like a resting area. And not once has the city issued an order to abandon it," Bach said, shaking his head.
Kael didn't say another word as he took in his surroundings. Now that they were inside, the signs of age were obvious. Military vehicles were covered in rust, and the tents were riddled with holes—a testament to a long history.
Yet the excavation machinery looked new, clearly receiving regular maintenance.
The two continued walking until they passed the heavy machinery and reached a wide, open pit mine. Fortunately, though the tower lights provided only dim illumination, it was just enough to see what lay below.
"This is it," Bach said, stopping at the edge.
Kael stood beside him and looked down, spotting four cave openings on the far end of the mine. "I'm guessing you found me inside one of those holes?"
"Yes," Bach nodded. "Let's go down."
There was an elevator on the side they could use to descend. However, just as they were about to enter, a beam of light flashed in their direction.
"Bach?" a confused voice called out.
The person holding the flashlight momentarily blinded Bach before his eyes adjusted.
"What's up," Bach greeted with a forced smile. The man in front of him was another miner assigned to this site.
"Why are you here?" the man asked, narrowing his eyes. "You were reassigned to another mine. You're not supposed to be back for a few weeks. There's no reason for you to be here."
"I left something in one of the decline tunnels. You know I'm already old—I forget a lot of things," Bach quickly came up with an excuse. The miner in front of him was right; there was no reason for him to be here, especially at this hour. It was far too suspicious.
"Oh? Is that so?" The miner raised an eyebrow. "At this hour?"
I have to come up with another excuse. He's suspicious, Bach Ponce thought. Then his eyes widened slightly before returning to normal.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he raised his hand to his chest and slowly clenched it. "I forgot something. It's very important…"
"What is it?" the man asked, his ears perking up, clearly curious about why Bach Ponce was here so late.
"My necklace. My wife's picture is in it… I thought I had it this whole time, but when I tried to find it, I couldn't even see its shadow. So I decided to come here. Even if I can't see a thing, I will find it," Bach said, his voice low and full of sorrow. "I already checked the other places I might've dropped it, but… nothing. This is the last place I might be able to see my necklace."
The miner in front of Bach was silent for a moment—then tears suddenly welled up in his eyes and started falling.
"I… I'm sorry for doubting you, my friend," the man said, patting Bach on the shoulder as tears slid down his face. "This… this is what a real man is! I know you lost your wife, and hearing that you want to find that necklace with her picture in it—it really moves me! How about this? Let me help you find it! I can't just let you struggle. I'll help, and I insist!"
"T-thank you, but…" Bach hesitated, the corner of his eye twitching. He hadn't expected the miner to cry over his made-up story. Yes, he had lost his wife, and thinking about her still saddened him—but those words were just meant to shoo the man away. Now it was having the opposite effect. "I already have someone helping me."
"Eh?" The man looked around and saw no one else. "Who are you talking about? There's only you and me here."
"He's he—" Bach turned around, only to find his companion already gone.
"Oh, I get it… you must be so sad that you're imagining there's someone beside you," the man said, and the more he thought about it, the sadder he became. He burst into tears again—this time with snot running down his nose. "Don't worry, Bach! I'm here! I'll stay with you!"
"There's no need, really!" Bach waved his hand quickly. "I… I just want to enjoy this peace alone. I want to find the necklace on my own. It's my responsibility. If I need help… it'll feel like I don't deserve her."
"A-are you sure?" the man asked.
"Yes," Bach nodded with a bitter smile. "So go on. I can handle everything from here."