Chương 100: Chapter 96 – Beneath Ironridge

Jacob, the mine supervisor on the second shift at the Ironridge mine, was about to do his rounds at the mine. He was in the new supervisor shack built next to the mine in the Ironridge outpost that had just been created to serve the miners to more easily set up trade between them and the Forgeworks. He was reviewing the daily reports at the start of his shift. They were busier than ever; the mine was only found a week back by Mark.

Each day they had more miners, more tunnels, more ore, and of course, more responsibility. They were being pushed hard by the Forgeworks to produce enough ore to really show what they could do. It was still two days until completion of the Forgeworks, but the pressure was growing. Then they wanted more ore for the furnace and, if possible, more fuel if they could find it. Production was running in 3 shifts a day with no time off; there was always someone in the mine.

The loads of ore were picked up hourly and shuttled to the Forgeworks. With nothing new in the paperwork other than producing more ore, he went to inspect the mine. He planned to check the supports, ventilation, and tunnel conditions and make sure the crew was active. The first person he ran into was Rachel; she was a miner looking to specialize in tunnel safety. Jacob said, "Hello Rachel, how is it going?" Rachel said, "Things are looking good; the last shift left everything in order.

I am getting close to finishing my class upgrade to get my Mine Tunnel Specialist class." She then shared with him the requirements she had. Miner → Mine Tunnel Specialist Requirements: • Participate in 10 Safe Tunnel Expansions (8/10) • Identify 5 Structural Hazards (4/5) • Prevent Tunnel Failure (0/1) Reward Preview: • Structural Awareness • Tunnel Stability Bonus • Hazard Detection Rachel said, "Only a few more things, and I should get my class complete.

Really looking forward to the new skills that come with the upgrade." Jacob replied, "Great, keep up the great work. Mine safety is something that is really important to me." Jacob liked Rachel; she was a hard worker. Some of the other miners joked that she worried too much, but Rachel always pointed out that was exactly why no one had died. Jacob then continued down the tunnel; there were quite a few side branches now.

And as he passed each of the miners, he chatted with them about the work, the schedule, and safety. He wanted to make sure everything went smoothly during his shift, as he was also trying to upgrade his class. The next person he stopped to talk to was Ethan; he was a miner looking to become a mine extraction specialist. Jacob said, "Hey Ethan, how is it going?" Ethan said, "Production numbers are up; things are going great. I am so close to being finished with this class level.

Biggest thing is I need to find a new vein of material other than iron. Here, check this out." Ethan shared his requirements. Miner → Mine Extraction Specialist Requirements: • Extract 1, 000 lbs Ore (913/1000) • Improve Extraction Efficiency • Discover New Vein Reward Preview: • Improved Yield • Reduced Waste • Faster Extraction Ethan said, "Really excited this shift will complete the ore requirements and efficiency requirements; just need to get lucky and find something new." Jacob waved as he left.

Ethan made him laugh; his answer to everything was "dig faster." Continuing the rounds, he passed many workers whose only job was lugging the ore buckets out or the other rocks that did not have ore out to make room for more mining. Sooner rather than later they would need to get ore carts, but those would take some ore to make wheels and tracks, and they were turning all the current ore into nails and other junk. Next he stopped to talk to Liam; he was a mine surveyor.

And loved to keep picking new directions to mine, sort of like his class depended on it, and it probably did. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Jacob said, "How's the surveying going today, Liam?" Liam said, "Going great. I thought I found something new today, but it was just more ore. Have not found anything new since the limestone a day ago. I really need a new discovery, and I can't let another shift find it.

I can tell there is something here; it's calling to me." Jacob said, "I think that sound is just the echo of miners down the tunnel." Liam said, "Funny, I know something is here. My class needs it check this out." He then shared his upgrade needs. Miner → Survey Miner Requirements: • Map 3 New Tunnel Branches (2/3) • Identify 3 Resource Types (2/3) • Lead Survey Expedition (0/1) Reward Preview: • Resource Detection • Survey Bonuses • Improved Mapping Jacob said, "You are getting close.

One big find would almost complete it." Jacob continued going through and reviewing the different shafts, the supports, and busy workers and haulers. He next found Ryan checking some supports near him. Jacob said, "You find something Ryan that I should be aware of?" Ryan said, "No, nothing major, The last crew did a good job putting up these timbers; they look solid. But getting close to my class upgrade and wanting to make sure it goes smooth, check out what's left."

Miner → Support Specialist Requirements: • Install 100 Structural Supports (84/100) • Reinforce Hazardous Area • Repair Failed Support Reward Preview: • Structural Analysis • Reinforcement Bonus • Reduced Collapse Risk Jacob said, "Great, you should get those supports finished tonight. Hope everything goes well for you." He had gotten to the end of his route and started back, pulling up his own advancement requirements.

Mine Supervisor → Senior Mine Supervisor Requirements: • Oversee 5 Active Work Crews (Complete) • Develop Resource Extraction Plan (Complete) • Train 3 Miners To Advancement (2/3) • Resolve 3 Mining Hazards (2/3) • Establish Safe Mining Procedures (Complete) Reward Preview: • Workforce Coordination • Production Planning • Enhanced Reporting • Crew Efficiency Bonus He was almost back to the entrance when a huge cracking sound echoed down the tunnel and an alarm sounded; it was the alarm to have everyone exit, indicating that an incident had happened.

He moved out of the cave so that they could count up and make sure everyone was accounted for. He watched and made sure all of the miners and other personnel were out of the tunnels and accounted for. Once that was done, he gathered Rachel, Ethan, Liam, and Ryan to help him go check on what the noise was. Rachel was inspecting the tunnels and walls. Ryan was evaluating the supports. Liam was investigating the exposed rock, and Ethan just complained about the lost production.

What they found was a failed support, and a small amount of rocks had fallen; it had exposed a different section of stone. This stone was darker; strange Liam was immediately interested and started to investigate it. Then they all received a system notification. [Resource Discovery] Coal Deposit Identified Resource Added: Coal Additional Survey Recommended Excitement spread through the group, and he could even hear some cheers from outside, meaning they also got the message. Everyone knew what this meant.

The Forgeworks needed more fuel; the charcoal would take them only so far. But a new seam of Coal was going to change things, increasing growth and future industry. As the team worked, each of them started to talk about different things. Rachel had identified the hazard and completed her requirements for an upgrade. Ryan started repairing the damaged support, which allowed him to complete his requirements. Liam identified the resource, and his class update was completed.

[Requirement Updated] Rachel Identify Structural Hazards (5/5) Ryan Repair Failed Support (Complete) Liam Identify Resource Types (3/3) They had the problem resolved, and the teams went back to work. As Jacob headed back to his office, he realized that the mine was safer than before. Coal had been found, which will make everyone happy. Multiple people completed advancement requirements and moved one step closer to their next class. And there were still over two days until the forgework countdown would be complete.

Of course he now had paperwork to file, but that was all part of the job. For the first time Jacob realized that the mine isn't temporary anymore. It's becoming part of something much, much bigger than anyone had realized.