Chapter 7: Into the Depths
The morning after the rain smelled fresh and earthy. Mist still clung to the grass, and droplets sparkled on the wheat stalks as sunlight finally broke through the grey. Tanvin stood outside his home, stretching his arms and breathing in the clean air.
[Day 15 — Weather: Clear | Energy: 100% | Hunger: 20% | Mood: Refreshed]
The sheep from yesterday had returned to the barn willingly, now part of his growing herd. His cat meowed, rubbing against his leg as he sipped from a cup of warm herbal tea made from forest leaves.
Today, though, Tanvin wasn't planning to farm or clean. He had something deeper in mind.
"I've put this off long enough," he said, eyeing the dark cave entrance near the southern hill. "Time to go mining properly."
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[Preparation Phase — Mining Ready]
Back in the storage shed, Tanvin carefully packed his backpack:
* Iron Pickaxe — durability still strong
* Stone Pickaxes — backups for regular blocks
* Iron Sword — just in case
* Torches — at least 40, freshly crafted
* Food — 6 baked potatoes, 3 cooked porkchops
* Blocks — 64 cobblestone for building
* Water Bucket — learned this trick from gameplay
* Wood — for crafting on the go
* Crafting Table — always keep one ready
[Inventory Packed — Adventure Gear Equipped | Goal: Cave Exploration]
Tanvin double-checked everything, then turned to his cat. "Stay here and guard the house, alright?"
The cat blinked slowly and curled back into its usual sunny spot.
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[The Descent Begins]
The cave entrance loomed quiet and still. Moss covered the edges, and the inside smelled damp, like wet stone. Tanvin placed the first torch just inside the opening, lighting the path ahead.
[Entered: Southern Cave | Difficulty: Low to Moderate | Resources: Coal, Iron, Unknown]
He began to descend slowly, placing torches at even intervals. The walls were rich with coal, and soon enough, he spotted his first iron vein of the day.
Clink… clink… clink.
The familiar sound of pickaxe striking ore echoed through the tunnel. It brought a rhythm to his movement. Break. Collect. Torch. Advance.
[Collected: 12 Iron Ore, 26 Coal]
Then the cave widened into a small cavern. A natural underground spring trickled down a wall into a shallow pool, and nearby, green moss grew even underground. It was beautiful.
"If I had a camera, this would be a wallpaper shot."
He paused there, letting the torchlight dance across the stone, then dug out more coal.
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[The Echo of Mobs]
Further down, the cave turned left sharply. A cold draft hinted at open space ahead.
Then he heard it: a groan.
Tanvin froze. He held his breath.
Another groan, followed by the low rattle of bones.
[Hostile Mob Detected — 1x Zombie | 1x Skeleton | Distance: 12 Blocks]
He placed a few more torches forward and spotted them. The zombie was slow, shuffling toward the light. The skeleton raised its bow.
Tanvin backed up behind a pillar, grabbed his iron sword, and waited.
Thunk! — an arrow hit the stone beside him.
When the skeleton stepped into the open, Tanvin rushed it. His sword slashed twice—once at the ribcage, once at the head. It dropped with a dry clatter.
[Defeated: Skeleton — Loot: 1x Bone, 2x Arrows]
The zombie was easier—slower and weaker. Three hits and it collapsed into smoke.
[Defeated: Zombie — Loot: 1x Rotten Flesh]
"Whew…" Tanvin exhaled. "Guess this isn't only a peaceful place."
Still, his hands weren't shaking. His heart beat steadily. Real or not, this world didn't terrify him like it used to. He had knowledge. He had time. He had patience.
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[Discovery — Hidden Tunnel]
After clearing the mobs, Tanvin noticed something else. Behind the moss-covered wall was a small crack barely wide enough to squeeze through. He broke some of the stone blocks and slipped inside.
To his surprise, it opened into a forgotten tunnel—narrow but man-made. The walls were lined with andesite bricks, and old wooden beams supported the ceiling.
[Location Discovered: Abandoned Mine Shaft | Danger Level: Moderate | Resource Density: High]
"A mineshaft? Here?"
Tanvin lit the passageway carefully, each step cautious. Spiderwebs hung thick across corners. Wooden minecart rails snaked across the floor, broken in places.
He carefully cleared out some cobwebs and found a chest hidden behind a wall segment.
[Opened: Mine Chest | Loot: Name Tag, Lapis Lazuli (4), Iron Ingots (3), Melon Seeds, Gold Nugget (5)]
"Melon seeds!" His eyes lit up. That meant new crops.
He carefully pocketed everything and marked the tunnel with three torches stacked vertically—his own system to remember safe zones.
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[Return to Surface — Day's End]
After nearly three hours underground, Tanvin checked his inventory:
* Iron Ore: 31
* Coal: 64
* Lapis Lazuli: 4
* Gold Nuggets: 5
* Bones: 3
* Melon Seeds: 1
* Name Tag: 1
His pickaxe was half worn, his food was nearly gone, and his back ached slightly. It was time to head home.
When he emerged from the cave, the sky was beginning to shift toward orange again. Another day was ending, and this one felt truly accomplished.
[Day 15 Complete — Resources Secured | Status: Safe | Mood: Fulfilled]
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[Evening Crafting & Reflections]
Back home, Tanvin smelted the iron and coal, organizing the new loot into labeled chests. He stared at the name tag thoughtfully.
"Maybe it's time to name the cat," he murmured.
He looked down. The cat stared up at him with glowing yellow eyes.
"…Alright. How about… Pixel?"
[New Pet Name Registered: Pixel | Relationship Status: Trusted Companion]
Pixel meowed approvingly.
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[End of Chapter 7 — A Miner's Day]