Chapter 92: Chapter92-Sandstorm
"Finally... out of the sandstorm."
About ten kilometers from the center of the sandstorm, Helena hit the brakes, and the tracks gradually came to a stop.
She turned to look back.
If they hadn't chosen to leave immediately, they would have been swallowed by the storm by now.
"So, so terrifying..."
Lily took a deep breath, astonished by the power of the sandstorm, and couldn't help but worry for John and the others.
"Helena, do you think Johnny and the others will be alright?"
"They definitely will. They're inside the mine, so they won't be affected by the sandstorm. The only thing that worries me is that so-called Shadows of the Past. What kind of existence is it? If that thing is incredibly strong..."
Helena pinched her brow, seemingly unable to continue.
"Anyway, let's trust them. Once the sandstorm is over, we'll go back and check on them. Until then, all we can do is wait."
...
"Waiting here is definitely not a good idea! Shadows of the Past come and go without a trace. If we just sit here, we might never get the chance to uncover its mystery. I disagree!"
Old Mac stood up and immediately rejected John's suggestion without a moment's hesitation.
"But Mac, you said yourself that you don't have an effective way to track Shadows of the Past, right? We've lost the trail three times already. The mine is full of tunnels; who knows where they lead? Maybe there's an abyss beyond the cracks. Catching Shadows of the Past is important, but we must prioritize our safety!"
Hearing this, Old Mac opened his mouth but couldn't refute it.
How could he not understand the dangers John mentioned? But with Shadows of the Past right in front of him, it was hard for him to stay calm.
"In any case, safety comes first. We lack many things, but time isn't one of them. Whether it's a day or three, we can afford to wait. The sandstorm is raging outside, and we can't leave for now. I refuse to believe we can't catch the tail of Shadows of the Past."
John stood up and walked towards the mine entrance.
The flying sand blocked out the sky, making it impossible to open his eyes, let alone leave.
Unable to discern direction, staying in the mine was undoubtedly the best choice.
"No, the sandstorm's appearance has made the wind field even more chaotic, like a pot of soup. Using our powers now could be deadly."
Exiled Immortal timely reminded them, dispelling John's last unrealistic hope. Helplessly, he retreated back into the mine.
But at that moment, Old Mac suddenly stood up, rushed out of the mine, and struggled to open his eyes, staring straight into the sandstorm with increasing excitement.
"Look! Look at the figure in the center of the sandstorm! There's no mistake, it's Shadows of the Past that brought the storm!"
"What?"
John followed Old Mac's pointing finger and through the gaps in his fingers, he finally saw the figure.
Just as Old Mac had described, it was as if countless lives were melded together to create an indescribable monster standing at the center of the sandstorm.
"It, it really exists? But the storm is so huge, we can't get close!"
"Mac, it looks like we'll have to give up this time. Maybe we'll get another chance in the future. This storm feels like divine retribution, isolating us outside, making it impossible to approach."
John sighed and stepped forward to pat Old Mac on the shoulder, thinking this would dissuade him. But Old Mac's next words left John stunned.
"I'm going into the sandstorm!"
"What? No! Have you gone mad, Mac!"
Exiled Immortal rushed forward, eyes full of shock, and questioned, "Do you have any idea how fast the wind, carrying stones, can go? You don't even need to get close; the flying sand and stones would turn your body into a sieve, let alone entering the center of the storm!
Besides, even if you got in, what then? You don't know the strength of Shadows of the Past. What if you can't beat it? This is too risky. We can wait for another opportunity!"
"But who knows how long the next opportunity will take? Tens of days? Months or even years? How long can I wait?
Who knows what comes first, tomorrow or an accident? I have thought like you countless times before: why does it have to be this time? Life is long, I'll have another chance. But that's not the reality!"
Old Mac turned around, his eyes resolute, and continued, "This might be the last chance in my life to get close to, even confront, Shadows of the Past. I can't help but think this way. I know it's risky, so I'll go alone.
You two stay here, wait for the storm to end, and leave Mine No. 3. If, and I mean if... after the storm ends, you find my body, please take me back. But thinking positively, maybe I'll come back alive?"
Old Mac tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a simple smile.
"I'm really sorry, John. I promised to forge a weapon for each of you, but I probably can't do that now. As compensation, take this."
As Old Mac spoke, he pulled a necklace with a shattered crystal from his chest and placed it in John's hand.
"This was given to me by my daughter. Now, I'm giving it to you. If you ever go to Everglow City and meet my daughter, you might be able to exchange it for some armor. Consider it compensation for my broken promise.
Ah... I wish I could go to Everglow City to see my grown-up Florence, but it seems I won't have the chance.
John, I'm very fortunate to have a group like you who believes in an old man's crazy words. Thank you..."
With that, Old Mac turned around, took out the pickaxe from his back, and struck it heavily into the rock wall.
He tied one end of the safety rope to the pickaxe and the other end around his waist, preparing to climb up the scaffolding.
Seeing this, Exiled Immortal scratched his head in frustration. After a long hesitation, he suddenly rushed forward and pulled Old Mac back.
"Exiled Immortal, what are you doing!"
"What am I doing? I'm stopping you from getting yourself killed! You're underestimating a natural disaster! Do you know how fast the wind carrying stones can be? It can shred a mountain! You, a mere mortal, what can you do?
Rely on sheer willpower?"
"What other choice do I have? I have to try; I can't let this opportunity slip away!"
"Stop arguing, Mac! I'll think of something..."
Exiled Immortal took a deep breath, muttering to himself, "I don't know if this will work... Since my second class change, I've felt my abilities growing. Damn it, I'm betting on this! Mac, once this is over, you must forge twenty swords for me!"
With that, Exiled Immortal ignored John and Old Mac's attempts to stop him and rushed out of the mine. Facing the bottomless pit, he leaped!
"Exiled Immortal!"
"Exiled Immortal!"
John rushed forward, reaching out to grab Exiled Immortal's coat, but missed by just a centimeter.
He could only watch as Exiled Immortal fell rapidly, disappearing from sight.
He could faintly hear Exiled Immortal's voice.
"Mac, you'd better watch closely. Natural disasters aren't so terrifying in front of me, Exiled Immortal!"
"Damn it! Just a little more!"
John gritted his teeth and punched the ground, causing the hard lapis lazuli surface to crack instantly.
"E... Exiled Immortal, kid."
Old Mac collapsed to the ground, eyes blank, stunned.
No one would have expected Exiled Immortal to suddenly jump into the pit.
In such extreme weather, Exiled Immortal's abilities would be minimal!
To Old Mac, his impulsiveness had led to Exiled Immortal's death. Guilt and regret filled his heart.
"Again... another sacrifice..."
Old Mac bowed his head, memories flooding in.
He could no longer remember how many innocent people had died because of his quest to uncover the truth about Shadows of the Past. Ten? Twenty?
Was there any chance of survival after such a fall?
The answer to John's doubt came in the form of a gust of green wind rising from the depths of the pit!