Gardener of Eden

Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Rift Core & Mineral Extraction

Stepping through the grand archway of Keystone Citadel’s central Adventurer’s Guild, Squad 07 and Princess Lyra were met with the hum of high-tier conquerors, guild scouts, and trade brokers. The team navigated toward the primary commission board, where glowing runic slates displayed the available 10th-floor quests. Unlike the lower floors, missions here demanded elite coordination to handle the floor’s aggressive monster spawn rates beyond the outer walls.

The guild clerk verified their Level 20+ status and presented four major contract categories:

10th Floor Available Commissions

Outer Wall Rampart Defense

Type: Combat & Patrol

Objective: Assist the local patrol sentries along the eastern barrier to push back high-density monster waves spawning near the citadel gates.

Reward: 2,500 Gold, 800 Tower Credits, and local defense merit.

Subterranean Sector Reconnaissance

Type: Investigation & Subjugation

Objective: Investigate unusual mana fluctuations in the catacombs beneath the citadel, scanning for potential Order of Humanity remnants or corrupted mana nodes.

Reward: 3,000 Gold, 1,000 Tower Credits, and high-tier alchemy catalysts.

11th Floor Gate Pre-Clearance

Type: Vanguard Expedition

Objective: Map out the entry corridor leading to the 11th-floor transition gate, eliminating elite champion beasts guarding the bottleneck.

Reward: Direct authorization for 11th-floor entry, 4,000 Gold, 1,200 Tower Credits.

Rift Core & Mineral Extraction

Type: Harvesting & Resource Gathering

Objective: Extract high-density mana crystals and rare ores from the outer rift basin to supply Barney’s anvil and Seraphina’s elixir crafting.

Reward: 2,000 Gold, exclusive rights to 30% of harvested raw materials.

”The subterranean investigation and the 11th-floor pre-clearance offer the best merit,” Seraphina observed, adjusting her glasses as she scanned the glowing notices.

Princess Lyra rested her hand on her sword hilt, her Bracers of the Sun glinting under the hall’s mana lamps. ”Securing the 11th-floor access while eliminating local threats will firmly establish Squad 07’s reputation across Keystone Citadel.”

***

Passing through the grand fortified gates of Keystone Citadel, Squad 07 and Princess Lyra left the city’s protective dome behind and stepped into the jagged, sunless expanses of the 10th Floor’s outer wilderness.

The terrain rapidly shifted from paved stone into a vast, shattered landscape dominated by the Outer Rift Basin—a sprawling canyon network jagged with glowing crystalline outcroppings and deep mana fissures. As the sentries had warned, the atmospheric mana hummed with volatile energy, triggering aggressive, spontaneous monster spawns across the craggy ridge lines.

”Keep sharp, eyes on the perimeter,” Caelen warned, keeping his daggers fluid and ready as he and Mirei scouted fifty paces ahead to map the canyon’s choke points, vantage spots, and escape routes. Mirei signaled back with a quiet gesture, her bow tension calibrated against the heavy rift wind, pointing out a massive cluster of glowing subterranean crystals buried along a lower ravine wall.

Before Barney could step down to inspect the geological yield, the canyon wall shuddered. A pack of five Prismatic Rift Stalkers—beasts armored in jagged, mana-infused quartz—burst from the basalt fissures, their eyes burning with aggressive instinct.

Princess Lyra instantly flared her golden solar aura, her Bracers of the Sun gleaming as she drew her sword to intercept the lead stalker. Barney surged forward into position, planting his heavy shield to crush the momentum of two charging beasts, while Rowan stepped smoothly into the gap.

Swinging the Hoe of the World-Tiller in a wide, fluid arc, Rowan channeled golden earth mana directly through the rocky canyon floor. The ground buckled into deep furrows, fracturing the stalkers’ footing and trapping them in place. Mirei’s wind-infused arrows pinned their flanks, allowing Caelen to slip past their shattered quartz carapaces to land precise, critical strikes.

With the threat cleared in short order, Barney unslung his mining pick with an eager grin, inspecting the exposed mineral vein. ”Look at the density on this stuff! High-grade Arcane Mithril and unrefined Rift Ore!” He set to work extracting heavy chunks of refined minerals for his anvil, while Seraphina carefully gathered the surrounding high-purity mana crystals to stock her elixir catalysts.

Rowan adjusted his Enchanted Straw Hat against the rising ambient heat, sweeping the massive haul cleanly into his system inventory. Scouting the basin had given them an accurate map of the 10th floor’s treacherous terrain—and with a heavy payload of rare materials bound for trade and crafting, Squad 07’s first excursion outside Keystone Citadel was proving to be exceptionally profitable.

***

”Alright, Barney, Caelen, and Princess Lyra will stand guard,” Rowan said, stepping toward the glowing mineral vein with his tool ready. ”Myself, Mirei, and Seraphina will harvest these ores as much as possible.”

With the plan set, the squad split duties with practiced efficiency. Barney stepped forward and planted his heavy tower shield firmly into the basalt ground, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Caelen and Princess Lyra to form an unyielding defensive arc.

The rhythmic clack-clack of mining picks breaking through high-density rock and the sudden, resonant hum of exposed mana crystals echoed far across the jagged rift canyon. Just as expected, the acoustic ringing and released energy acted as a beacon for the 10th floor’s aggressive wildlife.

Within minutes, guttural roars and the skittering of quartz-armored limbs echoed down the ravine. A fresh wave of rift predators surged from the shadows, but the vanguard line held absolutely. Barney absorbed the heavy kinetic momentum of the initial leap strikes, his heavy armor holding firm as impacts rattled off his barrier.

Caelen stepped fluidly into the chaos, bringing Edge of the First Warden up in precise, sweeping parries to deflect wild claws and throw the beasts off balance. Capitalizing on every opening, Princess Lyra’s golden solar aura blazed brightly, her radiant runic sword executing swift, lethal arcs that carved through dark hides.

Behind the wall of shield and steel, the harvesting crew made rapid progress. Rowan infused golden earth mana into the Hoe of the World-Tiller, using its terra-shaping properties to fracture the dense basalt around the veins without fracturing the delicate crystals. Seraphina worked alongside him, using her alchemist’s tools to carefully extract pure mineral nodules into her storage pouches.

Mirei alternated between levering heavy ore chunks out of the rock and drawing her bow from her Wind-Blessed Quiver, sending wind-infused arrows over Barney’s shoulders to pick off any beasts attempting to flank the front line.

Soon, they had excavated over 150kg of high-purity minerals, while several piles of beast carcasses could be seen surrounding the excavation site as the sound continuously attracted nearby beasts. Tipping the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat, Rowan swept the entire 150kg payload cleanly into his system inventory with a wave of his hand, securing an extraordinarily profitable bounty for Squad 07.