"Hannah, I need five gold bars to fix this," Clint sighed. I'd been here a little over a month, and he already sounded tired of me.
I put my head in my hands, already exhausted from today's farm work. "Mentally, I cannot handle that today."
"Physically, I don't have enough scrap gold to help you out," Clint said with a shrug. "You could buy some ore—"
"I'm saving for my silo," I sighed, biting my lip, trying to think of a solution—and coming up with nothing. "Alright. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Sorry, Hannah. I appreciate your business," Clint chuckled.
"It's not like I have other options," I smirked, throwing my backpack over my shoulder.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjzzu114RD
Off to the mines.
I made my way up the mountain, acknowledging the squirrels and rabbits darting past. The breeze played through my hair, making the trees sway like they were slow-dancing. Stardew Valley really is beautiful.
As I walked along the mountain lake, I noticed a guy in a hoodie smoking by the shore. His hair was dark—almost black, but with heavy tints of purple. Definitely natural.
This must be Robin's son.
I saw zero resemblance, but Robin had described him as a recluse. He looked up as I approached, saying nothing. Instead, he took another drag of his cigarette.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQIOYtFsT1
I was about to keep walking when—
"You going to the mines?" he asked, his voice low and dry.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A9goNkWif
I froze at the sound of it—why did it make me nervous?
"Yeah. I need ore for my axe," I said, sighing. "Clint isn't cutting me any slack."
Sebastian smirked, exhaling smoke. "Are there monsters down there like they say?"
Uh. Was I supposed to say anything about the monsters? Was this top secret? No one had given me a rulebook when I moved here—and my "sword" was basically a butter knife.
"Yes," I admitted. "There are some really strange things down there."
Sebastian nodded like he wasn't surprised. "I hear weird things coming from out of that cave late at night. Abigail wants to go exploring, but... Pierre would kill her. And honestly, if a monster came after us, I'd use her as a shield."
I laughed. "Dang."
"I'm not heroic," he said, flicking his cigarette away.
"Be safe down there. Oh—and let me know if you find any Frozen Tears. I've only read about them in the museum," he added.
I smiled and continued toward the mines, feeling lighter somehow.
Inside the cave entrance, an older man in a cloak and eyepatch stood blocking the ladder.
"Hannah?" he asked.
I furrowed my brows. "Creepy?" I blurted.
He chuckled. "Marlon, chief of the Adventurer's Guild. I've heard you made it past the ice caverns."
"Oh. Yeah. Barely, but yes," I laughed.
"I haven't seen anyone around here brave enough to get that far. Not even Rasmodius—and that guy can teleport," Marlon said with a grin. "Let's cut to the chase. That sword you're carrying? It's not gonna cut it anymore."
"I'll be honest, I used my axe a lot," I admitted. "Also figured it might stress the mayor out if I started asking around for a katana."
Marlon laughed. "You've got heart. Swing by the guild later—I'll get you something more sustainable."
"Awesome, thanks. Fair warning though—I'm super cheap these days," I joked.
"Come talk to me. Oh—and I got that old elevator working," Marlon added, nodding toward it.
I eyed the rickety thing suspiciously. Not sure I trust that yet, but whatever.
As Marlon's figure faded into the cave light, I sighed, hit the button, and descended to Level 55.
Three hours later, my backpack was stuffed with ore. My thigh was cut, my thumbs blistered, and my body hated me.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa9yVTEMfL
I stumbled out of the mines into the fresh night air, the moonlight reflecting off the still lake, a quiet breeze moving through the trees.
God, it felt good to be outside again.
"I made a bet you wouldn't come back out," a familiar voice said.
I jumped slightly, scanning the shadows. By the trees, the moon lit up one side of his face—Sebastian.
"How much money did you lose?" I laughed.
Sebastian pulled a cigarette from his pocket. "Another one?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You've been in there for three hours. Want one?" he challenged.
I flopped down next to the tree he leaned against. "Oh, almost forgot," I said, reaching into my backpack. A metallic clanking disaster erupted from inside.
Sebastian looked mildly alarmed, which made me snicker.
Finally, I pulled out a crystal—icy blue, almost clear, shaped like a perfect teardrop. I'd seen them in passing, but now I knew exactly what it was.
Sebastian sat down next to me, taking the crystal carefully from my hand. He held his cigarette between his lips, studying the gem like it was something sacred.
I watched his face, hoping for a hint of surprise—but I'm starting to realize that's just not who he is.
"I'm impressed," he said, still not taking his eyes off it.
"I can tell," I said sarcastically, making him crack a smile.
"No seriously—thank you. I can't believe you actually found one."
Under the soft moonlight, his skin looked even paler, the dark shadow of his hoodie framing his face.
"I should probably head home," I said, yawning. "It's almost two."
Sebastian put out his cigarette against the bottom of his shoe.
"I'll see you around, Hannah," he said, standing.
"I didn't even know you knew my name," I laughed.
"Word gets around," he said simply, turning toward the lit-up cabin in the distance.
I smiled the entire hike home, my new treasure tucked safely in my bag—and the thought of a new friend lighting up my chest like a secret.
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