"Timing will be everything," Mike whispered as they crouched in a maintenance alcove overlooking the processing chamber. They had returned to their previous observation point after confirming the full extent of the Zengrid operation, and now watched the metalworkers below with renewed purpose.

  Morin nodded, his eyes fixed on the cage where the finished star-forged iron rods were stored. "The shift change we observed earlier seemed to affect all areas simultaneously. If the pattern holds, we'll see a similar exchange here in the next hour or so."

  "That would be our window," Mike agreed. "Maximum confusion as one group hands off to another. We slip in, grab the rods we need, then move to plant the explosive charges at key structural points."

  His Tactical Positioning skill had been working continuously, analyzing the entire mine complex as they explored it, identifying optimal locations for their stolen boom sap charges. The skill had progressed further during their reconnaissance, providing increasingly detailed information about structural vulnerabilities and likely collapse patterns.

  "Five charges total," Mike continued, outlining his plan. "One in the main junction to seal off the entire deep section. One in the extraction cavern to collapse their primary source. One here in the processing area to destroy their refinement capability. One in the mechanical chamber to obliterate that amplifier. And one in the ventilation system to ensure the entire network becomes unusable."

  Morin's expression was grim but appreciative. "Comprehensive. With those placements, they'd need to re-excavate the entire mountain to resume operations."

  "The charges have delayed fuses," Mike added. "We'll set them all, then make our way back to the surface before the first one detonates. The sequence should create a cascading collapse from deep to shallow."

  They lapsed into watchful silence, observing the patterns of movement in the processing chamber below. The Zengrids worked with surprising efficiency, each focusing on specific tasks within the refinement process. Guards maintained regular patrol routes, predictable enough that Mike's skill could easily anticipate their positions at any given moment.

  "Something's happening," Morin whispered after nearly forty minutes of observation.

  Indeed, the activity pattern in the chamber had changed. Workers were moving to secure their stations, covering forges, sealing chemical containers, and organizing tools. The supervisor was consulting what appeared to be a timepiece, then making notations on a tablet-like device.

  "Shift change," Mike confirmed. "Just as you predicted."

  They watched as the chamber's activity wound down, workers completing final tasks before gathering near the main entrance. After a few minutes, new sounds became audible from the tunnel beyond—the approaching footsteps and voices of the incoming shift.

  The two groups met at the chamber entrance, the supervisor facilitating a brief handover of information. Tools and positions were exchanged, status reports delivered, and within minutes, the outgoing workers were filing toward the exit while their replacements dispersed to various stations around the room.

  "Now's our chance," Mike whispered, noting how the guard positions had momentarily relaxed during the transition. "While they're still settling in."

  He'd already identified their approach route—a maintenance ladder near their position that descended to a shadowed area behind one of the larger forge setups. From there, they could move along the chamber's perimeter, using equipment and storage containers as cover, until they reached the cage where the star-forged iron was stored.

  "I'll go first," Mike decided. "You follow when I signal. If I'm spotted, stay hidden—no sense in both of us being caught."

  Morin looked as if he wanted to argue but nodded reluctantly. "Be careful."

  Mike descended the ladder with practiced ease, his movements silent despite his size. Construction work had taught him how to navigate precarious positions, and his enhanced skills in this world had only improved that ability. He reached the chamber floor and immediately pressed himself into the shadows behind the forge, waiting for a patrol guard to pass before signaling up to Morin.

  The dwarf followed, his natural climbing ability making the descent almost effortless despite his stockier build. Once both were safely on the chamber floor, they began their careful movement along the perimeter, timing their advances to coincide with the guards' patrol patterns.

  The processing chamber was far more complex at ground level than it had appeared from above. Massive forge setups dominated the central area, their heat creating rippling distortion in the air. Cooling troughs filled with iridescent liquids lined one wall, while work stations for shaping and carving the processed metal occupied another. The noise provided helpful cover—the hiss of hot metal meeting cooling fluid, the rhythmic hammering of the smiths, the occasional barked order from supervisors.

  Mike's Tactical Positioning skill guided their path with increasing precision, highlighting not just static cover points but predicting the movements of workers and guards to identify optimal moments to advance. They moved in short bursts—dashing from shadow to shadow when attention was directed elsewhere, freezing into stillness when gazes turned their way.

  Three-quarters of the way to their target, they encountered their first real obstacle. The path Mike had identified was suddenly blocked by a Zengrid worker who had stepped away from his station to adjust a valve on a cooling system. The alien being stood directly in their planned route, focused on his task but positioned such that advancing or retreating would risk exposure.

  Mike and Morin pressed themselves against a storage container, momentarily hidden but effectively trapped. The Zengrid showed no signs of completing his task quickly, methodically checking and adjusting multiple valves in sequence.

  "We need a distraction," Morin breathed, the words barely audible even to Mike beside him.

  Mike scanned their surroundings, his skill highlighting potential options. His gaze settled on a rack of tools near the worker, precariously balanced on a narrow shelf. With careful precision, he removed a small piece of stone from his pocket—debris collected during their journey through the mine—and calculated the angle.

  The throw was perfect. The stone struck the highest tool on the rack, setting off a cascading collapse that sent metallurgical implements clattering to the floor with a tremendous crash. The noise drew immediate attention from throughout the chamber, including the worker blocking their path, who rushed to investigate the disturbance.

  In the moment of confusion, Mike and Morin darted across the exposed area, reaching the shadowed space beside the storage cage. They pressed themselves against the wall, breathing controlled and silent, as order was gradually restored to the chamber.

  "Nice throw," Morin whispered with a hint of admiration once the immediate danger had passed.

  "Construction sites have their hazards," Mike replied with a tight smile. "You learn to be precise."

  They turned their attention to the cage before them. The structure was surprisingly substantial—metal bars reinforced with what appeared to be alchemical treatments, secured by a locking mechanism that looked far more sophisticated than simple mechanical tumblers.

  "Zengrid security technology," Morin observed grimly. "Beyond my lockpicking skills."

  Mike studied the cage, his enhanced perception revealing details that might have escaped notice otherwise. "The lock has a power source," he noted, indicating a small crystal embedded in the mechanism. "Similar to the energy devices we saw in the amplifier chamber."

  "Can we disable it?"

  "Better," Mike replied, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "I think we can trigger it to open." His construction experience included work on electronic security systems back on Earth, and while the technology here was different, certain principles remained constant. "Hand me your lightstone."

  Morin passed the amber crystal, which Mike carefully positioned near the lock's power source. The two crystals reacted to each other's proximity, the lock's embedded power source pulsing in response to the lightstone's energy.

  "Energy resonance," Mike murmured. "Just need to find the right frequency..." He adjusted the lightstone, manipulating its output by varying pressure on different facets. The lock crystal's pulsing changed in response, eventually synchronizing with the lightstone's rhythm.

  With a soft click, the mechanism disengaged, the cage door swinging open a few inches.

  "Impressive," Morin acknowledged. "Where did you learn that?"

  "I didn't," Mike admitted. "But my Structural Analysis skill has been evolving as we explore this place. It's starting to recognize energy patterns as well as physical ones."

  They slipped inside the cage, finding themselves surrounded by racks of processed star-forged iron in various forms—ingots, bars, plates, and—most importantly for their needs—rods of the exact dimensions required for repairing the Forge Hammer.

  Morin moved directly to these, examining them with expert eyes. "These are perfect," he whispered, selecting several pieces that appeared to be metal rods about a foot in length, with the same diameter as the broken hammer handle. "The material is already in the right form—I'll just need to work it into the proper shape once we return to the Haven."

  As Morin carefully packed the selected pieces into his bag, Mike kept watch, monitoring the movement patterns in the chamber beyond the cage. The distraction had been forgotten, operations returning to normal, but the shift was still new enough that workers remained focused on their tasks rather than potential security concerns.

  "Got what we need," Morin confirmed, securing his pack. "Now for the charges?"

  Mike nodded, retrieving one of Trolley's enhanced boom sap explosives from his own pack. "First one goes here, in this storage cage. Not just to destroy their refined materials, but positioned against this wall." He indicated the rear of the cage, where the stone showed subtle signs of stress. "My Analysis skill indicates this is a load-bearing section. Bringing it down will collapse a significant portion of this chamber."

  He placed the charge carefully, embedding it among the star-forged iron materials where it would be difficult to spot during routine checks. The fuse he positioned with equal care, ensuring it would have unobstructed burn once triggered.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "How long do we have once we activate it?" Morin asked.

  "Trolley designed these with variable timing," Mike explained. "This one's set for twenty minutes—enough time for us to plant the remaining charges and begin our escape."

  They exited the cage, Mike carefully reclosing the door to avoid arousing suspicion. Using the same methodical approach that had brought them to the storage area, they began their retreat, now heading not toward their entry point but toward the tunnel that would lead them to the mechanical chamber where the Ki Amplifier was being constructed.

  "We need to time our movement between patrol cycles," Mike whispered as they paused behind a large piece of equipment. "The guard rotation creates a five-second window when this section is unwatched."

  Morin nodded, tensing in preparation. When Mike gave the signal, they darted across the exposed area, reaching the tunnel entrance just as a guard rounded a distant corner. They pressed themselves into a shadowed recess, barely avoiding detection as the Zengrid passed within arm's reach of their position.

  The tunnel leading to the mechanical chamber was busier than they had anticipated. Workers moved in both directions, carrying components and tools, while what appeared to be messenger Zengrids rushed past with tablets containing information or instructions. Finding moments to advance without being seen became increasingly challenging.

  "Sub-Warlock Thazz's inspection has increased activity," Morin observed during one of their forced pauses in a maintenance alcove. "Everyone's trying to look productive."

  "Makes our job harder," Mike agreed, "but also means they're distracted. Focused on impressing their superiors, not watching for intruders."

  They continued their cautious advance, eventually reaching the entrance to the mechanical chamber where they had observed the Ki Amplifier. The scene had changed since their earlier reconnaissance—more Zengrids now worked on the device, seemingly accelerating construction under the watchful eyes of Thazz and his warlock subordinates.

  "How do we get close enough to place a charge?" Morin wondered, surveying the busy chamber with concern.

  Mike's Tactical Positioning skill was already analyzing options, identifying a potential approach that would utilize the chamber's complex layout. "There's a maintenance conduit under the floor," he indicated a grated panel near their position. "Probably for access to the power distribution system. It might lead beneath the amplifier."

  With careful movements, they managed to dislodge the grate without attracting attention. The conduit beyond was cramped—clearly designed for smaller Zengrid workers—but navigable. They squeezed inside, replacing the grate behind them before proceeding through the dusty, confined space.

  The conduit branched multiple times, forcing them to make educated guesses about direction. Mike led the way, his skill providing guidance based on the chamber's layout above. The air grew warmer and carried a strange, tingling quality that made the hairs on his arms stand up—energy leakage from the amplifier, he suspected.

  "We should be directly beneath it now," Mike whispered after several minutes of uncomfortable crawling. The conduit had widened slightly into a junction point where several power channels converged.

  Above them, the floor grating provided glimpses of the amplifier's base structure—massive metal footings anchored directly into the stone, connected by a network of cables and tubes that pulsed with energy. Most importantly, they could see that the space was currently unoccupied, workers focusing on the upper portions of the device rather than its foundation.

  "Perfect placement," Mike said, removing another of Trolley's charges from his pack. This one he configured with particular care, adjusting internal components to maximize its effect against the amplifier's power distribution system. "This won't just damage the device—it should create an energy cascade that will destroy its core components."

  "Can you set it for the same timing as the first?" Morin asked, keeping watch through the grating.

  Mike nodded, making the final adjustments. "Twenty minutes from activation. We'll trigger them all at once during our escape."

  With the second charge placed, they retreated through the conduit system, eventually emerging at a different grate that positioned them closer to the chamber's secondary exit—a tunnel that their reconnaissance had shown led toward the extraction cavern.

  This passage proved less busy than the others, used primarily for material transport rather than constant worker movement. They made good time, reaching the massive excavation space where raw star-forged iron was being extracted from the mountain.

  "Third charge goes at the main support column," Mike determined, indicating a massive pillar that had been reinforced with modern materials but still showed its original dwarven craftsmanship at its core. "Bringing that down will collapse the entire upper section of the cavern."

  Placing this charge proved challenging—the column was in a well-lit, central location with limited concealment options. They were forced to wait for a coordinated moment when a large ore cart passed between the column and the nearest workers, providing momentary visual cover.

  Morin created an additional distraction by deliberately loosening a coupling on a nearby cart, causing its contents to spill partially onto the track. In the resulting confusion, Mike darted forward, placed the charge against the column's base, and retreated before the workers had finished addressing the spilled ore.

  "Three down, two to go," Mike said as they continued their path through the mine complex. "The ventilation hub should be nearby—my skill is detecting air currents that suggest a major junction just ahead."

  The ventilation system proved to be exactly where predicted—a large chamber where multiple air shafts converged, driven by what appeared to be magically enhanced mechanical fans. The room was mercifully empty, seemingly automated rather than requiring constant supervision.

  "Fourth charge here," Mike decided, placing the explosive where it would damage not just the fans but also the structural supports for the air shafts themselves. "Without ventilation, any sections of the mine that survive the initial collapses will become unusable—filled with dust and eventually, toxic air."

  As they exited the ventilation chamber, a notification appeared in Mike's vision:

  ```

  [DANGER: DETECTION RISK ELEVATED]

  Security patrols increasing frequency. Possible alert status.

  ```

  "Something's wrong," Mike whispered, relaying the warning to Morin. "They may have discovered signs of our presence."

  No sooner had he spoken than the sound of running feet echoed from a nearby tunnel. A group of Zengrid guards rushed past their hiding spot, weapons drawn, heading in the direction they had come from.

  "They've found something," Morin confirmed grimly. "We need to place the final charge and get out quickly."

  The main junction where all major tunnels converged was their last target—collapsing this would seal off the entire deep section of the mine, preventing easy re-excavation. But reaching it now meant navigating increasingly active security patrols and alert workers.

  "We'll need to be more direct," Mike decided after assessing their options. "Less stealth, more speed. Get to the junction, place the charge, and make a run for the surface."

  They abandoned their careful, shadow-to-shadow approach in favor of more purposeful movement, timing their advances to minimize exposure but accepting greater risk. Mike's Tactical Positioning skill shifted its focus accordingly, now highlighting optimal paths for rapid transit rather than perfect concealment.

  They were within sight of the main junction when the alarm finally sounded—a harsh, wailing noise that echoed throughout the complex. The reason became immediately apparent: one of the guards had discovered the displaced grate in the mechanical chamber, evidence of their infiltration.

  "Run!" Mike urged, abandoning pretense entirely. They sprinted the remaining distance to the junction, Morin's shorter legs pumping furiously to keep pace.

  The junction was temporarily empty, workers having responded to the alarm by either taking defensive positions or seeking supervisors for instructions. Mike placed the final charge quickly, wedging it into a crack where several major support beams converged.

  "Now we need to activate them and get out," he said, retrieving the master trigger from his pack—a simple device Trolley had created that would send a resonant energy pulse to initiate all five fuses simultaneously.

  Before he could activate it, a shout came from one of the tunnels. A group of armed Zengrids had spotted them, already raising weapons and calling for reinforcements. Mike and Morin darted into the main passage leading toward the surface entrance, the one path they had fully mapped during their infiltration.

  "Trigger it now!" Morin called as they ran, the sounds of pursuit growing behind them.

  Mike activated the device without slowing. A soft pulse emanated from the trigger, invisible but felt as a momentary pressure against the skin. All five charges were now armed, their fuses burning with precise synchronization. Twenty minutes until detonation.

  "We need to reach the surface before the first charge blows," Mike panted as they raced through the tunnels. "The sequence will create a cascading collapse from deep to shallow!"

  Their pursuit was gaining—the Zengrids knew the tunnels better and weren't hampered by the need to navigate unfamiliar territory. Shots rang out, primitive bullets striking the stone walls around them as they ran.

  Mike's Tactical Positioning skill proved invaluable, guiding them through the most efficient escape route while highlighting cover points to avoid the increasingly accurate fire. Morin showed surprising stamina, keeping pace despite his shorter stature, his dwarven physiology adapted to sustained exertion underground.

  "Junction ahead," Mike called, recognizing the approach to the distribution hub they had first entered hours earlier. "Surface access beyond that!"

  They burst into the massive chamber just as another group of Zengrids entered from a different tunnel—these led by none other than Sub-Warlock Thazz himself, his staff glowing with angry energy. The Zengrid leader spotted them immediately, three eyes widening in what might have been shock before narrowing in rage.

  "Intruders!" he snarled, his voice carrying a harmonic quality that seemed designed to inspire fear. "Seize them!"

  Guards moved to intercept, cutting off the direct path to the entrance tunnel. Mike and Morin were forced to dive behind a massive piece of abandoned mining equipment as energy bolts from Thazz's staff crackled past them, striking the far wall with explosive force.

  "Fifteen minutes until detonation," Mike reported, checking his mental countdown. "We need to get past them and reach the surface!"

  Morin surveyed their position grimly. "Too many for direct confrontation. We need another distraction."

  Mike's eyes fell on a collection of ore carts positioned near their hiding spot, apparently awaiting transport to the surface. Rusty but intact, they sat on rails that led directly toward the entrance tunnel—and featured a control lever that suggested they could be released to roll freely.

  "Those carts," he indicated with a quick gesture. "If we can get to them and release the braking mechanism, they'll roll straight through that group of guards."

  "Good thinking," Morin approved. "But reaching them means crossing open ground under fire."

  Mike assessed the situation, his skill calculating trajectories and timing. "I'll make a run for the far column, drawing their attention. You circle around and release the carts when they're focused on me."

  Before Morin could object to the dangerous role Mike had assigned himself, he was already moving—darting from their hiding place toward a massive stone column across the chamber. As predicted, the Zengrid guards immediately focused on him, energy bolts and projectiles following his path.

  Mike reached the column just as a bolt struck near his feet, the impact sending stone shrapnel slicing across his calf. He grimaced but maintained position, continuing to draw attention with occasional movements that presented just enough target to keep the Zengrids engaged.

  Morin, meanwhile, had successfully circled behind the guards' position, reaching the ore carts undetected. With expert precision, he disengaged the braking mechanism, then gave the lead cart a powerful shove to start it moving down the slight incline.

  The effect was immediate and dramatic. The lead cart picked up speed rapidly, rolling directly toward the group of guards blocking the entrance tunnel. Those directly in its path scattered, creating momentary chaos in their formation. The cart continued through, striking the far wall with a tremendous crash that echoed throughout the chamber.

  "Now!" Morin shouted, already sprinting toward the entrance tunnel through the gap created by the distraction.

  Mike broke from his position, running at full speed despite the pain in his injured leg. Guards tried to reorient to this new threat, but the confusion of the cart impact, combined with their split attention, prevented effective response.

  They reached the entrance tunnel just as order was being restored to the Zengrid ranks. Thazz's voice rose above the commotion, issuing commands that sent guards in pursuit once more. But Mike and Morin now had a critical advantage—a straight path to the surface with no junctions or decision points to slow them down.

  "Ten minutes to detonation," Mike called as they ran, the sound of pursuit growing behind them once more. "We're cutting it close!"

  The tunnel seemed longer during their escape than it had upon entry, each stride covering less distance than Mike's racing mind demanded. His injured leg threatened to buckle, blood soaking his pant leg and leaving a traceable trail, but adrenaline and determination kept him moving forward.

  Finally, the massive entrance doors came into view, still partially open as they had found them. Beyond lay the plateau and the mountain path that would carry them to safety—if they could reach it before the charges detonated and the mountain began to collapse.

  They burst into the open air, the storm still raging with undiminished fury. Rain lashed at them immediately, lightning splitting the sky overhead as if nature itself were acknowledging the drama unfolding. The plateau was slick with water, making each step treacherous as they ran toward the descending path.

  Behind them, the first Zengrid guards emerged from the entrance, weapons raised. Shots rang out, one striking the stone near Mike's foot, another passing close enough to his ear that he felt the displacement of air.

  "Down the path!" Morin shouted, already navigating the steep initial descent. "They won't follow far in this weather!"

  Mike followed, using his momentum to carry him forward despite the treacherous footing. The mountain path had transformed into a virtual waterfall, runoff from the higher slopes creating a constant flow that threatened to sweep unwary feet from under them.

  "Five minutes," Mike reported between gasping breaths. "We need distance—the entrance will be the first to collapse after the deep charges blow!"

  They pushed themselves to maximum speed, accepting the increased risk of a fall in exchange for vital distance from the coming destruction. Behind them, pursuit had indeed faltered, the Zengrids apparently unwilling to risk the dangerous descent in such conditions.

  They had managed perhaps a quarter-mile down the mountain when the first tremor shook the ground beneath their feet. Not the initial detonation yet, but rather the mountain itself seeming to shudder in anticipation, as if aware of the violence soon to be unleashed within its depths.

  "Shelter!" Morin called, pointing to an overhanging rock formation just off the path. "We need cover when it blows!"

  They diverted to the natural shelter, positioning themselves beneath the solid stone overhang just as the countdown in Mike's mind reached zero. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen—no sound, no further tremors, just the ongoing fury of the storm.

  Then, the mountain moved.

  The first explosion was felt rather than heard—a deep, subsonic pulse that traveled through solid rock to reach them even at this distance. This was followed seconds later by the second charge, then the third, each detonation building upon the others in the cascading sequence Mike had planned.

  When the combined force finally reached the surface, the effect was cataclysmic. The entire mountaintop seemed to shift, settling downward as internal supports collapsed. The mine entrance disappeared in a cloud of dust and debris that billowed outward despite the driving rain. Cracks appeared in the plateau, spreading outward from the collapsing entrance like lightning bolts through stone.

  "It worked," Morin breathed, awe in his voice despite the danger still present. "The entire complex..."

  Mike nodded grimly, watching as secondary collapses continued, the mountain adjusting to its new internal configuration. "The amplifier, the processed materials, the extraction operation—all of it buried under tons of rock. They'd need months, maybe years to re-excavate, even if they started immediately."

  A notification appeared in his vision, accompanied by the familiar warm sensation of advancement:

  ```

  [LEVEL UP: 14 ACHIEVED]

  New skills available for selection!

  Quest update: Star-forged iron acquired

  Bonus objective completed: Zengrid Ki Amplifier operation destroyed

  ```

  Despite their precarious position—halfway down a treacherous mountain path, in the middle of a raging storm, with enraged Zengrids potentially still in pursuit—Mike felt a surge of satisfaction. They had succeeded in their primary mission and struck a meaningful blow against the Zengrid Empire in the process.

  But as thunder rolled across the mountains and lightning illuminated the devastation they had caused, he knew their journey was far from over. The real challenge—repairing the Forge Hammer, accessing the Smith's Ring, and ultimately finding the means to close the Zengrid portals permanently—still lay ahead.

  For now, survival demanded their full attention. One careful step at a time, they continued their descent into the storm-swept darkness, the star-forged iron safely secured in Morin's pack and the mountain continuing its slow collapse behind them.