Beast Tamer's Rebirth National Treasure Edition novel Chapter 297

Chapter 297

Sierra’s stash was only supposed to feed one person for two days, but somehow, six of them managed to stretch it out for almost six days.

If this goes on for another two days, there’s no telling what could happen to Sierra and the rest.

Just an hour later, the rescue team ran into a major problem. The rock where Sierra and the others were trapped was way too thick, and the machines they had just weren’t powerful enough to install the ventilation pipes.

Leonard and Eric had been at the site for days. As soon as they heard about the issue, Leonard jumped in, “Is it better equipment you need?”

The rescue team leader, looking exhausted with red eyes, was stunned for a second before nodding. “But the latest equipment is in Silvania. Even at top speed, it would take at least eight months to get it here…”

“One day,” Leonard said, taking a deep breath. “I promise the latest machine from Silvania will be here in one day.”

The team leader swallowed nervously. “But that machine costs tens of millions of dollars, and every rescue team worldwide is scrambling for it. Their production capacity is limited…”

Leonard was already dialing. After explaining the situation, he said, “100 million dollars. I want that machine here by this time tomorrow. No exceptions.”

With that, Leonard hung up.

The rescue team leader was left speechless.

He thought, “Turns out, having money really does let you break through any obstacle.

The team leader pressed his lips together and suddenly said, “If we get the latest machine, we can get the ventilation pipes up and running in twelve hours. But there’s another issue.”

Leonard gave him a look that clearly said, “Why didn’t you say that sooner?”

The team leader swallowed nervously.

Ever since Eric and Leonard arrived, the team leader couldn’t shake off this constant pressure.

Now, with just one look from Leonard, the team leader felt like a nervous schoolkid getting called out by the teacher.

Leonard asked, “What else?”

The team leader rushed to explain, “Our plan is to insert the ventilation pipes directly, so the trapped folks can crawl out through them. But we don’t know what’s happening around them.

“Once we break through the last layer, rocks are bound to come crashing down. We’re worried the tunnel is too cramped, and falling rocks could hit the people inside…”

Leonard’s death stare made the team leader clam up instantly.

After a moment, Leonard said, “If you need any other gear, I’ll have it here in twenty-four hours, no problem.”

The team leader shook his head fast. “It’s not equipment this time. We’ve lost contact with the people inside, so we have no idea what’s going on down there…

Leonard frowned.

Just as Leonard was about to say something, he could’ve sworn he saw an arm-sized rat actually waving at him.

Inside the mine, a dim spotlight pierced the darkness.

On the fifth day, after all the food and water were gone, Sierra would turn on the light every three hours, trying to keep everyone from falling into nightmares brought on by the darkness.

It was now their 128th hour trapped, and they’d been without food and water for nearly a day. Sierra could clearly feel her body growing weaker.

To make things worse, Sierra realized she had a fever.

By the 78th hour, her body started to feel limp, her temperature rising, and the wound on her head stabbing with sharp pain.

Over the next few days, these symptoms only got worse.

Three hours ago, Elliot noticed Sierra’s breathing suddenly became rapid. When he touched her forehead, it was burning hot.

Elliot had never lost his composure all these days, but the moment he realized Sierra was burning up with fever, he completely panicked.

He handed the two kids over to Sophie and pulled Sierra into his arms, making sure she was comfortable leaning against him.

Sierra was still conscious, but the clearer her mind, the deeper the pain in her body.

Sierra knew her fever was definitely caused by an infection in he wound.

Sierra exhaled a hot breath, leaning against Elliot’s chest, feeling his heart beating abnormally fast.

Sierra said, “Elliot, don’t worry. I’m fine.”

But as she spoke, her throat felt glued shut, her voice hoarse and raspy.”

It wasn’t just her. Sophie and Anderson were suffering the same way.

In extreme conditions, people die of dehydration after three days without water. But somehow, the six of them managed to last five whole days on less than three liters of water from Sierra stash.

Now, they’d gone almost a full day without any water at all.

In two days, maybe even less, their bodies would be depleted of sugar and muscle function, and they’d die in this cold, damp, filthy mine.

Elliot kept checking Sierra’s forehead, and every time he did, it felt even hotter than before. For the first time, he felt totally powerless.

Elliot didn’t know what to do, even though Sierra kept telling him she was fine.

“Sierra, maybe you should lie flat on the ground and rest your head on my lap. Would that feel better?” Elliot asked.

Sierra didn’t bother with formalities and just did as he suggested

Once she lay down, her back protested a little, but it was still way better than before. Soon enough, though, a wave of dizziness and pain washed over her, so Sierra squinted and shut her eyes, trying to rest.

Elliot’s hand bumped into the icy stone wall, and suddenly, he had an idea. He pressed his palm against the wet stone, absorbing as much cold as he could.

Once his hand was chilled, he slapped it onto Sierra’s forehead.

Sierra felt the sudden cold on her skin, her eyes snapping open in surprise.

Elliot steadied her head, his voice low. “Don’t move. Your forehead is way too hot. Let me try cooling you off like this.”

It worked for a bit. Sierra’s forehead cooled down, but in less than five minutes, the fever started creeping back in.

Sierra wasn’t the only one barely hanging on. Everyone trapped in the mine was struggling to stay conscious.

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