Reincarnated as a random race, of course I got goblin.

Chapter 24 - The Rimefrosted Mine

Morning comes, and with it, a frigid cold that seems to filter in from outside. I switch into human form and get dressed. The Huldr still sleeps tightly, so I bundle her up in some more blankets before leaving the house. 

As I step outside, I'm struck by the stillness of the town. A thick layer of snow carpets the streets, free of any footprints. I look towards the mine entrance at the top of town; icy air spills like a vaporous waterfall from the mouth of it, just like it had when I first got here. Now it seems even more intense, though. 

Something's definitively changed for the worse here...

*Detecting abnormal Magic readings from within the mountain, possibly a budding Dungeon.*

So the mine is about to become a Dungeon? That's bad! Then the whole town will have to move to get away from it. I've got to hurry and see if there's anything I can do. I quickly power my way through the snow towards the mine entrance.

Seems the guards have abandoned their posts near the mine, as I can't see anyone nearby. Or is it just too cold for them? Temperature readings are at negative ten degrees Celsius (~14F~). I guess the Cold and Hypothermia resistance Skills are doing their job. 

I cautiously peek inside the mine entrance. It's illuminated faintly by Tommyknockers, but it seems the cold is making them weak. Their normally energetic checking and testing of the roof above them is reduced to the occasional poke. Some are even having issues staying on their crossbeam. 

As I enter the mine proper, my map zooms in and displays the entirety of the mine. I am also given this information:

*Frostrimed Mine*
*Difficulty: 5*
*Predicted Inhabitants: Undead, Sprites, Elementals*

So it is a proper Dungeon! And it's difficulty five... But it doesn't have a Boss? Actually, I never got the explanation for monster ranks, did I?

*Monsters are Ranked from 1 to 9 Stars, based on the threat they pose and difficulty slaying one. It was created by the Hero of Life (one of the eight heroes who slew the True Tyrant) as a guide for hunters to more easily pick targets they could actually defeat. Monsters with unknown combat capabilities are ranked as ???.

- 1 Star - Even an untrained adult could kill these monsters. Poses no imminent threat. Usually herbivores without grand predator defenses or small and newborn monsters are Rank 1.

- 2 Stars - A trained humanoid, such as a town guard or soldier could take out one 2 Star monster. Poses a danger to children or a lone, untrained and/or ill equipped adult. Predators low on the food chain or herbivores with offensive capabilities are ranked as 2 Stars.

- 3 Stars - One D-rank hunter, or several soldiers could take out a 3 Stars monster, provided the right equipment is available. Poses a threat to even large groups of ill equipped and/or poorly trained humanoids. Large low-food-chain predators or herbivores whose size or defenses are too great to safely hunt alone are ranked 3 Star.

- 4 Stars - Several D-rank hunters, or one C-rank hunter, could take out one 4 Stars monster, provided the proper equipment is available. Immediate orders of subjugation are sent out when 4 Star monsters are spotted near inhabited land, due to the threat they pose. Small medium-food-chain predators and a select few herbivores are ranked 4 Stars.

- 5 Stars - Several C-rank hunters, or one B-rank hunter, could take out one 5-Stars monster, provided the proper equipment is available. Monsters of this rank are able to create Lairs, though it is rare. Able to raze a small village with little effort, should they so desire. Large medium-food-food chain predators rank as 5 Stars.