Loccy tested the tension of the primary braided hemp line where it wrapped twice around the timber winch.
The second safety line rested securely beneath Hajin's left arm, anchored directly into the surface bedrock above.
Hans checked his leather tool belt, verifying six oak wedges, two sealed lamps, and his marked survey parchment.
Juna carried no lantern, relying instead on her nocturnal vision and keen senses to read the darkness.
"Our signaling rope uses three standard pulls," Hajin instructed the surface crew.
"One pull signals hold the cable, two pulls give slack, and three pulls mean drag us upward."
"Any signal outside those three numbers will be ignored completely," Hans confirmed with a nod.
"What if something takes hold below and pulls you down, three Wings or one?" Loccy asked.
"Use one Wing until the main brace moves," he answered without hesitation.
"If the brace shifts, use whatever force keeps the mountain outside the mine!"
