Solution to 6: Sweeping Sandstone

The grid is a minesweeper puzzle, as hinted by the title and the ticking bomb reference in the text. Solving it spells out "LOTSOFMINES", which is the key for the ciphertext below the grid.

The words "vigilant pioneer" refer to the vigenère cipher and using the key "LOTSOFMINES", the plaintext is "ADJECTIVEDESCRIBINGSOMEONEWHOEXCELS". An adjective describing someone who excels is "EXCELLENT".





EXCELLENT