Level Up (5)
Whoosh.
The first sensation Kim Jehyun felt upon plunging into the lava was, 'It's not as hot as I thought.'
'At this level... I can handle it.'
His earlier concerns vanished. The lava's temperature exceeded 1,000 degrees. If it had been too much to bear, he would have had to climb back out of the crater and find another way. Fortunately, thanks to his high fire resistance and Dragon Scale, Jehyun could withstand the intense heat without issue.
'First, head downward...'
Jehyun decided to search for a lava tunnel inside the crater. If he found a naturally formed one, it might lead to a path out.
'Worst case, I can dig my own.'
It would have been easier with an earth spirit contract, but his spirit power had grown enough to contract even other attributes. A bit more effort, and he could have borrowed the earth spirit's strength—what a shame he hadn't.
Thud, kurrrung.
The lava bubbled and churned. It was the aftermath of Kang Sihu and the earth dragon battling above, rippling down here.
'They're really going at it.'
Jehyun shook his head, watching the monsters clash. He needed to get out of here fast.
'...Huh?'
Then, his senses picked up presences approaching him—immense auras he couldn't ignore. Not just one or two.
'This is...'
Jehyun's face hardened. He hadn't expected creatures thriving in this lava.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Parting the lava, they swam into view near him. Massive bodies around 10 meters long, with dragon-like heads. Rough, rock-like skin, vertical yellow stripes on their heads. Large gills on either side, no arms but two legs. A bizarre fish-reptile hybrid.
'Dragon Eye.'
Feeling a strange tension, Jehyun checked their info.
'Volcanos!'
A dozen of these S-grade monsters, rare dwellers of lava depths. He never imagined they'd inhabit this place.
Kurrr.
The Volcanos encircled him, lips twitching as if observing him closely.
Kwararara.
One opened its maw and spat. As if on cue, an even mightier presence rose from the crater floor—stronger than the others.
'...!'
Jehyun's eyes widened further. This one was three times larger, with purple stripes instead of yellow.
'A named one!'
SS-grade, same as the earth dragon above.
'So many monsters in one spot, including an SS-grade? No wonder it's a forbidden zone.'
Jehyun tensed, watching them intently.
Then—
Kurrr.
The SS-grade Volcanos approached right to his face, then—
Swoosh.
—lowered its head. The others followed suit, bowing as if paying homage to their king.
Jehyun's expression shifted rapidly.
'Ah, because it's a dragonkin...'
He nodded in understanding—
—when Alkasha burst out laughing.
—Kuk, kuheheheha.
'...?'
Jehyun shot Alkasha a puzzled look. The ancient book suppressed its mirth before speaking.
—Thy expression changing by the moment was most amusing. Didst thou tense so fiercely?
Alkasha knew Volcanos were among the most loyal dragonkin to true dragons. But Jehyun's panicked face was too hilarious, so it had watched in silence.
'You...'
Jehyun narrowed his eyes at Alkasha, but the spirit book reveled unrepentantly. Finally, Jehyun chuckled too. Intentional or not, it had eased his strung-out nerves from the back-to-back tension.
'Well then...'
Jehyun's eyes gleamed at the purple-striped Volcanos gazing at him. An unexpected perfect guide.
* * *
"Puha."
Jehyun poked his head out of the lava. His first sight: a wide tunnel, broader than expected.
'Found it.'
A lava tunnel. Common in dormant volcanoes, carved by flowing lava. He'd guessed one led out from the crater—and he'd been right.
"Thanks."
Stepping onto solid ground, he nodded to the peering Volcanos.
Krrrng.
It rumbled pleasantly in response, then dove back into the lava.
'If I'd brought them to ambush Kang Sihu from behind, it would've been perfect.'
Jehyun smacked his lips regretfully at their retreating forms.
—No helping it. Bringing the Volcanos up would've likely sparked a fight with the earth dragon. They're natural rivals vying for this mountain's dominion.
Unless Jehyun reached holy dragon level for stronger dominance, meeting them now would've been uncontrollable, Alkasha explained.
—Even wondrous that they showed thee such favor as a mere hatchling... But gathering them together? Poor judgment.
Jehyun nodded in agreement.
'Yeah, regretful, but revenge on that bastard can wait.'
Pushing aside his regret, he advanced along the tunnel.
And soon—
"Tch."
The passage didn't lead out. The lava had burst through the ground, cooled midway, and hardened into a chamber big enough for five or six people. Filled with red-tinged volcanic rock.
'Hmm.'
After a moment's thought, Jehyun decided.
'I'll consume the Millennium Fruit here and break through the second barrier.'
The tunnel wasn't long; digging out might still be within Kang Sihu's pursuit range. Better to hide, advance his realm, and plan ahead.
He bet on the higher-probability path.
Thud.
Sitting cross-legged in the chamber's center, Jehyun steadied his breathing and mind. Then he pulled the Millennium Fruit from his inventory.
Whoosh.
Scorching heat filled his palm. No time to inspect it when Sharze gave it to him amid the chaos. Now, calmly observing, he sensed immense vital yang energy condensed within.
'If I absorb this fully... my fire affinity will skyrocket.'
Maybe even summon a higher-grade spirit. With eager anticipation, Jehyun chewed and swallowed it whole.
Immediately crossing his legs, he circulated Hatchling's Basic Mana Art.
Huuuk.
Volcanic heat erupted from within him, spreading outward.
* * *
Kyaaaaah!
A wretched scream echoed across Shimaynis Mountain's peak. From the earth dragon guarding the Millennium Tree.
Its glossy scales were shattered in places, its single horn half-broken. It thrashed its massive body wildly.
Kya. Kyaaak!
Purple energy clung to the cracks between its scales. As if in agony, it writhed and fled underground.
"Huuuk."
Kang Sihu, watching, exhaled raggedly. Sweat poured like rain; his face was deathly pale.
Shiver shiver.
His right hand was worst—inky purple, trembling uncontrollably like in a gale.
'Kuh...'
Gripping his right wrist with his left, the vibrations slowly subsided. The purple tint faded to normal.
'Still... can't control it properly.'
He muttered furiously at his hand, eyes turning icy.
'I am Kang Sihu. I won't be consumed by mere power.'
Grinding his teeth, he crushed his wrist as if to break it. The purple aura vanished rapidly.
"Huu."
Relieved, he collapsed. His mana reserves felt utterly depleted—a first since reaching 8th Circle.
Normally, 8th Circle boosted mana affinity; it should refill swiftly even when empty. But...
'The mana fears me.'
Ambient mana shunned him, explaining the delay.
'So many mountains left to climb.'
Shaking his head, he stood. He had to catch Kim Jehyun. Missing him now would haunt him forever.
"Didn't look suicidal..."
Peering into the crater, he muttered. Did Jehyun have a way to survive the lava? The guy was so abnormal, probably.
"Tch."
He clicked his tongue. Diving in now seemed impossible; something like the earth dragon lurked within.
"Hope that thing killed him."
Turning away, he planned to search the area and mobilize intel on Jehyun's trail.
* * *
Hummm.
Hot steam filled the volcanic rock chamber. Amid it, a silhouette emerged.
Chiseled features, porcelain skin. No major changes from when he first absorbed the fruit—except his hair.
Bangs hung long enough to cover his eyes, flaring sideways. Side and back hair reached his shoulders.
Like an immortal sage cultivating in the mountains.
Shaaa.
Denser steam billowed from his body. That was the signal.
Crack, crunch.
Eerie sounds from his body; it convulsed, volume expanding and contracting. White powder shed from his skin like peeling shell, revealing smoother, paler flesh beneath.
The transformation lasted long.
Then—
Vrooooom.
Vast mana currents spiraled from his center. The shockwave shook the chamber as if it might collapse.
After much turmoil, the mana calmed.
Flash.
Jehyun's eyes snapped open, gleaming with profound energy.
With it, countless messages flooded his vision.