Return to the Lava Zone
The Lava Zone, which I'd returned to after quite some time, was still sweltering hot.
Even with my S-rank Heat Resistance skill, the heat was so brutal it felt like it was choking the breath out of me.
Naturally, the lizardmen with their low-rank resistance skills looked like they were on the verge of death.
I hurriedly created ice for them.
One piece per lizardman, but the problem was they melted almost immediately.
The heat was so intense that the ice I made didn't even last a full minute.
Ice could be maintained indefinitely as long as I had mana, but with my energy reserves running low, I hated wasting even a drop.
Of course, I couldn't just take away the ice that was basically their lifeline.
It would be nice if some idiot came along to pick a fight.
But this was firmly the territory of the Magma Wyvern Arde.
Unlike other zones, inter-floor interactions were active here, so even at the entrance, most monsters were under Arde's command.
Unless they attacked first, it would be awkward for me to strike first in so many ways.
I half-hoped some monster wouldn't recognize me and charge in, but of course, nothing like that happened.
Every monster we encountered recognized me and slunk away in a hurry.
I clicked my tongue in disappointment.
Still, not all monsters in the Lava Zone were Arde's subordinates.
Monsters without the intelligence to communicate with others were fair game even if I struck first.
The problem was that those types were usually tricky to hunt.
There were monsters called Magma Fish.
E-rank. They weren't particularly strong in the Lava Zone.
They lacked any real intelligence and weren't under Arde's command, but that didn't make them easy prey.
Unlike other fish-type monsters, Magma Fish lived inside the lava.
Because of their habitat, even higher-rank monsters rarely hunted them despite their low rank.
The scalding lava was a burden for me too, so normally I wouldn't have given them a second glance. But things were different this time.
I needed to replenish my energy right away, and the lizardmen needed food too.
The Surprise Birds?
They're just emergency rations, so no need to feed them...?
Just kidding—don't cry like that.
Unless you want to be barbecued in the lava.
With that in mind, I dove into hunting Magma Fish.
The lizardmen were already half-dead from the heat and couldn't enter the lava, so it was all on me.
This was my first time entering lava too, so I dipped just the tip of my tail in to test.
Not that hot.
Huh? This might actually be doable?
Limit Break and Indomitable triggered.
Super Regeneration kicked into overdrive.
...Not okay at all.
Even with S-rank Heat Resistance, the boiling lava was too much.
This was a total no-go...
Was there another way?
People... snakes... gotta use our heads.
I found a method.
I asked a nearby drake that was wandering around for some cooperation.
It seemed to know who I was and cooperated without much conversation (or violence).
A bit disappointing.
If it'd resisted, I would've eaten it regardless of Arde or not.
Smart one.
Its rank was A.
Its resistance skills seemed high for its rank, fitting for a Lava Zone native, but even it struggled with the boiling lava.
I stopped it from bolting right away.
I'll cast healing magic diligently, so bring back exactly 30.
Wait, actually, with all our mouths to feed, make it 60... no, 90... yeah, just 100.
It started bawling, begging me to eat it instead, so I had no choice but to pull it out.
It smelled like perfectly grilled chicken.
Still, I couldn't eat someone who'd been so cooperative.
In the end, I decided to find another way.
It quickly suggested an idea.
There were plenty of non-Arde subordinates nearby—eat those.
It looked pretty pathetic, desperately trying not to get eaten.
No, I wasn't planning to eat you.
But your idea's great.
Problem is, we don't know who's not under Arde. Mind guiding us...?
With its help, everyone ate their fill.
Once done, it bolted without a goodbye.
Must've been terrified.
Hey, I wasn't gonna hurt you...
And so we pressed on through the Lava Zone.
The zone was vast, so we couldn't rush through the floors, but that let the lizardmen's resistance skills grow steadily.
By Wise Scale and the triplets, they could move without ice.
Of course, ice was still better.
A new skill appeared.
Leadership
Skill gained from leading the lizardmen effectively. Enhances group combat coordination.
It was called Leadership—a skill common among Orc Lords or the higher undead I'd met in the Desert Zone.
It came from leading the lizardmen well so far.
Useful mainly for group battles, so not super versatile, but a new skill was still a win.
Sure to come in handy someday.
[You're back.]
[Yeah, long time no see.]
We finally reached the 69th floor, the end of the Lava Zone.
The Red Wyvern must've heard in advance—it came out to greet us.
[You returned quicker than I expected, just like you said. Business all sorted?]
[Tied up neatly on the way here.]
The Red Wyvern nodded lightly at my calm reply.
Then it glanced behind me, its tone turning a bit uneasy.
[So... who's the crew back there? Emergency rations?]
[...Companions? Subordinates? More like that. But emergency rations? Harsh words.]
[Think about your usual MO. The others were already gossiping that you were hauling around a massive food supply.]
[...Is that how it looks to everyone else?]
I glanced back.
The lizardmen were holding their breath, watching our conversation.
Seeing them, I got why it'd call them emergency rations.
With faces like they were about to drop dead—who wouldn't think that?
They were just suffering from the heat, though.
[So, what's the plan? Meeting the boss?]
[Since we're this far, obviously... but...]
I looked back again.
Could these guys hold up on their own?
Their resistance had grown, but without ice, they'd shrivel like dried squid soon enough.
And maintaining the ice took my mana, so I couldn't just leave them.
[You know any water magic?]
[Don't mess with that stuff.]
[...Figures, coming from a 'Red' Wyvern.]
I sighed at its proud response.
[Hmm... worried about the tail-enders, huh? Makes sense—they look like they came from way up top.]
[From my hometown. Back when I was weak, they were a big connection for me... practically my first friends.]
[...I see.]
The Red Wyvern nodded slowly.
It pondered briefly, but not for long.
Soon, a massive presence approached from afar.
[No need to agonize over it.]
[Yeah. Didn't expect a personal visit.]
Our gazes naturally turned.
A huge something flew through the dust clouds billowing from a distant volcano.
Each flap of its wings made it loom larger—like a mountain on the move.
[Did I make it move on purpose?]
[Partly, but it was about time for a patrol anyway. Timing lined up nicely.]
[Got it.]
As the Red Wyvern and I watched the approaching giant, Wise Scale spoke up from behind in a trembling voice.
[N-Nyx... w-what's that...?]
No aura, but its sheer visible size had Wise Scale shaking.
Not just him—the other lizardmen couldn't hide their terror either.
A natural reaction.
[The ruler of this zone. Magma Wyvern Arde. No need to worry. Gentle elder.]
I calmly reassured Wise Scale and the lizardmen, then watched as Arde drew near.
The overwhelming giant thudded down right in front of us.
[You're back, Nyx.]
[...Long time no see, Elder.]
I bowed lightly, and the lizardmen hastily followed suit.
They flattened themselves in prostration, just like when they first met me. Arde let out a kindly chuckle.
[Friends?]
[Old connections from the past. I brought them to repay a debt of gratitude.]
Arde scanned the lizardmen lightly at my steady reply.
[You'll need to help them a lot, then.]
[Planning to get them strong enough to protect their own lives.]
[Hoho—don't be too harsh.]
[Wasn't planning to.]
Arde chuckled lowly again at my grinning response.
After a brief laugh, it wiped the smile and met my eyes quietly.
[Looks like you resolved your business well. Your eyes are clear.]
[...Tied it up cleanly.]
[Good, very good.]
Arde chuckled lightly, pleased, and continued.
[So, heading back to your family now?]
[...Yes. Straight there. It's been a while.]
Arde nodded.
[Of course. No matter how much time, family is who you miss first... Feels like this old one took too much of yours. Hurry back.]
Before I could respond, Arde flapped its massive wings.
A gust kicked up.
[No need for long goodbyes. This isn't the last time, right? Next time, bring the family.]
[...I'll come with everyone.]
Arde laughed and departed at my calm reply.
Seemed it had some patrolling left.
[Boss looks in a good mood. Happy to see you after so long.]
[...Feeling's mutual.]
If I had a grandfather, would it feel like this? My chest warmed a bit as I looked up.
Arde's form receded into the distance.
[Anyway, time to head down.]
[Yeah, family's waiting.]
[...No formal farewell. We'll meet again.]
[Same here. See you next time.]
I parted with the nodding Red Wyvern and headed straight for the gate.
Soon after, we passed through and finally returned to the 70th floor where my family waited.
The dazzling white snowfield welcomed me warmly.