“The Sea of Gold.”
This was recognized by all adventurers as one of the most dangerous areas within the Magmatic Heat Realm on the sixth floor.
The name contained the word “sea,” but it was actually a massive, deep lava lake. It directly blocked the path from the Fractured Canyon to the location of the Fire Dragon’s Nest.
Upon reaching this area, the already scorching heat became even more intense. It was so powerful that any flammable material nearby seemed as if it would burst into flames in an instant.
Even with the protection of a mage’s heat-insulation spell, one could still feel the scalding wind whipping against their face.
Arlette wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that once he turned his full attention toward pushing their journey forward, his body didn’t seem to suffer as much. The pain gradually transformed into a sense of numbness, solidifying within him. At the very least, it no longer hindered his movements.
Fluff watched Arlette nervously for ten minutes. She noticed that while the damage to his armor looked terrifying, Arlette himself truly seemed to be fine. He walked steadily and could communicate normally.
‘Maybe the knight is really okay,’ she thought. ‘Perhaps he’s just a bit tired from the battle? Honestly, I really need to break this habit of making a fuss over everything…’
As she saw Arlette’s condition return to normal, Fluff’s racing heart finally began to calm down.
‘It’s good that he’s fine, it’s good that he’s fine…’ She patted her chest, gently comforting herself. ‘If we can win this competition, then Lady Merlo should be a bit kinder to the knight, right? Yes! Then I have to work hard too!’
Soon, the Crystal Sting Adventurer Group reached the edge of that massive “sea.” Thick lava surged within it, making a loud, gurgling sound that made one feel an involuntary chill.
The Monster Hunter team that had previously caught up to them had already been dealt with by Arlette, and the remaining teams were still a significant distance away. They had enough time to attempt crossing this vast magmatic sea.
“Let’s proceed according to the plan,” Lady Merlo said, turning her head slightly to look at Arlette. “Arlette, Dela, are you two ready?”
“Lady Merlo, I’m ready.”
“I am as well.”
“Then we follow the plan.”
Indeed, the group had naturally prepared a plan for this competition. The Sea of Gold was one of the greatest challenges of the race, requiring a detailed and thorough strategy. The plan of the Crystal Sting Adventurer Group was simple and unadorned — boat building.
First, they would gather materials on-site by excavating enough rock fragments. Then, they would use magic to manipulate and combine them, forming a hull large enough to carry four people. Stone gathered from the area was not only heat-resistant but also incredibly sturdy.
By making the interior of the hull hollow, they could ensure it would float on the lava while providing insulation. As for the source of propulsion, they would rely on magic. Arlette and Dela would take turns for this part.
This was a method other adventurers had practiced before; it wasn’t fast, but its strength lay in its reliability. Since Crystal Sting was already far in the lead, there was no need to save unnecessary time during such an extremely dangerous segment.
“At present, the main body of the competition has reached the Fractured Canyon!” the announcer’s voice echoed. “The contestants don’t seem to be having a smooth time. So far, six teams have already withdrawn! The reasons vary — some were obstructed by the environment, others were attacked by monsters, and some were even interfered with by other teams! Currently, the fastest group, the Crystal Sting team, has reached the Sea of Gold! Once you cross this place, you will reach the final destination of the competition, the ‘Fire Dragon’s Nest’! That ferocious beast, which has harmed countless adventurers, is currently resting there! Countless vicious monsters inhabit this lava sea, and the molten rock beneath one’s feet is a deadly hazard! Now, the method the Crystal Sting team has chosen to ‘cross the sea’ is… the boat method! This is a method practiced by many adventurers. Its advantage is its stability, making it difficult for monsters living in the lava to attack. However, the disadvantage is its slow efficiency and the high pressure it puts on the mage. Once an accident occurs and someone falls into the lava, even with a heat-insulation spell, not even their bones will remain! The Crystal Sting team, which has always pursued speed, has actually chosen to slow down and proceed with a steady method just as they are about to reach the finish line! Could this be the composure of a dark horse?”
Within just a few minutes, Arlette shattered the nearby rock wall with his greatsword, working with the Mage Dela to construct the vessel.
When they first set sail into the lava sea, everyone remained on high alert, guarding against monster attacks. However, as the stone boat continued to move, Arlette gradually realized that it was strangely quiet.
There was no noise of competition from the previous two regions, nor were there any roars from monsters. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of lava rolling, echoing through the air.
It was very hot, but Dela had increased the power of the insulation spells at the right time so the heat wouldn’t affect them too much. Above them was a pitch-black stone ceiling; below them was a bottomless sea of lava emitting a blinding light.
“It’s so quiet… how strange,” Lady Merlo said, frowning slightly as she looked at the calm surface of the lava. “Whatever. It’s not a bad thing to be able to conserve our energy.”
She then turned her gaze toward the others. Dela was concentrating on controlling the magic, and Fluff was nervously rubbing her fingers together. Arlette, however, still kept his body tense. He had no intention of letting down his guard, staring intently at the nearby lava surface to watch for anything that might emerge from below.
“Hey, Arlette.”
“Hmm? What is it, Lady Merlo?” He snapped his attention back and looked toward her.
“Don’t be so nervous. Relax a little. I’ll sense if there are any monsters around. You’ll have to take turns with Dela later. If you stay this tense, it will actually be a disadvantage. To be honest, you’re a bit more capable than I imagined. I thought you wouldn’t be able to handle Nolan’s group alone and would come back to us for help.”
Unexpectedly, a gentle smile appeared on Lady Merlo’s face. The smile left Arlette stunned for several seconds before he finally spoke.
“I was only carrying out your orders, Lady Merlo. It’s nothing worthy of praise.”
“Is that so?” Merlo looked at Arlette and then at the endless lava sea, her entire posture relaxing.
For so many years, the pressure from her family had left her breathless. Every night, even her nightmares were about being rejected by her family. Now, she was finally about to put an end to all of it.
“Were you badly hurt in that fight earlier? You looked like you were in quite a mess back there.” Merlo’s tone held a hint of teasing, though it was unclear if she was joking or truly concerned.
Arlette shook his head. He knew his own condition, but he could still endure. He didn’t want to delay the competition. “I’m fine, Lady Merlo. I can hold out.”
“Then I suppose I was worrying for nothing?” She shrugged and continued, “How is Lady Windigo? Is she doing well?”
“Yes, she’s doing a bit too well, actually.”
“I see. She’s as energetic as ever.” Lady Merlo’s eyes crinkled with a smile. It felt like she hadn’t chatted like this with anyone in a long time. Doing this once in a while didn’t seem so bad. “By the way, Arlette. Is there anything you want to eat after this competition? This lady will be merciful enough to cook for you personally. How about it?”