Novel Full Chapter 524: What If I Jump?
Chapter 524: What If I Jump?
Leo looked at his hand and noticed that the bark texture from Niri’s trait was actually harming him more than it was helping. His hands had blackened at the points of contact with the hot surface.
He deactivated her trait and kept only Shyra’s [Tough Hide] active. The difference was almost immediate. Combined with his already Peak 4-star body toughness, the temperature became far more bearable.
"I need to keep in mind not to bring out Niri in this kind of environment..." Leo muttered before using water affinity to coat his palm in a thin layer of water and pressing it against the hot surface.
The water sizzled and evaporated almost instantly, but it did its job. Leo wasn’t burned at all. After that, Leo used Lyswenna’s tactic and covered himself in water while activating [Iceveil Hide] and [Astral Aura Weave]. Though the ice from a 2-star beast wasn’t particularly useful in such extreme conditions.
But even with all this, Leo never forgot to keep his [Stealth] active. He had been travelling under stealth from the start. This was also the reason he had only been discovered by those apes after triggering a tripwire.
Leo could never be too careful in this dangerous place. The last thing he wanted was to be swallowed by a beast that jumped out of the magma crater the moment he tried to peek inside.
And so he began climbing.
The journey was far slower than Leo had expected.
Every meter upward felt like scaling a burning wall. Lava streamed from cracks and holes scattered across the near-vertical slope, forming glowing rivers that cut across his path. More than once, he was forced to cling to the scorching rock face while waiting for a torrent of molten magma to pass.
Hiss!
The water coating his body continuously evaporated into steam. Leo had to replenish it every few seconds.
"Fuck, what sort of 30-year-old bastard can survive here..." Leo muttered.
Yet his movements remained careful and deliberate.
Even now, his eyes constantly swept the surroundings while [Spiritual Sense] and [Geo Resonance Sense] remained active. The volcano was unnaturally quiet. No beasts or movement could be detected. Only the bubbling magma flows and occasional volcanic pops echoed through the air.
That silence only made him more cautious. It meant this was the territory of some powerful beast. Most probably the Wyverns.
Suddenly, the rocky crevice he was using as a handhold crumbled apart. A burst of scorching vapor hissed out and instantly seared his palm, turning it red-hot. He immediately hopped to a safer location. Thankfully, his regeneration healed the burn after only a few seconds of waiting.
"This place is ridiculous."
As the climb continued, the environment grew hotter. Waves of heat distorted his vision, turning the world into a shimmering haze, though a slight concentration was enough to restore clarity.
Finally, after nearly an hour of climbing, Leo pulled himself over the last rocky ledge.
His boots landed on solid ground.
The enormous crater sat only a few steps away, releasing waves of blistering heat and thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
Leo slowly stood up and looked toward it.
He had finally reached the peak.
The crater was nearly 300 meters wide and filled with magma so hot that it flowed like water. The boiling surface churned only a few dozen meters beneath the edge where Leo stood.
Fuck... I haven’t even seen a scene like this in my previous life, Leo thought.
This was exactly what he had wanted from this world. To roam freely and witness sights he had missed—and sights that would have been impossible to see in his previous world.
s
"Damn... can that old man even save me if I fall into the lava?" Leo muttered.
He had only come this far because he trusted that Gunther would save him no matter what. Otherwise, he wasn’t foolish enough to risk his life in a place where there was guaranteed to be a beast stronger than him.
’Hmph! Kid, you underestimate my abilities. And what’s this "old man" term you’ve given me? I am only 3 centuries old. If you continue calling me that, I might have to use Brant’s phrase and start calling you a brat too.’
Suddenly, Gunther’s voice echoed in Leo’s head.
Leo smiled.
He was safe.
"But will you still be able to save me if a beast devours me and dives into the lava?" Leo asked.
He didn’t know why, but his instincts screamed that there was definitely some beast swimming within that sea of molten magma.
’Of course. Find the best way to die here, and I will save you. Though I will make sure you suffer enough before I do.’
Gunther scoffed.
’I am stronger than the strongest beast here. Remember that.’
Leo nodded in satisfaction. At least it was confirmed that he would get back to meet Lily and bury his face in her soft plush.
While Leo’s thoughts wandered in the wrong direction at the wrong time, a system notification suddenly appeared when his gaze swept across the magma crater.
Leo’s eyes widened so much they nearly popped out.
Floating within the boiling magma was an almost football-sized, perfectly round crystal. Deep within it glowed what appeared to be a miniature sun.
[Sunblood Pearl] — Low Orange-Tier Treasure
- The Sunblood Pearl is a legendary treasure occasionally found within the neck sac of ancient Infernal Serpents that have survived centuries within volcanic regions. Bathed continuously in molten essence and refined by the serpent’s internal fire, the pearl develops a radiant crimson-gold glow resembling a miniature sun suspended within crystal.
When properly absorbed, the Sunblood Pearl unleashes an immense wave of solar fire throughout the consumer’s body. Rather than burning flesh, this energy seeps deep into the bones, marrow, muscles, and tendons, breaking them down before reconstructing them into a far more resilient state. The process is notoriously agonizing, with many failing to endure the transformation and dying on spot.
Those who succeed, awaken the [Sunblood Infernal Physique].
>Note: Use on any individual with their constitution lower than Low 4-star has 100% mortality rate.
[Constitution: (Vitality + Strength)/2]
[Sunblood Infernal Physique]
- A rare constitution that grants exceptional resistance to Fire-element attacks and extreme temperatures. Their muscles become denser and more explosive, greatly enhancing physical strength, agility, and stamina. Induces slight physical changes like eye colour and natural resistance to elements opposite to solar.
More importantly, their bodies gain an innate resonance with both infernal flames and solar essence, allowing them to absorb, refine, and manipulate Fire-element mana with extraordinary efficiency. Sunlight nourishes their physique, steadily strengthening their body and accelerating their recovery. Fire techniques wielded by a Sunblood bearer burn hotter, last longer, and carry traces of solar power capable of overwhelming ordinary flames.
>Note: The star rank of the Physique is determined on how effectively the [Sunblood Pearl] is absorbed by the individual. At current rank treasure, the maximum Physique star rank that can be obtained by an individual is 6-star.