Chapter 149: Run For Your Life! [ 1 ]

Jet stood before the golden-red crystal, feeling the extraordinary concentration of Fire Mana radiating from its surface.

The treasure floated several inches above the circular stone formation, its translucent interior containing what appeared to be countless tiny flames revolving around a brilliant golden center.

Even the surrounding air seemed distorted by the heat it emitted, and the closer Jet approached, the stronger the strange sensation within his chest became.

The sealed Divine Rune of Ilios was responding.

However, Jet had no intention of examining that reaction while a Lord-Rank Mana Beast was searching for him somewhere nearby. He had already wasted enough time reaching the platform, and every additional second increased the possibility of the Volcanic Inferno Lion returning.

Without further hesitation, Jet extended his hand and seized the crystal.

The moment his fingers touched its surface, a series of notifications appeared before him.

[Ding!]

[Origin Treasure Acquired!]

[Name: Primordial Solar Ember]

[Type: Fire-aligned Origin Treasure]

[Grade: 5]

[Description: An exceptionally rare Origin Treasure formed through the accumulation and refinement of concentrated Fire Mana over an extended period.]

[Contains an extraordinary concentration of pure Fire-aligned Origin Energy.]

[Warning: The treasure possesses an extremely high concentration of elemental energy.]

Jet’s eyes widened.

"Grade Five?!" Jet exclaimed, staring at the notification in disbelief.

He had expected the treasure to be valuable, but this was completely beyond his expectations.

Origin Treasures were classified into grades according to their quality, purity, and the extraordinary energy they contained.

Even lower-grade treasures were difficult to obtain, while Grade Five Origin Treasures were valuable enough to attract the attention of powerful Guilds and influential organizations.

No wonder the treasure had caused such a commotion when it was eventually discovered in his previous timeline.

Jet had remembered reports describing an extraordinary Fire-aligned treasure, but the exact grade hadn’t remained in his memory. Now that he knew what he’d found, he understood why so many powerful Awakeners had competed for ownership.

More importantly, this treasure might be more than sufficient to satisfy Ilios’s awakening requirement.

However, he didn’t have time to celebrate.

"Inventory!" Jet commanded, immediately storing the Primordial Solar Ember inside his Red Moon System inventory.

The golden-red crystal vanished from his hand.

And the moment it did the entire mountain trembled.

BOOOOOOM!

A deafening explosion erupted somewhere beyond the cavern, followed by a violent shockwave that swept through the underground chamber. Jet staggered as the stone platform beneath his feet cracked, sending fragments tumbling into the molten lake surrounding it.

Then an overwhelming pressure descended upon the cavern.

Jet’s expression changed instantly.

The Volcanic Inferno Lion was returning.

Before he could take another step, an enraged roar reverberated throughout the mountain, so powerful that the surrounding stone columns began trembling.

Several enormous cracks spread across the cavern walls, and chunks of volcanic rock broke loose from the ceiling.

ROOOOOAAAAARRRR!

The sound was unlike anything Jet had heard from the Lesser and Greater-Rank Mana Beasts he’d encountered during his journey. It carried an unmistakable fury, and the sheer force of the roar seemed to shake the mountain to its foundations.

Jet’s face turned pale.

"Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!" Jet cursed, immediately turning away from the platform.

Another tremor shook the cavern.

A massive section of the ceiling collapsed behind him, striking the lava lake and sending molten rock splashing across the surrounding formations. The ground split open in several places, creating deep fissures that swallowed portions of the platform.

Jet didn’t need another warning.

He ran.

---

Jet activated the Asura Physique without hesitation, forcing Mana through his body as he pushed his newly enhanced attributes to their limits. His muscles tightened, his heartbeat accelerated, and the world around him seemed to slow as his perception sharpened.

He launched himself across the collapsing platform.

A deep fissure opened directly ahead, but Jet cleared it in a single leap and landed on the opposite side without breaking stride. He sprinted between the towering stone columns, avoiding falling debris as another thunderous roar echoed from the passage behind him.

The guardian was closing in.

Jet could feel its oppressive presence growing stronger with every passing second.

"Damn it! I thought I had more time!" Jet shouted, gritting his teeth as he accelerated.

He had carefully planned the distraction, calculated the distance separating the guardian from the treasure, and even allowed himself additional time to account for unexpected complications.

Apparently, none of that had been enough.

He had seriously underestimated the senses and instincts of a Lord-Rank Mana Beast.

The Volcanic Inferno Lion had realized something was wrong far sooner than he’d anticipated, and now it was charging through the mountain with enough fury to bring the entire cavern down around them.

Jet reached the passage leading away from the treasure chamber and accelerated again.

His speed climbed rapidly. One hundred kilometers per hour, one hundred and fifty.

Then, as he pushed his 2-Star physique and the Asura Physique to their absolute limits, his speed approached an astonishing two hundred kilometers per hour.

His figure transformed into a black streak racing through the volcanic tunnels.

The surrounding walls blurred as he passed, and loose stones scattered beneath the tremendous force of his footsteps. At that speed, even a minor mistake could send him crashing into solid rock, but Jet’s improved Perception allowed him to react to obstacles almost as soon as they entered his vision.

He ducked beneath a falling boulder, leaped across another widening fissure, and twisted sideways through a narrow opening just as a section of the ceiling collapsed behind him.

BOOOOOM!

The impact sent a cloud of dust and shattered stone rushing through the tunnel.

Jet didn’t look back. He could still feel the guardian approaching.

The Volcanic Inferno Lion tore through the underground passages with terrifying speed, smashing through rock formations that obstructed its pursuit.

Flames erupted from its mane and paws, scorching the surrounding walls as its enormous body charged through the mountain.

The disappearance of the Primordial Solar Ember had driven the creature into a frenzy.

For years, the Origin Treasure had remained within its territory, continuously releasing extraordinary Fire Mana that nourished the surrounding environment.

The guardian had benefited enormously from that energy, and the sudden disappearance of its most valuable possession was something it refused to tolerate.

Its enraged roars traveled through the mountain, terrifying every Mana Beast within hearing distance.