"So, what are we doing here instead of going straight to the Storm Canyon?" Alice turned to Max, her gaze sweeping over the scorched landscape. Unlike the charred forest they had passed through, this area was devoid of trees.
It was a desolate expanse of barren land, dotted with pools of bubbling lava that occasionally appeared scattered across the terrain.
In the far distance, a towering volcanic mountain loomed, its peak occasionally spewing bursts of molten lava that illuminated the hazy sky with a fiery glow.
"I told you before, we are searching for the secret chamber of the Burning Wild dungeon," Max said, glancing around as they walked across the scorched terrain.
"Because of you, we're going to miss the boss fight," Alice said in frustration, firing a blazing arrow.
The arrow streaked through the air, colliding with a small golem that appeared to be made of rocks and lava. It was a hideous amalgamation of molten rock and stone.
Bang!
The golem exploded upon impact, sending bursts of rocks and lava flying in all directions.
"Did I tell you to tag along with me?" Max grinned back at her. "It was you who said, 'I need to know your true strength, so I'm going to stick with you,' something like that." He mimicked Alice's tone.
"Humph, I had to check, obviously," Alice scoffed, looking back at Max. "If I'm going to recommend someone, I need to make sure their strength is sufficient. Otherwise, I might end up becoming the laughing stock of the entire guild if you fail."
She added with a defeated expression, "Also, the hidden chamber of the Burning Wild hasn't been found for years now. What makes you think you can find it?"
Max smiled at her words. "Because I know I can find it, that's why I'm here," he replied, glancing back at her.
"Fine." Alice sighed and crossed her arms. "If the exit portal appears before us, then don't blame me for not warning you."
Max shot her a smirk. "Sure."
"Humph." Alice held her hands up in anger, but she forcefully calmed herself down. "Whatever. I've done what I came here for," she muttered to herself.
Behind her, Amy walked, a soft smile gracing her lips as she watched Alice so engrossed. It was a rare sight—back at the guild, Alice had always been composed, her emotions carefully guarded.
But here, after meeting Max, she seemed to have rediscovered a part of herself that Amy thought was long gone—the carefree version of Alice who would laugh openly and speak her mind without hesitation.
After walking for a few more minutes, they arrived at a slightly different, but more dangerous area.
"It's here," Max said excitedly, looking around. "The hidden chamber, it's here."
Alice looked at the sight before her, her expression hardening. "Are you sure you're not mistaken?" she asked. "Look ahead, what do you see? How could the hidden chamber be in this messed-up place?"
The scene ahead of them was fascinating in a strange way.
Fountains of lava could be seen shooting into the air from time to time, all around the region in front of them. In fact, from where they stood, they could already see nine lava fountains shooting lava into the air.
There were more black holes dotted across the area, where more lava fountains were brewing inside.
"I know this place is dangerous, but I also know for sure that the secret chamber is somewhere in this region," Max said, pointing at the area before them.
He added quickly, "You guys stay here, and I'll check this area out."
Alice looked back at Max with wide eyes. "Are you serious? If the lava falls on you, you're dead. There's no turning back."
"I know, but I have to go," Max said without hesitation.
"Is that secret chamber—or whatever you think is in there—really so important that you're willing to risk your life for it?" Alice tried to reason with Max, her voice laced with concern. "Is it even worth it? We don't even know if the secret chamber is actually there. For all we know, you're throwing your life away for nothing."
"It's worth it, believe me," Max said softly, his tone firm yet calm. He needed a flame-element skill to secure his place in the Phoenix Order guild. While it wasn't mandatory to have a fire-element class, he didn't want to take any chances.
The upcoming guild selection at the start of the next month was his only shot, and he couldn't afford to miss it.
As for the black flames he had obtained earlier, Max chose to keep them hidden. He suspected there was a big secret tied to the mysterious man who had guided him in the way of the sword and the bloodline he had inherited from the skeleton.
Until he could uncover the truth, he preferred to keep this power under wraps.
Besides, black flames were notorious for their dark reputation, often associated with destruction and forbidden power. He had no desire to become a public target or invite unnecessary attention to himself.
"I'll be back," Max said before shooting toward the area where the lava fountains could be seen. His speed was so fast that by the time Alice and Amy reacted, Max had already reached the area.
"That speed!" Alice was shocked, her eyes wide with astonishment. She had only seen a very few individuals with such speed. 'But they're all at the top of the rankings in the Novice rank of the Battle Realm.'
"A-Alice, what should we do? He went... he went there," Amy said worriedly.
Alice gritted her teeth in anger. "This guy is a total nutjob. I've wasted so many words on him for nothing." She sighed in the end, believing that with Max's speed, he probably wouldn't be in any real danger.
"Anyway, let's keep a watch out for him." She said, looking at the figure in the distance. "If he gets injured, I'll go and bring him back and you will heal him."
Amy nodded her head.
---
'That feeling shot up as soon as I came here,' Max thought as he began looking around.
With his Three Dimensional Body skill active, he didn't have to worry about the lava fountains. As long as he could see them, he could avoid them with his level 100 Swift Dash skill.
Therefore, without any worry, Max began to dash around the entire area, searching for the secret chamber.
Only after a few minutes did he come to a stop before a black hole.
"The secret chamber couldn't possibly be inside this hellhole, right?" Max murmured in disbelief.
He had checked everywhere, and in the end, his Three Dimensional Body skill led him to this place.
'It doesn't matter,' Max thought, looking back at Alice and Amy before glancing at the dark hole and jumping down without hesitation. "I hope my skill doesn't kill me." His voice echoed throughout the hole.