In "The End of the World," death penalties are universal, regardless of location or reason. Once a player dies, their attributes permanently decrease by twenty percent, and all equipment and gold are dropped. Even the top-tier players approach the Ascension Trials with extreme caution, requiring a perfectly coordinated team.
Finding someone to guide you through is nearly impossible. However, there are always exceptions—like Carl.
When Anna first entered the game, she knew nothing and believed she could pass the Ascension Trials on her own, which was utterly impossible. In the end, it was Carl who tirelessly sought out a professional team, spending a fortune to gather the necessary equipment, and successfully guided her through her first Ascension Trial.
For every subsequent trial that Anna faced, Carl was always there, contributing significantly to her success. His dedication earned him the admiration of others in the team, but unfortunately, all his heartfelt efforts were in vain.
Now, Carl certainly wouldn't make such foolish decisions again. However, he also wasn't planning to attempt the Ascension Trials just yet.
First, although he had reached level 10, he still hadn't found his first destined beast. While his attributes were high, he lacked the means to engage in combat. Soloing was out of the question.
Second, once a player accepts the Ascension Trials, they are automatically teleported out of the novice village. In "The End of the World," there is no way to return to the novice village. Once you leave, it is nearly impossible to come back unless you undertake certain hidden quests that allow an NPC to guide you back.
How was the "Dragon's Lair" discovered? It was because someone triggered a level 100 hidden quest, "Explore the Dragon's Lair," and successfully returned to the novice village, thus uncovering this mysterious hidden dungeon. Unfortunately, the berserker who discovered the hidden dungeon could not pass it and ultimately died inside.
Despite the footage he shared, revealing an incredibly rare dragon egg within, no one else managed to receive that quest or return to the novice village thereafter. Consequently, the "Dragon's Lair" became infamous as a hidden dungeon that was deemed impossible to clear.
Those capable of returning could not pass the trial, while those in the novice village had no way to enter. It was a deadlock.
However, Carl, having been reborn with substantial wealth and starting in novice village 9527, perfectly met the conditions. The "Dragon's Lair" was a crucial part of his rise to power. Once he acquired that dragon egg, his future strength would rival that of the storm-calling Abyss Dragon.
"Next comes the main event," Carl said, collecting the few pieces of equipment he had obtained today and exhaling a long breath.
The coordinates 1102, 254 in the Flower Language Valley of novice village 9527 were well-known to anyone interested in the dragon egg. And now, he was the only one capable of reaching it.
Ten minutes later, Carl brought Melz to a massive stone and gently pressed his hand against it.
Boom!
In an instant, the stone trembled, and a tremendous force erupted, shattering the stone into pieces. A dark entrance appeared before them.
[Ding! You have entered the hidden area: Dragon's Lair.]
[Ding! This area is extremely dangerous; please leave immediately!]
"Indeed, the rumors were true," Carl smiled at the warning sounds echoing in his ears. "What a powerful aura! How can a dragon reside here?"
Melz paused, stroking his beard with a look of astonishment. Even for a god-level sorcerer, the sight of a dragon's lair was not to be taken lightly.
Dragons are extraordinarily powerful beings. An adult dragon possesses strength that can rival god-level warriors. They are creatures destined to roar through the world; although their numbers are few, each one symbolizes immense power.
Melz looked at Carl thoughtfully. "You went to great lengths to hire me because you want to venture into this dragon's lair?"
Carl nodded calmly, "Yes."
"You intend to conquer this dragon's lair?" Melz replied nonchalantly. "Let me make it clear: even I cannot guarantee victory against a dragon."
"That's not my intention," Carl shook his head.
"Then that's a relief," Melz sighed. "What do you plan to do?"
"I just want to see if I can steal a dragon egg."
Carl's next words nearly made Melz spit out old blood. Stealing a dragon egg? Just like that? Given a dragon's nature, which places great importance on its offspring's bloodline, stealing a dragon egg is tantamount to a fight to the death! What's the difference between that and conquering the lair?
Melz lamented, "This is the dragon's lair; it's far too dangerous. I think it's best not to go in."
"We must go in," Carl insisted firmly.
"Very well, but if we encounter danger, I will get you out immediately. Don't be reckless," Melz advised.
"Understood."
Carl nodded, took a deep breath, and moved toward the dragon's lair.
"Wait a moment; let me cast a few buffs first." Just as he was about to step inside, Melz suddenly began to chant.
[Ding! You have received the Blessing of the God of Life; your life attributes are doubled.]
[Ding! You have received the Blessing of the God of Agility; your agility attributes are doubled.]
[Ding!...]
[...]
In Carl's astonished gaze, a series of buffs enveloped him, significantly enhancing all his attributes.
Carl looked at Melz with a strange expression. So reliable?
At that moment, he finally understood why sorcerers were said to have versatile abilities. Just this series of buffs would make any priest feel ashamed and leave healers in tears. Even the holy warriors would rush to the bar to drown their sorrows.
In that instant, Carl felt as if a steady path had appeared before him. In his previous life, he had saved resources for Anna, cutting back on everything except the essentials before entering dungeons. But now, without such concerns, he could enjoy himself much more!
"Alright, we can go in now."
After two and a half minutes, Melz finished casting his buffs, and his form became ethereal. If one didn't look closely, they wouldn't notice him at all. Carl was the same.
The two of them moved like ghosts, quietly slipping into the dragon's lair.
But just as they stepped into the cave, deep within the dragon's lair, a massive creature, entirely golden and over a hundred meters long, suddenly opened its eyes. Its vertical pupils glowed with a lava-like radiance.
Melz's god-level invisibility spell was utterly ineffective before it.
Boom!
In the next instant, the entire lair began to tremble violently, stones shaking loose. A resounding dragon roar echoed through the skies.
The golden dragon, resembling a small mountain, stood up.
[Holy Judgment - Radiant Dragon]
Melz's expression darkened instantly, "This is... a fifth-tier dragon?!"