At dawn the next day, the four gathered at Green Town's teleportation plaza. Unlike the leisurely atmosphere of the tavern the night before, now each of them was fully geared, their expressions sharpened with the focus of warriors heading into battle.
Violet had already prepared ample supplies. She carefully distributed stacks of shimmering [Advanced Fire Resistance Potions] and [Greater Mana Potions], glowing faintly red and blue in the morning light.
"Don't underestimate the Burn effect in Hellfire Volcano. If you feel your health dropping too fast, drink immediately. Don't hesitate."
Her gentle reminder was directed especially at Kiriya and Mira, the ones who would bear the heaviest pressure.
Lina inspected the durability of her shield and longsword, her icy-blue gaze sweeping over the map.
"The teleport point only gets us to the outer perimeter—Molten Outpost. From there, we'll have to walk.
Reports say there are large numbers of roaming Lava Hounds and Fire Bats along the way. Their aggro range is huge—we'll need to advance carefully."
Kiriya flexed his wrists, and two clones shimmered briefly into existence beside him before vanishing again as he tested his control.
"No problem. I'll handle pulling with my clones. Mira, crowd control's in your hands."
Mira inclined her head slightly. Her crystalline Ice Rose staff exuded threads of frost, forming a small pocket of coolness around her.
"Mn." Her words were short, but her eyes were sharp and focused—already locked into battle state.
After paying the steep teleportation fee, the four stepped into the glowing formation that led to Molten Outpost.
In an instant, the bustling town faded away, replaced by a blazing inferno. The sky above burned a dark crimson, as if set aflame.
The heavy stench of sulfur choked the air, searing the lungs with every breath. Beneath their feet, cracked black rock radiated blistering heat. In the distance, the colossal volcano loomed, belching smoke and embers into the ashen sky.
[Environmental Effect: Burn – Lose 5 HP per second]
The moment they arrived, the searing debuff flared across their status bars. Violet reacted instantly. With a graceful flick of her staff, a soft radiance washed over them—her group heal, [Light of Healing], counteracting the environmental damage.
"Stay close to me. Watch the fissures underfoot." Lina raised her shield and led the way. Kiriya's body and clones flanked her at the sides, while Mira and Violet were sheltered at the center.
They hadn't gone far when a low growl rumbled across the rocks. From behind jagged stone, three hounds of molten rock and lava lunged forth. Streams of magma dripped from their bodies, sizzling as they struck the ground.
[Lava Hound]
[Level: 30]
[Traits: Attacks inflict Ignite, dealing continuous fire damage]
"They're here!" Kiriya barked. One of his clones darted forward immediately, drawing aggro.
"Cold Current!" Mira struck her staff against the ground. A wave of frigid frost burst outward, blanketing the charging hounds in biting chill. The glow of magma along their bodies dimmed instantly as their movements slowed to a crawl.
"Beautiful!" Kiriya's eyes gleamed. His real body and second clone dove in, blades flashing as they slashed at the hounds' rocky joints.
Lina met the pounce of another hound head-on, her shield bracing the blow. Frost condensed across its surface, buying her a precious moment of resistance against the scorching heat—a passive frost resistance enchantment in her gear kicking in.
Meanwhile, Violet's healing spells flowed like a steady stream, restoring health with precision. When one of them was afflicted with Ignite, she calmly cast [Purify], cleansing the burning effect without delay.
With seamless teamwork, the first wave of monsters was swiftly eliminated.
The deeper they pressed, the harsher the environment became. A vast river of lava cut across their path, the only crossing a narrow stone ledge. Above, swarms of Fire Bats wheeled, swooping down to spew fireballs.
"Mira, can you freeze part of the river? Widen the path a bit." Lina's eyes scanned the terrain.
Mira gave no verbal reply. Instead, she raised her staff toward the rolling lava, taking a deep breath as the gem at its tip blazed with frosty light.
"Ice Rose—Bloom!"
At her cold declaration, torrents of frigid power surged forth.
She didn't attempt to freeze the entire lava flow—that would be too costly. Instead, several colossal roses of ice erupted upon the molten river, blooming one after another. They solidified instantly, forming sturdy temporary bridges and stepping stones.
Ice and fire collided, hissing violently. Billows of white steam enveloped the area.
"Let's go!" Lina strode first onto one of the frozen roses, her shield raised high to block a volley of fireballs from above. The others followed swiftly in tight formation.
Crossing quickly, Kiriya couldn't help but whistle in awe. "This skill is insane!"
Mira exhaled lightly, her breath faintly ragged. Maintaining such intricate constructs in an environment like this demanded considerable energy.
Yet her eyes sparkled with satisfaction. Piece by piece, she was mastering the powers of her new class.
After grueling fights and relentless advance, the four finally reached the dungeon's entrance: a massive cave mouth belching waves of blistering heat and toxic fumes.
Many player groups had gathered outside, hesitating or preparing. Among them, one team stood out unmistakably—Rok and his Flame Wings guild, encountered just yesterday at the tavern. Their gear gleamed with polish; it was clear they, too, sought to challenge the dungeon.
Rok's gaze landed on them, his lips curling into a sneer. Loud enough for all around to hear, he drawled: "Tch. Some wild party actually thinks a hidden class means they can strut in here? This dungeon isn't child's play. Don't come crying when you don't even know how you died."
His guildmates burst into derisive laughter.
Kiriya flicked his ear in mock boredom, ignoring them completely. He turned to Lina. "Lina, we heading in?"
Lina didn't even spare Locke a glance. "As long as everyone's ready, we'll go. Stick to the plan."
Violet's staff glimmered softly as she reapplied [Light of Healing], a continuous regen effect, to each teammate.
Mira, for her part, paid the jeers no mind. Her entire focus was locked upon the surge of fire elemental energy deeper within the cave. In her icy-blue eyes, a predator's gleam flickered—the thrill of the hunt.
Without hesitation, the four stepped into the searing maw of the dungeon.
[Preparing to Enter Raid Dungeon: Hellfire Volcano (Normal Mode)]
[Warning: The environment inside is extremely hazardous. Ensure you are fully prepared!]
The noise outside, Rok's sneer, all fell away the instant the barrier closed behind them.
What awaited was true hell. Lakes of magma sprawled across the landscape. The very air shimmered with heat distortion.
From above, massive chunks of volcanic rock rained down at intervals. Far stronger and denser fire elementals prowled within, radiating murderous hostility.
The true trial was only beginning.
Lina raised her shield, cold energy coalescing around it.
"Prepare for battle."
Kiriya's clones shimmered into being once more.
Violet's staff glowed with soothing white light.
And Mira's Ice Rose staff thrummed with anticipation, brimming with frost—the chill of absolute zero, ready to clash against the inferno.