The entrance to the second floor was a fiery red cave mouth, like a gate to hell. Stifling heat radiated from the glowing cracks in the rock walls, spreading like an invisible, toxic gas throughout the space. The light here came not from the sun but from the molten lava flowing beneath the cracked stone floor.
[Warning: Abnormally high temperature – Risk of heatstroke and gas poisoning.]
Nam had to hold his shield up to block some of the thermal radiation. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his armor steamed like a hot iron plate. Nghĩa, meanwhile, moved silently ahead, his eyes vigilantly scanning the jagged stone crevices around them.
Hoa complained:
"The air here is so hot… breathing it for too long could cause minor lung burns. If we don't have anything to resist the heat, I don't think we can handle this."
Nam added:
"Yeah – you're right, but I bet there aren't any Unknowns in here. We haven't seen a single one so far. Right…?"
Before he could finish, a humanoid creature made of rock and lava emerged from a nearby crevice.
Ting!
[Enemy Detected]
[Unknown: Core of Heat (Lv.12) x3]
Hoa screamed:
"Ah…Unknowns. Three of them, are you happy now???"
"I'm scared of your mouth," Nghĩa said, tightening his grip on his 'Drifting Shadow' daggers.
Nam gave an awkward laugh then focused on the fight. He drove his shield into the ground and took a defensive stance.
"Let's go!" Nam shouted.
The first one raised a leg and stomped hard toward Nam. He tensed his muscles to brace for the attack and activated his [Heavy Block] skill, which allowed him to stand his ground. The Golem was deflected and pushed backward by Nam.
The one on the right lunged forward, skimming the ground like a scorching wind, then suddenly leaped over Nam's head and landed next to Ái Hoa. Learning from the tragic loss at Mã Pí Lèng, Nam swung his oversized shield hard toward the Golem and yelled:
"Hoa! Duck!"
Hoa immediately ducked. The shield flew just over her head, slamming into the monster and sending it flying, where it crashed hard into the cave wall.
Nghĩa said nothing, stepping out of the shadows. His eyes shifted to a purple hue. [Detect Weakness] pointed out the glowing red Core exposed in the Unknown's chest.
He immediately used [Shadow Step], teleporting instantly to the front of the Golem that Nam had just repelled. He then used his [Vitality Strike] skill, plunging his 'Drifting Shadow' dagger deep into the Core.
The Unknown shrieked in pain, its entire body fracturing and melting into a puddle of hot sludge. A foul, burnt smell filled the cave.
Nam turned back to a defensive stance against the two remaining Unknowns. He planted his shield in the ground, creating a fan-shaped barrier in front of them.
Hoa quickly used her [Healing Wave] skill; an emerald green mist radiated out, helping to heal the group's wounds. Next, she used [Mana Restore] on Nghĩa to replenish his lost mana.
Nghĩa used [Accelerated Reflexes] - [Shadow Step] to quickly move to the two Unknowns and used his [Vitality Strike] skill on the second Unknown's core. He jumped back, then used [Shadow Step] again to get behind the last Unknown and used his [Shadow Annihilation] skill, piercing its core from back to front.
Ting!
[Unknown Core of Heat x3 Eliminated]
[Loot acquired: Heat Resistance Potion x3]
Effect: Increases heat tolerance for 6 hours.
Nghĩa picked up the vials, giving one to each person. The liquid inside was the color of a Tequila Sunrise cocktail.
Ái Hoa took the potion and asked curiously:
"I wonder what it tastes like?"
Nam, who had already taken a swig, gave a mischievous smile and teased Hoa:
"Blech—it tastes terrible! Nghĩa, can I have a bottle of water?"
Hoa's face went pale as she looked at Nam. She then downed the potion in one gulp, only to realize it had no taste at all. She turned to look at Nam with eyes as sharp as daggers.
Nam held his stomach and laughed loudly…
Nghĩa sighed, holding a hand to his forehead…
Ting!
[Heat Resistance Potion Used]
[Status Effect: High Heat Resistance – Time remaining: 6 hours]
Nam said, still laughing:
"Wow~ It's so cool in this place that feels like hell."
Hoa's smile brightened considerably:
"Ooooooh. It really is comfortable…"
Nghĩa immediately said:
"If we didn't have this. We probably would have collapsed before even seeing the Boss."
"Does anyone want some bread? Hoa asked, pulling a few loaves out of her bag.
"Give me two… No. Make it three," Nam said, rubbing his stomach.
"There are only five left, my liege. Here you go." She said, handing Nam the bread.
"It's okay, let him eat his fill so he has the strength to fight. Haha… Give me one too." Nghĩa said, laughing.
"Water, does anyone want water?" Nghĩa asked the group.
After eating and resting, the group continued to move deeper into the cave…
On their way to the second floor, the group encountered a few more minor mobs—smaller Core of Heat Unknowns, along with some Rupture Unknowns (Lv. 11-12) that could self-destruct upon being eliminated. Nam and Nghĩa coordinated perfectly, while Ái Hoa maintained healing support to keep the party stable. The group then moved deep toward the end of the cave and came upon a stone bridge that crossed a river of lava, whose heat created distorted optical illusions that warped their vision as gas bubbles rose and burst. The air was thick with the smell of sulfur and burnt minerals.
After crossing the bridge, a large cave opened up before them—the ceiling was high, with lava veins pouring down like waterfalls. In the center of the space, a colossal boulder appeared to be sleeping soundly, the ground around it melted into a crater-like depression. Its back was covered in red dust, and its eyes were two bright red veins, flickering slowly like two live coals.
Ting!
[Warning: Ancient Fire Core Unknown (Lv.15)]
[Dangerous Zone]
Nghĩa tightened his grip on 'Drifting Shadow'. Nam nodded, raising his shield into a defensive stance. Ái Hoa took a step back, preparing her support skills.
The battle with the Floor 2 boss – the Ancient Fire Core – was about to begin…