DING—
---
> [Second Stage Cleared]
---
The sound came through clearly.
Sharp.
Undeniable.
---
But—
---
The Tower screen didn't appear.
---
I frowned.
---
"…Is it just me…"
---
"…or is something messing with my head?"
---
The environment fell silent.
---
Too silent.
---
Like a graveyard.
---
Even the magma—
---
Stilled.
---
Then—
---
BOOOOOOM—!!!!
---
The center of the molten sea collapsed inward.
---
Not an explosion.
---
A collapse.
---
Like something beneath it had opened its jaws.
---
The magma spiraled violently—
---
Forming a massive vortex.
---
A cyclone of fire and liquid stone.
---
Every river.
Every stream.
Every drop—
---
Dragged toward the center.
---
As if guided by invisible hands.
---
I didn't move.
---
Didn't interfere.
---
I just watched.
---
"…Again."
---
No control.
No explanation.
---
Just another show.
---
BAM—!!!
---
The volcanic mountains in the distance—
---
Trembled.
---
Then erupted again.
---
BOOM—!!! BOOM—!!! BOOM—!!!
---
Multiple eruptions lit the sky.
---
Columns of magma shot upward—
---
Then curved mid-air.
---
Not falling randomly.
---
Controlled.
---
Precise.
---
Flowing toward the vortex.
---
Smooth.
---
Perfect.
---
Laminar flow.
---
No turbulence.
---
No chaos.
---
Only control.
---
"…So this is deliberate."
---
Not natural.
---
Not environmental.
---
Engineered.
---
Every drop of magma condensed into the vortex—
---
Shrinking.
---
Compressing.
---
Until—
---
It formed a sphere.
---
Floating.
---
Dense.
---
Silent.
---
The once vast magma sea—
---
Gone.
---
Completely drained.
---
What remained below—
---
A barren circular pit.
---
Cold.
---
Lifeless.
---
I narrowed my eyes.
---
That alone—
---
Was unnatural.
---
Magma doesn't just lose heat.
---
Not instantly.
---
"…Something consumed it."
---
Not dispersed.
---
Consumed.
---
I kept my senses locked on the sphere.
---
Watching.
Waiting.
---
Then—
---
CRACK—!!!
---
The sound split the silence.
---
Sharp.
---
Like an eggshell breaking.
---
The sphere trembled—
---
Then cracked again.
---
CRACK—!!! CRACK—!!!
---
Heat surged outward in waves.
---
Not wild.
---
Controlled pressure.
---
Measured release.
---
BOOOOM—!!!!
---
A shockwave exploded outward.
---
Flattening everything within dozens of meters.
---
The ground—
---
Leveled.
---
Smooth.
---
Intentional.
---
I stepped forward slowly.
---
Calm.
---
My blue eyes locked onto the center.
---
Where the sphere had been—
---
Now stood a figure.
---
A man.
---
Humanoid.
---
Still.
---
Silent.
---
A blue screen appeared.
---
> [Info]
Name: Kragar
Title: Bearer of the Sealed Flame
Threat Level: High
Divine Realm: First Stage
Affinity: Fire / Earth
Law: Fire, Earth
---
"…So you're the one."
---
I stopped a few meters away.
---
Observing.
---
Carefully.
---
His skin—
---
Red.
---
Not natural.
---
His body—
---
Encased in armor.
---
Heavy.
---
Layered.
---
Covered in glowing runes.
---
They pulsed faintly.
---
Suppressing something.
---
Not protecting.
---
Containing.
---
Sealing.
---
My senses sharpened.
---
The heat—
---
The pressure—
---
The energy—
---
All restrained.
---
Forcefully.
---
"…You've been hiding."
---
Kragar's eyes lifted.
---
Red pupils.
---
Black sclera.
---
A faint smile curved his lips.
---
Not friendly.
---
Not hostile.
---
Certain.
---
He spoke.
---
"…Someone wants you dead."
---
His voice was calm.
---
Flat.
---
Empty.
---
Like a messenger delivering a sentence already decided.
---
"And I am the one chosen to carry it out."
---
No anger.
---
No pride.
---
Just purpose.
---
A faint chuckle escaped me.
---
"…So I'm being hunted now."
---
Interesting.
---
Very interesting.
---
Before I could speak again—
---
DING—
---
A Blue screen appeared.
---
> [MISSION]
Defeat Kragar
[Reward: 5000 Points]
---
I glanced at it briefly.
---
Then back at him.
---
"…That's all?"
---
5000 points?
---
After everything?
---
That alone confirmed it.
---
This wasn't just a trial.
---
Something else—
---
Was at play.
---
Kragar took a step forward.
---
The ground beneath his foot darkened instantly.
---
Heat radiated outward—
---
Even through the sealed armor.
---
The runes flickered.
---
Straining.
---
"…You should be grateful."
---
He raised his hand slowly.
---
"…Most die without knowing why."
---
The air tightened.
---
Pressure increased.
---
Not overwhelming—
---
But focused.
---
Condensed.
---
Dangerous.
---
I exhaled slowly.
---
Then—
---
My stance shifted.
---
Lower.
---
Balanced.
---
Calm.
---
Controlled.
---
My eyes glowed faintly blue.
---
"…If someone wants me dead…"
---
A faint smile formed.
---
"…they should've come themselves."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
Kragar smiled wider.
---
For the first time—
---
Emotion.
---
Interest.
---
"…Good."
---
The runes across his armor began to glow brighter.
---
Cracks formed between the plates.
---
Heat leaked out.
---
Slowly.
---
Dangerously.
---
"…Then don't die too quickly."
---
BOOM—!!!
---
The ground shattered beneath him—
---
As he vanished.
---
And the third battle began.