On this floor, the lava-born Eight-Limbed Crocodiles lurked beneath the molten rivers, emerging only to strike. Hunting them without provocation was nearly impossible.
Thus, Lixuman chose not to waste precious energy on needless combat.Time was running short—his focus lay solely on reaching the fire crystal collection point.
After taking several wrong turns, he finally arrived at the site.It wasn't that he, a skeleton, lacked direction—rather, the world's hand-drawn maps were simply too abstract to navigate.
By contrast, Iru's maps were works of art, rendered with remarkable precision—though she did tend to snap three reinforced steel pencils per sketch.
The octagonal fire crystals grew upon a small obsidian islet amid the molten river, gleaming with resplendent hues.Yet, most of the crystals were merely quadrilateral or pentagonal; those that matured into perfect octagons were exceedingly rare—true treasures among gems.
Scattered around the island were several lava crocodiles basking lazily, their scales glimmering like molten iron. These beasts benefited from the fire crystals' energy, making it impossible to harvest the stones without first slaying the guardians.
"A bit troublesome," Lixuman muttered, narrowing his eyes.
Beyond the visible beasts on the island, he could sense several more lurking beneath the magma's surface—no room for carelessness.
Soon, he located their leader—a towering, second-tier Lava Crocodile, Level 21, sprawled atop the highest ridge of the island, surrounded by crystals of remarkable clarity.
That one would have to die first.
Taking position on a rocky ledge, Lixuman raised his staff and aimed.A tri-colored array—yellow, indigo, and blue—unfolded at the staff's tip.
Locked on.
"First-tier magic…"
A sphere of azure water condensed, encased in a sheath of earthen stone that twisted into a cone.Then, wind gathered—a spiraling current coiling around the stone lance, setting it into slow rotation.Vapor escaped through the cracks, carving patterns like flowing water along the earthen surface.
The rotation quickened, forming a tail of whirling air. The staff trembled in his grasp, as if yearning to unleash the spell.
Charge. Focus. Release.
"Aqua Wind Drill!"
The spinning spear tore through the air with a sharp whistle, streaking straight toward its mark.It struck true—boring through the creature's throat. The contained water exploded within, hissing against molten scales, releasing a burst of white steam.
The crocodile's body temperature plunged; the magma-like blood within it cooled and solidified in an instant.
[Ding—Lava Six-Limbed Crocodile slain, EXP +800]
His five-thousand-point experience bar surged upward in one great leap.
Before the remaining beasts could react, Lixuman spread his bone wings and soared into the air, gliding toward the island.
At last, a battlefield vast enough to exploit his aerial advantage.
Hovering above, he lifted his staff again.
"First-tier magic…"
He channeled power once more, but this time, facing lesser crocodiles, he forwent the complex elemental fusion. Two magic circles sufficed.
"Wind Drill!"
The earthen spike, driven by compressed gales, spun through the air and struck another fire crocodile dead-on—its Level 18 form collapsing instantly.
Dodging a barrage of molten fireballs, he ascended higher and retaliated with another spell.
"First-tier magic—Wind Drill!"
Each cast grew swifter, sharper, more precise. Battle was his finest teacher.
By the time his fourth spell struck true, the remaining crocodiles had learned fear.They slipped beneath the molten surface, using the lava as cover. Whenever Lixuman descended, they would emerge to spit fireballs from below before sinking back into concealment.
"Clever beasts," he scoffed.
But his goal was not to exterminate them. There was no need for stubborn slaughter.
Landing upon the island, he began searching for octagonal fire crystals.At once, several crocodiles crept toward the shore.
He rose into the air again, staff gleaming—another Wind Drill struck down.The beasts retreated into the lava.
He landed once more.They surfaced again.
After a few such exchanges, two more fell, and Lixuman, amused, treated the skirmish as mere experience farming.
Eventually, the survivors learned caution, slinking away for good.
He quickly identified and harvested the octagonal fire crystals, his appraisal ability allowing him to distinguish them at a glance—far faster than any ordinary adventurer.
Soon, his pouch overflowed with more than enough to fulfill the task. Without a backward glance, he ascended and departed from the molten islet.
Mission complete.Now it was time to return.
And yet… he had not once encountered the Hyena adventuring party.
Perhaps they hadn't believed he could even reach the twenty-first floor—and were still waiting on the upper levels?
If so, the tables had turned.
His mission was complete; their chance to ambush him was gone.Now, he would become the hunter.
They had sworn to kill him—thus, they were enemies.And enemies must be eradicated.
Returning through the tunnels, Lixuman descended once again to the twentieth floor.
He did not rush. Patiently, he began to trace the Hyena party's tracks.
A full day passed—no sign of them, only a few slain lizardmen left in his wake.
Abandoning the search, he moved on to the eighteenth floor.
There, at last, he found them.
"Lucky," he murmured, and the soul-flame within his skull flared with gleeful anticipation.
The eight adventurers advanced in formation—disciplined, cautious.Two heavy-armored warriors, two swordsmen, an archer, two mages, and a priest.
The tanks guarded front and rear; the swordsmen flanked left and right; the ranged fighters stayed within, protected at the core.At the very center stood their captain—Hucador, the mage—directing the group's every move.
A frontal assault to slay the commander outright was impossible; such recklessness would pit him against the entire party.
No—he needed patience.
Activating Silent Step, Lixuman shadowed them from afar.
Never expect mercy from a skeleton; mercy is a privilege of the living.
"Captain, perhaps we should rest soon," grumbled one of the heavy warriors at the front. "That skeleton—no way he made it this deep alone."
They had scoured floor after floor without catching so much as a glimpse of their quarry.
"We'll finish searching this level first," Hucador replied calmly, unwilling to let his guard down.
"Oh, come on, Captain! Still? The thing's probably dead in some corner by now! You can't seriously believe he reached the twenty-first floor and gathered those crystals!" the archer protested.
Seeing morale wane, Hucador frowned slightly, then sighed.
"For the sake of the team's cohesion… fine. We'll rest for the night."
From the shadows, the skeleton's eyes flared with ghostly light.