Chapter 18
【Scorching】
Grade: Sacred Treasure
- The formal attire worn by the ancestors of the Lava tribe. The spirit they imbued into the clothing has become an undying flame that will forever illuminate the wearer’s path.
- Flame Armor: Creates a curtain of fire that completely blocks all fire-attribute attacks of 7-star or lower.
- Legacy of the Lava Tribe: Unleashes powerful flames forward.
- Fire-attribute skill attack power increased by 50%.
‘Wait, no matter how much they treat me as the hero of their tribe…’
Isn’t this a bit too much?
After reading through the performance of <Scorching>, I felt more burdened than happy.
‘It’s an armor with built-in skills, as expected of a sacred treasure. And two of them at that.’
There were quite a few armors with built-in skills even if they weren’t sacred treasures. They were just rare.
But as far as I knew, there were only three pieces of equipment in 《Soden》 whose built-in skills reached 7-star or higher.
Now that I knew about <Scorching>, that number had become four.
‘And the performance of each skill is insane.’
Especially the skill called <Flame Armor> that completely blocks all fire-attribute attacks of 7-star or lower.
Complete blockage.
It didn’t mean high resistance — it meant 100%, unconditional blocking.
It could perfectly block the most frequently encountered and most vicious fire-attribute attacks in combat.
At this point, wasn’t this closer to an ‘Authority’ than a skill?
‘The other two abilities are also crazy, but <Flame Armor> is so outstanding that the rest look relatively plain.’
An unexpected end-game tier defensive equipment had fallen into my hands.
Of course, compared to ‘that’ which I absolutely had to obtain far in the future, there were still some areas where it fell short.
Since <Scorching> was heavily specialized toward fire attributes, its versatility was somewhat lacking.
At least when compared to the 0-tier armors of 《Soden》.
<Scorching> should be solid 1-tier… no, at least 0.5-tier level.
“I’m not sure if I should really accept this.”
While fanfare was exploding inside my heart, my mouth spoke humbly.
Still, this was something I needed to confirm clearly.
I was about to walk away with a sacred treasure passed down through generations of the Lava tribe, even though I wasn’t even a member.
To prevent any future trouble, I needed to get a definite answer from the Chieftain here and now.
“It is a decision made by me, the leader of the tribe. Do not feel burdened.”
“But…”
“I know what you’re trying to say. Would your mind be more at ease if I told you that giving <Scorching> as a gift was not my sole decision, but one made with the full consent of the entire tribe?”
“……”
It was decided by unanimous consent?
While I was still dazed, Ismin stepped in and spoke.
“Fire does not discriminate by race. If only the greatest warrior may wear <Scorching>, then that owner should be you, Ruth.”
“……”
“Besides, there is no rule that says only members of the Lava tribe may wear <Scorching>. So please, just accept it.”
The atmosphere made it difficult to keep refusing.
I let out a small sigh, nodded, and carefully received <Scorching> from Ismin.
It was a size that only covered half of the upper body starting from the neck — closer to a red cloak than formal attire.
However, what covered its surface was not fur or fabric, but bright red flames that surged ceaselessly like a lion’s mane.
Naturally, the flames were closer to an effect and did not feel hot.
“Put it on quickly! Hurry!”
“Yes. Go on and try it.”
Both Ismin and the Chieftain urged me with excited expressions.
Before I knew it, the other tribespeople were also watching with folded arms or warm smiles.
‘You tell me not to feel burdened, yet you create such a burdensome atmosphere.’
I smirked and the moment I draped <Scorching> over myself,
Hwaruk—.
The sound of small flames blooming rang in my ears as a warm sensation settled across my entire body.
It wasn’t a painful heat. It was a pleasant warmth, as if radiant light was shining into every corner of my body, making my heart burn hot.
“Wow……”
“Well, his figure wasn’t bad to begin with…”
The tribespeople let out gasps of admiration as they saw me wearing <Scorching>, while Ismin placed a hand on her waist and grinned.
The Chieftain nodded greatly with shining eyes, as if confirming that his judgment had been correct.
“We will take pride in today’s decision for a long time to come.”
***
The next day.
Having finished his preparations to leave, Ruth stood in front of a structure that resembled a giant egg.
Upon hearing that he was departing, every single member of the Lava tribe came out to see him off without exception.
All of them clearly showed reluctance, including the Chieftain and Ismin.
“…It feels regrettable. Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“That’s right! Leaving right after my brother’s funeral? The festival starts today!”
Even though they told him not to go, they never clung to him annoyingly.
They didn’t want to burden the hero of their tribe.
And although they didn’t ask, the Chieftain could sense it to some extent with his keen intuition.
‘This person is looking very far ahead. Toward a distant place where he cannot afford to rest even for a moment…’
His outstanding martial prowess shown while fighting the deadly parasitic insects, his tenacity to achieve his goals no matter how many times he brushed against death, and his unfathomably deep mind…
A man with such qualities would surely pursue a grand goal.
In that case, what the Chieftain should do was help make Ruth’s steps on his journey even a little lighter.
“The <Nuraduke Crater> is connected to countless regions and ley lines across the continent.”
The Chieftain stroked the giant egg-like structure, where lava veins were visible like translucent blood vessels, and spoke.
“This ‘Fire Orb’ will use the ley lines connected to those regions as stepping stones to quickly transport you to the place you desire.”
“I see.”
In simple terms, it was a teleportation device.
And the range of areas it could reach was extremely vast…
Since Ruth had never seen the fully restored crater even in the game, he looked at the Fire Orb with curiosity.
“Place your hand on the Fire Orb and think of the place you wish to go.”
“It’s simple.”
He had already decided on the destination.
<Aigon>.
The land of eternal winter where blizzards never ceased.
‘First, I’ll go to <Aigon> and obtain that. I’ll commission Jackson Steel & Anvil after that.’
To create the strongest weapon, the correct order was to first farm the strongest materials.
Anyway, thanks to the ‘Fire Orb’, things had become much easier.
Since <Aigon> was located at the northernmost tip of the continent, simply traveling there would have taken a tremendous amount of time.
“……”
Right before Ruth placed his hand on the Fire Orb and thought of his destination,
He turned to the Chieftain for one last farewell and made a small request.
“Please make one promise with me.”
“…?”
“This continent is as precarious as a candle flickering in the wind. Before long, a colossal disaster will descend from the sky and appear before us.”
“Ruth, what are you suddenly saying…”
“Please promise me. When that day comes, the Lava tribe will stand with us humans and fight together.”
To the Chieftain, it might have sounded like grasping at clouds, but it was the undeniable truth.
The Inferno Gate.
In two years, the gates of hell would open and turn the entire continent into a sea of flames.
‘And then he will descend.’
The Demon Emperor.
The fight against him was not something Ruth could solve alone no matter what he did.
Even if all humans united with one heart and one mind, it would not be enough.
When that time came, he would need to borrow the strength of those stronger than humans, even if they were not human.
Beings like the Lava tribe.
The powerful race of fire.
“…If it is a disaster that can shake the fate of the continent, we cannot simply stand by.”
The Chieftain spoke with a faint smile like a gentle breeze.
“I promise. When that day comes, the Lava tribe will lend its strength to humanity.”
“Thank you.”
Those words served as his farewell.
Ruth turned away from the waving Lava tribe members and infused his wish into the Fire Orb.
Hwaruk—.
Red light flowed out from the orb and enveloped his body. In the next instant, he vanished without a trace.
“……”
The Chieftain gazed at the now-empty Fire Orb with lingering eyes and prayed that Ruth’s journey would be filled with nothing but blessings.
***
<Aigon>, the snowfield of the northern continent where winter alone seemed eternal.
Splatter—!
Bright red blood sprayed across the pure white snow that covered the land like an unfolded sheet of paper.
Soon after, teeth as hard as frozen kernels fell with a clatter, followed by screams filled with agony.
“Kuaaaaaaaaagh!”
“Disqualified. Next.”
The white-haired young knight casually wiped the blood off his sword hilt and spoke indifferently.
Two waiting soldiers hurriedly dragged away the collapsed giant of a man.
The giant, being dragged by both arms, had his eyes rolled back white and was drooling uncontrollably.
“Ugh, damn.”
“Let’s just go…”
“We came all this way!”
“Yeah! He only lasted five exchanges!”
“Mediocre bastards, stop wasting space and get lost!”
In front of the white-haired knight, warriors with imposing physiques stood in a long line.
A moment later, a bald swordsman wielding a large machete entered the training ground and shouted boldly.
“Max, from <Elenor>! In my village, they called me ‘Butcher Max’—”
“I’m not interested. Show me your skill instead of introducing yourself.”
“You—!”
Max, lightly ignored, charged forward in fury.
Despite his somewhat arrogant self-introduction, his movements weren’t bad.
In fact, a ‘Gold Badge’ — awarded only to mercenaries with over ten years of experience — was attached to Max’s armor.
Shiiiing!
A sword strike filled with wild, bull-like momentum rushed toward the white-haired knight.
However.
Crack—!!
The one who ended up bleeding and in a miserable state was not the white-haired knight, but Max.
His face, which had burned with fighting spirit, was horribly crushed, and his nose bone was caved in.
The white-haired knight had thrust his sword in reverse at lightning speed.
“I couldn’t see it again…”
“What insane speed…”
Although dozens of challengers had stepped forward, not a single one had been able to follow the knight’s sword with their eyes.
The white-haired knight didn’t even spare a glance at Max, who had collapsed foaming at the mouth.
“Next.”
It was the 150th time he had uttered that line today alone.
Meanwhile.
“Report the total number of successful candidates so far, adjutant.”
“U-Um… There are still none.”
“…I’m speechless.”
The Lord of Aigon.
A warrior far more famous under the title ‘Tyrant of the North,’ Wolfgang Demiorck, furrowed his brow deeply.
Through the glass window of the castle tower, he looked down at the training ground where challengers from all over were rolling pathetically on the floor.
“To think they dared challenge the ‘Trial of the Ice Dragon’ with such pathetic skill…”
“Perhaps you should reconsider whether the passing standard is set too high. Isn’t it rather harsh for a 7-star knight like Sir Kurt to be their sparring opponent?”
“Lasting only five exchanges — how is that even considered a spar?”
“……”
“If they can’t even properly receive the sword of a 7-star knight, they’ll only become cripples even if they attempt the trial.”
His words were so reasonable that the adjutant had nothing to say.
“If we’re being honest, I’m practically saving those fools who rush in blindly with false courage… Hm?”
At that moment,
Wolfgang, who had been expressing his disappointment with various remarks, suddenly fell silent.
A warrior who had reached a high realm could discern an opponent’s level just by watching from afar, even without crossing blades.
And in that sense, the man below was clearly different from the previous challengers.
‘……No openings.’
There was no better way to describe it.
Despite his relatively small build, the presence he emanated was like a moving fortress.
That was the impression Wolfgang felt as he looked down at the red-haired boy wearing a cloak of flames.