‘For once, I have to agree…’ Nyx muttered as she separated from his body. ‘Is this… lava?’

Leo nodded slowly. A very, very hot lava… I’m not the only one sweating here, right? We aren’t even close, and still…

‘And that’s not even the biggest issue.’

And here lay the problem, as Nyx was right. The rivers of lava in the distance weren’t that problematic in the long run. They could avoid them after all. No, the actual issue was the layout of this rift layer. It was as if someone had created this place just to spite him.

Floating islands…

There were tens of them, some hanging lower, some higher. This time around, the only bridges between them existed in the form of the lava rivers. Like the water in the last layer, those also completely ignored gravity and remained connected through the endless empty space.

Thus, the big problem.

Nyx might be able to fly, but Leo? He didn’t fancy a swim in lava, and his floaters were far from great. At most, they allowed him to glide for a bit, and with the distances between those islands, that was far from enough.

Hell, even if his weird lightning wings could carry him that far, he would have to kiss his stealth goodbye. There was no way the creatures here could miss the crackling light of his wings. Stealth Shroud just wasn’t that powerful, not even with the new item.

More fighting it is, then. Leo sighed, glancing at one of the Voidling flying above the nearest floating island.

It resembled some of the demon-like creatures he had seen countless times in movies and TV shows—a humanoid figure with bat-like wings and claws instead of normal fingers. The only real differences were its skin—dark gray rather than angry red—and a fiery, organic weapon strapped to its back.

From this distance, he couldn’t quite make out what the weapon was. Similarly, gauging the creature’s exact size seemed as tricky. If he had to guess, though, it probably wasn’t much smaller than him—if at all.

All in all, the Voidling didn’t look that special. Only the weapon on its back made him wary. It was the first time he saw a monster with a blade that wasn’t attached to their bodies.

So what are you?

Lesser Infernal Daemon (Nightmare Voidling) | Rank: D- | LVL: N/A |Type: Nightmare, Fire, Normal

Leo furrowed his brow. This wasn’t what he expected. For a beast with such a dangerous appearance, it seemed weak, underwhelming even. For a moment, he even felt disappointed, but then common sense kicked in and made him realize this was actually a good sign.

After all, weak monsters meant fewer problems while crossing from island to island.

All right, show me what is under the hood, System.

Race: Nightmare Voidling | Subspecies: Lesser Infernal Daemon

Expected Potential: D- to D+

Arsenal: Fire, Origin Weapon

Known Weaknesses: Wings

Lesser Infernal Daemon is one of the few Nightmare-type Voidlings found on magma worlds. Within this power range, they belong to a small group that managed to develop a slightly higher level of intelligence. Thanks to that, they are capable of wielding their Origin Weapons with moderate skill. Infernal Daemons don’t have any obvious weaknesses, but they also don’t excel at anything. By all means, this evolution path creates some of the most well-rounded Nightmares.

Ah! So that’s why they appear weak at first glance. Leo hummed, scanning the Daemons flying in the distance. They are intelligent… or well, at least more than your average Voidling. Now I kinda can’t wait to fight them.

‘Focus,’ Nyx grumbled, slapping the back of his head with her tail. ‘We have a core to find.’

Right… Sorry.

Quickly, he reached into his soul and took out the Core Shard. However, just like on the entire previous layer, this time, the small crystal also couldn’t detect anything. Either they were still too far, or the Supercluster core was on the third and final layer.

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Knowing my luck, the second option is most likely true. Not everything can be easy. He shrugged. Okay, so how do we get to the last layer? System? Anyt—Oh. There it is.

Beware! Currently, the Realm Tear of the second layer is sealed. Defeat the guardian of this realm and destroy two sealing pillars located inside the hatcheries to unseal it. Good luck.

Search and destroy this time around, Nyx. He informed his companion. This will definitely take longer than the last layer.

The feline frowned. ‘Do you think you can find those pillars with Hunter’s Pulse? There are way too many of those islands to search them all.’

Without any idea how they even feel? Leo shook his head. No way. We got to find one of them first. Then I can try.

‘Better than nothing, I guess.’ She turned to look at the nearest floating island. ‘What do you want to do, Leo? Can you jump and then glide the rest of the distance?’

He approached the edge of their plateau and then glanced at the far-off island with a grimace. Maybe? Not sure if I want to find out if my maybe is enough though.

‘Yeah… Me neither. I will carry you then.’

Leo turned so fast that he almost snapped his neck. What? Are you mad?

Nyx shot him a bored look. ‘Do you have any better idea? It is either that or you do a jump of faith. You tell me which option is more likely to make you fall into the void below us.’

He flinched and averted his gaze. Even with all of his enhancing skills active, he wasn’t one hundred percent sure he could make this jump. However, the other choice also wasn’t that simple.

Can you even carry me?

Nyx snorted. ‘You’re not that heavy. I’m more worried about the Nightmares. Stealth is a no-go if we go with my plan.’

I can’t believe we’re even thinking about this, but fine. Let’s try it… I will take care of any Voidlings that come close. You focus on getting us to safety.

‘Very well. Can you kneel? I need to grab you somehow.’

Leo sighed but did as was asked. Nyx took it as a sign and jumped, grabbing his arms with her hind legs mid-air. Then she spread her wings and pushed them off the plateau.

‘Scratch that. You are heavy!’ the feline hissed as she fought to keep them from falling into the abyss. ‘Activate your wings! Maybe they will help a bit.’

Way ahead of you! He answered just as lightning erupted from his floaters. A moment later, tiny elemental wings formed on his back, stabilizing their flight.

‘Much better,’ Nyx said, and he could hear the relief in her voice. ‘We have company though!’

On it!

Shadows exploded out of his body, covering his and the feline’s form in thin armor. It was far from perfect, but he had never thought he would need to use Manifestation on someone other than him. Yet another thing to work on later on.

As the single Lesser Infernal Daemon neared their position, it grabbed the weapon from its back—a wide greatsword covered in liquid fire. Leo didn’t wait for the beast to attack and struck first, sending dozens of shadow spikes at it.

The beast growled and, with one mighty swing, released a wave of fire that swallowed most of the projectiles. However, a few still managed to get through and sink into the monster’s flesh.

Sorry, my soul is stronger.

Despite the injuries, the Nightmare still tried to come closer, but Leo just kept on his assault. Not even the appearance of another Daemon changed the tides of the battle. They might be more intelligent and wielded fire with some proficiency, but they were no match for the power burning inside his soul.

‘Leo, we are close. You should be able to glide the rest of the way.’

He glanced down and, indeed, a floating island the size of a couple of football stadiums was getting closer and closer. He released his hold on Manifestation and answered through their link.

Good! Drop me. I will take the one on our left with me. You take the other.

‘Got it.’

The pressure around his arms disappeared, and Leo shifted his tiny wings to carry him right at his target. The Nightmare thankfully met the charge head-on.

With Spectral Fury active, he batted away the fiery greatsword and plunged his other blade into the beast’s chest. It screeched, its body catching fire, but Leo held on, waiting for the inevitable to happen.

And it did. Not even a second later, a specter of him appeared at his side and sliced into the Daemon’s neck. Its fire flickered out, and its body turned to dust within the blink of an eye.

Lesser Infernal Daemon (LVL: 59) slain | Experience awarded | 358 Ether gained

So weak… At least the free Ether is nice.

Above him, he spotted Nyx finishing her own target, so he averted his gaze and focused on his landing.

It didn’t go too well.

Incapable of slowing down his descent more than he already did, Leo crashed into the rocky island. He smashed past some kind of stone trees covered in fire and continued downward until the ground finally stopped him.

I hate those wings. He thought with a groan.