Archie dashed across the tree branches of the jungle, the pungent smell of sulfur growing stronger with each leap. I’m getting closer, Archie thought, a small smile spreading across his face. He quickened his pace, flying through the dense foliage at speeds that would put a supercar to shame.
Archie burst out of the jungle, his smile widening as he beheld the imposing volcano before him. It loomed at least five kilometers tall and spanned roughly thirty kilometers across. The jungle must have hidden it from view when I was above. How could I have missed something this colossal? Archie wondered, astonished.
The volcano's slopes were caked in layers of volcanic ash and dirt, with rivers of lava snaking around and across its surface. Pools of molten rock dotted the landscape, home to various creatures both within and around their fiery depths. Smoke billowed constantly from the volcano’s peak, while steam and lava geysers erupted with relentless energy.
Archie’s jaw dropped. “This is just as amazing as I always envisioned it being,” he murmured, awe-struck.
The various creatures and minerals dotted his sight.
[Lava Wraith Lv 64]
[Igneous Golem Lv 75]
[Magma Hound Lv 69]
[Scoria Serpent Lv 59]
[Lava Slime Lv 72]
Using his Material Insight, Archie was able to identify the various minerals scattered across the volcano base. He smiled at the information he gleaned from them.
Pyrestal Ore:
A glowing, heat-resistant ore that emits a faint orange-red light. Pyrestal is known for its natural resistance against fire-based attacks. Commonly found near lava pools.
Magmasteel Ore:
A metallic ore that radiates a deep red light, often found bathed in lava pools. It has a strong affinity for retaining fire elemental mana when refined and infused, making it a favored material for crafting weapons and armor used by those with Fire Affinities.
Ignusite:
A mineral known for its ability to emit a steady and controlled heat. Once refined it serves as a reliable source of thermal energy and can be recharged by channeling mana once depleted. Ignusite is most commonly found in areas inhabited by Igneous Golems as well as within Igneous Golems themselves.
Cragforge Ore:
A dense, rocky metallic ore often discovered within volcanic crevices. If improperly handled it can release powerful bursts of kinetic energy. Its unique structure allows it to store latent energy, which can be unleashed with great force when needed.
Volthrinite Crystal:
A crystalline mineral known for its exceptional ability to conduct and channel fire-affinity mana. Frequently used to amplify fire elemental magic, it is often found near lava rivers.
“This place is a treasure trove!” Archie said excitedly. “I can make the greatsword with Magmasteel as the base, and in its center, I can have a thin strip of Volthrinite. That will make it a perfect fire-attuned greatsword for Michael.”
“And everything here is perfect for building my bike. I’ll use Cragforge on the suspension for an extra boost on the wheels, Ignusite for the batteries, and Pyrestal as an insulator,” he added. “Not to mention, this place is ideal for grinding some levels in my class.”
Archie advanced toward the Lava Wraiths, who hovered above a pool of molten lava, the bubbling gurgles filling the air around him. He counted four of the wraiths encircling a deposit of Pyrestal. Each stood at a towering two and a half meters, their humanoid shapes crowned with bald, flame-wreathed heads. Wisps of fire flickered off their forms, while their faceless visages bore no eyes, ears, or noses. Their limbs were unnaturally long, draped in robes resembling molten magma streaked with glowing cracks of lava. Only their heads and arms were exposed, appearing human-like but entirely composed of flowing lava.
The wraiths floated effortlessly above the molten pool, and as Archie approached, they turned in unison, their glowing white eyes fixed on him with an intense, piercing gaze. He activated Adrenaline Rush, Thorns, and the Lesser Ice Reinforcement enchantment on his gauntlet, causing the tips of the thorns to gleam with an icy blue tinge. Pretty sure I’m gonna need Ice to fight fire, Archie mused.
The wraiths wasted no time—two unleashed fireballs toward Archie while the other two raised their palms, emitting crackling sparks of kindling energy. Archie dodged between the incoming fireballs and triggered Savage Charge, propelling himself in front of one of the fireball-shooting wraiths. He thrust his fist forward, expecting resistance, but instead passed clean through, nearly stumbling into the lava pool. Surprise flickered across his face as he turned back toward the wraiths.
The fireball-flinging wraiths retreated while their companions ceased chanting and thrust their palms forward, spraying arcs of molten lava. Archie leaped clear of the searing streams, channeling more mana into his gauntlet than ever before. Ice encased his fists, dyeing the thorns deep blue.
Archie kicked off the ground, launching himself at the wraiths once more. Just before striking, he released a burst of mana into his gauntlet, creating a concentrated spread of ice. This time, his fists met resistance as the ice solidified parts of the wraith. When his punch connected with its torso, the wraith doubled over, spittles of lava spraying across Archie's chest plate and slightly melting it. Archie took advantage of its vulnerable state and followed through with a sucker punch, cracking its mask-like face and falling onto the ground. The remaining wraiths unleashed volleys of fireballs, forcing Archie to weave through the barrage. Although a few grazed him, he escaped serious harm.
The sounds of barking and howling joined the gurgling lava as Archie activated Savage Charge once more, closing the gap instantly. His fist crashed into a wraith's face, cracking its mask, and sending it tumbling backward, shards of ice scattering from its falling form. Pivoting swiftly, he delivered a downward punch to another wraith, driving it into the ground and leaving a deep ice-encased imprint of his fist on its torso.
The last wraith sprouted large claws from its fingertips and lunged. Archie felt its intense heat as it closed the gap. He slipped beneath its wild slash and countered with a barrage of strikes, activating Relentless Flurry. The wraith was hurled into the air, its body riddled with ice-encrusted dents before it exploded in a fiery burst.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Archie surveyed the remains of the wraiths as they all erupted into flames. “Looks like these gauntlets will be a major help here. When I make better ones, I need to give them runes to handle different types of elementals.”
Approaching the remains, he noticed a fiery sphere amid the debris. It was round, with hardened stone encased in vibrant, pulsing reddish-orange lines resembling molten rivers. When Archie picked it up, it felt warm and throbbed with a steady pulse, leaving him thoughtful and intrigued.
Identifying the sphere caught Archie’s attention instantly.
Lava Wraith Elemental Core:
An elemental core from an E-Grade Lava Wraith retaining fragments of its records, left behind after its death. Within its fragmented records, lies the will of the Lava Wraith. Can be used for various forging applications.
"Do all beasts drop this?" Archie wondered, pocketing the cores from the remains of the Lava Wraiths.
Just as he was about to check his notifications, a pack of magma hounds charged, their agitation stirred by the clash between Archie and the wraiths. The hounds were constructed of molten lava and cracked, smoldering rock, constantly emitting smoke and embers, with drops of magma splattering to the ground as they moved.
Archie launched forward with Savage Charge, slamming his fist into the snout of the nearest hound. Puncture marks from the thorns around Archie’s fists made magma pour from its insides. The creature was hurled back, skidding across the ground for thirty meters before going limp, its skull cracked by the force of the blow. The hound was completely unprepared for Archie’s sudden and brutal attack.
Archie released a guttural roar, activating Taunt, freezing the remaining five hounds in place. He then quickly unleashed a flurry of strikes on the hound closest to him. Its hardened skin cracked with each blow as shards of ice scattered from his fists.
The death of one of their packmates snapped the remaining hounds from their stupor. They lunged at Archie simultaneously. One attacked from his right, which he dodged; another leaped at him from behind, forcing him to jump. In mid-air, two more hounds exploited his vulnerable state and lunged at him.
Archie reacted swiftly, activating Savage Charge to appear in front of the first hound he had dodged. He avoided its snapping, magma-fanged jaws and delivered a powerful kick, sending it hurtling into a magma pool.
Suddenly, searing pain shot through his left leg. Glancing down, he saw another hound clamping its molten jaws around his leather pants. Gritting his teeth, Archie leapt away from the remaining hounds and grabbed the head of the one biting his leg. He drove his fingers into its eyes, crushing them and using the eye sockets as leverage to pry open its jaw. The hound clamped down harder in response, intensifying Archie’s pain.
With a surge of mana and stamina channeled into Adrenaline Rush, Archie tore the upper skull from the hound, sending it flying and exposing its insides. The creature’s lower jaw and body remained clamped onto his hamstring, but a quick tug removed it. Archie inspected his pants and the puncture wounds in his leg, already feeling his Pugilist’s Grit begin to mend the charred flesh and damaged fabric.
The two remaining hounds lunged at him. Archie caught them by their necks, only to feel their bodies begin to heat up, glowing red. His eyes widened—they were about to unleash a fire blast. Pouring even more stamina and mana into Adrenaline Rush, Archie squeezed harder, feeling their windpipes crack. Flames erupted, engulfing his hands. "Damn it!" he shouted as his fingers burned.
Withdrawing his charred hands, he noticed his gauntlets had melted up to his upper palms. He quickly channeled mana into the gauntlets, watching as they slowly began to restore themselves. Pugilist’s Grit also working to regenerate his scorched hands alongside him funneling his vital energy towards his hands to speed up the process.
Footsteps drew his attention—it was the hound he had kicked into the magma pool. Though still intact, it bore spiderweb-like cracks along its left side. Pushing through the pain, Archie activated Savage Charge, channeling mana into his icy-blue thorns, and struck the hound's cracked side with a half-formed fist. The creature staggered, but Archie pressed the attack, hammering it with a relentless barrage of icy punches. Activating Relentless Flurry, he continued until the hound's hardened skin bore countless icy fist marks. At last, it fell limp.
Archie looked around and saw no other group of creatures around him. With an exhale, he deactivated his skills and fell on his ass. “Note to self, don’t stick your hands into a fire blast while it’s being charged, it still hurts you,” Archie chuckled.
Wasting no time, Archie entered Nature’s Meditation, needing to speed up the recovery of his hands.
***
Exiting Nature’s Meditation, Archie got up from the group and looked at the notifications that he ignored previously.
Skill Upgraded: [Material Insight (Common → Uncommon)]
Material Insight (Uncommon):
The Forgesmith taps into their connection with nature to identify and locate materials for their crafts. When Identifying and analyzing materials, additional information is revealed.
*[Lava Wraith Lv 64] has been slain – XP has been given. 704 Tutorial Points given*
***
*[Lava Wraith Lv 64] has been slain – XP has been given. 704 Tutorial Points given*
*[Magma Hound Lv 69] has been slain – XP has been given. 759 Tutorial Points given*
***
*[Magma Hound Lv 70] has been slain – XP has been given. 840 Tutorial Points given*
Skill Upgraded [Thorns (Common → Uncommon)]
Thorns (Uncommon):
You are able to conjure transparent vines atop your limbs, and when channeling mana into said vines, translucent thorns will emerge atop them. When striking a foe with Thorns active, bonus physical damage is dealt with every strike. When elemental mana is channeled through the vines, they gain bonus elemental effects. The damage of the Thorns is proportional to the amount of mana imbued in them and the current elemental effects.
Skill Upgraded [Relentless Flurry (Uncommon → Rare)]
Relentless Flurry (Rare):
Drawing on your stamina reserves, you unleash a rapid series of powerful strikes, each blow flowing seamlessly into the next. The energy surges through your muscles, amplifying your attacks with relentless force. When elemental mana is channeled through your limbs while Relentless Flurry is active, the strikes will gain bonus elemental effects.
*Your Class has reached Lv 59– Points allocated, +4 Free Points*
*Your Class has reached Lv 60– Points allocated, +4 Free Points*
*Your Race has reached Lv 61– Points allocated, +3 Free Points*
*Nature-Attuned Pugilist class skills available. Choose one of the options*
Tactical Retreat (Common): Stomp the ground creating a large cloud of dust to swift retreat, boosting your defense and movement speed while avoiding incoming attacks.
Stone Shroud (Common): Create a layer of stone around your body that absorbs damage when struck. The amount of damage absorbed is based on the amount of mana imbued within the stone.
Nature's Vigil (Uncommon): Temporarily connects with nearby plant life to increase awareness, granting heightened senses, boosted evasion, and an early warning of approaching threats.
Nature’s Veil (Common): You blend with your surroundings, drawing on the natural energy around you to enhance your movement. While activated, your body becomes camouflaged within natural environments, allowing you to move silently and with increased speed.
Spirit Bond (Rare): Spirit Link's lingering tether on your soul has left remnants of a connection to the spirit realm. Allowing you to temporarily bond with a spiritual entity using a medium, enhancing various stats based on the entity’s most prominent attributes. The strength and nature of the connection may vary based on the quality of the medium used and the compatibility with the chosen spiritual entity.