The thick, hot air slapped her face like a whip. Before Eleonora stretched a landscape far removed from anything human.
An immense cavern opened up before her, so vast that its ceiling was barely discernible, lost in a reddish haze. Black, jagged rocks jutted out from the ground, with rivers of molten lava flowing through their crevices, casting an orange glow over the surroundings. The heat made the air shimmer, distorting shapes and colors. In the distance, the roar of a magma waterfall broke the silence, accompanied by the echoes of creaks and growls emanating from the darkness.
Eleonora paused for a moment, analyzing the situation. Her gaze fixed on the bipedal wolf she had instinctively followed.
It stood a few meters away, engulfed in flames as if its body were an extension of the lava itself. Despite its size and ferocity, it appeared unsettled by the sudden change of environment.
She didn’t give it time to react.
Eleonora raised what remained of her ice sword and, with a calculated motion, unleashed one final surge of magic. Ice burst forth like a gale, spreading in all directions.
The wolf was the first to fall, frozen mid-stance, its posture reflecting surprise and fury. But the ice didn’t stop there. The monsters lurking near the portal, attempting to cross through, were also caught in the frost. Even the ground turned into a crystalline, slippery surface, making movement nearly impossible.
With a determined expression, Eleonora raised an ice wall around her, creating a barrier that separated her from the other monsters approaching.
A notification appeared in her vision.
[You have leveled up.]
Eleonora smiled in satisfaction, but the next message made her frown.
[5 seconds remaining before power release deactivates.]
“Damn it,” she muttered under her breath.
She glanced around, ensuring no enemies were approaching. The growls and howls from the other side of the wall confirmed the wolves’ desperation to break through.
Eleonora let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Good luck breaking that ice,” she said aloud with a mix of mockery and exhaustion. “I put everything I had into it. It won’t be easy.”
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Another notification appeared in her vision.
[Power release canceled.]
Immediately, the blue glow surrounding her body vanished, and her strength faded like a dying flame.
Eleonora dropped to the ground, sitting cross-legged as she exhaled deeply. The oppressive heat didn’t help, but at least she had a moment to regain her energy.
“Well... I’m done here,” Eleonora said before relinquishing control of her body to Leonar.
It didn’t take long for Leonar to speak up.
“Where the hell are we?”
Eleonora didn’t answer right away. Instead, she let out a long sigh.
“Eleonora?” Leonar pressed.
“You could say I made a slight mistake,” she finally replied, her tone downplaying the gravity of the situation.
“A slight mistake? We’re in what looks like literal hell!” Leonar exclaimed, groaning as he tried to move his aching body. “Why would you do this?”
Eleonora rolled her eyes, even though he couldn’t see it.
“Relax, drama queen. In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a portal right behind you. We can go back whenever you’re ready.”
Leonar turned to look at the portal, his jaw tightening as he noticed the ice wall protecting it. He clicked his tongue in irritation.
“That doesn’t change the fact that we’re here, surrounded by lava, monsters, and this damn heat,” he grumbled.
Eleonora chuckled softly, savoring her companion’s frustration.
“You know, sometimes I think you complain too much,” Eleonora said with a teasing smile.
Leonar ignored her comment and, out of curiosity, activated his skill. His vision shifted instantly, tinted in an intense yellow that outlined every living figure in the vicinity. The wolves, still trapped in the ice, glowed like lanterns. Beyond them, grotesque and unknown creatures moved slowly in the shadows, all surrounded by the same yellow glow.
The portal, in contrast, shone a vibrant green.
“Well, that’s what I expected…” Leonar murmured to himself, relieved.
However, as he lowered his gaze to the ground, something caught his attention. Despite the frozen terrain beneath him, he noticed a small point that stood out among the yellow glow.
Leonar rubbed his eyes, incredulous.
“This can’t be...” he muttered.
“What’s wrong now?” Eleonora asked, intrigued.
“It’s that color again,” Leonar replied, confused.
“What color are you talking about…?” Eleonora asked, confused.
“The same one I saw when I first met you.”
Eleonora remained silent for a moment, processing his words. Finally, she replied with a mix of curiosity and caution.
“Are you sure? It could just be a coincidence.”
Leonar shook his head.
“I don’t think so. This is the second time I’ve seen it, and I don’t think it’s a mistake.”
Leonar struggled to his feet, his body still aching from the strain Eleonora had put it through. He stared intently at the golden point on the ground, feeling a strange sensation wash over him.
“What are you going to do now?” Eleonora asked, her tone more serious than usual.
Leonar took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
While it was true they could leave… what if someone else claimed that power?
Leonar had been lucky to encounter Eleonora and her abilities, but surely other hunters could have found her under different circumstances and made a contract with her.
Moreover, Leonar knew that, without a guild, returning to this place later would be a massive headache. If he wanted to act, he needed to take advantage of being the first to enter.
“Status,” Leonar muttered, and his status window appeared before him.