Based on the deduction from the current map fragments, the direction of the final piece should be toward the north of the Lava Lake.
The three fire-resistant boats followed the rough sketch, drawing closer to the northern side of the lake.
After searching for a while, they did indeed find that giant pillar.
However, the pillar was empty; it had already been looted by someone else.
“Damn it, it must be that Caiman fellow!”
Nephalian looked at the empty treasure chest and spoke with absolute certainty.
“Let’s go and snatch the map fragment back!”
“And while we’re at it, let’s kill that Caiman guy. He’s evil to the bone. We can just toss his corpse directly into the lava.”
“Right here, we wouldn’t even have to worry about how to dispose of the body!”
Nephalian spoke with excitement.
“Nephalian, calm down,” Eomer said.
Nephalian huffed and didn't say anything more.
“What should we do next? This place has indeed been looted, and it’s very likely Caiman and his group were here first.”
Serafina felt a bit of a headache coming on. They were only one map fragment away, but it was proving to be quite a hassle.
“It’s fine, I have a way.”
Eomer walked over to the looted treasure chest and crouched down.
He closed his eyes and reached out his hand. A green glow spread from his open palm, enveloping the empty chest.
“Whoever has been here must have left a trace.”
“That is...”
As a priest who also specialized in the plant life domain, Caspar, the priest in Serafina’s team, widened his eyes.
“Perception Strengthening!”
“What?” Serafina looked at Caspar in confusion.
“Priests of the plant life domain possess perception abilities that far surpass other classes,” Caspar explained.
“And Perception Strengthening is a technique that pushes the abilities of this domain beyond their limits.”
“However, this is a fifth-rank holy art of the Harvest Church. I didn't expect...”
“An elven priest who believes in the World Tree is also a priest of the plant life domain, but to think he could perform such a holy art at the third-rank level?”
Eomer opened one eye to look at Caspar.
In that instant, Caspar felt as though his entire being had been seen through.
“A second-rank priest who believes in Harvest?”
Eomer only said that one sentence before closing his eye again.
In his perception, invisible traces appeared around everyone. These traces were like lines formed of smoke, drifting in the air and extending back along the paths they had walked.
In Eomer’s perception, everyone’s trace was different.
For instance, the line Serafina left behind was a vibrant red, matching her hair color.
Caspar’s was emerald green, while Brock’s...
‘Wait.’
Eomer was somewhat shocked. The line Brock left behind was a mixture of purple and orange.
And what was this feeling coming from inside Brock? Such a massive total mana capacity!
With such an enormous amount of mana, he was actually still alive and hadn't been blown apart by the pressure. This physical constitution far exceeded what a mage should have.
Being so unique, no wonder he was traveling with a purple-skinned blacksmith.
Eomer’s attention lingered on Brock for a moment before he focused back on the looted treasure chest.
Within his strengthened perception, a faint aura gradually became clear.
Eomer opened his eyes, which flashed with an emerald light.
He captured that faint aura. In his sight, it was like a thread extending down the stone steps of the giant pillar.
“Found it!”
“We’re just in time. If we were any later, this aura would likely have dissipated.”
Eomer stood up, filtering out the chaotic traces of everyone else until only that one faint aura remained in his vision.
“Captain, who is it?”
“As expected, it should be Caiman.”
“I knew it was that evil guy! Let’s go find him, kill him, and throw him into the Lava Lake!” Nephalian was already impatient.
“Are you willing to take action against Caiman?” Eomer looked at Serafina.
Serafina naturally didn't want to move against Caiman; after all, Caiman had the Grey family behind him. As long as one was in the Northern Territory, no one wanted to offend that colossus.
However...
They could just wear masks!
Serafina remembered the time they had fought Caiman for the Desert Sword Attendant.
...
“One map fragment, obtained.”
Caiman looked at the map fragment in his hand, his heart filled with joy.
Although he had been plagued by bad luck ever since entering the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, this was likely the start of his luck turning around.
Everything was heading in a good direction.
“Unlucky kid, I didn't even do anything this time.”
In the thick smoke above, Feiwan looked down at the still-happy Caiman and shook her head.
At the same time, her gaze shifted to the path Caiman had taken. There, Eomer was already following the scent.
“Perception Strengthening...”
“But he hasn't sensed my presence. Just in case...”
“Tongmu, add another layer of concealment for me.”
An invisible dark barrier was bolstered with another layer.
“This should be foolproof.”
...
“The aura is getting stronger. He should be just ahead.”
“Prepare for battle.”
Eomer spoke as he looked into the thick smoke ahead.
At the same time, the already masked Serafina, Brock, and the rest of the group began to flank through the smoke on both sides.
Following his perception, Eomer got closer and closer to Caiman. Until...
“Caiman!”
Fire vines grew rapidly within the lava, chasing after Caiman.
Caiman whipped his head around, looking at Eomer behind him.
“Second-rank magic, Chaotic Wind!”
Two mages among the elves raised their staves simultaneously, and identical magic circles unfolded.
In an instant, a chaotic gale enveloped the caught-off-guard Caiman.
Caiman hurriedly ordered his subordinates to maintain control of the fire-resistant boat.
“Damn it!”
The elves' sudden assault had caught Caiman completely by surprise. Right now, the initiative lay with the attackers. He had to put some distance between them first.
Caiman directed the fire-resistant boat, ordering his heavy warrior to deploy the Immovable Fortress barrier while they attempted to break out to one side!
However, halfway through the maneuver, he saw a group of masked people blocking his path.
‘What!’
With a quick thought, Caiman realized who these people were. After all, there were only so many people in the Lava Sea right now; he could guess their identities without even trying.
“Serafina, you actually dare to use these tricks again?! This is the second time!!” Caiman roared in anger.
Serafina didn't show the slightest embarrassment. She drew her longsword from the Frozen Flame Ice sheath and slashed out two frost sword qis that crossed in a cruciform shape!
Caiman slashed out his own sword qi to block.
“Caiman, hand over the map fragment, and I can grant you a way out.”
‘Damn it!’
Hearing Serafina’s words, Caiman felt an immense rage in his heart. However, looking at the elves chasing from behind, he still pulled out the map fragment he had just obtained.
‘Serafina, I’ll remember this.’
Caiman directed the fire-resistant boat to break through with all its might.
Serafina kept her word and didn't put up much of a struggle to stop him.
Kill Caiman while they had the chance? Serafina had no interest in enduring Caiman’s desperate counterattack. Moreover, if they pushed him to such an extreme and he happened to escape, she would be facing the full retaliation of the Grey family.
Rate on N.U.
