Chapter 105: Fourth Floor

Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Fourth Floor

Upon the Lava Giant’s core shattering into ash, a radiant chest of boss loot materialized over the smoldering crater:

Tier 1 Lava Giant Core — A dense, pulsing heart extracted from the Level 10 Floor Boss. Churning with concentrated fire and earth mana, it serves as an extraordinary catalyst for high-tier weapon enchantments, alchemy, or domain cultivation.

Infernal Slag Ore (x5) — A rare, high-density fire raw material forged deep within the volcano’s core. Highly valued by blacksmiths, it can be used to forge flame-infused weaponry or heat-resistant heavy armor.

Living Magma Essence (x3) — A volatile liquid fire raw material that maintains an infinite internal heat source without cooling down. Ideal for brewing high-tier thermal elixirs or nourishing fire-elemental flora.

Skill Scroll: [Molten Rupture] — A rare skill scroll that allows the user to slam the ground and erupt localized pillars of magma beneath targets, dealing heavy area-of-effect damage and inflicting a burn status.

Flame-Veined Obsidian Ring — A rare-grade accessory that grants the wearer +15% Fire Resistance and accelerates mana recovery while standing on volcanic or heated terrain.

Rowan stepped over the cooling ash of the defeated boss, sweeping his hand to transfer all five drops—the Tier 1 Lava Giant Core, the Infernal Slag Ore, the Living Magma Essence, the Molten Rupture scroll, and the Flame-Veined Obsidian Ring—directly into his system inventory.

"Let’s wait to distribute the loot until we secure ourselves in a safe environment," Rowan suggested, tipping the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat. "Boss rooms can be unpredictable right after clear triggers, and we’re still standing in an open chamber."

"Agreed," Princess Lyra nodded, wiping a slight sheen of sweat from her brow as her runic sword hummed softly back into its sheath. "The atmospheric mana in this arena is destabilizing now that the core entity is gone. We shouldn’t linger."

With their tactical formation re-established, Squad 07 pressed directly into the absolute core of the volcano, where the ambient heat was slowly beginning to equalize following the giant’s demise. Navigating past the drained basins and cracked basalt ridges, they reached the elevated stone dais at the very center of the volcanic mountain.

There, floating silently above the scorched floor, stood a glimmering blue portal. Its swirling, sapphire-colored spatial currents cast a tranquil, cooling light over the entire cavern, offering a breathtaking contrast to the surrounding rivers of red magma. The soothing, low frequency of spatial mana signaled the official gateway to the fourth floor of the Tower.

Seraphina tapped her mapping slate, confirming the gateway coordinates. "Spatial stability is at absolute peak. The portal links directly to the Floor 4 transition zone."

Barney rested his heavy vanguard shield against his shoulder with a satisfied breath. "Floor 3, officially conquered. And we made it through without taking a single major hit."

Caelen grinned, adjusting his greatsword harness. "Not bad for our first real run without the academy proctors holding our hands."

Mirei eased the tension on her longbow, falling into position beside Princess Lyra to secure their flanks one last time. The Imperial Princess turned to Rowan, her eyes reflecting the portal’s serene azure glow.

"Whenever you’re ready, Rowan," Lyra said, a look of quiet confidence in her eyes. "Lead us through."

Rowan gave a calm nod, adjusting his straw hat before stepping into the swirling sapphire vortex alongside Squad 07 and the Princess, crossing the threshold into Floor 4.

The sapphire light of the portal dissolved into a tranquil, eerie glow as Squad 07 stepped through the spatial threshold onto Floor 4. The scorching heat of the caldera vanished instantly, replaced by a damp, cool breeze carrying the heavy scent of rich soil and ozone.

***

[Floor 4 Entered: The Luminescent Grotto — Bioluminescent Spore Caverns]

Before them stretched an endless subterranean wonderland. Giant mushroom caps as large as fortress towers reached toward the high cavern ceiling, glowing in brilliant shades of electric blue, violet, and pale emerald. Shimmering quartz veins ran like rivers of diamonds through the dark stone walls, casting soft reflections across floating drifts of luminous spores.

"Warning," Seraphina’s mapping slate chimed softly as she scanned the atmospheric density. "High concentration of airborne hallucinogenic spores and localized pockets of neurotoxic miasma."

Before the toxic air could affect the team, Rowan tipped the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat and channeled his Gardener of Eden traits. A gentle, shimmering green aura expanded around the squad. The floating spores nearest to them instantly neutralized, settling harmlessly into the damp moss beneath their boots. To reinforce the protection, Seraphina passed around specialized alchemical lozenges, neutralizing any trace of atmospheric poison.

"This place is incredible," Princess Lyra murmured, her silver hair catching the violet glow of the fungi. "A complete polar opposite of the Infernal Caldera."

"And the perfect spot to take a breather and handle that boss loot," Rowan said smoothly, guiding the group into the sheltered hollow beneath a massive, glowing blue mushroom cap. Barney planted his heavy vanguard shield into the earth to secure their perimeter, while Mirei and Caelen scanned the surrounding quartz ridges for any sign of fast-moving Burrowing Shadow-Crawlers.

With their temporary sanctuary secured, Rowan opened his system inventory and retrieved the five drops from the Lava Giant.

He handed the Skill Scroll: [Molten Rupture] to Caelen. "This fits your frontline heavy style—it’ll let you slam the ground to erupt localized pillars of flame."

Next, he passed the Flame-Veined Obsidian Ring to Princess Lyra. "The accelerated mana recovery and fire resistance will help keep your golden aura fortified during intense fights."

Finally, Rowan divided the raw materials. "Barney, the Infernal Slag Ore and the Tier 1 Lava Giant Core are yours for blacksmithing high-tier gear. Seraphina and I will split the Living Magma Essence for alchemy and crop cultivation."

With the spoils distributed and their defenses locked, Squad 07 readied their weapons, prepared to press deeper into the luminescent depths.

While their brief respite beneath the giant blue mushroom cap allowed them to distribute their hard-earned spoils, the mental and physical strain of the grueling Lava Giant battle still weighed heavily on the team. Recognizing that standing out in the wild terrain of Floor 4 left them vulnerable to ambient hazards, their primary objective was clear: locate the nearest human outpost, enter an absolute safe zone, and properly recuperate.

Seraphina tapped her mapping slate, sweeping her fingers across the interface to project a hovering, holographic blueprint of the surrounding subterranean grid. "The local spatial beacon registered a fortified outpost roughly four kilometers northwest of our position," she reported, pointing to a designated green waypoint nestled inside a cluster of colossal quartz monoliths. "Glowstone Refuge—a settlement maintained by the Explorers’ Guild for researchers, traders, and high-floor climbers."

"Four kilometers through a fungal maze," Caelen mused, adjusting his greatsword harness while securing his newly acquired [Molten Rupture] skill scroll into his belt pouch. "Sounds like a walk in the park compared to that volcanic oven back on Floor 3."

"Don’t lower your guard," Mirei warned softly, her sharp eyes scanning the violet mist where subtle shadows darted between glowing fungal stalks. "The environment here is quieter, but the poison hazards and underground ambushers are far more insidious."

With Barney taking the frontline with his shield ready and Princess Lyra matching Rowan’s pace—the Flame-Veined Obsidian Ring emitting a gentle, warm pulse on her finger—the squad began their trek toward the waypoint.

The path through The Luminescent Grotto was stunning yet treacherous. Deep pockets of neurotoxic miasma pooled in low-lying basalt ravines, but Rowan handled the atmospheric threats effortlessly. Guided by his Gardener of Eden traits, he released subtle waves of purifying vitality mana that neutralized airborne toxins, creating a clean breath zone around the squad as they advanced.

After forty minutes of disciplined movement, bypassing several nests of hidden Burrowing Shadow-Crawlers along the quartz ledges, the dense fungal canopy finally opened up into a vast, crystal-lined cavern.

Rising from the center of the cavern stood Glowstone Refuge, built within the hollowed shell of an ancient stone spire. Encased in a shimmering, blue anti-monster barrier, the outpost hummed with the welcoming sight of warm lantern light, tavern smoke, and fellow adventurers. The outpost guards at the barrier gate stepped aside, welcoming Squad 07 into the sanctuary of the settlement.