Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

Second Floor (I)

The next floor was the least crowded in the dungeon. The adventurers preferred to spend more time in the previous one, and move on to the next one as soon as possible. It was a very unwelcoming place.

They walked down the long tunnel, while ignoring the sounds behind them. Apparently, the floor boss had reappeared, and some group was fighting against it. Perhaps, if they hadn't already entered the tunnel, they would have been interested in the show. Nonetheless, it was impossible to leave the way they had come while said boss was active.

The place was wide, so the adventurers resting on the sides didn't get in their way. In the dungeon, there were no rest areas other than the passages to the next floors. The fortress at the entrance was an exception that had been built later.

Little by little, they felt how the temperature of the tunnel was rising, thus making them sweat. In fact, the second floor was an unbearable place without adequate means to counteract the high temperatures.

"How hot!" Goldmi complained.

"Are you sure? I find the temperature pleasant," Eldi assured, with a mocking tone.

The four of them turned around. They looked at their companion with hostility after realizing the situation.

"Do you dare to start without telling us? Looks like someone needs a lesson," Gjaki threatened while baring her fangs.

"Definitely. He thinks he's funny..." Goldmi supported her while rolling up her sleeves.

The lynx also approached threateningly, while the goshawk was staring at him. Eldi swallowed.

"Ok, ok! It was just a joke! On my way..." he surrendered, without resisting. He didn't dare to face the wrath of the four of them.

It didn't take long for all of them to receive a Frozen Aura. There were special armor and artifacts to fight the heat, but a proper spell was best. It could be applied to the whole party, and had no downside other than some mana cost.

"Oh! This's much better!" the vampiress took a deep breath.

"Definitely. I guess we can forgive him this time. How cool!" Goldmi added.

Her sisters didn't say anything, but they were no doubt pleased.

Eldi smiled. He knew they weren't serious before. Well, at least, that's what he wanted to believe. It could be said that it had only been an innocent joke. That if they were so hot, they just had to have asked for it. Nonetheless, he would never play that joke again.

It took them about ten minutes to get through the long tunnel. The temperature had risen above bearable, but the Frozen Aura kept them comfortable. It had to be renewed, but he had enough mana to do it. In dire need, all of them had means to beat the heat, and they could always use the ticket to get out of the dungeon.

The goshawk took flight when they left the stairs, as she didn't like to be in closed places. Although the dungeon was, its width and height were enough to make her feel comfortable. She also transmitted to her sister what she was seeing from the sky. The elf found it impressive.

Lava lakes were found every few steps. There were even some red rivers. Roads surrounded them, but they provided no protection against the heat emitted by the molten stone.

Without the Frozen Aura that Eldi was renewing, or other equivalent means, it was impossible to survive there. So much so, that most adventurers preferred to go through that floor as quickly as possible, although there were some exceptions. Like a group of reddish beings who were taking a relaxing hot bath in a lava lake.

They were reptilians natural from volcanic areas. That floor of the dungeon was a paradise for them, just as they didn't like the previous one, and they found the next one hideous.

Eldi looked at them curiously. It was the first time he had seen them outside the game, and he didn't find much difference from that time. Some of these also observed the group with curiosity, since there weren't so many who passed by so relaxed. Although, it was only for a moment. They soon sank leisurely into the lava, enjoying the short rest before getting back to work.

In addition to the extreme heat, that floor was a kind of labyrinth. Many times, the roads had no way out. They were blocked by lava, so going back was the only choice. Hawkeye helped, though not as much as the winged scout.

The goshawk could see the paths clearly, and warn them when they were going towards a dead end. Nonetheless, it wasn't so easy to distinguish a path to the end. However, for a maze, it wasn't very complicated. There wasn't only a single path, and it was relatively easy to end up figuring out how to get to the next floor. Of course, few were spared from taking more detours than necessary.

The variety of enemies was much smaller than on the previous floor. In fact, there were only three species, and one of them was impossible for them. It was a type of eel that was found inside lava lakes. It's an easy prey, as long as the hunter is able to dive into lava. Frozen Aura was nowhere near enough.

Another of the inhabitants was quite annoying. Lava Larvae are a species of worms about a meter in length, without eyes. They float on the surface of the lava, which they can spit out, and they rarely stray far from the fiery liquid.

Goldmi was irritated by them, as her arrows were shattered by the extreme heat of their bodies. They were effective, but she couldn't get them back. Therefore, she limited herself to using Ethereal Arrow, Wind Arrow, and Light Arrow.

The latter was quite efficient, as their bodies were very soft, as well as they were beings of the dungeon. Similar creatures existed in reality, which the Light Arrow wouldn't even have tickled.

Eldi, for his part, could use Frozen Spears. Physical weapons were in danger of being burned or melted, unless they were very special.

As for Gjaki, she preferred to let her teammates get all the experience. Otherwise, she probably would have relied on her Blood Hounds, or some darkness spells.

The lynx, for her part, didn't approach them. She had some resistance to fire from Lineage of Flame, but lava was a bit much. The goshawk didn't even come down other than to renew the Frozen Aura from time to time, or to get an appetizer. She liked to fly, and it was less hot up there. The lava gave her chills.