Kai stood over the remains of the Molten Titan, his breathing heavy, sweat dripping from his forehead. The battle had drained a significant amount of his energy, but he couldn't afford to rest.
The Emberroot Essence was still hidden somewhere deep within the Abyssal Flame Ruins, and the longer he lingered, the more dangerous his surroundings became.
He scanned the fiery landscape ahead. The ruins stretched endlessly, but he knew that such a rare ingredient wouldn't be found in the open. It had to be somewhere special. Somewhere only the strongest dared to tread.
Then he noticed it—a faint golden glow in the distance, barely visible through the intense heat waves.
Kai's eyes sharpened. That had to be it.
Without hesitation, he pressed forward.
The further he walked, the more hostile the environment became. The temperature climbed to unbearable levels, and even with his Spiritual Cooking Aura shielding him, he could feel his skin burning from the sheer intensity.
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
Boom!
A massive fissure split open beneath him, forcing Kai to leap to the side just in time to avoid a blast of crimson flames erupting from below.
From the depths of the chasm, a monstrous figure slowly rose, its body composed of living fire and obsidian armor.
Kai's expression darkened.
Abyssal Flame Guardian.
A creature born from the ruins themselves, tasked with protecting whatever lay ahead. It was strong—far stronger than the Molten Titan.
The Guardian's flaming spear ignited as it charged toward Kai, the sheer force of its movement causing the air to distort.
Kai gritted his teeth. This wasn't just a test of power—it was a test of endurance.
The moment the spear descended, he sidestepped, barely avoiding the scorching weapon as it smashed into the ground, creating a small explosion.
Before the creature could recover, Kai infused his knife with Frost Essence once more and slashed at its arm.
But this time—
Clang!
The blade barely left a scratch.
Kai's eyes narrowed. Its body was resistant to normal attacks.
The Guardian retaliated instantly, its spear sweeping toward him like a burning comet. Kai ducked, feeling the heat scorching his back as he rolled away.
This wasn't a battle he could win with brute force. He had to cook his way out of it.
He reached into his storage ring and retrieved a small vial—a special seasoning infused with Ice Lotus Extract, an ingredient known to suppress extreme heat-based creatures.
With swift hands, he coated his knife with the extract, infusing the blade with an even more potent cooling effect.
The Guardian roared, preparing another devastating strike.
Kai took a deep breath.
This was his chance.
As the flaming spear came down, he dodged at the last second, closing the gap between them.
With precise movement, he drove his enhanced blade into the Guardian's chest, right where its core flame burned brightest.
Sizzle!
A burst of cold energy spread through the Guardian's body, its flames flickering wildly as frost began to form over its molten armor.
The Guardian let out a final howl before its body collapsed into embers, disappearing into the ruins.
Kai exhaled, his body trembling from exhaustion.
Then, as the Guardian's ashes scattered into the wind, he saw it—
At the center of the battlefield, growing from the cracks of blackened stone, was a single flaming root, its golden glow pulsating with life.
Kai's eyes shone with victory.
Emberroot Essence.
He had found it.