In the other parts of the tower....
The volcanic battlefield shook again.
A low tremor crawled through Floor 42 where Zeref's party currently hunted monsters, making lava ripple violently between the cracked terrain. The air itself felt heavier these past few days. Wrong in a way nobody could properly explain.
Every tremor felt alive.
Like the tower was breathing.
Or waking up.
A level 43 magma beast lunged from the cliffs with a roar, molten saliva spilling from its jaws.
Zeref killed it instantly.
One spell.
One movement of his staff.
The fire beast froze mid-charge before crimson mana erupted from inside its body and tore it apart from within. The corpse collapsed heavily against the black volcanic stone while embers scattered through the air.
Nobody celebrated anymore.
Not even Mikel's party.
Grinding had become mechanical.
Necessary.
