Dancing on the golden ashes

I traveled on the back of the massive crab as it surged through the lava at an incredible speed. The molten surface rippled beneath us, but to this creature, it was like gliding effortlessly across water.

Its only mission was to get me out of here—the cave above was completely gone, obliterated by the earlier chaos.

The experience was nothing short of amazing. The thick, molten metal that would have been impassable to anyone else was nothing more than a playground for this beast.

Behind us, the smaller crabs followed in perfect formation, their glowing forms darting through the magma like fiery shadows. Together, we tore through the molten sea, unstoppable and untouchable.

"Go faster, Magmaclaw!" I urged, grinning wildly. Yes, that's the name I'd chosen for this magnificent beast. It felt fitting—a name worthy of its fiery might.

As for the smaller ones? Well, I just threw out whatever random names came to mind. Let's be real—I wasn't about to memorize all of them.

Thankfully, the Inspect skill saved me the trouble. Now, if a creature had a name, it conveniently displayed it for me. Saves me the trouble of remembering every single name, I thought with a smirk.

But it wasn't just that I'd forget their names—no. The real problem was that they all looked the same!

I glanced back, meeting the glowing eyes of the smaller crabs following closely behind. For a brief moment, I couldn't help but think they looked... cute. Adorable little magma crabs. Who would've thought?

It took us at least twenty to thirty minutes to navigate through the enormous lava cave system. The journey was mesmerizing—the molten paths twisted and turned endlessly, glowing with radiant heat. Thankfully, my Fire Body skill meant I didn't need to breathe underwater—or under lava, in this case.

With a powerful burst and an earth-shaking slam, Magmaclaw propelled us upward, breaking through the lava and into an expansive cavern above.

Once again, I was plunged into pitch-black darkness, but it didn't bother me. Magmaclaw whispered to me through our bond, reassuring me that she knew the way out.

This new cave system was massive, the walls towering at least fifty meters high, their rough surfaces glinting faintly in the dim glow of magma veins far below. Unlike the labyrinth I had come from, this path was straightforward, and we had no trouble moving forward.

Despite the progress, my thoughts wandered. My friends...

I was still worried about them. They had probably made it out of the cave by now, assuming I was dead after the cave-in. The thought stung, but it also made sense. If I were in their position, I'd think the same.

And then there was the Creator—the one who had intervened, found us, and pulled us back into this world. The gratitude I felt for being alive mingled with a sour ache for the missed opportunities in the illusory world. What could I have accomplished there if things had gone differently?

But there was no point dwelling on it now. I had new allies, new strength, and a path forward. For now, I would focus on getting out of here—and finding my friends.

"We're almost out," Magmaclaw rumbled, her deep voice echoing softly through the cavern.

Moments later, a faint light appeared ahead, growing brighter with every step. It blinded me for a moment as we emerged from the cave, and when my vision adjusted, I found myself standing on charred, desolate ground.

The landscape stretched endlessly before me, barren and lifeless. The air felt heavy, as though it carried the weight of countless deaths. An aura of death lingered here, eerie and oppressive.

Where are they?

I scanned the horizon, desperately searching for any sign of my friends, but there was nothing. No movement, no familiar faces. Just emptiness.

Frowning, I opened my Party Status menu. It was still active, their names glowing faintly. Strange... If they're still in the party, they wouldn't have abandoned me, right?

I turned to Magmaclaw, my voice tense. "Do you know anything? Did you sense anyone else alive in the cave?"

Her response was slow but certain. "No. No living beings besides you. For the last... week."

I froze. "A week?"

The word echoed in my mind, disbelief gripping me. Was I unconscious for an entire week?

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. If my friends had left me behind, they must be so far away by now. The idea felt like a betrayal, even though I knew it wasn't.

Why...

The question lingered in the air, unanswered, as the desolate landscape around me offered no solace.

"Master, are you okay?"

The smaller molten crabs gathered around me, their glowing forms surrounding Magmaclaw as I sat on her back. Their concern was palpable, but it did little to steady the trembling in my body.

I couldn't stop shaking. The familiar sting of betrayal clawed at my chest, yet I tried to push it away. Maybe I'm overthinking it. Maybe they're still in the cave, searching for me.

But the uncertainty gnawed at me, leaving a hollow ache.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus. "We need to go back to find my friends," I said firmly, my voice trembling slightly but filled with determination.

The molten crabs chirped in acknowledgment, their glowing eyes fixed on me, ready to follow my command.

I took a deep breath. If they're still out there, I'll find them. I have to.

"Master, there are no living souls inside," Magmaclaw said, her deep voice resonating with certainty. "Even if there were, they are long gone. This cave was under my rule—I know every monster that dwells there. Nothing can pass me unnoticed."

Her words cut deeper than I expected, but then she added, "There were three different monsters who left the cave... but I'm not sure if they are your friends."

The statement left me heartbroken.

A surge of jealousy overwhelmed me, sharp and suffocating. It wasn't fair. If I couldn't have that bond, that friendship... then why did they get to enjoy it without me?

I risked everything for them. I fought for them. It was me who saved them!

The bitter thought twisted inside me, dark and consuming. I clenched my fists tightly, the tremors in my body returning.

For all I had done, for all I had sacrificed, the idea of being left behind—forgotten—was a wound deeper than any physical injury.

"Master!"

Magmaclaw's voice rang out, sharp and commanding, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts.

I blinked, steadying myself. "I... Forget it. Let's move."

Focusing on the bond I shared with Malrang and the Thunder Tempests, I could feel their presence to the north. They weren't far—likely waiting for me. My new abilities made it easy to pinpoint their location, saving me valuable time.

It didn't take long to reach the mountain again, the one where the statue stood. As I arrived at the summit, I found it eerily empty, the winds carrying a heavy silence.

But something wasn't right.

A sense of dread washed over me, cold and unrelenting. My instincts screamed at me, warning me that danger lurked nearby.

Hurrying with Magmaclaw and my small army of molten crabs, it took only a moment to descend to the other side of the mountain. What awaited me nearly made me vomit blood from sheer rage.

A group of at least fifty people surrounded Malrang and the Thunder Tempests, their glowing forms fighting desperately to hold their ground.

And among them... my friends.

They were here, battling alongside Malrang and the wolves, fighting tooth and nail for survival. Skills clashed in a chaotic symphony, blood splattering across the rocky terrain.

It was an all-out war, and they were barely holding on.

"Let's move..." I said coldly, my voice carrying the weight of my resolve.

"Today, we forge our bond in blood! This army of ours will destroy anyone who dares to cross our path. Kill all who refuse to submit to my rule as the Dark Lord!"

I roared at the top of my lungs, the sound reverberating across the battlefield. The molten crabs roared in unison, their cries echoing with fiery intensity, shaking the very ground beneath us. Their response drew the attention of everyone on the battlefield.

"Big sister!"

Kim Seong-Hoon's voice cut through the chaos, his tear-filled eyes locking onto mine. The raw emotion in his voice made my chest tighten with guilt. I had misjudged them again.

But something dark and insidious inside me had driven me to think that way, to see betrayal where there was none.

No more.

In that moment, I promised myself to fight those feelings, to fight the shadows within me just as fiercely as I fought my enemies.

I gripped my scythe tightly, my eyes blazing with determination. I will protect them. I will slay every last one of our enemies. No one will take them from me.

And with that, I charged forward, ready to bring hell to those who dared threaten my friends.