Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

The guide proved invaluable. Though he possessed no magical abilities, his knowledge of the region was indispensable.

He led them along the safest paths, expertly avoiding the Fire Elementals that commonly roamed the volcano's slopes.

But eventually, encounters became unavoidable. When the number of elementals was low, the guide continued with William and the others, confident in their ability to handle the threat.

Seraphina, Hemlock, and the sailors dispatched the Fire Elementals with relative ease.

The elementals were level 30 creatures, wielding fire magic such as Fireball, Magma Ball, and other formidable spells.

William knew he was no match for these monsters. He might be able to defeat one or two, but any more than that would prove incredibly difficult.

He was only level 25, after all, while these monsters were level 30 and considerably stronger than typical level 30 creatures.

Eventually, the path became too perilous for the guide to accompany them further. The increasing number of Fire Elementals posed a significant threat to his safety.

"I must return to the village," the guide announced, his voice laced with regret. "But here is a map that should assist you in your quest. Please, be careful."

Hemlock accepted the map gratefully, thanking the guide for his service. Of course, the guide wasn't there out of pure altruism; Hemlock had paid him a handsome sum of gold coins.

"Now things start to get tricky," Hemlock declared, his brow furrowed as he studied the map. "According to this, the number of Fire Elementals from this point onward is incredibly high."

They ventured closer and closer to the volcano's base. William gazed ahead, the towering peak looming before them.

The temperature steadily climbed, forcing William to shed some layers of clothing along the way. The other sailors followed suit, beads of sweat dripping from their brows.

Seraphina, with her water magic, proved to be a vital asset. She conjured refreshing water for the group and unleashed powerful spells that inflicted significant damage on the Fire Elementals.

She seemed to be the perfect mage for this mission.

'The king must have chosen her for this very reason,' William mused.

They pressed onward, Hemlock leading the way with the map in hand, carefully following the safest routes indicated by their guide. These paths boasted the fewest encounters with Fire Elementals, though the number was still substantial.

After about five minutes of trekking, a group of Fire Elementals materialized out of thin air. Ten in total – the largest group they had faced so far.

The elementals unleashed their fire magic in unison. A barrage of fireballs hurtled towards William and the others, covering a wide area.

Seraphina reacted swiftly, conjuring a water barrier to intercept the fiery onslaught.

"Counterattack!" she commanded, her voice strained. "I need a moment to recover."

Blocking that many fire spells simultaneously had taken a toll on her. Seraphina needed a few seconds to replenish her mana before she could cast another spell, especially an offensive one.

The responsibility for the counterattack fell upon William, Hemlock, and the sailors.

Hemlock, sword in hand, charged towards the elementals. With remarkable agility, he closed the distance and launched an assault.

"Deep Tide Cut!" he roared.

His sword shimmered with a blue aura, and as he struck an elemental, a wave of water surged from the blade, engulfing several elementals, not just the one he had initially targeted.

'Incredible!' William thought, impressed by the captain's skill.

This type of magic was fascinating, and it suited William's fighting style, which relied on close combat and physical enhancement spells.

Of course, William wasn't going to stand idly by. He also charged towards the elementals, this time wielding his demonic sword.

He wasn't channeling demonic energy, just using the sword itself. No one would suspect anything out of the ordinary, as the sword appeared to be nothing more than a well-crafted blade made of exceptional materials.

Like Hemlock, William easily closed the distance and attacked. But his sword strikes were devoid of any magical enhancement, relying solely on the blade's sharpness and William's physical strength.
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Even without imbuing his sword with magic, William's attack was devastating. He focused on the same Fire Elemental that Hemlock had initially struck, delivering the final blow.

[1800 EXP]

[Item drop, 1 Fire Essence]

In addition to experience points, William also obtained an item from the fallen monster. It went straight into his inventory. He wasn't sure what the item was for, but it was always a welcome bonus to receive loot after defeating monsters.

Despite eliminating one of the elementals, nine remained. The other sailors, also skilled in combat, joined the fray.

William did his best to inflict as much damage as possible to gain experience points, or at least a fraction of them. If he remained idle, he wouldn't gain anything.

In the end, he earned a total of 4,000 experience points, which was quite a haul. Everyone was exhausted after the battle, but thankfully, no one was injured.

Once Seraphina unleashed her water magic, the fight concluded swiftly.

They pressed onward without respite. Time was of the essence, and they had a clear objective: reach a designated point where they could rest and establish camp.

Hemlock's map indicated a spot on the volcano where a small, heated lake had formed, perfect for bathing and respite. The plan was to clear the area of Fire Elementals and spend the night there before continuing their ascent. It was the most suitable location they could find, and with some preparation, they could secure the area for a safe overnight stay.

Reaching that haven, however, would take several hours. They continued their trek, encountering more Fire Elementals along the way. Fortunately, these encounters were mostly with smaller groups – unlike the previous skirmish with ten elementals – making the battles more manageable.

Everything was going surprisingly smoothly. William actively participated in the battles, gaining experience points and collecting items.

The fights themselves were relatively easy, which made William suspicious. The ascent shouldn't be this straightforward.

After about two hours of trekking, they arrived at the location of the heated lake. It was a stark contrast to the rest of the volcano's barren landscape. Lush vegetation surrounded the lake, with trees, grass, and other plants flourishing in the fertile soil. It was an unexpected oasis amidst the fiery terrain.

"How can plants grow here?" William wondered aloud, marveling at the sight.

"I have no idea," Hemlock admitted, equally perplexed.

Despite their exhaustion, they were relieved to have reached their goal. This would be their campsite.

They began setting up camp, pitching tents and gathering wood for a fire. But their respite was short-lived.

A monstrous elemental emerged from the depths of the lake! This one was different – a hybrid of fire and water.

William could sense its immense power. He estimated it to be twice the level of the other elementals, meaning this foe was level 60!

That creature would be difficult, if not impossible, to confront. Seraphina and Hemlock also sensed the formidable power radiating from their opponent.

Their first instinct was to flee, but escape seemed impossible in their current predicament.

"We'll have to fight," Seraphina declared, her voice laced with determination. "If we work together, I believe we can defeat it."

Despite her confident assertion, the others weren't as optimistic.