Ground Fire Hog Emergence

Flashes of light appeared as the Primers materialized.

Hearing Bach's muttered words, Trey, who had just arrived, sighed. "Yeah. This place is beautiful but also dangerous at the same time."

As he spoke, he scanned their surroundings.

They stood on a floating circular platform, suspended in an endless void of colors and chaotic space. The mirror-like surroundings reflected distorted galaxies—both wild and serene. A realm of both hell and heaven.

Unstable energy leaked out from time to time, making the air cold and unsettling.

Looking beyond the circular platform, Trey's instincts screamed at him to stay as far away as possible. He was used to this feeling by now—this wasn't his first time entering this place. But even with that experience, the horror of stepping beyond the platform had never faded. Just approaching the edge had never even crossed his mind.

On the other hand, the circular platform itself resembled a battle arena, its surface etched with ancient, unreadable symbols.

Every time they moved, the symbols pulsed beneath their feet, glowing subtly in response to their presence.

The arena's surface was smooth yet not slippery. It appeared metallic, yet it wasn't. It vibrated faintly, as if alive.

Trey then turned to Bach, who was equally captivated by the scenery. "Where's Kael?"

"There," Bach nodded toward the edge of the platform.

Trey turned around and spotted Kael standing at the very edge of the circular platform. One step forward, and he would surely fall to his death.

"He's really crazy… Not even afraid to stand so close to the edge," Trey muttered, swallowing hard.

"Crazy people are strong," Bach chuckled. "I'm surprised you're calling him Kael now."

"What choice do I have?" Trey rolled his eyes at the miner. "He keeps calling himself Kael Draven, no matter how much I press him for his real name. Does he really think we'll believe that bullsh*t?"

"You don't?" Bach asked.

"Well, do you?" Trey shot back, narrowing his eyes.

"No, hahaha." The miner laughed briefly before sighing. "But if he says he's Kael Draven, then we let him be. I owe him my life."

Being caught in a Fissure was an unfortunate fate. Those unlucky enough to be trapped were usually presumed dead the moment it happened. That should have been Bach's fate—miners like him weren't worth saving in the eyes of the Primers.

But because he had 'saved' Kael in that mine, he had been rescued in return.

Saved? More like I stole him from that place, Bach thought with a bitter smile.

"He almost killed me a dozen times, but…" Trey trailed off, unwilling to admit it. Just thinking about those near-death experiences made him shiver. However… "I learned a lot."

"I don't know him well yet, but you're right," Bach nodded in agreement. Even as a miner, he had learned something by following Kael. The human body could do far more than just hide behind machinery.

"Wait, I thought you two already knew each other?" Trey asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's complicated," Bach chuckled.

As they spoke, Kael had already made his way back after taking in the view beyond the platform.

Although the space was chaotic, the platform remained illuminated, as if a real sun were shining down on it.

"If you don't want to die, stay here," Kael said to the miner.

"Don't worry, we'll stay here," Trey said seriously. He didn't have a suit to participate in this boss raid—he would only be a liability, practically a walking suicide attempt.

Trey was satisfied as long as he had enough growth orbs, and even if he didn't, he was content to stand by and wait for the Primers to take down the Final Boss. That was what he had always done since he started Grey Hunting. Fortunately, he was meticulous enough not to throw his life away carelessly.

"Stay here?" Kael glanced at Trey for a moment before shaking his head. "If you want to become a great Primer, you need to learn to face foes stronger than you."

"Being careful and being crazy are two different things. I'm careful, and you're crazy," Trey said, avoiding eye contact with the lunatic.

"Ha, maybe you're right." Kael let out a small smile before his expression turned serious.

The air in the middle of the circular platform started churning, space cracking and winds howling. The cryptic symbols etched into the platform pulsed violently, glowing a deep red—like blood was about to seep out.

"It's starting," Trey muttered as he pulled the miner to the side. "We don't want to get caught up in their fight."

"You're really not going to join?" Bach asked.

"Of course not! I value my life. And who else would protect you if a stray bullet decided to kill you?" Trey rolled his eyes at the old man.

"Fair enough," Bach said.

…

The Primers on the scene began checking their equipment and suits. Some had already taken their positions, weapons aimed at the center of the platform.

Although each group had its own formation, none of them obstructed the others. The Primers were no strangers to this—no matter their rivalries, they knew they had to set them aside for now.

If they got too caught up in one-upping each other without considering the risks, they would only increase the chance of death—and worse, they could fail to take down the Final Boss.

They couldn't afford to be careless. No one knew what was about to emerge from the churning space. One thing was certain: if they failed to kill the Final Boss, they were as good as dead.

Any concern over rewards or competition would have to wait until after they secured victory.

The New Ones group remained on high alert. Although they had advance information about the monster they were about to face, nothing was ever certain. Fissures were unpredictable.

There were many recorded cases of Final Bosses meant for higher-grade Fissures suddenly manifesting inside a Grey Fissure. Just like how Behemechs from stronger color grades sometimes appeared in lower-grade Fissures.

As the Primers held their formation, they watched as light from the glowing symbols shot toward the chaotic space in the middle of the platform.

The air devoured the light, and the space shifted—like a container filling with water, the chaotic energy molded itself into a massive, gray, smoke-like door.

Seeing the color, the New Ones group exchanged glances of relief.

Suddenly, a loud roar erupted from the door, and the temperature in the air began to rise.

"Here she comes," Carina muttered with a smile.