Rohan repeated the evolution process three more times for the other Genetic Armaments they’d purchased from Stella.

Aside from the changes to the Poison Rocksnake Pike, the evolved version of the Hollow Tide Burst weren’t as prevalent. Its appearance didn’t change much, and until they used it in combat, it was impossible to tell how much more powerful it became now that it was Elite tier.

’But that’s why we prepared two of each. If one isn’t enough or we miss our shot, then we always have another as backup.’

And if neither of them worked, then they could only curse their luck for having to face off against an E rank Elite, and wallow in their own misery for the next month as they waited to enter the Origin Realm again after dying.

’I really hope things go our way...’

"You ready?" Rohan asked Elane.

They chose to remain inside his old Apartment in Insulus to enter the Origin Realm, rather than waste another few hours travelling back to Primus.

Rohan still had a month left on his lease, while the maximum time an F rank Awakened could spend inside the Origin Realm was 7 days, so they had plenty of time to figure things out once they came back.

"Yeah. Let’s do it." Elane nodded sternly.

[Enter the Origin Realm?]

[Yes | No]

A prompt from their status appeared before each of them simultaneously. All they had to do after their first forced entry into the Origin Realm was express their desire to enter, and it would sense than and present this offer to them.

’Even something incomprehensible like the Origin Realm has two-factor authentication built in...’ Rohan found it intriguing.

Was the prompt there to stop Awakened from being coerced or forced to enter? Who knows.

Either way, neither of them hesitated in making their choice.

Rumble...

Fwoom!

But curiously, only one portal appeared in Rohan’s cramped apartment, confusing them.

However, before they could fire a question off, they both began to feel that inescapable pull from the portal, dragging them both into it.

Pop!

It disappeared as if it were never there once both of them made their way inside.

’Maybe it only spawned a single portal because we will both spawn back in the same place?’ Rohan surmised, but it was impossible to obtain an answer.

***

Heat.

Inferno like air.

That was what Rohan felt when he first appeared on the other side.

’God dammit, I thought I’d be able to handle this heat better after absorbing my Firestone Skin, but it’s still bugging me!’

Even though he complained, the difference compared to last time was already evident. He was having a much easier time moving about, and didn’t immediately feel dehydrated.

Elane however...

The moment she appeared back inside the E rank Elite Ant’s lair, her whole body seized up.

"Ugh—!"

She stumbled onto one knee almost immediately after stepping out from the portal, one hand flying to the floor to stop herself from toppling over completely.

The heat slammed into her like a physical wall, far harsher than the first time she experienced it due to the temperature shock she experienced.

Going from Rohan’s cold and damp apartment into this sweaty hellhole in seconds took a toll on her body, something she failed to account for before entering the portal.

’Damn! I should have taken a hot shower and doused myself in water to get used to the higher temperatures before choosing to return. Fuck!’

Rohan didn’t waste a moment.

"Stay low!" He barked over at her, grabbing her by the shoulder and hauling her closer to him.

"I’ll be fine! Just give me a few seconds..."

Rohan used that time to examine the chamber.

It looked exactly as he remembered it, yet somehow even more oppressive now that they’d returned voluntarily.

The huge place still glowed with orange and red veins running through the walls and floor, converging toward where the molten flower continued to bloom from that crack in the ground.

’So they didn’t manage to snatch it in the end. Serves them right.’

Knowing that Rudith’s plan failed left him feeling smug, especially since both of them survived the encounter as well.

However, he didn’t let his guard down just because of that.

’Where’s the Ant!?’

Rohan’s eyes darted around the chamber in a frenzy, his spear already in his hand and his Firestone Skin encompassing his entire body.

Both he and Elane split the disposable Genetic Armaments between them, taking one of each type.

But right now wasn’t the time to show that hand.

Rohan needed to be ready to defend against a strike before enacting that plan, and without knowing the Ant’s current location, that was proving to be extremely difficult.

Alas, the giant E rank Ant was nowhere in sight.

Even after scanning all around them from wall to wall, there was no sign of it.

’Did it leave this chamber? Entering other parts of the Ant nest?’

If so, that was majorly good news for the two of them. They might not even have to deal with the beast at all if that were the case!

As one last precaution, he looked upwards at the ceiling, checking if the Ant was somehow up there, just in case.

’Nope, where the fuck is it then!?’

"Can you stand?"

With no current enemy to face off against, he turned his attention back to Elane.

She sucked in another careful breath, grimacing at the pain her lungs were feeling.

Elane nodded, minimising the times she had to open her mouth and let any more of the scorching hot air in.

Back on her own two feet, she joined Rohan in scanning the place. With her Enhanced Senses talent, she was far more perceptive than Rohan and might be able to spot the boss if it was hiding from them. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

After scanning the place for over a dozen seconds...

"Nothing."

No luck even for her.

Or perhaps they were very lucky instead...?

Both of them exchanged a hopeful glance.

"The huge door is only a few dozen metres behind us, should we make a beeline for it?" Elane asked, desperate to escape this heat.

Rohan hesitated.

His eyes locked onto that molten flower laying on the other side of the chamber, practically calling his name.

’Rudith and the other five risked their lives and offered us up as bait in order to acquire whatever this is. Letting it go now would be a waste!’

In the end, greed won.

"You go ahead first, I can’t just let this perfect opportunity pass us!"

He pushed himself off the ground, lunging towards the other side of the chamber where the molten flower stood motionless.

It took him longer than expected to get there due to the effect the heat had on his body, despite having even his Firestone Skin up.

’Let us see what makes you so valuable!’

He placed his hand on the stem of the flower, which was as tall as himself, and was surprised by how cold to the touch it was.

’Huh? Shouldn’t it be the opposite?’

But temperature aside, something far more shocking appeared before his eyes.

[E rank (Commander) Lava Hellebore.]

"Holy Shit!!!"