Floating Islands: SSS Gacha System-Chapter 145 - - The Frozen Lava Chamber

Atlas, Edrik, Kurogasa, and Morganna finally decided to set out ahead to scout deeper into the underground cave. Kurogasa had previously discovered a location where they could mine the ore they needed, and fortunately, it was not too far from the cave that Atlas and his team were currently using as a shelter.

Considering the scale of the island, they had traveled approximately 20% of its circumference. The journey took quite a long time, not only because of the harsh environment but also because Kurogasa continuously scouted the path ahead to ensure there were no threats from monsters or potential enemies they might encounter along the way.

According to Kurogasa's report, he had not yet explored the cave in depth, but he was fairly certain that the area was likely inhabited by higher-level monsters. To ensure their safety, Atlas deliberately brought Morganna along that day.

The journey proceeded smoothly without any obstacles until they reached a higher elevation. Interestingly, the entrance to this cave was situated on higher ground compared to the one they were currently using. The cave's entrance was also quite wide, but because it directly faced the open sky and was well hidden, very few had discovered it—except for Kurogasa.

They stepped inside without hesitation, and Atlas immediately put on his mask to help him breathe. It was clear that this cave's passage was much larger, with an abundance of mana crystals embedded in the walls, casting a soft glow that made it easier to navigate.

The ground was covered in solid ice, making movement difficult due to its slippery surface. However, after taking some time to adjust, Atlas finally drew his spear, which helped him gain better footing.

As they continued walking, everyone suddenly stopped. The ground trembled violently, as if something deep within the cave had deliberately caused the disturbance with immense force.

Atlas turned to Kurogasa.

"Forgive me, My Lord," Kurogasa said, lowering his head. "I have yet to explore this area in depth, so I do not know the source of this tremor."

Atlas then shifted his gaze to Edrik, hoping for an answer. It was clear that this was no ordinary earthquake affecting the entire island. No—this disturbance was concentrated solely within the cave.

"Is it caused by the lava? The mountain? Or a monster?" Atlas asked.

Edrik bowed slightly before answering. "My suspicion is that this is the work of a monster."

"A monster capable of causing a tremor this strong inside a cave?" Atlas questioned.

Edrik simply nodded in silence, offering no further explanation. It was clear that they needed to venture deeper to uncover the truth behind this disturbance.

"Is it safe?" Atlas asked.

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"Yes, Atlas," Edrik replied. "We have Kurogasa, who is skilled at scouting and detection. He can sense danger better than any of us."

Atlas turned to Kurogasa, and the Ninja Rat gave a respectful bow, affirming Edrik's statement.

With that, they pressed on. The cave passage gradually sloped downward, becoming more treacherous with each step. At times, they had to leap down into deep drops as the unstable path became increasingly difficult to traverse.

After about an hour of exploring the cave, they finally arrived at a large chamber where there was a bit more light compared to the previous tunnels. Embedded in the massive cave walls were countless glowing stones, casting a shimmering red and orange glow that made the dark chamber look like it was filled with distant stars.

What kind of place is this?

Atlas scanned the area, focusing on the movement of elemental particles. And yes—he detected no chaotic fluctuations, the kind typically caused by the presence of monsters. This meant the chamber was clear of any immediate threats.

"This is the ore we've been searching for—Chameleonite Ore," Edrik stated.

Atlas widened his eyes, and a grin formed behind his mask. They had finally made it. But was the ore here enough to meet the large quantities he needed to fulfill his vision?

As if reading his thoughts, Edrik spoke again. "I'm not exactly an expert in this field, but I believe this cave contains a significant amount of Chameleonite Ore. That said, I'm sure we could explore deeper to find more mining spots."

Atlas nodded in agreement.

At least, in terms of distance, this chamber was still within a reasonable travel time from the cave's entrance. However, splitting their forces to mine here would come with its own risks. If a rival lord were to discover this place, it would be difficult for Atlas to reach in time and provide backup.

This meant Kurogasa's job would become even more challenging. And because of that, Atlas couldn't help but wonder—what if he had two people like Kurogasa on his team?

Or perhaps... could he train one of his troops, someone with potential, to become a skilled scout like Kurogasa?

Technically, Edrik was also capable of handling such a role, though not as proficiently as Kurogasa. But Atlas needed Edrik by his side. His knowledge, his ability to communicate complex ideas in a way that was easy to understand—these were things Atlas relied on.

"How about we explore deeper?" Atlas finally voiced his thoughts.

It wasn't just the ore that intrigued him—though the potential for mining here was certainly tempting. What truly piqued his curiosity was what else might be hidden within the cave's depths. Especially considering that, on their way here, they had felt at least three massive tremors, strong enough to shake the entire cave system.

It should be something big lurking in the depths.

After a moment of contemplation, Edrik responded. "If we go deeper, it might take us until midnight to fully explore the area. However, I believe it's still worth doing. Besides, we can be fairly certain that our troops in the other cave will remain safe until tomorrow, with Lyrassa, Baldric, and Mira watching over them."

Atlas nodded in agreement, and they pressed forward, venturing deeper into the cave.

No one voiced any complaints. In truth, among him and his elite subordinates, he was the only one struggling to navigate the unstable cave passages. The deeper they went, the more the cold seeped into his bones, growing sharper and more unforgiving.

The journey was grueling. Atlas could feel the relentless strain of the rough terrain and the biting cold, both pushing him toward the edge of surrender. Dark thoughts occasionally crept into his mind—what if another massive tremor struck and sealed off their exit? Or worse, what if they were buried alive inside this cave?

Yeah... that was a terrifying thought.

Though, technically, Atlas did have a way out if things went terribly wrong. He possessed an item from the Gacha that allowed him and his subordinates to teleport en masse to a safe location in case of extreme danger.

However, it was a rare and valuable item—one he wasn't willing to waste unless the situation became truly dire.

After what felt like two or three hours of wandering through the cave with no clear direction—only following Kurogasa's instincts—they finally reached an area where the tremors, which had previously only occurred two or three times an hour, were now happening more frequently.

Ten to fifteen times within a single hour.

Atlas exhaled, his curiosity piqued. "Tell me, Edrik, what's the worst possible scenario for whatever it is we're approaching?"

Edrik didn't hesitate. "It could be a Raid Monster—the Island's Boss Monster."

"A Raid Monster?" Atlas repeated, his interest deepening.

"Aside from conquering key zones and waging war against other lords, one of the best ways to earn a large amount of Dominion Points is by finding and defeating a Raid Monster on an island. Taking it down would give us a major advantage over rival lords—especially if we manage to secure rare loot from the battle."

"Oh," Atlas muttered, a slow grin forming behind his mask. "That sounds... interesting." Then, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to Edrik. "And why didn't you mention this earlier?"

Edrik tilted his head slightly. "Because you asked for the worst possibility. And that was it."

No, that wasn't it... If Edrik was saying this was a Raid Monster, then didn't that mean it would take a few lords and a massive army to take it down?

And yet, here they were—a small group, with Atlas himself still only a Lord Rank 1.

"Edrik, isn't this dangerous?" Atlas asked, a hint of doubt creeping into his voice.

Edrik chuckled, flashing a confident grin. "My Lord, as long as Kurogasa hasn't signaled any danger, I believe we can keep moving forward."

Even so, Atlas still felt uncertain. He turned to Kurogasa for confirmation, and the Ninja Rat gave him a slow, deliberate bow, affirming Edrik's words.

But seriously... just because they were safe didn't mean Atlas was.

Then, moments later, the ground trembled violently once more—this time, the impact was even stronger, its force rippling through the entire cave around them.

After some time, at the end of the tunnel, they saw it—a brighter light filtering through, revealing an opening to something different. Something bigger. Maybe another vast chamber within the cave.

Slowly, they moved toward the tunnel's exit. And the moment Atlas stepped inside, he instinctively adjusted his vision to the shift in lighting. Then, as his eyes fully adjusted, he finally saw what lay ahead.

It was... a massive cave chamber.

At its center was what appeared to be a frozen lava pool, its surface glowing with a soft, bluish hue that illuminated the entire chamber with an eerie, almost unnatural light.

And at that very moment, Atlas understood the source of the relentless tremors they had been feeling all this time.