Chapter 90: Taking the Shining Object (1/2)
”And that's the last one.”
Abe commented after killing the last Ruin Dweller around. He turned back to his Humanoid form and walked back to our group who's already crowding around near the shining object which lured us here.
”Hey. Don't be so complacent. That's what happened to Kupa.”
Rane reminded her companion. She still couldn't get over what happened to that guy. If the same thing happened to her, what would that Kupa do, I wonder?
Well, since it's already done and the other rebellious Spirit Beast somehow became obedient already, the group finally had time to relax and see what it was that those Ruin Dwellers were protecting.
Are they really protecting it? None of them went near it when they were flushed out, did we only coincidentally step into their territory?
Err… They're already dead, there's no use speculating over it now.
After Yumiko killed the giant Ruin Dweller, it's only a matter of time before the flushed out creatures were annihilated.
Without wasting any time earlier, Jayna and I picked up our pace before helping Rei and Ren. We left the 4 Spirit Beasts to settle their side by themselves.
”Still be wary of our surroundings. We're only at the entrance and we already encountered something like that. Those who went in here before us probably didn't see this thing.”
I commented before I pointed to the shining object.
My Adaptability wasn't warning me about it so I judged that it's safe. However, the area around it isn't.
From a distance, it looks like a gemstone but upon reaching a 10-meter distance from it, the temperature rises.
”Can we go near it?”
Rane asked. The object was truly eye-catching especially for females, Jayna noticed it because of that and probably Yumiko also has an inkling about it.
”Let me try.”
The rebellious Spirit Beast volunteered. After what he did earlier, is this him atoning or he's also eyeing that thing?
”If you're thinking of pocketing it, think again. The one who saw it first will be the one to decide who gets it. That's what we agreed upon.”
Jagu reminded him and upon hearing it, he seemingly froze which meant Jagu's remarks were spot-on.
Before coming in, we already decided on that system. To avoid scrambling or fighting for an item, it will be the first discoverer who will acquire the decision rights for any item we will stumble upon. If he or she chose to take it for themselves, he or she will lose any chance for the next item that will be discovered.
”It's Jayna who first saw it. It doesn't matter who can take that out from the wall, she will have the rights on whether she will take it or give it to someone else.”
Yumiko reminded us. She's also staring intently at the shining object like Jayna and Rane. It's really beautiful and even if it's a useless gemstone, making it into an accessory will certainly add charm to her or any other woman who will wear it.
For that guy to have that thought, he's really troublesome.
”Since I have the rights for it, I can't ask anyone to take it for me. I will go.”
Jayna declared before she turned her head towards me and spoke.
”Watch over me, Daisuke.”
”Un. I'll pull you out of there if something happens.”
I nodded and used the three boosts to her. Also, I handed back the earring she gave me when we were escaping from the fortress. She still has one but giving it back to her meant additional security for her.
Jayna understood my intention so she took it and wore it on her ear where it was originally worn.
Materializing her Rivers for extra protection, Jayna started traversing the distance between her and the shining object.
At the 9-meter mark, Jayna stopped for a while to feel the change in temperature.
After confirming that it's still bearable, she continued.
At the 5-meter mark, she stopped once again and this time, she's already perspiring due to the high temperature. Using one of her Rivers, she covered her nose and mouth, maybe to use it as something like a filter.
At the 2-meter mark, her skin has started to change color due to the extreme heat. By then she already willed three of her Rivers to try and reach the shining object.
However, when her Rivers passed by the 1-meter mark, even as a manifestation of Spirit Energy, it instantly burned and dissipated.
”It's too dangerous!”
Rei exclaimed. Jayna is like a little sister to her even if the girl is the one older in age. Rei and Ren matured early after being kidnapped by the Dark Elves after all.
”Daisuke.”
Yumiko looked at me. She didn't need to say anything. When I saw her Rivers instantly dissipated, I already set my foot inside the 10-meter mark.
I don't know if this 10-meter area restriction was because of the shining object or something else. But Jayna wouldn't be able to get it at this rate, that's why I have to step in and support her there.
Immediately traversing the 5-meter mark, like her, I felt the sudden rise in temperature. It's truly hot as if you're being cooked inside a pan, the air was also so stuffy that it's getting harder to breathe.
When I reached the point where she's already an arm's reach, my Adaptability picked up something that could possibly be the source of this extreme heat and the 10-meter area restriction.
Five obscure rocks were protruding out from the wall in a circular pattern around the shining object, if one didn't reach this distance, they wouldn't be able to notice it due to the blending of its color.
Before dealing with that, I grabbed Jayna's arms and pulled her back.
She's already about to lose consciousness because of the extreme heat, if I was a step slower, she'll fall over the scorching ground.
I put her in my arms before turning around to take her out. Using Flash Step inside this area was somewhat restricted due to the stuffy air surrounding us, so I walked her back and dropped her in front of Rei to tend for her.