Dancing on the golden ashes

I scooped it up as quickly as possible, holding it tightly in my hands. Even submerged in the pool of molten metal, the golden plate showed no signs of melting. Its glow intensified the moment I touched it, and I felt a strange resonance, like it was reaching out to me—as if we were meant to be together.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

This... this will make me insanely strong. The thought sent a surge of determination through me. Perhaps sooner than I imagined, I'll have my rematch against Nam Ji-Ho.

"Let's go up now!" I commanded, my thoughts reaching my beast effortlessly. Communicating with them through my mind was so much easier than trying to decipher their language.

"Yes, Master!" the molten crab replied, its voice echoing in my head with unwavering obedience.

Once we emerged from the crevice, I quickly summoned the molten crab back to its world. Watching it disappear into a flicker of molten light, I stretched and glanced toward the horizon.

"Well then, it's time to move east," I said to myself. My gut never lied when it came to decisions like this. Well... except when I was gambling in games, but that was completely different. Totally different, I promised myself with a smirk.

Molten lava still dripped from my body, sizzling as it hit the ground. I shook it off and continued on my way, absentmindedly playing with the golden plate in my palm. Its weight felt strange—almost alive—as if it held secrets waiting to be unraveled.

I wonder what else it can do? The thought nagged at me. I should find a place to sit down and study it more.

I glanced around, scanning the terrain for somewhere private, but no place seemed suitable for an extended stay. With a sigh, I resigned myself to traveling a bit farther. If someone spots me working with this... My grip on the plate tightened. I'll have no choice but to kill them, no matter who they are.

Some secrets weren't meant to be shared. They had to stay hidden—forever.

This whole place is strange, almost otherworldly. Sadly, I had no chance to explore it properly when I first arrived in the illusory world. I wish I could've seen this land in its prime, back in the days when it must have been blooming with life.

A part of me hoped I'd be able to rebuild these lands one day, to restore their former glory. Perhaps this seemingly endless metal could be used for a noble purpose—a good cause that would make these desolate lands thrive again.

It took me five days to finally exit the area. Strangely, I didn't encounter a single monster along the way—it was almost disappointing. The journey felt eerily quiet, the desolation pressing down on me.

I did spot a few people passing through the region, but they quickly fled the moment they felt my aura. Some, however, dropped to the ground in my presence, their fear evident. They were likely those who had heard of me—those who served under my empire.

To those who knelt, I paused and turned to them, offering a gentle nod and a small smile. The tension melted from their faces, and they seemed relieved. Even in the silence of this barren land, I could feel their gratitude, their belief in me.

This feels so unlike me, I thought, my steps faltering for a moment. I feel out of character. Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus. I need to concentrate on what lies ahead.

The new area was mesmerizing, filled with towering emerald crystals that gleamed faintly in the dim light. It was as if the entire place was encased in sharp, translucent glass. Every step I took had to be precise, careful—one wrong move and I could find myself pierced by the jagged terrain.

Has this place always been like this? I wondered. How does something like this form naturally? Or does it?

To my right, a small path caught my eye. It looked distinctly human-made, the ground smooth and worn as it disappeared into what appeared to be a cave. Around it, mountains of crystal, at least twenty to forty meters tall, loomed like silent sentinels.

Why not? I decided, stepping toward the entrance. The worst that could happen is someone tries to ambush me. Honestly, it'd be fun to see their faces when they realize they've messed with the wrong person. The thought brought a small smirk to my lips. Still, I hoped this place wouldn't attract that kind of fool. I had enough on my plate without dealing with idiots.

I think my luck had finally started to turn. The emerald crystal passage stretched out before me like a dream, its walls shimmering with hues of green and gold as the faint light filtered through. The crystals refracted the sunlight in dazzling patterns, casting the cave in an ethereal glow. It felt like stepping into another world—an untouched, forgotten sanctuary of beauty.

At the end of the passage, I emerged into a small room, its walls glistening like polished glass. Though the space was limited, it was just enough for me to sit down comfortably. The sunlight streaming through a narrow opening above turned the entire room into a sparkling haven, each emerald crystal catching the light and throwing it in vibrant rays across the chamber. The effect was mesmerizing, and for a moment, I simply stood there, taking it all in.

Finally, I sat on the smooth ground, pulling out the golden plate from my [Spatial Storage]. The space felt embarrassingly empty for someone at level 23, a testament to how little I used it. Among the few items inside was a well-preserved Ratabo tusk, still untouched. I should have left it for the people in Luminara, I thought with a sigh. Maybe it could have been useful.

"Let's see what secrets you'll reveal to me today," I muttered, holding the golden plate in my hands. With a flick of my wrist, I ignited it with fire, the flames dancing along its surface. The reaction was immediate—I felt a surge of pure energy wash over my soul, like a river cleansing every corner of my being.

It was a strange, almost otherworldly sensation. The air around me trembled faintly, as if responding to the plate's power. Fortunately, the crystals lining the walls absorbed most of the vibrations, their emerald glow shimmering as though alive. This place really is perfect, I thought. A safe, hidden sanctuary.

To ensure my privacy, I cast black fire over the entrance, sealing it completely. The flames flickered ominously, creating a barrier that no outsider could see through. With the outside world shut away, I turned my attention back to the plate, eager to uncover the mysteries it held.

What if I increased the fire's power slightly? With a flick of my finger, the golden flames roared to life, burning brightly and illuminating the crystal chamber like a miniature sun. In that instant, I felt warmth radiating from below, as if the ground itself had become a heated floor. Glancing down, my stomach dropped.

A fiery circle began forming beneath me, intricate runes lighting up one after another in a perfect, glowing ring. The symbols pulsed with energy, each one awakening something ancient and powerful. The strange sensation made my heart pound. Instinctively, I was about to stand and cancel it.

"Don't move! This will be beneficial to us!" a chilling voice echoed in my mind, freezing me in place. "This plate you found is a freaking treasure. Imagine how far we can grow with this!"

An eerie laugh accompanied the voice. My body tensed, and a familiar surge of anger bubbled within me.

"Fuck off," I hissed through gritted teeth. "First of all, it's my power, not yours. And second, there is no us. Not anymore!"

"Haaa... Gaon, you're still so foolish," the voice sneered, unfazed by my defiance. "Without me, you would have died in your last fight against Nam Ji-Ho. Do you really think you survived on your own strength? Don't make me laugh, you weakling."

I didn't respond. Not because it wasn't worth arguing, but because I couldn't. The pressure bearing down on me was overwhelming, making it impossible to speak. Worse still, it was right—I wasn't strong enough. I needed to grow stronger, and fast.

The last rune lit up, and everything shifted. Suddenly, five explosive booms echoed inside my soul, one after another, reverberating through my very being. My soul expanded wildly, the energy surging through me both exhilarating and terrifying. The pain was excruciating as if my soul itself was about to shatter.

Then, something detached. I felt it break free—a small orb forming within me, radiating immense power. It grew rapidly, expanding to a three-meter diameter before stabilizing and beginning to orbit my soul like a moon. The moment it solidified, my entire being erupted with power.

The temperature around me skyrocketed, and in an instant, the emerald crystals shattered, the room exploding as though packed with dynamite. Shards of green flew in all directions, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. When the dust settled, I sat cross-legged in the rubble, golden flames swirling around me in a raging inferno.

I felt reborn.

Did I just reach the Soul Orb stage? What the hell!? My fists clenched tightly, energy coursing through every fiber of my body. I feel like I could destroy anyone at this point!

Opening my eyes, I felt flames reflected within them, blazing like the fires of creation. A wicked grin spread across my face.

"First step is done," I said aloud, my voice steady, crackling with resolve. "I will become the strongest in the world soon."