Chapter 126

Keeping his body pressed against the rock wall, Su Xiao moved forward step by step.

Glancing sideways at the other four, he saw them all staring intently at the lava lake, as if something terrifying were hidden within.

Although their current position was perilous, it wouldn't be overly dangerous if they remained cautious; this suggested the four of them might be hiding something from him.

Su Xiao stopped staring at his feet and began to observe the lava lake below.

*Pop. *

A gas explosion the size of a basin occurred in the lava lake, sending lava splashing high into the air.

*Sss—*

Splashes of lava landed on the Priest's lower leg, sending up wisps of black smoke and filling the air with the smell of burning meat.

The Priest gritted his teeth in pain but didn't make a sound.

Su Xiao's brow furrowed; perhaps there was something inside the lava lake.

"Mr. Priest, are you alright?"

Kirishima Arata looked at the Priest with concern, though he spoke in a very low voice.

The Priest's expression changed drastically as he stared straight at Kirishima Arata.

"It's fine; that thing's hearing isn't particularly sharp."

No sooner had Kirishima Arata finished speaking than rolling bubbles emerged from the lava lake.

*Gurgle, gurgle. *

The lava churned as if some massive creature were surfacing. Everyone except Su Xiao froze, pressing themselves against the rock wall and holding their breath.

Seeing this, Su Xiao's eyes turned cold. These guys had been hiding something from him. After a moment of contemplation, he also pressed himself against the wall and remained motionless, even slowing his breathing.

*Boom—*

Lava erupted from the lake, splashing more than ten meters high.

Specks of lava splashed onto the five of them. Su Xiao immediately closed his eyes and turned his face away.

*Sss—*

Several small chunks of lava landed on him, instantly searing his skin.

Su Xiao gritted his teeth and endured it without moving, because he saw Kirishima Arata not far away, whose entire leg was covered in lava, yet he remained perfectly still.

Although his leg was covered, Kirishima Arata's expression remained unchanged.

As the lava slid off, a layer of riddled Kagune was revealed wrapped around Kirishima Arata's leg. He had used his Kagune to shield himself.

After the lava surged, a dark red object surfaced in the center of the lake. It was spherical, four or five meters wide, and similar in color to the lava, yet it was clearly not lava.

Su Xiao observed carefully; its color was slightly brighter than the lava.

As the lava churned, several tentacles emerged from the lava surrounding the spherical object.

It looked like an octopus, but why would an octopus be in lava? This wasn't scientific.

How could this thing survive the terrifying temperature of the lava? Perhaps it wasn't a biological creature at all.

Su Xiao didn't want to know what it was; he only knew its strength was terrifying. The Priest, Eto, and the others were all staring at the unknown object in the lava with eyes full of dread.

Su Xiao held his breath. He was the furthest from the thing; if it were to attack, he wouldn't be the first to suffer.

The "Octopus Monster" swam through the lava lake, seemingly lacking vision and only able to detect the group's position through sound.

The surroundings were deathly silent, save for the sound of churning lava. After about ten minutes, the "Octopus Monster" seemed to detect nothing and slowly sank back into the lava lake.

"Whew..."

Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Eto glared angrily at Kirishima Arata.

Kirishima Arata looked full of apology, but the extensive burns all over his body left Eto with nothing to say.

Eto continued to move sideways, followed by the other three.

Only after noticing the four of them moving did Su Xiao begin to advance slowly. His footsteps were light, his eyes fixed on the lava lake.

Whether Kirishima Arata had made that sound intentionally or accidentally, perhaps only he knew.

Ten minutes later, the five of them finally reached the platform on the opposite shore.

Once his feet touched solid ground, Su Xiao moved forward quickly, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the lava lake. The others did the same.

After moving about a hundred meters, Su Xiao checked his burns; they were just superficial wounds, not serious.

"Kirishima Arata, don't you intend to give us an explanation?"

Eto's red eyes emerged, and killing intent flickered in them; she clearly held a grudge over what had just happened.

It was understandable; the four of them had nearly lost their lives because of Kirishima Arata's actions.

Su Xiao said nothing, standing at a distance from the group to avoid being splashed with blood should they start infighting.

"Ms. Eto, I express my deepest apologies for what just happened. I didn't expect that monster's hearing to be so sharp."

Kirishima Arata looked full of shame, acting as if he would accept any punishment.

"You..."

Eto was about to speak when Arima Kisho interrupted.

"Forget it."

Arima Kisho's meaning was clear: even if Kirishima Arata had ulterior motives, they couldn't afford to infight now.

"Indeed, mistakes are inevitable. We are a team now; let's not hold onto grudges."

The Priest also stepped forward to mediate.

Watching from the sidelines, Su Xiao sneered inwardly. A team? These four had all been here before, and before they reached the lava lake, none of them had warned him not to make noise or that a terrifying monster lurked within.

This so-called team had already fallen apart halfway through. They were together in appearance but divided in heart.

This stone platform, several hundred meters in diameter, had to be the final destination. The moment they found the "Source," the team would completely dissolve.

At that point, there would be no one to trust but himself.

"Since we've arrived, let's talk about it. Where is the 'Source'? Let's go destroy it."

Eto said.

The Priest and the other two exchanged glances, seemingly guessing each other's thoughts.

"I reached the lava lake before, but I haven't been here."

"Me neither."

"I haven't been here either."

The three of them stated their positions, all claiming they hadn't been here.

"In that case, let's search separately."

Eto started to walk toward the side.

"I disagree."

Su Xiao spoke up. The four of them turned their gazes toward him.

"Searching separately would indeed increase efficiency, but what if we encounter an enemy we can't defeat? Who can guarantee there are no enemies on this platform?"

Su Xiao's opinion was reasonable, but he was worried that if someone else found the "Source," they would destroy it. If the hidden mission failed, he would lose three points in all attributes, which would be a disaster.

"I agree with Mr. Su Xiao."

For some reason, Kirishima Arata supported Su Xiao.

"I agree too."

The Priest said.

"In that case... let's search together."

Eto, the nominal leader, knew she couldn't command anyone present; she had to follow the majority.

The group walked toward the depths of the platform. They hadn't gone far before they discovered a structure resembling an altar in the deepest part of the platform.

Upon approaching, Su Xiao discovered a stone pillar in the center of the circular altar. Beside it stood a suit of full-body armor three meters tall. The armor was surprisingly complete, with fingers and other parts all intact. If not for the empty eye sockets, they would have thought it was a man of iron.

The stone pillar was about half a meter thick and one meter tall, carved with a pattern of a fat-headed, thin-tailed strange fish. At the top of the pillar sat a crystal the size of a fist.

The crystal was deep red and covered in cracks, from which a pale red mist drifted out, slowly rising and eventually disappearing into the rock layer above, perhaps drifting toward the surface.

【Prompt: Hunter has approached within 20 meters of the "Source." Please obtain the "Source" as soon as possible.】

This deep red crystal was the "Source"!

Not only did Su Xiao realize the red crystal was the "Source," but Arima Kisho and the others did as well.

"It seems we've found the 'Source'."

The Priest stared intently at the Source, his greed undisguised.

*Thump! *

The platform suddenly shook. The five of them immediately became alert, but nothing happened for over ten seconds.

Beside the stone pillar, the red light in the eye sockets of the previously ignored full-body armor began to glow—it was the unique color of active RC cells.

"Intruders, die!"

The armor... spoke.

PS: (Four chapters updated, asking for monthly tickets. By the way, the Tokyo Ghoul arc will finish tomorrow.)

My cute alliance leader, Feng Feng Piao, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Fei Wen will not break his promise. ===== CHAPTER 127 =====