Chapter 404: The Lava Giant

As a second-level wizard, Irina could easily sense the presence of the dimensional rift.

When a rift forms, it causes noticeable spatial fluctuations in the surrounding area.

With her sharp senses, Irina had detected the spatial disturbance from afar.

Carrying Helag, she approached the rift, a streak of fiery light trailing behind her as they flew.

Helag, though somewhat distracted by the situation, kept his focus on observing Irina’s flight technique.

He couldn’t fully understand the spell she was using but guessed it had something to do with second-level spells and the manipulation of rules.

Judging by her abilities, Helag surmised that Irina was a fire-specialized wizard, likely having comprehended fire-element rules.

He figured her flight spell was utilizing fire-element rules, allowing her to achieve this incredible speed by essentially becoming one with the element.

Helag couldn’t help but feel a bit envious. The power of spells that utilized rules far surpassed first-level spells—they were on a completely different level.

Just as Helag was about to turn his attention to the dimensional rift, Irina’s hand pressed his head down again, making it hard for him to breathe.

“Don’t move,” Irina commanded.

The wind howled around them, and if not for Helag’s strong body, he would’ve likely caught a cold from flying through the air without clothes.

“We’re here.”

As soon as Irina spoke, they landed on the ground.

Helag quickly retrieved a robe from his spatial ring and slipped it on.

Even though there weren’t many people around, he wasn’t comfortable running around naked.

Irina, now on the ground, immediately turned her attention to the black vortex and the dimensional rift.

Once dressed, Helag also examined the rift.

Compared to when he had left, the rift had grown slightly in both length and width.

The growth wasn’t drastic, but it was clear that the rift was slowly expanding.

This was a bad sign. It meant that the world’s willpower alone wasn’t enough to heal the rift.

If left unchecked, the beings on the other side of the Abyssal Plane would continue to widen the rift.

Irina pulled a red stone from her spatial ring, holding it in her palm while chanting a few strange syllables. Magic and fire-element energy particles gathered around the stone.

“Lava Giant.”

Irina released the stone, which floated in front of her and quickly coalesced into a six-meter-tall lava giant.

The giant was made entirely of stone, with molten lava flowing between the cracks in its body.

“Guard this place. Kill anything that comes through the rift,” Irina commanded.

The lava giant let out a deep, rumbling growl and turned toward the rift, its heavy footsteps leaving scorched marks on the ground.

“Let’s go. We need to get back quickly.”

Irina couldn’t close the rift herself. Her primary objective was to scout the situation and report back.

The lava giant, with its strength and defense, was comparable to a second-level wizard.

Irina left it behind to handle any minor creatures that might come through the rift while they were gone.

After confirming the situation, Irina tossed two small red crystals onto the ground.

The crystals sank into the earth, and Helag guessed they were used for marking the location.

Not everyone could navigate the polluted zone as easily as Helag, so other wizards relied on tools like these for orientation.

After planting the crystals, the tips of Irina’s hair ignited once more.

Helag, knowing what was coming, braced himself.

Sure enough, his head was once again pressed into a soft, suffocating embrace as they sped off toward Crystal City.

In this mix of discomfort and unexpected comfort, Helag found himself back in the city in no time.

“Come with me to see the city lord. This is a serious matter,” Irina said.

Helag nodded, fully aware of the gravity of the situation, and followed Irina toward a towering wizard tower.

This tower was noticeably larger and more imposing than the others in the city, standing out prominently.

With Irina leading the way, they bypassed many of the usual security checks, and the guards at the entrance allowed them through without question.

Once inside, Helag noticed that the first floor of the tower seemed much larger than it appeared from the outside.

It was a grand hall, almost like a living room, with a large circle of leather sofas in the center.

A massive oil painting of a black goat’s head hung on the far wall, giving the room an eerie atmosphere.

Normally, one would expect a portrait of the tower’s owner, but here, there was a strange black goat’s head instead.

Helag found it odd but didn’t ask any questions.

“Irina, I’ve received your message. I’ve already contacted Master Mort from the Wizard Array Association. Once he arrives, we’ll head out,” said a young man in a black suit, holding a glass of red wine.

“Lord Domer, this is Helag. He’s the one who discovered the dimensional rift,” Irina introduced.

Domer turned to Helag, smiling. “You’re from Parker’s group, right? Well done. You’ve done a great service. If you hadn’t discovered the rift in time, the consequences could’ve been disastrous.”

“It was my duty,” Helag replied politely.

On the way here, Helag had learned that Domer was the city lord of Crystal City and a third-level wizard.

Not every city lord was a third-level wizard. In many cities, the lord might only be a second-level wizard.

Wizards like Parker, who could create floating cities, were rare even in the entire Land of Dawn.

Domer smiled, “I’ll make sure your contribution is reported. You’ll get the recognition you deserve.”

“Thank you, Lord Domer. Thank you, Lady Irina,” Helag said gratefully.

Irina glanced at him, her tone playful, “It’s a shame. If it weren’t for the urgency of the situation, I’d love to spend more time with you.”

Helag smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Domer merely sipped his wine, seemingly unfazed by Irina’s behavior, as if he was used to it.

“My friend is still injured and receiving treatment. I should go check on him,” Helag said, eager to excuse himself.

Domer had no objections. Their focus was on resolving the issue of the dimensional rift, and Helag wouldn’t be of much help in that regard.

Even when it came to traveling, Helag had been more of a burden, needing Irina to carry him.