Chapter 639: Where have I seen it before?
In a chamber rapidly filling with lava, several floating individuals frantically attempted to unlock the sole exit located in the ceiling above, their faces contorted in panic.
Carcel was also part of the group. He had gone into a building next to a statue of a man with wings, but after he successfully completed the first three chambers of the trial ground, he was suddenly tossed into this place, where he found many people caught in this dangerous situation.
"It's not opening!"
He cursed under his breath, frustration evident as he kicked at the exit. Beads of sweat streamed down his entire body as he glanced at the encroaching lava, edging closer to him and the group.
The air was scorching hot as panicked voices and bangs filled the chamber, but the exit in the ceiling didn't even budge. Carcel wiped his sweaty hands on his clothes and joined the group again to tackle the exit.
As a divine-rank, his body could have effortlessly endured the lava. Even if it couldn't, he could have utilized his divine energy to shield himself, but the people around him informed him that someone had entered the lava earlier to search for another exit. Unfortunately, that person perished instantly because the lava was unique, infused with dark energy.
He paused for a moment to catch his breath. In that moment, suddenly a familiar voice sounded behind him.
"Hmm... Do you need a hand?"
Carcel whipped his head around swiftly and spotted the silver-haired man floating in the distance, watching everything with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Kyle wiped his completely dry forehead with an exaggerated breath.
"It's kind of hot in here. So I don't want to watch anymore."
The people around Carcel were startled by the sudden voice, but even after spotting Kyle and identifying him, they disregarded him and concentrated on breaking the exit because
escaping this place and saving their lives took priority.
Nevertheless, they sneered silently. So, the nature's favorite wasn't an exception? The powerful man too was thrown into this place, now stuck alongside them.
Unaware that, unlike them, Kyle had willingly stepped into this place.
Carcel gave Kyle a sharp look, eyeing him up. Even as the lava crept closer, the man seemed relaxed. It was crystal clear from the man's eyes that he didn't give a hoot about the danger they were in.
"Wait, you just said you're tired of waiting, so how long have you been here?"
Kyle opened his mouth with a contemplative expression.
"Like for five minutes? Maybe?"
Carcel's eyes went speechless at his response. He cursed under his breath but restrained himself because, unlike before when the silver-haired man was flaunting his strength with his aura, now Carcel couldn't detect anything from Kyle.
"If you aren't going to help, don't distract!"
He turned around and began attempting to break or open the exit in the ceiling with the others, disregarding the silver-haired man.
Kyle raised his brow and started rolling up his shirt sleeves.
"Back off. I will open an exit."
His booming voice echoed in the air, causing everyone near Carcel to stop their actions. They swiftly moved back to allow room for Kyle, casting hopeful looks at the silver-haired man. Carcel clicked his tongue but retreated with the others to observe Kyle as the man clenched his left fist.
Kyle raised his fist under the hopeful gaze of everyone, but just as they anticipated him breaking open the exit, he unfurled his fist and snapped his thumb and middle finger together. Instantly, the air before him trembled, and a portal materialized as he glanced back at Carcel.
"Done. I opened an exit."
Carcel let out a deep breath.
"You-! Seriously? Ugh!"
Giving one last look to the silver-haired man, he entered the portal, followed by the others. When everyone had gone, the portal before Kyle vanished.
Carcel stepped out from the other end of the portal, and his frustration was beyond words when he appeared under the clear sky of the tomb.
"Really, Kyle!? I invested so much effort and struggle to get to that place, only to come out empty-handed!?"
He whipped his head back towards the portal, rolled up his sleeves, not caring if Kyle was stronger; he just wanted to land one hit on the man!
"Just get out here, you jerk!"
The others who followed him out of the portal felt like crying because, like Carcel, they had also endured a lot to reach that part of the trial ground! All eyes glared at the portal, but once everyone exited, it vanished into thin air... and fortunately or not, Kyle didn't step out of the portal.
Carcel's already sour mood darkened further, yet he, like the rest around him, could do nothing. After a minute, everyone scattered to find other trial grounds nearby, a more productive choice than just waiting around. Carcel, however, remained outside the trial ground, awaiting Kyle with a brooding expression.
He waited for ten long minutes, and finally, a portal appeared in front of him. However, instead of the silver-haired man, a golden crystal emerged from the portal.
Carcel grabbed the crystal, and Kyle finally stepped out from the portal.
"There, the treasure of this trial ground. It would have taken you a lot of time, so I decided to lend a hand."
Carcel blinked and glanced at the palm-sized crystal in his hand. It held a ton of divine energy that began flowing into his body the instant he touched it. He shot a glance at Kyle.
"You are becoming annoying with each passing day, you know?"
Kyle chuckled, but his smile faded as his nose began to bleed.
Carcel's eyes widened at the sight of blood, and he hurried over to the man to assess the situation. However, Kyle wiped the blood with his hand and reassured him.
"It's fine. I am picking up too many scents at once, so my mind's a bit overwhelmed. It will improve once I get used to it."
Carcel paused in his tracks. Letting out a sigh, he grabbed a translucent flower with nine
delicate leaves from his mind space and extended it to Kyle.
"Here, have this. It's the elixir of life. It can mend any internal wounds you got. I'm not sure
what's going on, but don't push yourself too hard."
Kyle gazed at the flower for a moment; for some reason, it looked familiar.
'Where have I seen it before? Elixir of life...'