Behind Isaac, Yuris muttered in anger.
"I do not even have a relationship yet, and this guy is already roaming around with a ghost girlfriend while flirting with so many others! Where’s my phone? I want to record this and show everyone his unfaithfulness!"
And he actually did record the scene when the crimson-haired ghost emerged from the lake after a while, holding a small pearl. She handed it to Skyler and leaned in to kiss his lips this time, a hint of jealousy in her eyes as she glanced back at the lake, which was cold despite being filled with bubbling lava.
She had woken up when Skyler was in the 15th level but lacked the energy to answer his questions, so she remained silent. But just now, when he asked for her help in an affectionate voice, she had left the gem to assist him. But... who would have thought that, while looking for the pearl, she would discover another part of herself in the lake?
How annoying.
Skyler, unaware of the displeased look in her eyes, was taken aback by the sudden, sweet kiss. He smirked, wanting another, forgetting about the pearl in his hand. But suddenly, he felt cold, wet fingers grab his pant leg, and his vision tilted abruptly.
"??"
The next second, a loud splash echoed through the chamber, followed by Skyler’s startled cry, which frightened the others. Only the ghostly woman remained calm, even as his form vanished into the lava.
Charles, standing closest to him, was the first to shout, ready to leap into the lake to pull him out, the others following closely.
"Skyler! You idiot—!"
The rest of his words died in his throat as the ghostly woman by the lake held them back, speaking with calm indifference.
"He’s completely fine. The danger of the lake vanished after I retrieved the pearl."
Charles didn’t feel reassured at all.
"Are you sure? We can’t even see him anymore! The lake is bubbling! What if—"
She clicked her tongue, cutting him off.
"He’s enjoying himself down there."
With that, her figure dissolved into small particles as she disappeared into the lake, leaving behind five dumbfounded figures.
On the other hand, the person who had frightened everyone by falling into the lake looked elated as he met a pair of crimson eyes in the darkness. A bone-chilling cold enveloped him, but even while shivering, he reached out toward the eyes. They recoiled as if startled, sending ripples through the surroundings. It was the pearl in his hand that lit the dark space, revealing her form.
Skyler’s first thought upon seeing her was that she was stunning—so, so beautiful as always, despite the cracks that marred her pale skin. His second thought was that she was not human, as he lowered his eyes to her lower body, where, instead of legs, he saw a long, gray fish tail covered in sharp scales. Tangled, long purple hair covered her shoulders, barely concealing her form.
He opened his arms, mouthing.
’Come here.’
Then he waited patiently.
Anyway, he could easily breathe under the lake for a long time, so there was no rush. He watched as she studied him from head to toe, circling him at first, then slowly, very slowly, touching the tip of his finger. Seeing him remain still, she edged closer again.
After a few tentative touches, she finally buried her head in his open arms. Skyler’s heart ached as her dry voice echoed in his ears, as if she had not spoken for years.
"It’s so lonely here... You can have my pearl... But... don’t leave me... okay?"
He held her tightly, rubbing her back, hiding the pain in his eyes as he buried his head in her shoulder, whispering softly to himself.
’I won’t. I promise. I’m sorry it took me so long to find you again... I’m sorry I forgot.’
She was confused but just buried herself deeper into his embrace, secretly glancing at the small particles drifting toward them from above. They stopped near them and gathered to form a familiar ghostly figure.
The mermaid met the figure’s eyes—eerily familiar to her—and was surprised to see a part of herself reflected in them. In the end, she avoided the crimson gaze, even though she sensed their connection after noticing how those eyes narrowed in displeasure.
The translucent figure scattered into small particles once again and vanished into the gem hanging on Skyler’s wrist. Meanwhile, Skyler purchased a pocket space from 505 without hesitation and carried the mermaid there. There was no way he was going to let anyone else see her in that state. He helped her clean up, brushed her tangled hair, and found some clothes for her among his own.
Only after the mermaid fell asleep in his arms did he tuck her into the bed in the space, then step out to meet the others.
By that time, three hours had passed, and Charles and the other four, who had long jumped into the lake to look for him, were shivering from the cold, shouting his name.
Seeing him appear out of thin air, looking unharmed, they were all furious—ready to rough him up—but dared not, knowing the jerk was far stronger than them. After that tense moment, they all left the chamber to search for the secret realm. Austin cast a glance at the crimson gem hanging from Skyler’s wrist, questioning curiously.
"Where did you find it?"
Only to be met with a glare.
"Eyes on the front."
Austin was speechless.
Although there was a pretty ghost in there, it was literally just a small gem, okay? Was there really a need to be so protective of it?
He shook his head, recalling Skyler’s obsessive craze for gems, and chuckled.
"Not the first time he’s been weird."
They all traveled for several hours before climbing a towering volcano. All was fine until Skyler and Zack asked the others to jump into the lava within the volcano—the lava looked far more dangerous than the one Skyler had retrieved the pearl from.
Isaac chuckled at their words.
"This isn’t funny."
But the serious expressions on the duo’s faces made it clear to him, Charles, Austin, and Yuris that the two weren’t joking at all.
A while later, horrified screams reverberated from the top of the volcano as they all leapt in, calling out to every god and higher being they could remember. Isaac even cried out for his grandmother and father, desperate.
However, just like the golden lava that had been cold before, the expected heat never came this time either. Instead, the instant they plunged into the lava, they all found themselves in another place—a mountain blanketed in a sea of peach blossom trees.