Chun switched to a smaller account and re-entered the Earth Flame Mine Area, directly throwing the Shoe Angel out of the mine cart to sleep, while five mercenaries still waited on the outskirts.

Chun led a convoy of 33 cars deep into the mining area, once again greeted by the Earth Flame Giants. The convoy arrived at the place where the Purple Crystal Ore was previously excavated, and just like last time, a dozen giants were waiting to load the cars.

However, one giant approached: "Little guy, you came at the right time, there's something in the lake, maybe you know it!"

Chun was amazed. Something in the lake? It could only be the Volcano Dragon. Did it possibly consume a Crystal Core and couldn't bear the mediocrity of the 2nd floor, deciding to move up to the 7th?

"Take me to see!"

"Follow me!"

And so the scene shifted as Chun returned to the side of the Crystal Stone Lake.

The giant pointed: "Right at the bottom of the lake!"

Chun was surprised: "It's hidden so deep, yet you can still find it?"

The giant laughed: "The sound of its heartbeat vibrates under my feet!"

Impressive! As expected, a stronger being cannot remain hidden. My plan was to leave it on the second floor for the Consortium, but it seems like a waste of talent; I'll have to rely on Erga now.

Chun then dove to find it, spotting a bubble at the lake bottom. Compared to before, the bubble was more solid, like a glass dome.

This time, it actively greeted Chun: "You said you'd come to the 7th floor when you had time, and now I'm here to find you!"

Holy shit, what's with the 'you and I'? Not calling me master anymore? But clearly sensing no malice is a good thing.

Chun wondered aloud: "You're not developing on the 2nd floor anymore?"

The Volcano Dragon said: "I've become stronger; the 2nd floor isn't suitable for my development anymore. But I feel like the Earth Flame Giants are watching me, and I don't know what to do."

Chun laughed: "You're right; you have been spotted. It was the giants who asked me to find you. I've had a great time developing in the Earth Flame Tribe; as long as you work well with me, the giants will consider you a friend too!"

The Volcano Dragon immediately replied: "Okay, Master! I'll do my best with Master!"

Holy shit, suddenly changing tune! Do you think just because I can't sign a contract, you can freely call me whatever?

But it's good. Even without a contract, a resourceful one like this is the best to use. The last thing you want is a proud and stubborn type.

Speaking of, this dragon evolved from a lizard is likely an Earth Dragon sub-dragon, typically without flight ability. In front of true dragons, there must be a racial inferiority complex; knowing the times is a survival instinct.

Chun felt very pleased: "Come on, go say hello to the Earth Flame Giant!"

Thus, the Volcano Dragon timidly followed Chun to the lake surface, only daring to show its head.

The Earth Flame Giant stamped the ground, letting out a dull sound: "Little guy, the leader wants to see the big one!"

Chun was astonished again: "You're communicating with the leader by stomping the ground?"

"Yes!"

This is infrasound communication, very advanced!

Chun eagerly asked: "Can I learn it?"

The giant said: "You can, but not now."

Alright then.

Even though the Volcano Dragon was called 'big', aside from its lengthened tail, standing up it was actually smaller than the giant by a circle. For humans, this size difference would be like the gap between a warrior and a civilian.

Initially judging, this Volcano Dragon was just a small fry in this Earth Rock Village. Uncertain how it would compare to the five S-rank female mercenaries, it would surely die in group battles.

Transitioning again, Chun and the Volcano Dragon met the leader Dibilon. In front of a leader as massive as the Le Mountain Giant Buddha, the Volcano Dragon curled its tail in submission like a little lizard.

The leader nodded: "So this is the little one's friend, very good! But there are big deficiencies!"

The Volcano Dragon gathered the courage to speak: "Leader, he is the master."

Oh my? Publicly acknowledging a master feels completely different than covertly calling someone master obediently.

The leader laughed: "Good, good, good! Progress has been made, but there's still a slight deficiency!"

The Volcano Dragon shuddered, seemingly enlightened!

Chun was deeply moved, realizing that the leader saw my strength couldn't suppress this dragon and personally came to help me hold the line!

The leader asked: "Little guy, how is your progress in the city?"

Chun immediately displayed a president's emblem: "I have become the Chamber of Commerce President!"

The leader laughed heartily: "Very good, very good! A breakthrough, indeed, should be rewarded. Next time you come, I hope to see your Chamber rise to level 10!"

——System Notice: You have received a support quest from the Earth Flame Tribe "Chamber rises to level 10"!

Then, once again, a purple flame-cradled crystal stone rose from the mud pit!

It's just like the previous one; does it mean two-in-one?

Chun was almost moved to kneel by the leader's generosity... A mere Chamber task – difficult yet simple task requiring just a bit of mission-running time, rewarded with a Divine Artifact-level Crystal Core. Even if it's a fundamental supportive strategy, it's generous – wait a minute! Last time, it was the Mermaid who was this generous?

Suddenly, a thought struck Chun; could this Earth Flame Tribe also be a gift from some big shot? Did I intercept another big shot's opportunity? But that's impossible, Uriel doesn't seem to be doing anything here...

In the midst of thinking, Chun suddenly had another plan: "Leader, could I give my reward to my servant friend? His strength enhancement might be more useful than mine."

The Volcano Dragon was thrilled, shaking with excitement, looking eagerly at the crystal stone.

The leader appreciated the thought: "For you to have such a thought shows your leadership qualities; I appreciate it even more. However, this Earth Flame Crystal Core isn't suitable for your servant friend, it needs pure fire. You should try the Fire Abyss, find the most manageable Six-headed Fire Serpent. That's what's most suitable for it, it can also fight in water. Moreover, the Multi-headed Serpent tribe has stolen the Crystal Stone of Earth Mother Selya, which I highly disapprove of..."

This means a specific monster hunting trip will be needed...

In the next moment, the crystal stone flew towards Chun:

——System Notice: Congratulations! You have received the Divine Artifact-level material "Heart of Earth Flame" from the Dibilon Tribe as a reward.

Heart of Earth Flame: Divine Artifact-level material, a friendly token from the Dibilon Tribe, which can bind to your physique, further transforming you into an Earth Flame Body. Can release an Earth Flame Barrier, increasing flame resistance by 70%, Earth Series resistance by 70%, and absorb 70 points of flame damage, storing it as flame energy... Would you like to merge?

Indeed, it's like the last one!

Merge!

——System Notice: You have successfully merged with the Heart of Earth Flame, now able to release an Earth Flame Barrier increasing flame resistance by 140%, Earth Flame resistance by 140%... absorb 140 points of flame damage...

Just as anticipated, it's a straightforward cumulative effect! Even three Volcano Crystal Cores can't break 100%, but these two cores do.

What does it mean to surpass 100%? Probably similar to a launch-era new player story where someone stacked 100% critical rate, thinking they'd be powerful in PvP but failed to land a single crit against expert opponents. It turned out the expert had a 101% anti-critical rate...

The leader smiled: "Go now, your convoy should be fully loaded."

Still, the Volcano Dragon was somewhat unwilling, meekly asking: "Leader, what else can I do?"

The leader gave it some thought, becoming seriously composed: "You can pull the carts to increase the convoy's speed. Are you willing?"

Holy shit! Such a suggestion would never have crossed Chun's lips!

The Volcano Dragon readily agreed: "Leader is right, I will do my best to pull carts for Master!"

The leader laughed: "Very well, then I'll give this little dragon friend a necklace to facilitate pulling the carts!"

Necklace? Only then did Chun realize that the leader indeed had an ornament around his neck, it was just too high up to see clearly, assumed to be a part of his 'muscle' decor.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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