Chapter 17 --The Entrance to the Fire Underground Cave
Chapter 17: Chapter17-The Entrance to the Fire Underground Cave
Upon hearing Emma's words, Harrison raised an eyebrow, his surprise barely concealed.
He hadn't anticipated that his visitor would hail from the mysterious and formidable Celestial Bureau.
This organization, of which he had heard tales in his past life, possessed immeasurable strength.
Among the many elites of Zephyrheim, the Celestial Bureau held a dominant presence.
From his memories, out of the 35 level hundred experts in Zephyrheim, 17 were from the Celestial Bureau.
Had it not been for the first catastrophe, which drastically reduced their elite ranks, their power would certainly have surpassed even these formidable numbers.
Facing such a representative in Emma, Harrison pursed his lips, replying with a tinge of aloofness, "So, it's Miss Emma from the Celestial Bureau. What brings you to me?"
Emma's reference to him being hailed as the "Magus God" only elicited a nonchalant smile from Harrison.
Ever since his fireball video became a sensation online, the number of those dubbing him "Magus God" had surged.
And he was far from shying away from this newfound fame.
In this world, where strength is revered, having a reputation meant access to even more opportunities.
Emma continued, "In these turbulent times, with frequent disturbances in the fabric of our world, the nation hopes that stalwarts like you will step forward to bring stability."
Harrison nodded in response.
He understood and supported the nation's stance.
However, the decision to join the Celestial Bureau required careful consideration.
What he sought was formidable power, the kind that would allow him to stand against an entire nation on his own.
If the Bureau's demands conflicted with his ambitions, he wouldn't readily compromise.
While deeply immersed in his pursuit of power, he wouldn't allow external distractions to hinder his path forward.
"Will I be ensnared by endless trivialities after joining?" A glint of doubt shone in Harrison's eyes.
Hearing such a query, a glimmer of hope arose in Emma's heart, sensing Harrison's inclination towards the Celestial Bureau.
She hurriedly shook her head, her eyes gleaming with sincerity, "Absolutely not. We only require your strength."
A slight smile appeared on Harrison's face as the hesitation in his eyes began to fade. "If that's the case, I'll join. Is there anything else?"
Caught slightly off guard by Harrison's swift decision, Emma paused momentarily.
However, she quickly composed herself, shaking her head gently, "No, that's all. Should there be any formalities, I'll handle them for you."
Nodding in acknowledgment, Harrison turned to Caesar and Gresel, "Let's go."
The two promptly caught up, responding with reverence, "Yes, Master."
Watching their retreating figures, a contemplative look crossed Emma's eyes.
Harrison seemed distinct from the other men she knew, seemingly unfazed by her bewitching beauty.
What she was unaware of was that in Harrison's past life, he had been through seasons of love and passion, deeply engrossed in their allure.
To him, beauty was but a spice in the tapestry of life, not a necessity.
...
Across the vast expanse of land, Harrison followed a predetermined path, heading towards the Fire Underground Cave remembered from his past life.
Though the sun blazed fiercely, it seemed unable to dispel the desolation and silence that dominated this vast terrain.
The surroundings remained vast and untouched, with few signs of travelers having passed through.
In this immense world, prodigies like Harrison were indeed rare.
Most, even those graced with what's termed as A-level talents, choose the safety of the city, honing their skills and hunting beasts at their leisure.
Only those endowed with S-level or even the more elusive SS-level talents dare to tread this perilous wilderness.
Their abilities shine bright, akin to the radiance of the sun and moon, illuminating the hearts of many.
As for the legendary SSS-level talents, they're spoken of in hushed whispers, their bearers few and far between, their names often becoming the stuff of legends and tales.
However, as time would flow and the majority reaches level 20, this deserted land will witness more footfalls.
For by then, they can unlock their second talent.
Some may appear ordinary at first glance, but their secondary talent could potentially be a formidable force, potent enough to alter their destinies.
Brushing aside stray thoughts, Harrison resolved to press forward, marching towards the enigmatic Fire Underground Cave.
Guided by the deeply entrenched memories from his past life, Harrison found himself near Yarrow, a place colloquially known as the Little Sun Gorge Village.
After the cosmic upheaval, this once harmonious little village underwent profound transformations.
The ground around was marred by trenches that plunged dozens of meters deep, appearing as natural moats guarding the village's tranquility.
The row of jujube trees, which once stood tall at the village's periphery, were now tragically uprooted and discarded to the side, forming a makeshift barrier.
It was evident that someone within the village had received counsel from a wise elder, gaining knowledge on defense tactics.
A pang of sorrow struck Harrison's heart, feeling that the treatment of the jujube trees was a true waste.
Beneath the Red Mist, the fruits these trees bore were not only delicious but also a miraculous produce known to enhance one's constitution.
However, with the current state of affairs, all he could muster was a sigh.
This new world, though seemingly serene, remains dormant under the shadow of the Red Mist.
Monsters don't spawn endlessly but rather scale based on the population of each area.
Fortunately, the population of Little Sun Gorge Village was limited, which meant the number of descending monsters wasn't overwhelming.
Furthermore, with the unity and mutual assistance among villagers, they had successfully repelled these creatures.
Regarding the Fire Underground Cave, it was discovered by the villagers in Harrison's past life.
Legend has it that one day, a villager stumbled upon a peculiar blue solidified magma rock on the rear mountain of the village, suspecting it concealed some treasure.
This curiosity eventually led to the discovery of the Fire Underground Cave.
And within this mystical subterranean sanctuary, the myriad of monsters and treasures hidden therein significantly boosted the villagers' strength in the times that followed.
Currently, due to the barrier of trenches, the village could not be directly accessed. Harrison decided to lead Caesar and Gresel around the village, in search of the path leading to the rear mountain. Along the way, the surroundings were serene and vast.
Surprisingly, Harrison and his companions encountered no monster attacks.
Upon reaching the rear mountain, the grand silhouette of the dormant volcano became ever more prominent in their view. Time had etched its grandeur here. Once a fervently erupting volcano, it now stood after eons of weathering as a quiet entity resembling a hillock.
Climbing upwards, Harrison finally stood atop the summit of the dormant volcano.
Overlooking from here, the peak was covered in a medley of red, blue, and brown pebbles, as if multicolored gems were embedded in the earth.
Taking a deep breath, Harrison could still catch the subtle fragrance emitted by the multicolored flowers growing around.
And the licorice, appearing as green bands, encircled the entire hillock, like a natural necklace.
Though this was Harrison's first visit in this lifetime, he was already familiar with this place.
For in his past life, videos of challenges pertaining to the Fire Underground Cave proliferated on the internet like mushrooms after rain.
The entrance to the Fire Underground Cave lay right beneath his feet.