CHAPTER 284: NEW PLAYER ENTERED THE VOLCANO

Zain arrived at the center of a glowing platform.

The light around him dimmed slowly, leaving a faint red mist in the air.

The chamber was wide, built from black stone with glowing red veins running through the walls.

The air smelled like smoke and heat.

Zain looked around calmly.

But he was not alone.

Several guards stood nearby.

All of them wore deep crimson robes with fire symbols stitched across their chests.

Their faces were hidden behind flame-shaped masks, but their posture showed clear confusion.

One of the cultists stepped forward.

He looked at the platform, then at Zain.

"You’re not Reval," he said.

Another guard tightened his grip on a weapon.

"Who are you? How did you access the main teleportation gate?"

Zain smiled slightly. He didn’t move.

"Reval?" he asked. "You mean the branch leader?"

The cultist narrowed his eyes.

"What have you done to him?" he asked. "Speak."

Zain tilted his head. "I left him where he belongs."

The lead cultist stepped back and raised his hand.

A flame spear appeared, glowing hot and humming with energy.

"Tell us the truth now," the cultist said. "Or you won’t leave this place."

Zain’s fingers twitched slightly.

Two blades of dark red energy formed in his hands.

He spun them once, slow and steady.

"Why don’t you try asking me again," Zain said, "after you catch me."

The cultist’s eyes narrowed behind his mask.

"Fine. Capture him."

Four cultists moved in quickly, each one charging with focused steps.

Zain didn’t step back.

He stood in place, his twin blades glowing brighter.

The guards closed in fast, but Zain only lifted one eyebrow.

"This will be interesting," he said softly, eyes sharp.

---

The Flame Spear cultist raised his hand and pointed at Zain.

"[Solar Mark]," he said.

A burning red symbol appeared on the back of Zain’s left hand.

It pulsed with firelight and heat, like a sun pressed into his skin.

The cultist narrowed his eyes. "The mark is set. Hit him hard."

The other four guards nodded and moved into position.

Zain glanced down at the mark.

"A mark-type ability," he muttered.

"Seems tied to heat... most likely increases damage or causes an explosion."

The Flame Spear cultist smirked. "Smart. But it won’t save you."

The first guard stepped forward and threw out his arm.

A curve of flame spun from his palm.

"[Blazing Arc]."

Zain leaned back, dodging it.

The flame passed just inches from his chest and exploded behind him.

He dashed forward without waiting, both energy blades glowing.

He aimed straight for the attacker.

But the guard’s body flickered.

"[Smolder Blink]."

He vanished, leaving behind a burning clone.

Zain’s blade cut right through it.

The clone exploded.

Zain was thrown back by the force. His coat caught fire at the edges.

He rolled across the stone floor and stood up quickly, brushing flames off with one hand.

"Tch," he muttered. "That actually burned."

He looked around. The other three cultists were already circling him.

The air grew heavier. The heat pressed against his skin.

He glanced at the Solar Mark. It was glowing brighter now.

"So it boosts their damage. Every time they strike, it feeds the mark’s effect."

He gritted his teeth.

"Damn it. I didn’t expect them to be this organized."

The second guard stepped forward.

His skin turned dark gray and cracked like volcanic rock.

"[Cinder Shield]."

The air shimmered around him.

He charged at Zain with heavy footsteps.

Each step left glowing ash behind.

Zain blocked with one blade, but the contact sent sparks flying.

The ash-covered guard didn’t stop.

Behind him, the third cultist inhaled deeply. His chest swelled unnaturally.

Then came a roar of flame.

"[Infernal Breath]."

A wide cone of fire rushed toward Zain.

The flames clung to the air, hanging like a curtain.

Zain jumped to the side, barely clearing the breath.

But as he landed, the fourth guard spun in the air with glowing legs.

"[Spiral Blaze Kick]."

Zain raised both blades to block.

The kick struck hard, sending him skidding backward across the ground.

His arms ached.

He stood again, slower this time.

"This is more than just a welcome party," he said quietly.

"They actually trained together."

The Flame Spear cultist walked closer.

He looked down at Zain with a smirk and let out a loud laugh.

"You really underestimated us, whoever you are," he said, voice full of pride.

"You thought you could just walk into the heart of the Flame God Cult?"

Zain stood still, both blades lowered, watching him carefully.

The cultist pointed at the glowing mark on Zain’s hand.

"Let me show you why that was the worst decision you’ve made."

He snapped his fingers.

The Solar Mark on Zain’s hand flared.

Zain’s eyes narrowed. "So it’s time-triggered too..."

The mark pulsed once. Then exploded.

A blast of searing light and heat burst from Zain’s arm.

Smoke filled the room. Dust rained from the ceiling.

A few guards stepped back, shielding their faces.

For a moment, nothing could be seen.

The Flame Spear cultist smiled. "That should’ve silenced him."

He turned to the others. "Bring him in. He should still be alive. We need to find out who sent him."

The guards nodded and stepped forward.

Then a sound broke through the smoke.

Laughter.

It started low, then grew louder.

"Haha..."

The smoke began to clear.

Zain stood in the same spot, one knee down, his body marked with burns, but still smiling.

He lifted his head and laughed again.

"Haha... not bad. Not bad at all."

The guards froze.

Zain stood up slowly, his arm bleeding, but he didn’t seem bothered.

"You’re all very strong. I mean it. This is the real deal."

He looked at them one by one.

"Much stronger than anything I’ve faced in the lower zones."

The Flame Spear cultist tilted his head.

"You came from the lower zones?"

Zain nodded, still smiling.

"That’s right."

The cultist narrowed his eyes.

"You’re brave, I’ll give you that. But still arrogant. You really thought you could beat us alone?"

Zain shrugged. "I didn’t say I came here to lose today."

"I came to win."