In the lava core region, Law had Kuro take out the Ten Horns.
After much thought, Law believed the only safe method was to use [Wither] to eliminate the various creatures in the lava lake.
Though currently, the creatures below hadn't posed a threat, he was well aware that once he descended, he would inevitably draw attacks from all sides.
If it were just those dozen or so species, Law didn't have complete confidence, but he wouldn't be intimidated either.
But adding the elemental lifeforms and those dozens of lava waterfalls, he had to seriously weigh the risks.
The final decision was to use [Wither] to restrain the elemental lifeforms and these creatures.
This was also a stroke of luck. If the Gatekeepers hadn't delivered [Wither] and [Ten Horns], even if he could delve deep into the lava core region, he would likely leave empty-handed, which is a rather unpleasant experience.
Kuro glanced at the Ten Horns in Law's hand and said worriedly, "Law, you should show some mercy. I think those ducks, rats, and such probably taste pretty good too."
"Why don't you go then?"
"Uh..."
Kuro's smoke-formed body shrank into a small coal ball.
Law shook his head slightly, staring at the shimmering red lava lake below, and said solemnly, "Keep up."
Before the words even finished, he leaped down towards the lava lake below.
The dozens of lava waterfalls crisscrossing the air were like deadly fiery rings, emitting high-temperature light.
Using his Domain, Law adjusted his descent trajectory at any moment, avoiding the lava waterfalls one by one, finally hovering safely above the lava lake.
Kuro, in smoke form, also narrowly passed through numerous dangers and arrived beside Law, thinking inwardly: This really isn't a place for humans.
Law and Kuro's arrival naturally drew the attention of the lava creatures.
In that instant, the previously harmonious cohabitation immediately split into two distinct stances.
The elemental lifeforms, capable of freely changing shape, reacted as if provoked, displaying aggressive postures.
Several lava creatures, including chickens, dogs, birds, horses, and others, showed similar reactions.
They all turned hostile gazes toward Law and Kuro.
As for the other creatures, they only gave Law and Kuro a cursory glance before continuing their lava baths, acting aloof and uninvolved.
The lava creatures weren't united in stance, which surprised Law somewhat. Relatively speaking, the pressure and risk would be a bit lower.
'This was good.'
A faint smile appeared on Law's face. He then ignored the hostility emanating from the elemental lifeforms and their allies, heading straight for the nearest stalk of Grass Jelly.
There, a rock protruded from the lava lake, able to withstand the lava's high temperature.
Ordinary rock would have melted long ago.
The surrounding rock walls enduring the constant lava flow were also extraordinary.
Law's actions directly triggered a strong reaction from the hostile lava creatures.
Among them, the elemental lifeforms reacted most intensely. Dozens of them clustered together, stirring up a four-to-five-meter-high wave in the lava lake, crashing toward Law.
The other lava creatures, including Fire Chickens, followed closely behind.
The reason they could coexist peacefully in the lava region was because they fed on lava. Consequently, they had no motive or reason to fight each other.
Setting aside dietary needs didn't prevent them from actively driving out intruders.
In their eyes, Law was an uninvited guest forcefully entering their territory, so it was necessary to turn him to ashes.
The actions of the elemental lifeforms and lava creatures didn't cause Law to hesitate in the slightest. His body darted through the air, striking first and safely reaching the rock where the Grass Jelly grew.
The moment he landed, even with the dual protection of Grass Jelly and his Domain, Law could feel the terrifying energy emanating from within the rock.
"This is... Chasefire Stone?"
Law was immediately startled, never expecting the rock beneath his feet to be Chasefire Stone. It was hard to imagine the energy density contained within.
'If so, using brute force to uproot the Grass Jelly would likely trigger a super explosion immediately.'
'Could it be that all the visible rocks around were... Chasefire Stones!?'
Due to these concerns, he didn't immediately pull out the Grass Jelly.
At the same time, the gently flowing lava lake surface around the rock suddenly erupted with several splashes.
Five tentacle-like lava streams shot into the air, stabbing toward Law on the rock from five directions.
Law's attention swiftly shifted from the Grass Jelly. He glanced at the incoming lava tentacles, bright red light instantly filling his eyes.
That was one of the transformation forms of the elemental lifeforms, probably having sneaked over from elsewhere.
[Domain]
The Nen Circle wrapped around Law's body suddenly expanded outward like an inflated balloon.
The lava tentacles struck the light surface of the Nen Circle like water forcefully hitting a sphere, shattering and bouncing back into the air, turning into scattered remnants that fell onto the lava lake, splashing into droplets.
Simultaneously, Law's skin gradually turned ruddy, and wisps of black smoke rose from the soles of his feet on the rock.
After repelling the attacking elemental lifeforms, Law unhesitatingly contracted his Domain's range, wrapping it around himself like full-body armor.
Then, looking at the clustered elemental lifeforms and lava creatures in pursuit, he quickly raised his right hand holding the [Ten Horns], as if pulling a trigger, his finger lightly pressing the protrusion at the center of the [Ten Horns].
No sound was emitted. A drop black as ink detached from within the [Ten Horns] and flew into the lava wave formed by dozens of combined elemental lifeforms.
Like a drop of water entering the sea, not even a tiny ripple was produced. The lava wave continued its momentum toward Law.
Such a scene, enough to horrify any human, didn't cause Law the slightest panic.
He stood calmly on the rock, watching the approaching danger with serenity.
It was then that Wither sprouted, abruptly splitting open within the lava wave without warning, and unreasonably tearing the lava wave apart within a few breaths.
Branches, from thin as threads to thick as arms, formed in the blink of an eye, also indicating just how high the energy density of dozens of combined elemental lifeforms was, enough for [Wither] to bloom with ink-black flowers in a short time.
Thus, the previously awe-inspiring lava wave disintegrated before Law's calm gaze, becoming nourishment for [Wither].
To minimize risk, Law didn't let the excited [Wither] further devour the creatures following the lava wave. Instead, he threw out the [Ten Horns], recycling [Wither], turning it back into seed form.
The task of retrieving the [Ten Horns] was left to Kuro in smoke form.
Looking at the lava creatures still some distance away, Law's attention returned to the Grass Jelly.
"What a shame."
Law muttered to himself, then swung his hand, cutting the Grass Jelly at its waist and storing it away.
If he pulled it out by force, a massive explosion would likely occur. If that triggered a chain reaction, even [Wither] might not help.
Helplessly, he could only choose to cut it at the waist.
This meant sacrificing part of the Grass Jelly.
Though regrettable, Law had no choice.
...
Outside the lava region entrance, everyone watched Law riskily obtain the Grass Jelly.
"He's playing with fire! That thing... is too dangerous!"
The skeleton couldn't hide his frightened tone.