Final Life Online-Chapter 234: Sun Island IV

The deeper they walked into the Trial Plains, the brighter everything became. The grass shimmered like glass under the sunlight, and the air felt warmer with every step.

Aqua wiped sweat from her forehead.

"It’s so hot... Is this whole place like an oven?"

Sophia nodded.

"It’s designed to test endurance too. Heat drains stamina."

Caria shrugged.

"Good. Makes the fights more fun."

They walked a little further before the ground vibrated again.

Rhys raised his sword.

"Formation!"

Everyone quickly moved to their positions.

Another monster appeared from behind a hill—this one shaped like a large eagle made of sunlight, its wings glowing like fire.

[ Sunfeather Raptor – Level ??? ]

[ Strength scales to party average ]

Lyra squinted up.

"Flying. That’s annoying."

Caria rolled her shoulders.

"I can throw my axes."

Sophia shook her head.

"Be careful. If it dives, it’ll break your bones."

The monster screeched and rushed down toward them.

Rhys shouted, "Spread out!"

Aria pulled Aqua behind a rock. Puddle jumped to Rhys’s shoulder and prepared a spell.

The raptor hit the ground where they stood earlier, leaving a crater of burning sand.

Caria threw her axe—direct hit on its wing.

The monster screeched, lost balance, and crashed.

"Rhys! Finish it!" Caria yelled.

Rhys used Swift Cut and hit the monster with several fast strikes. The raptor tried to fly again, but Puddle used Abyssal Grasp, dark tendrils pulling it down.

With a final Water Blade, Rhys sliced through its chest.

The raptor shattered into golden light.

[ Trial Progress: 2 / 10 ]

Aqua peeked out from behind the rock.

"That one was scary..."

Lyra dusted herself off.

"And fast."

Sophia pointed ahead.

"These trials are only going to get stronger. We need to stay focused."

They moved on.

Trial 3... 4... and 5 came one after another.

A sun-armored boar.

A fire wolf pack.

A giant scorpion with a glowing tail.

Each fight pushed the team harder. The monsters hit stronger, moved faster, and worked together more than usual.

By the time they defeated the fifth monster, Aria was panting from constant healing, and Caria’s arms shook from blocking heavy blows.

Rhys drank a potion.

"We still have five more."

Aqua looked around nervously.

"Does this place ever give us a break...?"

Sophia shook her head.

"No. It’s a challenge area. It won’t let up until we finish or collapse."

Puddle raised her tiny fists again.

"We finish! No collapse!"

Rhys smiled tiredly.

"Yeah. We’re halfway there. Let’s push through."

They walked forward again, entering a wider open area. The sun above seemed even stronger, almost burning.

Sophia suddenly stopped.

"Wait."

Everyone froze.

The air around them shimmered. The ground rumbled again—but this time, much deeper than before.

Caria cracked her neck.

"That sounds huge."

Rhys tightened his grip.

"Bigger than the guardian?"

Sophia nodded slowly.

"It’s the sixth trial. It’s supposed to be a mid-boss."

A moment later, the sand burst open—

And a massive creature rose from underground. Its entire body was covered in plates of glowing gold stone. Heat waves rolled off its back.

[ Sunstone Behemoth – Level ??? ]

[ Mid-Trial Boss ]

[ Strength scales to party average ]

Aqua’s jaw dropped.

"T-that thing is too big!"

Caria grinned.

"Perfect."

Rhys exhaled slowly.

"Alright... trial six starts now."

The behemoth roared, and the shockwave shook the entire plains.

The team spread out again.

Their biggest fight yet was about to begin.

The behemoth stomped forward, each step shaking the ground. Sand flew up around its feet, and cracks spread across the floor.

Sophia raised her staff.

"Be careful! Its body heat can burn you even without touching!"

Caria smirked.

"So don’t touch it. Easy."

Rhys dashed to the left while Caria ran to the right. The behemoth turned toward Caria first, lowering its head.

"It’s coming for me!" she shouted.

She jumped aside as the monster charged. Its huge stone head crashed into a boulder and shattered it completely.

Aqua squeaked.

"That could’ve crushed her!"

Lyra drew her dagger.

"That’s why she dodged."

Rhys used Magic Missile, aiming at the joints between the golden plates. The glowing rocks cracked a little, but the behemoth didn’t slow down.

Sophia frowned.

"It has high resistance. We need a weakness."

Puddle floated up on tiny water wings.

"Puddle help! Puddle poke weak spot!"

She fired Water Jet at the behemoth’s underside. The water hissed into steam as soon as it touched the monster’s hot armor.

But this time, the behemoth reacted—it growled and staggered slightly.

Rhys’s eyes widened.

"That worked! Its belly isn’t fully covered!"

Caria grinned.

"Then let’s open it up!"

She rushed forward and slammed her axe into the creature’s front leg. The impact made it lower its body for a moment.

"Rhys!" she shouted. "Now!"

Rhys sprinted forward and used Vertical Slash, aiming under the monster. His blade cut into the softer, unarmored part, making the behemoth roar in pain.

The monster swung its tail, trying to fling him away. Rhys jumped back just in time.

Aria raised her staff.

"Everyone, stay away from its tail! It’s strong!"

Aqua nodded quickly.

"Y-yeah! That swing could send someone flying!"

The behemoth reared up, raising its massive front legs.

Sophia gasped.

"It’s going to slam the ground!"

"Move!" Rhys yelled.

Everyone scattered. The monster slammed down with a huge crash. A wave of heat blasted outward, scorching the ground.

Lyra shielded her face.

"That would’ve burned me to ash..."

Caria didn’t wait. She jumped onto a rock, then launched herself at the behemoth’s back.

Her axe struck one of the glowing plates—cracks spread across it.

"Got one!"

Puddle used Shadow Tendrils to slow the monster for a moment, giving Rhys another opening. He dashed in and used Swift Cut, aiming again at the weak spots.

The behemoth roared louder than before, shaking off the tendrils. It turned and swung its tail straight at Rhys.

"Rhys, look out!" Aqua shouted.

Rhys braced himself.

But before the tail hit, Caria grabbed it with both arms. Her feet dug into the sand.

"Not—so—fast!"

The tail stopped just inches from Rhys.

Rhys exhaled.

"Thanks!"

"Finish it!" Caria yelled.

Puddle floated higher and cast Gleaming Halo. Healing light wrapped around Rhys.