Floating Islands: SSS Gacha System-Chapter 134 - - The Breath of the Cave

Lumen masks.

These lightweight devices were crafted from woven elemental fibers designed to filter and enhance the air. Enchanted to draw oxygen directly from the ambient mana, the fibers emitted a faint glow when active. The straps hugged the user's face snugly, adjusting automatically to create a perfect seal.

Powered by Mana Crystals, this technology was a marvel from the Lower Lands, perfectly suited for situations like the one Atlas and his team now faced.

In this cave, the oxygen levels were dangerously low. Without these masks, a person would likely collapse and lose their life within minutes.

Though none of this posed any issue for Morganna. She could survive entirely without oxygen, unaffected by the cave's harsh environment.

She remained calm and composed among the group, her demeanor akin to a seasoned hunter guiding rookies through their first expedition. The Vampire Queen's patience was remarkable, wasn't it?

Edrik glanced around at the others before talking via the chat feature.

"Oxygen levels are critically low in this cave, and it's going to get worse the deeper we go. Our goal is simple: enter, hunt the target, then retreat back to the entrance for rest and recovery," he explained, ensuring he had everyone's full attention.

"Our prey is a type of spider monster. They tend to stay in groups, making it nearly impossible to draw them out one by one. This will be a battle of endurance—holding our ground against constant, multi-directional assaults. It's the perfect training for prolonged combat scenarios."

The team nodded in unison, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. This wasn't just a battle against numerous, troublesome monsters with their web-spinning abilities—it was also a test of their endurance in an environment where oxygen was scarce and every misstep could be fatal.

Edrik then turned to Atlas and offered a small bow of respect. Atlas acknowledged with a curt nod, signaling his readiness.

Meanwhile, Kurogasa positioned himself near the entrance, prepared to hold his ground and ensure no unexpected threats could disrupt the operation from behind.

Though this choice meant a slight reduction in their overall combat strength, it was a calculated move. Sacrificing a bit of manpower to secure their rear was far better than risking an ambush that could catch them off guard.

They were ready to venture into the heart of the cave.

They moved swiftly through the cave's winding tunnels. Surprisingly, the passages were wide enough to allow several people to walk side by side without feeling cramped. The air remained frigid, almost indistinguishable from the biting cold outside. Yet, here and there, traces of frozen lava flows could be seen etched into the floor—clear evidence that this place wasn't always encased in ice.

So far, there were no signs of monsters. However, frozen spider webs clung to the cave's corners and walls, serving as quiet reminders of the creatures lurking within.

Had Kurogasa already scouted this far? The Ninja Rat's efficiency was nothing short of extraordinary. His speed and precision allowed him to map out most of the island in less than 24 hours—a truly remarkable feat.

Eventually, they reached a section where the tunnel expanded into a much larger chamber. Here, the spider webs grew denser, covering the walls and stretching across parts of the floor. Baldric, at the front, raised his right hand, signaling the group to halt.

He approached one of the frozen webs clinging to the cave wall. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned fire to his palm, using its heat to melt the icy coating on the strands. Occasionally, he struck at the webs with his hand, breaking the brittle ice.

Atlas stood nearby, his brow furrowing as he glanced at Edrik. His unspoken question was met with a knowing response.

"Baldric's fire isn't ordinary, which is why it can burn steadily even in a place with such little oxygen."

"Truly extraordinary."

After successfully melting the ice, Baldric began pulling at the remnants of the spider webs. At a glance, it was clear how strong these webs were—they stretched taut but didn't snap under pressure. With ease, he started rolling the webbing into a neat bundle, a grin spreading across his face as he turned to Atlas.

"Is that Soulthread Weave?"

Baldric nodded. "Yes... though some of it is damaged. It's going to be tough to gather enough for larger quantities, especially if we're aiming to craft hundreds of items using this material."

Atlas gave a small nod of understanding.

Once Baldric had finished collecting the web, he stepped forward and stored the bundle into his inventory.

"It'll be far more efficient if we just kill the spiders directly and harvest their Soulthread Weave firsthand."

New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.

With that, the group pressed onward. Although they occasionally came across more spider webs scattered throughout the cave, they ignored them, focusing instead on reaching the chamber where the cluster of spider monsters they sought was known to reside.

The cave had several branching paths at various points, but the group opted to follow the routes Kurogasa had previously scouted.

Still, it was highly likely that the cave harbored more than one type of creature. Its many diverging tunnels created ample space for different species to claim as their territory.

They moved in complete silence. The dim glow from the cave walls offered just enough light to guide them, but the shadows pressed heavily around them.

Suddenly, Edrik raised his hand to signal another halt.

From further down the tunnel, a faint movement came into view. Emerging from the shadows was a creature with glowing eyes, its gaze fixed on them. Standing roughly at Atlas's chest height, it first appeared small—until it stepped closer, revealing a massive frame supported by four powerful legs.

It wasn't a small monster at all. It was a Cave Wolf, a wolf-like creature whose size dwarfed that of an ordinary wolf, easily three or four times larger.

[Deep Howler Lv. 98]

Garen, the leader of the Cinder, strode forward confidently, taking the lead as he surged ahead of the group. With swift precision, he led the charge, followed closely by the rest of his team, passing Atlas and the other elite subordinates.

The team surrounded the wolf and attacked from all sides. Within moments, they managed to land a decisive strike, plunging their weapons deep into the creature's belly. The massive wolf staggered and collapsed, succumbing to its injuries almost instantly.

The battle seemed relatively easy—until more glowing eyes appeared in the darkness. From the distance, several pairs of predatory gazes closed in on them.

The wolves advanced swiftly, their powerful strides closing the gap in no time. Garen braced himself, meeting the pack's synchronized attack head-on. He held firm against their assault, but as the wolves began to encircle him, nearly the entire team joined the fray to hold them off.

Edrik glanced at Atlas and gave a small nod. Without hesitation, Atlas and his elite subordinates leapt into the fight, bolstering their team's defense against the wolf monsters.

These wolves were no ordinary beasts. Their speed and hit-and-run tactics made them formidable opponents, far more challenging than the first. Despite their skill, Atlas's group had to work together to counter the wolves' relentless movements.

Fortunately, there were only seven of the creatures, making the battle manageable. Though it took considerable effort, the team's superior coordination and discipline allowed them to overpower the wolves.

At last, the final creature fell, and the chamber fell silent once more.

The skirmish, though brief, was enough to get their blood pumping in the frigid temperature of the cave. It served as a decent warm-up against the biting cold.

Baldric motioned toward the wolf carcasses. Without hesitation, he stored them in his inventory.

"Their hides make excellent light armor," he said with a grin.

The group advanced cautiously, their senses on high alert for any signs of another ambush.

Before long, they neared the area Kurogasa said to be home to the cluster of spider monsters they were hunting.

Ahead, the tunnel widened into a vast chamber, its sheer size an ominous prelude to the battle that awaited them.

Edrik turned to the team, his expression serious as he issued a final warning.

"They're weak to fire. Anyone with fire abilities, prioritize burning the webs they'll shoot at us. If you're hit, burn it off quickly before it hardens and restricts your movement. Stay alert."

The team nodded in unison, their understanding clear. Everyone readied themselves, gripping their weapons tightly as they prepared to face what lay ahead.

Judging by the level of the wolf monsters they had faced earlier, it was clear that the spiders they were about to hunt would be at least as strong, if not stronger.

They stepped cautiously into the larger chamber. Atlas took the lead, venturing further inside. The moment he did, his instincts flared.

Looking up, he spotted an unusual swirl of elemental particles spiraling chaotically near the high ceiling. His eyes narrowed as he adjusted to the dim light, and then he saw them—several pairs of glowing eyes snapping open. The creatures began detaching from the cave's roof.

They didn't need further confirmation to grasp the gravity of the situation. They were surrounded.

Edrik's calm voice broke the tense silence. "Thirty-five of them," he confirmed.