Chapter 34: First Rift Exploration Begins.

Kael’s gaze lingered on Zoey and Adam for a moment. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The two were seated a short distance away on Mira’s back, talking quietly as the giant moth glided through the skies of the Sand World Rift.

To be honest, he was still trying to process what he had learned earlier.

They were dating.

Actually dating.

Kael leaned back slightly, glancing at them out of the corner of his eye.

He definitely wasn’t jealous.

Not even a little.

After all, neither his current self nor the version of himself twenty years in the future had ever dated anyone.

Clearly that meant he had transcended such mortal concerns.

Exactly.

That was definitely the explanation.

Not the fact that he was currently sitting alone while the couple beside him occasionally exchanged smiles.

Absolutely not.

Kael cleared his throat.

"Alright, lovebirds."

The two immediately turned toward him.

"Enough of the lovey-dovey stuff. Focus on the mission."

Adam looked offended.

Zoey looked amused.

The latter pulled out a small device and activated it.

A holographic display appeared before them.

The map of the Sand World Rift.

Calling it a map was generous.

The display was almost entirely beige.

No mountains. No forests. No rivers.

Just endless desert stretching in every direction.

Near the center of the display was a blinking red marker indicating their destination.

Adam frowned.

Now that they were away from the city, he had removed his helmet, revealing his face completely.

Kael still found it vaguely irritating to look at him.

Thankfully, Adam had worn his helmet back at the rift entrance. Otherwise, Kael suspected there would’ve been several more fights before they even reached the Rift.

"Dude."

Adam pointed at the map.

"We aren’t even close yet."

Kael didn’t even look.

"You don’t need to arrive before getting ready."

Adam opened his mouth.

Zoey smacked the back of his head.

"Ow!"

"He’s right."

She rolled her eyes.

"We should be prepared beforehand."

Then she added with a grin,

"Also don’t forget he’s carrying us."

Adam rubbed the back of his head.

"I think he’s jealous."

Kael immediately snapped his head toward him.

"WHO’S JEALOUS?"

"Pfft."

Adam looked away.

Zoey couldn’t hold back her laughter.

The remainder of the journey passed amidst their occasional banter.

Several minutes later, Mira finally began descending.

The giant moth’s enormous wings beat against the air, stirring powerful currents around them as the desert rapidly approached.

With one final majestic flap, she landed smoothly on the scorching sands below.

The three climbed down from her back.

The moment everyone had disembarked, Mira took off once more, soaring high into the sky until she became little more than a distant silhouette.

Kael wasn’t concerned.

The whistle was still safely stored away.

Whenever they needed transportation again, he could simply summon her back.

Turning away, he surveyed the desert stretching before them.

Heat waves distorted the horizon.

The blazing sun hung high overhead, baking the endless sea of sand beneath it.

Even standing still, Kael could feel the heat pressing against his skin.

A normal person would probably collapse within hours.

"Alright."

Kael turned toward the others.

"We’re here."

His expression became serious.

"Everyone stay alert."

Then he looked at Zoey.

"You’re our eyes. See if you can find anything nearby."

Zoey nodded.

"Got it."

The next moment her sharp senses expanded outward.

With Wilderness Expertise active, every subtle movement in the surrounding area became clearer.

A few moments passed.

Then her eyes narrowed.

"I found one."

Kael immediately focused.

"Where?"

"To the left."

She pointed toward a distant dune.

"It feels strong. Probably around Level Fifteen."

Kael nodded.

"Perfect."

That was exactly what they were looking for.

He looked between the two of them.

"I’ll weaken it."

Then his gaze settled on Adam.

"You and Zoey land the finishing blow."

Adam immediately nodded.

Kael continued.

"And stay behind me."

"Hm?"

"We don’t know whether your Villain Title affects monsters."

Adam grimaced.

Fair point.

If it somehow increased monster aggression, drawing unnecessary attention here would be a terrible idea.

The area they had chosen today was well known for its unusually high concentration of golems.

Even though they were currently operating on the outskirts, the monsters found here were generally between Level Ten and Level Twenty.

There were even occasional reports of stronger creatures wandering into the region.

Adam wasn’t eager to test his luck.

"Fair enough."

With their plan established, the group began moving.

Zoey took the lead.

Several minutes later, they found their target.

A massive golem slowly wandered across the desert.

The creature stood nearly twice their height.

Its body was formed from densely compacted stone and hardened earth, giving it the appearance of a walking fortress.

Two glowing red orbs burned where its eyes should have been.

Adam swallowed.

"That’s bigger than I expected."

Kael rolled his shoulders.

"Here we go."

Without waiting another second, he charged.

The golem immediately noticed him.

A deep roar echoed across the desert.

The massive creature raised one enormous arm before bringing its fist crashing downward.

Boom!

Sand exploded everywhere.

Unfortunately for the golem, Kael was far too fast.

He darted sideways and avoided the attack completely.

Closing the distance in an instant, he drove his fist into the creature’s side.

Crack!

The impact echoed across the desert.

Chunks of stone shattered away from the golem’s body.

Then something unexpected happened.

A faint glow emerged from beneath the broken stone.

Kael’s eyes widened slightly.

The core.

He had found the core on the first hit.

That was absurdly lucky.

The position of a golem’s core changed with every individual monster. Normally hunters had to gradually chip away at its defenses until the core’s location was revealed.

Only then could they target it directly.

Yet somehow his very first strike had exposed it.

For a brief moment, Kael couldn’t help thinking about the tower gift boxes.

Maybe his luck was unusually high today.

Maybe if he opened one right now he’d hit an insane multiplier.

The thought lingered for exactly one second before he threw it away.

There was a battle happening.

The glowing core remained exposed.

That was all that mattered.

Kael immediately turned his head.

"Now!"

Adam had already been waiting.

The instant the command left Kael’s mouth, the Berserker exploded forward.

His massive hammer rose into the air.

Then came crashing down toward the exposed core with tremendous force.