"Okay, Rin," I mutter. "You beat the Lava Warden by tricking it. You can do the same thing here, right?"

  The drake opens its mouth.

  FWOOOOOSH!

  A wave of fire erupts toward me.

  "NOPE, NEVER MIND, RUNNING NOW!"

  I sprint away as the flames nearly roast my backside. The air is WAY too hot, even with my improved [Heat Resistance]. My feet barely touch the ground as I leap across scorching rocks, dodging pools of bubbling magma.

  The drake lunges, its enormous jaws snapping inches away from my head.

  "GAHHH! STOP THAT!" I shriek, hurling a loose rock at it.

  The rock immediately melts in the air before it even reaches the monster.

  "...Okay, throwing things is useless. Noted."

  Step 2: Improvised Combat (a.k.a. Desperate Flailing)

  If I can’t run forever, and I can’t throw things, I have only one choice left.

  I have to fight.

  "Alright, lizard!" I yell, skidding to a stop on a solid patch of blackened rock. "You wanna throw down? LET'S GO!"

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  The Lava Drake hisses, rearing back.

  DING!

  New Skill Acquired: [Combat Readiness – Lv 1]

  "Oh, cool! A skill that makes me ready to get my butt kicked!"

  The drake lunges again, and this time I dodge roll to the side. (And for once, I don't roll into a lava pit!)

  Then, in pure desperation, I jump onto the drake’s back.

  "BAD IDEA BAD IDEA BAD IDEA!" I scream as my hands sizzle against its molten scales.

  DING!

  [Heat Resistance (Lv 6) ? Heat Resistance (Lv 9)]

  I blink.

  Wait. This hurts, but I’m not instantly dying.

  ...I CAN USE THIS.

  Step 3: Power Through the Pain

  "Alright, Rin," I grit my teeth. "Time for the dumbest idea ever."

  I bear hug the Lava Drake’s neck, clinging onto it like an unhinged rodeo champion. My skin is burning, my vision is blurring, but—

  DING!

  [Heat Resistance (Lv 9) ? Heat Resistance (MAX)]

  [New Skill Acquired: HEAT IMMUNITY]

  I blink. My body stops hurting.

  I look at my hands. They’re not burning anymore.

  "…No way."

  The drake twists violently, trying to throw me off. But I hold on tight—because now I have an INSANE advantage.

  I grab its molten horns and yank its head back.

  "Oh, YOU are so screwed now!" I cackle.

  DING!

  New Skill Acquired: [Brute Strength – Lv 1]

  "HELL YEAH!"

  Step 4: Spearing a Lava Dragon (Like a Lunatic)

  I spot a massive spike of cooled obsidian jutting out of the ground.

  Perfect.

  I grip the drake's horns and yank its head toward it.

  "TIME TO GO TO SLEEP, HOT NOODLE!" I scream.

  With every bit of strength I have, I slam its head into the spike.

  CRACK!

  The obsidian pierces straight through its skull. The drake lets out a final, echoing roar—

  —before its entire body collapses into the lava below.

  I ride it down like a champion.

  Step 5: The Aftermath (a.k.a. Where Did My Clothes Go?)

  I rise out of the lava, victorious.

  Steam hisses around me. The molten rock doesn’t burn me anymore. I feel incredible.

  Then I glance down.

  "…Oh."

  My clothes? GONE. Completely disintegrated.

  I am 100% naked, standing in the middle of a molten wasteland.

  A small breeze blows by.

  "…Well," I say, crossing my arms. "This is awkward."