“Two level-10 rare pieces of equipment…?”

Tianzheng picked up the weapon and its matching armor. Even he couldn’t hide his surprise after checking their stats.

Hearing this, Bai Xia had to admit—Qingcheng was the real big spender. Setting aside legendary gear like Shura Deathbind, how many NPCs in the entire game would casually hand out *three* rare items?

Still, these were likely just trial gear. Even if they won, keeping them depended entirely on *that woman’s* mood. Thinking this, Bai Xia felt oddly indifferent.

Meanwhile, time ticked on. The Lava Colossus finally stirred. Its statue-like body shifted slowly, flames clustering around it beginning to spread outward.

Noting the moment battle was imminent, Tianzheng—fully geared up—still found room for curiosity. He pointed at Bai Xia. “Hey… what’s with your outfit? Does the newbie village even sell sailor uniforms?”

No wonder he asked. Hers *was* striking. But Bai Xia ignored him. Her grip on the Crystal Dagger tightened slightly. “Focus, okay? Big shot—we’re facing the strongest enemy yet.”

Tianzheng raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. Bai Xia, meanwhile, hardened her resolve: *Take this giant down. No choice.* If it lived, she’d die—not physically, but a far crueler spiritual death. To save her dignity, the Lava Colossus had to fall. Yeah, “near-certain death” barely covered it.

But even slim hope was worth fighting for. After all…

“I am *not* quitting this game over public streaking!” she muttered under her breath.

The words faded. Qingcheng’s timer hit zero.

*Whirr—*

Magma across the ground surged to life in an instant, flooding the world in fiery crimson. Scorching heat washed over them. Even knowing it was just a game, unease prickled deep inside.

Bai Xia and Tianzheng felt the strain. But the fully awakened Lava Colossus? It thrived. This hellish stage was clearly Qingcheng’s design—to watch Bai Xia dance on the knife’s edge.

Good thing Bai Xia stayed sharp. One slip meant game over. With paper-thin defense and laughably low HP, a single swipe from that arm would blow her to smithereens.

Seriously—why did Tianzheng get full armor *and* a weapon, while she only had this measly dagger? Her sailor uniform looked cool, sure, but barely boosted defense. After all, it had *destroyed* her previous gear. Without proper armor, stat gains barely offset the loss. Her current defense? Barely better than before.

A flicker of frustration passed through her. *If I survive, I’m stocking spare gear for every dungeon run.* But dwelling now was pointless. No one’s fault—this was still the newbie village. Who expected a monster like *this*?

Anyway…

“Let’s go!”

Bai Xia slashed the air a few times with her dagger. A cold glint flashed in her eyes. Tianzheng said nothing—but stood ready.

The Lava Colossus, however, charged first. Roaring the moment the trial began, its five-meter frame lunged forward like a blazing mountain.

No denying it: sheer size carried crushing presence.

The ground trembled faintly beneath its charge. Relief flickered—its speed, though faster than expected, was still manageable. Pressure eased… slightly.

But as it closed in, licking flames made Bai Xia frown again. Constant fire damage. Thick hide. Grinding it down meant *they’d* burn first. Ridiculous.

*How to handle this?* Headache brewing—

“Frost Aura!” Tianzheng called beside her.

A blue shimmer flashed over them. Elegant ice spirits spiraled into place, chilling the searing air instantly.

*Frost Aura*: Summons ice spirits to protect user and up to two allies. Encircling frost reduces damage and slows nearby enemies. Duration: 1 minute. Cooldown: 3 minutes.

An active skill from Tianzheng’s Ice Crystal Armor. Bai Xia hadn’t checked the gear’s full stats earlier—pleasant surprise. Clearly, Qingcheng’s design again.

The aura nullified the burn sensation *and* damage. But one minute only. Not a second to waste.

The Lava Colossus snarled, agitated by the chill. Closing in, it swung a massive fist down without hesitation. To Bai Xia, it felt less like a fist—more like a blazing stone pillar!

**BOOM!!**

They dodged easily. But where the fist slammed, magma erupted from cracks. The shockwave shook their bodies despite no direct hit.

No doubt about it: a direct strike meant certain doom for either of them.