“Purchasing map fragments?”
Manfred looked at Serafina and spoke.
“That’s right. I’m willing to buy the map fragments in your possession using the currency of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment.”
Serafina stood at the bow of her fire-resistant boat, looking at Manfred.
“I’m well aware of your situation, Manfred.”
“Rather than continuing to hesitate in the Lava Lake, it would be better to take a step toward exploring the passage to the next floor.”
Listening to Serafina, Manfred was well aware of that fact himself.
Having reached this floor, their team had been reduced to just the three of them.
The others weren't dead; rather, Manfred had persuaded them to leave the Well of Eternal Imprisonment.
The Grey family's attention was now focused on the three of them, and there was no need for the remaining members of the vanguard team to continue risking their lives.
And with only three of them left, they didn't have the strength to compete for the chance to subjugate the Sub-dragon Wyvern.
After all, with their current strength, it was highly likely they wouldn't even be able to collect enough map fragments to find the hidden stone pillar.
“What price can you offer?”
All Manfred could do now was sell the two fragments in his possession for the highest price possible.
“Five magic crystal coins per fragment.”
“Deal.”
Manfred took out the two map fragments he had collected and handed them to Serafina without any further haggling.
Serafina then took out ten magic crystal coins and handed them to Manfred.
With this, Serafina had collected five map fragments, leaving her only halfway to a complete map.
Sitting on the fire-resistant boat, she pieced together the five fragments.
With only half the map, Serafina naturally couldn't find the hidden stone pillar yet.
However, based on these fragments, she could likely narrow down the general area where the remaining hidden stone pillars were located.
“According to the map, to find the hidden stone pillar, we must light the hidden candelabras at ten different locations shown on the map.”
Speaking of candelabras...
Serafina watched Manfred’s departing figure.
She knew Manfred possessed a Candelabra capable of containing Forbidden Fire, but she had no intention of trying to seize it.
She would strive for what she wanted, not plunder it.
Striving to obtain the Forbidden Fire through her own abilities was her pursuit as an adventurer.
Moreover, she felt a deep respect for Manfred.
Being able to recognize the power of a colossus like the Grey family and still choose to resist and confront them head-on...
That kind of spirit wasn't something just anyone possessed.
“Captain, according to the map, a stone pillar is likely hidden in the area ahead.”
Leoward spoke as he compared the fragments to the rough sketch of the Lava Lake map in his hands.
“Understood. I just hope it’s not another empty stone pillar.”
Serafina had already discovered two empty stone pillars.
An empty stone pillar meant that the treasure chest atop it had already been opened by someone else.
To complete the map, interacting with the remaining two teams was unavoidable.
Serafina was already prepared for an encounter.
However, she hadn't expected to run into her competitors so soon after making those preparations.
“Elves.”
“Humans.”
Three fire-resistant boats came to a standstill on the Lava Lake.
The elven team was not particularly friendly toward humans; they had only shown goodwill toward Manfred because they had once fought alongside him.
Toward the Red Rose team, they held no specific grudge like they did for the Grey family, but their attitude was far from welcoming.
“You elves over there, are you willing to sell the map fragments in your possession?”
Hearing Serafina's words, Eomer’s gaze pierced through the thick smoke, locking onto her.
“Only if you are willing to exchange maps.”
Indeed, an exchange of maps.
The reason the map was valuable was because of the information it contained.
Eomer’s elven team had no intention of giving up on a rare hidden boss like the Sub-dragon Wyvern.
After all, they had enough strength and confidence to subjugate it.
“How can I be sure that you’ll bring all your fragments to the exchange?”
Serafina pointed out the crux of the problem.
When dealing with Manfred, Serafina understood his situation and knew that with the strength of his team, it would be difficult for them to handle the Sub-dragon Wyvern. It was highly likely they would give up on it and thus wouldn't hide any fragments.
But the elves were a different story.
If the other side hid even one fragment and only exchanged the rest, the Red Rose team would never be able to complete the map.
As for why Serafina thought this way...
It was naturally because Serafina had already decided to keep some fragments for herself, ensuring the other teams had no chance of collecting them all!
That way, the hidden Sub-dragon Wyvern would be hers forever!
“Don’t think we’re as cunning and despicable as you humans!”
Nephalian retorted bluntly.
Eomer felt a strange pang of guilt in his heart.
He had, in fact, just been thinking about hiding one fragment so that Serafina’s Red Rose team would never have the chance to collect them all.
That way, the Sub-dragon Wyvern would belong to the elves forever!
Neither side trusted the other.
“How about a cooperation?”
Ultimately, Serafina proposed a solution.
Cooperation.
The two sides would pool their fragments together to piece together the complete map and search for the Sub-dragon Wyvern together.
Then they would compete against each other fairly. This way, no one had to worry about the other side hiding fragments.
“Fine.”
Eomer readily agreed to the idea.
Each side took out their map fragments.
Somewhat exceeding Serafina’s expectations, the elves had actually collected four fragments.
Four fragments from the elves, plus the five from Serafina’s side.
Only one fragment remained!
She hadn't expected to be just one step away from the Sub-dragon Wyvern so suddenly!
“Where is the last fragment?”
After piecing together the nine fragments, everyone compared them to their rough sketches and identified the location where the final piece was missing.
“A purple-skinned blacksmith? Why is there still a mon— a purple-skinned blacksmith in your team?”
Once the temporary alliance was formed, the elves' attention first focused on the purple-skinned blacksmith.
‘They have a purple-skinned blacksmith... has this team triggered some kind of hidden quest?’
Eomer couldn't help but think along those lines.
“Hmph. Elf, you were about to say 'monster,' weren't you?”
Purple Copper looked at Eomer with an unfriendly gaze.
“My apologies, my apologies.”
Eomer hurriedly apologized.
He could treat annoying humans however he liked, but the NPCs of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment were different; they weren't beings he could afford to treat carelessly.
One wrong move, and he might never encounter a hidden quest in the entire Well of Eternal Imprisonment again.
“This is Purple Copper, of the purple-skinned blacksmith tribe. She is on the same team as Mr. Brock, and her goal is the dragon flame of the Sub-dragon Wyvern.”
Eomer nodded as he listened to Serafina’s introduction, his gaze returning to Serafina.
“Then, as for the last map fragment...”
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