Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord
Chapter 417 - The Hammer Returns
The savanna stretched wide under the open sky. Tall grass swayed as the wind passed through the field. Near the edge of the plain stood a massive cave, its entrance dark and deep.
From within that cave, a figure stepped out.
He was short but solid, with a body built like stone. His black hair fell rough and untrimmed around his head, and his arms were thick with muscle. In his hand rested a massive hammer, its surface worn by countless battles, yet still carrying an oppressive weight.
His eyes swept across the open field.
"So," he muttered, his voice low and rough, "someone is looking for me."
Without warning, he lifted the hammer and hurled it forward.
The weapon spun wildly through the air, rotating at terrifying speed before crashing down into the ground ahead. The impact sent dirt and dust flying as several creatures in the grass were crushed instantly, their forms reduced to nothing beneath the force.
The dwarf did not slow his steps.
He walked forward, boots slamming heavily into the ground. A small insect, dark black in color with faint greenish gold lines running along its body, lay in his path. The next step came down without hesitation.
The insect was crushed instantly beneath his boot, reduced to nothing as he continued walking as if it had never been there.
"Tell your master this," he said coldly, "I have no intention of meeting anyone."
The hammer flew back into his grasp as if drawn by an unseen force. He caught it with ease and rested it over his shoulder, his expression unchanged.
He continued walking, each step heavy and deliberate, leaving deep marks in the soil behind him. Soon, his figure reached the edge of the savanna, where dense forest waited beyond.
One step at a time, the dwarf disappeared into the shadows of the trees.
Only the echo of his footsteps remained, fading slowly as the forest swallowed his presence whole.
**
Atlas found himself inside his Nimbus Carriage, seated across from Edrik and Krythalis, while Elyndra now sat quietly at his left side.
As the carriage moved forward through the sky, Edrik began explaining everything he and Krythalis had done over the past period of time.
"Krythalis deployed his insect army," Edrik said steadily. "We prioritized the Central Kingdom Union. Since Elyndra was found in this region, we believed there was a strong chance that the one who brought her into this world might still be nearby."
"I see," Atlas replied calmly, then turned his gaze toward Krythalis. "So, the result?"
"My insects focused on detecting figures that matched the traits Elyndra described, my lord," Krythalis answered. "Especially someone with a possible level above 300, and extremely high affinity in fire and earth elements."
Atlas nodded slowly.
"The location is not far from here," Krythalis continued. "Roughly two hours of travel, if we move quickly enough to catch him."
Atlas nodded once more, then turned his attention toward Elyndra.
"Do you think he would object if we went to meet him?"
Elyndra fell silent for a moment before shaking her head gently. "He is a very friendly person," she said softly. "At least, that is how I know him. Even though... that is not exactly what most people say about him."
She paused briefly.
"You said he is searching for his son, correct?" Atlas asked.
"Yes, my lord."
Atlas thought for a moment. "If he has already found his son, he may choose to return to your original world. If not, we can use any resources we have to help him find the person he is searching for."
Elyndra did not respond immediately to that suggestion.
Atlas narrowed his eyes slightly. "From your reaction, it seems he is not an easy person to deal with."
Elyndra nodded faintly. "I will try to speak with him, my lord."
Even so, there was still no justification for leaving Elyndra behind, allowing her to fall into someone else’s hands, and eventually be sold at an auction as a slave.
At the very least, that man would have to take responsibility for what he had done.
Even so, Elyndra had already explained that they were separated the moment they were brought into this world. They did not travel together for long.
However, if Krythalis had managed to locate that man, it meant one thing. He had not yet finished finding what he was looking for.
Atlas fell silent for a moment as that thought settled in his mind.
If he could meet this man, this dwarf blacksmith, then perhaps this encounter would not be limited to resolving Elyndra’s past alone. It might also help Atlas find something he had been quietly searching for himself. A way, any way, to cross into another world. As long as such a path existed, there was always hope.
Atlas knew there would be far more to gain if he managed to cross over. A different world, perhaps more advanced than this one, whatever form it might take. Knowledge, technology, systems, possibilities that did not exist here.
Of course, it would not happen quickly. Atlas understood that. He would still need time. Time to push his level higher, to force his growth, and to continue climbing the ladder of lord ranks without pause.
If he could obtain the item that dwarf blacksmith used to craft an interdimensional portal, then perhaps Atlas could recreate something similar. With Baldric’s help, that possibility did not sound impossible.
That thought made Atlas pause.
Only then did he realize something obvious.
Why had he not brought Baldric along from the start?
They were both dwarves. Both blacksmiths. If anyone could understand another dwarf’s work, it would be Baldric.
After some time passed, the Nimbus Carriage finally came to a halt, and all of them stepped out together.
Atlas scanned his surroundings, his gaze moving in every direction as he tried to determine where the person they were searching for might be.
Krythalis then raised his hand and summoned more of his insect army. Small insects, each no larger than normal size, appeared in overwhelming numbers, easily reaching into the thousands.
The swarm immediately took flight, spreading out rapidly in all directions.
"He should not have moved far from this area yet," Krythalis said.