The ground began to split apart in sections, hot air bursting out from the cracks. The heat rose with every passing second.
Both Froggy and the dwarves felt it—an overwhelming, suffocating heat that made them sweat with every step.
The dwarves tried to head back down toward the city, but it was impossible. The lake they had once crossed by swimming—or even walking—was now boiling. It was clear things had gone wrong… terribly wrong.
They could still try the other entrance, but it was far too distant to reach on foot in their current state. They were exhausted. And now, this infernal heat made everything worse.
Twar: Damn it.
He slammed his fist into the ground. Nothing had gone as planned—and to make matters worse, that demon was still there, trailing behind them like some stubborn creature refusing to leave its pack.
But it wasn't family. It wasn't an animal.
It was worse. A demon.
???: Twar… what do we do?
All eyes turned to him.
Twar: Comrades… I have no idea.
His tone was dead serious—and the disappointment that followed hit just as hard. He wasn't a leader. He just followed orders. He would've preferred anyone else in his place. Seeing the panic on his companions' faces only made it worse… a complete disaster.
Twar: We'll try the other entrance.
???: We'll die before we get there.
Twar: Better than standing still.
The demon started waving his arms.
Froggy: Where are you going?! The entrance is over here! This way!
He pointed repeatedly toward the cave entrance.
The dwarves glared at him, irritated.
But Froggy had already found the perfect solution. They just had to sit and wait. Simple. Foolproof.
Sure, it would've been better with a cup of tea, but you can't have everything. All they needed to do was wait for the water to evaporate, then cross. Brilliant, right?
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
"Calculating estimated evaporation time…"
"Estimated time: 6 hours, 44 minutes, 56 seconds"
Froggy: …
The dwarves kept staring at him, still not understanding a word.
Froggy: Uh… yeah… let's go that way.
---
Meanwhile, back in the mining city, there was no chaos—only perfect organization. Evacuation had begun. Even without confirmation, it was obvious: the demon army had arrived.
The scarred dwarf gathered his belongings and joined the others. Tools, barrels of beer—everything was packed quickly onto transport carts.
But they couldn't help looking back at the city… the place that had been their home, even if only for a few years.
Now it was breaking apart—cracks spreading through the ground, hot air pouring out, buildings collapsing. It wasn't a sight anyone could bear.
But no one felt it more deeply than the leader—the scarred one—watching the place he'd been entrusted with crumble to ruin.
What would become of the supplies? The resistance?
All of it… lost to the demons.
They were powerful. Too powerful.
Still, he swore to himself—if he ever crossed paths with one again, it would regret it. More than ever before. There would be no second chances.
That was his oath.
???: Chief, all entrances have been collapsed. Only the one leading to the surface remains.
Chief: Good.
The evacuation was complete. As the last dwarf left, the final entrance collapsed behind them—burying the city forever.
No demon would ever use it. That much was certain.
---
The so-called demon, meanwhile, staggered forward, barely able to keep going. The dwarves were moving too fast, and he was completely drained.
[STAMINA]
1/10
(Rest is recommended to recover stamina)
Froggy: You think… now's… a good time… to rest…?
He could barely speak. The heat, combined with his exhaustion, made this the worst possible situation.
Froggy: Maybe… this is the end… of the great hero… Green Frogg—
Another tremor cut him off. They were happening more frequently now.
But something about them felt… wrong.
He tried calling the system several times. No response.
Froggy: System… what… is that…?
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
"Analyzing… analyzing…"
[CONCLUSION]
"They are tremors."
Froggy sighed.
Froggy: Your answers… keep getting worse…
They kept moving. And with every step, the heat grew more unbearable—like something ancient, something primordial, drawing closer.
The lizard had locked onto its target. It wouldn't take long now.
As it moved, it left a scorched trail behind it.
No—more than scorched. There was nothing left but ash in its wake.
It walked across a world reduced to nothing, in a space that could barely exist in its presence.
Before that being.
Before the absolute.