Naked and (Barely) Victorious

The Lava Drake locks eyes with me. Its massive, molten body slithers through the lava like a snake, steam hissing from its burning scales.

I gulp.

"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!"

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."

DING!

New Title Earned: [The Naked Survivor]

"OH, COME ON!"