They faced more creatures of the same type, fewer in number and scattered across the desert. They used potions when necessary. They learned how to provoke the centipedes in ways that exposed their weak points, until each of them had gathered enough thermal hide.
Back in the city, they headed straight to the indicated tent.
The alchemist didn't wait for explanations when she saw the hide.
"I knew it," she said with a knowing half-smile. "The desert always gives both the poison and the antidote in the same place."
"You said you had someone to recommend," Jay reminded her.
She pointed toward the fabric tent.
"Rahima. She turns fabric into armor and makes armor look like casual wear."
Rahima was a dark-skinned woman with sharp eyes and quick hands. When she saw the hide, she let out a low whistle.
"This isn't meant to look pretty," she said. "It's meant to keep you alive."
"Exactly our vibe," Sienna commented.
They negotiated, handing over the hide, some coins, and a bit of time.
Rahima stitched internal reinforcements into their clothes and the lighter parts of their armor, layering them in ways that barely altered the external appearance but completely changed how heat affected the body.
When she finished, a new icon appeared discreetly beside the condition bar:
[SAHARIM Thermal Reinforcement – Active]
Environmental heat damage reduced by 50%.
Ethan read the effect on his interface.
"The system confirmed it. Fifty percent less heat damage."
Jay rolled his shoulders.
"It doesn't look any different, but my body already feels different."
"That's what good tailoring is for," Rahima said proudly.
Marcus thanked her with a respectful nod.
"This could be the difference between making it… or falling along the way."
"Not 'could,'" the seamstress corrected. "It will."
The city was more crowded when they left.
Players were arriving from the First Floor, some energized, others clearly exhausted. A group of five drew attention as they entered through the southern gate, supporting one of their companions.
"Those guys definitely aren't coming back from a casual stroll," Sienna commented, drinking water.
They approached.
The group's leader, a tall young man with dark hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, raised a hand in greeting.
"You guys came up from below too?"
"Yes," Ethan replied. "Exploring?"
"Trying to," said the girl beside him. "We headed south. Not sure it was a good choice."
Jay frowned.
"What was there?"
"A castle," the leader answered. "Huge. Partially buried. Broken towers, collapsed gates… looked like it had been swallowed by the desert."
Another added,
"And it's full of skeletons. About twenty right at the entrance alone. We took some down, but more kept coming. It was like the whole place was defending something."
"That wasn't the only problem," the girl continued. "Our HP was dropping way too fast. Without anything to counter the heat, we were burning through potions just to stay on our feet."
"Either you fight, or you survive," another summarized. "Doing both at the same time doesn't work."
A brief silence followed.
Ethan opened his interface and materialized a piece of thermal hide in his hand.
"Since you shared what you know… we should share something too."
The five of them focused immediately.
"Thick Thermal Hide," he explained. "Once adapted, it reduces heat damage by fifty percent. Rahima sews it into your clothes."
Jay tapped his chest lightly.
"We just equipped it."
Marcus added,
"The way is to hunt Heat Centipedes to the north, bring back the hide, and adapt it. After that, you can think about taking on that castle."
One of the players' eyes widened.
"And it really works?"
"If the system wrote it, it usually doesn't lie," Sienna said. "And anything's better than turning into a melting candle in there."
The girl smiled, clearly relieved.
"Thank you. This changes everything."
"Consider it payment for the information about the castle," Sienna replied.
The leader nodded.
"Then let's meet in there… still alive."
"That's the plan," Ethan said.
As the group walked away, Jay spoke quietly.
"Now it actually feels like everyone's trying to clear this floor together."
Marcus agreed.
"If the floor is cruel, we don't have to be."
Elenya glanced toward the southern gate.
"If they make it there too… maybe the next part won't be a solo run."
Sienna smirked.
"Or we'll have an audience watching our bad decisions. Both sound fun."
Ethan took a deep breath and stared into the southern desert.
"Either way… the next step is clear."
"Now it's our turn to see that castle."