Giant iron cauldrons churned with molten magma. On tall structures, flames blazed fiercely. Collapsed bridges, buildings, and ground—everywhere was filled with fire.
Heat waves rolled out, and the blood and sea of fire reflected a crimson hue. This was a world themed with fire and blood: Blazing Hell!
A network of prisons was formed by a series of tall buildings and bridges. Beneath these structures and bridges were massive iron cauldrons filled with fiery soup and a sea of fire.
Wilder was currently standing on the corridor outside a cell, gazing at the sea of fire below and the prisoners acting as laborers carrying lumber on the bridges.
The wide bridges made the prisoners coming and going, carrying lumber, look like ants—ants clinging to life.
From time to time, a prisoner would succumb to the scorching air and oppressive atmosphere, dropping their lumber and attempting to escape. However, before they could run a few steps, they would be tossed off the bridge by a massive creature, falling into the giant cauldron below without even making a splash.
"That creature… If I'm not mistaken, it should be one of the four Jailer Beasts."
Wilder watched this scene unfold below, his expression unchanged. He merely acknowledged inwardly that things were going to be difficult.
It could be said that, in terms of the prison's own combat strength, Blazing Hell was undoubtedly the strongest of all the levels in Impel Down.
Not only was the Impel Down Warden's office located on this level, but the Chief Jailer and the four Jailer Beasts she commanded were also here. Each one of them was an extremely formidable individual.
Wilder looked at the sea of fire below, unable to find a single spot untouched by flames. Perhaps there were some, but at least from his vantage point, he couldn't see any.
The plan to break through from Level 4 to Level 5 had already left Wilder feeling like he had nowhere to start before it had even begun.
Standing in place and pondering for a moment, Wilder's gaze flickered. His eyes turned to the prisoners coming and going on the bridges below.
He bared his teeth in a silent grin and leaped, his entire body falling downwards.
"Thud!"
Minimizing the sound of his landing as much as possible, Wilder's feet touched a protruding section of the structure. He bent his knees slightly, cushioning the impact.
Wilder's eyes were now level with the bridge's railing, his body effectively concealed by the barrier.
On the bridge were prisoners carrying massive pieces of lumber. Wilder, like a venomous snake hidden in the shadows, waited for the opportune moment.
Swamp silently crept up the railing. The passing prisoners were completely unaware of it.
Wilder's eyes were like those of a snake, watching the passing prisoners. Once an opportunity presented itself, he would strike instantly.
Silent, patient waiting was to ensure a one-hit kill.
Soon, a prisoner entered Wilder's target range. The swamp surged silently, moving along the railing towards the prisoner's back.
"Gloop!" The swamp's flow speed gradually increased under Wilder's control.
"What's that sound?" The prisoner stopped in confusion.
"Gloop!" The swamp clinging to the railing suddenly erupted. Before the prisoner could react, it surged forward, instantly enveloping his body.
"Mmph…!" In the prisoner's terrified eyes, the swamp dragged him, instantly flinging him off the bridge.
The timing was perfect. No one noticed that a prisoner was missing from the bridge.
"Click!" A moment later, the sound of handcuffs being unlocked echoed from somewhere beneath the bridge.
Wilder, dressed in a prisoner's uniform and wearing Seastone handcuffs, appeared on the bridge at some point.
A suppressed smile played beneath his lowered face. Like the other prisoners, he shouldered a long, thick piece of lumber and quietly blended in.
As he walked forward, his eyes scanned his surroundings. Wilder's target was locations that would allow him to land and were suitable for breaking through to Level 5.
The heat surging up from below created an extreme sense of agitation. Wilder's gaze was calm as he followed the footsteps of the prisoner in front of him. He kept his face lowered, avoiding any suspicion.
Along the way, various curses and the sounds of prisoners falling into the iron cauldrons constantly reached Wilder's ears.
Wilder remained expressionless, following the other prisoners.
Here, the cheapest thing was a prisoner's life. As one of them, Wilder could only silently observe all of this happening.
Stamina and moisture were rapidly depleted under the high temperature. Wilder was still unable to maintain a good condition in this environment that inherently countered him. Sweat appeared on his face, only to be quickly evaporated, leaving his skin dry and soon taking on a burnt appearance.
He adjusted his breathing, still silently keeping up with the prisoner in front. Although he knew this would be detrimental to him in the long run, Wilder had no other options for the time being.
The suppression brought about by the environment was unavoidable. As long as he wanted to break through to Level 5, he would have to face the scorching heat.
"You, slowpoke! Are you looking to die?!"
"I'm sorry! Please spare me this once!"
"Huh? What are you talking about? Everyone else is working so hard! How can a slacker like you be forgiven!"
"Whoosh…"
"Thwack!"
"Aaargh!"
The sound of a whipping breaking the air, mixed with angry shouts, reached Wilder's ears.
Slightly slowing his pace, Wilder looked in the direction of the sounds.
A hot-tempered guard was whipping a prisoner who had already lost consciousness. Unlike the guards in Starvation Hell, the guards in Blazing Hell all wore half-masks that covered their faces, leaving only their mouths and below exposed.
The cruel smile on the guard's lips was clearly visible even from afar.
Wilder noticed that the prisoners around him had noticeably changed.
Silence was a wordless form of resistance, but the clenched fists that were never swung made them look more like cowards than the so-called heinous criminals.
Unlike these criminals, Wilder noticed the guard nearby who, after shoving the dead prisoner's corpse into the iron cauldron, turned to his colleague and made plans to drink together tonight.
"Then, it's settled."
"I'm going to make you drink until you pass out tonight!"
"Hahaha! If you've got the guts, then go ahead and try!" The two guards laughed and chatted, whipping the prisoners within their reach.
Wilder retracted his gaze and calmly continued to walk forward.
But beneath his lowered face, a devilish smile was gradually blooming.
"Nyehehehe… Perhaps I chose the wrong role to play from the very beginning."
The eyes hidden in shadow were already bloodshot, filled with ferocity and excitement.
"Maybe… it's time for a new identity."