Formal Team Formation

Li Qing and Giorno, clad in coral armor, climbed upwards through the rolling heat waves of the lava well.

Mother Earth was also being cooperative.

Li Qing had only held on for a few more seconds before the scorching lava rapidly approaching his feet, much like the mercury column in a blood pressure monitor, gradually halted its ascent as the pressure began to equalize.

The magma didn't pursue them further, and as the distance between them and the magma "water surface" increased, the rising hot wind was no longer as searing as before.

Li Qing had survived.

He and Giorno, together, climbed out of the lava well that was spewing thick sulfuric smoke.

Their coral armor was now scorching hot from the hot wind, and as soon as it brushed against the hard ground, it began to flake off like shattered eggshells.

Li Qing, while brushing off the crumbling coral from his body, couldn't help but glance back into the lava well:

The magma in the well had stopped rising.

The magma surface that had come into contact with the air was no longer as bright and hot as it was initially, with faint signs of solidification.

This was exactly Li Qing's original plan:

Once the surging magma cooled and solidified, it would naturally seal the opening, forming a solid "seal" tens to hundreds of meters long.

However, what Li Qing hadn't planned for initially was that he himself almost got sealed within the cooled volcanic rock.

"Giorno."

Li Qing turned his head and said to Giorno with utmost sincerity, "Thank you."

"No need."

Giorno replied calmly, "Didn't you save me on the bus earlier?"

"You know... this is different."

Li Qing smiled and shook his head, everything unsaid but understood:

He had stayed behind to save them because he had already heard the sound of fighter jets passing at low altitude, giving him about a ninety percent chance of survival for both himself and Giorno.

But Giorno?

All that Giorno could do by risking his life was to buy him a few more seconds.

A few seconds...

Giorno didn't have super hearing, so how could he know that Li Qing surviving a few more seconds would allow him to escape the meatball's perception range?

He also didn't have the ability to predict the future, so how could he know that buying a few more seconds would cause the rising magma to stop in time?

Giorno obviously couldn't know these things.

He was merely gambling with his own life, using that faint and uncertain hope to snatch Li Qing's life back from the clutches of death.

"Thank you."

Li Qing could only use his most sincere voice to thank the young man with a golden spirit once more.

"Mm."

This time, Giorno calmly accepted Li Qing's gratitude.

But he didn't waste any more time on it:

"Now is not the time for this. Hurry up and seal this hole completely, otherwise, when the US military arrives, they will definitely be interested in this large hole spewing sulfuric smoke."

Giorno shrugged helplessly:

"You know, like in Hollywood movies..."

"Whether it's aliens, The Thing, or Predator, these Americans always love to dig up strange things in strange places."

As he spoke, he ordered Gold Experience to seal the hole:

"Muda muda muda muda!"

Golden fist shadows continuously struck the ground, giving rise to countless thick and resilient plant roots.

These roots grew downwards along the rock walls of the hole, quickly intertwining and connecting with each other, forming a massive "cork" several meters long, completely sealing the opening of the still-cooling lava well.

Seeing this, Li Qing didn't hesitate.

He seized the opportunity to move soil and rocks, covering the conspicuous wooden plug with thick layers of dirt and broken asphalt, striving to make this spot look no different from the surrounding damaged road surface.

This was not a small amount of work, but fortunately, Li Qing hadn't spent much effort sealing the meatball earlier, and he still had a full minute for him and Giorno to work.

"Right."

Giorno, while commanding Gold Experience to help Li Qing fill the dirt, asked with some concern:

"What about that meatball, is it dead?"

"It's not dead."

Li Qing shook his head, still feeling a lingering fear.

"This monster didn't die even when submerged in lava, I can't find any way to kill it anymore."

"Fortunately, it's completely sealed underground now. As long as you don't—"

"Forget it."

He swallowed his words forcefully. "I can't jinx it at a time like this."

"That's good," Giorno nodded, though his expression remained grave. "But if I'm not mistaken, things aren't over yet, are they?"

Li Qing wouldn't have provoked such a monster for no reason.

So, Giorno knew clearly that there would definitely be more troublesome matters behind this.

"Speaking of which, haha."

Li Qing chuckled.

"It's hard to explain in a few words, but what I can tell you is that this matter is also related to your dream."

"Related to my dream?" Giorno sounded a bit confused.

"Don't you want to become a Gang-star?" Li Qing said mysteriously. "Do you know the Passion Organization?"

"Of course, I do."

Giorno replied with a serious expression. "My dream is to become a Gang-star. How could I not know about the top mafia that rules all of Italy?"

"To be frank..."

Li Qing said with a slightly exaggerated tone.

"I just had a run-in with the boss of the Passion Organization this morning. Then, that sewer rat who's too afraid to show his face has been hunting me down ever since."

"So..."

"I'm planning to take him out and wipe out this mafia in one go."

"Oh," Giorno nodded thoughtfully. "I see."

"..." Li Qing was silent for a moment, then asked with some disappointment, "Aren't you surprised?"

"Surprised?"

Giorno gave Li Qing a speechless look.

"After seeing that monster just now, I'd believe you if you said you ran into aliens."

"However..."

He gently stroked his chin, his gaze sharp and bright.

"I once gathered information about the mafia in advance for my dream. The one person who caught my attention the most was the man who would surely become my enemy and hinder my dream – the boss of the Passion Organization."

"It's said that he is an extremely mysterious and invincible person."

"He perfectly hides himself behind a mask of darkness and terror. To this day, all those who dared to seek information about him have met a tragic end."

"And you..."

Giorno paused slightly.

"You actually managed to fight that man head-on and survive, even escaping here unharmed."

"That means, no matter what, you must have information on him!"

As he spoke, his usually calm tone became agitated.

"The boss's veil of mystery has been partially lifted by you, and his myth of invincibility has almost been shattered by you!"

"Undoubtedly..."

"This is an opportunity, an excellent chance to completely defeat the boss, take over the Passion Organization, and become a 'Gang-star'!"

"Li Qing."

Giorno looked at Li Qing with his deep green eyes, his gaze filled with determination.

"To achieve my dream, I will walk with you!"

"Huh?"

Li Qing was slightly surprised. "I haven't even invited you to help yet, how do you know..."

"Do I even need to ask?"

Giorno extended his hand to Li Qing.

"We've only known each other for less than twenty minutes, and the boss's identity is Italy's most terrifying secret. Anyone who knows about the boss's information will be drawn into danger."

"If you had no intention of seeking my help, why would you explain such sensitive matters to a '13-year-old kid you just met' like me?"

"Hahaha."

"It's so convenient talking to someone smart."

Hearing this, Li Qing burst into hearty laughter.

Following the "save the world" pact from not long ago, he once again firmly grasped Giorno's hand.

"Alright then, Giorno Giovanna..."

"Let's smash the boss's head in together!"