Huh, it almost seems like the antagonist could kill Jodio and the gang at any moment, but is keeping them alive so that Jodio can lead them to a new lava rock.
The mysterious glowing rod stick figure, it seems to follow and surveil them from the sky... this is probably what Meryl Mei figured out and the reason why she urged the gang to get underground as soon as possible. Like a stand version of a surveillance satellite or something.