Jaeho's grip tightened around his pipe as Kyra's words hung in the air. An alliance? With someone he didn't even know? His instincts screamed at him to be cautious. It was one thing to deal with dungeon creatures, but people—especially those who operated in the shadows—were an entirely different matter.
"I'm not in the habit of making alliances with strangers," Jaeho said, keeping his tone neutral but firm. He took a step back, ensuring he kept his distance, his beasts positioning themselves around him in a protective formation. Eclipse's shadowy form shifted, her glowing red eyes fixed on Kyra, while Scrap skittered to Jaeho's side, eyes narrowed. Luna's fur bristled, sensing something amiss in the air.
Kyra raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by his caution. "You're a smart one, I'll give you that," she said, her voice laced with a hint of approval. "But you'll want to listen before you turn me down."
Jaeho didn't respond immediately. He needed time to process. She was clearly well aware of the Blackfang Beast's defeat, and that could mean she was more involved in the dungeons than he'd initially assumed. Perhaps even a tamer herself.
"I've been tracking that Blackfang for days," Kyra continued, stepping closer but maintaining a careful distance. "It's one of the most dangerous beasts in this area. You handled it well, better than most I've seen. But you're missing something."
Jaeho's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" He had thought he'd handled it pretty well, considering the circumstances. Sure, the Blackfang had been tough, but with his beasts by his side, they'd managed to bring it down.
"There's more to taming than just defeating beasts," Kyra said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You need resources, knowledge—alliances, even. I know this dungeon better than anyone. I've spent years studying it, hunting the beasts that roam here, and I have access to things you don't."
Jaeho's mind raced. She was offering something he didn't have—information and access to resources that could potentially change the course of his journey. But the question lingered: What did she want in return? There was always a price, and in this world, nothing came free.
"What's your angle?" Jaeho asked bluntly, unwilling to dance around the subject. "Why me?"
Kyra's lips curled into a smile, but it wasn't a friendly one. "I've been watching you, Jaeho. You've got potential. I can see it in the way you fight, the way you think. You're building something, aren't you? A team. A kingdom of beasts, maybe."
Jaeho stiffened at her words. She knew too much. He'd kept his plans close to his chest, but somehow, she had figured it out.
"You don't know anything about me," he shot back, his voice hard.
Kyra only chuckled, not even fazed by his retort. "Don't be so defensive. You think I'm the only one who's been watching the dungeons? The world's changing, and the sooner you realize that, the better. The power you're building—these creatures, your ability to evolve them—it's exactly what I need."
"Need?" Jaeho repeated, skepticism clear in his voice. "What are you planning?"
She stepped forward again, closer this time, her expression serious. "I'm looking for something. Something that could change everything. I've been hunting down Cursed Beasts, creatures born with unnatural powers. They're dangerous, nearly impossible to tame, but they hold the key to something even bigger—something I believe you can help me find."
Jaeho's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Cursed Beasts. He'd heard rumors about them. The creatures were said to be more than just beasts—they were born from curses, born from chaos. Some said they had the power to grant unimaginable strength, but others whispered that they could bring destruction to entire cities.
"If you want me to help you catch one of these Cursed Beasts, you're out of your mind," Jaeho said, shaking his head. "I've got enough problems with the beasts I already have."
"I don't want you to catch one," Kyra corrected, her voice low. "I want you to tame one. And I'm offering you the resources, the knowledge, and the chance to take your creatures to the next level."
Jaeho felt a flicker of hesitation. Could he really afford to turn this down? The opportunity to tame a Cursed Beast… it could make his team stronger, give him the edge he needed to survive in these dungeons. But he still didn't trust her—too many red flags were waving in his mind.
"And what's the catch?" Jaeho asked, narrowing his eyes. "Why would you offer me all this? What do you get out of it?"
Kyra's smile returned, though it was colder this time, almost calculating. "What I get out of it is simple. I need someone I can trust to help me gather the materials for my own Beast Ascension."
"Ascension?" Jaeho repeated, the term unfamiliar to him. "What are you talking about?"
Kyra's gaze flickered toward the dark passage they had come from. "There are places hidden deep within these dungeons, places where you can find the rarest materials, the strongest beasts. I can't access them alone. And those Cursed Beasts? They're the key to reaching those places. But I need a tamer like you to bring them under control. You won't just be taming one. You'll be evolving them, just like you've done with your other beasts."
Jaeho felt a tug of uncertainty. This wasn't just about taming beasts anymore. It was about something much bigger, something that involved not just him, but Kyra as well.
"Why should I trust you?" Jaeho asked, his voice flat. "How do I know you're not just using me to get what you want?"
Kyra didn't flinch at his words. Instead, she tilted her head, studying him with a sharp, calculating gaze. "You don't know me, Jaeho. But you will. You'll learn soon enough that I'm not someone to be trifled with. And trust? You'll earn that through results. Help me with this, and I'll help you unlock more power for your beasts than you ever thought possible."
Jaeho stared at her for a long moment, weighing his options. There was no denying the power that she offered—resources, knowledge, and access to rare beasts and materials. But there was still a deep pit of doubt in his stomach. He didn't like her methods, the way she operated in the shadows, but in a world like this, maybe that was the price of survival.
Finally, he exhaled, his voice steady. "Fine. I'll help you. But if I don't like what I see, I'm out. Got it?"
Kyra nodded, her smirk returning. "Deal. But remember, Jaeho—you just made an enemy of anyone who stands in your way."
Jaeho didn't respond. Instead, he turned to face his beasts. Eclipse, Scrap, and Luna stood ready, eyes fixed on him. He had no idea what this alliance would lead to, but one thing was clear—his path had just become far more complicated.
"Let's get moving," Jaeho said, his voice determined. "The sooner we start, the sooner we finish this."
As they began their descent deeper into the dungeon, the weight of his decision settled heavily on his shoulders. He had just stepped into a world of shadows, and there was no turning back now.