The dungeon's air felt heavier as Jaeho and Kyra made their way deeper into the dark labyrinth. The stone walls seemed to pulse with a life of their own, faintly glowing with eerie, bioluminescent fungi that lined the edges of the path. The deeper they went, the more the familiar sounds of the outside world faded, replaced by an unsettling silence that hung in the air.
Jaeho couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. His instincts screamed at him to stay alert, but he kept his eyes on Kyra. She moved with the precision of someone who had walked these halls countless times, unbothered by the looming shadows. Her confidence irked him, but he wasn't about to show any weakness. He had his own purpose here, and that was enough to keep him grounded.
Eclipse darted from shadow to shadow, her dark form blending seamlessly into the surroundings. Scrap moved closer to Jaeho, his insect-like eyes constantly scanning for danger. Luna padded quietly at his side, her ears perked and her senses heightened. They were ready for whatever lay ahead, but Jaeho couldn't help but feel the weight of the unknown pressing in on him.
"You said we were going after the Cursed Beasts," Jaeho said, his voice cutting through the silence. "Where are we going exactly?"
Kyra didn't look back as she answered. "I've mapped out a route that will take us to one of the most dangerous parts of this dungeon. It's a place where the Cursed Beasts have been known to appear. But it's not just about finding them. We need to be prepared."
Jaeho raised an eyebrow. "Prepared? For what?"
Kyra stopped and finally turned to face him. Her expression was serious, her eyes narrowing. "These beasts are unlike anything you've ever tamed. They're not just beasts—they're twisted creatures, born of pure chaos. They don't just attack—they corrupt. If you're not careful, they'll take control of your mind. Your will. They don't just fight with their bodies—they fight with your very essence."
Jaeho felt a shiver run down his spine at the thought of losing control of his own mind. He had always been cautious when it came to taming, but this? This was a whole new level of danger.
"I thought you said we were taming them, not being corrupted by them," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Kyra smirked, the coldness in her eyes unmistakable. "You can tame them, yes. But you need to be strong enough. Mentally. Emotionally. If you let them in, even just a little, they'll consume you."
Jaeho didn't respond immediately. Instead, he thought about his beasts. He'd already tamed powerful creatures, and his ability to evolve them had made him stronger than most tamers. But this was different. If these Cursed Beasts could corrupt the mind, even his abilities might not be enough.
"Are you ready for this?" Kyra asked, her voice almost mocking, as if she could sense the doubt creeping into his mind.
Jaeho steeled himself. "I've got no choice, do I?"
Kyra nodded, the flicker of approval in her eyes. "Good. That's the spirit I need from you. Stick close. There's no turning back once we're in."
They continued their descent into the dungeon, the air growing colder and the walls more twisted, as if the very structure of the place was designed to disorient and confuse. The path grew narrower, and the glow from the bioluminescent fungi seemed to fade the deeper they went. Only the soft patter of their footsteps and the occasional sound of a distant beast echoed in the silence.
Eventually, they reached a large cavern, its ceiling lost in shadow. The ground was uneven, and there were cracks in the stone, from which a faint green mist began to rise. Jaeho's eyes narrowed as he scanned the area. Something didn't feel right. The air was thick with tension, like a storm waiting to break.
"Stay close," Kyra whispered, her voice now low and cautious. "We're getting close."
Jaeho wasn't sure if the warning was for him or for herself, but he nodded. His beasts spread out, their senses attuned to the environment, while Jaeho stood ready to react. His hand hovered near the pouch on his waist, where he kept his tamer's tools—items that could help him if he needed to subdue a beast quickly.
The mist thickened as they ventured deeper into the cavern, until it almost seemed to choke the light from their surroundings. Then, through the haze, Jaeho spotted them.
The Cursed Beasts.
There were three of them, standing still, their bodies twisted and unnatural. Their fur was matted, and their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. They didn't seem to notice Jaeho and Kyra's approach—until, of course, Kyra stepped forward.
"They're waiting for us," Kyra muttered. "They know we're here."
Jaeho felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. These creatures weren't like the beasts he'd tamed before. They didn't have the same energy—no, this was something darker, more primal. Their very presence made the air heavier, suffocating.
"Ready?" Kyra asked, her voice calm despite the palpable tension. She didn't even flinch in the face of the beasts' menacing aura.
Jaeho exhaled slowly, his mind already racing through strategies. He had no intention of rushing in. He needed to analyze their weaknesses first, figure out how to approach them without falling prey to their corruption.
"On my mark," Jaeho said. "Eclipse, get behind them. Scrap, stay low. Luna, stay sharp."
His beasts reacted immediately, shifting into position. Jaeho's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the Cursed Beasts. They were powerful, no doubt, but they weren't invincible. He had to stay calm, keep his mind clear, and focus on the task at hand.
The moment was tense. A bead of sweat trickled down Jaeho's temple as he took a step forward.
Then, without warning, one of the beasts lunged.
"Now!" Jaeho shouted.
Everything seemed to happen at once. Eclipse darted from the shadows, her claws slashing at the beast's side. Scrap leaped forward, his pincers aiming for the beast's legs, while Luna charged, teeth bared.
But Jaeho's focus wasn't just on the battle. His mind was sharp, calculating. He needed to keep his distance, watch for the signs of corruption, and make sure his beasts didn't fall prey to it.
The battle raged on, and as Jaeho's beasts fought, he couldn't help but feel a shift in the air. The Cursed Beasts were stronger than anything he'd faced before. They were vicious, relentless. And worse—they seemed to feed off the fear and aggression around them.
Jaeho's hand tightened around the pipe at his side. He was ready. He would tame these beasts—no matter the cost.