The fight with the Cursed Beasts escalated faster than Jaeho anticipated. Eclipse, Scrap, and Luna were already in full combat, their instincts driving them as they engaged with the twisted creatures. Their strikes were swift, but the beasts were just as quick, evading and retaliating with savage ferocity.
Jaeho's mind raced. He needed to be strategic. These creatures weren't just mindless animals—they were intelligent, and worse, they thrived on the darkness that surrounded them. The atmosphere in the cavern seemed to grow heavier by the second, the air thick with the scent of decay. It wasn't just the beasts he had to worry about; the dungeon itself was corrupting everything within it.
"Stay focused!" Kyra shouted, her voice barely audible over the sound of claws scraping against stone and the growls of the beasts. She was circling one of the creatures, her weapon ready. "Don't let them get close to you, or they'll infect your mind!"
Jaeho snapped back to reality, locking eyes with the closest Cursed Beast. Its glowing eyes bored into him, and for a split second, he felt something stir in his mind—a whisper, soft and insistent. The beast was trying to get inside his head, to break through his mental defenses.
He shook it off, refocusing. This was what he had prepared for. With the unique power of his tamer's ability, he had a strong mental foundation, but these creatures were a different kind of threat. He could feel the pull of their malevolent presence trying to reach for his deepest fears.
"Kyra!" Jaeho shouted over the chaos. "I need an opening!"
Kyra nodded sharply, her eyes flashing with determination. Without another word, she hurled herself toward the Cursed Beast closest to her, using her weapon to deflect its gnashing claws. The beast roared in frustration, swiping at her, but she was already several steps ahead, forcing it back with a series of rapid attacks.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Jaeho rushed forward, his eyes never leaving the beast he had targeted. Eclipse darted beside him, her wings cutting through the air as she made a feint to the beast's flank, forcing it to expose its rear. Jaeho took the opportunity, launching himself into the fray.
Scrap joined in, his pincers slashing at the beast's legs. It howled in pain, its back arching in an unnatural way, but it retaliated fiercely, using its twisted tail to swipe at Scrap. Luna was already on the move, leaping toward the creature's exposed side, her claws leaving deep gashes.
Jaeho reached for his pouch. His hands shook slightly, the adrenaline coursing through him. He pulled out a small vial of an antidote-like substance—something he had prepared specifically for this kind of fight. It wasn't enough to heal the beasts from any potential corruption, but it could serve as a temporary stabilizer.
With a quick motion, he poured it into a small container and tossed it toward Eclipse, signaling her to drop it onto the beast's exposed side. The vial shattered, the liquid seeping into its wounds. For a moment, the beast recoiled, letting out a screech of agony. Its body seemed to convulse, and the eerie green mist that had enveloped the cavern for so long began to dissipate.
The beast staggered, its eyes flashing with renewed fury. It tried to swipe at Eclipse, but Jaeho was faster. He stepped in front of her, holding his hand out as if to ward off the creature, but in his mind, he was already calculating his next move.
I need to tame it, he thought, the words running through his mind with a sense of urgency. This wasn't just about defeating the beast; it was about gaining control before the corruption could take root in his own mind. He had no choice but to act fast.
He focused his energy, reaching for the connection he had established with his beasts. He felt Luna's fierce loyalty, Scrap's unyielding resolve, and Eclipse's sharp instincts. Then, he reached out for the Cursed Beast.
It was a struggle. The beast was powerful—its mind twisted, corrupted by the dungeon's malignant influence. But Jaeho's connection was stronger. Slowly, he could feel the bond begin to form, as the essence of the beast was drawn to his call.
The beast's struggles intensified, its corrupted will fighting against his. For a moment, Jaeho felt his own mind fray at the edges, the influence of the beast's corruption trying to invade his thoughts. He gritted his teeth, forcing it back with everything he had. His mind was a fortress, and he wasn't about to let it crumble.
Then, with a final surge of effort, he pushed through. The beast let out a final roar, its body writhing in pain as Jaeho established his dominance over it. The corruption that had plagued it began to fade, the green mist receding as the creature's form slowly shifted.
Jaeho stood panting, sweat dripping down his face. He had done it. The beast was his—tamed.
It was only then that he realized Kyra was staring at him, wide-eyed. "You… tamed it? Just like that?"
Jaeho didn't answer immediately. His thoughts were still spinning, but the sense of accomplishment was undeniable. "I had to."
He glanced at his newly tamed beast. It was no longer the twisted, corrupted creature it had been moments ago. Now, it was smaller, weaker—a baby variant of its original form. But that didn't matter. It was his, and he could evolve it over time, making it stronger.
Kyra's eyes narrowed as she studied him. "That was… impressive. I didn't think anyone could tame a Cursed Beast so quickly. You've got potential, Jaeho."
Jaeho didn't respond. His focus was on the beast in front of him, its once-malevolent eyes now softer, almost… docile. It was a strange feeling—taming such a powerful creature, knowing how close he had come to losing himself to its corruption.
But he pushed the thought aside. There was no time to dwell on it. He had to keep moving forward. He had to continue getting stronger.
"We've still got more to deal with," Kyra said, her voice steady again. "But now that you've tamed one, we'll see if you can handle the rest."
Jaeho nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Let's move."
With the Cursed Beast in tow, he turned and began making his way deeper into the dungeon. The battle was far from over, but now, Jaeho felt a new sense of purpose. He wasn't just a biochemist anymore. He was a Tamer—and he would keep growing stronger, no matter what.
And the dungeon? It was only the beginning.