Solvar stood at the edge of the village, his silver eyes fixed on Reis Drayven. He had said nothing for the past few minutes, merely watching as if weighing something unseen.
Reis shifted under his gaze but did not waver. His grip tightened around the short spear their grandfather had given him, his knuckles white.
Finally, Solvar spoke.
"You will become strong." His voice was low, steady. "But not yet."
Reis frowned. "That's why I'm coming with you, isn't it?"
Solvar nodded. "You have the instincts—the will. But you lack the refinement. The control."
Reis's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
The stranger turned slightly, glancing back toward the village where Kael stood near their grandfather's home, watching them.
"The burden your brother carries is not one he can bear alone," Solvar continued. "One day, he will need you. But if you are weak when that day comes, your presence will be meaningless."
Reis swallowed hard. He had always wanted to be strong, to prove himself. But now, it wasn't just about pride.
It was about Kael.
Solvar turned fully now, motioning for Reis to follow. "Say your goodbyes. We leave now."
Reis hesitated for only a second before turning toward Kael.
Kael met his brother's gaze, and at that moment, neither of them needed words to understand what was happening.
Still, Reis spoke first.
"I'll be back," he said, forcing a smirk. "Probably stronger than you."
Kael tried to smile, but it faltered. "You better be."
Reis stepped forward, grasping Kael's forearm in a tight grip. "You're doing things I don't understand yet. But I'll catch up. And when you need me, I'll be there."
Kael nodded. "I'll be counting on it."
A moment of silence passed before Reis finally let go and turned away, following Solvar into the night.
Kael stood there, watching his brother disappear into the darkness, feeling the weight of their parting settle over him.
He didn't have time to dwell on it. He had his path to walk.
Kael sat with his grandfather, explaining everything—the System Task, the Blazing Fang Fruit, and the dungeon that had appeared.
Alden listened silently, his expression unreadable. When Kael finished, the older man exhaled through his nose and shook his head.
"Foolish," Alden muttered. "A dungeon is not a field of crops, Kael. You cannot control what grows within it."
Kael gripped his father's sword, resting it across his lap. "I know."
Alden's eyes flicked to the blade. "You plan to fight with that?"
Kael nodded. "Verdant Surge won't work inside. My vines will burn. This is my only option."
Alden studied him for a moment, then sighed. "At least you're not blind to the risks."
Kael stood. "I leave now."
Alden didn't try to stop him. Instead, he watched as Kael turned and walked toward the glowing rift at the forest's edge.
Kael arrived at the entrance of Emberroot Cavern, where the air hummed with unnatural energy. The rift flickered like fire, distorting the forest behind it.
Ding!
[Emberroot Cavern – Dungeon Entrance]
Status: Open (Closes in 24 Hours)
Warning: Verdant Surge is ineffective inside.
Objective: Retrieve the Spiritual Fire Grass.
Kael inhaled sharply, his grip tightening around his sword's hilt.
Then he stepped through.
The moment he entered, the air changed.
Heat crashed over him in a suffocating wave. The ground beneath his boots was blackened stone, and the walls pulsed like molten veins, glowing with a deep red light.
The cavern shifted, sealing the entrance behind him.
He was in.
Kael had barely taken ten steps when a low growl rumbled through the cavern.
He froze, his body tensing.
Then he saw it.
Emerging from the shadows ahead was a creature unlike anything he had faced before.
Its body was wreathed in embers, its form shifting between solid and flame. It looked like a wolf, but its eyes burned with unnatural hunger.
[Lava Fang – Lesser Fire Beast]
Strength: Moderate
Weakness:?
Resistance: All plant-based abilities
Kael grimaced. Perfect.
The Lava Fang snarled before lunging forward, its claws scraping molten stone as it leaped straight for his throat.
Kael reacted instinctively, raising his sword—
CLANG!
Sparks exploded as his blade met the creature's fiery claws. The impact rattled his bones, and the heat alone was unbearable.
This thing is stronger than I thought…
The Lava Fang didn't relent. It swiped again, forcing Kael to roll to the side. His boots skidded against the scorched rock, the heat licking at his skin.
I can't just block—I have to counter.
The beast lunged again—Kael ducked, twisting his body.
Then he struck.
His blade slashed across the creature's side, the force sending a burst of embers into the air. The Lava Fang let out a shriek, staggering back.
Kael didn't let up. He stepped in, driving his sword forward. The blade pierced through the beast's molten hide, and with a final shudder, the creature collapsed into ash.
Ding!
[Lava Fang Defeated]
[+50 Cultivator EXP]
Kael let out a slow breath. His arms ached from the strain, and the heat was already wearing on him.
He needed to move quickly.
He sheathed his blade and turned deeper into the cavern.
Kael navigated further into the dungeon, his senses sharp. The glow of the molten walls provided enough light to see, but something felt off.
Then, he noticed it.
A portion of the cavern floor appeared darker, exhibiting cracks and artificial nature.
He stepped closer, and suddenly—
Ding!
[Hidden Chamber Discovered –?]
✔ Warning: Sealed Entrance Detected
✔ Activation Required
Before Kael could react, the ground beneath him cracked.
A rush of heat erupted from the stone, engulfing him in blinding light.
The last thing he saw was a shadow within the flames.
And then—
Darkness.