The cavern stretched wider as Kael and Jorin moved deeper, the walls glittering faintly with veins of crystal. The air carried a low hum, like the stone itself was alive, vibrating with unseen energy. Kael's hand tightened around the strap of his bag when suddenly—
[System Update.]
Bright text flashed across his vision, crisp and unyielding.
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
Current Level: 13
Kael staggered a step, his body pulsing with new strength. His veins burned as if fire and shadow warred inside him. His lungs filled deeper, his vision sharpened, and for the first time since awakening the Nether Code, his body felt like it was catching up with the power whispering through his mark.
"What—what's happening?" he muttered.
Nathan's voice rumbled like stone collapsing into shadow.
[Three levels gained from core absorption and combat output. Your body is adjusting, Kael. Learn to guide it. Do not let raw power carry you—bend it. Shape it.]
Kael exhaled slowly, bracing himself against the cavern wall. His tattoo glowed faintly under his sleeve, dark lines winding up his forearm. "Easier said than done."
[Good things never are,] Nathan replied.
A sound cut him off.
A low growl.
The air itself seemed to vibrate with it.
Both Kael and Jorin froze, their eyes turning toward the source. From the darkness ahead, two golden orbs flared to life like suns trapped in shadow. Heavy paws struck the ground one after another, sending faint tremors up through Kael's boots.
The beast emerged.
It was lionlike, but grotesquely larger. Its body was rippling with muscles beneath a pelt the color of scorched bronze. Jagged black streaks ran along its shoulders, glowing faintly as if magma pulsed under its hide. Its mane was thick and ragged, curling like fire frozen mid-blaze. And when it opened its jaws, rows of serrated teeth gleamed, steam curling from its breath.
A Type 4, Kael thought without Nathan needing to say it.
Jorin's expression hardened. "Now this…" He drew a short crackling spear of lightning into his hand, the air snapping with its power. "This is a real test."
The beast's roar shook dust from the cavern ceiling. It lowered its head and charged.
Kael dove sideways, feeling the wind of its passage brush his skin like a blade. The creature smashed into the wall where he had stood, shattering stone like glass.
"Stay light!" Jorin barked. "Watch its shoulders—its charge will always tell you where it's going!"
Kael landed hard, rolling back to his feet. His dagger shimmered in his hand, trailing faint purple light. The lion-beast turned on him, golden eyes flaring. It lunged again, claws the size of blades swiping low.
Kael shadow-stepped back just in time. The claws tore gouges into the rock where he had been standing.
[Don't run from it,] Nathan said sharply. [Test your blade against its hide. Learn what fails before you learn what works.]
The advice chilled Kael, but he clenched his jaw and darted forward. He slid under the beast's guard and slashed his dagger across its foreleg. Sparks flew as if he'd scraped steel against stone.
The blade cut—but shallowly.
The beast roared, more enraged than hurt, and spun with terrifying speed for its size. Its massive paw struck Kael squarely, sending him crashing into the cavern floor. Pain exploded through his chest, and his vision swam.
"Kael!" Jorin's voice thundered. He hurled his lightning spear, the weapon slamming into the beast's shoulder in a crack of thunder. The creature roared again, staggering for a heartbeat before tearing the weapon free and snapping it in its jaws like a twig.
Kael coughed, blood flecking his lips. His entire body screamed to stay down. But Nathan's voice cut through the haze.
[You felt it, didn't you? The hide resisted—but it bled. That means it can bleed more. Trust the dagger. Trust what's yours.]
Kael forced himself upright, his dagger trembling in his grip. He drew a deep breath, forcing shadow and fire together in his chest. His mark burned hotter, the glow creeping further up his arm.
The lion-beast turned its eyes back on him, snarling.
Kael stepped forward. Not away. Toward.
Jorin's eyes widened slightly at the sight but he said nothing, letting the boy take his stand.
The beast roared again and lunged. Kael didn't dodge this time. He surged forward, sliding past its snapping jaws and driving his dagger into the soft flesh beneath its mane. Purple fire hissed as it bit into muscle. The beast bellowed, rearing back, slamming its paw into the ground with enough force to shake the entire cavern.
Kael was thrown back again, tumbling across the stone, but this time he didn't drop the dagger. He rolled to a crouch, teeth gritted, every muscle alight with pain—but still moving.
The lion-beast lowered its head again, steam rolling from its mouth. The test wasn't over.
It had only just begun.