The dungeon swallowed them whole.
The air was damp, heavy with the smell of moss and rotting stone, every torchlit shadow whispering danger. Kael walked just behind Prince Eryndor, whose radiant steel armor caught the torchlight like a beacon of privilege. Around them, the rest of the prince's chosen allies moved with casual confidence, their summons padding beside them—majestic, rare creatures that seemed to sneer silently at Kael's small, ember-hued companion.
Kael's Fire Spirit floated loyally at his side, no larger than a man's forearm, flickering and wavering like a candle flame. It wasn't much, not compared to the prince's Silverfang Wolf or Serin's Sapphire Hawk, but its warmth never wavered.
The group's boots echoed against stone as they advanced.
The first monsters struck quickly. From cracks in the wall emerged half a dozen Stone Rats, their bodies covered in jagged shale, eyes glowing faintly. They darted forward with screeches, their claws sparking against stone.
"Child's play," scoffed Serin, raising her staff. Her hawk shrieked and launched a lance of compressed wind, slicing one rat in half before it touched the ground.
Prince Eryndor drew his blade, its edge glowing faint gold with a blessing enchantment. "Frontline, forward. Crush them."
The Silverfang Wolf lunged with frightening speed, fangs glowing with mana as it tore two rats apart in seconds.
Kael's fists tightened. He couldn't afford to stand idle.
"Flare Shot!" he commanded.
The Fire Spirit pulsed, gathering a small ember at its core before launching it forward. The shot hit one of the rats square in the chest, igniting its rocky hide and forcing it to roll and screech in flames. The others turned on Kael immediately, recognizing weakness.
Two rats scurried toward him, claws ready. Kael grit his teeth and sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a slash that tore through his sleeve.
"Burn them back!"
The spirit glowed brighter, spinning once before releasing a burst of flame in a cone, searing both rats. Their screeches echoed, but they still lunged again, desperate.
Before Kael could move, a spear of ice pierced one clean through. The other was stomped under the boot of Gareth, the prince's knight.
"Keep up, commoner," Gareth sneered, resting the spear on his shoulder. "Don't drag us down."
Kael swallowed his words. His Fire Spirit drifted closer, its ember-like body pulsing faintly as if to reassure him.
The battles only grew harder as they descended.
Packs of Chitin Beetles swarmed the tunnels, their shells clattering like steel plates. Kael's Fire Spirit became their bane, its fire searing through hardened exoskeletons while the others cut them down.
Once, when a beetle nearly caught Serin from behind, Kael's spirit darted forward on its own, flaring into a streak of fire that blasted the creature back. For a brief moment, Serin's cold, noble mask cracked—her eyes widened, just slightly.
Still, none voiced respect. The Fire Spirit remained a "common summon," an oddity in a group filled with rare creatures.
Hours passed, their torches burning low. Kael's body ached, but he felt something shift deep inside him with each clash, each surge of survival. A warmth spread through his veins, familiar yet thrilling.
He knew the feeling well—his level had risen.
After the skirmishes, Kael checked himself quietly, away from the others. His strength, reflexes, even endurance felt sharper than before.
Strength +2
Agility +1
Endurance +2
Intelligence +1
That was after his first level up.
The second and third battles deep within the tunnels honed him further. By the time they neared the final floor, Kael had gained three more levels—his body no longer the frail shell he had entered with.
Level 2 Gains: Strength +2, Endurance +1, Agility +1
Level 3 Gains: Strength +1, Endurance +2, Intelligence +1
Level 4 Gains: Strength +2, Agility +2
By the time they reached the boss chamber doors, Kael's breathing was steady, his steps firm. His Fire Spirit pulsed brighter too, its flickers sharper, stronger. Together, they had survived.
The party halted before the massive iron gates, carved with sigils that shimmered faintly in the torchlight. Behind them, the guttural roars of something massive echoed.
The prince turned, voice calm and commanding. "This is the final chamber. Stay sharp."
Kael, however, lingered behind, heart racing. Now was the time. He hadn't used his free allocation yet.
He pulled up his status.
Name: Kael ArdynLevel: 4Strength: 16Agility: 13Endurance: 15Intelligence: 12Free Attribute Points: 20
He exhaled slowly. Twenty points to place—his chance to shape himself before what came next.
The prince and his party waited at the massive gate, their summons ready, confidence unshaken.
Kael's fingers tightened. This boss would decide everything.
And he refused to falter.