Chapter 15: Baptism Beneath the Tracks

The sun had barely risen when Sang-Hyun stepped into the shadow of the abandoned subway entrance. The iron bars hung loosely from their hinges, twisted and rusted like the gate hadn't been touched in years. Graffiti clung to the walls like scars, and the scent of mold and dust filled the still air.

Kaelira stood at his side, arms folded, her crimson-gold eyes scanning the structure ahead with a wary precision. The shimmer of a gate flickered just beyond the darkness—barely visible, but unmistakable. The swirling blue vortex that was the gate seemed like any normal gate. But that what seemed almost unnerving about it. He had gotten such a bad feeling about it, and even now when he approached it something told him to be on his guard.

Lysara adjusted her satchel and tapped a sensing rune against her palm, letting it float just above her fingertips. Her expression tightened as the rune began to pulse wildly.

"That's not D-rank mana," she muttered. "This thing's bloated."

Sang exhaled slowly. The White Flame stirred in his chest—slower than normal, but heavier. Focused. It wasn't chaotic, more like it was anticipating the combat they would experience in there.

The System responded a moment later.

[Unstable Mana Detected – Dungeon Origin: Inconclusive]

[Traces of Monarchial Residue Present]

Sang squinted into the gateway. "Guess it's good that I didn't undertake this gate when I first saw it. Just got a notification that apparently it has traces of Monarchial Residue."

Kaelira tilted her head, her tone cooler than usual. "A monarch? Then we need to be ready for anything."

"Understood." Sang looked down at Emberfang, the blade glowing faintly against his back. "And if I can't handle this, I'm not ready for the Spire either."

Kaelira stepped toward the gateway, heat pulsing faintly around her. "Strange, this gate should have broken by now. If what you say is true Sang then it has been more than long enough for it to have broken and released creatures into this world. Yet it hasn't."

Lysara's rune flickered again. "Hmmm. It seems that something is keeping it from breaking. Hard to say what."

Sang drew Emberfang and Ashen Echo. The swords came alive with a low hum, the White Flame coiling around their spines as he held one in each hand, one being a long sword and the other being a short sword. "Then we go in. Keep your eyes sharp, and don't let your guard down."

Kaelira nodded once. "We move as one. Call out anything that feels wrong."

They stepped through together.

Crossing into the dungeon felt strange. He immediately felt multiple presences of Mana thanks to his Flame Sensory. But they were far higher than any D-Rank dungeon. Each one felt like a C-rank boss, maybe worse. B-rank, at least. Meaning they were most likely in some kind of B-rank dungeon.

There was no city, no light. Just sprawling caverns of iron and stone, overtaken by gnarled roots and jagged rocks. The remains of the subway line were there—barely. Steel rails bent like claws, and tile had long since been overtaken by claw marks and scorched residue.

The air was thick with mana. And a lot of it to say the least.

Kaelira inhaled through her nose. "These were war-beasts' tunnels."

"Beasts?" Sang echoed.

"Used during Baran's campaigns. Underground deployments. I thought these places were gone."

A sharp snap echoed through the tunnels. Then a growl—low, guttural, primal. Not just one. Several.

Lysara's eyes narrowed. "They're circling already."

Sang's grip tightened around Emberfang. The White Flame pulsed eagerly.

"Seems like they aren't happy we entered their lair." he said, almost to himself.

And from the darkness, the first set of eyes gleamed.

The hunt had begun.

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The growls grew louder as the group moved deeper into the tunnel system. Every step echoed strangely, the air charged with mana so thick it nearly vibrated. Sang took the lead, dual blades in hand, every sense on high alert.

The corridor twisted into a wide chamber, cracked and open like a broken ribcage. The shadows shifted. Then, they lunged.

The beasts were unlike anything found in modern dungeons. Massive, sinewy creatures with bone-plated hides and glowing orange eyes. Some had remnants of harnesses still fused to their bodies—war-beasts, just like Kaelira said. Forgotten weapons of a forgotten Monarch.

Sang barely had time to call out before the first one was on him. He spun, Flame Stepping sideways as Emberfang bit into its side, searing through armor and muscle. The scent of scorched fur filled the air.

Kaelira intercepted another with a sweeping arc of flame, her blade clashing with the creature's claws in a burst of heat. The beast roared, but she didn't yield.

"Hold position!" Sang shouted. "We need to stay together!"

Lysara responded with a burst of sigils, casting one at Sang's feet. A bright orange glyph flared beneath him, boosting his next step with a surge of force. He leapt towards another beast, carving through one of its legs, then pivoting into a defensive stance.

The beasts weren't dumb. They circled, tested their defenses, worked in pairs. And they were fast.

Sang's heart pounded. Not from panic—but from focus. This was the kind of pressure that made his instincts sharp.

One of the war-beasts pounced from above, jaws wide. Sang didn't think—he reacted. Flame Step snapped him forward under its arc, and he slashed upward with Emberfang, catching it mid-air. The beast howled as it crumpled to the ground, twitching.

[EXP Gained – Level Up: 15 → 16]

The surge of power hit fast, washing over him with burning clarity. His flame pulsed in sync.

"They're not attacking us randomly." Kaelira shouted, parrying another. "They're a pack—coordinated."

"Then we break the alpha!" Sang called back.

He spotted the largest beast—broader, more scarred, directing the others with growls and snarls. Its mane was scorched black, its eyes nearly glowing red.

"Lysara—sigil on me. Now!"

She cast quickly, sending a streak of flame-etched symbols that wrapped around his limbs, amplifying his speed.

Sang charged. The alpha turned just in time to meet him. Claws slashed. Sang ducked low, Flame Stepping past its reach, dragging Emberfang deep across its ribs. Ashen Echo followed, piercing through the beast's hide.

The alpha shrieked and stumbled. Kaelira didn't hesitate—she closed the distance and slammed her blade through its spine.

The rest of the pack hesitated.

Then, as if sensing the shift, they scattered—retreating into the dark.

Sang's breath came in sharp bursts, but he didn't lower his blades. Not yet.

Kaelira exhaled and wiped her blade clean. "You led well."

He blinked, caught off guard. "Thanks, but I think there is still a lot I can improve on."

"Maybe. But you still did well." she said.

The White Flame burned steady within him.

They moved forward—deeper into the war-beasts' domain, where legacy waited in every shadow.

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Their steps echoed deeper now, muffled only by the twisted roots and cracked stone that swallowed the remnants of the old subway system. As they pushed forward, the tunnels widened again—unnaturally.

Something had torn the stone apart, carved the chamber ahead into a den, but not one made for comfort. Bones littered the floor, most shattered or claw-marked. Some still had scorched flesh clinging to them.

Kaelira slowed to a stop, her eyes narrowing. "Seems like that was just the warm up." she muttered. "A scouting party maybe? Testing us to see if we were a threat."

"Makes sense. They weren't acting like wild animals." Sang said. "They were clearly following orders."

Before either woman could answer, the air shifted.

From the far end of the chamber, a low, guttural growl rumbled through the darkness. Then a pair of crimson eyes lit up like embers, followed by the hulking frame of a massive war-beast stepping into view.

Twice the size of the others, its body was covered in deep scars and cracked bone plating. Its mane was wild, streaked with blackened soot and threads of iron. Broken, rusted armor hung from its shoulders like trophies.

"A Fanghorn Alpha." Kaelira whispered, her grip tightening on her sword. "I haven't seen one of these since the Third Flamefront."

It let out a roar that shook the walls, and the sigils on Lysara's belt flickered violently in response.

"Seems like we will have to fight." she said grimly.

Sang's flame surged. It didn't tremble—it burned hot with recognition.

"Let's end this." he said, and charged.

The Alpha moved like a blur despite its size, swiping with claws reinforced by jagged steel. Sang Flame Stepped low, gliding beneath the first strike, then brought Emberfang across its flank—but the blow barely staggered it. His blade grinding upon it's skin like it was made of steel.

Kaelira followed up with a sweeping arc of flame, catching its side, while Lysara flung a barrage of sigils to pin its feet. The beast growled, shook them loose, and lunged at her.

Sang intercepted it mid-leap, slamming shoulder-first into its ribs. Sang sent it crashing to the ground as it snarled at him. Sang rolled his shoulder as it really stung, like he had just rammed into a steel beam. But it was clear the Alpha had felt that one.

The Alpha sprang back faster than expected and let out a screeching howl that sent a ripple of mana through the room. Sang's flame flickered inside him as if reacting to some forgotten signal.

"Don't let it howl again!" Kaelira barked.

"I'm on it!" Sang shouted, dashing forward.

He pushed harder this time, Flame Stepping twice in rapid bursts, appearing at the Alpha's side before it could recover. He slashed high, then low—trying to force an opening. The Alpha blocked with one claw, but its movement had slowed.

"Lysara—root it!" he shouted.

A sigil detonated beneath the Alpha's hindlegs, locking it in place for a second—just long enough.

Kaelira moved in from behind, her blade igniting bright as a sunflare. She drove it deep into the beast's exposed spine.

The Alpha screamed. Sang didn't hesitate—he followed up with a flaming thrust through its neck, managing to pierce it. The beast convulsed, then dropped.

[EXP Gained – Level Up: 16 → 17]

The chamber fell silent except for their ragged breaths. The flame inside Sang steadied, warm and proud.

Kaelira approached the Alpha's body, examining a rusted collar around its neck. Her brow furrowed.

"This insignia," she muttered. "This was a chosen beast. This was a servant of the Beast Monarch. Explains the strange mana."

Sang stared at the body. "So some of his remaining followers were hiding out here."

He sheathed Emberfang slowly. "Well that explains why the dungeon didn't break. They didn't want to leave."

Lysara kicked at a fallen fang with her boot. "And based on the dungeon not beginning to collapse. This wasn't the boss."

They shared a glance.

And then they moved on.

The real trial still waited ahead.

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After the battle with the Fanghorn Alpha, the trio found a temporary refuge in a broken maintenance tunnel. Part of the ceiling had collapsed, forming a natural alcove tucked away from the larger chambers. Lysara lit a soft flame from a sigil embedded in the floor, and its glow flickered gently over their tired faces.

Sang leaned back against the stone, letting the cool surface ease the sting in his shoulder. He stared into the flame, not speaking at first. The silence between them was comfortable, if heavy.

Kaelira stood near the entrance, arms folded, her gaze still scanning the dark. She didn't speak either, but her expression wasn't as tense as it had been. It was more... thoughtful.

"They fled," Sang said finally. "After the one leading them fell they fled like pups."

"That's because they remember." Kaelira replied without looking back. "The old war I mean. The one with the Human. Seems like this batch might be scared of humans to a degree. So seeing one as strong as you take down their leader might give them what you call PTSD."

Lysara sat cross-legged, adjusting her gloves. "Well at least we get a moment to rest. You think the Boss will be tough?"

Sang didn't answer right away. His hand hovered over the flame, letting the warmth sink into his skin. "Most likely. The Dungeon boss is supposed to be the toughest thing in a dungeon. So we will really need to work together to defeat it."

Kaelira turned slightly, finally meeting his gaze. "You've really grown. Your flame isn't flaring wildly anymore. It listens."

He smirked. "Yeah. I think I am actually improving with it."

"It's not just your mastery with it that's improving. It's your relationship with your flame." she said simply. "It trusts you now."

That silenced him more than anything else could have.

Lysara glanced up, curious. "That... matters?"

Kaelira nodded. "The White Flame isn't just power. It has memory, will. It's what made Baran so feared, even for a monarch, and what makes you unpredictable. It responds best to those who earn it."

Sang exhaled, the weight of that truth settling in. "I'm starting to feel like my stats don't tell the whole story."

"They don't," Kaelira said. "From what I gather, they only tell a portion of what you are truly capable of."

A low rumble passed through the floor. Not an attack—just a reminder.

"There's more," Lysara said, standing.

Sang followed, drawing Emberfang again. "Yeah. And I think they are ready for us now."

They moved back into formation and began moving through the corridors, the firelight behind them fading, the flame within burning steady.

What waited ahead wasn't just stronger—it was watching.

And it had waited long enough.

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They didn't speak as they approached the final chamber.

The air was different—heavier, almost paralyzing. The stone walls were no longer rough-hewn but intricately carved, with images of monstrous beasts locked in combat, etched in fading gold and crimson. It didn't feel like a dungeon. It felt like a tomb. A battlefield. A throne room.

At the far end, curled atop a broken stone dais, lay The Devourer.

Massive. Ancient. Still breathing.

Its hide was a patchwork of scars, burned plates, and horned ridges. Blackened chains, snapped at both ends, dragged behind it like forgotten titles. Its eyes opened—one cloudy, the other burning with mana. It saw them. Not as intruders. But as challengers.

Kaelira slowed. "This one seems to believe we are a challenge."

Lysara raised her sigils, breath steady. "Then let's show him that we are more than just challengers."

Sang didn't hesitate. "Formation. We do this together."

The Devourer moved with terrifying speed for something so large. It surged from the dais in a blur of weight and fury. The ground cracked beneath its paws. Its claws slashed through the air, tearing apart loose debris like paper.

Kaelira moved first, intercepting the beast mid-charge. Her blade met its hide with a burst of flame, but the blow barely slowed it. The Devourer retaliated, swiping wide. She ducked under the swing, rolled, and came up with a flame-lined slash across its back.

Lysara launched a sequence of sigils, illuminating the air around them in arcs of burning light. "Sang, you're up!"

Sang charged through the spell-lit space, Flame-Stepping between impact points as the beast shifted focus to him. He slashed across its flank—then again at the legs—each strike drawing shallow wounds but not stopping it. The Devourer's hide was thick. Reinforced by mana and what felt like steel.

It roared, a thunderous cry that shook the chamber and knocked stones loose from the ceiling. The force knocked Sang backward, skidding across the stone. He coughed, tasting copper.

"It only roared and still nearly sent me flying. What terrifying power." He spat.

Kaelira grunted as she took another hit, flames lashing around her as she tanked the creature's full weight.

"Yeah. It hits hard too." she muttered, gritting her teeth.

The Devourer reared back, preparing another strike. Its eyes locked on Lysara.

"Lysara, move!" Sang shouted.

Too late. The beast lunged.

Lysara flung herself sideways as Sang Flame-Stepped across the space, intercepting the charge with a rising slash while Kaelira met him with a downward slash. Emberfang and Kaelira's blade clanged against horn and scale, stopping the creature's full momentum—but barely.

They landed in a heap. Sang rolled, gasping.

"Keep it distracted!" Kaelira shouted, already up and now flanking the beast. "Lysara—ground it!"

Glyphs surged beneath the Devourer's feet. It buckled for a breath—just long enough.

Sang felt the flame surge inside him. Not wild. Not uncertain. Focused.

He leapt.

Kaelira mirrored him. Their blades struck as one—Sang from the front, Kaelira from behind. Emberfang carved deep into the beast's chest. Kaelira's blade pierced through its back.

The Devourer howled. Once. Twice.

Then collapsed in a crash of ash, chain, and breathless silence.

The chamber fell into stillness, the only sound their ragged breaths.

What remained of the chamber barely resembled the battlefield it had been moments before. Smoke drifted from the beast's wounds, and ash coated the floor like snowfall. The Sovereign Devourer lay still—massive, silent, final.

Sang stood at its side, chest rising and falling with quiet breaths. Emberfang was still lit, though the White Flame had calmed—no longer wild, but reverent.

[Gate Classification Corrected: B-Rank Equivalent]

[Level Up Complete – Current Level: 20]

[Flame Resonance Threshold Reached – 60%]

[Flame Control: Tier 2 Unlocked]

The notifications echoed one after the other in Sang's vision, but none surprised him. He could feel it—the change. The control.

A faint glow pulsed from the boss's remains. Sang knelt beside it, reaching out instinctively. What remained of the Sovereign Devourer yielded a few pieces, gently glowing in his hands.

Loot Acquired:

Fang of Obedience (Relic) – Increases control and aggression in Flame Step. Slight aura of dominance vs. beast-type enemies.

Smoldering Talon Core (Weapon Component) – Unlocks Talon Strike when fused with Emberfang. Minor MAG scaling increase.

Beast Monarch Crest Fragment (Lore Item) – Inert relic. Meaning currently unknown.

Kaelira crouched beside him, her gaze fixed on the fang. "That was no mindless monster. This thing followed the Beast Monarch willingly. But it was also a warrior, wanting a warriors death."

Sang nodded slowly. "Then I guess it found what it was wanting."

Lysara moved past them, already scouting ahead. "Tunnel's beginning to weaken. Time to move."

Kaelira stood, glancing one last time at the fallen beast. "The past isn't dead. It's buried. And now it's waking up."

Sang sheathed Emberfang and turned toward the exit.

He didn't look back.

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