Chapter 15 — The Ruins' Secret
The underground tunnels were colder than expected.
A damp smell of moss and decay filled the narrow paths as the squad moved with careful steps.
Their boots echoed faintly — a sound that set everyone on edge.
Lux kept checking the map given by Instructor Irina.
Synoh stayed close to him, eyes sharp and senses focused.
There were strange scratches along the walls — claw marks, deep and fresh.
"Everyone stay sharp," Lux whispered.
Suddenly, the group stopped.
A strange mist was leaking out from a crack ahead.
Fel, speaking only in Synoh's mind, warned:
"Dark magic… Stronger than before."
Lux stared at the mist with a grim expression.
"This is it," he muttered. "The corruption source."
He turned to the squad.
"Remember the command. See anything strange, fall back immediately. Don't act alone."
Everyone nodded firmly, this time fully serious after Claire, Hugo, and Lira's deaths.
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The Tension Breaks
As they advanced, the mist grew thicker.
A chilling howl echoed from deep within the tunnels.
Something was waiting.
Lux gave silent hand signals — split into two groups, flank from left and right.
Synoh led one group, Lux the other.
Synoh's heart beat faster.
He trusted Lux — but this place was unnatural.
"Synoh," Fel whispered, "be ready."
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The Ambush
As Lux's group circled the mist, something exploded out of it — a massive mutated beast, skin pale and stretched, eyes burning red!
"AMBUSH!!" Lux shouted.
The beast swung its massive claws. Yuta barely dodged, but Marcus took a heavy blow, sent flying into the wall.
"Stick to the plan!" Lux ordered sharply.
Synoh rushed forward, sword dancing like a shadow, cutting at the beast's legs to slow it down.
Edward and Mina fired spells and arrows to cover them.
The team fought bravely — but this enemy wasn't ordinary.
It regenerated its wounds.
Lux cursed under his breath.
"It's feeding from the dark magic."
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A Costly Mistake
Marcus and Emily, in fear and panic, broke formation.
Despite Lux's earlier threat, they rushed forward to help Yuta, who was pinned under falling debris.
"STOP!!" Lux roared.
But they didn't listen.
The beast swung again — faster than expected.
Marcus and Emily were caught in a sweeping blow that crushed them against the walls.
Blood splattered across the stone.
Yuta screamed — but Synoh grabbed him and pulled him back.
"No heroes. No legends," Synoh whispered, remembering Lux's words.
Lux's face twisted in grief — but he forced himself to stay calm.
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The Retreat
"We can't win here!" Lux shouted. "Retreat!! Everyone, now!"
Synoh and Edward helped carry Yuta as they escaped the tunnels, bloodied but alive.
The beast roared behind them but didn't pursue past the ruins.
It seemed bound to the dark magic within the place.
Outside, under the gray skies, Lux finally let his hands tremble.
Three more deaths.
Three more names burned into his heart.
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End of Chapter 15