Kaela gritted her teeth, clutching her wounded arm.
Damn it… it hurts. This is definitely a dark attribute… she thought. I could counter it with my light attribute, but if he's hiding more elements, I might not stand a chance.
Then a risky thought crept in. Wait… what if he's a demon? If that's true, then he should only be able to control one or maybe two attributes. It's a gamble… but I don't have a choice.
Her ice blade began to melt in her grip. A radiant glow formed around her hand—light magic, brilliant and pure.
The masked figure flinched. "L-Light attribute? Tch… I didn't think anyone in this dungeon would have that kind of power."
Kaela smirked. "You really are a demon, aren't you?"
The figure paused for a moment, then chuckled darkly. "Congratulations. You figured it out. As a reward, I'll give you my name—I'm Kiro. Nice to meet you… lady."
---
Back to Taro—
Taro was on the defensive, barely keeping up. Every time he tried to strike back, a blow from below would catch him off guard.
I can't move… I can't attack… What the hell am I supposed to do?
Suddenly, flames exploded around him. He activated his elemental trait—Hell Gates. The mud binding his legs began to shift and boil under the intensity of his flames.
His opponent blinked in surprise—only to find Taro already in front of him, hand gripping his face.
"Boom," Taro muttered.
A fiery blast erupted from his palm, blasting the enemy back and shattering his mask. Taro's eyes widened. The man had horns.
"You… You're a demon?! What business do you have with Rin?!"
The demon scowled, flames licking his cloak. "None of your damn business. You're going to die here—and today, I'll make sure of it."
---
Back to Rin—
Rin clashed fists with the leader. Sparks flew. He spun midair, aiming a kick, but the leader dodged easily and countered with a strike to Rin's stomach.
"Ugh!" Rin staggered, but pushed himself back up.
Suddenly, he sensed the leader at his left—too late to dodge. He blocked with his left arm.
A crack echoed.
"AGH—it hurts… it fucking hurts!"
The leader grabbed Rin by the neck, lifting him effortlessly. "You did quite well… Now, let's go."
But Rin only smirked.
"All of this… was just a setup."
Lightning surged from his body. High-voltage sparks snaked along the leader's arms and torso. The demon shrieked—not from fire, but raw electricity frying his nerves.
"You're a demon, alright. But to think you'd be this weak? Pathetic," Rin spat.
Half of the leader's robe burned away—exposing a strange mark on his arm.
Rin's eyes locked onto it.
That same burning symbol… from my dreams. From the first time lightning struck the sky in front of me…
"That symbol…" he whispered. "I've seen it before… in my dreams…"
"You remember it now, huh?" the leader said. "I can feel it—the seal on your memories is starting to break."
His tone dropped low, serious.
"Boy… no—you have to come with us."
Kaela, still breathing hard, stood shakily with her glowing hand raised. Taro, bloodied but burning, looked toward Rin without backing down.
...
To be continued...