Into The World Of Living Dungeon And Beast Taming With Special Skill

John allowed himself a slight smirk as he watched Inky and Miki finish off Griselda's panther in a savage display.
"That's what she gets for messing with me and my people," he thought.
Oddly enough, he realized he now thought of Irene, Amel, and Marik as "his people." In a short time, he'd grown attached to them. They were decent, kind-hearted, and didn't deserve the cruelty Griselda had aimed at them. He might not be a hero but he wouldn't stand by and watch decent people suffer.
Irene, Amel, and Marik stared at the mangled remains of the panther, each of them visibly shaken. Amel, recovering her composure first, gave John an awkward thumbs-up, though her face twisted in distaste.
"Not... exactly the prettiest victory, but... thanks," she said, the gratitude in her eyes genuine despite her queasiness.
John nodded with a small smile.
Before anyone could say more, the echo of distant screams and the clash of weapons from within the chamber where Gervas and friend fighting the mad gorilla, reminded them that the danger wasn't over.
John gestured for them to move. "We should get out of here. Now."
They all nodded. With their prize, the rare Emberfruit, clutched safely, they made their way toward the Dungeon's exit, putting the chaos — and Griselda's twisted feeling — behind them.
Meanwhile, Griselda staggered to her knees, her hands clutching her shoulder wound as fresh tears streamed down her face. She stared at her panther's lifeless body that now mutilated and unrecognizable, feeling an ache far deeper than any physical wound.
The connection she shared with her Beast — the bond that had been her anchor — had been ripped away, leaving an emptiness that gnawed at her heart.
She gritted her teeth, sobbing in raw anguish as the pain in her body merged with the hollow ache of her soul.

This was more than just loss; it was a trauma that clawed into her mind that would linger for a long time and festering with resentment and bitterness.
For the first time, Griselda understood true fear and despair, and she knew this feeling would haunt her.
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Meanwhile, John, Irene, Marik, and Amel moved quickly through the dim dungeon tunnel. Their footsteps echoing off the stone as Miki took the lead, sniffing out any sign of danger, while Inky guarded their rear with a watchful, unwavering gaze.
Marik had dismissed his turtle Beast back into his dimension, freeing him to keep pace with the others.
Though they walked quickly, an uneasy silence lingered between them, with both Marik and Irene still processing John's ruthless decision back there.
The image of the mutilated panther gnawed at them, yet they couldn't deny that Griselda had nearly killed Irene. What John had done wasn't something they would have chosen but they recognized the necessity.
They now understood more about John's character — his protective nature and his willingness to go to extremes.
After several uninterrupted minutes, they finally reached the dungeon's exit. As they stepped out into the fresh air, John let out a relieved breath, glancing at his companions with a slight smile.
"Not bad for a first run together, right?" John said.
"Yeah..." Irene replied, her expression still a bit tense but softening as she met his eyes. "It... it was. Thanks for saving me back there, John."
John merely nodded with a small smile. "I hope you don't mind what I did to Griselda's panther. If she and her team survive this, they'll be back, and I needed to weaken them."
Irene took a breath, her eyes filled with conflict. "I understand... I agree with your decision. I couldn't have done it myself, but... I get it."
John studied Irene, seeing the kindness in her eyes. She had a good heart — a soft one, even if she hate Gervas and his team. Her reluctance to harm others was one of the traits that set her apart but he knew it could make her vulnerable in this kind of world they were in.
He gave a nod of understanding, then lifted the Emberfruit in his hand, its warmth pulsing through his fingers. "What do we do with this thing? Feels like it's about to explode."
Amel chuckled, rolling her eyes.
"No, you idiot," she said playfully. "Here, let me show you."
She reached over, her face brightening as she began explaining how to use the Emberfruit.
Amel holding her own fruit carefully. Its fiery red skin pulsed with warmth, and faint embers seemed to dance beneath its surface, giving it a mesmerizing glow.
"Alright, listen up," she began with a grin, her tone slightly playful but serious. "The Emberfruit isn't like any normal fruit. We, human, can't eat this."
She pointed at the center of the fruit, where a faint seam ran along its surface.
"This is the activation point," she explained. "To use it, you press your fingers along this seam and twist, like you're breaking open a nut. But once you do, be ready — it releases an intense heat, like a burst of pure energy. You need to handle it quickly. The energy can be used to strengthen your Beast. But you have to know how to harness it, or it'll just fizzle away."
"You don't eat it. It's meant to be fed to your Beast directly. First, hold the Emberfruit up to your Beast. Let them sniff it, feel its energy. Then, focus on the bond you share with your Beast."
"You're going to channel that energy through your connection. Then, carefully break off a tiny piece of the fruit and place it in your Beast's mouth. They'll absorb its power gradually. Too much, and they might get overwhelmed. But done right, it will increase their strength and resilience significantly."
She glanced over at Miki and Inky, who were watching her intently, sensing something important was happening.
"Just remember," she continued, "the Emberfruit only lasts a short while once it's cut, so don't waste it. It's precious, and you won't come across one easily."
With a smile, Amel added, "I'd start with a small piece tonight—your Beasts have earned it after that fight. Just make sure they're calm and resting; the Emberfruit's effects are more potent when they're relaxed."
John nodded in understanding. Then they go back to the town, he can't wait to feed this fruits to his Beast.
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