Read The Fleshbound :: Into The Depth

Season 2, Chapter 2

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Scene 1: Outside the Dungeon Gate

(The shimmering barrier looms ahead, faint waves of mana pulsating outward. Shalini grabs Agilan’s arm, her face pale with fear.)

Shalini: (desperately)

"Agilan, don’t do this! This isn’t like you. You’re not some trained hunter. What if you get hurt—or worse?"

Agilan: (sternly)

"I don’t have a choice, Shalini. Something is pulling me toward it. I can’t just ignore it."

Shalini: (tightening her grip)

"Then fight it! We can tell the police or wait for the hunters to come out. Please, don’t do this!"

(Before Agilan can respond, Vinod sneaks closer to the shimmering barrier, his curiosity getting the better of him.)

Vinod: (whispering to himself)

"Whoa... it’s like it’s calling me. Just one look. I’ll be fine..."

(He steps closer, his fingers brushing the barrier. Suddenly, the shimmering surface pulls him in. A loud whoosh echoes as the crowd gasps in horror.)

Shalini: (screaming)

"Vinod! No!"

(Agilan doesn’t hesitate. He strides toward the barrier.)

Shalini: (panicking)

"Agilan, stop! You can’t go in there! Please!"

Agilan: (without turning back)

"I’m not leaving him behind."

(Agilan steps into the barrier. Shalini stands frozen for a moment, tears streaming down her face. After a few seconds of indecision, she steels herself and follows him inside.)

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Scene 2: Inside the Dungeon

(The inside of the dungeon is vast and oppressive. The air is heavy with mana, and the landscape is surreal—twisted trees, glowing stones, and a dark sky. Agilan stands still, his senses heightened.)

Agilan: (quietly)

"It’s a dungeon."

(He closes his eyes as his system interface activates.)

System Notification:

"Vitalis Perception Activated. Searching..."

(Agilan’s vision shifts. He sees faint trails of energy leading in multiple directions. A distant scream pierces the silence—it’s Vinod.)

Agilan: (gritting his teeth)

"He’s close, but something else is here too."

(As he moves cautiously through the dungeon, he suddenly senses someone approaching him from behind. Instinctively, he whirls around and grabs the figure by the neck. It’s Shalini.)

Shalini: (gasping, terrified)

"Agilan! It’s me! Let go!"

(Agilan releases her immediately, stepping back in shock.)

Agilan: (apologetically)

"Shalini, I’m sorry... I thought—"

Shalini: (tears in her eyes)

"You thought I was a monster? I told you not to come here, and now I’m here too. What are we doing, Agilan?"

Agilan: (sighing)

"I’m trying to save Vinod. You shouldn’t have followed me."

Shalini: (firmly)

"And you shouldn’t have come alone. If you think I’m just going to leave you here, you’re wrong."

(A distant scream interrupts their argument. It’s Vinod again, this time louder and more desperate.)

Agilan: (gritting his teeth)

"Stay close to me. Let’s move."

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Scene 3: Finding Vinod

(Agilan activates Vitalis Perception again. Trails of energy glow brighter, leading him toward Vinod’s location. He grabs Shalini’s hand, and the two of them run through the twisted terrain.)

Shalini: (blushing but out of breath)

"Do you... always run this fast?"

Agilan: (focused)

"I don’t know. Just keep up."

(They find Vinod crouched behind a rock, trembling. A massive shadow looms in the distance—a magic beast is tearing through the dungeon. It’s a towering, wolf-like creature with crimson eyes and jagged black fur.)

Agilan: (yelling)

"Vinod! Are you okay?"

Vinod: (shaking)

"I... I’m fine, but those hunters—they’re in trouble!"

(In the distance, the South Korean B-rank hunters are locked in combat with the magic beast. Two hunters are already injured, and the others are struggling to keep the monster at bay.)

Hunter 1: (shouting)

"Keep it distracted! Its mana is off the charts!"

Hunter 2: (wounded, coughing)

"We need backup... or we’re done for."

Shalini: (grabbing Agilan’s arm)

"Agilan, you can’t fight that thing! It’s too strong!"

Agilan: (calmly, without looking at her)

"Stay here with Vinod. I’ll handle this."

Shalini: (pleading)

"Be careful... please."

(Agilan steps forward, his system interface glowing brightly.)

(Agilan smirks faintly, his eyes glowing as he utters the word.)