Solo Leveling: Forceborn

"Power has a price. And sometimes, the cost is more than you can afford."

The cavern was eerily silent after the battle. The scent of blood clung to the air, thick and metallic. Kael could barely lift himself from the ground, his limbs screaming in agony. Every breath felt like knives carving into his ribs.

Allen stood beside the Tyrant's corpse, his entire body trembling. The glow that had once surrounded him was gone, leaving him slumped forward, his sword planted in the ground for support. His breath was ragged, uneven.

Kael turned his aching head. "That power… what was it?"

Allen took a sharp breath, pulling himself up to sitting against the cavern's wall. His face was pale; sweat dripped from his forehead. "It's my ability," he murmured. "I can raise my mana to the next rank for a short time. But there's a price."

Kael frowned. "What price?"

Allen clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "Backlash. After using it, I can't use mana for a while. I become… normal."

Kael's mind reeled. That explained why Allen looked so drained now. Without his mana, he was just a man—wounded, exhausted, and vulnerable. It was a double-edged sword, one that had nearly killed him.

Before Kael could say more, the air in the cavern shifted.

The gate at the far end of the chamber groaned. Not the exit—something else.

Then, it swung open.

A deafening roar erupted from beyond it. Shadows slithered into the chamber, monstrous figures rushing forward with ravenous hunger. Dozens of them. No, hundreds.

Kael's stomach dropped. "Shit."

Allen stumbled to his feet, gripping his sword weakly. His breathing hitched. "We can't fight this. We need to run."

Kael pushed himself up, but his body refused to move fast enough. The injuries from the fight against the Tyrant had drained him completely. His mana reserves were nearly empty, and every muscle in his body burned with fatigue.

The monsters closed in.

Allen gritted his teeth, glancing at Kael. He took a step forward—then stopped. His face twisted with frustration. "Damn it… I can't—"

Kael saw it in his eyes. He wasn't going to help him.

Allen cursed under his breath. He turned and ran toward the gate leading back to the dungeon.

Kael's breath caught in his throat. "Allen! Wait!"

Allen hesitated, just for a second. His fists clenched, his body rigid. Then, without looking back, he muttered, "You're deadweight."

And then he was gone.

Kael's heart pounded in his ears as the monsters swarmed toward him. His mind screamed at his body to move, but exhaustion held him down like chains.

The last thing he saw was the gate slamming shut, locking him inside.

Alone.

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AN: Here's the promised chapter