After leaving the gruesome scene of the goblin slaughter, Kosu and his team ventured deeper into the interconnected caves of the goblin nest. However, an unsettling silence filled the air. Despite the labyrinthine passages and the remnants of goblin life, they encountered no living creatures—no goblins, no sounds, nothing.

"It's too quiet," Elara muttered, her voice echoing through the dark tunnels. "Where did they all go?"

Kosu exchanged worried glances with Thrain and Kara. "It doesn't feel right. We should stay on guard."

As they navigated through the twists and turns of the cave system, Kosu couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. But the absence of any living goblins only deepened his unease. After what felt like an eternity, they finally emerged from the caves.

Stepping into the open air, they found themselves standing at the edge of a massive ruin, the stone structures looming ominously against the sky. The architecture was ancient, with crumbling walls covered in vines and moss. It was clear that this place had been untouched for ages, yet it radiated a sense of power.

"Is this... the center of the dungeon?" Kara asked, her eyes wide with awe and trepidation.

Kosu nodded slowly. "Yes. Thorn's team started in the north, and we started in the south. This must be where the dungeon core resides." He took a deep breath, the weight of their discovery settling heavily on his shoulders. "If we can find the core and destroy it, we might be able to halt the spawn rate of monsters inside this dungeon—our initial mission."

With a renewed sense of purpose, they ventured into the ruins. The air grew thick with the scent of damp stone and ancient magic. As they navigated the hallways, they encountered various traps—spiked pits, swinging blades, and magical wards. Each obstacle tested their skills and teamwork, but they managed to bypass each one, their focus unwavering.

Finally, they descended to the lowest floor of the ruins, the atmosphere growing heavier with each step. The light from their torches flickered ominously, casting long shadows that danced along the walls.

As they reached the final chamber, the sight before them stole their breath away. Kosu rushed forward, his heart sank at the sight of Thorn sprawled on the cold stone floor, battered and bruised. He knelt beside his friend, shaking him gently. "Thorn! Can you hear me?"

Thorn's eyes fluttered open briefly, but they were filled with pain, and he couldn't muster a response. His pale face was marred by deep gashes and bruises, and it was clear he was in critical condition.

"We need to help him!" Kosu shouted, urgency flooding his voice. He quickly turned to his team. "Kara, Thrain, we have to stabilize him!"

Leaving Thorn in their care, Kosu pulled out his handheld device, desperately trying to connect with Sakura. "Sakura, come in!" he called, but the static buzzed back at him, unyielding. Frustration boiled within him; rage threatened to overtake his senses.

"Calm down, Kosu," Thrain said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get him through this. We just need to focus."

Taking a deep breath, Kosu forced himself to look away from Thorn for a moment. As he surveyed the chamber, he noticed the remnants of a fierce battle that had taken place here. The stone floor was scoured with deep claw marks and slashes, evidence of an enormous monster having fought with relentless ferocity.

Glancing closer, he saw traces of Thorn's wind magic swirling in the air—a faint shimmer that lingered like a ghost of the spell he had cast. The air felt charged, a testament to the power that had once filled this room.

"Look at this," Kosu said, pointing out the signs of conflict. "Whatever attacked him was massive. These claw marks are far too large for any goblin."

Thrain examined the marks closely, his brow furrowed. "And look at the way the stone is chipped and cracked. This wasn't just a skirmish; it was a full-on battle."

Kara, still tending to Thorn, glanced up. "What kind of creature could do this?"

Kosu's gaze returned to Thorn, and his heart sank further at the sight of his friend's wounds. Deep lacerations crisscrossed Thorn's arms and torso, some so severe that the flesh was nearly torn apart. Blood pooled around him, a stark contrast against the gray stone floor, and his breathing came in ragged gasps.

"Thorn..." Kosu whispered, feeling a swelling of anger and helplessness. "We'll find whoever did this."

He turned back to the traces of the battle, piecing together what had happened. The ground was littered with remnants of shattered stone and debris, as if a great force had collided with the walls. The air still felt tense, thick with the echoes of magic and violence.

"This was no ordinary fight," Kosu said, clenching his fists. "Whatever did this is still out there, and we need to be ready."

Thrain nodded, his expression grim. "We'll make sure Thorn is safe first. Then we'll hunt down whatever did this to him."

With careful hands, Kosu and his team worked tirelessly to stabilize Thorn's condition. After administering healing potions and using their magic, they watched as Thorn's breathing gradually steadied. His eyes fluttered open, revealing the familiar spark of determination, though shadowed by pain.

"Kosu?" Thorn's voice was weak, but it carried a weight of urgency. "What happened?"

Kosu knelt beside him, concern etched on his face. "We found you here, Thorn. You were attacked. Can you tell us what happened?"

Thorn's expression shifted, a flicker of conflict crossing his features. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, as if grappling with the memories. "It was... chaotic. There was a creature... and the machine. I tried to warn the others, but..." His voice trailed off, frustration mingling with pain.

"Thorn, we need to know," Kosu pressed gently. "What did you see? Who attacked you?"

"Listen," Thorn said, his tone suddenly intense. "You need to destroy the core. Finish the mission and leave this dungeon as soon as you can. I promise I'll explain everything once we're safe outside."

Kosu felt a knot of doubt form in his stomach. "I don't know if I can just walk away without understanding what happened, Thorn."

"Please," Thorn insisted, his voice strained. "Just trust me. The core is the source of all this darkness. If you destroy it, you'll stop the madness—at least for a time. I'll tell you everything after you're out."

Despite his reservations, Kosu nodded. "Alright. We'll destroy the core."

As they prepared to move toward the core's pedestal, a sudden commotion echoed through the chamber. The air shifted, and a figure emerged from the shadows—tall and imposing, with a commanding presence. He was a young Rottweiler man, perhaps in his twenties, with a rugged appearance and piercing eyes that held an unsettling intensity.

Kosu's instincts flared. "Who are you?" he demanded, stepping forward protectively.

The man smirked, seemingly unfazed by the tension in the room. "Just a visitor," he replied casually. "But I've come for something very important."

Before they could react, the man lunged forward, his hand outstretched toward the core. In a swift motion, he grasped the glowing orb and pulled it free, the energy swirling violently around him.

"Hey! Stop!" Kosu shouted, but it was too late. The man raised the core high, and in an instant, the air crackled with energy.

Kosu felt his heart drop as the man began to transform. His body twisted and grew, muscles rippling and fur sprouting as he morphed into a colossal werewolf-like entity. The creature towered over them, a fearsome blend of man and beast, exuding raw power.

"Get ready!" Thrain shouted, stepping forward, ready to defend his team. But before they could react, Thorn's voice cut through the chaos.

"Stop! It's Ken!" Thorn gasped, his eyes wide with alarm. "He's not our enemy!"

Kosu froze, caught between his instinct to fight and the shocking revelation. "What do you mean? He just stole the core!"

"Ken... he's one of us," Thorn explained hurriedly, struggling to sit up despite his injuries. "He was part of my team. We thought he was killed, but he is still alive. We need to talk to him!"

The werewolf form of Ken paused, his golden eyes locking onto Thorn. In that moment, the tension hung thick in the air, uncertainty swirling around them. Kosu's heart raced as he weighed the gravity of Thorn's words against the danger that loomed before them.