Leaving the guildmaster's office, the group sank into a heavy silence. News of the A-class mission hung in the air like a storm cloud, thick with unspoken fears of the dangers lurking within the newly discovered dungeon.
"An A-class mission now?" Gregor muttered, brow furrowed. "This doesn't sit right. I can't join you—my wife's giving birth today."
Disappointment coiled in Amelia's chest. Gregor's combat skills were irreplaceable, and losing him left a gaping hole in their team.
"Understood," she replied, steadying her voice. "Then Lyra, Garath, Gareth, and Alex will handle it."
Lyra shook her head, her expression unreadable. "I can't go either. Urgent matters in the city."
Amelia stiffened. "Urgent matters?" Suspicion sharpened her tone.
Lyra avoided her gaze. "It can't wait. You understand, don't you?"
The sudden defections left Amelia with only the twins, Garath and Gareth. Skilled as they were, their inexperience with A-class dungeons—infamous for traps, monsters, and magic that devoured seasoned adventurers—gnawed at her.
"Fine," Amelia said, jaw tight. "Garath, Gareth—we leave for the eastern reaches at dawn."
"Sorry, Captain," Garath blurted, scratching his neck. "We've got to head back home. Family emergency. A month, maybe longer."
Amelia's fists clenched. "Both of you? With an A-class mission?"
Gareth shrugged, feigning helplessness. "Wouldn't miss it unless it was life or death. That dungeon… sounds rough, eh?"
The excuse reeked of cowardice. Amelia's disappointment hardened into icy anger. Only Alex remained.
She turned to him, frustration simmering. "You're not bailing too, right?"
Alex hesitated. He owed this world nothing. But curiosity—and the secret he carried—pulled him.
"Nothing urgent on my end," he said carefully. "I'll tag along."
Relief flickered in Amelia's eyes, though tension lingered.
At the city gates, Amelia and Alex prepared to depart as the sun dipped low. The city's cheerful bustle clashed with the grim task ahead.
"We'll reach the village by nightfall," Amelia said, voice clipped. "Gather supplies, then head into the dungeon."
Alex nodded, gaze fixed on the horizon's jagged silhouette. Rolling hills and dense forests hid untold threats. The others' absence still stung—their excuses too neat, too sudden.
"Do you know anything about this dungeon?" he asked abruptly.
Amelia frowned. "Only what the lumberjack reported. He barely escaped alive."
A memory surfaced: Guildmaster Eldrin's grave warning. "Five-stage level structure."
Alex's stomach dropped. Survival in an A-class dungeon was mythic—what horrors did this one hold?
"You think the others knew something?" he pressed.
Amelia paused. "Maybe. Their timing's… convenient."
They walked in silence, the air growing colder as the city faded behind them. The path ahead twisted into wilderness, every shadow whispering danger.
***
Amelia and Alex stood at the city gates, ready to embark on their journey to the eastern reaches as the sun dipped below the horizon. The lively hum of the city waking to a new day clashed sharply with the oppressive weight of the A-class mission looming over them.
Amelia's voice cut through the tension, firm and resolute. "We should reach the village bordering the dungeon by nightfall. There, we'll gather supplies and information before heading in."
Alex nodded silently, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. Before them stretched an endless expanse of rolling hills and dense forests, hiding dangers he couldn't begin to imagine. He knew nothing about the dungeon—its monsters, its traps, or the secrets it held.
As they walked, unease settled over him like a heavy cloak. The sudden absence of Gregor, Lyra, and the twins gnawed at him. Their excuses had felt hollow, their loyalty to Amelia seemingly abandoned at the worst possible moment. It was as if they knew something about the dungeon—something they weren't willing to share.
"Do you know anything about this dungeon?" Alex finally asked, breaking the silence.
Amelia glanced at him, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Not much," she admitted. "The information we have is sparse. A lone lumberjack discovered it—barely escaped with his life."
A memory surfaced in Amelia's mind, sharp and unsettling. Guildmaster Eldrin's voice echoed in her thoughts: "This dungeon has a five-stage structure, according to the lumberjack's account."
"Five stages?" The shock in the room had been palpable.
"Indeed," Eldrin had replied, his tone grave. "It's an A-class dungeon, after all."
Alex's unease deepened. A lone lumberjack surviving an A-class dungeon was unheard of. It hinted at something far more sinister lurking within—something even seasoned adventurers might not survive.
"Do you think the others… knew something about the dungeon?" Alex ventured, voicing the suspicion that had been gnawing at him.
Amelia paused, her brow furrowing. "It's possible," she conceded. "Their sudden unavailability right before an A-class mission is… suspicious, to say the least."
They continued in silence, the weight of unspoken questions hanging heavy between them. As they ventured deeper into the wilderness, the vibrant colors of the city faded into muted browns and greens. The air grew colder, and the path ahead seemed to stretch endlessly toward the unknown.
Alex felt a strange mix of trepidation and excitement stir within him.
In a small village bordering the dungeon, Amelia led Alex through a bustling marketplace. The air buzzed with activity—merchants hawking their wares, villagers bartering, and the occasional clatter of carts rolling by.
Amelia stopped abruptly in front of a stall overflowing with vials and bottles, their vibrant colors hinting at the potent concoctions within. A wizened old woman with hawk-like eyes tended the stall, her weathered hands deftly handling the delicate glass.
"We need supplies," Amelia announced, her voice firm.
The woman's sharp gaze shifted to Alex. "Newcomer, are you? Be careful in that dungeon. Small groups like yours don't always make it back."
Alex felt a prickle of unease at her words.
"We'll manage," Amelia interjected, her tone edged with defiance.
She turned to Alex. "We need potions—antidotes, mana restoratives, the usual."
Alex nodded, understanding the importance of preparation. The dungeon's dangers were unknown, and the right potions could mean the difference between life and death.
As Amelia bartered with the merchant, Alex scanned the array of potions. His knowledge from The Old Quest allowed him to recognize the various concoctions. His eyes lingered on a shimmering golden vial.
"Instant Healing potion," he murmured. "Good choice."
The old woman's eyes narrowed. "You know your potions, newcomer. Not many recognize an Instant Healing potion at a glance."
"I've… dabbled in alchemy," Alex said, hoping his half-truth would suffice.
The woman chuckled, a low rumble in her chest. "Good. You'll need all the help you can get in that dungeon. Just remember—even the strongest potions have their limits."
Amelia finished her negotiations and turned to Alex. "Do you need a weapon while we're here?" she asked, eyeing his empty hands.
Alex hesitated. He still had the dagger from The Old Quest, tucked away in his magical inventory. Revealing that, however, would raise too many questions.
"I've got my weapon," he said vaguely, hoping she wouldn't press further.
Amelia gave him a doubtful look, her gaze scanning his body for any sign of a concealed blade. Finding none, a flicker of concern crossed her face. While she trusted Alex's claim of being a battle sage, his lack of visible weaponry was unsettling, especially with the dangers ahead.
With their supplies secured, Amelia and Alex continued toward the dungeon, its ominous silhouette looming in the distance. The dense forest closed in around them, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. The rhythmic crunch of their boots on the dirt path was the only sound breaking the silence.
For Alex, the journey was a stark contrast to his past life. In The Old Quest, his existence had been confined to pixels and code. Now, he stood on the precipice of a real adventure—thrilling, terrifying, and utterly unpredictable. This was no game; it was a baptism by fire into a world far more vibrant and dangerous than anything he'd ever known.
"This place feels… off," Alex muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Amelia nodded grimly. "It does. Like the air itself is holding its breath."
The unease gnawing at Alex intensified. The sudden defections of their companions, the cryptic warnings from the villagers, and the oppressive atmosphere of the forest all coalesced into a heavy sense of foreboding. He stole a glance at Amelia, her determined expression etched with a faint trace of worry.
"We should be cautious," Alex murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's something… different about this dungeon."
Amelia met his gaze, her eyes reflecting the same trepidation. "Agreed. We need to be prepared for anything."
They pressed on, their senses sharp and alert. The only sounds were their soft footsteps and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. As they neared the dungeon's entrance—a colossal, moss-covered archway carved into the side of a towering cliff—the air grew thick with oppressive magic. An unnatural chill settled over them, sending shivers down their spines.
Amelia drew her sword, its polished blade glinting faintly in the dim light filtering through the trees. "Ready?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.
Alex summoned his dagger, his heart pounding against his ribs. He had no idea what awaited them inside, but he knew there was no turning back. With a silent nod, he followed Amelia through the archway, stepping into the unknown.
As they crossed the threshold, the world around them shifted. The oppressive magic intensified, and the air buzzed with an otherworldly energy. The vibrant forest was replaced by a vast hall adorned with grotesque carvings and illuminated by an unsettling, flickering light.
At the center of the hall, a swirling vortex of shimmering energy pulsed ominously. It was the entrance to the first level of the dungeon—a gateway to a perilous journey that would test their courage, their skills, and the very fabric of their reality.
The air grew heavier as they ventured deeper into the cavernous hall. The rhythmic crunch of their boots on the stone floor echoed faintly, and the flickering luminescence cast long, grotesque shadows that danced across the uneven ground.
Suddenly, the earth trembled, and a bone-chilling groan reverberated through the chamber. Amelia spun around, her sword drawn and eyes narrowed, searching for the source of the disturbance.
Before them, the ground split open, and a skeletal figure clawed its way out, its empty eye sockets glowing with an eerie green light. Above its head, a translucent symbol materialized—a stark white [Level 1] emblazoned against the darkness.
This was it. The first test.
Alex froze, a surge of recognition coursing through him. This wasn't just any skeleton. It was a common enemy, a low-level foe he knew intimately from The Old Quest. The [Level 1] symbol, a constant reminder of the game's power hierarchy, was etched into his very being.
Panic threatened to consume him. How was this possible? Was this some twisted echo of his past life, a manifestation of his memories bleeding into reality? Or was there something far more sinister at play—a connection between The Old Quest and this world that he hadn't even begun to fathom?
His thoughts were cut short as Amelia charged forward, her sword flashing in the dim light. The skeleton lunged at her, its bony claws snapping at the air. The clash of steel against bone echoed through the cavern, a stark reminder of the very real danger they faced.
Instinct, honed from countless hours in The Old Quest, took over. Alex knew exactly how this fight would play out. The skeleton's attacks were slow and predictable, its only defense its meager health pool.
With newfound resolve, he reached into his inventory and summoned the dagger he'd acquired from the Nightmare Goblin mission. Its familiar weight settled comfortably in his hand. He moved with practiced grace, years of virtual battles translating into surprising physical prowess.
The fight was a blur of parries and strikes. Amelia, a seasoned warrior, danced around the lumbering skeleton, her attacks precise and deadly. Alex, fueled by a mix of fear and strange familiarity, fought with mechanical efficiency, his movements mirroring the countless battles he'd fought in the digital realm.
Within moments, the skeleton lay shattered on the ground, its spectral form dissipating into nothingness. The [Level 1] symbol flickered and vanished, leaving behind an unsettling silence.
Amelia turned to Alex, her eyes wide with surprise. "You… you fought like a seasoned warrior," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
Alex could only nod, his mind reeling from the implications of what had just transpired. This wasn't just a coincidence. It was a confirmation—a terrifying echo of his past life bleeding into this strange new reality. He was no longer just a Battle Sage from The Old Quest. He was a living embodiment of the game, thrust into a world where the lines between virtual and real were dangerously blurred.
"It was just a Level 1 Skeleton," Alex replied, wiping sweat from his brow despite the cool air of the cavern.
"Level 1…"
They continued deeper into the cavernous hall, the air thick with oppressive magic. The flickering luminescence from the walls cast long, grotesque shadows that danced across the uneven ground. Every few steps, the earth would tremble, and another skeletal figure would rise, its empty sockets glowing with an eerie green light. Above each one, the translucent [Level 1] symbol materialized, stark against the darkness.
For Alex, these encounters were a grim echo of his past. Each lumbering skeleton, each predictable attack, was a memory ripped straight from The Old Quest. He dispatched them with practiced ease, his dagger a blur of precise strikes, his movements a testament to the countless hours spent battling these very enemies in the digital realm.
"It's just another Level 1," Alex muttered, effortlessly deflecting a clumsy claw swipe before delivering a swift counterstrike that shattered the skeleton's bony form. The [Level 1] symbol flickered and vanished.
Amelia, meanwhile, fought with the practiced grace of a seasoned warrior. Her sword danced a deadly ballet, each swing precise and lethal. Yet, she couldn't help but be surprised by Alex's almost unnatural efficiency.
"You handle these things… strangely well," she observed, her voice barely a whisper over the clang of steel against bone.
Alex wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush. "Like I said, it's a Battle Sage thing. We have ways of dealing with… lesser creatures."
"Lesser creatures?" Amelia scoffed, sending a particularly aggressive skeleton flying with a powerful swing of her sword. "They may be weak, but they still come in numbers. And this place… it feels wrong. There's something more to this than just a few skeletons."
Alex couldn't disagree. The oppressive atmosphere, the cryptic warnings, and the unsettling presence of the level indicators all pointed to something far more sinister lurking within the dungeon's depths.
They pressed on, dispatching the occasional skeleton with practiced ease. The rhythmic clangs of their weapons echoed through the cavern, a grim counterpoint to their hushed conversation.
"Honestly," Amelia admitted, watching Alex dismantle another skeleton with almost inhuman speed, "you fight more like a seasoned warrior than a Battle Sage."
Alex chuckled, a humorless sound that bounced off the cavern walls. "Looks can be deceiving, Amelia. Sometimes, knowledge is best gained through experience, even if that experience comes from… unconventional sources."
He left the rest unsaid, the specter of The Old Quest hanging heavy in the air between them. The line between his fabricated identity and his unsettling past was becoming increasingly blurred—a truth he wasn't entirely ready to confront.
As they ventured deeper, the air grew colder, and the oppressive magic intensified. The once-scattered skeletons began appearing in larger groups, their mindless attacks forming a relentless tide. But even these "hordes" posed little threat. Alex and Amelia's movements—a well-rehearsed dance of steel and shadow—cut through them with practiced efficiency.
Yet, amidst the carnage, a single thought echoed in Alex's mind: How long would these Level 1 encounters last? What awaited them further within the dungeon's depths?
< Chapter 6 > Fin.