"So, are you ready, Abe?" Luke asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Might as well," I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady.
We walked toward the bridge in silence, the swirling energy radiating an ominous hum. Luke handed me a sword—a simple, steel blade that felt heavier than I expected.
"Don't worry," he said, his tone casual, "it won't break easily."
"That doesn't make me feel any better," I replied, gripping the hilt tightly.
Luke chuckled, then signaled one of the guards. "Open Bridge Two," he ordered.
Bridge Two—the one that led to the dungeon. The thought of stepping through it made my stomach churn. I swallowed hard, trying to force down my fear. Maybe I'll just go tomorrow…
Before I could even think of backing out, Luke shoved me forward, sending me stumbling into the glowing light.
The last thing I heard before everything went white was one of the guards asking, "Will he be alright?"
"I don't care," Luke said with a cold tone.
The Dungeon
The light faded, and I found myself in darkness. The air was damp and cold, with the faint sound of water dripping from the jagged rocks above. The ground beneath me was uneven, covered in moss and loose stones. I gripped the sword tighter, my knuckles white.
This is fine. I'll just find my way out… somehow.
I walked cautiously for what felt like thirty minutes, every sound making me flinch. The dungeon seemed endless, a maze of tunnels twisting in every direction. Finally, I reached a large, weathered door.
I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. Slowly, I pushed it open.
What I saw on the other side took my breath away. The door led to a massive cavern, illuminated by an eerie, bluish light. Strange, glowing plants dotted the walls, and a waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pool at the center. It was beautiful—and terrifying.
"This is scary…" I muttered under my breath.
Stepping further inside, I tried to steady my breathing. The cavern was quiet, too quiet. My instincts screamed at me to turn back, but my legs kept moving. That's when I heard it—a low, guttural growl.
The air grew hot, the ground trembling beneath me. I turned slowly, my blood running cold. A massive dragon loomed in the shadows, its glowing yellow eyes locked onto me. Its black scales shimmered like obsidian, and smoke curled from its nostrils.
"Oh, crap."
The dragon roared, the sound deafening, and lunged. I barely had time to dive out of the way as its massive claws smashed into the ground where I'd been standing.
I scrambled to my feet, adrenaline surging through me. I swung the sword wildly, the blade glancing off its scales with a useless clang.
"Are you kidding me?!" I shouted, dodging another swipe.
The dragon didn't seem impressed. It opened its massive jaws, and a surge of fire erupted toward me. I dove behind a nearby rock, the heat scorching my back.
Think, Abe, think!
The dragon sniffed the air, its head swiveling toward me. I held my breath, my pulse racing as it let out a low growl. Suddenly, it reared back and unleashed another blast of fire.
"Not good!" I bolted from my hiding spot, sprinting as fast as my legs could carry me. The heat singed my hair as the flames exploded behind me.
I stumbled, my foot catching on a loose rock. The world spun as I tumbled down a steep hill, rolling to a stop at the bottom. Dizzy and disoriented, I looked up—and froze.
The dragon landed in front of me with a thunderous crash, its massive wings kicking up a gust of wind. Smoke billowed from its nostrils as it leaned down, its glowing eyes narrowing.
This was it. I was dead.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in my head, clear and calm:
System active. Welcome, User.
"What the hell?!" I gasped, staring up at the dragon as it prepared to strike.
Skill unlocked: Beginner's Evasion. Activation recommended.
"I don't know what that means, but yes! Activate it!"
Before I could process what was happening, my body moved on its own, rolling to the side just as the dragon's claws slammed into the ground where I'd been.
"Holy crap," I muttered, scrambling to my feet. The voice in my head chimed again.
Skill activated: Enhanced Sprint. Run. Now.
"You don't have to tell me twice!" I yelled, taking off as fast as my legs could carry me, the dragon's roar echoing behind me.