Snowflakes fall gently, swirling in the icy wind. The crunch of footsteps in the snow echoes steadily through the silent forest. Towering trees, coated in frost, form a natural labyrinth that only the wind seems able to navigate. Veil follows closely behind Alynia. Each step leaves a deep imprint in the thick snow. His breath forms clouds of white mist that dissolve into the cold air. His muscles still ache from the fight with the bear, but he keeps pace. Veil (panting): "This forest... does it ever end?" Alynia doesn't turn around. Alynia (without looking back): "For those who don't know where they're going, no." Veil furrows his brow. His gaze fixes on Alynia's back. Her dark fur coat sways gently with each step. Her wolf tail barely moves, a sign of her apparent calm. Yet her ears are upright, attentive to every sound. Veil (curious): "And you, do you know where we're going?" Alynia stops abruptly. Silence falls like a weight. She turns slowly, her eyes cold but direct. The wind lifts a few strands of her silver hair, adding to her imposing presence. Alynia (staring at Veil): "Yes." Veil (intrigued): "Then… where are we going?" Alynia (serious tone): "To the dungeon." A silence settles, broken only by the wind whistling through the trees. Veil stares at her, surprised, trying to grasp the meaning of her words. Veil (worried): "A dungeon? You mean those places full of monsters and deadly traps?" Alynia nods. Alynia (calmly): "Exactly. My goal was to explore it alone, but…" (she looks him up and down) "with your progress, you might actually be useful." Veil's eyes widen, caught off guard. Veil (hesitant): "Me? In a dungeon?" Alynia (dryly): "You don't have a choice. I'm not escorting you back to town just to watch you laze around. Follow me, and you'll learn more in this dungeon than in any forest." Veil's gaze grows more intense. His eyes drop to the ground as he reflects, clenching his fist. It's not as if he has other options. His jaw tightens, and he lifts his eyes to meet Alynia's. Veil (with determination): "Fine. But if I'm coming, it's not to be dead weight. I want to learn." A faint smirk crosses Alynia's face. Alynia (mocking): "Then don't slow me down, Pup." She turns and resumes walking. Veil follows closely, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his resolve strengthened. The sound of their footsteps echoes through the forest, a steady rhythm like the beat of a drum. Alynia (whispering, almost to herself): "Even so, when you saved me, you surprised me." The forest stretches endlessly before them, vast and silent.