As they passed through the grand stone archway, a bright light blinded them. The mist and darkness vanished, giving way to a setting neither of them had expected. Before them stretched a vast forest bathed in the gentle light of a spring sun. The leaves were a soft green, and the trees were adorned with blooming flowers—pink, white, and violet. A gentle breeze carried petals through the air in a delicate dance. Veil (gaping): "What's with this change of scenery? We're still in the dungeon, right?" Alynia (squinting and sniffing the air): "Yeah, we're still here. But they're trying to make us lower our guard. Stay alert, Pup." The duo cautiously stepped onto the soft grass. Veil knelt by a small crystal-clear stream. Veil (dipping his hands in the water): "The water's real. It's just like an actual forest..." He splashed his face before adding, Veil: "We should stop for a bit. I'm exhausted." Alynia (scanning their surroundings): "Alright, but not for too long. We treat our wounds and move on." They moved slightly away from the stream, settling under the shade of a large oak tree covered in blossoms. Veil removed his jacket and stretched with a groan. Veil (observing a cut on his shoulder): "My shoulder's on fire..." Alynia (searching through her satchel): "Alright, show me." She pulled out a small jar of balm, opening it with a swift motion, releasing a scent of mint and cedar. She applied it to Veil's wound, making him wince. Veil (grimacing): "Ah, ah! That's cold!" Alynia (smirking): "Stop being such a baby." They remained in silence for a moment, tending to their wounds and listening to the rustling leaves. The atmosphere was almost peaceful. A sharp crack sounded behind them. Alynia (snapping upright): "Pup... do you smell that?" Veil (sniffing the air): "Yeah... sap and freshly cut wood..." The trees around them swayed slowly, but something about the movement felt unnatural. Another loud crack made them turn. A figure peeled itself from the bark of a nearby trunk. The humanoid silhouette was covered in jagged branches and rough bark. It advanced with jerky steps, its hollow eyes locked onto them. Alynia (growling): "A Sylvoid...! We're under attack!" She drew her dagger and dodged a swipe from its sharp branches, but another struck her shoulder, making her grunt in pain. She rolled to the ground, her breathing growing shallow and uneven. Her movements slowed, pain evident on her face. Alynia (gritting her teeth): "Damn it! These things hit hard! Pup, move your ass! I won't hold out long!" Veil tried channeling his mana. Water condensed around his fingers, and he launched a jet of water at one of the Sylvoids, but the creature didn't even slow down. Veil (shouting): "You've got to be kidding me?!" Alynia (yelling): "It's not working! Try wind!" Veil extended his hands and summoned a gust of wind. But the Sylvoids remained unfazed. Veil (frustrated): "Damn... Damn it!" He gritted his teeth, frantically searching for a solution. Alynia (panting, fierce gaze): "Pup, hurry up! We're done for if you don't!" Suddenly, Veil's hands began to tremble. Water and wind fused without him realizing it. An intense cold spread through the room. Alynia (eyes widening): "Pup, stop!" But it was too late. The breeze turned into a freezing hurricane, icing over everything in its path. The Sylvoids were trapped in ice, frozen in grotesque postures. Alynia (shocked): "What the...?" She barely registered what had happened before smashing the frozen monsters with a swipe of her claws, their bark-like skin shattering like glass. Alynia immediately turned toward Veil. He was lying on the ground, unconscious. His breathing was weak but steady. She rushed to his side. Alynia (gently shaking his shoulder): "Pup!" He didn't respond. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, reassuring her. She applied some balm to his forehead. Alynia (soft voice): "Rest, Pup. I'll keep watch."