New Adventure

Chapter 26: New Adventure

As the first light of dawn began to kiss the horizon, the Whispering Woods woke to the gentle rustle of leaves and the twittering of birds. The once-menacing aura of dark magic had disappeared, replaced by the serene and harmonious energy of a forest reborn.

Amidst the lingering merriment of the night, Von and Ren found themselves in the soft morning light, the air carrying a crisp freshness that marked the beginning of a new day.

Von is sitting nearby as the morning sun painted the Whispering Woods with warm hues, turned to Ren with a knowing smile. "It's amazing what a little victory and the company of friends can do, huh?"

Ren nodded a sense of contentment on his face. "Yeah, for the first time in a while, I haven't slept with one eye open, worrying about what might come next."

Von chuckled. "No impending doom, no imminent battles. Just the tranquility of a forest reborn and a night well-celebrated."

Ren stretched, feeling the fatigue of battles and the joy of the festivities in his muscles. "I could get used to this. Maybe we should have more victories like this."

Von raised an eyebrow. "As appealing as that sounds, we should probably stay prepared. The adventurer's life is full of surprises, after all."

Ren laughed. "True, true. But let's enjoy this moment while it lasts. Who knows what the next quest has in store for us?"

Glimmer spotted both heroes and approached them. "Are you planning to leave today?"

Ren, stretching and yawning, exchanged a glance with Von.

Von, with a contented smile, replied, "Well, I suppose it's time to bid farewell to our kobold friends. Duty calls and more adventures are waiting." 

Ren nodded, his gaze lingering on the peaceful surroundings. "We're honored to have fought alongside the kobolds. But yeah, duty calls, as Von mentioned."

Glimmer nodded in understanding. "Before you leave, accept this." He handed each of them a small vial filled with a sparkling liquid. "A potion crafted from the essence of the Whispering Woods. It will bring you protection on your journey."

"Thank you, Glimmer," Von said, appreciating the gesture.

As the heroes prepared to depart, the kobolds gathered, expressing gratitude in their unique ways. Some offered trinkets, while others nodded with respect. The group of kids who had given Von the flower necklace approached Ren, holding out handmade tokens of appreciation.

Ren, touched by the sincerity of the gesture, crouched down to their level. "You guys are amazing. I'll treasure these gifts. Take care, okay?"

With smiles and goodbyes, Von and Ren, wearing flower necklaces and holding filled vials, left the clearing. The Whispering Woods thanked them as they stepped into the morning light, prepared for new adventures and the mysteries ahead beyond the magical forest.

"Von, we can finally go back to our world," Ren said with a mix of excitement and relief.

"I hope that when we get back, no monsters were able to get out of the portals," Von said.

"I hope so too. It would be a real downer to come back to a monster-infested city," Ren added.

The portal shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow, standing as a gateway between the mystical realm of the Whispering Woods and the familiar world they hailed from. Von and Ren approached, a mix of anticipation and reflection in their eyes. 

Ren glanced at Von, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Ready to go back to the hustle and bustle, Von?"

Von chuckled, "Yeah, as much as I enjoyed our time here, the city has its kind of charm."

As Von and Ren stepped through the portal, it wrapped them in a gentle, magical embrace. The portal closed quietly, disappearing like it was never there.

Suddenly, they were back on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by the noise and activity of everyday life. It was a stark change from the peaceful forest, but the flower necklaces and tokens they carried held the memories of their adventure.

"We're back! Finally, I can see people and buildings," Ren exclaimed.

Von chuckled, "Well, the air in the city might not be as fresh as the Whispering Woods, but it's good to be back to civilization."

Ren grinned, "True, I might have missed the noise and chaos a bit."

Von nodded, "Literally. But hey, we brought a piece of that world with us." He gestured to the flower necklaces they still wore.

Ren touched the necklace, "It's a nice reminder of the adventure we had."

"Well, that was our first dungeon, but so intense," Von said.

Von added, "And let's not forget the unexpected rewards, like the gacha tickets and the elven amulet. Who would've thought our first dungeon would come with perks like these?"

Ren nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yeah, it started as a simple dungeon crawl, but it turned into something much bigger. The kobolds, the tower, the Whispering Woods—all interconnected."

As they approached Ren's house, Ren grinned, "But hey, we're not complaining. It was one heck of an adventure, and we made some unlikely friends along the way."

After their dungeon adventure, Ren and Von decided to take it easy for a few days. They needed time to rest and recharge, and Ren's cozy house was the perfect place for some downtime. The calm and familiar surroundings of home offered a welcome break from the dungeon.

During their downtime, they decided to catch up on what they might have missed, particularly concerning the mysterious tower. They gathered information from local sources, inquiring about any news or developments related to the enigmatic structure.

Ren, while sipping a cup of tea in Ren's cozy living room, remarked, "Hmm, many awakeners were able to climb the tower already."

Von, sitting across from Ren, raised an eyebrow. "Really? That was fast. I guess we were gone for a while."

Ren nodded, setting down his cup. "We've leveled up quite a lot thanks to the quest we stumbled upon. Are we still going to enter a dungeon?"

Von leaned back, contemplating the question. "Well, we still haven't reached the required level to climb the tower."

Ren furrowed his brows. "What level was it again? Was it 25?"

Von nodded, "Yeah, it's level 25. We're not far off, though. A few more dungeons, and we should be ready to take on the tower."

Ren, with a determined expression, said, "Well, then we have our goal set. Let's train, take on quests, and get stronger. The tower won't know what hit it when we're ready."

Von chuckled. "That's the spirit, Ren. The tower won't know what's coming."

As they continued their preparations and training, the city buzzed with news about awakeners successfully climbing the tower. Rumors and stories circulated, each adding a layer of mystery to the enigmatic structure. The anticipation of what lay beyond its doors fueled Ren and Von's determination to grow stronger and unravel the secrets of the tower.

Days turned into weeks as they trained diligently, honing their skills and unlocking new abilities. Ren's carefree demeanor transformed into one of focused determination, and Von's strategic mind worked tirelessly to optimize their strengths.

"Finally, we reached level 25. We can finally climb the tower," Ren said with a mix of excitement and accomplishment.

Von, sharing Ren's excitement, added, "It's been quite a journey to get here, but we're ready for what the tower has in store for us."

Ren stood up, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I'll just go visit my mom. I want to tell her how we are, even if she's asleep."

As Ren left, Von continued to review his progress. He navigated through the menu to access his status window, where he could allocate the points he had gained during their adventures. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his focused expression as he made strategic decisions to enhance his abilities.

Von nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "I guess it's time to pick our class."

The system granted them the option to choose a class when they reached level 15, but they decided to put it on hold. They planned to allocate the points they gained until they reached level 25 and then use them when choosing a class at that level.

Ren just returned from visiting his mother and said, "Oh, are we gonna pick our class finally?"

"Yeah, we don't want to be classless while climbing the tower," Von said.

Ren grinned, "True, we need all the advantages we can get. Let's make sure to choose classes that complement each other's skills."

Von nodded, "Agreed. It's essential for our teamwork, especially in the challenges that lie ahead."

With their decision made, they focused on the task at hand. Von navigated through the system menu to the class selection interface, where a variety of options awaited them. The descriptions and perks of each class scrolled before them, and they took their time considering the possibilities.

"Have you decided, Von? What class are you going to choose?" Ren asked.

Von pondered for a moment before replying, "I've been thinking about it. Considering my dark powers and affinity with shadows, I'm leaning toward becoming a Shadow Knight. It feels like the right fit for my style, don't you think?"

Ren grinned, "Shadow Knight, huh? That sounds pretty cool. I can already imagine you, clad in dark armor, wielding the power of shadows."

Von chuckled, "Well, I aim to make an impression. Plus, the abilities that come with being a Shadow Knight align well with my strengths."

Ren nodded, "Makes sense. It's all about enhancing what you're already good at. What about me? Any suggestions for my class?"

"Are you considering a class already?" Von asked.

Ren's eyes sparkled with a newfound determination as he shared his decision, "Well, I think Swordmage fits me perfectly. Thanks to what happened in the Whispering Wood dungeon, we gained new powers, right? Aside from being good with a sword, I can use magic better than before."

Von nodded in agreement, recognizing the logic behind Ren's choice. "It makes sense. Your skills with elemental magic and your proficiency with a sword complement each other. Swordmage it is then. We'll make quite the formidable team with our new classes."

Ren grinned, "Absolutely! Now that we have our classes, Shall we go?"

Von nodded. "Let's put our new skills to the test. I'm curious to see how the Shadow Knight and Swordmage combo fares in action. How about we hit the training ground on the first floor before we climb the tower?"

"Yeah, we can stay for a few days since we are going to prepare and gather information about the tower anyway," Ren said.

"Let's go to the pub the mayor suggested," Von said.

Ren and Von strolled through the bustling town, their surroundings rich with the vibrancy of life. The first floor of the tower had transformed into a lively hub, resembling a thriving marketplace. Colorful stalls lined the streets, displaying an array of goods and wares.

Von observed the diverse offerings, his strategic mind already calculating potential advantages. "Ren, let's take this opportunity to stock up on supplies. Potions, scrolls, and any other items that might come in handy as we climb higher."

Ren, with a grin, agreed. "Absolutely, Von. A well-prepared adventurer is a successful one. I'll check out the weapon shop for any upgrades, too."

The market had a lot to offer, and Von and Ren explored the stalls, looking at items that could make them stronger. They found potions, enchanters, and even someone selling rare artifacts.

Von noticed a vendor who might know about the tower. He said to Ren, "Let's check it out and see if we can learn anything useful."

They approached the vendor, a weathered adventurer with a map spread out before him. "Looking to climb the tower, are you?" he greeted them, a knowing glint in his eyes.

Ren nodded. "Yes, we're gearing up for the ascent. Any advice or information you can share?"

The seasoned adventurer leaned in, his voice low. "Each floor has its own challenges. Be prepared for the unexpected, and trust your instincts. Oh, and watch out for the Guardian on the tenth floor. That's where things get truly interesting."

Von, taking mental notes, thanked the adventurer. "Guardian on the tenth floor. Got it. Anything else we should be aware of?"

The adventurer chuckled. "Discover the rest for yourselves. The tower is full of surprises. Best of luck on your journey, young awakeners."

"Let's head to the pub now," Ren suggested.

As they walked through the town, they spotted the pub recommended by the mayor. Its name, "The Tankard," caught their attention.

Curiosity piqued, Ren and Von entered The Tankard, greeted by the lively hum of conversation and the aroma of various drinks. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with patrons engaged in discussions about their adventures, recent quests, and speculations about the mysterious tower. The duo found an empty table, ready to gather information and perhaps make some new connections.