7 - Rising Challenges and Unspoken Desires

The morning light streamed in through the window as Jon was roused by his mother's familiar voice. "The coffee's ready, Jon. Come down quickly!" It was the morning call Jon had been hearing every day since he arrived in Aeloria. "I'm on my way, Mom," he replied, rubbing his eyes.

Eric, observing his son with a growing smile, felt rejuvenated. He was sure Jon would soon set aside the bow and return to being the playful boy he'd always been. However, the boy persisted, improving day by day, and now even earning a respectable income for his age.

"Jon," Eric began, "about that custom bow you asked me for... I'll consider the idea once you reach the Intermediate Archer level." It was Eric's way of testing and motivating his son, hoping the challenge would drive him forward.

However, Jon's reaction was unexpected. "Really? Thanks! I can't wait!" As Eric smiled at his son's enthusiasm, he heard Jon mumbling something about calculations and deadlines. "If I keep hunting every day, I should reach that level in about a month. And don't forget, I want it crafted by the village blacksmith."

Helena, who was observing the interaction, shot Eric a reproachful look. "Jon," she said gently, "don't push yourself too hard. Your father and I will take care of it, regardless of your progress." Jon, surprised, simply nodded and said, "Alright, Mom, it shouldn't take too long," and after finishing his coffee, he left the house.

Eric, still smiling, was interrupted by Helena's serious gaze. "Did you really have to do that? Couldn't you have just promised him the bow?" Before the situation could escalate, Eric quickly responded, "If he doesn't achieve it in a month, as he planned, I'll surprise him on his birthday." With a quick kiss to Helena, he tried to slip away discreetly, but her warning made him pick up his pace. "I certainly hope so, ERIC!" And so, with a mischievous smile, he left the house, feeling the weight of expectations on his shoulders.

As Jon approached the Riverwood exit gate, he spotted Gwen, who seemed lost in thought, staring out at the horizon. "Good morning, Miss Perfection!" Jon greeted, trying to break the pensive atmosphere with his usual playfulness.

Gwen turned, a forced smile on her lips. "Good morning, Jon. Ready to get started?" Despite Gwen's typical energy, Jon sensed something was amiss. "Is something wrong, Gwen?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

She lifted her chin, trying to maintain her confident demeanor. "I was just considering by how much margin I'm going to outdo you in the hunt today!" she declared, thumping her chest with pride.

Jon chuckled softly. "If you say so... But remember, it was never a competition, Gwen." He started walking but paused for a moment, looking at his friend. "Actually, I have something in mind for today."

Gwen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what might that be?"

In his mind, Jon contemplated how to explain his idea without revealing too much. Thanks to a MOD Jon had installed that would greatly ease his life, he was adding a dungeon to the mountain west of Riverwood, complete with spawns of various types of goblins. This complemented the other MOD, the "Master of Potions," which introduced a basic HP and MP potion recipe, making Jon's life easier. He considered exploring this dungeon alone in the future, but due to the caravan that had arrived in Riverwood, he decided to try his luck.

Shifting his focus to Gwen, he said, "There are rumors of a hidden dungeon to the west of Riverwood. They say it's inhabited by goblins, rare creatures in Aeloria. Their blood might hold value for potions. I thought maybe we could explore the place and see what we find."

Gwen glanced at Jon, her eyes gleaming with interest. "So, you want to investigate this dungeon? Just the two of us?"

Jon nodded. "Exactly. What do you think?"

Gwen smiled, her usual energy returning. "I'm in! Let's do this, Jon!"

The sunlight began to dip in the sky as Jon and Gwen arrived at the location Jon had mentioned. The landscape was dominated by an imposing mountain, its base covered in thick vegetation and tall trees. However, what truly caught Gwen's attention was the ancient stone structure partially covered in moss and vines, concealed among the trees.

Jon, with a determined look, approached the structure and began examining the stones. Gwen observed with curiosity, trying to grasp what he was doing. After a few moments, Jon found what he was looking for: a series of stones that seemed out of place. With precise movements, he adjusted them, and a metallic sound echoed through the forest. A rusty door, seemingly sealed for centuries, began to slowly open, revealing a deep darkness.

Gwen looked at Jon, a mix of admiration and surprise in her eyes. "How did you know about this?" she asked, her voice slightly shaky.

Jon shrugged, trying to appear casual. "Just heard some rumors," he lied, not wanting to reveal his prior knowledge. He recalled his morning conversation with his mother, how he had reassured her that he wouldn't return for lunch and asked if Gwen would mind, and she had agreed, seeming to have her own secrets. Jon was determined to uncover what was going on with her. But now wasn't the time.

Armed with torches, the two ventured into the dungeon. The air was cold and damp, and the silence was almost deafening. Jon knew that, despite having a rough idea of the dungeon's layout due to his previous experience, the reality now was very different. Every step, every sound, every shadow felt more real and menacing than ever.

They proceeded with caution, mapping out each corridor and room they encountered. The atmosphere was oppressive, and both could feel the history and secrets the dungeon held, this unique experience making their hearts almost ask for permission to beat.

Not even when Jon was a player in the Nexus game had he felt anything like this. He remembered that Nexus, the VR MMORPG, had been praised by everyone on Earth for its 100% immersive reality, but this was different. It was real. The small rats and spiders that occasionally appeared, which would usually put Jon on high alert, now thrilled him.

On the other hand, Gwen trembled whenever she heard something moving in the corridor ahead. 'Seems like this girl isn't as fearless as I imagined,' this thought left Jon intrigued. The years of unstoppable gaming that had made him the top player in Nexus seemed to be paying off...