11 - Dungeon Unveiled: Unprecedented Triumphs Await!

Jon and Gwen, with deliberate steps, chose the winding route toward the mountain west of Riverwood. There, hidden amidst shadows and rocks, lay the goblins' dungeon. Although a direct route could get them there in an hour, they opted for a path that tripled that time, ensuring they wouldn't leave obvious traces.

Reaching a plateau that offered a panoramic view of the region, they decided to pause. They sat down, enjoying a quick meal, taking the moment to ensure their solitude.

With the sun positioned directly above them, Jon stood up, stretching. "I'm pretty sure no one followed us," he said, casting a cautious glance around.

As he adjusted the mechanism to unlock the dungeon entrance, Jon looked at Gwen with concern. "You're okay, right? I know yesterday was a heavy day for you." Gwen, with a defiant smile, replied, "It was my first time in a dungeon." Laughing, pretending to be annoyed, she retorted, "And if I remember correctly, you spent almost 10 minutes vomiting after taking down a simple rabbit."

Jon laughed, glad to see the usual Gwen with her sharp tongue. With a final gesture, he activated the matrix, and the dungeon entrance opened before them. A message appeared in their visions:

**You have entered the Goblin's Dungeon. Do you wish to form a group?**

*Options:* Yes | No

After forming the group, Jon and Gwen delved into the depths of the dungeon. The walls, still lit by the torches from the previous day, emitted a mysterious glow. It was evident that these torches were enchanted, drawing from the mana permeating the environment, allowing their flames to persist much longer than usual.

This constant illumination was a blessing. They advanced without needing to light their own torches until they reached the point where they had stopped the day before. However, Jon was determined not to rush. Each step was taken cautiously, every shadow scrutinized.

Gwen, with her innate archery skills, quickly adapted to the dungeon environment, felling goblins with deadly precision. Jon, on the other hand, felt somewhat clumsy in comparison. In less than an hour, they had already dispatched around twenty goblins and were back at the starting point.

Anticipating the challenges ahead, Jon had salvaged an improvised shield and a short sword from a defeated goblin. "Since you're clearly the superior archer among us," he began, "I'll take care of keeping the goblins at bay and lighting the torches. You can focus on taking them down." Gwen, surprised by Jon's humility, felt her cheeks flush. She nodded, grateful for the recognition.

Jon smiled to himself, thinking, 'Girls, always so easy to impress,' as he noticed the blush on Gwen's cheeks.

As they pressed forward, Jon felt the pressure mounting. Memories of his first time wielding a bow flooded his mind, and he found himself repeating the same mistakes. On several occasions, the impact of a goblin's blow caused his shield to be torn from his hand, leaving him vulnerable. His sword strikes were clumsy, often missing the target or causing little damage.

Gwen, sensing Jon's internal struggle, intensified her efforts. She moved with grace and precision, her arrows finding their mark almost instinctively. In many moments, she was responsible for nearly all the damage inflicted on the goblins, while Jon struggled to hold his ground.

After dispatching yet another goblin, Jon abruptly stopped, his eyes shining with excitement. "Finally!" he exclaimed, a smile spreading across his face. Gwen, puzzled, looked at him, trying to understand the reason for his sudden joy. "What's got you so excited? You're still far from reaching level 10, aren't you?"

Jon, still grinning, replied, "It's not about the level. I just unlocked the 'Apprentice Warrior' class." He said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but Gwen was stunned.

"You're kidding, right?" Gwen questioned, incredulous. "I can understand your affinity for the bow, maybe it's a gift inherited from your parents. But unlocking the warrior class in such a short time? That's... unprecedented."

Jon furrowed his brow, realizing the seriousness on Gwen's face. "Is it really that rare?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Gwen nodded, her eyes still fixed on Jon. "Many people have multiple specializations in the beginning, but it takes years to truly master a class. And specializing in one is the work of a lifetime."

Jon scratched his neck, slightly uncomfortable with the revelation. "Well then... can you keep that secret for me?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood with a playful tone.

Gwen sighed, feeling a bit overwhelmed. In the past few weeks, Jon had changed drastically. Initially, he seemed distant and often mumbled to himself. But as time went on, he became sharper, more strategic, and above all, more mysterious.

He always came up with plans and ideas, asking her to keep them secret. And whenever she questioned where these ideas came from, he simply said they were "rumors." Eventually, she understood that he had changed, and like all the other times, he no longer cared to explain, she just accepted it incredulously.

"We should head back. I don't want to raise suspicions, especially after taking so much care to avoid being discovered." Despite the slow progress, they had managed to take down thirty goblins, along with other creatures they had faced along the way. Jon hoped this number wouldn't raise suspicions among the villagers.

Gwen sighed heavily, wiping the sweat from her forehead with her blouse sleeve. "True, there's something oppressive about this dungeon. I'm exhausted." She wasn't wrong. The dense atmosphere, dim lighting, and stale air made the place feel like a trap. Even if they were skilled, an ambush there would be the end for both of them. The limited space would prevent any attempt at maneuvering.

The journey back, however, was a blessing in comparison. The winding paths through the woods and forests were peaceful, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the village's hunters and the Adventurer's Guild, who worked tirelessly to keep the creatures at bay from Riverwood.

At a certain point, the two stumbled upon a picturesque spot by the edge of a crystal-clear lake, surrounded by tall trees and wildflowers. They decided to take a break, spreading out a blanket and enjoying an impromptu picnic. Gwen, seizing the opportunity, decided to refresh herself in the calm waters of the lake. Jon, seated by the shore, couldn't help but admire the scene before him: Gwen's red-haired figure emerging from the water, with the golden sunset reflecting on her skin, creating a stunning contrast with the magical surroundings. If he were still in the game, he would have captured that moment in countless screenshots.

Lost in his thoughts, Jon reflected on the beauty of this world. Coming from a reality where nature was in constant decline, he often found himself marveling at the perfection and untouched beauty of Aeloria. It was a constant reminder of all that humanity had lost in its relentless pursuit of progress. . .

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