The dense, ethereal fog of the Whispering Grove swallowed the sunlight as I stepped into the forest. Every shadow seemed to whisper secrets, and the air was thick with anticipation. My heart raced, partly from excitement, partly from anxiety. This was no ordinary forest—it was a dormant dungeon shrouded in mystery.
As I moved cautiously forward, I noticed a figure standing near the entrance. He was tall and well-built, wearing a practical adventurer's outfit. His foreign accent immediately caught my attention as he spoke.
"Hey there! I'm Jack, an adventurer from the States. Do you mind if I tag along? It's my first time in this dungeon," he said with a friendly smile.
I paused looking at him almost questioningly.
"Im sorry I'm and investigator for an American guild, I research and investigate doormant dungeons since they are the only ones that cant be bought or held by guilds...I was hoping to tag along with someone but i was sent alone. Do you mind if i tag along with you..." he asked a small smile on his face
I hesitated for a moment but nodded gratefully. "Sure, I don't mind." I regarded him and he nodded smiling widely and picking up his gear.
His hair was a dusty brown and he had what looked like freckles ,his eyes were hazel and his gear was a deep brown leather. He looked like someone who had been doing this for years. I waved a hand and we began our walk.
Before we could get too far, a vibration in my back pocket pulled my attention. I pulled out my almost-dead phone, my annoyance evident that i had completely forgotten about my phone and that i wasn't alone anymore. It was a text from my sister, Hae Jin.
"Where are you? When will you be home?" -JinJin
I quickly typed a response. "Not for a while. Studying with a friend for the college entrance exams."
Her reply came almost instantly. "Okay, don't forget about the celebration party tomorrow." -JinJin
Confusion crossed my mind. In my previous life, there was no celebration. I shook my head, dismissing the thought. I typed back, "No worries, I won't." Tucking my phone securely away, I turned my focus back to the task at hand.
"Thanks for waiting," I said to Jack as I adjusted my gear. "Let's go."
Our first challenge came swiftly—a pack of low-level monsters emerged from the shadows. Jack sprang into action, drawing his two swords with a swift, practiced motion. His blade flashed as he executed a series of rapid slashes, the dual swords dancing in his hands. At the same time, he channeled earth magic to create barriers and launch earthen projectiles at the monsters, sending them stumbling back.
I took a deep breath, readying my own abilities. I summoned a wave of ice to freeze several monsters in their tracks, while another wave of water sent others crashing into the surrounding trees. "JACK DUCK!" after i watched his body dive i set forth another wave of Ice swords towards the monsters, ending our fight. My control over the elements felt exhilarating, and with each spell, I felt more attuned to my newfound powers.
After the skirmish, we continued deeper into the Whispering Grove.We fought a few more monsters here and there our combat with each other was getting easier. I was getting used to his power and the way he fought. This went on for at least 2 hours until we came to a crossroads—left or right. Jack glanced at me, his expression uncertain.
"I've never heard of there being a crossroads in this dungeon," he admitted. "What do you think?"
Something inside me tugged toward the left path. I hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "I think we should go left."
Jack nodded reluctantly. "Alright, let's see where it leads."
We followed the left path and soon arrived at a clearing, we chatted here and there. I found out he's 20 years old and he's apart of the Worlds Guardians Guild. I had heard of the guild before they were super popular around the world because they answered any and all calls for help to any country no matter what. That is also how they got super rich, lots of donations from the UN and from those countries have made them extremely comfortable financially.
The dense branches that had enveloped us like a dungeon gave way to an expansive forest. The trees were tall and majestic different colors of pinks and blues scatterd across the landscape, and the sky above was an unusual shade of orange, with two blue suns casting a surreal light over the landscape. Despite the dual suns, the air was cool and a bit chilly.
I took a step toward the trees, but Jack stopped me his hand lightly on my arm. "We don't know what's in there. It could be dangerous."
I felt a strange pull, a compelling urge to enter the forest. "I agree, but something is drawing me there. I need to find out what it is. We may also be the first to investigate this forest there might be somethings worth taking home..."
Jack frowned, dropping his hand and fisting his swords hilt. "People who come out of this dungeon have never mentioned anything this... massive. It's unusual."
I looked back at him, thoughtful, I could hear the trepidation in his voice. "I wonder if those people were given one option or two." I said referring back to the crossroads.
Jack considered this for a moment before nodding. and almost worryingly saying "Alright, I'm right behind you."
With a shared glance, we set off into the vast forest, stepping into the unknown with a mix of trepidation and excitement. As we ventured deeper, I couldn't shake the eerie sensation that we were being watched. The dense canopy above obscured the view, but every rustle and snap of a twig seemed amplified, as if the forest itself was alive and observing us. I felt as though our senses were heightened. But I also felt as though i was straining each of my senses to catch anything at all.
A chill ran down my spine, and my anxiety grew with each step. The feeling of being watched was almost palpable, making the air around us seem heavier. Despite Jack's reassuring presence beside me, I couldn't rid myself of the sense that something unseen was tracking our every move.
As the shadows deepened and the forest seemed to close in around us, I unshielded my staff and tightened my hands around, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. I had never had to use the staff but in case i need a boost in power i made sure i had it at the ready. I glanced at Jack, whose face showed a mixture of curiosity and concern.
I shook my head and waved him off and he noded journeying forward.
We continued forward, but the weight of the forest's gaze made every step feel like a daunting challenge. I was determined to uncover the secrets of the Whispering Grove, but the growing sense of unease left me wondering what awaited us deeper within the forest's depths.
"Do you feel like we are being watched.....?" jack whispered to me and i reached out to grab his hand as we paused.
"Because we are-"
------
Preview for the Next Chapter: The Whispering Grove - The Dormant Dungeon Part 2
As Jin Ah and Jack delve deeper into the Whispering Grove, the forest's enigmatic pull intensifies. Mysterious creatures and hidden dangers lurk in the shadows, testing their skills and resolve. Amidst the towering trees and shifting mist, Jin Ah grapples with an unsettling feeling of being watched. What secrets lie within this dormant dungeon, and what challenges await them on their journey?
Comments (0)
See all