The forest's embrace loosened as John emerged, dawn's pale light stretching lazily over the village. The world around him buzzed with ordinary sounds birds chirping, vendors calling out their wares, and the occasional clatter of a cart wheel. But to John, everything had changed.
The last hours had been a crucible. Beneath the towering pines, he had practiced endlessly. His fingers traced the motions, his body learned the rhythm of his new powers. Void Pulse and Void Brand were no longer just words from a book; they were weapons, extensions of his will and soul. Every pulse of void energy he released was twice as potent, every cooldown halved, a gift of his Double Power talent. He felt his muscles hum with energy, a new fire kindling deep inside.
His glowing red eyes scanned the horizon with a piercing focus that few could match. The pain of Ren's loss still echoed inside him, but it had transformed into a relentless drive. I will never be weak again, he vowed silently.
The village itself had not yet fully awakened. Early risers bustled about, preparing for their own futures some hunters heading to the dungeon, others simply living out quiet lives. At the edge of town, the familiar shimmer of the Beginner's Forest Dungeon portal beckoned, swirling with iridescent colors that rippled like liquid glass.
Around the portal, hunters gathered in animated groups, shouting to be heard over one another, scouting teammates, and boasting of past conquests. Many wore gleaming armor, weapons strapped to backs or sheathed at hips; others carried tattered gear and hopeful smiles. The air was thick with anticipation, tension, and the scent of adventure.
John's gaze settled on the group of hunters forming teams. Level restrictions and dungeon rules forced many to band together, and the chatter centered on balancing skills and strengths. Yet John's path was different. His talents and resolve told him he could walk alone.
He stepped forward, eyes steady, heart steady. This was no longer a boy's game. This was survival and growth.
---
As he walked through the crowd and and step in to the dungeon no one had noticed him even if they notice it was normal some confident people's will try clearing the dungeon and when things get worse they will exit by using escape stone and some unfortunates will die there.
Crossing the threshold of the portal was like plunging into another world. The air shifted, dense with magic and nature's raw pulse. The Beginner's Forest Dungeon opened before him, a vast expanse of towering trees and dense underbrush. The sunlight was filtered through thick canopies, casting dappled shadows over moss-covered stones and patches of wildflowers.
Birdsong mingled with the distant growls and snarls of lurking creatures. The air was cool, tinged with the scent of damp earth and faint ozone the residue of ancient magic.
John's senses sharpened. His muscles coiled like springs, ready to strike. Every step he took was measured, deliberate.
Suddenly, there are a rustle to his left three goblins burst from the underground, eyes red with feral hunger, crude daggers raised. Their snarls echoed through the forest as they lunged.
John didn't hesitate.
He raised his hand, focusing his energy. A deep hum rose in his chest as the void power surged.
"Void Pulse!"
A cone of dark energy erupted, sweeping across the three attackers with devastating force. The explosion of void energy was twice as potent as a normal strike, the Double Power talent magnifying the damage until the goblins were vaporized in a flash of black light and scattered ash.
Silence fell.
His heart pounded, but the rush of victory surged through him.
[Killed goblin level 1 +20exp]
[Killed goblin level 1 +20exp]
[Killed goblin level 1 +20exp]
"Not bad," he muttered with a faint grin, wiping sweat from his brow.
---
For the next several hours, John pressed deeper into the forest. Each fight was a test, each victory a step forward. He moved with a predator's grace, dodging wolf claws and goblin blades with agility born of desperation and talent.
His skill usage was precise and swift. Void Pulse swept through groups, while Void Brand tagged tougher enemies, reducing their defenses and allowing John's attacks to hit with crushing force. The halved cooldowns let him chain his attacks without pause, weaving offense and defense into a seamless flow.
Experience points flooded his interface, doubled with every foe slain thanks to his Double Experience talent. The numbers climbed rapidly, and his level rose from one to six before he even realized it.
[Name John]
[Level - 6]
HP: 320/320
Strength: 28 | Agility: 32 | Endurance: 25 | Intelligence: 20 | Luck: 15
Skills: Void Pulse (Cooldown 7.5s), Void Brand (Cooldown 15s)
Talents: Double Power (S), Fusion (S), Double Experience (S)
---
Suddenly, the forest grew eerily silent. The birds ceased their songs, the wind stilled, and even the soft rustle of leaves was gone.
A heavy presence descended.
From the shadows stepped the mid-boss the Alpha Goblin.
Mid Boss: Alpha Goblin
Level: 8
HP: 1800
Strength: 105
Agility: 70
Endurance: 75
Intelligence: 28
Perception: 43
Towering nearly twice the size of his minions, muscles rippled beneath battle-scarred skin. Yellow eyes burned with intelligence and fury. Its jagged teeth gleamed as it snarled, gripping a massive club carved from bone and wood.
John's breath slowed, mind sharpening. This was a foe to respect.
The Alpha charged with a guttural roar, smashing a tree aside as it swung its club. John dove to the side, feeling the air rush where the blow would have landed. The ground beneath trembled.
"Void Brand!" John hissed, marking the beast's chest with void energy. The magical seal flared, weakening its defenses by 50%.
Without pause, he released Void Pulse the doubled damage searing through the Alpha's thick hide like a hot knife through butter.
The battle exploded into chaos. The Alpha swung and crashed, while John darted, struck, and retreated in a deadly dance. His halved cooldowns allowed him to hammer the beast repeatedly, exploiting openings with precision.
At one point, the Alpha's club slammed near his ankle, sending pain shooting up his leg. But John's resolve didn't waver.
Tapping into his Fusion talent instinctively, he combined the effects of Void Pulse and Void Brand into a new attack — a devastating, concentrated blast that tore through the Alpha's chest.
The beast staggered, eyes wide in shock, before crashing to the ground in defeat.
[System Message]
[Mid Boss Defeated: Alpha Goblin]
[Experience Gained: 350 XP × 2 (Double Experience Talent) = 700 XP]
[Level up]
[Name John]
[Level - 7]
HP: 750/750
Strength: 700 | Agility: 55 | Endurance: 60 | Intelligence: 40 | Luck: 30
Skills: Void Pulse (Cooldown 7.5s), Void Brand (Cooldown 15s)
Talents: Double Power (S), Fusion (S), Double Experience (S)
---