Arin sprinted through the dense bushes, his breath ragged and fast. Branches whipped across his face, but he didn't care — all that mattered was the tiny, trembling wolf pup in his arms.
Behind him, the ground shook with the snarls and footsteps of goblins. They were closing in fast.
"Damn it… just a little more!" Arin muttered, glancing at the glowing blue screen floating beside him.
[Quest: Rescue the Creature – Incomplete]
"What?!" His eyes widened. "Why is it still incomplete? I already saved him!"
Then the realization struck him like lightning — the quest wasn't just about picking the pup up. It was a rescue mission. The pup had to survive.
And the goblins were still chasing them.
Arin's foot slipped on the wet leaves, and he tumbled down a steep slope. The world spun around him as he clutched the wolf pup tightly.
When he finally crashed to the ground, he groaned in pain. But before he could stand up — a shriek pierced the air.
He looked up just in time to see one of the goblins stabbing the little wolf with a jagged blade.
[System Notification: Mission Failed.][Creature Deceased.]
"No…" Arin froze. His vision blurred, his chest tight. He could feel something breaking inside him — a mix of rage and despair.
The goblins turned toward him, grinning with their sharp, filthy teeth. They raised their weapons and charged.
Arin stumbled backward, running blindly through the forest again. But his strength was fading, his legs trembling.
Then — the ground gave way.
He fell through loose soil and tumbled down into darkness. When he finally stopped rolling, he found himself before a massive cave.
A faint, ancient energy pulsed from within. Shadows danced on the walls as if whispering his name.
He looked up — and there it was.
A colossal gate stood in the center of the cavern, covered in glowing runes that shimmered like the stars of another world.
It was beautiful… and terrifying.
Arin took a hesitant step forward, the air heavy with something otherworldly.
[Warning: Unknown Dungeon Detected.][Do you wish to enter?]
The screen glowed brighter. Arin clenched his fists, a flicker of determination burning in his eyes.
He had failed once. He wouldn't fail again.
"…Yes," he whispered.
And as the ancient gate opened with a thunderous boom, darkness swallowed him whole.