The carriage rolled steadily along the winding road, pulled by two sturdy horses. Inside sat the summoned heroes and the court mage, while a small unit of soldiers escorted them from both sides. Their destination was Rivergate's Gate Town-a settlement famous for the dungeons hidden within its borders. Eragon gazed out through the carriage window, his eyes reflecting curiosity and quiet anticipation.
Eragon: "So… our journey finally begins. I wonder what awaits us."
Hours later, towering stone walls appeared on the horizon. A massive iron gate guarded the town's entrance, standing like a silent sentinel. As the carriage passed through, the townspeople gathered along the streets. Whispers spread… then smiles… then cheers. Hope shone in their eyes.
Max: "So this is the place where we'll be training for the next five years."
Mage: "Indeed, young ones."
Eragon felt warmth in his chest as people waved at them. He opened the window to wave back but Rey suddenly shoved him aside and leaned out instead.
Rey: "Move, idiot."
Eragon: "Hey, what's your problem?"
Rey: "Hah? What did you say?"
Eragon: "…Nothing."
Rey: "Then keep quiet."
Rey waved proudly to the crowd while the others followed. Eragon remained unseen.
The Gate Hotel
Soon, the carriage stopped before a grand building bearing a golden sign: GATE HOTEL Inside the dining hall, the heroes sat with the mage, a general, and several knights. The hotel manager hurried forward and bowed deeply.
Manager: "Welcome, honored heroes. Please rest assured the finest hospitality will be provided without fail."
Max: "Sounds good."
Mage: "We look forward to it."
Before the meal began, a well-dressed nobleman approached, accompanied by servants and a butler. To everyone's surprise, even the mage stood to greet him. He was Graf White the lord of Gate Town.
Graf: "Ah, my heroes! A pleasure to make your acquaintance hahaha!"
Rey (muttering): "What's this joker doing here?"
Ben: "Shut up… he looks rich."
The mage introduced him formally. Graf only laughed modestly. Then his tone shifted.
Graf: "In this town lie two dungeons. And within one of them… rests the Ring of Wind."
Silence fell. Excitement flickered across the mage's face. Eragon's heart raced. But at that same moment, he noticed something strange a knight whispering urgently to the general, who then slipped quietly out of the room. A seed of suspicion formed in Eragon's mind. Before he could follow, food arrived. The conversation ended.
Laughter replaced tension. The meal concluded peacefully. Yet Eragon could not forget what he had seen. A Quiet Suspicion Later that night, alone in his room, Eragon stared at the ceiling.
Eragon (thinking): "What is the general hiding…? Why does he keep acting so strangely?"
The question lingered as darkness filled the room.
The Dungeon Entrance
The next morning, everyone gathered at the East Point Dungeon, a massive cave opening deep within a forest of towering trees and ancient stone. Beside the entrance stood a small Guild reception branch, where adventurers recorded their entry and exit. A nervous girl stepped forward.
Selva: "M-My name is Selva… Welcome , These cards identify you as E-rank adventurers."
She handed them each a card. In this world, adventurers ranked from: E → D → C → B → A → S Most retired at Rank A. Only legends reached Rank S.
Rising Tension
Rey: "E-rank? Seriously? We deserve A… or even S!"
Mage: "Rules apply to everyone. Even heroes."
Selva trembled, afraid of angering them. Eragon stepped forward gently.
Eragon: "It's fine. Don't worry… rank doesn't matter to me."
Selva blinked , then blushed softly. But peace didn't last. Rey suddenly grabbed Eragon and threw him down. Knights rushed forward. The general stepped between them, Tension exploded.
Rey: "I'll show this stupid general who he's dealing with!"
He clenched his fist , but before he could strike, Max moved. In one swift motion, he seized Rey from behind and hurled him away. Rey's body flew through the air…crashing deep into the forest with a thunderous impact.
Silence, Everyone froze.
Ben: "…Did you just kill him?"
Max dropped to his knees, horror filling his face. Then , From the distant crater…Rey stood up, rubbing his head.
Rey: "Ouch… Did you really have to throw me that hard?"
Shock turned into disbelief, Then relief. Then laughter. The truth was undeniable. Their power was monstrous. Toward the Dungeon
Rey (smirking): "See? We should already be S-rank."
Mage: "Then prove it… inside the dungeon."
Max grinned.
Max: "Let's reach S-rank within a week."
Snow: "Yeah… I want to test my power too."
Together, they stepped toward the darkness of the dungeon entrance. Selva watched Eragon quietly, hope shining in her eyes.
Eragon's Oath
At the threshold between light and shadow, Eragon whispered to himself:
Eragon: "This time… I will change my fate. The old me will die and the new me will rise."
They walked into the dungeon.
Far Away…Deep within a distant forest, inside the hollow of an ancient tree , An owl opened its eyes, And smiled.