Chapter 60: The Path
Gabriel and Bella waited in line to leave the city.
Bérsaic maintained strict organization and discipline. Every entry and exit was carefully recorded. With a severe system of punishments.
The line was not very long, but different players and NPCs sought to leave the safety of the walls every day. Some for business, others for quests, and many simply seeking adventures.
They waited patiently until their turn came.
They described their personal data and reasons vaguely to the guards. Their requests were accepted without problems.
For players it worked on an automatic system that ended quickly.
They were given a small identification and were finally allowed to leave.
***
For the journey they had to face next, they had the brilliant idea of renting a small cart. It was pulled by two skinny horses and a very probably drunk driver.
For the modest sum of one silver, it was a precarious but very useful service. After tossing a coin in the air, Bella had ended up paying.
They set off with jolts along the neglected paths outside the walls. They were old and robust paths that maintained a slight appearance through the years, avoiding being truly repaired.
The distant worn tower looked even more imposing from outside. Its irrevocable silhouette through time captured Gabriel’s attention.
Until his contemplation was abruptly interrupted.
"Bérsaic is too rigid compared to other cities. So outdated," commented Bella, looking back.
The old man driving gestured some words in protest, without managing to complete his sentence. He decided he would defend his beloved city another day.
"I like it. That rustic edge is unique and very necessary in places like this," replied Gabriel instead.
"You’re boring! Although, truthfully, it is like that... Have you heard about those players kidnapped by bandits?"
"Really unfortunate."
The journey quickly divided into trivialities. With the driver’s occasional curses at the road conditions.
The landscapes were dominated by autumn. And fleetingly one could observe the presence of different animals.
It was a small moment of very welcome satisfaction.
Bella directed the driver, maintaining secrecy about the exact destination. Gabriel comfortably kept silent about it.
It was normal for the holder of the information to take the initiative and not reveal it easily.
His thoughts remained intertwined throughout his active mission. He had never abandoned his reflections.
He needed to strengthen himself urgently to overcome his bottleneck. He was still too weak to impose himself on the possibilities that loomed.
And that was one of his main motivations when facing the next challenge.
Everything demanded more strength.
***
They continued like this for a good stretch, with the cart jumping over irregular stones and roots.
"It’s really a shame to have emerged in this city! There is no one capable, and those who are leave quickly," she complained for the nth time.
It was not the first time Gabriel had heard that kind of pessimism from her.
Finally he asked:
"Do you know players from other cities?"
It was an inquisitive question. A careless answer could reveal more secrets than anyone would be happy with.
"Talent is talent. Only fools who think they can survive alone don’t understand it... Are you one of those fools?" replied Bella with seriousness and amusement.
"Yes. Life has taught me to be one of those fools."
It was a brief response, but it silenced the atmosphere for several minutes.
Bella was not an idiot. She understood the hidden meaning behind his words. There were wounds that should never come to light.
Gabriel was not an idealist. Pessimism had taken root in his bones, but he preferred to face it with control and strength. Because complacency only led to decline.
The cart continued its path between jumps and rattles.
***
After a considerable time, they were finally close. Bella’s anxiety grew while Gabriel became increasingly serious.
The dungeon was relatively close to the city, but hidden enough not to be easily discovered.
"We’ll arrive soon! Get ready. It’s a very important dungeon," announced Bella with complexity.
Gabriel remained with his normal serious expression.
It was the first time he was venturing out without his jester mask. He felt exposed, but also freer.
He was always ready for any kind of dungeon.
Finally, at a specific point on the path, Bella stopped the cart driver and thanked him for his service.
"If we survive, we’ll have to walk back," she said with a smile too big for Gabriel’s liking.
They did not engage in useless and idle chatter. To his surprise, Bella advanced bravely through the thick undergrowth.
She was not simply a flower raised in a greenhouse. Her movements showed experience and determination.
But even so, she was surprisingly sensitive.
Her eyes began to water and she started sneezing repeatedly.
Gabriel brought a hand to his face and thought:
I really didn’t know you could have allergies inside the game.
The comical moment lasted little.
Because soon they began to notice the first vestiges of abnormalities. The intrinsic meaning of the calm before the storm.
All dungeons included a certain degree of distortion in the setting.
In this case, they were fallen trees gnawed to their roots, along with earth that strangely turned yellowish and senile.
Everything surrounded a dark cave in the middle of nowhere.
The entrance looked like an open mouth waiting to devour whoever entered.
"There are many versions about this cave. But they all agree on the mysteries it holds. One mistake and we will both die," whispered Bella, lowering her voice.
Gabriel looked at the cave with cold eyes.
"Neither of us will die today," he replied.
His voice admitted no doubts.
It was his opportunity to once again face the challenges presented by a dungeon. And, above all, it was the first after his experience in the Novice Village.
Bérsaic, Larnac and the gigantic world did not allow the existence of weaklings. Countless players grew stronger by facing those dangers.
And facing the dangers of a dungeon was one of them.
Where countless players fell every day and countless others rose.
Gabriel had already decided his destiny.
