Awakening Of The Forgotten World

The world shifted as Dain stepped through the dungeon exit portal.

One moment, he was surrounded by ancient stone and eerie blue torchlight, the weight of the dungeon's secrets pressing down on him.

The next—

He was outside, standing at the entrance of the Western Ruins, the crisp morning air rushing to meet him.

Dawn had broken while he was inside. The sky was painted in hues of orange and gold, the first light of day stretching across the rolling hills that surrounded Eldrin's Hollow.

Dain exhaled slowly, his mind still processing everything that had happened.

The battle. The dungeon. The system changes.

His hand instinctively went to Silverlight, now resting at his hip. The weapon felt different from his old iron sword—not just in weight but in presence.

It was as if the blade itself was watching him, waiting for something.

And then there was the Mysterious Rune Fragment.

He still had no idea what it was for.

But the system had told him to find the others.

That meant this was just the beginning.

As he began the trek back toward the village, Dain noticed something strange.

Everything felt… sharper.

The rustling of leaves in the distance. The faint sound of birds taking flight. Even the cool breeze on his skin—it was all clearer, more defined than before.

A notification appeared.

[New Passive Ability Unlocked: Dungeon-Touched (Lv.1)]

• User has cleared their first dungeon. The experience has enhanced their instincts.

• Slight increase to perception and reaction speed outside of dungeons.

Dain's brows lifted slightly.

So the effects of the system weren't just limited to combat.

He was growing in ways he hadn't expected.

His body wasn't just getting stronger—it was becoming more attuned to the world around him.

The thought sent a thrill through him.

This was only the beginning.

By the time Dain reached the outskirts of Eldrin's Hollow, the village was already awake.

Farmers were tending to their fields, merchants setting up their stalls. The scent of fresh bread drifted from the baker's hut, mingling with the usual sounds of morning life.

But something was different.

People were watching him.

Not just with curiosity, but with something else.

Whispers passed between villagers.

"That's him, isn't it?"

"He went into the ruins…"

"Did you hear? He fought the hobgoblins too."

"The system… could it really be back?"

Dain exhaled sharply.

His return wasn't going unnoticed.

But before he could think about how to respond—

A familiar voice called out.

"Dain!"

He turned to see Edric approaching, his expression serious.

"Come with me. Now."

Dain frowned but followed.

Whatever was happening—he had a feeling this was important.

Dain was led straight to the village hall, a modest stone structure that served as the center of leadership for Eldrin's Hollow.

Inside, a small group of elders and senior villagers were gathered around a wooden table.

Torren, the blacksmith, was there. So was Maelin, the healer, and a few of the older men and women who had overseen village affairs for decades.

The air was tense.

As soon as Dain stepped inside, all eyes turned to him.

Silence filled the room.

Then, one of the elders—a man named Garrik—spoke.

"You entered the ruins," he said. "And you returned."

Dain nodded slowly. "I did."

More whispers.

Another elder leaned forward. "And? What did you find?"

Dain hesitated.

How much should he say?

Would they even believe him?

He glanced at Edric, who gave him a small nod.

Tell them.

Dain took a slow breath.

"There was a dungeon inside," he said. "A real dungeon. And I cleared it."

A stunned silence followed.

Then—the room erupted.

"That's impossible!"

"Dungeons were lost centuries ago!"

"The system… is it truly returning?"

Dain held his ground as the elders argued amongst themselves, their voices rising in disbelief, excitement, and fear.

Finally, Torren raised a hand, silencing the room.

"Enough," the blacksmith said. His eyes locked onto Dain. "What proof do you have?"

Dain responded without a word.

He simply unsheathed Silverlight.

The silver glow of the blade filled the room, casting long shadows against the stone walls.

Gasps rippled through the elders.

"That's…"

"Impossible…"

Maelin, the healer, stepped forward, her voice almost reverent. "That blade…" she whispered. "It holds power."

Dain nodded. "It was my reward for clearing the dungeon."

A heavy silence followed.

Then, Garrik spoke again, his voice steady but grim.

"If dungeons are returning… then so are the monsters."

A cold weight settled in Dain's chest.

Because Garrik was right.

The hobgoblins, the skeletons, the Guardian of Valdros—they weren't anomalies.

They were signs of something bigger.

Something waking up.

And if the system was returning to him—

How long before it returned to others?

"We need to prepare," Edric said. "We barely survived the hobgoblins. If more creatures are coming, we won't be able to hold out."

The elders murmured in agreement.

But then—Torren spoke again.

"We don't have warriors," he said. "Not like the old days. And we don't have time to train new ones."

The room fell silent again.

Until one of the elders spoke.

"We don't," she said. "But he does."

Dain stiffened.

The elders' eyes turned to him.

Torren crossed his arms. "You have the system, don't you?"

Dain swallowed. "I… do."

Garrik nodded. "Then you may be the only one who can save this village."

The words hit him like a hammer.

Everyone was looking at him now.

Expecting him to lead. To protect.

To become something more.

Dain exhaled.

He had fought to survive before.

But now?

He was fighting for all of them.

A system notification appeared.

[New Quest Unlocked: The First Protector]

• Objective: Prepare Eldrin's Hollow for future threats.

• Reward: Increased Influence, ???

Dain's fingers tightened.

The system was pushing him forward.

Not just as a fighter.

But as a leader.

He looked around the room. At the faces of the people who were depending on him.

He couldn't afford to hesitate.

Because the world was changing.

And he was the first to step into it.

Dain met their gazes.

"I'll do it," he said.

"I'll protect this village."

A new path has arrived.

And there was no turning back.