Bear Paw stood among the other smithies, a sturdy stone building with a wide entrance and a massive wooden sign carved with a bear paw emblem. Unlike the grander forges meant for noble commissions, Orm's was practical, worn, and well-used—a pce for real warriors to get real weapons.The sign on the door read "Open."Still, I knocked before pushing the heavy wooden door open. The scent of burning charcoal and hot metal instantly washed over us, thick and familiar. Inside, the workshop was dimly lit by the forge's orange glow, casting long shadows against the stone walls lined with weapons and armor.Orm was seated behind the counter, his thick arms folded as he puffed from his long wooden pipe. The gray smoke curled around his rugged face, partially hiding his sharp, observant eyes.

  His grizzled beard, streaked with bck and gray, twitched slightly as he exhaled, and his rge, calloused hands idly tapped the counter. He was studying some papers, his brows furrowed as if deep in thought.As soon as he noticed us, he folded the papers, slipping them into his pocket with a practiced motion. Then, he scanned us both, his gaze sharp as ever."Hah. Don't tell me you brats already broke your weapons," he said, his deep voice carrying a mix of amusement and mild disappointment.I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling slightly guilty. "Yeah… about that…"Orm took a slow puff from his pipe before exhaling heavily, a knowing look in his eyes."Let me guess. You two ran into something nasty and underestimated it?"Elise sighed, shifting her weight onto her uninjured leg. "We didn't expect that many goblin elites. It got rough."Orm curled his lips slightly—a rare smirk. "Tch. Rookie mistake."Elise nudged me with her elbow and whispered, "Ask him about that person…"I cleared my throat. "Actually, we wanted to ask about something else too. That person—Sui."Orm raised an eyebrow, taking another long drag from his pipe."Sui?" He blew out a thick plume of smoke before chuckling. "Now that's interesting."As if summoned by his name, a rustling sound came from the back of the forge.A figure suddenly appeared behind Orm, moving so fast I barely registered it.Sui.He had the same scruffy bck hair and untamed beard, his brown eyes half-lidded like he had just woken up. His clothes were loose, slightly dirty from soot, and he stretched zily, rolling his shoulders as he stepped forward."Hoh?" His voice was deep but carried a teasing edge. "Looks like something happened inside the dungeon that made you think twice, huh?"I stiffened. Elise did too. The guy had a way of reading people.Sui's lips curled into an amused grin. "So, what is it? Realizing relying on potions alone won't save your asses?"Neither Elise nor I could deny it.We nodded.Sui ughed, rubbing his chin. "Alright then. If you want advice, let's see if you're worth giving it to."Orm coughed, exaggeratedly clearing his throat. "Ahem, ahem."Sui sighed. "Fine, fine. Come back tomorrow morning. We'll see what you're really made of."I exchanged a gnce with Elise.We didn't know what we were in for, but we had a feeling it wouldn't be easy.

  –The morning, the sun cast a gentle glow over Dragnir City as Kael and Elise approached Bear Paw, Orm's renowned forge. Dressed in simple attire, devoid of their usual gear, they noticed the "Closed" sign hanging on the door. Undeterred, Kael knocked and pushed the door open.Inside, the familiar scent of molten metal and burning coal filled the air. Orm, the master bcksmith, stood by a workbench, meticulously polishing a set of heavy metal ankle weights. His muscur arms moved with practiced precision, and his keen eyes flicked up as the duo entered."He's at the back," Orm grunted, nodding towards the depths of the forge. "Go through my forge; there's a red door. Go in."Kael and Elise exchanged a brief greeting with Orm before proceeding. As they ventured deeper, they were struck by the forge's expansive interior. Contrary to their expectations of a cramped workspace, everything was meticulously organized, a testament to Orm's disciplined nature.Approaching the red door, they noticed intricate engravings along its frame. Kael paused, his brow furrowing in curiosity. The symbols hinted at arcane origins, possibly enchantments. After a moment's contemption, he grasped the knob and opened the door.Beyond y a vast courtyard, its boundaries and even the sky painted in a uniform white. To the left stood an array of training dummies and target logs, while to the right, a modest hut with a thatched roof. Outside the hut, Sui lounged on a long chair, appearing to nap.The sound of the door opening stirred Sui. He opened his eyes, stretching nguidly as Kael and Elise approached. A sly smile pyed on his lips."Impressive, isn't it?" Sui remarked, gesturing broadly. "This here is the old man's treasure—a dimensional pocket."Kael and Elise stood in awe. While Kael had read about pocket dimensions—small, self-contained spaces created through powerful magic—experiencing one firsthand was entirely different. The seamless blend of the familiar and the surreal left them momentarily speechless.They nodded in agreement, still absorbing the marvel before them.Sui's grin widened. "Welcome to your new hell."

  Sui, observing their reactions, spoke with a stern tone, "Don't expect that the whole training will be easy; it's quite the opposite. If you want to improve your current strengths, be persistent with what's coming."

  The two exchanged determined gnces and nodded at Sui, their resolve evident. Seeing this, Sui allowed a slight smile to curve his lips and continued, "First, let me assess your current stamina. Run around the courtyard until you pass out."Kael and Elise grimaced but complied without protest. They began jogging around the expansive courtyard, their footsteps echoing softly against the white expanse. The air was cool, carrying a faint metallic scent, likely from the forge beyond. As they ran, the rhythmic sound of their breathing and the steady thud of their feet created a hypnotic cadence.

  After nearly two hours, Kael was the first to falter. His legs felt like lead, muscles burning with every step. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he colpsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

  Elise continued, her face set in determination, but thirty minutes ter, she too succumbed to exhaustion, colpsing beside Kael. Her more defined muscles and prior conditioning had allowed her to st longer, but even she had her limits.Sui observed them with a critical eye, his arms crossed over his chest. His lean frame belied a hidden strength, and his sharp features conveyed both wisdom and discipline. His silver hair was tied back, revealing piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through them. He approached the exhausted pair and remarked, "You're more pathetic than I expected. It's a surprise you've managed to survive the dungeon all this time."Hearing this, Kael and Elise felt a pang of guilt. They realized that their survival had been more due to luck than skill. Sui's words, though harsh, rang true.Sui then instructed, "Go drink some water from the hut and rest a little." The two struggled to their feet and made their way to the modest hut. Inside, the air was cool and carried the earthy scent of aged wood.

  They found barrels filled with fresh water and drank deeply, the cool liquid soothing their parched throats. Afterward, they settled onto a long wooden bench, its surface worn smooth from years of use, and allowed their weary bodies to rest.