While I was lavishing attention on my priest, my beloved hunter Ana was stuck with the unenviable task of boosting low-level alts in her guild. And when I say “stuck,” I mean it with a capital “S.”

Our guild had a particularly amusing member named Dufflous—or Duffy, as we affectionately called him. Duffy was the kind of player who had boundless enthusiasm but an equally boundless sense of cluelessness. And he loved to ask for boosts. As a level 60 hunter, Ana was often his go-to for such requests.

One fateful day, as I was logging Ana in for an auction run—because, yes, I was saving up for my priest’s epic mount—Duffy messaged me with his usual blend of excitement and cluelessness.

Duffy: “Ana, me old chum! Fancy a boost in Sunken Temple?”

Me: “Oh, bollocks. Sunken Temple? Are you kidding me?”

Sunken Temple was a labyrinthine dungeon in Vanilla WoW, and navigating it was like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while blindfolded. The dungeon was infamous for its confusing layout, multiple levels, and the sheer number of intricate twists and turns. You had to go through a series of ancient, crumbling temples in the Swamp of Sorrows, with tons of hidden traps, strange rites, and a never-ending parade of trolls.

The dungeon was known for:

1. Confusing Layout: A maze of corridors and stairs that made even the most seasoned adventurer’s head spin. Finding the right boss often felt like an exercise in futility.

2. The Bosses: It housed some of the most bizarre bosses, including the infamous Drakkisath and the Prophet Skumar, whose very name instilled fear in the hearts of many.

3. The Gimmicks: From hidden traps to various secrets, Sunken Temple tested not just combat prowess but also patience and navigation skills.

4. The Time Sink: A run through Sunken Temple could easily take several hours, particularly without a map or experienced players.

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Me, in party chat: “Alright, Duffy, I’m in. But I’m warning you, Sunken Temple is a bloody maze. If I end up breaking a toe because of this, it’s on you.”

Duffy: “Haha, don’t worry, Ana! It’ll be a blast. I’m bringing a few alts who could use the XP!”

So, off we went. I found myself once again in the depths of the Sunken Temple, guiding Duffy and his merry band of alts through the winding corridors. I was a pro at this dungeon, having navigated it enough times to memorize the general path, but that didn’t mean it was a walk in the park.

We were on our way to face Eriknus the Dreamer, a lovely dragon who could turn dreams into nightmares. In real life, I needed a pee, so I typed afk in party chat, letting everyone know I’d be right back.

I jumped up from my chair, but as I did, my rottie, Kira, decided it was time for a playful leap. Kira jumped up with me, tripping me as I tried to make my way to the bathroom. I slipped and skidded straight into the door frame, managing to break three toes in the process.

Instead of going to the hospital to get my foot examined, I did the only thing a dedicated gamer would do: I hobbled back to my computer, put my foot up on a chair, and continued on with the dungeon run.

Me, typing in party chat: “Back, folks. Just had a little incident with a door frame and my toes. No big deal, let’s get this done.”

As we continued, we finally reached Eriknus, who was as beautiful as he was terrifying. I was still dealing with my broken toes, but I couldn’t let that get in the way of finishing this dungeon. The pain was something I managed to ignore, probably due to the sheer focus required to navigate through Sunken Temple.

We fought our way through room after room, overcoming each challenge and boss. Even when I had to deal with the pain, I couldn’t help but find humor in the situation, especially when my teammates made light-hearted jokes about my unfortunate accident.

Me, in party chat: “Alright, we’re almost at the end. Just a few more rooms and hopefully no more door frames to deal with.”

Duffy: “Haha, Ana, you’re a trooper! Let’s get this done!”

After what felt like an eternity, we managed to clear Sunken Temple. I was exhausted, my toes were throbbing, and the dungeon was finally behind us. Despite the pain, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

Me, logging out: “Alright, Duffy, next time you need a boost, maybe pick something that doesn’t involve breaking toes or navigating a maze. Deal?”

Duffy: “Deal! Thanks, Ana! You’re the best!”

So, after all the confusion, broken toes, and endless corridors, we managed to conquer Sunken Temple. It was a testament to the endurance of those who braved its depths and the ability to laugh through the madness. Even if it meant a few more bruised toes along the way.