In the same way that things were happening outside, the inside of the dungeon was also not peaceful.
Zack didn't know what was happening either, the only thing that differentiated him from the others was that he could feel a strong increase in the amount of mana around him. If before it was like walking through a thick fog, now it was like walking underwater.
“ZACK, GET DOWN!!!”
Zack didn't know who had yelled, but still, he obeyed the voice and ducked quickly. The next thing he felt was a breeze passing over his head.
swish
"Ugh"
When he raised his head again, Zack saw Ryu flying through the air until he hit the wall, and the guard who had been following them had his sword drawn.
It was obvious what had happened, the guard had attacked him. If it wasn't for Ryu, Zack would probably already be dead, or at least, with a sword in his hand.
The guard said nothing, there was no big speech, no explanation of reasons. Seeing that Zack was still alive he rushed towards him. His footsteps were firm and without an iota of hesitation, as if the earthquake around him didn't affect him. He wasn't even in a hurry, he was approaching him slowly as if he knew they had no way to escape from here, which they probably didn't.
Seeing Zack being attacked, Kenzo took his weapon and prepared to face the guard. Kenzo didn't expect to win, all he wanted was to buy time for Ryu to recover and they could attack together.
Zack knew that this strategy was doomed to fail. Although none of them had seen their nanny in combat, if he was strong enough to deal with situations that the three of them together couldn't solve, there would be no point in him being here.
The earthquake began to stop. Zack was finally able to regain his balance and examine the situation.
Eh?
When Zack looked at his companions, Kenzo was looking ahead with a determined expression, and the guard who was going to attack had also stopped, looking at them without doing anything, but that wasn't the strangest thing.
(Why is Ryu floating?)
Ryu was leaning against the wall, but his feet weren't touching the ground.
Suddenly, Zack understood everything. It was not that the others were standing still, and the earthquake was over. It's Zack who has a problem.
Zack's thoughts raced, and the world around him began to move in slow motion.
Zack knew what was going on. In a high-stress situation, where life is likely to be lost, a mage can subconsciously inject mana into his brain, giving him more time to try to fix the problem. This phenomenon is called 'Magic Stop'. Zack didn't learn this from one of the library books but from one of Albert's classes.
The only moment of the day where he thought he was wasting his time turns out to be the one that could save his life.
(It seems that I did learn something useful after all) Zack thought wryly.
What doesn't make sense is why this is happening to him. Although some magicians have experienced this situation in extremely dangerous situations, each and every one of them was a combat veteran, stronger, more powerful, and more experienced than Zack.
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How is it possible that someone who lacks the instincts, the strength, and the experience necessary to achieve something like this, could have done it?
For a moment, the words 'plot armor' popped into Zack's head, but he quickly dismissed that thought.
As much as his life has experienced things that resemble anime, this is still real life. Also, if this was an anime, he wouldn't be the lead. Yamato would be the protagonist. He would be one of the extras behind, cheering while Yamato and his companions defeat the enemies, or maybe the cannon fodder that would die in the first episode-
No, this is real life, and there has to be a real explanation.
(The dungeon!!) Zack exclaimed. For some strange reason, the dungeon's mana concentration has increased exponentially from one moment to the next. Other people would only feel a slight choking sensation for a second, but for a magician like Zack, such a quick transition can have unpredictable effects.
When Zack was attacked, Zack's body experienced another round of stress that unconsciously guided the dungeon's chaotic mana towards him, and caused something Zack couldn't have accomplished on his own. A chance to get out alive.
Although it seems like a long time has passed since the magical stop began, it has actually been less than a second.
Zack took a look around him to try to formulate a plan. If he wants to get out of here alive, he's going to need to use all the resources he has at his disposal.
…
The interior of the dungeon was constantly shifting, and the walls, and roof were beginning to crack on all sides. All the floors were changing, altering the very structure of the dungeon.
"What's going on?"
"Earthquake!"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
All the people who were in the dungeon were suffering from the effects of its evolution.
The walls became unstable, and debris began to fall from the ceiling.
In some groups, figures dressed in black began to emerge from the shadows and attack the students.
"Ahhhh!!!"
"Airi!"
“Back off! A magician should stay in the rear."
Sadly for the raiders, the guards assigned to protect the students should not be underestimated.
"Ugh"
The knight assigned to Miyu's group quickly disposed of the two intruders and brought Airi to her friends. After depositing her in a safe place, he began to examine the surroundings in case more enemies were waiting to ambush them.
"Ari, are you all right?" Miyu asked when she saw the wound that went through his entire arm. Airi tried to smile to ease her worries, but she didn't seem to convince anyone.
"Move away"
Saki, the only person out of all the summoned people with the priestess class, roughly pushed Miyu aside as she approached Airi.
Her hands began to glow with warm white light, and Airi's pained expression gradually disappeared.
As Miyu watched as the wound healed itself and couldn't help but lament her own helplessness. Until a moment ago everything was going well. The monsters were tough, but nothing they couldn't face together. When has everything become like this?
If she had known that the dungeon would change like this, Miyu would have studied more. Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret, and Miyu can only watch as her friends get hurt.
…
When has everything become like this?
While Miyu was deep in herself, the guard in charge of protecting Austin's group was starting to make plans to change careers once it was all over.
“Stay together!!”
Unlike Miyu's group, the guard protecting them was not as skilled, having a hard time taking on two enemies at once.
The only thing he could do was hope that the 'heroes' could distract them enough to show some opening, and he could counterattack.
The sounds of battle echoed through the halls, and nearby beasts rushed toward them, hoping for easy prey.
When the first monster got close enough for him to identify it, the guard's face couldn't help but darken.
The dungeon is evolving, which means the monsters in it are evolving too. With each passing minute, each creature with chaotic mana in its body is becoming more aggressive, and stronger, and its mutation more complete.
Neither he nor his adversaries would have problems with beasts like that. The heroes, however, are another story. The only thing he can do now is keep the assassins busy, and hope the heroes can deal with the monsters and lend him a hand.
(Yes. I should definitely change careers) the guard thought as he defended himself from one of the attackers.
…
After not exactly sure how much time, the effect of the magic stop was fading, and people started moving again in Zack´s eyes.
Although he would like to say that he had made the perfect plan, and he would crush anything that crossed his way, that would be a lie.
Yes. He made a plan. An untested, hopeful plan full of holes. It could be even called a bet. If he wins, all good, if not… Not-so-good.
Still, Zack doesn´t have any other options. All he can do is start moving and hope his predictions are right. Zack used the last moments of the magic stop to calm down.
Zack started to feel the earthquake again, and everyone started moving as well.