Under normal circumstances, Zack would have no hope of winning.

The difference in tiers is not something that can be overcome with numbers. Also, the distance between them isn't that much, and it's obvious that the guard has a close combat class so they are at a clear disadvantage. Especially considering that the guard didn't attack head-on, but instead ambushed them.

Despite everything, Zack has a few things going for him.

When Kenzo was halfway away from his enemy, Zack had already spread the dust from his bag into the guard's eyes and nose with his spell.

The first thing is that the guard only knows the abilities we've used so far, which means that each of the spells that Zack knows, but the guard doesn´t, is a potential advantage that could put the fight in his favor.

As Zack expected. The guard, aware of Zack's spell, closed his eyes. Not that that stopped him from getting rid of them. Under normal circumstances, killing all three with his eyes closed wouldn't be a problem.

But these were not normal circumstances.

The guard parried Kenzo's sword with his own, knocking him back.

'Trip'

At that moment, the ground under the guard shifted, revealing a small hole that wasn't there before.

It's one of several spells Zack learned in his short month in the tower, a tier 0 earth elemental spell. Trip.

The power of the spell was minuscule. Earth magic is known for changing the terrain in a lethal way for enemies. Obviously, this spell is of no use other than to introduce young wizards to this branch of magic.

Unless the spell occurs right where you were going to put your foot.

Zack calculated the exact place and moments in which his attacker was going to advance to get close enough to Kenzo to finish him off.

"What the…?" exclaimed his adversary. The guard was so surprised to step on the spot where Zack cast his magic that he had to open his eyes to reposition himself.

In other circumstances, this would not have been necessary but the surprise, coupled with the fact that they are fighting while an earthquake occurs, was enough to throw him off balance.

"Ugh!" Zack took advantage of that moment to introduce the dust that he kept around the guard in his eyes and mouth.

Kenzo was surprised to see how the situation had changed in an instant. That didn't stop him from taking advantage of the situation, lashing out with his sword at the now-blinded guard.

Zack knew it couldn't be that easy, if that was enough to take down a palace guard, the kingdom would have been destroyed long ago.

Clank!

As Zack expected, the guard used his sword to defend himself and was even able to counterattack despite not being able to see anything.

The sound of swords colliding echoed through the dungeon as both warriors fought without stopping. Fortunately, they had already killed all the monsters on this floor. If they hadn't, with the noise they were making, they would have already been attacked by monsters if there were any breathing.

The fight between Kenzo and the guard was clearly unbalanced. In each clash of swords, one could tell the difference in strength and experience. The match hadn’t ended yet because Zack was constantly casting spells, away from the combatants.

One spell, in particular, was extremely effective, as Zack managed to conjure sparks, right into his assailant's mouth, nearly causing him to scream, and causing the guard to look at him in a way that, if looks could kill, Zack would be dead ten times already.

Even so, Zack did not have the slightest joy on his face. He knows perfectly well that the longer the confrontation lasted, the more difficult it would be to get out of there alive.

The guard was already starting to get used to Kenzo´s movements, and he even got to predict where Zack would cast some of his spells.

Luckily, they weren't alone.

After finishing one of the attacks, a figure suddenly appeared next to the guard, weapon in hand.

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Slash

The attack took the guard by surprise, who had no time to defend himself and had to step back.

There was only one person who had been waiting for this to happen.

A mound of earth suddenly appeared, in the place where the guard was going to step, which unbalanced him again.

Ryu and Kenzo took advantage of the opening to pounce on the guard, pressing him to continue.

In the rear, Zack could see how a wound had appeared along the guard's right arm. It was a superficial wound at best, but that revitalized Kenzo's energies, who attacked again with renewed force.

As Ryu and Kenzo continued to attack, Zack carefully examined the terrain.

The tremors in the dungeon had not diminished but increased instead. And little by little, the area they were in was becoming unrecognizable.

Despite all the efforts of Zack and his companions, the situation was getting worse by the minute. Ryu's addition to the battle helped temporarily improve the situation, but that doesn't mean they can defeat his aggressor.

By the time he ambushed them, the guard had a calm expression on his face, almost bored, as if he was the one taking out the trash, not killing them. Now that expression has disappeared and in its place is an expression of total concentration. He had evidently begun to take them seriously.

While the battle continued, Zack kept inspecting his surroundings. Zack was perfectly aware that it was only a matter of time before they were defeated. They need something that will give them a definite advantage, something that the guy can't recover from.

Suddenly, Zack's eyes fell on a crack that was expanding, with no sign of stopping. That was what they needed to turn the fight around.

In the interval between spells, Zack threw a small rock at Ryu to get his attention. Fortunately, the guard still had his eyes closed, and the noise of the walls and walls cracking from the tremor made him unable to detect the sound of him.

Ryu looked somewhat annoyed in the direction of Zack, who pointed his eyes in the direction of the crack. At first, Ryu seemed confused, but soon after he understood what Zack meant and nodded his head.

Gradually, Ryu's combat pattern changed, inadvertently leading his opponent in the desired direction.

…

Roy was having a bad day. In theory, his job was supposed to be easy. Get rid of some kids who had barely contacted the system for a month.

Roy did not doubt, he could do it. Like anyone with his experience, he has complete confidence in his abilities.

Then why?

Why haven't I been able to kill them yet?

Roy admits he wasn't taking things seriously at first, but still, this match should have been over a long time ago.

Roy advanced to take advantage of an opening from the big guy, having to quickly back off when he noticed that the ground was shifting under his feet. If he had continued advancing, he would most likely have received another injury.

Roy's right arm itched as he remembered his wound. It was a superficial wound, but a real wound.

(That damn magician!) thought Roy, furious.

He regretted a little for having refused the help of his companions to get rid of these three. If he hadn't been so proud, he wouldn't have found himself in this trouble. Although maybe it's better this way.

If any of his teammates found out that some fledglings had managed to hurt him, they would be the laughingstock of his team. Just thinking that these brats had managed to hurt him, an unprecedented fury flooded him.

What frustrated him the most is that due to being inside the dungeon, he couldn't use most of his skills. His skills were made for fighting on the battlefield, in the open field, not in a narrow cave. The fact that the terrain is constantly changing doesn't help either.

Roy shook his head to put those thoughts out of his head. What he needed now was a calm mind. Getting angry now would only make things worse.

Roy moved to the left to avoid the swords of the brats. It's not the first time he has had trouble with an enemy, and it certainly won't be the last.

Little by little, Roy began to calm down, and easily read the movements of his enemies. Despite having his eyes closed and irritated by the dust, that doesn't stop him from showing his years of experience fighting in more difficult situations than this.

Roy was waiting, waiting for them to make a mistake. At that point, he would show them who's boss.

(Now!)

Slash

Roy moved his arm to the left and felt how his sword had plunged into one of the `heroes´.

(Jackpot!)

Ryu's mind was filled with joy at landing the blow. Although it was only a blow to his arm, it was a deep wound. That will allow him to get rid of him, then the other guy, and finally that damn wizard.

When Ryu tried to withdraw the sword, he felt that something was preventing him from pulling it out from the wound.

(Do you really think that's enough to take my sword?) Roy thought. The difference in strength between them was much more than they thought.

Roy used more force to pull on the sword, but it still didn't move.

That makes no sense. The only way they could stop him from swinging the sword would be if two of them held the sword together, but that would prevent them from attacking him, making grabbing his sword pointless.

(Why would they do something like that?)

Just as Roy was searching for the reason, a strong source of light and heat appeared very close to them.

"FIREBALL!" shouted the magician.

Roy's stress levels skyrocketed. If that were to impact it would be enough that he couldn't be at full capacity. It's likely that he still would get rid of the brats, but there are dozens of guards fighting at the entrance of the dungeon right now.

As soon as they see him without the heroes, it will be enough for them to consider him an enemy. His orders were clear, defend them at the cost of his life, and in the army, it is not considered a good idea for a soldier to not follow orders.

Roy stepped quickly to the side, not caring about his sword. At that moment, the ground before him opened up, and Roy fell to the floor.

Roy reluctantly opened his eyes to prevent himself from falling to the ground, but what he saw left him speechless.

There was no ground, there was a crack. A crack had opened up below him, big enough for a person to walk through, and he was hurtling toward it.

It wasn´t a spell; it was a trap.

Roy turned quickly to grab something not to fall, but something caught his attention in the corner of his eye.

(That's not a fireball) Those were the last thoughts before falling into the darkness.

In front of him, a ball of light floated calmly between the two brutes holding his sword, smiling.