Dungeon Break!

After some time, the group concluded that it was time to end their venture and retire for the night. However, as they emerged from the dungeon, they realized that the early hours of the next day had already arrived. "Damn it," Lucas exclaimed. "It's already morning!"

Mumu, the smallest member of the group, let out a yawn. "We must have completely lost track of time," she remarked. "It's quite easy to do when you're immersed in that dungeon, as it always seems sunny inside."

Lucas broke into a run. "I have to get back to my place!" he yelled.

Unexpectedly, a searing sensation coursed through his right forearm, causing Lucas to halt abruptly and clutch it in pain. The fly tattoo etched on his forearm seemed to glow intensely, intensifying the discomfort. "Be careful!" a voice warned.

Lucas swiftly turned around to see one of his newfound companions, gesturing urgently for him to return. Ash held something out in front of her.

A loud thud reached Lucas's ears, prompting him to whirl around, facing away from the group and toward the path he was traversing. To his astonishment, a massive creature collapsed on the ground before him.

This intimidating being possessed the body of a man, yet its head and lower portion resembled that of a bull.

It was a minotaur.

Embedded in the minotaur's chest was an ice arrow, indicating that someone from the group, likely Ash, the skilled ice marksman, had successfully taken it down.

It took a moment for Lucas to grasp the gravity of the situation—that the minotaur had been targeting him and that it was Ash who had come to his aid.

A puzzling thought flooded Lucas's mind: What was a minotaur doing outside of a dungeon?

Lying beside the fallen minotaur, a sturdy cast iron axe caught Lucas's attention. Reacting swiftly, he grabbed the weapon, only to find himself trapped as three more minotaurs closed in on him from different angles.

The minotaur in the center swung his axe downward with overwhelming force. Lucas's perception of time seemed to elongate, allowing him to raise his own axe just in time to intercept the blow. However, the strength behind the attack forced him to kneel, his teeth clenched in exertion.

Suddenly, the minotaur on the left displayed signs of exhaustion, aging rapidly before their eyes. It stumbled backward, its vitality draining away within an aura of darkness and despair.

Catching a glimpse in his peripheral vision, Lucas noticed Mumu casting a spell directed towards him.

Meanwhile, Ash swiftly released another ice arrow, but this time, the minotaur on the right intercepted it with its right forearm, causing the arrow to embed itself deeply. The minotaur let out a piercing scream and charged at full speed, wielding its axe, aiming to strike the four individuals positioned behind Lucas.

An imposing barrier of dark fire materialized abruptly, halting the charging minotaur in its tracks. However, the flames appeared to be diminishing, their intensity waning.

Lucas quickly identified Annie as the source of this protective barrier.

Taking note of Annie's abilities, Lucas resolved to learn more about the unique powers possessed by their companions. But in the present moment, his primary concern was finding a means of survival amidst this intense battle.

The minotaur locked in combat with Lucas persisted in driving its axe downward, overpowering him with its superior strength. The blade inched dangerously close to Lucas's face, forcing him to grit his teeth and strain every muscle in his body to resist the impending blow.

As the intense battle raged on, Lucas realized that if he managed to survive this ordeal, he needed to address his physical conditioning. He acknowledged that his current strength and stamina were insufficient for even a single encounter with a magical creature.

In that crucial moment, Bard's melodic voice filled the air, momentarily disorienting the minotaur and causing it to pause its relentless assault. Seizing the opportunity, Lucas swiftly slashed at its chest, bringing an end to its life.

Simultaneously, Ash demonstrated remarkable precision by unleashing three more icy arrows, successfully incapacitating the second beast.

The third minotaur appeared visibly drained, its life force mostly depleted. Suddenly, it aged before their eyes, looking older than its counterparts. With a swing of its axe, it attempted to strike Lucas, but he effortlessly evaded the attack, countering with a powerful swing of his own, swiftly ending the assault.

The rest of the group approached Lucas, concerned for his well-being. To their relief, he was merely winded and not injured.

In that moment, their attention was diverted as all of their phones simultaneously began to ring. Ash and Annie retrieved their devices and read the urgent alerts. "There has been a dungeon break in central Metropolis. All S-Rank, A-Rank, and B-Rank adventurers are instructed to prepare and report to the dungeon gate immediately."

Still catching his breath, Lucas gazed at Ash with confusion. "What exactly is a dungeon break?" he inquired.

Ash looked at him with a worried expression. "It's when the magical beasts are able to breach the dungeon gates and enter our world," she explained.

Annie raised an important question. "And what about us?" she inquired. "As C-Rank, D-Rank, and F-Rank adventurers, are we expected to hide along with everyone else?"

This time, Mumu's raspy voice chimed in with a response. "The instructions state that we are to gather near the gates and confront any magical beasts that breach through."

Bard's expression turned fearful. "I must admit, I'd rather seek refuge with the civilians," he confessed.

Lucas, however, took a determined stance. "If the higher-ranked adventurers are absent, then we are the last line of defense," he declared. "It is our duty to stand between the dungeons and the ordinary people."

Bard let out a sigh, while Mumu regarded Lucas with curiosity.

Annie and Ash both nodded in agreement, showing their support for Lucas's decision.