Chapter 20: The Dungeon Break

As the students ran to the portal and slower students were carries by faster peers then

The moment the students burst through the portal, the contrast between the oppressive darkness of the dungeon and the bright, chaotic energy of the outside world was jarring. Exhausted but relieved, Arthur and the others stumbled into the open air, their senses overwhelmed by the sudden flood of sunlight. The once-muted colors of the world outside seemed almost too vivid after the gloomy, oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon. Relief was palpable among the students, but it was quickly overshadowed by the unfolding crisis.

As the last students emerged, the portal began to glow with an unnatural brilliance, casting a sharp, crimson light over the area. Experienced hunters who had been standing by immediately recognized the significance of the portal's transformation. Their faces went from relief to alarm as they shouted orders, their voices cutting through the panic-stricken atmosphere.

"Prepare for a dungeon break!" one of the lead hunters called out, his voice tinged with urgency. The words echoed through the air, and the reality of the situation set in with a heavy, suffocating weight. The seasoned hunters sprang into action, their movements swift and precise as they began coordinating a response. The gravity of the situation became apparent as the students, pale and wide-eyed, absorbed the news. Their earlier exhaustion was now compounded by a fresh wave of anxiety.

Arthur, despite his own fatigue, remained eerily calm amidst the chaos. He observed the scene with a detached focus, his mind racing through the implications of the dungeon break. The portal's transformation was not just an ominous sign; it was a harbinger of the potential disaster that lay ahead. The presence of experienced hunters added a layer of intensity to the scene, their swift actions underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The injured students, some barely able to walk, were quickly attended to by medical teams that had been mobilized for emergencies like this. Those who could still move were ushered towards the makeshift medical stations, while others, too injured to move on their own, were carefully lifted and transported. The sight of their fellow students being treated only heightened the sense of urgency. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of relief that they had made it out and dread over what was yet to come.

Arthur's gaze lingered on the portal as it continued to shimmer with an unsettling red glow. His thoughts raced, piecing together the fragments of information he had gathered. The monster they had faced had been unusually weak, a fact that had puzzled him deeply. The power of the creature had been significantly diminished, suggesting that someone or something had siphoned its strength. This realization only deepened his concern.

While the chaos unfolded around him, Arthur remained focused, analyzing the situation with a strategic mindset. The dungeon break, a rare and dangerous phenomenon, meant that the dungeon's core had either been destroyed or severely destabilized. Such events were known to cause significant upheaval, potentially unleashing creatures and horrors that were otherwise contained.

His attention shifted to the experienced hunters who were now coordinating efforts to manage the situation. They were organizing evacuation procedures and preparing for potential combat scenarios. Their efficiency and expertise were evident, but Arthur couldn't shake the feeling that something more sinister was at play. The dungeon break had come at a time when they were least prepared, and the circumstances of their encounter with the monster were raising more questions than answers.

Arthur's team, though visibly exhausted, had managed to regroup and assess the situation. He could see the concern in their eyes, a reflection of the uncertainty that was shared by all. His own thoughts were a whirl of speculation and curiosity. The weakened state of the monster was unusual for its lineage, and the presence of such a creature in the dungeon spoke of a larger, more complex scenario.

As the hunters continued their preparations, Arthur's mind was occupied with strategizing. He knew that the immediate priority was to assist with the evacuation and ensure that everyone was safe. But he also understood that the situation was far from over. The dungeon break was a significant event, and its implications were vast.

The students, now gathered in small groups, whispered among themselves, their faces etched with worry. They had seen the reality of the dangers they faced in the dungeon and were now grappling with the possibility of facing those dangers again, but on a larger scale. Arthur's calm demeanor was a stark contrast to their palpable anxiety, and it seemed to only amplify the unease of those around him.

Arthur's mind was already racing ahead, considering the possible scenarios that might unfold. The dungeon break was not just a momentary crisis; it had the potential to evolve into something far more dangerous. He needed to stay ahead of the situation, to understand the forces at play and the possible outcomes.

His observations were interrupted as he noticed the headmaster hurriedly making arrangements with the hunters. The urgency of the headmaster's actions underscored the seriousness of the situation. Arthur could see the tension in the headmaster's face, a reflection of the broader crisis that was unfolding.

The scene outside was a whirlwind of activity. Hunters and medical teams worked in unison, their movements a blur of efficiency. The students, though shaken, were gradually regaining their composure. Arthur, amidst the chaos, maintained a calm facade, but internally, he was alert and focused. The weakened monster, the dungeon break, and the strange circumstances surrounding the entire event were all pieces of a puzzle that he was determined to solve.

As the injured were being cared for and the hunters prepared for the potential fallout, Arthur's thoughts turned inward. He knew that the dungeon break was not just a random event; it was a symptom of a larger issue. The power siphoning, the strange weakness of the monster, and the timing of the break were all interconnected in ways he had yet to fully understand.

The portal's glow began to fade, signaling a return to normalcy, but Arthur's mind remained in overdrive. He needed to gather more information, to piece together the clues that were emerging. The weakened monster was a mystery that demanded answers, and Arthur was determined to uncover the truth.

With the immediate crisis under control, the focus shifted to analyzing the situation and preparing for any further developments. Arthur knew that the coming days would be crucial in understanding the full scope of the dungeon break and its implications. For now, he remained vigilant, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

To be continued...