The voices in the tunnel grew closer.
Con stood frozen in the chamber.
His heart was pounding so loudly he was sure the newcomers could hear it.
Rune magic.
Those people outside knew rune magic.
That alone was enough to terrify him.
Because anyone capable of using such forbidden techniques wasn't just dangerous.
They were insane.
Rune magic didn't summon normal shit.
Con clenched his teeth.
I need to leave.
If those people discovered him here, there would be questions.
And questions led to attention.
Attention led to danger.
It was like painting a target on his forehead.
Not just for him.
For everyone around him.
Harun.
His friends.
Even Isabelle.
His chest tightened.
No… I can't let that happen.
He stepped backward silently.
The voices were already entering the chamber.
"…the guards are dead."
"…impossible."
"…someone interfered."
A second voice spoke coldly.
"Find them."
Con's pulse spiked.
There was no time to sneak out.
He would be discovered.
For a brief moment, he considered fighting.
But that thought vanished instantly.
People who knew rune magic could unleash something far worse than monsters.
If he started a battle here, the situation might spiral beyond control.
No.
Fighting was the worst possible choice.
Con exhaled slowly.
There was only one option left.
One he had been trying to avoid.
Space Shift.
A teleportation spell.
He had memorized it from the system during the short time he used his hand mirror.
But when he tested it before, the spell had nearly drained him unconscious.
But the footsteps were getting closer.
"…check the chamber."
Con clenched his teeth.
Damn it.
He raised his hand slightly.
Mana surged through his body.
The spell formula formed in his mind.
"Space Shift."
The world folded.
The tunnel vanished.
For a brief instant—
Reality twisted like a sheet of paper being bent.
Then—
Everything snapped back.
Con stumbled forward.
Wood creaked under his boots.
The familiar smell of the inn surrounded him.
His room.
He had made it.
But the moment the spell finished—
Every ounce of strength left his body.
His vision spun.
…right.
He suddenly remembered.
He had used magic earlier.
Two spells against the boss monsters.
And now a teleportation spell on top of that.
Shit.
His knees buckled.
Con grabbed the edge of the table to steady himself.
His body felt hollow.
Like every drop of energy had been drained.
Too much…
His hand slipped.
The room tilted sideways.
"…damn it."
He barely managed to mutter the words before collapsing.
His body hit the wooden floor with a dull thud.
The last thought that crossed his mind before darkness swallowed him was simple.
I need to warn them.