PAUSE!

The fight continued.

Well...

If it could even be called a fight.

I tried dodging to the best of my ability, but the Minotaur was relentless. Every time I thought I had found an opening, it swung again.

I ducked.

Dodged.

Rolled.

Sometimes, I wasn't fast enough.

A blade grazed my arm.

Another attack scraped against my shoulder.

"Damn it."

I gritted my teeth.

"Will this plan even work?"

I was betting my survival on it.

Then—

A second growl echoed through the dungeon.

I froze for a moment.

A familiar, horrifying sound.

Then I smiled.

The second Minotaur had arrived.

"Welcome to the party."

Things immediately became worse.

I continued dodging.

One Minotaur swung.

I ducked.

The other attacked.

I jumped backward.

Another swing came.

I rolled beneath it.

But now there were two of them.

Every opening one gave me was covered by the other.

My breathing grew heavier.

My arms ached.

My legs were beginning to feel like jelly.

Still, I waited.

I simply kept dodging.

Waiting.

Waiting for the perfect moment.

"These things obviously weigh a ton."

I glanced at the two massive Minotaurs.

"If I'm right..."

My eyes narrowed.

"Hopefully, my Skill creates the loophole I need."

Then—

It happened.

The Minotaur wielding the greatsword raised its weapon high.

My eyes widened.

"Now."

I inhaled.

"Pause!"

Instantly—

Everything stopped.

The Minotaurs froze.

The falling dust froze.

Even the tiny droplets of blood hanging in the air stopped moving.

[00:04]

I've never run as much as I did in my entire life.

I dashed toward the second Minotaur.

My heart pounded.

"Come on..."

I grabbed the massive creature.

"Move!"

The Minotaur shifted.

I shoved it directly into the pathway of the falling greatsword.

My eyes widened.

It was working.

The weight that should have made moving the Minotaur impossible...

Wasn't there.

The enormous creature felt almost weightless.

"Seriously?"

I pushed harder.

[00:02]

"Come on!"

I barely managed to position the second Minotaur perfectly.

I threw myself backward.

[00:01]

Time resumed.

[Cooldown Begins: 59]

The greatsword came crashing down.

CRACK!

The blade buried itself into the second Minotaur's skull.

Its body collapsed.

Silence.

The remaining Minotaur stared at its fallen ally.

Then it looked at me.

It roared furiously.

I slowly raised my sword.

"Sorry, buddy."

I smirked.

"But I'm winning this fight."

A translucent screen appeared before my eyes.

[LEVEL UP!]

[Level 1 → 2]

[+4 Attribute Points]

I blinked.

"Four?"

[[TIME HERO]

Name: Takumi Tokida

Level: 2

EXP: 30 / 60

STR: 14

AGI: 15

VIT: 13

DEX: 12

INT: 5

Mana Pool: 10/10

ATT:

Fire

Wind

Lightning

Sound

Ice

Unique Skill: [Pause <IN-USE>]

Duration: 5 seconds

Cooldown: 60 seconds]