Dimensional Descent

Leonel felt a slight dizziness that soon disappeared. He could vaguely feel that his quick recovery was anything but natural, however he didn't have much evidence to back this.

He found himself in a long corridor, dimly lit by flickering torches that hung from the walls. Large irregularly shaped stones formed the bricks that built the surroundings, giving the place the feel of an ancient tomb.

Just as Leonel was about to take a step forward, something completely unexpected happened.

[Subject detected. Leonel Morales, 17]

[Credit: First to enter Sub-Dimensional Zone. Accomplishment recorded]

Leonel stared blankly at the wrist watch on his arm.

[Earth is currently in a state of metamorphosis, ascending from the Third Dimension to the Fourth. Its present state is that of an In Between Dimension. To complete the evolution, certain requirements must be met. The Ascension Empire will rely on its citizens more than it ever has before, Godspeed]

To someone else, maybe these words would have had a calming effect. But to Leonel, his chest tightened as he tried to suppress the desire to simmer with rage.

Leonel didn't know what was going on, but what he did know was that whatever 'metamorphosis' was happening didn't account for this oh so 'helpful' aid on his wrist. This meant that the Ascension Empire knew that this change was coming and did nothing to prepare for it.

No. That wasn't accurate. They had prepared. It was just that they felt the lives of the billions who fell from the skies weren't worthy of protecting. The Empire was capable of creating technology that worked in this 'In Between Dimension', yet they hadn't made it widespread.

Eventually, Leonel's anger turned to laughter, his grip tightening around his metal rod to the point his knuckles turned an unhealthy shade of white.

[Subject: Leonel Morales]

[Ability detected: Sensory Type]

[Ability grade: D]

[Warning, margin of error for subject Leonel Morales is outside reasonable bounds. Only 5% of DNA recognizable. Abnormality recorded. It is advised that subject not trust his life to this data]

[Sub-Dimensional Zone detected: Mayan Tomb. Spanish invasion]

[Sub-Dimensional Zone grade: F]

[Clear requirements: Enter Chief Priest's Sacrificial Room. Save Chief Priest]

[Side Quest: Unable to detect. Scope of system too limited]

[Reward: Unable to detect. Scope of system too limited]

Leonel reined in his rage.

His initial instinct was to smash the watch on his wrist, however he knew this was foolish. His deductions told him that it wasn't normal for one who entered a Sub-Dimensional Zone to gain so much information without doing much of anything.

'If this is a process of a world evolving from the Third to Fourth Dimension, I have a hard time believing that this is the first time such a thing has ever happened. Something about this is too systematic, too planned. It doesn't have the erratic nature one would expect from organic evolution.'

of a species? Too many to count. But something like being teleported into a new sub-dimension and having quests to clear sounded too phony. Leonel would die before believing this wasn't

Leonel concluded three

his mind from his wrist watch were just guesses. They likely wouldn't be 100% accurate. But there was a

what it deemed an 'F' grade Sub-Dimensional Zone, then it likely wouldn't be useful for very long. Maybe by the time it got to the 'D' grade, it would be completely unable to tell Leonel

being caused by the Ascension Empire were incredibly low. But… That didn't stop Leonel from keeping in mind the possibility that

took a

hesitate to destroy you. Monitoring my

However, Leonel had a feeling that with these changes… The Ascension Empire's control was just that much weaker. Maybe they themselves knew this as well, or why else would they allow so many to die…?

was he doing? He was in the middle of a hostile environment with his life on the line. It was then Leonel remembered something even more

The Spanish had guns!

'Dammit!'

sprinted forward, his mind oddly clear. Every time he passed by a torch, he unceremoniously put out its

as

thoughts with open arms, the echoing footsteps and the sounds of armor clanging bounced off the walls and

magical feeling. Leonel could almost draw a perfect map of the trajectory the sounds followed, etching a path from his position to that of the Spanish with a line of three turns. It was as though he had gained a sonar ability, but it was

to the heavy armor the Spanish wore, Leonel's sneakers were almost completely

good. One group is headed toward

field. The way his sweaty hands slid across his silver rod, the butterflies the flew through his stomach, how his heart seemed to want to burst

against a wall at the edge of a corner, holding his rod tightly to

was the horizontal line of a 'T', while the Spaniards were walking toward him along the vertical line. He had managed to put out all the torches through the horizontal path, but had only made it halfway through the vertical portion before he was forced

sensory abilities. Making his way

He had a choice to learn Spanish, but because Aina chose Latin, he hadn't. Plus, he thought French

come back to bite

back of his mind, Leonel focused with all

of metal scraping on metal, but it was much different from the sounds of armor he

should have been one of

clenched. A faint part of him had hoped they'd be too stupid to think of this solution. But he knew that was asking for too much. Still, this put him in a better position. It wasn't possible to aim a musket if you only had one hand, let alone reload

on… Turn right…

course they

holding the torch was in the lead. Without hesitation, Leonel swung down his rod

didn't need to

course, these leather guards were on their hands and wrists. With Leonel's rod weighing just a bit over 30

barbarians are scuttling around

as far as he could without

were smooth and without pause, waves were inwardly flooding his heart. He was certain of it, he was several times stronger than he had

of sharply whistling wind rang out

he dove backward. The feeling of a blade just barely tearing his

as the sword hit

all. If a mortal man swung a weapon full force at a stonewall,

like his companion. But what choice had he

in full health. Can't let them retreat to the