Episode 26: IDR Emergency Meeting
At the International Dungeon Research Organization (IDR), an emergency meeting was being held by the chief researchers.
Those in attendance were American physicist James Bright, Egyptian archaeologist Ahmad Tahir, and Chinese biologist Li Haoran.
And Ethan Noble, along with six other scholars, making a total of eleven.
They were seated around a large round table.
Since each of them was independently advancing their dungeon research, it was extremely rare for them all to gather outside of the regular monthly meetings.
The chairperson, Maya Berger, a senior researcher from Israel, opened the meeting.
“I apologize for gathering you all so suddenly. As you are likely aware, an unprecedented situation has occurred.”
Maya was a refined elderly woman, whose words and demeanor were befitting of a lady. Everyone understood the meaning of her words, as it was an event that had been the topic of discussion for the past few days.
Ethan lowered his eyes to the distributed materials.
They detailed the anomalies that had occurred on the Orpheus Tablet for four consecutive days.
“It is unbelievable that four Lords have been defeated in such quick succession,” Maya said, placing a hand on her forehead with a troubled expression.
“More importantly!”
It was the American scholar James who raised his voice. A man with a sturdy build, he was known among the researchers for his brash temperament and blunt manner of speaking.
“The problem is that information is still not coming in! Is some country conducting a large-scale exploration operation!?”
James glared at the Chinese scholar Li Haoran.
Noticing the gaze, Haoran unpleasantly adjusted his glasses and glared back at James.
“I’d appreciate it if you would refrain from making strange accusations. Our country is submitting all information to the IDR. We are taking a path of international cooperation. We do not conceal information!”
Hearing that, James snorted.
The tense atmosphere filled the air as the two glared at each other. It was Ahmad, the Egyptian archaeologist, who stepped in between them.
“Now, now, no need to get so heated. More importantly, isn’t it strange? The fact that the red, blue, yellow, and green Demon Ores were broken on alternate days means that four Dungeons were essentially cleared simultaneously, right? Why would anyone do such a thing?”
James chuckled lightly and looked at Ahmad.
“I don’t know the reason, but the only countries with enough Seekers to do something like that are America and China. Since it’s not America, I can only assume it’s China.”
At those words, Haoran’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Are you so sure that America isn’t involved? Concealing information is your specialty, isn’t it!”
“What did you say!!”
The scholars around him desperately tried to restrain James, who was enraged.
As the conference room became chaotic—
“May I?”
All eyes turned to Ethan Noble, who had raised his hand. Although Ethan was the youngest of the researchers attending the meeting, he was a respected figure due to his intellect and achievements.
“Certainly, as James-san says, entering four Dungeons simultaneously and reaching the depths to clear them would require a considerable number of Seekers. However, is such a thing truly possible?”
“What do you mean by that!?”
James frowned and glared at Ethan.
“Previously, the Lord discovered in America was defeated by fifteen Seekers. That group included the strongest Seeker, Flame Emperor Albert. Despite that, they suffered seven casualties. The location where they encountered the Lord was also around the 200th floor. To do that simultaneously in four Dungeons is impossible even for America or China.”
“Then why did the Demon Ores on the Stone Tablet break!? That doesn’t explain it!”
Ethan calmly replied to James, who was growing increasingly frustrated.
“Perhaps the premise itself is incorrect?”
“Premise?”
Chairperson Maya also reacted.
“The Orpheus Tablet has colored Demon Ores arranged in a regular pattern. We have been under the assumption that there are Monsters in the Dungeons that correspond to those colors. In fact, the Lords and Dukes who have been subjugated in the past were in Dungeons of the same color as the broken Demon Ores.”
“Then it must represent the color of the Dungeon!”
“No.”
Ethan directly refuted James’s opinion, who had raised his voice.
“Isn’t it possible that the Lords who were subjugated this time were in the same Dungeon? Two weeks ago, the black Demon Ore broke and a Duke was defeated. Considering that, it is possible that the Black Dungeon is being cleared. After all, it is an unknown Dungeon with little research.”
“Hmph! We are thoroughly investigating the Black Dungeon. Especially since that Demon Ore was found, the management of the Black Dungeon has become strict. No country would allow anyone to enter without permission!”
Ethan shook his head slightly.
“That’s only the managed Dungeons.”
“What!?”
The atmosphere in the room clearly changed.