Episode 115: Rank-Based Missions
Tanaka, who was sitting next to Yuma, muttered, “That’s Honda-san…” So Yuma asked him, “Do you know her?”
“Yeah, she’s famous. They say she’s the one who supported Elceed Corporation’s rapid advancement.”
“Hee, is that so?”
Yuma refocused his gaze forward, staring at Honda’s face. Honda, while looking down at the documents placed in front of her, began explaining the work to be done in the Dungeon.
“As you all know, the interior of a Dungeon cannot be destroyed. Or rather, to be precise, even if you destroy it, it will return to normal the next day.”
Her low, calm voice echoed throughout the venue through the microphone. It is indeed said that no matter how much you destroy a Dungeon, it’s meaningless.
A fact that any Seeker knows. Therefore, what to do with a Dungeon where trouble has occurred was a serious problem.
“On the other hand, there is also the characteristic that newly installed objects are not removed. Therefore, we are planning to construct a shelter in the lower levels of the Dungeon to prevent Abyssal Monsters from rising.”
That statement caused a stir among the audience.
“Wait a minute! So, you’re saying you’re going to seal off the Dungeon!?”
A man in the middle of the venue stood up and shouted.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Honda replied with perfect composure, and this time a young woman sitting in the back row stood up.
“Sealing off the Dungeon… doesn’t that mean we’ll lose our livelihood!”
“That’s right! What are you saying!!”
“Don’t let the big companies decide on their own!!”
“Aren’t you thinking about us small and medium-sized businesses!?”
Starting with the woman’s abuse, voices of dissatisfaction erupted from within the venue. Most of those gathered here were small and medium-sized Seekers who worked in the Red Dungeon.
Kanzaki also laughed with an indescribable expression, saying, “Well, they’d be angry.”
Honda, looking around the venue where angry voices were rising, restrained them with both hands, saying, “Please calm down.”
“Of course, I understand your concerns. The shelter is planned to be installed in a deep layer that will not interfere with your work.”
“A deep layer? How deep exactly!”
Honda smiled sweetly at the man’s words, who had veins popping on his forehead.
“One hundredth floor.”
“O-One hundredth floor!?”
The man recoiled involuntarily. Kanzaki was also laughing heartily, saying, “She went big!”
“President, is building on the hundredth floor that strange?”
When Yuma asked, Kanzaki said “Ah” and stroked his chin.
“There have been many times in the past when facilities have been built inside Dungeons. Most of them are ‘Safety Zones’ for Seekers to rest or for emergency evacuation.”
Yuma had heard of them as well, so he nodded silently.
“But they’re all built on the lower or middle floors. I’ve never heard of building a facility in such a deep place as the hundredth floor.”
Just as Kanzaki was surprised, the Seekers in the venue also seemed unable to believe it right away.
Voices of dissatisfaction and confusion rose from here and there, such as “It’s impossible!” and “Don’t say irresponsible things!”
“Everyone! Certainly, this is a difficult mission. But we have to accomplish it. If we fail, we will have no choice but to build a shelter on a lower floor. If that happens, it will have a significant impact on your work. We intend to fully commit to this project. We would appreciate your cooperation!”
Honda bowed deeply.
Seeing that, the Seekers’ voices grew smaller as if their momentum had been dampened. Confirming that the venue had become quiet, Honda raised her head and smiled brightly, saying, “I’m glad to see that you understand.”
“Now, I will explain the specific work procedures.”
An image was projected from a projector onto a large screen prepared on the stage of the conference room.
It was a metal plate, with blue Magic Gems attached in places.
“This is the Magic Enchantment Fireproof Plate developed by Elceed Corporation. By incorporating Water Magic Gems, fire resistance is greatly improved, and it will be used for the construction of this protective shelter.”
While looking at the screen, Kanzaki clicked his tongue.
“So that’s why they were running out of Water Magic Gems, because they were making something like that!”
On the other hand, Tanaka nodded, impressed.
“But that’s amazing! Ordinary fireproof materials can’t withstand the flames of strong Monsters. Elceed must have found a way to utilize Magic Gems without human Magical Power!? Isn’t that revolutionary!”
Ignoring the excited Tanaka, Kanzaki agreed, saying, “That’s true.”
“A technology that increases effectiveness just by incorporating Magic Gems… I’ve heard rumors, but I don’t know of any examples of success. However, Magic Gem research is being conducted all over the world. Eventually, similar technologies may emerge.”
“Is that so…”
Yuma, who didn’t know that Magic Gem research was progressing so much, widened his eyes.
“Well, right now only some humans with Magical Power can use Magic Gems, but eventually ordinary humans will be able to use Magic Gems as well. That’s why it’s called a dream resource.”
“I see…”
While the attendees were showing interest in the fireproof plate, Honda continued her story.
“Now, regarding the division of work, we have divided it according to the rank of the business operator. Our A-rank companies, Elceed, Aithas, Farmel, and Kagurazaka Pharmaceuticals, will proceed to the hundredth floor and actually engage in the construction of the shelter. B-rank companies will be asked to guard the transportation of materials up to the fiftieth floor. Once you reach the fiftieth floor, we would like you to provide support after that.”
“What exactly should we do?”
A slightly plump man sitting in the middle row raised his voice.
He was probably from a B-rank company.
“On the fiftieth floor, there is accommodation made of fireproof materials, commonly known as the ‘Safety Zone,’ but we would like you to stand by there in case of an emergency.”
Honda’s words caused a stir in the venue.
“What is an emergency? Is there a problem…”
When the plump man asked worriedly, Honda waved her hand and denied it, saying, “No, no.”
“It’s just in case. The work is scheduled to be completed in three days, but there is a possibility of delay. In that case, we will need to replenish supplies and food, so we would like you to take care of that. And also–“
The gentle smile disappeared from Honda’s face as she paused.
“The A-rank companies are planning to defeat the powerful Monsters, but there is a possibility that some Monsters may escape to the upper layers. In that case, we would like you to stop them on the fiftieth floor.”
The venue fell silent. After a while, it was the plump man who had been sweating who opened his mouth.
“So… the Abyssal Monsters might come up?”
Currently, the Red Dungeon was in an abnormal state, and Monsters that should have been deep in the layers were coming up to the upper layers. Everyone here knew that.
As anxiety spread uniformly, Honda smiled sweetly.
“Yes, the Mana Density in the Dungeon is currently greatly increased. According to our predictions, we believe that the Abyssal Monsters, which should only be on the 150th floor and beyond, have already risen to the 100th floor. We believe that our forces are fully capable of handling this, but we need to be prepared…”
The attendees all gasped at Honda’s fearless smile. In such a tense atmosphere, a loud voice flew from behind.
“What about the C-rank small and medium-sized businesses!?”
It was Kanzaki. He seemed to have run out of patience because there was no mention of their small and medium-sized businesses. Honda apologized, saying, “Yes, I’m sorry,” and then continued her explanation.
“We would like the C-rank companies to stand by on the upper floors or on the ground. If a Monster tries to come out onto the ground, we would like you to stop it. Also, please help with the resupply to the fiftieth floor.”
After listening to Honda’s story, Kanzaki leaned back in his pipe chair and exhaled.
“See, I told you it would be rear support, right? There’s no danger.”
When Kanzaki said that, Yuma and Tanaka exchanged glances. Then, they both let out a sigh of relief, saying, “That’s true.”