Episode 130: The Collapsing Dome
At the International Dungeon Research Organization (IDR) headquarters in Jerusalem, Israel, two men stood before the ‘Orpheus Tablet,’ which was propped against a wall and protected by reinforced glass.
“It seems the third level… the ‘Red Ore’ is glowing,” said Ethan Noble, the chief researcher of the IDR, as he looked up at the Stone Tablet with interest.
With his disheveled silver hair and rumpled white coat, he looked like a worn-out old man, but the eyes behind his round glasses shone like a child’s.
His assistant, Clark, stood next to him, frowning with a stiff expression.
“Has the Duke of Red made a move?”
“Most likely. The gradual illumination of this ore is probably evidence that a Unique Monster is approaching the surface.”
“If that’s the case, is this a change since the Black King was defeated?”
“Yes, and it seems there are changes in the other ores as well.”
As Ethan said, several of the ores seemed to be glowing faintly. Clark frowned, but Ethan smiled cheerfully.
“Something… a big change seems to be coming.”
◇◇◇
At the entrance of the Red Dungeon—
The Seekers who had come up to the surface were running out of the dome.
Some were injured, some had faces distorted with fear, and some were excited and agitated.
Amidst all this, Yuma and the others were also escaping to the surface.
The members of D-Minor and Sakura Port seemed to be mostly unharmed. Yuma called out to Tanaka, who was panting heavily beside him.
“We defeated all the Goblins and Orcs, right?”
“Haa… Haa… Yeah, I think… Haa… I think we managed to defeat them. Haa… Everyone was working hard.”
“If that’s the case—”
Yuma turned around and shifted his gaze to the “Dungeon entrance” inside the dome.
—All that’s left are the burning dogs and the Red Monsters. If we can defeat them…
Behind him, the Self-Defense Forces were rushing in with rifles at the ready. It seemed they had judged that guns might be effective on the surface.
The higher-ranking Seekers also emerged onto the surface.
Following them, the Hell Garm appeared. It breathed scorching air from its mouth, and while raising claws that could melt even Iron (Metal), it cornered the Seekers.
The Self-Defense Forces stepped forward to support the retreating higher-ranking Seekers.
“Take aim!”
At the commander’s command, a dozen soldiers knelt on one knee, while nearly twenty others stood and aimed their rifles.
“Fire!!”
The gun muzzles spat fire all at once. Hundreds of bullets were mercilessly poured onto the five Hell Garm that had come up to the surface. But—
“So it’s no use after all!”
Kanzaki spat out. The bullets evaporated and disappeared the moment they hit the Hell Garm. Without a moment’s pause, a Self-Defense Force officer with an 84mm recoilless rifle knelt on one knee, placed it on his shoulder, and took aim.
The soldier pulled the trigger, aiming at the approaching Hell Garm.
The breech plug at the end of the gun exploded, and the warhead was launched with a shock. The Hell Garm caught the bullet flying straight towards it with gleaming eyes.
The flames it spat out engulfed the warhead, along with the walls and floor of the building.
The bullet exploded, scattering Ember. All the surrounding glass shattered, and several people were blown away by the impact.
The Hell Garm attacked one after another. When they breathed fire, the walls and floor of the dome melted like candy, and they remained unfazed by any attacks.
Even the major Seekers were helpless in this situation and fled in a scramble.
The battlefield shifted outside the dome.
◇◇◇
From the Dungeon exit, Tennoji and the members of “Roar of the Raijuu” crawled out. Their figures were covered in ash, and their battle suits were charred black in places.
“Damn it! It’s a sea of fire!”
Tennoji, who had emerged onto the surface, looked around and was indignant. The Hell Garm had rampaged, causing fires to break out everywhere in the building, the walls were scorched, and the fire had reached the ceiling.
“Did the Hell Garm go outside!?”
There were no Hell Garm in Tennoji’s line of sight. Ishikawa and Taizen rushed up from behind.
“Let’s get out of here! We’ll burn to death if we stay here.”
Ishikawa raised his axe and channeled Water Magical Power into it. The [Water Vein Battle Axe] glowed blue, and water began to gather on the axe as if drawing a spiral.
“Uoooooh!!”
A large amount of water gushed out from the swung axe, and it became a rippling blade that slashed through the flames.
The stream of water also destroyed the doors and walls, creating an escape route for Tennoji and the others.
“Let’s go!”
At Ishikawa’s shout, the three ran out. At that moment, static entered Tennoji’s earpiece, followed by a voice.
“Can you hear me? …Tennoji.”
“Yes, is that Honda-san!?”
Tennoji held his ear and answered the call. It seemed that the communication problems had disappeared now that he was on the surface.
“Yes, we are monitoring everything at the Central Center’s headquarters. All the Hell Garm have gone outside the building!”
“What about the other Seekers?”
“They went outside with them and are engaging in combat. The mobile regiment from Miyagi is surrounding the dome and fighting with tanks and combat vehicles, but as expected, conventional weapons are…”
Tennoji bit his lip as he ran. He knew. Even if they went out to the surface, the Monsters’ power might not weaken.
The Hell Garm’s Magical Power is too high. And even higher than that is—
In that instant, Tennoji felt light and heat on his back. When he turned around, flames were erupting from the “Hole” that served as the entrance.
“What!?”
As the three stared in astonishment, they saw a figure slowly climbing the stairs.
Its body was enveloped in flames, and the rising pillar of fire melted the ceiling. The Red Ogre caught Tennoji and the others in its sharp gaze.
“Damn it! The building won’t hold—”
Just as Tennoji shouted, a flash of light spread out. The flames pierced through the ceiling of the dome, and a huge pillar of fire stretched towards the sky.
There was an explosive impact, a heat wave swept through the building, and explosive flames spewed out from the doors and windows.
The Seekers outside turned their eyes in surprise. The dome was collapsing with a roar. The ceiling burned down, and the walls and pillars melted.
Tennoji and the others forced their way out from the burning rubble. Ishikawa pushed aside a pillar, and Taizen and Tennoji destroyed the surrounding concrete.
They were caught in the explosion and blown away, but the “Magical Power Barrier” covering their bodies protected them.
“Damn it! That bastard did it!!”
Tennoji gritted his teeth and glared at the center of the swirling flames. From within the flickering flames, the Monster walked out.
“We have no chance of winning unless we defeat him. Are you ready? Ishikawa, Taizen!”
“Yeah, of course. Who else is going to stop him but us?”
“Just distract him for now, I’ll finish him off with the Railgun!”
The three stared at the approaching “Red Ogre” and stood in its path.
◇◇◇
“No way… the dome…”
Rui, who was with Yuma and the others, was shocked to see the burning dome.
Around them, more than ten Hell Garm that had come outside were rampaging. They were burning tanks and combat vehicles with the flames they spewed out.
The Self-Defense Force soldiers were also fighting back, but it was difficult to even wound them with conventional weapons. Even if they managed to hit them with tank shells, the wounds would heal immediately.
Small and medium-sized Seekers were no match for them, and higher-ranking Seekers were desperately holding back the Hell Garm.
They had to avoid letting them out of the “Seeker’s Town” at all costs.
Everyone thought so, but the Hell Garm were returning to the center of the town instead of going outside.
“Damn it!”
Rui hurriedly ran out. When Yuma asked, “What’s wrong!?”, Rui looked back as he ran.
“The Hell Garm are heading to where Tennoji-san and the others are! We have to support them!”
“Hey, Rui!!”
Yuma tried to stop him, but Rui drew his Katana and ran towards the burned dome.
The higher-ranking Seekers also began to gather one after another in the center of the town, as if responding to his call.