Episode 152: Seeker from Another Dimension
In the dome’s floor lobby where the Green Dungeon was located, a group of men and women awaited a man entering through the automatic doors.
“Albert, preparations are complete. Will you be entering the Dungeon?”
The one who spoke first was a woman with very short silver hair and tanned skin.
“Aren’t I already in it?”
“Yes, five people including Lilia have already entered ahead.”
“Then, let’s wait for them to return.”
Albert said, sitting down on a bench sofa in the lobby.
“That ‘Hanadai Ramen’ was as delicious as the rumors said.”
The silver-haired woman sighed at Albert, who was speaking with a smile.
“The Japanese government has asked you to come to Tokyo. Was it really necessary to come to Niigata? Don’t tell me you came just to eat that ramen…”
Albert exaggeratedly shrugged, saying, “Come on.”
“That’s harsh. This area is also within the predicted appearance range of the ‘Black Armor’! I just came to check, just in case.”
The woman gave him a cold stare, clearly not believing him.
“Well, let’s relax until everyone gets back.”
Albert sprawled out on the sofa. Seeing this, the silver-haired woman—Mia Ines, the vice-leader of the world’s strongest Seeker Clan, “Prometheus”—shook her head, saying, “Honestly!” Albert’s selfish actions were nothing new, and it was her job to keep him in check.
“Oh, right, speaking of which!”
Mia asked, annoyed, as Albert suddenly sat up, “What is it?”
“I met a rather unusual young man at the ramen shop. I think he’s probably a Seeker.”
“This is a city with a Dungeon. It’s not surprising to find Seekers.”
“Yeah, but… how should I put it? He’s different from the others.”
“Different?”
“Yeah, the Mana coming from his body.”
Albert smiled brightly.
“It’s more than mine. Isn’t that amazing?”
Hearing this, Mia snorted.
“There’s no such person. Isn’t your perception weakening with age?”
“That’s mean. I’m only thirty-nine!”
“You’re old enough. We’re heading to Tokyo tomorrow, you know.”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
As Albert lay back down on the sofa, Mia left the Dungeon lobby with her five subordinates.
◇◇◇
Kanzaki and Yuma hurried back to the hotel.
“President, was that foreigner really the ‘Flame Emperor’ Albert?!”
“No doubt about it!”
Kanzaki replied while repeatedly pressing the elevator button.
“But when I saw him in magazines, he was wearing sunglasses like the main character in Top Gun, wasn’t he?”
“He just wasn’t wearing them!”
When they arrived at the floor where they were staying, Tanaka and Maika had already returned. Kanzaki gathered everyone in his room.
“The Dungeon exploration is canceled! We’re returning to Tokyo immediately.”
Maika exclaimed, “What?!” in surprise at Kanzaki’s sudden announcement, while Tanaka asked, “What happened?”
“I’ll explain the details in the car on the way back. Just get ready.”
Kanzaki began packing his luggage without giving them a chance to argue. Since Yuma was helping him, Maika and Tanaka exchanged glances and reluctantly started preparing to leave. They checked out of the hotel and loaded their luggage into the car. Leaving the furious Maika in the passenger seat, Kanzaki stepped out of the car and made a phone call using his smartphone. After several rings, the other party answered.
“Aisha, it’s me.”
“…What is it? What do you need?”
“I was at the Dungeon in Niigata, but there’s a problem.”
“A problem?”
“The ‘Flame Emperor Albert’ was here. He made contact with Yuma!”
There was a moment of silence. Aisha seemed to be thinking about something.
“…Return to Tokyo immediately. Come to my place when you get back.”
“Yeah, that’s the plan. I’ll be back by tonight.”
Kanzaki hung up the phone and got into the car.
“Hey, Dad! Explain properly. This expedition cost quite a bit of money, you know!”
To the fuming Maika, Kanzaki said, “Yeah, I know. I’ll explain while we’re moving. Everything about Yuma, too,” and closed the door, starting the engine. Yuma, who was sitting in the back seat, tensed up. He had explained about the “Black Armor” to Tanaka, but not yet to Maika. He didn’t know how she would react. She might think he’s a monster and be scared of him. Yuma was quite worried, but—
“Eh?! So Yuma-kun is the ‘Black Monster’ that everyone’s talking about?!”
The car entered Route 498 from Prefectural Route 126 and headed south. It took some time because he was explaining everything from the beginning, but Maika seemed to have understood the situation.
“That’s amazing, Yuma-kun! You’re incredibly strong, right?! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!”
Maika turned around from the passenger seat, her eyes shining brightly. She looked like she might lean forward if she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. “She’s definitely the president’s daughter,” Yuma thought, breathing a sigh of relief.
“I thought you might hate me if I told you.”
“What are you saying! There’s no way I would!”
Yuma felt somewhat relieved by Maika’s cheerful reply. At least the people at D-Minor were on his side. That alone was enough to give him strength. The car entered National Route 8 and headed towards the Nakanoshima-Mitsuke Interchange.
◇◇◇
“Hey, Aisha! I’m here.”
Kanzaki had come to Aisha’s Laboratory in Ota Ward, Tokyo. It was already late at night, so most of the rooms were dark.
“It’s here.”
A voice came from the back of the first floor. Kanzaki headed towards it and found a lit-up open space at the back of the factory. In the dimly lit space with a few bare light bulbs, Aisha was working on something.
“How’s Yuma-kun?”
“I sent him home. I told him to stay put.”
Aisha was holding a wrench, tightening a nut on a large device. It was a box-shaped device that looked like a simple home sauna at first glance. She didn’t seem to be planning to stop working.
“What is this thing?”
When Kanzaki asked with a frown, Aisha simply replied, “Just in case.”
“Still, I never expected Albert to show up.”
Kanzaki said with a sigh.
“I thought he went to Brazil to defeat a Unique Monster that appeared there?”
“I thought so too. Either he’s already defeated it, or he thought the monster that appeared in Japan had a higher priority… Either way, there must be a decision from an international organization.”
Aisha put the wrench on the desk and took off her work gloves.
“Yuma made contact with Albert. Do you think he noticed anything?”
When Kanzaki asked anxiously, Aisha shook her head, saying, “I don’t know.”
“Anyway, Albert is a Seeker from another dimension. Make sure he doesn’t get close to Yuma-kun in the future.”
“If… if they end up fighting, what will happen?”
To Kanzaki’s fearful question, Aisha remained silent for a while. After a moment, she opened her mouth.
“Albert’s Mana exceeds 8000. And on the fingers of his left hand, he should be equipped with four ‘Witch Rings’, Magic Enchanted Armaments with a Mana Index of 2000 each. In total, his Magical Power reaches 16000.”
Unpleasant sweat trickled down Kanzaki’s forehead.
“Yuma-kun’s ‘Magic Resistance’ was obtained by defeating a Lord. The Lord’s Mana Index is estimated to be around 10000 to 15000. If that’s the case, it’s unlikely that his resistance ability is higher than that.”
“Then, then…”
“If it’s ‘Second Stratum Magic’ exceeding a Magical Power of 10000, it will break through Yuma-kun’s magic resistance. In other words—”
Kanzaki gulped.
“If he fights the ‘Flame Emperor’ Albert, he will definitely be burned to ashes!!”