Episode 172: The Four Kings Appear
Two weeks had passed since the Black Armor was defeated.
Around this time, unusual data began to be observed at research institutions around the world.
The “Mana” floating in the air on the ground was increasing exponentially. Mana Density close to the 【Depths】 of the Dungeons was now being detected.
And then—
In central Russia, in the Krasnoyarsk region, was the world’s largest “Red Dungeon.”
The deep labyrinth named “Pagonyaada,” which means hellfire in Russian, began to collapse with a rumble.
A massive rocky area, about five kilometers in diameter, rose and fell, emitting smoke.
The hole that suddenly appeared in the vast land was filled with a deep, dark abyss. From within emerged the flame Monsters.
Hundreds, thousands of Monsters crawled out of the hole, heading towards populated areas.
After some time, winged Dragons that danced in the sky appeared. Red scales, ferocious claws and fangs, and flames flickering from their mouths.
High-ranking Fire Dragons, 【Ancient Dragons】.
As more than two hundred Dragons gathered in the sky, a massive Monster appeared from the depths of the hole.
It slowly spread its wings and ascended into the sky. An exceptionally large physique, red scales reflecting the sunlight, and a long tail swaying as if scratching the sky.
The gleaming eyes stared into the distance, revealing sharp fangs.
Releasing intense heat from its body, the surrounding atmosphere shimmered like a heat haze.
What appeared was a crimson, giant winged Dragon.
The Unique Monster reigning at the pinnacle of Fire Monsters, the 【Red King】.
The Red Dragon, several times larger than the Ancient Dragons, opened its ferocious jaws.
“ヴォオオオオーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーッ!!”
A roar that tore through the heavens. A cry that intimidated all living things on the ground.
The Russian research institution observing the Dungeon in the Krasnoyarsk region captured the scene with a fixed-point camera.
The researchers who witnessed it doubted whether it was reality.
At the same time— In southwestern India, in the state of Orissa, facing the Bay of Bengal.
In its mountainous region was the world’s largest “Green Dungeon,” “Dvarapala.” The Dungeon began to collapse, emitting smoke, and a large number of insects emerged from within.
It wasn’t just thousands or tens of thousands. Hundreds of millions, billions of Insectoid Monsters came out.
The insects devoured the surrounding plants and then soared into the sky in an arc. Winged insects filling the sky.
Among them, an unseen Monster appeared.
It looked like a giant 【Moth】. Spreading poisonous wings and scattering glittering Scale Powder.
Compound eyes that seemed to see through everything, and long, ornate antennae. Two long tails extended from its abdomen, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Manipulating the massive number of insects was the Unique Monster reigning at the pinnacle of Insectoid Monsters, the 【Green Lord】.
The insects that ceaselessly poured out of the Dungeon dyed the sky black.
People in Bhubaneswar, a city east of Orissa, also began to notice the異変.
“Hey, what’s that?”
A man pointed to the sky. The people around him looked up as well.
There, an unseen black cloud was spreading. By the time they realized it wasn’t a cloud, irreparable damage would spread.
At the same time— An異変 occurred off the coast of Ireland in the North Atlantic.
From the world’s largest “Blue Dungeon,” “Niflheim,” located on the seabed, an unidentified creature appeared in the sea.
A giant shadow swimming leisurely in the deep sea. It looked like a shark or a whale, but six tentacles grew from the sides of its body.
After the creature swam leisurely, the sea froze, and all living things died.
Bringing eternal silence to the sea was the Unique Monster reigning at the pinnacle of Water Monsters, the 【Blue King】.
The largest of the giant Monsters was quietly heading towards the coastline where people lived.
And in America—
In Montana, at the world’s largest “Yellow Dungeon,” “Wrath of God.”
The land directly above the Dungeon exploded and blew away, and the 【Gold Dragon】, called the strongest species of Dragon, appeared in a swarm.
As Lightning flashed, a beast landed on the ground.
It was extremely small compared to the Dragons. It looked like an animal that could be taken for a deer or a horse.
However, black Lightning spewed from its body, stretching towards the sky.
Walking slowly on the ground was the strongest Unique Monster that manipulates Lightning, the 【Yellow King】.
The American government recognized the seriousness of the situation and mobilized Seekers and the military, but it was already too late. Powerful Monsters were overflowing onto the ground.
◇◇◇
The Japanese government received the news several hours after the changes occurred in the world.
Around this time, the influence of Mana became stronger, and some communication environments were completely paralyzed.
Currently, only satellite-based communication and communication using telephone lines and optical fibers could be used.
However, even these methods were not completely immune to the effects of Mana.
Information from overseas only came in through low-Earth orbit satellites, and even those satellites could only be used when they were in a certain position.
The “satellite constellation” that covered the service area with multiple satellites was not functioning. Telephone lines and optical fibers could be used domestically, but communication with overseas was impossible, perhaps due to problems with the submarine cables.
“What’s going on? Is it true that Monsters have appeared all over the world!?”
Prime Minister Iwaki, who entered the South Conference Room of the Prime Minister’s Office, asked Takakura, the Minister of Defense, who was already there, about the current situation.
“Yes. It seems that unidentified Monsters have appeared off the coasts of America, Russia, India, and England. The United Nations and various countries believe that they may be Unique Monsters.”
“Unique Monsters?”
Iwaki frowned.
“They are unique Monsters whose existence is recognized by the International Dungeon Research Organization (IDR). The Red Ogre and Black Armor were also said to be types of Unique Monsters.”
“Such things have appeared in various places… Of course, each country is taking measures, right?”
Iwaki, who had taken his seat, looked at the monitor of the laptop prepared by Takakura.
The room they were in was a relatively small conference room. Only Takakura, a councilor, and a few bureaucrats from various government offices were gathered. Iwaki was only accompanied by his secretary, Hatano.
Various countries’ news sites were displayed on the computer monitor, but they were all fragmented articles. Moreover, much of the information was from several hours ago, and there was no real-time content.
“Is there no prospect of improving the communication situation?”
Takakura shook his head at Iwaki’s words.
“Unfortunately, it is unlikely to improve, even if it gets worse. This information was only obtained an hour ago. Until we can communicate again, no information will come from overseas.”
Iwaki made a bitter expression. In a state of emergency, when he wanted to share information with various countries, he couldn’t. It would be the worst situation in an emergency.
Iwaki sighed softly and turned to Takakura.
“So, is there any other information about those Monsters?”
“Yes, the most noteworthy thing is what Russia reported to the United Nations.”
“Russia?”
Takakura opened a file saved on the desktop. It contained a list of Russian sentences.
“What’s written there?”
“It’s about the Monsters that appeared in the skies over Russia. There are a large number of ‘Ancient Dragons,’ and among them, there is an exceptionally large individual. The IDR says that this may be the Unique Monster 【Red King】.”
“Red… King.”
Iwaki frowned at the pompous name of the Monster.
“Does that mean it’s a powerful Monster… What does Russia intend to do about it?”
“They are planning to attempt a nuclear strike.”
“A nuclear strike!?”
Iwaki was surprised and widened his eyes at Takakura’s calm answer.