“Display the acquired information on the monitor!”
A bureaucrat operated a computer, projecting a video onto the large monitor in the conference room.
A world map centered on the Pacific Ocean was displayed. The conference participants, perplexed, shifted their gaze to the monitor.
“According to the American analysis, the group of 232 Dragons heading towards South America abruptly changed course midway between Japan and Hawaii and is now heading straight for Japan!”
“Why!?”
Iwaki, who had been too astonished to speak, shouted with anger in his voice.
“They passed Japan by before, so why are they suddenly returning? Do Monsters even take such incomprehensible actions!?”
No one could answer that question. Everyone fell silent.
As silence enveloped the conference room, one of the bureaucrats in charge of information gathering raised his voice.
“A, an email has arrived! It’s from the International Dungeon Research Organization (IDR)!”
The room buzzed with commotion. Iwaki frowned in confusion.
The International Dungeon Research Organization? Why would the highest authority on Dungeon research contact Japan…? Various questions arose, but Iwaki shook his head and cut in.
“Well, what does the email say!?”
“Y, yes. They wish to hold an emergency online conference with the Japanese leadership… I can connect you anytime, but what do you want to do?”
The bureaucrat who read the email also seemed bewildered by the unprecedented situation. Iwaki was also surprised by the sudden turn of events, but Japan was in a crisis.
If they could get advice from the IDR, known as the world’s greatest think tank, there was nothing better.
“Understood. Connect me immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
Iwaki sat back in his chair, straightened his tie, and adjusted his posture.
He had never spoken directly with members of the IDR. He was slightly nervous, but he was the leader of a nation. Even in an emergency, he had to avoid unsightly behavior.
As Iwaki thought about this and turned to face forward, an image appeared on the large monitor.
About ten faces surrounding a round table. All of them were wearing white coats, and an elderly woman was sitting in the center.
As the woman began to speak, Japanese could be heard slightly delayed.
It seemed they had prepared a Japanese translator.
“Prime Minister Iwaki, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Maya Berger, the chairperson of the IDR. Thank you for accepting our teleconference request despite the suddenness of the request.”
“Dr. Maya. It is an honor to speak with you, but we are in an emergency situation. Can we skip the formalities and get to the main point?”
Iwaki’s words seemed to be translated as well, as there was a slight delay before the response.
“My apologies, Prime Minister Iwaki. We are also aware of the information that the Red King is heading towards Japan. The reason I wanted to speak with you today is to discuss countermeasures against it.”
Cheers of “Oh!” rose from the surroundings.
Iwaki could not suppress the rising excitement and pounding in his chest.
“Countermeasures… Is there such a method!? If so, I would like you to tell us!”
Maya smiled and opened her mouth.
“We have heard that the Japanese government is protecting ‘Black Armor’. Is that correct?”
“Eh?”
Iwaki’s thoughts stopped for a moment. He didn’t understand what Maya was saying.
The fact that Black Armor was human had, of course, been reported to the IDR through the United Nations. But he couldn’t understand why the name “Black Armor” had suddenly come up.
“Black Armor… What about it?”
Maya nodded and turned her gaze to a young man sitting at the round table. The man picked up the microphone on the table and turned it on.
“I will explain that. I am Ethan Noble, a researcher at the IDR.”
“Ah, you are?”
Iwaki’s eyes widened. There was no one who didn’t know the name Ethan Noble.
He was an authority on Dungeon research, and he had elucidated many phenomena and proposed numerous theories.
However, he was also known to be quite eccentric. Because he extremely disliked the media, there were hardly any photos or videos of him, and very few people had ever seen him.
–This man is Ethan Noble… I had heard about him, but I didn’t think he was this young. Late twenties… maybe thirty?
Iwaki frowned at his disheveled hair, round glasses, and sloppy appearance.
“We have been analyzing the video data provided by Japan for the past few days. As a result, we have reached a conclusion.”
“A conclusion…?”
“We believe that Mitaka Yuma, also known as ‘Black Armor’… possesses the power of a Unique Monster, the Black King.”
“…Huh?”
Iwaki let out a strange cry, and a buzz spread through the conference room.
He understood even less what they were saying. Iwaki asked Ethan in bewilderment.
“The Black… King? What do you mean?”
“More than a year ago, we informed the research institutions of each country that one of the Unique Monster Kings had been defeated. Unfortunately, few cases were believed, but I have continued to investigate since then. There is no doubt that the Black King was defeated. The question is who defeated him.”
The room buzzed at Ethan’s words. But Yasugi, who remained seated, was sweating profusely and had his fingers clasped together in silence.
–Could it be…?
“This matter had been shelved for some time due to lack of information. Then came the report of Black Armor. Initially, we also did not doubt that Black Armor was the Black Lord. However, if he is human, the story changes.”
An unpleasant sweat ran down Iwaki’s cheek. He began to understand what Ethan Noble was trying to say.
“Black Armor’s combat data. Clearly deliberate actions. Above all, his abnormal strength and abilities. As a result of several discussions, we at the IDR have determined that Mitaka Yuma is the first person in the world to defeat a Unique Monster King, and is a Seeker who can wield that power. And this means that only Mitaka Yuma can defeat the Four Kings that have appeared in the world.”
“W-wait a minute!”
Iwaki interjected in a fluster.
“I don’t understand, but… e-even if a Monster called the Black King is involved, it’s possible that it could be taking over or controlling a human body, right!? If that’s the case, we can’t eliminate the danger!”
Ethan shook his head at Iwaki’s claim.
“Certainly, we don’t know much about the ecology of the Kings. However, the act of absorbing the power of Monsters is the same as the traditional Seekers who can use magic by swallowing Magic Gems. If my theory is correct, Mitaka Yuma must have swallowed the King’s Demon Ore after defeating the Black King. Otherwise, that strength cannot be explained.”
Iwaki swallowed hard.
Mitaka Yuma is the Black King? Can defeat the Four Kings?
What is this man saying?
That guy is just a dangerous monster.
I have to argue back. To assert that the judgment I made was correct.
But the words wouldn’t come out. The other party was the world’s greatest scholar, Ethan Noble, called a genius among geniuses. To argue with that man…
Iwaki gritted his teeth and stared at the monitor.
“The rampaging Four Kings are something that humanity cannot defeat. If anyone can defeat them, it is only Mitaka Yuma, who possesses the same power. Our conclusion at the IDR is that we have no choice but to have him fight.”
Ethan paused and took a breath before asking.
“So, where is he now?”