Episode 228: The Elderly Seeker
With the Dvarapala Dungeon Conquest set for the following day, top-tier Seeker Clans from all over India were gathering one after another.
Many Seekers were coming and going within the university campus, exchanging information.
As everyone exuded a tense atmosphere, Yuma and his two companions were looking around the school building.
“So, these are the Seekers we’ll be fighting alongside tomorrow, huh…? Man, every single one of ’em has a great look on their face.”
Akito said in a light tone, but Yuma felt complicated.
“Many of these people might die tomorrow… The thought of that is unbearable.”
“Everyone is prepared for that. But let me tell you, don’t try to help them rashly. If you misuse your power, we’ll all be wiped out.”
“I know.”
As they proceeded down the hallway on the second floor and peeked into a large lecture hall, Rui exclaimed, “Ah.”
“What’s wrong?”
When Yuma called out, Rui pointed to a person in the center of the hall, saying, “That.”
There stood an old man with a white mustache. He wore a white turban on his head, and although not very tall, his upright posture made him look vigorous and youthful.
He was surrounded by young people, laughing cheerfully.
“Is that geezer a Seeker too? He’s gotta be over seventy.”
Rui agreed with Akito’s words.
“That’s rare, isn’t it? Dungeons appeared eight years ago… If he became a Seeker then, he started at a pretty advanced age.”
Yuma was also impressed, when the white-bearded old man seemed to notice them and turned his gaze towards them.
“Oh, you young ones there! Could you be the Seekers who came from Japan!? Come over here, come over here.”
Beckoned by the old man, Yuma and the others, who were near the door, entered the lecture hall.
Surrounded by a crowd of young people, the old man stroked his beard and greeted Yuma and his friends with a smile. In appearance alone, he seemed like a kindly old man.
“Yes, yes, you have good faces. I’ve heard rumors about you, that you’re quite skilled. That’s very reassuring.”
The old man let out a peculiar laugh, “Hyah, hyah, hyah.”
“Hey, hey, gramps. You’re not planning on entering the Dungeon, are you? We can’t be looking after an old geezer.”
When Akito said that, one of the Indian Seekers bristled.
“Hey! Don’t be rude. This man is—”
As the young man stepped forward, the old man stopped him with a hand.
“No, it’s alright. It’s not unusual for Seekers to be elderly, so it’s only natural that they’re puzzled.”
The old man turned to face Yuma and his friends again, straightening his back.
“I am Anik, the leader of the Seeker Clan Peacock King (Mahamayuri). I sincerely thank you for coming all the way from Japan to help us.”
Behind the old man who identified himself as Anik, four burly men and women stood as if protecting him. They were probably the members of the Peacock King (Mahamayuri).
“By the way, you.”
Yuma, who was pointed at, looked puzzled and said, “Huh? Me?”
“You have quite a peculiar Mana. Are you the Lightning user or the Fire user I’ve heard about?”
“Ah, well, I’m…”
As Yuma exchanged glances with Rui and Akito, Akito stepped forward.
“Gramps, I’m the one who uses Thunder Magic. And this handsome guy here uses Fire Magic, not that guy over there.”
At Akito’s explanation, Anik widened his eyes and said, “Is that so?”
“I see, I apologize for the mistake. I just had a feeling that you were the strongest… Well, don’t mind it.”
Anik laughed without reservation. After talking for a while, Yuma and his friends left the lecture hall.
In the end, they didn’t learn much about who Anik really was.
“But he seems to have an eye for discerning Mana.”
Rui agreed with Akito’s opinion, nodding.
“Some of the top-tier Seekers can accurately discern their opponent’s Mana. If that old man is one of them, he might be quite skilled.”
The three asked the Indian Seekers loitering around the university about the Peacock King (Mahamayuri).
“Eh? Anik of the Peacock King (Mahamayuri)? Of course, I know him. He’s famous.”
The man they asked began to speak proudly.
“Anik was originally the president of a major Indian steel company. But eight years ago, when Dungeons appeared in the world, he started making Magic Enchanted Armaments. Now he’s the president of India’s largest weapons manufacturer.”
“I see… That person is a millionaire?”
Yuma frowned, unable to understand. If he was such a wealthy man, he wouldn’t come to such a dangerous place.
“Well, after that, he started diving into Dungeons himself as a Seeker to test the weapons his company made. He’s a real eccentric.”
The man smiled, his cheeks softening.
“But the Seekers he’s trained at his company are the real deal. The Peacock King (Mahamayuri) is now one of India’s top Seeker Clans. Anik himself is a Thunder Magic user and quite skilled.”
“Oh, Thunder Magic, eh?”
Akito’s eyes gleamed.
“I’d like to see it sometime. That geezer’s Thunder Magic.”
After hearing the story, Yuma and his friends thanked the man and decided to return to their rooms.
In the afternoon, they would have to move from here for tomorrow’s Dungeon Conquest.
Yuma and his friends prepared and waited for Dasha’s instructions. Yuma was staying on the third floor of the university building. Yuma stood by the window, gazing at the setting sun.
It was finally starting. The Dungeon Conquest of the world’s largest Green Dungeon, “Dvarapala.”
As it passed five in the evening, several vehicles pulled up to the university building.
Yuma and his friends left their rooms and headed for the first floor. They loaded their luggage into the white van that Dasha had prepared and got into the car. The long line of vehicles departed one after another.
They were heading to the town once driven away by Monsters, “Saddar Sampur.”
◇◇◇
When Yuma and his friends arrived in town, it was overflowing with people.
The three got out of the car, took their weapons out of the trunk, and walked towards the center of town. Around them, Seekers with weapons were talking about something with tense expressions.
Yuma headed to the Hindu temple where Dasha was said to be.
In front of the temple stood burly men and women, with an old man standing in the center. It was the Seeker Anik.
“Oh, you’ve come, young one.”
He waved with a carefree smile. Did he not feel any tension even in this situation?
“Hello, Anik-san.”
When Yuma greeted him, Anik beckoned, “Dasha will be out soon, stay here.”
Yuma stood next to Anik and looked up at the building in front of him.
The temple was larger than he had expected, and although damaged in places, it was a magnificent building with lavish decorations.
The last time he came, he had only been going in and out of the tent on the outskirts of town, so he didn’t know there was such a building.
The Seekers who were nearby also came over.
As more than three hundred Seekers gathered around the building, Dasha came out from the entrance of the temple. Kaira was also behind her.
“Thank you all for gathering. I am truly grateful.”
The surroundings fell silent, and everyone listened to Dasha’s words. In front of such Seekers, Dasha declared loudly.
“From this moment on, we will begin the Dungeon Conquest of the Green Dungeon, ‘Dvarapala’!!”