Abnormal tremors detected in the “Four Great Dungeons,” Nagi Plains――
Upon receiving the urgent report, Goto from the Labyrinth Agency’s Public Order Division immediately suspected a false alarm, but quickly dismissed the possibility.
He hurriedly changed and rushed out of the dormitory, meeting up with Torako on his way to the conference room.
“Torako, what’s the situation?”
“An enormous Magical Power Wave has been detected from the labyrinth under surveillance, Snowfield Ice Mountain. Magnitude 8.3!”
Goto grimaced, “That’s huge.”
Magnitude is a numerical value representing the amount of Magical Power leaking from a Gate. It can be understood as something similar to the magnitude scale used for earthquakes.
A value of 8.3 is the third-largest predicted value in history.
“Has the Dungeon Boss activated? We shouldn’t have attacked the Boss yet.”
Snowfield Ice Mountain is a New Dungeon that appeared in Nagi Plains ten days ago.
The advance team made contact with an Ice Dragon of unknown name, and preparations for the capture were currently underway, but this situation was completely unexpected.
“Did someone get to the Boss first? But…”
“By getting through the Ice Dragon horde?”
“Impossible. Then, is it a natural awakening of the Boss?”
In Gates that have been left unattended for a long period of time, the Dungeon Boss may naturally activate, leading to a Gate Crash.
However, Snowfield Ice Mountain is a recently emerged Dungeon, making that unlikely.
“I don’t know. But in any case, we have no choice but to work, huh?”
Humanity still knows nothing about Dungeons.
What is Magical Power?
What is the mechanism by which all damage within a Dungeon is converted into Magical Power?
What are Monsters? What are Gates?
Scientists around the world are conducting research, but their true nature remains more elusive than an unknown virus.
All Goto can do now is――perform his usual duties and protect the lives of the citizens.
As he entered the conference room, the voices of his subordinates immediately rang out, “Goto-san!”
“The Safety Bureau has issued an evacuation warning to local residents.”
“Understood. Prepare Dragonscale Cold-Resistant Gear as the main equipment.”
“What about measures against the Dungeon Boss?”
“First, we will conduct Initial Reconnaissance to confirm the target.”
“However, it is predicted that the enemy has already begun to move…”
“Attacking in a panic will only waste weapons. Besides, we have time before the Dungeon Boss appears on the surface.”
The difference between an earthquake and a Gate Crash is the time lag between the signs and the damage.
Experts believe that if Magical Power Detection is carried out promptly, there can be a grace period of up to several days from the signs of a crash to the actual event. The United States has a complete Gate Crash monitoring system using satellites.
“There have been signs of large-scale Gate Crashes before. Don’t be shaken. Reinforcements will be coming from the main office soon. The enemy is not an unbeatable opponent.”
“But…”
“Don’t be flustered. Calmly do what you can do now. That is the only way to protect the citizens.”
Goto sent the rookies off to prepare, and then put on his favorite black gloves.
Torako, who was watching him, chuckled with amusement.
“Goto-senpai is as reliable as ever when it comes to work.”
“That’s what I get paid for. It’s only natural.”
Goto doesn’t have any particular patriotism or spirit of service.
But he faithfully performs the duties assigned to him. That’s what being a civil servant is all about.
…But, Goto glanced at Torako as she continued preparations.
“Are you staying on the ground, Torako?”
“Eh?”
“You’re still young. This time, there’s a high possibility of a first-time Dungeon Boss battle.”
It is said that the situation in which Hunters are most likely to lose their lives is when fighting a Dungeon Boss for the first time.
The enemy’s attack patterns are unknown, and there have been many cases where Hunters have easily lost their lives by falling victim to so-called “first-time kills.”
The risk of being caught up in that threat is the same whether you are in the front lines or the rear.
In fact, some insidious Bosses have a thought pattern that specifically targets the rear.
That’s what Goto thought, but――
Torako’s expression turned sullen, and it was too late when he realized he had messed up.
“Senpai. Are you telling me to desert? I have no obligation to obey illegal orders, you know.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant.”
“I understand. But that’s still a rude way to put it. I’m also an employee of the Labyrinth Agency. Besides, you’re going to the front lines, right, Senpai? If so, my presence as your adjutant is necessary to set an example.”
“…Well, I guess so.”
It seemed that he was the one who had said something rude.
Unnecessary concern is bound to be taken as unpleasant. He had done something out of character.
He frowned and apologized, “I’m sorry.” Torako smiled gently, “No, no.”
“But I’m happy that you were worried about me, Senpai. I’ll give you 80 points for that.”
“Not 100 points?”
“Minus 20 points for your lack of tact, but I appreciate the sentiment, so 80 points.”
Torako put a finger to her lips and narrowed her eyes slightly.
“If you want the remaining 20 points, you’ll have to come back safely first.”
“I guess so.”
Dungeon work is unpredictable.
Even a skilled Hunter can lose their life in an instant.
Battles that can be streamed are one thing, but the depths and unknown areas are still the territory of monsters and are fraught with danger――even so, it is Goto and his team’s job to ensure the safety of the citizens.
“Then Torako. Do as you always do. Let’s do what we can, as usual.”
“Understood. That’s the Senpai I know.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes. Doing ordinary things in an ordinary way is what you often say, Senpai, and that’s why I’m here now.”
What is she talking about? Now that he thought about it, Torako had mentioned that she had known him since she first joined the company…
…If this matter is settled safely, maybe I’ll ask her about it over a meal as a reward.
“Torako. If this job is settled safely, how about we go out for a meal sometime?”
“Is that a flag?”
“What is?”
“Like, ‘I’m going to get married when this battle is over.'”
“Don’t be an idiot. …But now that I think about it, in this day and age, inviting a junior out for a meal might be harassment…?”
In an era where taking actions that are considered overreach can lead to immediate dismissal.
Putting aside the concern from earlier, inviting a junior out for a meal might not be a good idea. Hmm.
He almost set another flag, and smiled wryly while worrying about strange things.
They were about to face a major life-or-death situation, but they were having a lighthearted conversation.
“The flag is canceled. No meal, let’s just do our jobs properly.”
“Eh. You don’t have to cancel that…”
“It’s not good for a boss to force a subordinate, right?”
“Then how about we treat it as a private date instead of a senpai-kohai relationship?”
“That’s even worse.”
What is this girl saying?
Well, it’s probably a joke, Goto thought, looking at Torako, who was slightly depressed and sighing.
“Senpai is such an idiot,” she said.
…Did I give the wrong answer?
It had been a considerable number of months since they started working together, but he still didn’t understand his junior’s feelings, and he frowned.
While mentally advising her not to say such things lightly to a man, even if he was her boss, he left the conference room, thinking, “First, work.”