Chapter 86: To the Yokohama Dungeon 【Perspective Change Included】
“Natsume-san, please, this way.”
“Y-yes…”
We parked our car at the Sano-Fujioka Interchange management office and switched to a vehicle prepared by the Dungeon Management Bureau.
It was a modified minivan, designed so that meetings could be held in the back seats.
The three of us got into the back seats and fastened our seatbelts.
“—Alright, we’re off. If you need anything, please use the microphone on the wall.”
The driver said so and closed the door.
Wooo…
A police car, siren wailing, led our vehicle.
There were also police vehicles following behind us.
Being escorted like this, it’s like we’re prime ministers or something.
“This is kinda nerve-wracking… Manamin, are you sure that plan will work?”
“If Manamin fails, it’s all over for us, you know.”
“Keke, like I’d ever fail. I’ve known you guys since you were kids.”
“Somehow, that sounds sketchy…”
“Say, do you think the culprit really knows they can get out of the dungeon using a Wormhole?”
“Yeah, there’s no doubt about that. Holing up inside the dungeon, the condition about monitoring so you’d have enough power left for Spatial Transfer… The culprit probably plans to brainwash Ko-chin and then use Imomushi to escape.”
“I see…”
It feels like we’re knowingly walking into a trap, but I have no intention of running away.
If Manamin’s plan succeeds, we’ll be the ones setting the trap.
“Keke, the culprit has certainly studied us well. Within the scope of information shown on stream, that is. Besides, they don’t understand Ko-chin’s growth rate. That’s their weak point.”
“All that’s left is the culprit’s abilities and the number of accomplices…”
“Shi-chan must be working hard on that right about now…”
“Yeah, Shi-chan is reliable. She should be able to dig something up.”
“Keke, we need to decide how to split the 50 million yen reward.”
“Manamin, honestly… Well, I don’t plan on losing out either, though.”
And so, the car carrying us headed south on the Tohoku Expressway.
☆★☆
“Explorer Sasarabashi, here are the entry records for Yokohama Dungeon! There’s a record of 16 people authenticating together around 1:20 PM! We believe this is the victim group!”
“Thank you, Takahashi-san. Are there any parties that went to the 15th floor or deeper before this group?”
“No, none for today!”
“I see… Then, coordinating with other parties seems difficult. Understood. Sorry to ask, but please continue confirming individual Explorer information.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
—Dungeon Management Bureau, Dungeon Disaster Response Office.
In a room with a large monitor at the front and whiteboards lining the sides, I—Sasarabashi Shiho—was gathering information on the Yokohama Dungeon hostage situation.
I checked the dungeon entry records I had just received.
“Hirano-san, Taniguchi-san, Nakayama-san…”
The records listed the Explorer Rank and name.
“…Just as I thought.”
Sixteen Rank D Explorers.
The name Iyada-san, which Natsume-kun mentioned, isn’t there.
“—Someone entered using another person’s license.”
If we cross-reference with the Explorer license photos, we should be able to narrow down the suspects to some extent.
However, several of the fallen people are wearing “Perception Obfuscation Masks,” making individual identification impossible.
There are a total of four masked individuals.
Who is the main culprit?
Also, it’s unclear if there are accomplices or if they were just caught up in it.
But…
(I’ll narrow down the possibilities as much as I can… I want to protect Natsume-kun, who protected our connection…! And I won’t let anyone say someone died because of Natsume-kun!)
“Explorer Sasarabashi, here are the documents you requested!”
“Ah… Thank you, Takeda-san. That must have been a lot of work.”
“Not at all, there’s no easier job. Creating a list of Explorers who could likely beat Explorer Natsume in a fight, based on available information. Frankly, there are only a handful of people who fit the bill.”
“That’s because you’re excellent, Takeda-san. Thank you. Sorry to ask you again so soon, but could you make adjustments according to this memo next?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
I’m investigating information through two routes.
This is based on the idea that narrowing down potential suspects by working backward from the conditions might speed up identification.
“Ernest Garfield, Gabriel Ruelle… I see, this is certainly…”
It’s a list of super-famous Explorers.
In a way, compiling the list would be easy.
Regarding domestic Explorers, only three people were listed.
“Ah, there are documents attached to the back too.”
It seems they even fetched the Explorer information for those with Japanese nationality.
That’s a great help.
“Ouji Ryuuga, Shijou Ouka… The top Explorers of the East and West, huh.”
Both are known for their good character, and they’re already incredibly successful without needing to kidnap Natsume-kun.
They probably wouldn’t need to take such a risk.
And then, when I saw the file for the last person.
“Ah—”
I had an intuitive conviction.
“This person, could it be—”
Name: Jadou Nishiki
Rank: A
Registered Skills: 【Mystic Eyes (Binding Seal)】, 【Tamer】, 【Swordsmanship (True)】
Notes: Explorer license previously revoked due to operating an illegal gambling den.
☆★☆
—5:40 PM.
“It’s almost time, yes? If Explorer Natsume does not come, whom shall we select to kill?”
Iyada-san—no, Iyada dragged his spear clattering across the floor and looked us over.
And then—.
“I select you. A crying woman—most effective for gaining public attention, you see.”
(Eh…)
The tip of the spear pointed at me—Yokote Yuuka.
(N-no… I don’t want this…)
I can’t get my voice out properly.
Even after three hours, the paralysis hasn’t worn off.
(I don’t want to die… I don’t want to die…!)
“Let us show your face one final time. So your father, your mother, your friends will not be lonely…”
(Ah…)
The streaming drone descended to my face level and hovered.
《Stop it!》
《Don’t kill her!》
《Stop!》
My neck won’t move, but the tears won’t stop.
I’m scared.
I don’t know what this person is thinking.
Eventually, the drone returned to mid-air.
“The goodbyes are concluded, yes? Well then, two minutes remain, so enjoy the rest of your life.”
The tip of the spear was thrust before my eyes.
(No, I don’t want this… Is this really how it ends…? I don’t want to die… Do I have to die because I was stupid…?)
《Ko-chan!》
《Ko-chan, please!》
《Save her!》
(Help me…!!)
Just then, a mechanical voice sounded from the streaming screen.
《Channel synchronization request received.
—ID: gekko-ko-channel. Authorize?》
Iyada grinned,
“So you’ve come, as expected…!”
He operated the terminal.
Then, a voice came from the terminal.
‘Iyada—I came as you asked. Otama-chan is with me too. Don’t you dare touch that person.’
It was the kind voice I’d heard in the Shinjuku Dungeon.
(Ko-chan-san…!)
My hero had come to save us.
《Ko-chan!!》
《Ko-chan!!》
《Please, save her!!》
《Tama-chan, we’re counting on you too!!》