“A year ago, the family of one of this headquarters’ executives went missing. Naturally, since the executive himself is an awakener, he didn’t just leave it to the police—he investigated independently. His conclusion was that it couldn’t have been a re disappearance, nor a simple kidnapping.”
Yet, the exact chain of events remained completely unknown. What was certain, however, was that this was no ordinary case. And so, the Japan Headquarters turned to Tsukiko Mano. If even she couldn’t find answers, then the matter was likely unsolvable.
Thus she had uncovered the outline of the incident—along with the chilling result that it had started at least ten years ago.
“In conclusion, the culprit is a monster.”
“Mhm… specifically?”
“With about a 74% probability, it is one of the ‘urban legend’ monsters from Saitama Dungeon No. 4.”
Indeed—the urban legend–type monsters from Saitama No. 4 were infamous for their peculiar powers. So activated their abilities only under certain conditions, others dragged victims into otherworlds.
“Otherworlds… like that Four-Dinsional Hag, then?”
“Exactly. The Four-Dinsional Hag is one example of a monster that creates its own domain. In fact, there are several such monsters in the Dungeon No. 4. And there had already been suspicions that so of them might have survived the old monster disasters.”
“So now that suspicion has been confird.”
By nature, when a dungeon overflowed, multiple monsters of the sa type could escape. Even if one was slain, others might still be lurking sowhere outside.
In other words, just like the events in Itou, the sa sort of thing was happening here. Except this ti, the situation was even more serious.
“The otherworld is beginning to encroach upon reality. If Ms. Mano hadn’t succeeded in detecting the leaked magical energy, we might still be oblivious even now.”
Yes, just days ago, Tsukiko had detected the magical trace of an otherworld opening briefly during a human abduction. She had failed to pinpoint the location then, but only recently had she succeeded.
“The location is… Toshima.”
Toshima—a tiny island between Izu Ooshima and Niijima.
In earlier tis it had been ho to the village of Toshima, but once the seas ceased to belong to humanity, the island was abandoned like so many others.
Ooshima itself still had guarded ships and aircraft, but smaller isles were too costly—and too dangerous—to maintain.
Yet satellite surveys had shown nothing out of the ordinary.
But with Tsukiko’s instrunts, they found mana density at levels one would expect only near a dungeon.
“After receiving that report, we imdiately dispatched a first recon team by helicopter. But after their initial transmission, all contact was lost.”
Almost certainly they had entered the otherworld, and been trapped there.
The fact that recon specialists had failed to return suggested the enemy force was formidable. Sending another ordinary team would only an the sa fate.
What was needed was soone of ranker class—ideally, a top ranker.
At present, those reachable were the number two “Professor” Tsukiko Mano, the number four “Submarine,” and the number five “Black Witch.”
But Submarine specialized in underwater combat, unsuitable for this case.
The Black Witch had been dispatched to Shikoku days ago at HQ’s request, and couldn’t be recalled.
“…But if Ms. Mano goes, there’s a risk Toshima will end up at the bottom of the sea.”
“My skills… aren’t exactly subtle. I’ll go if you want, but…”
“That won’t do. After reviewing who could handle this, we concluded the most promising candidate was you, Ms. Kogami.”
At that, Aoyama bowed deeply.
“Ms. Kogami, please—we beg you to accept this mission. The Awakener Association will provide every support possible.”
“Very well.”
“Of course, I know full well how unreasonable this is. If you agree, we—pardon, what?”
“I said, very well. I’ll take it.”
“Wha—but, it’s extraordinarily dangerous!”
“Is that not exactly why you’re asking ? Very well. I’d been thinking about these urban legends myself. Consider this fate.”
Inari’s ready acceptance drew a doubtful sound from Tsukiko.
“You ought to think harder. Coming from , but HQ cases are rarely worth the risk.”
“I admit we often present difficult missions. But that, too, is a mark of our trust.”
“I don’t mind. To be asked, to be entreated—that alone is enough for to act.”
Whether it was “worth it” or not, Inari had never cared.
Not then, not now. Not ever.
A cry for help was sothing she could not ignore.
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