The coldness came first.
Azuma lost his sense of reality as his consciousness slipped within the boundless dark cyberspace of The Descender's Hall. He barely registered Zero's words as she told him how the headgear can prove to be fatal to him if she stayed.
Her voice faded soon and then it was all dark.
『 Azuma — LCFR/369 has entered the Hall. 』
He faced a large wooden door.
The Descender's Hall was a place that could easily form and reform itself into whatever the host desired. This time, the Hall was an ancient dungeon with dusty floors and faded yellow walls.
Several wooden desks lined the circular area, making it appear small and cramped. There were candles and rusty small chandeliers that felt too foreign around the people clad in neon dresses, and fantasy costumes.
As Azuma took his seat, a black thin tablet appeared in front of him along with a light pen.
There was a small list of menu options that also appeared in front of him.
He had just noticed a pikachu sitting a little far, and Azuma was tempted to change his avatar as well when the wooden door opened with a rough creak.
Tenma strode inside, his cold voice causing everyone to fall quiet.
"There will be no foolish filters or idiotic avatars in my Hall."
He stopped above a dias and paused as his gaze passed over the applicants who switched back to their normal appearances reluctantly.
And then he saw Azuma.
Something close to frost and venom flickered in those dark eyes, Tenma certainly had words to say but after coldly regarding Azuma, he said nothing and looked away.
He left an uneasiness lingering behind.
The first phase of the Seeker Selection was created to evaluate a person's theoretical understanding of the Abyss, its creatures, dangers, riches, as well as knowledge about skills important for survival inside.
Every year the exam would be conducted differently. Artificial scenarios were the most common method used, but apparently Tenma preferred older and weird ways.
All applicants were required to write down the answers to questions that appeared on their tablet screen.
Since writing was a form seldom used, almost no one was able to completely complete the test.
There were dejected sighs and frustrated applicants when the test ended.
None of them could complain since that was not allowed, and also because their mics were muted.
Azuma wasn't worried since he wasn't going to score higher even if the test was conducted differently.
He just needed to pass the first phase and then score higher in the second phase where it was required for the applicants to show some practical potential.
Azuma exited soon after submitting the answers.
But just before the Hall faded, he had the urge to glance at Doctor Tenma and they both were looking at each other.
Tenma had a disapproving gaze.
Azuma was not surprised.
"Failure."
The doctor had declared so easily. Those cold words stripped Azuma from a life he treasured so much.
But now, Azuma was going to prove him wrong.
After completing the daily quest, Azuma requested and was granted permission to use the training arena for training.
It was late at night, by the time he returned.
"Okay…that," Azuma muttered, his whole body was aching, "was a bad idea."
「 It was unnecessary. 」
"Huh?"
「 All your quests are designed while the Codex monitors your current needs, abilities, and limits. There is nothing else you requires, Azuma. 」
「 The codex creates quests suited for your needs while taking your abilities in account. You do not need anything further. 」
"Uh, well, no harm in some extra practice."
「 Humans tend to make mistakes. 」
She was right, and has already predicted that any intense training after completing the daily quest can cause him great fatigue.
But all Azuma had done didn't feel nearly enough.
He smiled, "Don't worry. I will listen to you next time."
They passed a couple of technicians and Azuma heard something that made him slow down. He glanced back at the two women.
"...like radiation of sorts."
"First the network crash and now this," one of them sighed, "You think it's some rogue hackers?"
Their voices faded as they went away.
Azuma wanted to know more about that. But he had no idea how to talk with two stranger women without feeling like a creepy intruder.
「 You seem conflicted, Azuma. 」
He frowned.
But then he saw a camera staring right at him.
Zero had access to nearly every big and small technology.
He did not understand how that worked so well, but he remembered that all the surveillance cameras were linked AI voice detectors for advanced security measures.
Azuma asked in a low voice, "Zero, can you tell me what they said?"
There was a momentary pause before her reply came.
「 Yes. Is there anything specific about their conversation which interests you, Azuma? 」
"Radiation," he said, "and the network crash. I am pretty sure something as big as that should cause a great stir… but well, it's all weird."
The familiar voices spoke in his mind.
"But it's pretty strange. There was no breach in the security wall…it's as if someone who could access the Neuralink servers was responsible."
"And you think this is a prank?" a doubtful voice asked.
"Well, what else?" there was a gentle laugh, "It was just a silly little message. I barely saw the error before it was deleted."
The other woman was silent for a while before she slowly asked, "What was the error?"
"Uh…I couldn't see it properly in time. But it was like a radiation of sorts."
"First the network crashed and now this. Do you think it's some rogue hackers?"
"They don't exist anymore, Suzume. But the crash of Cloud Nova was different…"
Azuma asked the conversation to be stopped.
His brows creased together and his thoughts were as restless as his heart when he played the conversation again in his mind.
Something about it made him remember some sour memories.
And then he realized how this seemingly silly error had nearly disqualified him from the Seeker Selection. But if the system was not breached, and there were no issues in security either..
Could someone be behind it?
Someone who doesn't want Azuma to become a seeker.
…or descend.