Episode 120
japan.
Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Clang. That's it.
The ground trembled where so many people were gathered.
People all over the street were panicking and screaming, as were the people inside the building.
Screams and all kinds of languages mixed together to create noise.
The vibration stopped after 10 seconds.
One of many buildings.
A man leisurely sipped coffee at a cafe on the 10th floor with a clear view of Shinjuku's large electronic display board.
It was Taehyun, wearing glasses and a hat.
Although he has more sensitive senses than others, he had a relaxed expression despite the recent earthquake.
An event that was already expected.
No, it was correct to say that I was waiting.
'Is it starting slowly?'
The current earthquake is an unexplored dungeon in Kyoto.
It was a magic wave that occurred when the place named 'Beomjinsa Dungeon' broke.
Kyoto's dungeon was just broken.
But the waves of magic can be felt even in Tokyo, a long way away?
And in the form of a huge earthquake like this?
Normally, this would be dismissed as nonsense.
If the target is an unexplored dungeon, the story is different.
A breaking news message appeared on the electronic bulletin board saying that the situation was being investigated.
At the cafe, an announcement was belatedly repeated that there was no need to be anxious.
"You're more calm than I thought?"
Taehyun muttered as he looked at quite a few people remaining in the cafe.
Even those who had left a little while ago returned one by one, and the cafe looked as if an earthquake had occurred.
To put it in a good way, it is quick to adapt, but to put it in a bad way, it is insensitive to safety.
Slurp.
Taehyun drank coffee and thought about what would happen in the future.
Following Russia, even unexplored dungeons in Japan were broken.
It was not only the two countries that felt a sense of crisis due to this unexpected event.
This is because dungeon breaks and gate breaks will occur all over the world in the future.
In particular, China stops the unification war and invites players to the mainland.
'The problem is Japan.'
A dungeon named 'Unexplored' because even national power level players couldn't do anything about it.
Although Russia and Japan are among the world's powers, the results of Dungeon Break were completely different.
Russia somehow succeeds in blocking the break.
Although they lost numerous soldiers and players in the process, they were forced to come down from their status as a great power.
In any case, the ultimate goal of preventing the brakes and minimizing damage to the country's citizens is achieved.
On the other hand, Japan was different.
It's not enough that countless players and citizens sacrificed their lives due to the command's wrong judgment.
The initial suppression failed and Kyoto and Osaka fell into the hands of monsters.
Radioactive contamination started when a nuclear power plant exploded there.
The damage will spread all the way to the new Korea.
'No radiation.'
Due to Japan's failure to stop it in time, there were numerous deformed children in Taehyun's past life.
Unless you are an awakened person of at least C grade, the human body cannot withstand radiation.
That was why Taehyun was trying to conquer unexplored dungeons in Asia.
Although China is creating artificial S grades through technological development.
'There's still a long way to go.'
Like the unification war.
Human greed is endless, and monsters do not miss that opportunity.
Just then, a breaking news message called 'Beomjinsa Dungeon Break' appeared on the electronic display board.
Taehyun wasn't the only one who checked the electronic display board.
Likewise, those who confirmed the breaking news began to whisper.
"what. "Some dungeon broke and it's so loud?"
"Uh... "It's the Beomjinsa dungeon, right?"
"joy. "Yes, it is an imbecile monster."
"Still, it's an unexplored dungeon. "Isn't there at least an SS-rank monster?"
"hey. Do you think SS-rank monsters are like zoo monkeys? "If there was such a thing, the association would have announced it sooner."
"That's up to the players to figure out. "Let's just make money for ordinary people like us."
"that's right. There is a saint and a ghost sword, right? "Nothing will happen this time either."
"hey. "Because we haven't been able to solve the Holy Maiden and the Demon Sword, it's called the unexplored dungeon."
"Oh, really. "What do you mean, our Empire of Japan will just collapse with Dungeon Break?"
"If anything happens, New Korea will help. "The rumor is that Kim Tae-hyun is stronger than a saint or a ghost sword."
"joy. "Who said that?"
"Come on, let's stop. "I wonder if the people above will be able to handle that well."
Taehyun's expression became bitter as he listened.
The greed and incompetence of political leaders ultimately lead to the sacrifice of innocent citizens.
The result of leaving everything to the 'person above'.
This is because they live with wounds that cannot be washed away.
'We still have to wait.'
Now you can't claim rights to unexplored dungeons.
For New Korea player Taehyun, cause was important.
Slurp.
Another sip.
Coffee flowed down my throat.
It was still time to wait.
* * *
Japan Players Association. Kyoto branch.
The press room set up inside was filled with reporters from all over the world.
I heard that one of the few unexplored dungeons in the world has been broken.
This is because it was dispatched from leading broadcasting stations and newspapers in various places.
Among them, there were quite a few war reporters who captured the scent of war amazingly.
A war-level scale that goes beyond dungeon raids.
Just like Russia does.
The world was paying attention to Japan's next move.
"After Russia, Japan. "I don't know if this will lead to the destruction of the Earth."
"But I'm glad it's Asia this time. If this happened in Paris... "It's scary to even imagine."
"Shh. Be careful. "There's an uproar these days about racism or whatever."
Three reporters with German, French, and Italian nationalities shared their opinions.
"How about Russia?"
"From what I heard, it was very miserable. "It looks like not one, but three SS-rank Titans popped out."
"crazy. "The original report said there were at most S+ grade monsters, right?"
"They must have been hissing out of fear that the stock price would fall."
"A lot of people are going to die this time too."
"Compared to Russia, Japan is still worth a try."
"It's too early to let down your guard. "You never know if SS-rank monsters might pop out here too, right?"
"joy. Damn Asians. "They act all proud because they are advanced countries."
"haha. The level of Asian players is obvious. The Three Dragons of Asia? "It's not even funny."
"okay. Anyway, if we hold out for a while, the United States will come and help us. "Don't you all think the same?"
They nodded.
"Anyway, it's almost time for the advance team to return. "It's quite late."
That's when the man checks the time.
The press room shook once.
After the explosion, a scream was heard.
"… … ?"
Even before I could understand the situation.
A man covered in blood came into the press room.
He was a player in the Kyoto branch.
"Mo, avoid everyone!! Monsters… "Monsters have invaded!!"
"… … !!"
"crazy… !!"
"Do, run away!!"
It was an instant before the building turned into chaos.
* * *
Japan Players Association headquarters located in Tokyo.
Heads of organizations were entering to discuss emergency measures in what was considered the safest place in Japan.
"The Prime Minister is coming in."
At the words of the association player, two men came in and sat down.
They were Prime Minister Suga, who can be said to be the most powerful person in Japan, and Association President Masataka Kubota.
"Then, let's begin. "Report."
As Prime Minister Suga spoke, the screen in front turned on.
A player from the association began the presentation.
"Just. "There has been a report that monsters from the Beomjinsa dungeon have taken over the Kyoto branch."
Sighs erupted from everywhere.
Not even two hours have passed since the break began.
The monsters moved faster than expected.
"We are currently rescuing as many nearby citizens and survivors as we can… ."
"But?"
"It is estimated that there are about 1 million victims right now. Even the warp gate has been taken over, so the damage is expected to increase in the future... ."
"What is the level of the monster?"
Prime Minister Suga asked without delay.
He still had a dull expression.
"Currently, there are about 200 A-grade centaurs and about 100 S-grade knight centaurs. 10 S+ grade Grand Centaurs. And I'm looking at one SS-rank Centazenas as my main troop. In addition, there appear to be at least 500 E-B grade monsters... ."
The man's report brought out sighs everywhere.
It was an unprecedented break in history.
Sujiman, the capital of monsters.
Kenta Zenas, an SS-rank monster that has been hidden in Japan until now.
Its existence would have been enough to plunge the stock price of Japan, an economic powerhouse.
Prime Minister Suga did not know that.
"Kubota Association President. Do we have any chance of winning?"
"This is a dungeon that I failed in once. Now that the guys there are coming out... It will be difficult with Japan's capabilities alone. Moreover, quite a few players were sent to Hong Kong and Taiwan... ."
Association President Masataka Kubota's excuses became longer.
9 years ago.
A dungeon that is estimated to not break for the next 100 years has been discovered.
The horsepower was measured to the point that even the United States, its ally, expressed dismay.
The United States, which did not want to take risks, was reluctant to send a national force.
In the end, the attack proceeded with the saint and the ghost sword at the center.
Even though they said it wouldn't break, it was because they couldn't leave the dungeon unattended in Kyoto, the second capital.
In the end, it was a handshake.
The raiding party had to retreat, suffering near-total damage.
The person who defeated Japan's highest power was Kenta Zenas, who is presumed to be an SS-rank monster.
Knowing the repercussions of its existence, the association and the government withheld information from the public.
"The players of our Empire of Japan alone… "It's difficult to attack right now."
"That's right."
At the association president's cool-headed assessment, we once again burst into silence.
But Prime Minister Suga was different.
"It's better."
He raised the corners of his mouth and showed his composure.
The heads of each organization showed puzzled expressions.
"yes?"
"What is that... ?"
Prime Minister Suga extended his index finger toward the bewildered heads of institutions.
"Let's wipe it out right now. I'm talking about monsters from that annoying unexplored dungeon. Whether it's biochemical weapons or napalm. "You can use anything."
"But if that happens, I might still be alive…" ."
One of the heads of the institution fell silent as the prime minister gave him a cold look.
"Could it be possible that those monsters saved humans?"
"… … ."
"Haona… ."
"Public opinion… ."
Prime Minister Suga clicked his tongue as if he had expected this.
"They say a crisis is an opportunity. At this point, wouldn't it be good for Japan to become the world's first country to conquer unexplored dungeons? How about you, Association President Kubota? If we mobilize all the power of the Self-Defense Forces. "What are the odds of winning?"
Mobilizing the entire power of the Self-Defense Forces.
It was like a permit to use all lethal weapons except nuclear weapons.
Association President Masataka Kubota's shoulders were straightened by the unexpected and bold decision of the Prime Minister.
"Even if I can't do it, it will be 80%."
At those words, some of the heads of the organizations gasped in exclamation.
"It has been decided. Declare war against monsters. "With this, the Empire of Japan will be revived."
Prime Minister Suga said:
match. match. match. match.
one two.
The heads of institutions stood up and applauded.
Just as Taehyun thought.
History was repeating itself.