CH 14

For a while, Kurokiri will not appear in this chapter.

Through the noble sacrifice of my bodyguard, Ichiko, I have become the first survivor of the labyrinth X-J2.

But in reality, the truth is otherwise. Neither I am a survivor, nor is Ichiko dead. Ichiko and I have simply been converted into Kurokiri’s kin.

“Phew. Finally, all the tedious interviews and media coverage are concluded.”

And a week has passed since I, Nasu Ryo, ceased to be a human and changed into a Kirijin. During this interval, Ichiko has apparently made it to the southern dungeon “Demon’s Fortress” and has begun to hunt enemies.

My parents haven’t raised any particular comment to me, nor do they seem to be pondering appointing a new bodyguard for me. The reason is… I guess they seem to be feigning heartbreak over the loss of Ichiko for the outsiders.

However, they do appear to be mulling over the plan to move out. I did everything I could to stop them, so all is well, but why did I stop them? Just in case… my true identity is exposed… I wish to have a place where I can escape right away.

Furthermore, I selfishly asked Kurokiri to covertly build an entrance to the second level of the “White Fog and Black Swamp Forest” in the basement of my house. The cost was substantial, though… ugh.

“Well, I should probably start on my task now.”

For now, I refocus my attention and proceed with the assignment that Kurokiri has ordered me to handle.

First of all, there are currently five dungeons in our country.

The labyrinth X-J1, officially designated as “Demon’s Fortress,” arose in the capital city and is currently labeled as being in a state of war.

The most threatening labyrinth in the country is X-J2, “White Fog and Black Swamp Forest,” which is ruled by Kurokiri.

X-J3 emerged in the ancient city in the west.

X-J4 emerged in the northernmost part of the country.

X-J5 emerged on a volcanic island in the southwest.

Among these, X-J1 and X-J2 require no further elaboration, since Ichiko has been to X-J1, and X-J2 is a dungeon under the jurisdiction of Kurokiri.

So, let’s move on to X-J3.

According to the reports that have gathered at my father’s side as well as information on the news and the Internet, the labyrinth is primarily inhabited by beast-like demons, and while it seems that demons do not venture out of the labyrinth, 40% of the people who have entered it are reported to be dead and 30% are injured to the degree that prevents them engaging in combat in the future. Well, compared to ours, it’s not that bad.

Next is X-J4.

This dungeon is mainly populated by ice and water-based demons, and is said to be perpetually frozen and shrouded in snow.

Although demons have been sighted stepping out from time to time, it seems that only criminals, bears, and other dangerous animals strike them when that happens.

Finally, there is X-J5.

This place is thoroughly reclusive and no information is available on it at all. To begin with, the entrance to the dungeon resides in a crater, making it apparently inaccessible to humans unless they possess special skills or equipment. I may have to request Kurokiri to dispatch some fogs to that spot.

Well, these are the only dungeons in Japan, but there are many more dungeons abroad.

For starters, there are a total of 666 labyrinths in existence, all of which emerged from the barriers that day.

And if I were to elevate the most well-known of them, I would say they are:

A labyrinth of sky-high towers that have arisen in a building district of a certain major country.

A labyrinth, popularly known as the “Skyscraper,” with a pyramid-like structure that has surfaced in the desert.

A labyrinth constructed of a single colossal tree.

There are even labyrinths that have popped up in the middle of the ocean. Among them, there are about 50 that are aggressively assaulting humans like the “Demon’s Fortress.” There are roughly 100 labyrinths like “White Fog and Black Swamp Forest” where people might have been abducted in clandestine operations and 80 labyrinths like X-J5 to which people are staying indoors.

The rest are supposed to specialize in an interception.

“Huh? Why is there no Demon King who would consider joining hands with humans…?”

“That’s because the Demon King’s compensation ensures that they cannot beg for their lives. If they thoughtlessly show up at the negotiating table, they’ll end up in a full-fledged mess.’”

“!?”

“I’m free, so I’ve been running some tests on the communication. The signal sensitivity seems to be fine. I’m hanging up now.”

“…What a nuisance….”

At any rate, let’s resume the summary.

Of the 666 labyrinths that exist in the world, there are approximately 200 that people are actively seeking to conquer. These 200 labyrinths are almost like the “Demon’s Fortress,” where people’s lives will be endangered if they don’t seize the labyrinths promptly.

And about 300 labyrinths are under close surveillance, just like ours.

The remaining labyrinths, like X-J5, are so unfavorably sited that even monitoring is inadequate. That’s how it is.

Next, let’s look at the level of danger.

The United Nations evaluates the monsters inside as well as the structure of the labyrinth, and on top of that, they rate the danger as higher if the number of survivors is low in comparison to the number of people entering the labyrinth.

In the case of “White Fog and Black Swamp Forest,” it has been claimed that I am the only survivor, and I am the only one who was abducted under the strictest precautions. Furthermore, the structure of the interior is completely unknown (I have informed people that the fog is so dense that I could not make out anything).

For this reason, it is regarded as one of the most perilous labyrinths by the United Nations.

But according to Kurokiri, “the fundamental tactic in my labyrinth is to avoid a head-on confrontation and kill the victim in a one-sided battle.”

Well, I guess that’s all the information I have concerning the labyrinth for the time being.