Shinjuku. Once, it was a bustling district centered around Shinjuku Station. It had been a major transportation hub, home to bus terminals for travel across the country and filled with towering skyscrapers. But even Shinjuku could not escape the devastation of the Monster Disasters.
The old Shinjuku Station had since been transformed into a massive bus terminal, as buses became the primary mode of transportation. With that, the area had regained nearly the same level of vitality as before. Several major awakener companies and large clan headquarters were based here.
And now, in this Shinjuku, a dungeon gate had appeared. Whether it was a temporary or a permanent dungeon was still unknown. What was certain, however, was that this dungeon had become a grave problem.
“Hmm… two weeks since the dungeon appeared. No survivors, no information from inside…”
Inside a car heading for Shinjuku sat Inari and Yasuno. Inari flipped through the thin dossier handed to her by Yasuno. The lack of pages itself was proof enough: “We know almost nothing.”
That was why they had pulled Inari into this. All of the most powerful awakener with proven track records were busy in other dungeons, unreachable, or simply refusing to answer calls from the Association. They hated being treated like handymen, and given the circumstances, their attitude wasn’t entirely unjustified. When the situation became dire, they would likely help—but until then, they left it to others. Which left only one card to play: Kogami Inari.
“At the usual pace, if left alone, a Monster Disaster will occur within two months. But in some cases, it happens in as little as one month. Meaning, in the worst case… just one more week.”
“That is troubling. Shinjuku is a great city, is it not? Should a Monster Disaster strike such a place…”
“Even elite clan units haven’t come back. We can’t begin to predict the scale of damage.”
It was a terrifying thought. Six strike teams belonging to major clans based in Shinjuku had already failed to return. The clans wanted to send more, but the Association could not allow it. Numbers were useless now. Only the very strongest could hope to handle it. If even they failed… the worst would have to be considered.
“’Tis possible it may be like before… a place where one is thrown straight into water.”
“Yes. That was why they even sent in a team equipped with diving suits. But… the result was the same.”
“Fumu… troublesome indeed.”
Clearly, there was some unknown danger lurking within. The only question was whether it was something Inari could handle. But Inari believed that unless it was something truly extraordinary, she would manage.
“To be honest, Miss Kogami… we think even you could die in there. But right now, you are the only one we can rely on. So please… we beg you.”
“Mm. Leave it to me.”
The car carrying Inari and Yasuno headed toward the dungeon gate. The area around it was fenced off with temporary barricades, swarming with reporters and TV crews. Several networks were broadcasting live, and the place was filled with noisy commotion.
“Currently, nothing can be heard from the Shinjuku dungeon gate. We have no information on what discussions are taking place beyond the fence at the temporary command post, and can only wait for an official announcement. However, it has already been three days since the last strike team entered… and still no good news.”
“Generally, three days is the limit before a team is presumed lost. By that standard, we must assume the fate of the first units is grim.”
“Some sources say the dungeon break is imminent, and swift action is required. But according to the information we’ve just received…”
The words spoken were all ones of despair. Up until today, there had been no positive reports whatsoever. What would they do? What could they do?
So when a vehicle was escorted past the fence, every reporter pressed in close. The car’s special windows kept its passengers hidden, but speculation ran rampant.
“A vehicle believed to belong to the Awakener Association has just entered the restricted zone! We cannot confirm who is inside, but could this mean they are finally deploying their ace?!”
As voices buzzed around them, Inari stepped out from the car. And naturally, the moment she appeared, everyone pressed against the fence recognized her at once.
“That’s… that’s Kogami Inari-chan! Kogami Inari-chan has emerged from the car! Is she the Association’s next move?!”
“It seems she is alone. Can her deployment really turn the tide of this crisis? With so little time remaining, they must be desperate for success—but so far, there are no signs of reinforcements or helicopters.”
The sound of reporters shouting and rattling against the fence echoed all around. Inari simply looked at them and gave a small wave.
“Mm. It seemeth I am well and truly known…”
“You’re a celebrity now, Miss Kogami.”
Guided by Yasuno, Inari entered the tent.