And where had Tsukiko ended up? As expected, she too had been transported to a different location than the others. It was certainly within the forest, but her exact position was unknown. Unknown—but the cause was clear. She had seen the same static-filled system window as the others.
“A godlike being, huh… This is my first time seeing it, but I didn’t expect it could interfere with a dungeon itself.”
The information Inari had passed to the Awakener Association had, in turn, been conveyed to Tsukiko. Though all of it was high-priority, even Tsukiko couldn’t analyze the so-called “godlike beings” using nothing but second-hand reports.
But now, having witnessed their power firsthand, she could understand—indeed, it was a force worthy of being called divine.
“Awakener Phone, dead. Even the transmitters I prepared as backup… nothing. So this too is the work of that god’s power?”
That the Awakener Phone wouldn’t work inside wasn’t surprising—urban legend cases had shown that before. But for even Tsukiko’s own specially-prepared transmitter to be nullified… surprising, yes, but still within her expectations.
In her hand was a tablet of her own design. Its screen was filled with graphs and numerical readouts.
“The dungeon’s mana density is way above normal… So whatever nullified my equipment, this must be the cause. At these levels, there should be other anomalies as well… hm?”
Just as Tsukiko reacted, the floating bits surrounding her swiveled, unleashing a barrage of lasers all at once.
“Vvvhh!?”
Instantly, the target was burned away—a humanoid figure clad in insect-like armor.
“An insect…?”
Tsukiko muttered.
Its corpse dissolved, leaving behind only a drop item—Carapace of the Labyrinth Scarab. Proof enough it had been an insect-type monster.
“Something that weird wasn’t supposed to appear here. Monster mutations… This could get dangerous if I don’t hurry.”
With a snap of her fingers, several drones—shaped like miniature airplanes—emerged from thin air, rising into the sky. They were recon drones, specially tuned to send and receive data under these conditions.
“Inari will be fine… The highest-priority search target is Kotoriya Eru. Now, go.”
Whrrr!
The drones sliced through the air and vanished into the distance. Tsukiko glanced behind her, where her bits were already aiming their barrels at something unseen.
“Come out. No use hiding, not from me.”
“As expected of Japan’s second top ranker. So the rumor about you being poor in direct combat was false.”
“Not exactly. That part isn’t wrong.”
When she turned, a man stood there—likely one of the Echigo Trading Company members who had entered earlier. He radiated murderous intent, a dagger clutched in his hand.
“I’m not strong at all. It’s my skills that make me strong.”
“Hmph. So even that conspicuous arsenal of science weapons is thanks to them?”
“Partly. But I won’t bother explaining—you wouldn’t understand.”
“Then no more words. Mano Tsukiko… I’ll kill you here.”
“So you’re with the Superhuman League?”
“No. Just removing an obstacle on behalf of Echigo Trading Company.”
Ah. So that was how they intended to frame it—all pinned on Echigo Trading Company.
Tsukiko only answered with, “I see,” and directed all her bits at him.
“You think you can win?”
“Oh, easily.”
“Fool.”
The man’s figure vanished. Her bits instantly swiveled, firing in unison at the empty air. The beams struck—revealing a blackened, smoking body collapsing to the ground.
“…H-how?”
With another burst of lasers to finish him, Tsukiko snorted lightly.
“Why? Please. Even monsters can go invisible. To think I wouldn’t have training data for that is laughable.”
Of course, having data didn’t always mean one could counter it. There were countless phenomena that remained impossible to deal with despite being understood.
But Tsukiko could. Not omnipotent—but through analysis and preparation, she could devise countermeasures. That was what it meant to be “Professor” Mano Tsukiko.
“Well. I suppose targeting me was just an improvised move. They underestimated me badly.”
If she remembered right, Echigo Ryoichi had hired the thug clan Sunlight. But apparently these weren’t mere thugs—they were seasoned killers, educated in villainy and without hesitation toward murder. Troublesome foes indeed. Once outside, she’d have to strongly recommend they be destroyed root and branch.
“Hmm… ah, there. Found her. She’s pretty far… I’ll need to hurry.”
On her tablet blinked a marker—Eru’s position confirmed, along with a recorded photo. But also, logs of drones already being shot down. Clearly, Eru was already in dire straits.
“Honestly. I know this is why they asked me to come… but Inari will owe me for this one.”
Muttering under her breath, Tsukiko broke into a run. This wasn’t her forte—but now, more than anything, she had to reach the scene as fast as possible.