Chapter 82: Extortion

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“Report: The life energy source for that artificial dungeon appears to be drawn from twenty-three dungeons surrounding the royal capital over the past few days.” In the headquarters of the Dungeon Association, the deputy director listened to the report from the capital’s branch, massaging his forehead with a grave expression.

“Since it’s been two hundred years without a life energy depletion cycle, we initially thought this was the start of a new cycle in the capital and were still observing, so we hadn’t reported up the chain—”

“That’s enough, stop talking. All responsible parties should be removed,” the deputy director said with a look of contempt. “Is it so hard to read a proper book? When has a depletion cycle ever started with such mild symptoms? If you find it troublesome, just say so. Have years of peace turned everyone into swine?”

He sighed and continued, “Now, give me the specifics of that artificial dungeon. Can it be resolved, and how?”

“Yes, sir. First, the artificial dungeon isn’t particularly strong—between C and B level. We’ve already severed its life energy supply. As long as it’s cleared, the problem should be solved.” The branch chief on the other end paused and added, “However, we don’t yet have a solution, because the dungeon can’t be entered at all!”

As a dungeon between C and B level, this one already possessed the defining trait of a B-level dungeon: it existed in a subspatial state.

Its internal space was semi-independent, attached to the main dimension. Given sufficient energy, it might even grow into a world of its own. The problem now was that it had no entrance.

“What about forcing a breach?” the deputy director asked.

“Technically, it might work, but we’re not certain, because…” The branch chief sent over a magical message. “This is a threat from the criminal. The situation is… quite troublesome.”

The deputy director stood up, placing the image-laden message into the crystal orb beside him.

A blurred figure appeared in the orb’s glow.

“Hello, I’m just a mortal passing through this era; you can call me Zhokko,” the figure said. “Don’t think I’m bluffing—I can prove I’m the mastermind.”

“Go check the candy I left in the warehouse; that’s the key to everything. Of course, it’s useless now, because those candies are missing the crucial trace of unique life energy needed to guide a soul. Even if someone eats them now, they can’t enter here.”

“And don’t try to force your way in. If the dungeon’s subspace barrier suffers any external damage, it’ll—boom! Hahaha…”

“This program is quite sensitive, so I suggest you don’t experiment recklessly. You’d best protect it carefully, or I can’t guarantee it won’t explode from some natural cause. Although I’d love to see a spectacular soul-firework show, I can’t afford to be so willful this time! Hahaha—”

“A total of four thousand two hundred and thirty-three children’s souls are imprisoned inside. Even I didn’t expect so many well-behaved kids to take the bait in just over ten days. Seems my idea was a real hit! Hahaha—feel free to use it yourselves in the future; I won’t charge royalties!”

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“Additionally, this isn’t a complete dead end. First, time will solve it; in a century or so, the dungeon will dissipate on its own. Second, the dungeon’s design blueprint would do the trick—but whether you get it depends on whether you agree to our little request.”

The figure gestured theatrically as he spoke. Even knowing it was just an illusion, the deputy director felt an urge to strangle him.

“So, our demand is the Heart of the Rainbow.”

“We want a Heart of the Rainbow. If you agree, display the word ‘Zhokko’ on all the billboards along Third Avenue. Then we’ll respond accordingly. Bye-bye—”

The image ended.

“Well then… How long do the researchers at the Sky Palace need to analyze the structure of this dungeon?” the deputy director asked expressionlessly. “And has there been any progress in identifying the perpetrator?”

He had never intended to meet the criminal’s demands, so he went straight for the third option.

“Apologies, but all the identities provided by the facility are fake. I suspect there are accomplices in the upper ranks. Many details are highly convincing, but we’re working hard to investigate,” the branch chief sighed. “As for the Sky Palace, even if they abandon all other projects and devote themselves entirely, with current technology, it would still take over ten years!”

“A year, is it? To force those aloof researchers to do this is as good as killing them,” the deputy director sighed. He knew all too well what those people were like—there was no way they’d put aside their own work for a mere few thousand lives. The timeline was surely exaggerated tenfold.

“Forget it. I’ll recall ‘Old Ghost’ and ‘Good King.’ The two of them might accomplish in a short time what those fools would take decades to achieve.” He snorted disdainfully.

“You’re bringing them back? What about the Northern Frontier?” the branch chief asked with a frown.

“That’s not your concern,” the deputy director replied, shaking his head. “Development is for the future, and so are the children. Even if sacrifices must be made, it shouldn’t be them.”

“By the way,” the branch chief suddenly remembered, “besides the children, one other person was pulled in—and he’s a Hero. Maybe the Hero System could help find a solution, though I’m not optimistic…”

“Oh?” The deputy director perked up. “Who?”

“He’s highly rated—an S+ potential candidate, an Earthly Heroic Spirit.”

“Zhao Tianhe.”

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At that moment, Zhao Tianhe felt as if he were floating in a daze, being endlessly questioned by something.

“What is it that you fear?” A vague voice wound through his mind. For some reason, Zhao Tianhe felt compelled to answer.

“What am I afraid of? Oh, there’s a lot…”

“What if Artoria rejects me? What if Ereshkigal refuses? Am I just being delusional, do you think? Hey! Say something! You were the one who started asking, why are you silent now?”

“I mean, what do you truly fear? The objects of your fear, the phenomena—not these trivial things,” the voice insisted.

“Huh? Specifically what do I fear? Well, obviously having my wife stolen by Shirou Emiya or that ancient god whose name I can’t quite recall…”

“And your own fears? Hmm, my wives are more important than me, so of course I care about them. You should see how cute Artoria is when she eats… And Ereshkigal too…”

“Are you insane?!” the voice shouted in exasperation. “I’m asking what you’re afraid of, but you’re not afraid of any of this! Don’t you have anything you fear?!”

“Well, aside from that, not much. Sure, I’m scared of dying, but there are so many things in this world that could kill me—even choking on my food. If I worried about that all the time, how would I live?”

“Damn it! Interdimensional Heroic Spirits are such a pain! Unafraid of death, immune to temptation, completely useless to manipulate! Morals all out of whack—what a monster! Fine, just stay sealed away. Don’t wake up again…” The voice faded, as if giving up.

Zhao Tianhe felt his consciousness blur and gradually cease altogether.