arc3 · 147-ch147

Chapter 147: Meanwhile, at the Dungeon Agency

"Emergency call! Hostage incident in Nishi-Hachioji! The perpetrator is believed to be an Awakened!"

On a weekday afternoon, an emergency call came into the Dungeon Agency. An Awakened had taken hostages and barricaded himself in Nishi-Hachioji city hall.

"Quickly set up the countermeasure headquarters! And confirm the perpetrator's demands!"

The Dungeon Agency staff hurried into action upon receiving the report. Because the ones who handle Awakened crimes are the Dungeon Agency. The special police, organized from Awakened individuals just the same, belong to this Dungeon Agency.

An empty room quickly became the countermeasure headquarters, and with the Dungeon Minister at the top, the situation and countermeasures were discussed.

"Call Arihara. Deploy the special police."

At the Dungeon Minister's order, a staff member started to hurriedly go call Arihara —

Gachari

"Excuse me. This is Arihara. I've heard the story. For now, I've already filed a dispatch request with the three special police who were nearby. I hope that's alright?"

Before the staff member could go call him, the door opened and Arihara came in.

"Hmm, as expected of you."

"Minister, more than that, do we have any information on the terrorist?"

For Arihara, the praise that was of no use to him was less important than detailed information.

"Yes, according to the local police, so far there's one terrorist who fought off several police officers and security guards and entered Nishi-Hachioji city hall. His weapon is a mace — he's likely awakened to the Stavesman job."

Arihara rested his chin on his hand and searched his memory in response to the Minister's explanation.

(A Stavesman Awakened... Kohazuka Tadaki?)

As Arihara traced back through his memory, one man came up. A man who had awakened to the Stavesman job and become an explorer several years ago. He had risen to C-rank, then been arrested after beating an explorer he didn't like to death inside a dungeon.

(He was one of the criminals who escaped in the special prison raid...)

"Another guy, separate from the one barricaded, has been in contact. It seems the terrorists' demand is the release of their comrades held in the special prison."

At the Minister's words, Arihara made a face like he'd bitten into something bitter. His prediction had turned into certainty. And the fact that there were multiple terrorists spread a bad premonition through him.

"The man barricaded in city hall this time is likely that Kohazuka. The three I requested may not be enough. I'll put out a new request to high-rank explorers."

Arihara said that and took out his phone, but his hand stopped right away. Kohazuka had been a C-rank explorer at the time, several years ago. To suppress such a man, it would take multiple explorers of the same C-rank, or an explorer of B-rank or higher.

However, high-rank explorers are not that numerous. There was no one who was nearby and could rush to the scene right away.

"This is bad. The perpetrator says if we don't meet his demands, he'll throw the hostages from the fifth floor."

Every second counted, yet no solution was in sight. Just as the anxious Arihara was about to call a high-rank explorer as a last resort, the phone in his hand rang. Displayed on the screen was the name SS.

"Hello, is this SS-san? I'm quite busy right now, would it be alright if I call back once things settle down?"

For Arihara, exchanges with SS are the highest priority. So he couldn't just not answer the call. However, given the situation, he thought he'd ask to prioritize this case first...

"By any chance, is this about the man barricaded in city hall? Actually, Hayate and Shiden are at the scene, and I was wondering if there's anything I can do to help."

The unexpected words from SS brought a ray of hope to Arihara. Moreover, SS already grasped the situation at the scene in detail, and sounded like he could incapacitate Kohazuka right away.

The situation was so convenient that a smile slipped out before he knew it.

(After this, I'll leave it to SS-san and take full responsibility.)

Confident that SS would handle things well, Arihara declared that he would take full responsibility and requested that SS deal with Kohazuka, who was about to throw hostages from the window.

"Arihara-san, I've succeeded in incapacitating the Stavesman. Please have the special police storm in. It seems the other hostages are locked in another room. Also, Shiden is keeping watch on a suspicious person. What should I do?"

(No no, I was confident, but this is beyond expectations! What incredible efficiency!)

Upon receiving SS's report that Kohazuka had been incapacitated, he immediately issued the order to storm in to the three special police officers.

When Arihara explained the situation to the Minister, cheers erupted in the countermeasure headquarters. Of course — just a moment ago, hostages might have been killed; now it had been resolved.

Furthermore, SS apparently had also identified the accomplice who had called. Since Shiden is keeping watch, there must be footage. Arihara asked SS to pass that footage along.

The video displayed on the Dungeon Agency computer showed a person wearing a long coat, hiding his face with a hat and mask. At first glance, I couldn't tell who it was, but I noticed when he took out his phone, raised his face, and started talking.

"This guy is Raito Kuranohayashiin, wanted as a special criminal! I can't believe he's here!"

That man too was a former B-rank explorer who had escaped in the special prison raid.

The possibility that two former explorers who escaped in the same incident happened to reunite and decided to free others in the same situation is nearly zero. Rather, it's more natural to think that the escapees from that time have gathered to form some kind of organization.

As proof, Kuranohayashiin is talking on the phone with someone. Kohazuka has already been incapacitated by SS, so it must be a different person.

Having thought that far, Arihara pressed his temple. For now, he needed to think about how to deal with this Kuranohayashiin.

However, this Kuranohayashiin is a user of lightning magic. If we forcefully restrain him, it would involve the people around him. In that case, I'd want to tail him and find his hideout, but he's a former B-rank explorer. It probably won't go that smoothly.

Arihara, having thought that far, still requested a tail from SS and the special police officers at the scene. Unfortunately, the result ended in failure.

(I have a feeling something is moving in places we don't know about. And choosing Nishi-Hachioji city hall of all places — could that be a coincidence? I don't think so, but I'll warn SS-san too.)

In the countermeasure headquarters, where cheers continued, only Arihara never let his stern expression slip.