021-040 · 036-ch32

Chapter 32: Stories from the Surface

Far in the depths of the dungeon.

Information from the world beyond the 100-layer abyss.

Delivered through the streams of a single explorer, it brought a small but undeniable shock to the world.

"There are people beyond the dungeon, you say. Is there any possibility this is a hoax?"

"There's no end to what we could consider. If that explorer truly is the strongest powerhouse now, then even if someone used illusion magic or hypnotic techniques, there would be no way to see through it."

"We should proceed under the assumption that it's true. And if it turns out not to be, then so be it."

America, the White House.

Following information submitted by the intelligence agency, an emergency meeting was being held with the president and other key government officials.

"Indeed. It's better to be prepared than not."

Beyond the dungeon, exist humans who are not of Earth.

Though not directly stated during the streams, the world was now in an uproar thanks to reports from those who had been monitoring the internet.

The information spread too quickly.

He had probably been streaming with access limited to accounts that could watch continuously.

The multiple archives saved to his channel alone contained information so valuable it could make mouths water, and when they spread all at once, there was no time to control the information.

America, which had been advancing its dungeon exploration efforts, was also greatly shaken by this information.

"Is there no way to contact the source?"

"We're currently waiting for him to stream on the video site. Since he's inside the dungeon, there are no other means of contact besides streaming."

The mysterious explorer who calls himself "John Doe."

Present-day America—no, humans on the surface—have no means of knowing about the world beyond the dungeon other than relying on the one-sided information he streams.

"We probably should have established other means of communication too..."

"Go-guru is already accelerating their research."

The dungeon industry is now more active than ever before. Once you reach the deep layer, that was the end—there was nothing beyond.

Just when that was commonly believed, a goal far beyond that point and an unexplored world beyond it were revealed.

Even the powerful explorers who had been hesitant began to seriously embark on dungeon exploration, breaking through to the 5th layer all at once.

In particular, America's explorers were considered some of the strongest in the world, but many had limited their progress to适度 advancement, considering the disadvantages of being at the forefront when the endpoint was visible.

Now these powerful explorers all began moving at once.

Naturally, America couldn't afford to fall behind other nations in reaching this new world, so while supporting this movement, the government was also promoting dungeon exploration more than ever before.

"It will be difficult to bring him under our control, I suppose. In that case, we should show him compensation and get as much information out of him as possible."

"We can attempt contact, but he's not someone we can rely on, I'm afraid."

John Doe, who is currently the most advanced explorer, is clearly Japanese based on both the language he uses and the dungeon he utilizes.

For a moment, the thought of applying pressure to Japan crossed the president's mind, but he immediately dismissed it.

If we are to believe John Doe's words, it's unthinkable that Japan could possibly control him.

He's probably the type who hates being bound by national authority most of all.

And since he has that power himself, if he were to flee into the dungeon, we couldn't even use force of numbers.

He is one who cannot be touched, and one who must not be touched.

That is the intelligence agency's assessment of John Doe.

Besides, even Japan, for all their weak-willed indecisiveness, is not foolish enough to let go of someone like him.

What every country in the world values most now are capable explorers.

Or rather, their value—in military might, surpasses a single nuclear missile, and economically, rivals a major corporation.

"Indeed. Strengthening our domestic explorers should be our top priority after all. What's the status of the military?"

"The unit formation is complete. We'll establish training units centered on explorers serving as instructors, and we'll also cultivate those within the military who can challenge dungeon exploration."

The dungeon is a narrow, confined space.

Because it was believed to end at the deep layer, America's military involvement had been minimal, leaving exploration mostly to independent individuals—whether civilian or official—who were known as explorers.

But with the opening of such a vast prospect, that has changed dramatically.

From now on, we will need both powerful individual forces and the strength of a uniform mass that can handle large-scale operations.

Especially with John Doe advocating for the construction of forward bases within the dungeon and the development of the world beyond it, we'll need a large number of capable individuals.

Mobilizing the military toward that end is only natural.

America is and has always been the strongest nation.

That hasn't changed, neither before the dungeon appeared nor after it did.

Even with various forms of support, ultimately, we have no choice but to wait for explorers to grow stronger and conquer the dungeon.　 Just as they were about to conclude with that decision, the meeting room door was knocked with a rhythm that somehow seemed stronger and faster than usual.

"Enter."

A man the president trusted, his secretary, opened the door, bowed once, then approached him and whispered in his ear.

"...You may step back. Please focus on gathering information."

"Understood."

The president, who had held his breath for a moment, gave instructions in a calm voice.

"What was the report?"　 After waiting for the president, who had taken off his glasses to wipe them, one person asked.　 Everyone close to him knows that when the president wipes his glasses, it's when he's deep in thought.

"It was a report from 'him'."

"Him."

Tension ran through the room at the president's words.

In America's dungeon exploration efforts, there is only one person referred to simply as "him" without any other explanation.

The one and only "superhuman."

The one and only strongest explorer America boasts.

Though another strongest has appeared in the form of John Doe, for America, the one they can rely on is "him" and no other.

Though he doesn't appear publicly, he was also the first to conquer the deep layer.

His reports always had a significant impact on dungeon exploration.

"The 6th layer is apparently a safe space where no monsters appear."

"What...?"

With this, John Doe's words have been proven correct once again.

The existence of a vacant area where a forward base can be established within the dungeon.

"In that case..."

"Have 'him' continue his exploration. Proceed with support so that follow-up explorers can reach it as quickly as possible."

"Immediately. And regarding information disclosure?"

Information disclosure.

Nowadays, since each explorer has their own means of distributing information, even the most cutting-edge intelligence is normally made public on streaming sites and the like.

But for top-class explorers who likely possess particularly important information, instructions for information control from the nation are sometimes issued.

"Are there any explorers among them who do video streaming?"

"None among those who have reached the 5th layer."

"Then strictly control information about the vacant area. Dispatch a unit to establish a base before other explorers can reach it. After that, release the information."

"Understood."

We can establish a safe forward base within the dungeon.

Not through John Doe's information, whose authenticity cannot be confirmed, but by having America release this information itself, countries with capable explorers will begin moving all at once.

We want to get even a slight lead before that happens.

"We'll organize a unit for base construction, centered on those with high exploration capabilities."

"If possible, gather guards from the front-line explorers as well."

Through the dungeon, the world is beginning to move greatly.

To stand at the forefront of that movement, America will begin to take more vigorous action.