Songs in the Void

ICDS Universe, Earth, Japan, Tokyo.

As soon as the Dungeon notification rang in Tatsuo's ear, he did two things in quick succession. First, he turned on the Dungeon Explorer Communication Channel, where he could hear the others talking about the Notification. Second, he turned on the TV in his room to see the news.

As soon as he switched to the news, Tatsuo saw a report about Osaka Castle. However, instead of seeing the historical castle, a pillar of black light was shooting up to the sky in its place. However, that pillar was quickly condensing on itself.

["You all heard that, right?"] Hwaya's voice sounded in Tatsuo's ear from the Communication Channel. ["Those are event Dungeons"]]

["Nee-San, are you thinking of going?"] Sumire asked in a worried tone.

["Of course, I am."] Hwaya replied confidently. ["You should come, too, Sumire."]

["B-But..."] Sumire muttered in an unsure tone.

["If you die in an event Dungeon, you die for real, Flame Witch."] Edward Walker said in place of Sumire.

Edward's sharp comment made Sumire and Hwaya fall silent.

["I've always lived by the creed..."] Edward continued after a moment. ["The better the reward, the more dangerous the traps around it."]

["So, does that mean you don't plan to do anything about them?"] Hwaya asked in agitation. ["Because those rewards will disappear if other Awakened clear those dungeons. Or are you just that scared that you can't move? And to think you call yourself a British citizen."]

["I don't think where you're from has anything to do with it."] Tatsuo said in an awkward tone. ["Fearing death is normal. In fact, it's healthy."]

["Ha! The kid gets it."] Edward said in a tone that clearly showed he agreed with Tatsuo's words. ["The Dungeons we've been climbing until now are like games. Sure, it may hurt when you get hit, but there was no risk involved. But now, you're putting your life on the line. It's just not worth it."

["Tatsuo, I expected more from you."] Hwaya said, sounding quite disappointed.

["Fear is what stimulates our potential as humans."] Tatsuo continued while ignoring Edward and Hwaya's comments. ["And if fear causes you to stop moving forward, then you might as well be dead."]

["Ho! The young man is right."] Yungoong said excitedly. ["You're much more prudent than I expected, Walker. Or should I say cowardly. A real man would charge ahead regardless of how dangerous it is and come out victorious in the end."]

["Hmph!"] Edward snorted in disdain. ["So, you're saying you'll be going into those dungeons then?"]

["I'm not active as a Dungeon Explorer yet."] Yungoong replied casually. ["If I go, I'll be announcing to the whole world that I'm an Ability User."]

["Hmph!"] Edward snorted again. ["You're all talk."]

["…"] Yungoong remained silent for a moment, clearly irritated by Edward's comeback. ["Why don't you take a trip to Korea? I'll be sure to welcome you warmly… With my spear, that is."]

With that, the atmosphere in the Communication Channel became volatile. It seemed a huge argument would break out between Yungoong and Edward at any moment. Before it could, however, another voice cut in, shattering the hostile atmosphere.

["Take it easy, everyone."] Shin said calmly. ["Before we talk about how many benefits we can get as Dungeon Explorers, there's something more important to talk about."]

["Yeon Hwawoo! You're really here!"] Hwaya exclaimed agitatedly. ["Why have you been ignoring me for so long? I've been trying to talk to you for a while."]

Hearing that, Tatsuo had a good guess as to why Hwaya said that. Every time Tatsuo turned on the Communication Channel, Hwaya could be heard talking to someone. Yet, Shin never replied, most likely leaving the Channel off since the first time it was activated. On top of that, after meeting Tatsuo and seeing his evaluation, she had been humbled quite a bit, as well.

["Hmm? I turned off the Communication Channel, why?"] Shin asked in a confused tone.

["Ahh~~~~! You're so annoying!"] Hwaya screamed in frustration.

["You all know what happens when you clear an Event Dungeon, right?'] Shin asked, clearly ignoring Hwaya's frustrated wails.

["I've never entered one before, so I have no idea."] Yungoong said.

["Oh, I've entered them before."] Hwaya replied in a gloating tone. ["Twice, in fact. At the end of one---"]

["You're talking about an Event Raid, right?'] Tatsuo cut in.

The sound of teeth, Hwaya's teeth, grinding could be heard after Tatsuo cut her off.

["Oh, the Event Raid."] Edward said as if he had just remembered.

["That's right!"] Yungoong exclaimed in a similar tone. ["I remember now. I just read the explanation a couple days ago."]

["That's right, clearing one without thinking could be disastrous."] shin continued. ["If a Raid Boss showed up after we cleared one of those Dungeons, it would make things a lot worse. We need a solution for that before we do anything."]

["But if we don't do anything, won't the Awakened show up, anyway?"] Sumire asked in a worried tone.

["That's true…"] Shin said, pausing for a moment to think about it. ["Mastiford-Ssi, weren't you bragging about being an SS-Ranker before? One with public trust? Then, you can send the world a warning. This is your opportunity to shine."]

["Uh… I'll try."] Hwaya replied unsurely. ["But you do know that Britan has another SS-Ranker, right? So, I don't have that much power. *Sigh* This is exactly why I wanted to create an organization of Dungeon Explorers in the first place."]

["You never miss an opportunity to push your agenda, do you, Mastiford-San?"] Tatsuo cut in in a teasing tone.

["You! You know that's not what I meant!"] Hwaya exclaimed in a slight fluster.

["Tatsuo-Kun! Don't be mean."] Sumire scolded.

[ "*Cough* Mastiford-Ssi…"] Shin said, getting the conversation back on track before another argument could start. ["I'm saying you should use your personal authority as an SS-Ranker. Don't talk to the government, talk to the media. In fact, a big press conference would probably get the job done, wouldn't it? You know the weight behind the words of someone like you, right?"]

["Even if you flatter me like that, there's still very little I can do."] Hwaya replied, sounding a lot happier than before. ["But I'll try. Hmph!"]

["Nee-San, that was really cute."] Sumire said with a giggle.

["The only thing that matters is that we let the world know of the danger these Dungeons represent."] Shin continued as if Hwaya's tone did not affect him at all.

["Ka--- *Cough* Yeon-San is right."] Tatsuo said, deliberately slipping up with Shin's alias. ["Since it's such a big deal, I guess I should talk to the media, too."]

["Huh?"] Edward exclaimed in a slightly confused tone. ["Why would you be able to--- Don't tell me…"]

["Young man, are you that new Ss-Ranker from Japan?"] Yungoong asked in a tone filled with interest. ["Then, you must be pretty strong. Care to make a trip to Korea for a friendly spar?"]

["If I have the time, sure."] Tatsuo replied casually.

At this point, the news report showed that the condensation of the black light pillar had finished. Now, in its place, there was a swirling portal with a "B+" Floating above it.

"["Oh, now this is interesting."] Tatsuo said.

["Walker-Ssi, if you knew what the difficulty of the Event Dungeon you were heading into was, what would you do."] Shin asked at almost the same time.

["Looks like you noticed, too, Yeon-San."] Tatsuo said, a smile evident in his tone.

["Yeah."] Shin replied. ["And if I'm right, this could make a huge difference in how we approach this. Anyway, what would you do, Walker-Ssi?"]

["I have no idea what you two are talking about."] Edward replied calmly. ["But I would still hesitate. That said, with some extra information about the Dungeon, I could try to prepare myself. Compared to going in blind, even a little bit of information would be useful."]

["Good."] Shin replied. ["Well then, over the Event Dungeon gate in Korea, there is an 'A' above it. It probably has something to do with Ability User ranks. What about the other countries."]

["The gate at Osaka Castle is 'B+'."] Tatsuo replied.

["Yeah, I see it, too."] Sumire added excitedly.

["Wait! Did Osaka Castle disappear?"] Hwaya asked in a slightly panicked tone. ["I've never visited it before. Now it looks like I missed my chance."]

["That's not important right now, Mastiford-Ssi."] Shin said calmly.

["Hey, stop picking faults with everything I say!"] Hwaya shouted angrily.

["He's right, though."] Tatsuo added.

["And you! Stop agreeing with him!"] Hwaya shouted once again, her irritation rising with every word. ["Anyway, I'm at my mom's house now. So, I can only see Yeongdeungpo's Gate. I'm a Yeongdeungpo resident, too."]

["Let's see."] Edward said. ["I've confirmed your words. Britan's Dungeon says 'A+', and America's is 'S'."]

A few moments of silence passed after that. However, Edward continued soon enough.

["Hmm? France as 'B', and China has 'C'."] Edward continued. ["Although China's Event Dungeons are the weakest, they have five of them. Three 'C's' and two C+'s'."]

["This is gonna be tough."] Hwaya said in an analytical tone. ["If you consider the standard, you'd need ten similarly ranked awakened… No, since you can't leave an Event Dungeon after you enter, you'll need twenty on rotation. And since they don't have Inventories like we do, you'll need another five to carry daily necessities."]

["Doesn't that mean that America's Dungeon would need at least twenty-five S-Rank Ability Users?"] Edward asked.

["We'll probably need Ability Users with even higher ranks."] Hwaya continued without paying Edward much attention. ["There's a chance that there is a limit for how many people could enter the Dungeon, after all."]

["And if an S-rank Raid Boss appeared, we'd need at least a hundred,.. More than likely even more to win against it."] Edward continued, talking past Hwaya, as well. ["That would be even worse."]

["Now that you mention it… Yeongdeungpo Boss would be A-ranked, wouldn't it?"] Hwaya muttered in a tone that suggested she was in thought. A moment later, she continued. ["Everyone, I need your help. My mom is feeling really uneasy thanks to this Dungeon. And although I have strong fire power as a mage, I can't do it alone. My defense is just too low. So, I need your help."]

["I refuse."] Edward replied after a moment. ["There's no reason for me to put myself at risk for people I don't know."]

["I saw that coming."] Tatsuo replied. ["Pragmatic as ever, aren't you?"]

Edward's answer was expected. It was the most logical answer, after all. However, the next person to respond said the exact opposite.

["I'll help, Nee-San."] Sumire said energetically. ["I'll fly to Korea right away. I have confidence in my defense. So, I'm sure I can withstand most attacks. Tatsuo-Kun, you'll help, too, right?"]

["Sure, why not?"] Tatsuo replied casually.

["Thank you, Tatsuo-Kun!"] Sumire squealed excitedly.

["Sumire! Thank you! I love you!"] Hwaya squealed just as excitedly. ["And Tatsuo, I really appreciate it."]

["No problem."] Tatsuo replied in that same casual tone.

["Normally, I would advise against this, Minami-Ssi."] Shin said in a resigned tone. ["But since Tatsuo-Ssi is coming, I have nothing to say."]

["Even if he didn't come, I still have confidence in my defense."] Sumire said confidently. ["I can even take a Floor Master's attack head on."]

["Really?"] Shin asked dumbfoundedly. After a moment, he continued as if he had decided he would think about that later. ["Mastiford-Ssi, what are your plans if an Event Raid happens after the Dungeon is cleared?"]

["Don't worry, I have SS-Rank fire power."] Hwaya said confidently. ["If I'm properly protected, I can deal with an A-Rank Raid Boss by myself."]

["So can I."] Tatsuo chimed in. ["I don't even need to be protected, either.]

["Why does it always seem like you're trying to one up me?"] Hwaya asked angrily.

["I have no idea what you could possibly be referring to, Mastiford-San."] Tatsuo said, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

While Tatsuo and Hwaya bickered back and forth, Shin, Yungoong, and Edward all remembered that there was a second SS-Ranker in the group of Dungeon Explorers. With that, the two who had not decided yet made their decisions.

["Then, I'll participate, too."] Shin said confidently. ["Although I might be lacking in fire power, I can at least protect Mastiford-Ssi."]

["What are you playing at? Being so nice now…"] Hwaya said, trying to sound suspicious., Though, it was obvious to anyone listening that she was happy. ["Is it the Stats? You're definitely after the Stats."]

["Hwaya-Neesan, you're really cute."] Sumire added with a giggle.

["Sumire, be quiet!"] Hwaya shrieked in embarrassment.

'From all her interactions with me, Sumire-San has gotten a lot more playful.' Tatsuo thought to himself while the two ladies bickered back and forth. 'But seriously, I guess having two people question her so openly, Hwaya has taken an interest in me and Kang-San. But since she knows I'm eight or nine years younger than her, she's focused on Kang-San more, huh? Hahaha! And that dense guy won't even notice for a long time."]

["That's true."] Shin said, just as oblivious as Tatsuo thought. ["More importantly, I'm sure I won't die in an A-Ranked Dungeon. So, if there's someone who can guarantee they can kill the Raid Boss, let alone two, without any unnecessary damage, there's no reason to not lend a hand."]

["Hmph!"] Hwaya snorted discontentedly. ["Even if you change your mind now, I won't let you into our organization."]

["But you're not even the strongest any more, Mastiford."] Edward said, pouring a bucket of cold water on Hwaya. ["From the way you all spoke, that kid is probably stronger than you, right? So, shouldn't he be the leader?"]

Hearing that, Hwaya fell silent. She had completely forgotten about the reason she gave for becoming the leader of the Dungeon Explorers.

["Don't worry about that."] Tatsuo replied. ["I work better alone. So, I have no thoughts of joining any groups."]

'I'll be leaving this world soon enough, anyway.' Tatsuo thought to himself. 'So, making me the leader wouldn't make any sense.'

["I didn't want to join your organization anyway, Witch."] Shin shot back after Tatsuo.

["W-Witch?"] Hwaya said, sounding surprised that she had been called that.

["I'll help, too."] Yungoong said, calmly ignoring the budding argument. ["Since my So… *Cough* I mean, Yeon Hwawoo is coming, too. It's only natural for a proper Korean like me to help, as well."]

'Seriously, just call him/me son.' Tatsuo and Shin thought simultaneously.

["By the way, why can't you bring other Ability Users to take care of this Dungeon?"] Shin asked curiously. ["I mean, you are an SS-Ranker, right, Mastiford-Ssi?"]

["You think people would want to go into a suspicious place like those gates without any rewards?"] Hwaya asked sharply.

Hwaya hit the nail right on the head with her question. No matter how famous she was as an SS-Ranked Awakened, people were selfish. And without tangible rewards, no one would do something so dangerous.

["An SS-Ranker's name doesn't even have that much weight?"] Shin asked condescendingly.

["*Sigh* British Guardians are busy with the Dungeon in London."] Hwaya explained in a tired tone. ["I'm sure I could get Korea's Guardian to help, though. But I don't wanna deal with the aftermath. I'm sure they would try to get me to tell the world that I'm an Ability User of South Korea. But I'm a proud British citizen… A noble."]

[Ah! I get it."] Shin replied. ["That would be perfect propaganda for the Korea government, wouldn't it?"]

["that's right."] Hwaya replied. ["Which means, although we're doing a good thing, we have to sneak into the gate. Does everyone understand?"]

["Yeah, I got it."] Shin replied.

["I understand."] Yungoong added.

["I'll listen to you, Nee-San."] Sumire said resolutely.

["Well, that won't be a problem for me."] Tatsuo said proudly. ["If I don't' wanna be seen, no one will be able to find me."]

["Things are really hard on you, Mastiford-Ssi."] Shin added after everyone replied.

["Thank you for understanding my difficulties."] Hwaya replied. ["Wait! Why am I speaking so politely to someone as rude as you?"]

Hwaya's angry roar was just a way for her to cover her embarrassment. However, Shin did not notice. Everyone else did, though.

["Nee-San is so cute."] Sumire said, voicing out everyone's thoughts.

["*Cough* Then, we'll gather in front of Yeongdeungpo shopping mall, the sight of the Event Dungeon in two hours."] Hwaya said, speaking rather quickly to cover her emotions.

["Chill out, Mastiford-San."] Tatsuo said in an exasperated toen.

["Yeah, that's too soon."] Shin added. [Tatsuo-Ssi and Minami-Ssi have to come here from Japan, remember?"]

["Ah!"] Hwaya yelped in realization. ["Then, how about two o'clock in the afternoon, tomorrow?"]

["Fine."] Shin replied.

["Got it, Nee-San."] Sumire replied.

["That's fine with me."] Yungoong added.

["Are you covering the airfare?"] Tatsuo asked cheekily. ["I mean, you're asking us for help, right?"]

["You're so annoying, Tatsuo."] Hwaya grumbled. [["I've seen your house before. I know you're not poor."]

With that, Tatsuo fell silent.

["Nee-San…"] Sumire muttered anxiously.

Hwaya then remembered Tatsuo's situation and panicked.

["No, sorry. I'll take care of your airfare."] Hwaya said quickly in a flustered tone.

["Thanks."] Tatsuo said quietly. ["then, I'll start getting ready. Just let me know when the flight leaves. I'll be at the airport on time."]

After that, Tatsuo did not speak again in the Communication Channel. Although he always told himself that his parents in this world were not his real parents, all the memories he gained when he first arrived made it hard for him to believe those words. So, remembering their deaths hit him harder than he would have liked.

["Ah! Sumire, what should I do?"] Hwaya asked in a panic after Tatsuo went silent for a while.

["Don't worry, Nee-San."] Sumire said consolingly. ["I'll talk to him. Plus, he knows you didn't mean any harm."]

With that, Sumire also went silent, presumably to pack her luggage, as well. Hwaya, on the other hand, was worried about her verbal faux pas. Meanwhile, Shin, Yungoong, and Edward had no idea what just happened. Still, that would not stop Shin and Yungoong from preparing for tomorrow's Dungeon Exploration.

["Looks like you're all going."] Edward said calmly. ["Honestly, I expected better from you, Yeon Hwawoo. But I guess I was wrong. Anyway, All I can do is wish you all good luck."]

With that, Edward fell silent, most likely turning off the Communication Channel.

["I'll be going to prepare, as well."] Shin said.

["Wait! Are you leaving, too, Yeon Hwawoo?"] Hway shouted. ["I've been trying to talk to you. But you always have the Channel off. Don't turn it off!"]

Unfortunately, before Hwaya had even finished, Shin had already turned off the Communication Channel, As a result, Hwaya did not receive a reply. In frustration, she told Yungoong where everyone should meet tomorrow. Then, she, too, started preparing for tomorrow's Exploration.