kscans

Chapter 55 - Episode 55

The ‘Black Dungeon’ has appeared in a location visible from the White House. It is currently surrounded by the US Army, and no one is allowed to enter.

"Lena, you will have to head over there, but are you really sure about this?"

"Yes. I want to go."

"Th, then, how about I act as your escort while concealing my presence?"

Kureha proposed to accompany her as a bodyguard, but Rena rejected the offer.

"No. It’s not that I want to go save Hayate by myself, but the dungeon’s specifications leave no other choice. The kidnapper probably knows that too."

The Black Dungeon allows one to choose to enter a slightly special tutorial space upon entry. It has been discovered that forced broadcasting does not occur in this space.

Furthermore, its specifications are the same as in the game, and it is possible to form a party on the spot if those who have entered agree to it.

A party can invite specific individuals by looking at a list of nearby explorers, or join another party. At that time, anyone not invited will be sent to a different tutorial space.

"Even if Mochizuki-san enters the Black Dungeon in a party with me, we won’t be able to go to the space where Hayate and the others are unless we’re invited by them."

The man named David, who had brainwashed Hayate and abducted the daughter of the President of the United States, had designated that space as the place for negotiations.

"No…"

"That’s why I’ll go alone, as requested."

Incidentally, the Black Dungeon had already been cleared, and once a dungeon is cleared, it becomes possible to enter it through various methods without having to go through the first-floor entrance. Therefore, capturing David and his group outside the dungeon has also become difficult.

There are currently seven ways to move from one dungeon to another. It is possible to enter a Black Dungeon in another, less guarded area and move to the Black Dungeon in Washington from there.

Moreover, David, being a former Presidential Aide, had managed multiple top-secret safe houses that not even high-ranking government officials knew about.

The CIA and the police were searching for David and his group with all their might, but there was no useful information regarding their whereabouts.

—*—

The next morning.

"My lady, please be careful."

As a bodyguard, she wanted to stop Rena. But Kureha, who knew how desperately she had been searching for Hayate, found herself wanting to support Rena as she tried to go to him.

"I will. I will definitely bring Hayate back."

Rena responded with a serious expression to Kureha, who wore a somber face due to her complex feelings.

There was a possibility of combat. The President approached Rena as she was checking her equipment before entering the dungeon.

"I am truly sorry that we have ended up entrusting everything to a young girl like you. If Mary returns safely, I will accept any demand within my power."

"Understood. The negotiating lines are as we discussed yesterday, correct?"

"Yes. That is fine."

In the case of a ransom, up to thirty million dollars was acceptable. Also, demands that George could handle with his personal judgment, such as a demand for his resignation, were also conditions that could be accepted on the spot.

If the demands exceeded that, Rena was to return once and convey the demands.

"Well then, I’m off."

David’s demand was that no one other than Rena enter the dungeon.

He had not made any mention of the outside, so several thousand personnel from the Army, police, and special forces were on standby in the vicinity.

As they watched over her, Rena entered the Black Dungeon alone.