Chapter 206: |
Dungeon Stampede 2.0 Information
In front of my eyes, the brave Self-Defense Forces are leaving.
As I watch their backs, I notice Ruu observing us from a distance. She seems to have been waiting for our conversation to end. She’s wearing a hoodie over her combat suit to avoid standing out too much.
I smile at her, and she breaks into a grin, running over to me with a ‘totete’ sound. Her semi-long hair sways lightly, making her look adorably cute.
However, the combat suit still has several streaks of blood that couldn’t be completely wiped off.
A few hours ago, we were questioned in another room. When we arrived at the courthouse, it had stopped raining after a heavy downpour. We were all covered in blood from multiple battles.
The kind soldiers prepared buckets of water and rags for us, but just one wipe turned the water bright red.
Not wanting to trouble them further, I only cleaned my backside and sat lightly on the chair for the questioning.
In short, our combat suits were still quite dirty.
We had intended to clean up before entering the courthouse, but things got chaotic, and we had no time. Using skills in front of the soldiers felt a bit inappropriate too…
“Ruu, did you get to talk to your father?”
“Yes, thank you. Coach, you were talking to the Self-Defense Forces, right?”
“Yeah, they wanted to talk a bit more…”
“But it looked like you were having fun. It’s the first time I’ve seen you get along so well with someone of the same gender.”
“Huh? That’s strange, I’m close with Admiral Trident and Nabe-san too, right?”
“Yes… but it seemed like you were even closer this time!”
Ruu pouted a little, looking slightly jealous.
(Ah… I see. That’s how it looked to her.)
That ‘high-speed, low-voice conversation between Dungeon Ability Users’ must have seemed like a ‘friendly girl chat’ to her. Perhaps, I was also happy to have a genuine conversation with someone.
“We had some complicated things to discuss, so we kept our voices down. Let’s go find Nina-san and the others.”
“Okay.”
We walked down the hallway hand in hand. We were on the third floor of the building.
In case monsters came, the walking wounded were moved to higher floors. The courthouse was likely chosen because it was a government facility with enough space for the Self-Defense Forces to operate. Using a private building would have been troublesome.
Still, many people were gloomily staring at their communication devices in the hallway.
Leaning against the walls or squatting, they all looked at their devices with dark expressions. Those with earphones were probably watching the news. My enhanced hearing picked up the ‘shaka-shaka’ sound from their earphones unnecessarily.
""………""
(But…)
Honestly, it’s pointless. Amid a Dungeon Stampede, internet and TV information are practically useless.
First, the government is too busy dealing with the Dungeon Stampede to update beyond the initial emergency declaration.
Second, people panic, seeking information online, falling for and spreading worthless chain emails, creating a vicious cycle.
In chaotic times, misinformation spreads, and more people get misled.
When dungeons first appeared worldwide, even my usually inactive email received messages claiming ‘the underground people are attacking!’.
Seeing constant earthquakes and mysterious holes on the news made such claims seem believable.
Those spreading false information often pretend it comes from ‘government officials or Self-Defense Force acquaintances’.
But if it’s a genuine leak, it shouldn’t be spread. Leaking such information betrays trust entirely.
Yet, some claim ‘I’m a good person, so I’ll share this with many!’ and spread it around. They’re like adding fuel to the fire during a crisis.
Panicked people then start posting baseless comments online, spreading more chaos.
Hmm… I see several people typing away on their devices now, but who knows if they’re sharing reliable information.
Third, TV doesn’t broadcast anything useful during a Dungeon Stampede.
This is the third dungeon outbreak since dungeons first appeared. The initial global dungeon emergence had TV stations frantically covering it. It was sudden and sensational.
However, Dungeon Stampedes differ from other disasters in one key aspect.
It’s too easy to capture people dying on camera.
If such footage airs, it causes a huge uproar. The government criticizes stations for inciting panic, and families of the deceased might sue for broadcasting their loved ones' deaths.
Additionally, companies refrain from advertising during emergencies.
So for TV stations, Dungeon Stampedes are ‘troublesome, non-profitable incidents’. Hence, they typically show endless government announcements over serene landscapes or still images.
They’ve learned to lie low and wait for the storm to pass.
So, it’s a mess of a situation…
…..
Ruu and I reached the courthouse’s main entrance.
Despite the night, many people were gathered, waiting for new information.
I quickly found Serai-san and Nina-san among them. They stood out, as usual.
Serai-san was talking to a soldier pulling some cables inside the building.
She seemed to have just started talking, and the soldier looked slightly annoyed. But Serai-san wasn’t easily deterred. With a cheerful smile, she kept talking, reacting exaggeratedly to even minor responses.
The initially annoyed young soldier soon realized, ‘Hey, this girl is pretty cute,’ and fell into Serai-san’s trap, answering her questions.
Be careful! That’s her strategy!
If Serai-san’s actions were ‘active’, Nina-san’s were ‘passive’.
Turning to Nina-san, she was deliberately standing in the busy central part of the entrance, looking troubled with her hand on her chin.
Soon, like moths to a flame, young men approached, asking if she needed help. But Nina-san never directly asked for help or favors. She merely expressed her troubles.
Seeing a beautiful woman in distress, the young men, driven by chivalry and ulterior motives, would say, ‘Leave it to me!’ and take action. One returned quickly with a bottle of tea and rice balls.
Yes, she had been asking for food this time.
“Here, take this!”
Now, Nina-san’s ultimate combo began.
[Wow, thank you! Could I ask for your name?]
[Oh, you’re Mr. ○×? That’s a wonderful name. I’m so glad to meet such a kind person.]
With this response, the young man felt he had made a good impression on a beautiful woman, making him more inclined to act kindly towards her in the future.
Her thought manipulation was impressive…
I know because I fell for the same trick.
Both of them could be natural spies. And they’re still students… truly terrifying.
