After Inari entered the dungeon, Akai was holding a press conference in front of the dungeon’s restricted zone as the master of the FoxPhone clan.
“…And so, we are proceeding with the dungeon conquest under a fully secured support system. We ask that everyone continue their daily lives without worry.”
“I’m Nirasaki from Central Television. We’ve heard that the one challenging the dungeon, Kogami Inari, is a hidden gem of FoxPhone. Could you tell us more about her?”
“Her detailed profile is being withheld at her own request.”
“There are rumors she’s a rookie…”
“I believe we all understand that activity length does not necessarily equate to strength. The same applies to her.”
As Akai deflected the media’s attempts to dig into Inari’s background, a visibly flustered Awakener ran up to her and whispered something in her ear—causing Akai’s expression to freeze.
“Huh—wait, seriously?”
“Yes, just moments ago.”
Hearing that, Akai turned to the press with a sharp, composed expression.
There was no time to waste on dragging out this press conference. She’d wrap it up in one statement.
“The dungeon that appeared today has just been confirmed as cleared and is currently disappearing. As a result, it is officially categorized as a temporary dungeon, and Akihabara’s safety has been secured. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have follow-up matters to attend to.”
“Wait, Miss Akai!”
“What about this unbelievable speed in clearing the dungeon…!?”
Even if they asked, she wouldn’t have an answer. Akai herself hadn’t expected the dungeon to be cleared this fast. She’d heard from the Awakener Association that she was strong, but not this strong.
“Even if it was an easy dungeon, that speed is absurd…! But looking at it another way, we’ve managed to team up with someone that powerful. That alone will be a huge asset going forward…!”
Having a powerful Awakener in your clan alone boosts its standing. Even if this one happened to be on the easier side, maybe, just maybe, they could conquer Tokyo Dungeon No. 1 next.
With that hopeful future in mind, Akai smiled—until she saw the large glowing orb neatly placed on the table in front of Inari, and her smile froze.
“Oh! Akai, isn’t it? I heard thou wert busy entertaining the TV folk.”
“S-s-s-s…”
“Soga no Umako?”
“No!! I mean—that orb—is that the core of an Ameiva!? That size…! Miss Kogami, just what did you defeat in there!?”
“What, thou ask? 'Twas called an Ameiva Lord, apparently.”
“A-A-A-Ameiva Loooooord!? That parasitic-type monster… a Lord-class!? That kind of thing doesn’t even have a single confirmed defeat on record anywhere in the world! And you beat one—this fast!?”
“Indeed.”
“U-um… if I may ask, what kind of dungeon was it?”
After hearing the whole story, Akai slumped heavily into a prepared chair.
She’d been dropped straight into the ocean upon entry. Swarms of mermen attacked from below. Then a ghost ship appeared as if to offer salvation—only it was a trap, the ship itself a giant host to the parasitic Ameiva Lord.
Any one of those elements alone could have wiped a party. In fact, just the initial transfer was lethal. And that boss? A guaranteed wipe for any regular team. It was pure first-time-kill bait. Honestly, even Akai herself—and anyone else in FoxPhone—would have died if they’d entered. The more you prepared, the more likely you were to walk into its traps.
It was a nightmare dungeon, plain and simple. They could only thank the heavens it was a temporary dungeon. If that thing had become permanent, no large-scale clan would have dared take on the raid. But thanks to Inari, they didn’t have to worry about that now. Still—
“The impact is too big…! If we announce this as is, there’ll be chaos! An Ameiva Lord…!? And the core dropped too!?”
When Akai looked over at the Awakener doing the appraisal, they nodded, sweating profusely.
“It’s the core of an Ameiva Lord…”
Akai let out a strained but smiling sigh.
“…Well, that’s fine. We always expected to butt heads with the top ten guilds eventually anyway. I’d have liked a bit more time before that, but…”
“Thou lookest rather lost in thought.”
“Ahaha… no, it’s just… you’ve far exceeded all our pre-mission estimates. It’s a good thing, of course.”
“Oh? Is that so? Ah, right—I almost forgot about this.”
Inari picked up the reward box she’d placed on the table.
It was wrapped in comically hideous paper with a chibi character that was probably meant to represent an Ameiva—but it was so un-cute it was offensive. Akai glanced at the appraiser again.
“Uh… it’s labeled as an ‘Ameiva Reward Box.’”
“I’ve never heard of that reward type before.”
“Apparently it’s some kind of recognition for exceptional achievement, or so I’m told. Now then, let’s see…”
When Inari opened the box—
What came out would shake the world far more than even the Ameiva Lord’s core ever could.