Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 4 - Ch. 154 - Impending Disaster

Tenji and company followed in the footsteps of Fukuyama.

Naturally, the three unfamiliar editions draw in the gazes of others—some laced with sharpness as if saying 'what the heck students are doing here?' or simply curious filled gazes—as they weaved across the group of world renowned explorers or the tent erected there.

They just followed after, emerged onto a wide street where tire marks had left a distinct impression, and continued on and on till the opposite side of the tent line, or to say the central region of field. Apparently, President Limey was somewhere around the entrance.

By now, they had seen at least 20 professional explorers, each one being famous on their own.

They tried to ask Fukuyama just what in the world was going on in this place or what they were going to do, but the only answer came was 'there's a more suitable person to explain all this' and didn't say any further. What else they could do and they quietly continued after him, engaging in silly banter and occasionally Fukuyama inserting his jokes.

The several minutes they had walked down had given Tenji a good idea of what kind of terrain this place had. Overall, the field was just as big as other floors they had traversed to reach here; it was following the same elliptical pattern, with longest length being 20km and shortest being 15km, and beyond it was---as far as there could lead them to---the usual landscape of hell of darkness.

Though, speaking about what was different from earlier floors; the first in itself was actually the teleport gate which wasn't located in the center this time. Unlike when they were at the very center or just around the center, the teleport gate in this field was located at the top of a precipice at the southern end. This was also why the tent of President Limey was installed nearby the central region.

And speaking of the peculiarities, there was a circular depression of about 10km right at the center where lies a majestic expanse of nature. Lust green trees, grassess were growing in abundance. Nature spreads not only in the ground but also in the form of moss, algae and mushrooms on fallen logs, rocks etc. It was a wilderness in its pristine state. And defending that verdant sanctuary---the circular depression---was a ring of red rocks, ranging from 10 meters to 20 meters.

Unlike the very center, the precipice zone---the area around the circular depression---was devoid of such blessing, with only few grasses and sparse trees. So the upper half of the cliff offers an incredibly panoramic view.

But if asked what was the most peculiar 'thing' of this floor, than it was------

"......So big."

As the three walked down the path, a huge 'black cocoon', something they had never seen before, entered Tenji and company's periphery,quietly floated around 15 meters in altitude from the depression in the center.

Occasionally the cocoon would send off a red light akin to the throbbing of veins, as if something was going to be born at any moment.

With a peculiar singularity in front of him, the reason behind the gathering of so many professional explorers---making the scene appear like a bazaar of someplace---was crystal clear to Tenji.

As the three had begun to have their own idea about the situation, Fukuyama suddenly spoke.

"The black cocoon has been around for three and half a year according to the investigation of Mallorca. A storm is inbound our way, and dare I say, a big one enough to leave its imprint in the annals of history. Something that we can only brace ourselves."

" "---!?" "

"Three and a half years you say!? Hey, doesn't that make it even earlier than Croatia......"

Fuyuki asked the first thought that came to his mind.

"Unfortunately, you're true. This black cocoon is most likely going to be the historical class calamity. And Mallorca has been gathering first-rate explorers like us to subjugate history's abomination that will be born from it. The amount of money they have spend can rival to a country's national budget."

Fukuyama said while glancing at their way.

Though they had already sensed that already, when Fukuyama put it into words, the grim reality finally sinked into them. Why was the floor like an execution ground? The reason behind explorers on this 75th floor. The reason behind their stay, and the palpable bloodlust coiling around them.

There wasn't a single second-rate explorer in this place. Anyone who had taken even a bit of tab on explorer could recognise each and every single explorer gathered here were either first-grade or the heroes of this world.

The calamity of Croatia was something none of them should have forgotten. To remind the horrors of reality, this tale has been passed to even the elementary students.

And now, as if reality was playing a cruel joke on them, they were presented with a black cocoon that predates the time of even the duration of Croatia. What was the level of disaster it would cause? This was a question that perhaps no one in this world could answer. And perhaps, their eyes might never rest on the faces of around half of the explorers present here.

A tragic event for sure, however their presence just goes to show their resolve.

But, maybe call it a silver of pity from the world, the black cocoon had actually been born inside the dungeon---a factor that could have produced a disaster of even far above magnitude, just like Croatia's black cocoon had been born in the dead center of a metropolis.

(So everyone had been working behind the scenes huh.)

If there was any question why President Limey seems so busy or why there had not been news about the advancement of exploration from 75th onwards, than they now know. The truth is sometimes far from actual reality. Considering all kinds of rumors like 'She is already at her limit managing the work' 'perhaps, she's just fooling around' or that maybe 'looking after a hidden monster' floating in the town, it aptly fits here.

Unknownbest to many, a silent war had already begun.

Then, all of a sudden, Fukuyama stopped in front of a certain tent. It was the biggest tent among other surrounding tents.

The beige tent, stylishly adorned with subtle ethnic patterns, displayed a touch of sophistication. At its entrance, a sign in Spanish bore the name 'Ursula Limey.'

"Alright kids, President Limey will explain to you the further details."

Fukuyama said to them, and shouted 'Fukuyama of Chariot is entering~' in a loud voice before parting the curtain of the tent, sort of entrance, and entering inside.

The three also followed footstep, entering inside in the order of Tenji first, then Fuyuki and Chisato in last.

T/N - Hello everyone. I apologised for missing the last two updates as I had injured my right hand. But we’re back now and will continue to update as well.