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 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.
But these girls always kept themselves clean. Normally, they’d use the acid they produced to clean their suits imdiately. However, today was a long day, and they wanted to conserve their strength by not using unnecessary magic.
We had intended to clean up before entering the courthouse, but things got chaotic, and we had no ti. 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 ti I’ve seen you get along so well with soone of the sa gender.”
“Huh? That’s strange, I’m close with Admiral Trident and Nabe-san too, right?”
“Yes… but it seed like you were even closer this ti!”
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 seed like a ‘friendly girl chat’ to her. Perhaps, I was also happy to have a genuine conversation with soone.
“We had so 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 ca, the walking wounded were moved to higher floors. The courthouse was likely chosen because it was a governnt facility with enough space for the Self-Defense Forces to operate. Using a private building would have been troubleso.
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 governnt is too busy dealing with the Dungeon Stampede to update beyond the initial ergency declaration.
Second, people panic, seeking information online, falling for and spreading worthless chain emails, creating a vicious cycle.
In chaotic tis, misinformation spreads, and more people get misled.
When dungeons first appeared worldwide, even my usually inactive email received ssages 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 cos from ‘governnt 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, so 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 comnts 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 ergence 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 cara.
If such footage airs, it causes a huge uproar. The governnt criticizes stations for inciting panic, and families of the deceased might sue for broadcasting their loved ones' deaths.
Additionally, companies refrain from advertising during ergencies.
So for TV stations, Dungeon Stampedes are ‘troubleso, non-profitable incidents’. Hence, they typically show endless governnt announcents over serene landscapes or still images.
They’ve learned to lie low and wait for the storm to pass.
So, it’s a ss 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 so cables inside the building.
She seed 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 fla, young n approached, asking if she needed help. But Nina-san never directly asked for help or favors. She rely expressed her troubles.
Seeing a beautiful woman in distress, the young n, driven by chivalry and ulterior motives, would say, ‘Leave it to !’ and take action. One returned quickly with a bottle of tea and rice balls.
Yes, she had been asking for food this ti.
“Here, take this!”
Now, Nina-san’s ultimate combo began.
[Wow, thank you! Could I ask for your na?]
[Oh, you’re Mr. ○×? That’s a wonderful na. I’m so glad to et 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 sa trick.
Both of them could be natural spies. And they’re still students… truly terrifying.
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