Chapter 55: Monolith (2)

The origins of monsters in Abyss City vary depending on their type.

While some monsters increase their numbers through reproduction within their own species, others like machines or spirits, which lack typical reproductive processes, appeared in this world through special means.

These special means are broadly categorized into two types.

The first is the Dimensional Rift, presumed to be connected to another world.

While the majority of them appear abruptly in mid-air, causing damage, the most commonly cited example is the Void Whale.

That monster, which creates a Dimensional Rift within its massive maw, wiped the powerful Southern Region nation of Solaris off the map.

And the second case is the Black Monolith, which swallowed Rohan and the two girls.

Originally, this Monolith, though different in form from a Dimensional Rift, shared the same characteristic of generating monsters.

However, at some point, it began to exhibit the anomalous phenomenon of transferring people within a certain range to another dimension.

And that “some point” just had to be now.

It’s the natural order of Abyss City that the space the Monolith leads to is later called a Dungeon.

It’s an intuitive name that’s easy to understand even without visiting the space.

“…”

Rohan, who had been lying down, opened his eyes. The bright, shining sun filled his vision.

Moving his head left and right to survey his surroundings, thankfully, no dangerous creatures were in sight.

Only shattered statues and broken stained glass. Cracked and gaping walls, basking in the sunlight, were all he could see.

This isn’t a church. It’s that temple…

Based on its form, he could guess that there should have been a ceiling above these walls.

Judging by the nameless vines clinging to and growing on the statues and walls, the place had been abandoned for quite some time.

Moreover, the temperature on his skin was scorching, like midsummer.

The slight breeze blowing through the cracked walls carried a scorching heat, worthy of being called a heatwave.

In any case, it was obvious to anyone that this wasn’t Academy City Elysium.

“Huuuh…”

“Mmm…”

Rohan lightly tapped the backs of Clara and Shion, who were groaning as they lay on top of him.

They must be in this state because they hugged each other tightly at the last moment. He was fortunate to be at the bottom.

It seems like they aren’t injured.

Clara and Shion seemed to be simply asleep.

Both were breathing regularly, supplying Rohan’s senses with an intoxicating touch and sweet fragrance.

Normally, this would be a situation where he’d have to recite the national anthem internally to calm his emotions.

However, Rohan’s mind was already as cold as if doused with ice water.

The ominousness emanating from the Monolith, the tension bestowed by that unknown stone, still stiffened his muscles.

“Hooo…”

Exhaling deeply, Rohan began to organize his thoughts while waiting for the two girls to wake up naturally.

A moment of quiet meditation, albeit brief.

His mind was too jumbled, and he needed to process the information.

The first dungeon was originally something the protagonist experienced.

If this was the first appearance of a Monolith-induced dungeon? No, there’s no need to assume that. Rohan recognized this place.

Ultimately, could he simply dismiss being caught up in this as mere coincidence?

Rohan couldn’t ignore the feeling that he was replacing the protagonist with this single incident.

The Country That Worships the Sun… and a temple…

Rohan carefully read the notification window that appeared before him and mulled over the information.

He remembered what kind of dungeon this was.

He wasn’t sure if he could clear it smoothly based on its difficulty, but having information itself was a stroke of luck.

Points are always good to have. Full Recovery is obviously good, but what’s Seneca’s Luck? I’ve never seen that before?

While pondering the question he found in the rewards…

Clara and Shion began to stir and move.

“Mmm… O-Oppa…?”

“Ugh! Where…?”

At Rohan’s touch, the two girls raised their heads with blurry eyes.

“Are you both alright? Are you injured?”

Clara, startled, got up from on top of Rohan.

Shion blinked and sat down on the stone floor, quickly checking her body.

“I-I’m okay…”

“All my equipment is here, and my physical condition is fine. The problem is where we are.”

Having regained his freedom of movement, Rohan slowly raised his upper body. At the same time, he started the timer on his Smartphone to track the time.

Only after completing this series of actions did he look out through the gap in the wall.

As expected.

Aside from the current location, which reminded him of some cultural heritage site, the outside was filled with modern buildings comparable to Academy City.

However, there were no pedestrians, and no signs of life.

The windows were all shattered, and the signs were either crumpled or consumed by vines. There were no places that seemed to have electricity.

The ground was also a patchwork of asphalt and pavement, with some areas completely overturned.

There are definitely problems.

Problems became apparent as soon as he faced them.

While dungeons transitioned in stages within Abyss City, the size of a materialized dungeon was unabridged.

It was simply unbelievably vast.

As Rohan finished his observation and turned away from the wall, Shion and Clara were waiting for him to explain what he had seen.

“Oppa, we…”

“It’s okay, Clara. Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”

The priority was to calm Clara, who was particularly anxious about the unidentified location and phenomenon.

Only then could she perform at her best.

“Rohan. Did you see anything?”

“First of all, there are no people, and I don’t see any monsters right now.”

“Hmm.”

Shion approached and looked out through the gap in the wall herself.

“The temperature is strange. This isn’t Academy City’s weather.”

“It’s almost midsummer. Aren’t you hot?”

At Rohan’s question, the girls nodded. That was a relief.

“I’m weak against the cold, but I can handle the heat pretty well. I’m fine.”

“I can still endure this level. But I think I’ll sweat a bit if we move around.”

Clara, fixated on Rohan, followed closely behind him.

Shion began to look around.

Having confirmed that the outside buildings and the current location were of different styles, Shion showed curiosity.

“This building might be a religious facility.”

“Close.”

“Oh? You sound like you know something. Do you have information?”

“It’s a temple that worships the sun.”

“The sun?”

“Yeah. That thing up in the sky.”

Rohan’s finger pointed towards the ceiling of the world.

Clara, rather than Shion, who followed his finger, understood more quickly. Her eyes inevitably opened wide.

She couldn’t help but think of the connection to Rohan.

“A temple that worships the sun? The only country with such a faith that comes to mind is Solaris… But that country is already…”

“Right. It’s a country that no longer exists. You’re well-informed.”

Rohan readily agreed to Shion’s murmur, and continued at the Princess’ inquiring gaze.

“But this isn’t Solaris.”

“It’s impressive that you’re so certain. Have you been to the Southern Region?”

“It’s my birthplace.”

“…!”

Perhaps surprised by the sudden confession, Shion’s mouth, hidden beneath her veil, opened slightly.

Rohan, as if it were nothing, headed towards the vine-covered door.

Creak! Creak!

He calmly prepared to open the door, tearing away the tough vines that maintained their vitality despite the intense sunlight.

“Oppa, I’ll do it…!”

Clara, who had been holding onto Rohan’s clothes, took out her Balisong.

A short blade in the hands of a skilled individual was more than just an ordinary machete.

With a light Swish!, the slash precisely severed the vines in the doorway. The vines were cleanly cut, ready to be opened with a pull.

Having secured the entrance, Rohan turned around before opening the door.

“Before we go out, I’ll explain this phenomenon. We learned about Monoliths at the Academy, and I have some additional knowledge.”

“That would be useful information. I’m practically clueless in this kind of situation, so I’ll listen carefully.”

“Me too…!”

Rohan didn’t need to give a long explanation. The method to escape from a Monolith-created dungeon was simple.

Destroy the Monolith located somewhere within this vast space. That was all.

Whether it creates the space or transports people to the location is unknown.

The Monolith, depleted of its Mana, becomes weakened, unlike when it first appeared, and can be destroyed.

“Even if we can’t see them now, there’s a high probability of monsters outside.”

“I see. We’ll be prepared.”

Clara seemed to have regained her composure at the mention of being able to return.

Her eyes held no fear of combat or monsters.

“Does anyone have anything I can use as a weapon?”

“W-Wait a moment…!”

Clara hurriedly tried to pull out a weapon other than her Balisong, but before she could do anything, Shion handed Rohan the dagger she was holding.

“I have a spare. Use this.”

“Thanks. I’ll ask Clara next time.”

“Okay!”

Rohan was quick-witted. The girl, who was about to pout in disappointment, nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Lastly, before we move, does anyone need a moment? Feel free to speak up.”

“Rohan.”

Shion called out, drawing attention with her voice.

Rohan and Clara’s heads naturally turned towards her.

“Could it take days or even weeks to escape from this place?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

At Rohan’s answer, Shion hummed, touching her slender chin.

Her expression clearly showed her predicament.

While Clara didn’t understand Shion’s hesitation, Rohan immediately recalled the problem the Princess faced.