episode_0139

However, even the smallest ones are comparable to a decent-sized town. Considering the vertical area, their size increases even further.

Furthermore, there aren’t just one or two regions swallowed by the alternate dimension. So, depending on the dungeon, some places are comparable in size to a major city or a small nation.

The last place we were going was one such location.

“How big is its area?”

“It varies by season, they say. When it’s smallest, it’s about 400 km², and when it’s largest, it’s 750 km².”

Vittorio Arcade is one of the largest dungeons in the Academy City. It’s a place I didn’t see in the main game.

So, I investigated it and was surprised to learn that its size was comparable to a major city.

Inside, there are as many varied magical beasts as its area, and a unique, bizarre ecosystem has formed within the dungeon. Its danger is as high as its size, with a high possibility of encountering high-ranking magical beasts in the deeper sections.

However, the reason for visiting this place isn’t to hunt magical beasts. For magical beast hunting, it’s more stable to just catch low-ranking magical beasts in an easier place.

The Violet Unit is visiting this place for one reason: artifacts.

During the preparatory meeting before departing for the dungeon, Irene explained to the team members.

“The temperature here averages around 15 degrees Celsius, it might be a bit chilly, but it won’t significantly hinder our activities. And, true to its name, Arcade…”

“But Irene.”

“Yes? Do you have a question?”

I raised my hand and asked.

“But what is an ‘Arcade’? Is it like an amusement arcade?”

“The data doesn’t mention there being an amusement arcade anywhere.”

Units 768 and 355 spoke up. I grew curious. After all, what you find in amusement arcades are called arcade games. But the things in that dungeon are just commercial buildings.

Irene shook her head. Not an amusement arcade game, I was bewildered. Lucian, who was sitting next to me, chuckled.

“You idiot. You don’t even know that?”

At his words, the Violets sitting in the back row of the meeting room stood up and raised their voices.

“What? Then what is an Arcade? Explain it!”

“If you’re wrong, we’ll punish you!”

“A…aah! Don’t shout into my ear! Alright! I’ll explain, so…”

The cowed boy raised both hands with a fed-up expression. A declaration of surrender. We giggled.

“So, about the word ‘arcade’…”

Lucian slowly began his explanation.

“Ah ha! So it wasn’t an amusement arcade!”

This guy, he’s not just good at magic.

According to the explanation, the dictionary definition of an arcade refers to a commercial street with an arched roof. Simply put, a local market.

And, combining it with the knowledge I had pre-researched in my mind, I understood why that dungeon was called ‘Arcade’.

“Ah ha, so it’s called that because it’s a commercial street that was dungeoned?”

“It’s not just a commercial street, it’s a city. Violet, wasn’t that data something you researched?”

“Hehehe…”

When Irene asked, I scratched my head. There are times when I forget things like this if I don’t pay attention. The Violets waiting in the Violet Network quickly searched through the memory archives.

“It must be somewhere?”

“Found it!”

The Violets quickly flipped through the bookshelves. After rummaging through ambiguous memory pamphlets and forgotten lunch menus, I managed to recall the memory.

Being able to handle memories like a physical substance is truly a strange sensation. The gradually blurry memory surfaced. Perhaps because of that influence, the interior of the Violet Network transformed into a modern-style city.

Okay, so where was this again? Vittorio City, a city in some unknown kingdom. One that no longer exists…

“Violet?”

“Ah, I remember now! Sorry. Let’s continue!”

I returned to reality. Daphne gently shook my shoulder beside me. I focused on the meeting again.

***

A century ago, Trist had numerous kingdoms, empires, and republics. The invention of the steam engine and the development of the market economy brought about a revolutionary revival in the world.

Although there were minor issues like wealth disparity, historians of the Academy City call that period the ‘Golden Age’. This is part of the superficial knowledge I picked up during history class at Polaris Academy.

During the Golden Age, successful capitalists emerged. A middle class also came into being. As people gained leisure to live, their interest turned towards adorning themselves. Fashion, once exclusive to nobles, became accessible to everyone.

Artisans specializing in clothes and bags appeared, and shoemakers, watchmakers, and jewelers gradually became busy to the point of their hands blistering. Men with money wore stylish watches and shoes, and donned elegant ties and hats. Women entered stores with such stylish men and bought beautiful luxury dresses, bags, and jewelry.

As demand increased, artisans gathered in areas with convenient transportation and abundant goods. Numerous textile factories were built, spewing smoke day and night, and countless men and women tirelessly operated sewing machines. As commercial districts formed, their reputation soared through word of mouth, attracting many people. It was so renowned that even kings and emperors would visit.

The world’s fashion trends were decided here.

As time passed, voila! Vittorio City, the world’s city of fashion and luxury goods, was born. On Earth, it would be like Milan or Paris. Up to this point, it’s just a happy ending.

But then magical beasts appeared. The city disappeared into another dimension.

Decades after the first dimensional invasion and various subsequent minor wars, at a time when the efforts of passionate artisans were forgotten and the concepts of luxury goods and fashion were barely reviving from the ashes, Vittorio City suddenly reappeared in reality in the form of a dungeon. Hunters ventured into it, risking danger.

After countless disappearances and deaths, the bizarrely twisted city revealed new value, like an oyster spitting out a pearl.

“So, the clothes you’re wearing are made of fibers from there?”

“That’s right. Although expensive, you could say that nearly half of the materials used for armor or clothing come from there.”

We were on our way to the dungeon entrance in a truck. Violet Unit 12, bored, touched the coat Irene was wearing.

The black fabric between her fingers was soft, but if she applied even a little force, it became as hard as metal. This strange texture was neither cotton, polyester, nor silk.

The alternate dimension swallowed not just tens of thousands of artisans, hundreds of thousands of laborers, and millions of citizens. Everyone either died or became ghouls, but vast quantities of fabric, leather, and various raw materials remained in Vittorio City. Since the magical beasts didn’t loot the shops, most of the goods also remained.

“Still, let’s definitely go to the deeper sections. Artifacts like necklaces or rings with good effects are all found there.”

“You shouldn’t overdo it. High-ranking magical beasts live there.”

“Daphne. Got it!”

Unit 12 replied with a smile to her friend.

The items in the city, steeped in Aether, had strangely transformed.

Fabrics piled in textile factory warehouses or clothing stores became reinforced fibers boasting transcendental strength. Accessories like rings or necklaces from jewelry stores had effects that strengthened the wearer or deployed shields.

All these things come out endlessly. They say the items are duplicated?

Simply put, all items are artifacts!

Thus, the city of luxury and fashion became the city of artifacts and hunters.

What the Violets had to do was simple. Walk down the main roads and alleys, enter any empty shop, and rummage through the drawers.

After passing the checkpoint, a gate appeared. After waiting for a long time in the long line of vehicles, our turn came.

“Alright, we’re entering now.”

I pressed the accelerator. Passing through the shimmering purple gate, beneath the achromatic marble floor stood several gigantic elevators. To exaggerate, they were almost the size of buildings.

In front, an usher waved a light stick, guiding the cars. Cars entered the elevators one by one. Our car also went inside. The interior was massive, enough to fit several passenger cars.

Once the elevator was full, the doors slowly closed. The freight elevator made a ‘beep’ warning sound and slowly began to descend.

Immediately, complete darkness greeted us. As we descended underground, the light gradually drew closer.

“Is everyone ready?”

After a while, the massive freight elevator slowly settled onto the floor. A sound of air escaping, like a giant sigh, was heard. The creaking elevator stopped, and the large doors opened.

When the hunter holding a light stick in front gave the signal, the cars waiting inside the elevator slowly moved out.

The truck crossed the outpost. Around it were small shops, repair shops, and hospitals catering to hunters.

I turned my head. Various notices and advertisements were posted around.

[No Entry for Unauthorized Personnel]

[In case of emergency, we will dispatch directly. Temperance Insurance]

[Caution: Do not leave the outpost without sufficient armament. Safety cannot be guaranteed – Atlas Security Service]

After leaving the outpost entrance, we immediately entered the perimeter zone.

As the truck drove out, a bizarrely twisted main road greeted the Violets.

The first thing visible was an incredibly high, circular ceiling.

The interior of the dungeon space looked like 19th-century European buildings forcibly stretched and enlarged. The size of a single streetlamp was abnormally large.

Strangely distorted and elongated structures protruded or intertwined in various directions, and their forms extended up to the ceiling.

Compared to this, the temporary buildings and outpost walls seen earlier felt shabby.

Light leaked through the holes in the arched ceiling. The surrounding streetlights and interior building lights emitted light on their own, even without electricity flowing through them.

We headed towards a passage beyond the distant shadows.

This is the city of artifacts, Vittorio Arcade.