As the sun reached its zenith, the islanders gathered at a stretch of the coastline where a dungeon had abruptly appeared. They gazed at the towering structure with eyes full of curiosity.
Voices rose from the crowd as they discussed the mysterious arrival.
"What is this thing?"
"Who knows? One of the youths said it was just sitting there when he woke up this morning."
"Huh. Has anyone gone inside yet?"
"No. The Village Head heard about it and told everyone to stay out, so no one’s set foot in there yet."
"I see. Well, if the Village Head says so, it’s probably best to keep our distance."
The islanders respected the Village Head’s warning and watched the dungeon from afar. Suddenly, a small vessel appeared offshore, racing toward the island’s port at a high speed.
"Hm? That boat... It’s a government liaison ship."
"Yeah, looks like it. What are they doing here?"
"No idea. But they seem to be in an awful hurry."
The government ship apparently spotted the islanders gathered in front of the dungeon. It veered away from its course to the port and slowed down as it approached the shore. As it drew near the beach, a voice boomed over its loudspeaker.
"Everyone, get away from there immediately! We received a notice from the government this morning—that structure is extremely dangerous! Do not enter it under any circumstances! You will die!"
The voice, thick with urgency, blasted across the water. The islanders, recognizing the official vessel, scrambled back a dozen meters from the dungeon entrance.
Relieved to see them retreat, the speaker’s tone softened as he addressed them again.
"I’m coming ashore now to explain the details of the government's notice regarding that structure! All islanders, please gather at the village square!"
With that, the ship turned back toward the port to dock, leaving the islanders in a state of shock.
"Hey, what on earth is happening?"
"I—I don’t know. But if they raced all the way here at dawn just to shout a warning like that, it must be something serious."
"Y-Yeah, definitely."
"..."
Beset by a string of sudden, inexplicable events, the islanders could do little but murmur in confusion and agitation. Then, an Elderly Man stepped forward and raised his voice above the din.
"Calm down, everyone!"
"V-Village Head!?"
The Village Head’s sharp command restored a semblance of order. He immediately followed up with his next instruction.
"Everyone, get to the square! For now, we’ll listen to what these people have to say. They seem to know the situation!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Led by the Village Head, the crowd moved away from the dungeon and headed toward the heart of the village.
At the square, men who appeared to be Government Officials stood before the residents to explain the nature of the dungeon. As the briefing continued, the expressions of the islanders shifted from bewilderment to dawning dread.
"So, let me get this straight," the Village Head said. "This 'dungeon' thing has suddenly appeared all over the world? And it’s crawling with these 'monster' things—beasts that act like wild animals?"
"Exactly," a Government Official replied. "Various nations have already dispatched their militaries to investigate. In our country, the police were sent in to confirm the situation. They encountered these monsters and verified that the creatures attack anyone who enters the dungeon without distinction."
"I see..."
The Village Head’s face darkened with anxiety. Their island was small; he knew all too well that if monsters ever overflowed from that structure, there would be nowhere for his people to run.
Sensing his fear, the Government Official offered a point of reassurance.
"...But please, rest assured. While we don't know the reason yet, it has been confirmed that monsters do not leave the dungeon."
"Is that... truly the case?"
"Yes. Based on every government report we have, there hasn't been a single instance of a monster stepping outside a dungeon anywhere in the world. Even when civilians have been chased right to the exit, the monsters stop at the threshold. They never cross the entrance. We have several confirmed reports of this from across the globe."
"I see..."
The official didn't seem to be lying, but the Village Head still wore a grimace, unable to fully shake his unease.
"...Therefore, as long as you stay out of the dungeon, there is no immediate danger. If possible, we recommend you block the entrance with a barricade to ensure no one wanders in by mistake."
"Understood. We'll have the whole village work together to seal it off."
"Please. We’ve brought a small supply of rope and other materials on our ship to help you build the barricade."
"We appreciate the help."
The Village Head bowed, thanking them for the supplies. Once the explanation was over, the officials were escorted back to the port. After unloading the materials, they prepared to depart.
"We’ll be on our way, then. We have other islands to visit."
"Thank you for your service."
"We’ll return with more information as the government provides it. Until then, make sure no one enters that place."
"We will."
With a final warning, the officials set sail for the next inhabited island.
As soon as they were gone, the Village Head gathered the able-bodied men of the island to seal the dungeon. They felled trees and lashed them together, leaning the heavy timber against the entrance while taking care not to cross the threshold. Working in a large group, they managed to finish the barricade well before sunset.
The men headed home, exchanging weary words of encouragement as the Village Head dismissed them.
But late that night, after the village had fallen silent, a few youths gathered before the sealed dungeon. They were armed with machetes and axes.
"Ready?"
"You bet. I brought a bit of food and water, too."
"I've got lanterns for light."
"Me too. Food and water, check."
The Youth acting as the Leader checked his companions' gear. They looked less like explorers and more like a pack of rowdy boys sneaking out for a night of mischief. To them, the warnings of the adults were nothing more than an excuse to rebel.
"Honestly, telling us to stay out of something this interesting..."
"They said it was dangerous, but I bet it’s nothing we can't handle!"
"Exactly. Come on, let's get in there."
"Yeah, let's go."
"Alright. Move out."
"Yeah!"
Without a hint of fear, they tore a hole in the barricade and slipped into the darkness of the dungeon.
And then...
"It hurts! It hurts so much!"
"..."
"Hang in there, both of you! We’re almost at the exit!"
"Hurry! That thing is coming back!"
The group emerged in a wretched state. The Leader was at the front, clutching a hand where the fingers had been bitten off. Behind him, another youth was deathly pale from a massive abdominal wound, while a third youth, drenched in blood, carried a companion on his back. The last one brought up the rear, his eyes bloodshot as he swung his weapon at shadows. They had underestimated the dungeon and the monsters, and they had paid a heavy price.
"Dammit! We should have left after we killed the first one! We shouldn't have gotten greedy!"
"Don't start that now! Just keep moving!"
The disaster had started after they managed to kill their first monster. Despite taking minor injuries, they had been rewarded with a "first-time bonus item"—a massive gemstone. Enchanted by the brilliance of a jewel the likes of which they had never seen, they had fallen to temptation.
They had pushed deeper into the dungeon in search of more wealth, only realizing they were in over their heads when it was too late. Exhausted by repeated battles, the Leader had momentarily dropped his guard, and a monster had mangled his hand. Panic had set in, and while they managed to kill the creature, they were forced to flee for their lives, battered and broken.
"We’re out!"
"Go! Get to the village!"
They scrambled through the hole in the barricade and hurried home. Fortunately, no one died, but the village was thrown into a frantic uproar. The severely injured youths were rushed to a city hospital, where their lives were saved.
However, the real trouble began afterward. The islanders became bitterly divided over what to do with the massive gemstone the youths had brought back. Should it belong to the boys, or was it the collective property of the village? Ultimately, the Village Head decided to sell the gem to the government. The proceeds were distributed among the residents, but the sum was so staggering that it warped the very fabric of their lives.
Once the first person used the money to move to the city, the floodgates opened. Everyone followed suit, eager for a new life. In less than six months, not a single person remained. The village was gone.
Similar stories played out on islands across the region. The movement was particularly pronounced among populations whose islands were predicted to disappear due to rising sea levels from global warming.
Empty of their people, these islands fell under direct government control, staffed only by a skeleton crew sent to monitor the remaining dungeons. The sudden appearance of the dungeons had upended traditional lifestyles, threatening countless cultures with extinction—a crisis the government was now desperately trying to mitigate.
Following the announcement of Core Crystal power generation in Japan, Australia had been quick to place orders for seawater desalination plants and Core Crystal power generation equipment. They recognized that a high-output, low-cost energy source could finally solve Australia’s chronic water shortages.
According to their projections, if they could harness the vast, inexpensive energy provided by Core Crystals, the island nation could produce massive quantities of fresh water from the surrounding ocean at a fraction of current costs.
"Core Crystal power generation... It truly is the premier energy resource of the next generation," the Prime Minister said.
"Indeed," the Presidential Aide replied. "If Japan's data on generation costs is accurate, we can produce an immense amount of energy more cheaply than any existing method. With environmental concerns at the forefront of global politics, thermal plants that emit greenhouse gases and nuclear power—which the world is increasingly hesitant to use after major accidents—simply cannot compete with the pollution-free, low-cost nature of Core Crystals. Even other green options like solar or wind are too dependent on weather. They can't provide the stable base load we need."
"True enough. They’re hailed as the future, but as long as they remain unstable, they can't be the backbone of a national energy policy. At least, not until energy storage technology catches up. But that's a separate issue."
"Exactly. And the greatest advantage is that Core Crystals can be easily harvested from the dungeons that have appeared across the globe."
"The primary sources of oil are caught in a web of international interference and regional instability," the Prime Minister added. "From a national security standpoint, if we have the chance to internalize our energy production, we must take it."
The Prime Minister and the Presidential Aide discussed the nation's future across the executive desk. Dealing with the dungeons was a headache, but for Australia, Japan’s breakthrough was a golden opportunity.
"Furthermore, if Core Crystal power generation allows us to produce fresh water in abundance, we can green the arid regions of the interior. We could turn the heart of the continent into a massive agricultural zone. Australia would become the world's breadbasket."
"I agree," the Presidential Aide said. "With global population growth, crop failures from extreme weather, and the shift toward biofuels, a food crisis is inevitable. In the coming years, food production will be a powerful diplomatic tool. It is well worth the investment."
"You think so too?"
"I do, sir."
The Prime Minister looked pleased by his aide’s agreement, though a shadow soon crossed his face.
"However, if we're going to green the desert... we’ll likely need Japan’s help again."
"I believe that's unavoidable. When it comes to desert greening, Japan's technology is world-class with a proven track record. It’s better than wasting time and money with a partner that might fail. Besides, Japan is our largest food exporter. If we negotiate correctly, we can create a win-win relationship."
"You're right. Very well. When we finalize the orders for the power plants and desalination equipment, we’ll bring up the matter of desert greening as well."
The Prime Minister nodded firmly, settling the matter in his mind.