Japan continued to set new records for midsummer heat as merciless sunlight poured down day after day. Yet, at this very moment, the interior of the facility was filled with a feverish intensity that rivaled the sun itself. Numerous monitors displayed data measured in real-time by observation equipment. Before them, a crowd of people—men and women of all ages dressed in sharp suits—held their breath in silence, watching the proceedings unfold.
A middle-aged man in work clothes, wearing an armband that identified him as the director, gave the order. His expression was tense, his voice firm.
"We will now begin the operations to activate the Unit 1 reactor core for Core Crystal power generation."
"Understood."
"Initiating Unit 1 reactor core startup. Repeating: Initiating startup of the Unit 1 reactor core."
Upon receiving the order from the director, one of the staff members picked up the handset for the public address system and issued the warning. With that signal, the technicians stationed at their respective control panels moved in perfect synchronization.
"Evacuation of all personnel from the vicinity of the power generation equipment... confirmed."
"No abnormalities detected in any measuring instruments."
"Maintenance crew and standby workers are in position."
Reports of readiness flooded in, and the final confirmation was completed in less than a minute.
"Very well," the director said, swallowing hard against his nerves. "Begin reactor core startup operations... now."
"Understood. Commencing startup."
The technicians began the activation sequence with professional detachment, their mechanical movements a mask for their underlying tension.
"Startup fuel capsule secured in the designated position."
"Five, four, three, two, one... melting initiated."
"Rise in water temperature confirmed within the reactor core."
As the reports continued to stream in, it became clear that the reactor core had successfully initiated. Director Arai, who had been staring fixedly at the monitors, felt a wave of relief wash over him. The tension drained from his shoulders as he began issuing the next set of instructions to his staff.
After taking a brief, steadying breath, Director Arai turned toward the observers in suits.
"Core Crystal power generation Unit 1 has successfully been activated!"
A thunderous roar of applause and cheering erupted. The observers' voices were thick with excitement as they shouted praises to those standing near them and the technicians at the controls, their joy finally exploding after the long wait.
The man who appeared to be the highest-ranking official among them approached the director, who was finally looking relaxed after fulfilling his monumental duty. The official grasped Arai's hand firmly.
"Congratulations, Director Arai!"
"T-Thank you very much, Prime Minister."
"I know you’ve faced immense challenges, but you truly did a magnificent job! With this, our nation has taken its first step toward solving our energy crisis!"
"No, I... it was nothing so grand. I simply did what I could. We only achieved this because of the tireless cooperation of everyone involved in this project," Director Arai insisted, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the Prime Minister’s enthusiasm.
"Yes, I'm well aware of that! But it’s also a fact that we reached this milestone today because you led them, Director Arai! I wish to express my gratitude to you once again!"
"I am... I am unworthy of such praise. Thank you, sir."
Following the Prime Minister's lead, the other cabinet members who had come to witness the event crowded around to offer their own congratulations. Despite the fatigue etched into his face, Director Arai remained professional, responding to each dignitary's well-wishes with polite grace.
"Now, everyone! We have a modest reception prepared in the large conference room. If you would please follow me," he announced once the initial fervor had cooled and the observers regained some composure. He guided the guests out, and they followed a staff guide toward the conference room, chatting animatedly amongst themselves.
Once the central control room grew quiet and empty, the director let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Good work, Director. Here, have some tea."
"Ah, thank you. Honestly, I’m exhausted."
Director Arai accepted the cup from the Deputy Director, offering a weary, wry smile.
"I never imagined I’d have to shake hands with so many of the country’s top officials in a single sitting. The sheer pressure they exude when they're that excited is staggering."
"Hehe, I can imagine," she replied, her tone refined yet authoritative. "But it only goes to show how delighted they were, wouldn't you say?"
"I suppose so. Once this facility is fully operational, we’ll finally be able to address our dependence on foreign energy resources and the issues surrounding the decommissioning of our old nuclear plants."
"True indeed..."
The power generation experiments of the previous year had offered a glimmer of hope, and today’s successful startup had finally turned that hope into a steady flame. Energy resources are the lifeblood of a nation, yet Japan had been forced to rely on foreign powers for them. No one in the government was satisfied with that state of affairs, but until now, the reality was that procuring enough energy domestically to sustain the country was an impossible dream.
The appearance of the dungeons had changed everything. While they had brought chaos and tragedy, they also offered returns that far outweighed the losses.
"Between the establishment of the explorer system and the revitalization of the economy through the market influx of dungeon materials... the world has truly transformed since the dungeons appeared," Arai remarked.
"It has. Though I imagine the government views the domestic production of energy resources as the greatest return of all, wouldn't you say?"
"Well, it is certainly one of the primary pillars of the post-dungeon reforms."
As they spoke, the staff member who had guided the observers returned to the control room.
"Director, the guests are all in the conference room. They’re requesting a few words from you, so please join them at your earliest convenience."
"Understood. Such are the burdens of a public servant," Arai said with a sigh. He turned back to the Deputy Director. "I’ll be gone for a while, so I’ll leave the inspections to you. This is our first time running at this capacity, so there’s no telling where a bug might appear. Be meticulous—ensure everything is flawless."
"Understood. I will proceed with the inspections as planned," she replied.
With that, Director Arai followed the guide and departed the control room.
The day after the startup, the Prime Minister and his cabinet gathered early in the morning for a meeting. Every face in the room was bright, the atmosphere thick with a sense of renewed hope.
The Prime Minister opened the proceedings in high spirits.
"Gentlemen, yesterday marked a truly joyous occasion."
"The activation of the Core Crystal power plant, I take it?"
"Indeed. Despite the immense pressure from foreign powers since our initial announcement, we successfully brought it online without a hitch. This success is a testament to your hard work. You have my thanks."
The Prime Minister bowed slightly to his cabinet. The ministers looked proud, though some wore the expressions of men who had endured great hardship to get here. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, in particular, had a hand over his stomach and a slight grimace, though his eyes shone with the look of someone whose long-suffering efforts had finally borne fruit.
It was a clear sign of just how much they had struggled behind the scenes to reach this moment.
"Now, let us proceed. METI Minister, could you walk us through the upcoming timeline for the power plant?"
"Of course. I will provide a broad overview of the schedule," the METI Minister said, picking up his documents. "As for Unit 1, which was activated yesterday, we will operate it at low output throughout July while we inspect every system for potential malfunctions. In August, once it clears those inspections, we will begin rated output operation, followed by adjustment operations and trial power transmission. Regarding the other reactors, we intend to bring them online sequentially as soon as they are ready for testing."
He finished his explanation and scanned the room. A hand went up.
"May I ask a question?"
"Certainly, Chief Cabinet Secretary."
"You mentioned Unit 1 will begin adjustment operations in August. Does that mean commercial transmission will also start then? If so, we must expedite our coordination with the various electric power companies."
"No," the METI Minister clarified. "The exact date for the start of normal operations will be determined after consulting with the power companies and assessing the facility's performance after its trial period. However, our goal is to begin full-scale transmission and normal operations before the end of the year."
"...I see," the Chief Cabinet Secretary replied, lowering his hand.
The METI Minister looked around again. This time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised his hand tentatively.
"Yes, Minister of Foreign Affairs?"
"You mentioned a goal of starting transmission by the end of the year, but is there any way to move that date forward?"
"Move it forward? What is the reasoning behind this?"
"It is not yet set in stone, but we have received reports that several other nations are researching the commercialization of Core Crystal power generation. If we want to export our technology, it would be to our advantage to have a proven track record of commercial operation before they do..."
A murmur rippled through the room. Securing overseas contracts for power plants would be a staggeringly lucrative venture. Currently, Japan was the undisputed frontrunner in the field. If they could establish a solid track record now, countries interested in Core Crystal power would undoubtedly come knocking. It was a golden opportunity for Japan to set the global standards and take the lead in an energy sector where they had always been followers.
The prospect of competitors entering this "blue ocean" market clearly unsettled the cabinet. Every minister turned an anxious gaze toward the METI Minister, looking for reassurance.
"...Since we have only just begun trial operations, I cannot give you a definitive answer. However, if negotiations with the electric power companies proceed quickly, I believe the start date could be moved up."
"So, technically speaking, it is possible?"
"...Yes."
The METI Minister's response was hesitant. The cabinet members collectively pressed their hands to their foreheads, recognizing the real obstacle. The "problem" the METI Minister alluded to was the nightmare of navigating the vested interests and internal politics of the various power companies. Given the astronomical sums of money involved, a swift resolution seemed unlikely.
The Prime Minister fixed the METI Minister with a resolute gaze.
"METI Minister... if the negotiations conclude quickly, is an early start technically feasible?"
"...Yes. Provided no major technical issues arise during the trial period, it is possible."
"I see. Very well."
The Prime Minister fell silent after that brief reply. The METI Minister swallowed hard, looking around the room one last time before setting his documents on the table.
A few weeks later, following a meeting attended by the Prime Minister, the heads of the various utility companies in the Federation of Electric Power Companies reached a decision to fast-track commercial operations. By mid-September, the Core Crystal power plants began transmitting electricity to the grid one by one.
The news that Japan had begun commercial Core Crystal power generation surged across the globe. The realization that this technology was finally practical signaled that oil—the undisputed king of energy resources—was about to be dethroned. Just as coal had once given way to oil, an era had arrived where oil would give way to Core Crystals. It was heralded as the beginning of a new energy revolution. For the oil-producing nations and the corporate giants known as the Oil Majors, a massive turning point had arrived.
However, there were those who did not welcome this change.
"How did we miss Japan’s progress?! At this rate, our oil interests will be worthless!"
"It's too late! They leaked the information during the chaos of the dungeon appearances. By the time we realized it was practical, the public had already accepted it!"
"Indeed. A completely clean energy source with power output that dwarfs nuclear... To a world obsessed with 'eco-friendly' solutions, Core Crystal power is the perfect replacement for oil."
"Tch! But if we just sit here and do nothing, we’ll be ruined! Are you all content to let that happen?!"
"..."
The man's voice, cracking with desperation over the video conference, echoed the feelings of everyone on the call. The participants visible on the monitors were of many races and ages, but they all shared one thing: their faces were pale with panic.
But once a technology is known to the world and the tide of public opinion turns toward a new resource, stopping it is no easy feat. Not unless Core Crystal power generation turned out to have some kind of fatal, world-shaking flaw...
...