SWNOVELXO Chapter 27 Side 1
2-19.1. On The Surface, It Was The Third Day
Around the time Meiko and the others were spending their third night, a major commotion was happening on the surface.
Due to the name value of being the first dungeon returnee, Meiko’s disappearance was reported in the news, and online communities, having caught wind of the information early, had already formed search parties within the net.
At the Aozora Training Dojo, everyone brought back the story and sought information.
Even at the Self-Defense Force garrison in the Loli Labyrinth, Meiko was quite popular, so many voices of concern were raised.
The only thing known was that two girls from Meiko’s class had also gone missing on the same day.
Was there a criminal aspect to the three’s disappearance? What was the relationship between the three? Were there any sightings on local cameras? The police investigated such matters, but there was no progress.
Amidst this, one crucial piece of information was brought to light.
It was a photograph.
A picture of three girls smiling broadly, with a small shrine in the background, amidst falling cherry blossoms and petals covering the ground.
Before entering the dungeon, Lulu had sent the image to her Kisumian’s friends via group message, which eventually made its way to the neighboring country of Ferens, and finally reached a Japanese smartphone.
This image was posted on a certain bulletin board and promptly provided to the police.
Along with information about the location.
A cherry blossom shrine halfway up Kazami Mountain.
A place where, in spring, several mountain cherry trees visible from the town below stood out prominently.
The information reached the police around the time Meiko and the others were spending the evening of their third day.
Due to the dangers of the mountain at night, the police decided to act the next morning and ended the day.
On the morning of the fourth day since the disappearance, a search of the mountain was conducted by the dispatched personnel.
First, the cherry blossom shrine, which served as a clue, was investigated, where a major discovery that might render the dispatched personnel unnecessary was made.
Behind the cherry blossom shrine.
A dungeon gate was found amidst the cherry blossom petals carpeting the ground.
The pale pink gate blended into the cherry blossom petals, so much so that it was hard to see unless one looked carefully, especially with the shadows cast by the sunlight and the shrine playing tricks on the color perception.
It was a natural trap that only the police, trained to spot small traces, could have noticed.
Judging that this was where they had fallen, the police immediately contacted the Self-Defense Force stationed at the Loli Labyrinth.
It was around noon.
A rescue team was promptly assembled, but at that time, even the elite members had entered the dungeon.
Due to the dungeon exploration being conducted in three shifts, the assembled team consisted of elite members currently on rest. An emergency summons was issued, but not everyone could respond immediately.
Thus, the rescue team arrived at 17:00.
In the meantime, the police officer guarding the vortex tilted his head.
He felt the color of the vortex had deepened.
The officer had no way of knowing, but the difficulty of this infinite torii dungeon changed between day and night.
And by 16:00, when the officer noticed the color change, it was the time when Meiko and the others, using maps and such, barely managed to reach the safety zone where they had stayed on the first day.
By the time the rescue team arrived at 17:00, it was a time when one would have to dash using maps to make it in time.
The vortex had turned a pink close to purple. It was equivalent to a dungeon between E-rank and D-rank.
“Was this really an F-rank dungeon!?”
Baba, who had come with the rescue team, asked the police officer.
The officer presented the photos taken during the day, and upon checking them, the rescue team leader and Baba were perplexed.
As time passed before their eyes, the sun set behind the mountain.
Eventually, the vortex changed to a deep purple.
Amidst the bright lights, reporters who had caught wind of the story aimed their cameras with determination from a half-forested area outside the dungeon grounds.
Above, a reporter in a helicopter filmed the cherry blossom shrine and provided live commentary.
Since Earth-san’s big announcement, it had become customary for news cameras to capture the brave souls entering a dungeon for the first time. This reporting, meant to pray for the safety of the team members and reassure the nation, was significant.
This time, it was a newly discovered dungeon outside the usual 24 locations in the country, and with the high possibility that the girls had fallen into it, it naturally drew attention.
Netizens watching the live broadcast anxiously posted on bulletin boards.
Here are some excerpts.
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[Emergency] Our Angel is Missing PART 45 [New Dungeon Discovered]
765, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
What the hell, police!
Why didn’t you head out to rescue them as soon as you found them!
766, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
I’ve said it before, dungeon investigation is the Self-Defense Force’s domain.
767, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
But come on, these three angels might be wandering in the dungeon right now!?
768, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
To add to 766, especially with a newly discovered dungeon, the Self-Defense Force has to go in first to check.
There have already been fatalities, not just overseas but in Japan too, so only the elite within the Self-Defense Force can take on such missions.
769, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
How can you all stay so calm!?
If these cute girls die, it’s a loss for humanity, don’t you get it!
770, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Don’t get too heated, here, have a drink tsuudan~~
771, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
It’s hot. Tsuudan~~
772, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Tsuudan~~
773, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Thanks!?
But that’s too much ( ｀ー´)ノ
774, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
And besides, our Meiko-chan is in there?
Look at how calm they are.
775, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Who are “they”?
776, Anonymous Meiko Cult Follower
We believe in Meiko-sama’s safety.
777, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Shut up!
I’ve been to the Aozora Training Dojo, you know?
Meiko-chan is really hardworking and cute, ugh…!
778, Anonymous Meiko Cult Follower
Stop chirping, brat.
What have you seen of Meiko-sama?
779, Anonymous Meiko Cult Follower
She will surely grasp a miracle with her own hands.
780, Anonymous Meiko Cult Follower
She is the child of destiny.
781, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Heh, you guys are still as creepy as ever!
782, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
But really, there’s something about that girl.
I also think she’s not the type to die in a place like this.
783, Anonymous Meiko Cult Follower
>782 I’ll allow you to join the faith.
784, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Oh, the Self-Defense Force is moving.
Are they going in now?
785, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Finally! Come on, do your best!
786, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Damn! If only I had leveled up in the dungeon, I could have gathered volunteers and gone in too!
787, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
>783 About joining the faith, I’ll pass for now…
788, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Wait, hold on.
Something’s off… It doesn’t look like they’re going in?
789, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Huh?
Why not?
790, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
Well, they’re starting to line up though.
791, Anonymous Dungeon Traveler
What’s going on?
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