Monolith -2-

In Abyss City, the origins of monsters vary depending on their type.

Some increase their numbers through reproduction among their own kind, while monsters like machines or elementals, which lack conventional reproductive processes, emerge into this world through special means.

These special processes fall into two main categories.

The first is dimensional rifts, presumed to connect to other worlds.

Most appear abruptly in midair, causing widespread damage, but the prime example always on people's lips is the Void Whale.

That monster, which creates dimensional rifts inside its massive maw, wiped the southern superpower Solarea off the map.

And the second case is the black stone Monolith that swallowed Rohan and the two girls.

Originally, this Monolith shared the same trait as dimensional rifts—summoning monsters—despite their different forms.

But from one fateful day onward, it began exhibiting the anomalous phenomenon of teleporting passersby within a certain range to another space.

'Why did that fateful day have to be today of all days?'

The space led by the Monolith would later be called a dungeon—a natural naming convention in Abyss City, intuitive even without prior knowledge.

"…."

Rohan, who had been collapsed, opened his eyes. The first thing filling his vision was the sun blazing brightly overhead.

He turned his head left and right to survey his surroundings. Fortunately, no dangerous creatures were in sight.

Just shattered statues, broken stained glass, and walls cracked and gaping to let in the sunlight.

'Not a church. This is that temple….'

The shape suggested there would originally have been a ceiling above these walls.

Vines of some unknown plant clung to the statues and walls, indicating the place had been abandoned for quite some time.

Moreover, the temperature on his skin felt like midsummer.

The faint breeze ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slipping through the cracks in the walls carried heat hot enough to call a scorching wind.

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

"Hngh…."

"Mmm…."

Rohan patted the backs of Clara and Sion, who lay collapsed atop him, groaning softly.

They must have ended up like this because they'd clung to each other at the end to avoid separation. It was a relief ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he was at the bottom.

'No injuries, it seems.'

Clara and Sion appeared to simply be asleep.

Both breathed steadily, supplying his senses with their intoxicating softness and sweet fragrance.

Normally, he'd have to mentally sing the national anthem to calm himself in a situation like this.

But Rohan's mind was as cool as if ice water had been poured over it.

The ominous aura from the Monolith. The tension from that unknown hunk of stone still kept his muscles rigid.

"Hoo…."

Letting out a long breath, Rohan waited for the two girls to wake naturally while organizing his thoughts.

A brief moment for quiet meditation.

His head was such a jumble; he needed to sort the information.

'The first dungeon was originally something the protagonist goes through.'

If this was the debut of a Monolith-induced dungeon, then? No need to assume—he knew this place.

In conclusion, could he dismiss getting caught up in this as mere coincidence?

Rohan had reached the point where he couldn't ignore the sensation that he'd taken the protagonist's spot with this single incident.

'Nation Worshipping the Sun… and the temple….'

Rohan closely read the alert window 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 difficulty, but having info was an unparalleled stroke of luck.

'Points are always better the more the better. Full recovery is obviously great, but what's Seneca's Luck? First time seeing it.'

As he pondered the mystery from the rewards.

Clara and Sion began to stir and move.

"Nngh… O-Oppa…?"

"Ugh! Where…."

At Rohan's gentle patting, the two girls lifted their heads with bleary eyes.

"You two aren't hurt anywhere, right? You okay?"

Clara jolted up in alarm from atop Rohan.

Sion blinked before sitting on the stone floor and quickly checking her body.

"I-I'm fine…."

"All my gear is here, and my condition's good. The problem is where we are."

With his body free, Rohan slowly raised his upper body. At the same ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time, he activated his smartphone's timer to track time.

Only after finishing that did he peer outside through the gap in the wall.

'As expected.'

Separate from this site, which evoked some cultural heritage, the outside featured modern buildings on par with Academy City.

But there were no pedestrians, no signs of life.

Every glass window was shattered, signs crumpled or overtaken by vines. No places seemed to have power.

The ground had patches of asphalt or paving stones clinging haphazardly, and sections completely upheaved.

'Not entirely problem-free.'

The issues became apparent the moment he faced them.

In Abyss City, dungeons progressed stage by stage, but materialized dungeons had no such omissions in scale.

It was ridiculously vast.

As Rohan finished checking and pulled his head from the wall.

Sion and Clara waited for him to explain what he'd seen.

"Oppa, we…."

"It's okay. Don't worry, Clara. I'll handle it somehow."

First priority: calming Clara, who felt intense anxiety toward this unknown place and phenomenon.

Only then could she perform at full capacity.

"Rohan. Did you see anything?"

"No people or monsters in sight for now."

"Hm."

Sion approached and checked outside through the wall gap herself.

"The temperature's off first of all. Not Academy City weather."

"Practically midsummer. Not too hot for you?"

At Rohan's question, the girls nodded. A relief.

"I'm weak to cold but handle heat fine."

"This much is bearable so far. Though moving might make us sweat."

Clara stared intently at Rohan and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trailed right behind him.

Sion began scanning the surroundings.

Having confirmed the building style differed from outside, Sion voiced her curiosity.

"This building might be a religious facility."

"Something like that."

"Oh? That tone suggests you know something. Got info?"

"A temple worshipping the sun."

"The sun?"

"Yeah. That one up in the sky."

Rohan's finger pointed to the ceiling of this world.

Clara grasped it faster than Sion, who followed his fingertip. Her eyes widened inevitably.

She couldn't help associating it with Rohan.

"A temple worshipping the sun? The only nation with such a faith that comes to mind besides Solarea is… but that country is already…."

"Right. A nation no more. You know your stuff."

Rohan affirmed Sion's mutter crisply.

To the princess's gaze demanding explanation, he continued.

"But this isn't Solarea."

"Impressive certainty. Been to the south?"

"It's my hometown."

"…!"

Shocked by the sudden confession, Sion's hidden mouth parted slightly under her bangs.

Rohan headed casually to the door tangled with messy vines, as if it were no big deal.

Rip! Riiip!

He tore away the tough vines that retained vitality even under this intense sunlight.

Calmly preparing to open the door.

"Oppa. Let me…!"

Clara, clutching Rohan's clothes, drew a balisong from her bosom.

A short blade in an expert's hand was no ordinary jungle knife.

A light whoosh! swing sent a slashing wave precisely cutting the door gap. The vines severed cleanly—ready to open with a pull.

With the entrance secured, Rohan turned back before opening the door.

"Before we go out, let me explain this phenomenon. We learned about Monoliths at the academy, and I know a bit extra."

"Useful info, then. I'm clueless about this, so I'll listen closely."

"Me too…!"

Rohan didn't need a long explanation. Escaping a Monolith-created dungeon was simple.

Smash the Monolith somewhere in this vast space. That was it.

Whether it created the space or transported to it—who knew.

But a mana-depleted Monolith weakened from its summoning state, making it smashable.

"No sign of one now, but high chance of monsters outside."

"Got it. We'll prepare."

With assurance they could return, Clara seemed to pull herself together.

Not the eyes of someone fearing battle or monsters.

"Anyone got something usable as a weapon for me?"

"W-Wait a sec…!"

Clara fumbled for weapons beyond her balisong, but before she could act, Sion handed Rohan a spare dagger she carried.

"I have an extra. Use this."

"Thanks. Next time, Clara."

"Yeah!"

Rohan's instincts were sharp. The girl, whose lips had pouted in disappointment, nodded with satisfaction.

"Last, before we move—anyone need time? Speak freely."

"Rohan."

Sion drew their gazes with her voice.

Rohan and Clara looked naturally.

"How many days might it take to escape this place?"

"Could be."

"Hmm…."

Sion touched her slender chin and groaned at Rohan's answer.

Her face couldn't hide the various troubles.

Clara didn't understand Sion's hesitation, but Rohan instantly recalled the princess's issue.