第８５５堀：深淵の主 (Part1)
## Abyssal Master
Side: Yuki
Gurgle, gurgle…
Such sounds occasionally echoed from beyond the curtain of darkness.
What was displayed on the monitor was nothing but a vast expanse of darkness.
"…It's not my first time seeing the deep sea like this, but being present at an actual exploration site, it's a mix of tension and excitement, I just can't take my eyes off it."
"Right. This must be what they call the spirit of exploration for the unknown."
I nodded in agreement with Taiki's words.
Even though only a vast darkness was displayed, and nothing more, it felt as if many things were reflected in our eyes and hearts. I couldn't shake the feeling that something might suddenly emerge in the next moment. Occasionally, when Shera-chan approached the Blue Hole's wall and we caught a glimpse of illuminated seaweed, I felt a certain emotion, and when deep-sea fish appeared, Aslin and the others let out delighted squeals.
And as for the researchers…
"Um, could you untie our ropes already?"
"Yeah, that's right~ Yuki, I don't have this kind of hobby. Well, if Yuki wants to, it's fine. But I just said I wanted to put on a diving suit and go outside, didn't I? And yet—"
"Yeah, yeah~"
They were saying such reckless things. And in another sense, I understood. It's precisely because they possess this self-sacrificing spirit of inquiry that they are researchers. No, that's probably rude to other researchers. These guys are exceptionally foolish, even among researchers. Anyway, putting that aside, I need to persuade these idiots.
"I will absolutely not untie your ropes. And I'm not tying you up as a hobby; it's to restrain you. Besides, we haven't even prepared diving suits in the first place."
""Eh~?!""
"Not 'eh~'. This is over 200 meters deep, you know? How much pressure do you think there is? Your lungs would collapse, and you wouldn't be able to breathe. Or rather, you'd be living in the deep sea for a while."
"Oh, really? So why are we fine now?"
"That's because this is a dungeon, and there's no water inside. Do you understand water pressure? It's the pressure of water."
"Ah, I see."
These guys are hopeless; their heads are completely filled with just the desire to explore the deep sea.
"On no account can I let you tamper with the hatch that Shera-chan and the others use to come and go, and send them on a reckless adventure. Both of them are important to me."
""…""
And if I might add, I highly doubt you two would stop at just that. You'd definitely bring back some strange creature and cause trouble. If that happened, it would surely turn into a classic underwater plant panic scenario from some movie. All the conditions are met, after all… Well, it seems the two understood that if they did anything foolish, it would endanger everyone in the dungeon, so they quieted down. Furthermore, I'd never say this to them because it would go to their heads, but losing the minds of these two would be a significant loss for both Weed and the world. In that sense, I absolutely cannot send these two into a dangerous place.
"If you understand, please behave. I won't say anything as long as you're just analyzing information here."
"…Well, if Yuki says so much, I suppose it can't be helped."
"I… don't particularly want to cause trouble for everyone either."
Phew. They lose sight of their surroundings when it comes to research, but they are still, technically, people in positions of authority. I'm glad they understood.
And just as I was persuading the two of them…
*"This is Shera-chan. We've arrived at the bottom of the Blue Hole."*
At Shera-chan's report, I looked at the monitor and saw a sandy seabed illuminated by light. The scene was so quiet that, if one didn't look closely, it could be mistaken for a desert at night.
*"So, what now? Should we go meet the Sea Dragon right away?"*
"No, do you remember the spot where the Magic Gear fell?"
*"Yes, I believe it was almost exactly in the center of the Blue Hole."*
"First, let's confirm that location. Check if there are any other remnants. Also, although we haven't been attacked so far, there are multiple monster reactions in the vicinity, so don't let your guard down."
*"Understood."*
With that reply, the video began to move, showing a scene of them simply advancing across the sandy seabed. Less than a minute later, they reached a spot with some kind of trace and stopped.
"Is this it?"
*"Yes. I recognize it. The Magic Gear fell here."*
"At a glance, there doesn't seem to be any debris around. Or rather, it's remarkably clean for the bottom of a Blue Hole, now that I think about it. It seems unlikely that only the Magic Gear would have fallen in there."
*"Now that you mention it, you're right."*
It's such a large hole. Even if there were no ship wreckage, it wouldn't be strange to find driftwood, animal carcasses, bones, and all sorts of other things normally fallen here. Yet, there's nothing but an endlessly clean sandy seabed stretching out.
"For now, let's consider the possibility that everything has been swept and gathered somewhere. Can you detect any ocean currents?"
*"Hmm. I don't sense anything like that. Well, it's not impossible, so I'll search."*
"Please do."
The ocean has currents, which are flows of water. And it's common for drifting objects to gather in certain places carried by these currents. However, this is a Blue Hole. It should inherently be a world cut off from ocean currents, so it's unlikely for fallen objects to gather in one spot. But from what I can see, nothing is scattered around. For now, eliminating possibilities one by one is the basic approach. Shera-chan understood this, and after obediently circling the perimeter of the wall, she thoroughly searched the interior as well, but still, no such debris was found.
"It's strange when you get to this point, isn't it? Doesn't it feel like only the Magic Gear was just 'plonked' down there?"
"Taiki's right. But if that's the case, then who put the Magic Gear in such a place…?"
I have absolutely no idea who would place Magic Gear in the deep sea, right in the center of a Blue Hole like this. Or rather, it's even questionable if it was a person at all.
"If that's the case, then it must be the Sea Dragon, the Abyssal Master, right?"
"Well, it comes down to that, doesn't it?"
Considering by elimination, the only remaining possibility is the Sea Dragon, which holds the title of the Blue Hole's master.
"I would have preferred not to get involved, but…"
"I understand how you feel, but we need to confirm what happened to the ship, and we also have to do something about the monster attacks on Sea Saifo."
"Right. All right, Shera-chan. Gather the members who are spread out and investigating, and go meet the Sea Dragon. There's a possibility of combat, so be fully on guard."
*"Understood. I'll call for assembly."*
Considering the opponent's level and stats, I think the possibility of Shera-chan and the others taking damage is low, but still, you never know what might happen in this world. Shera-chan, as planned, positioned her members to secure a retreat route while heading towards the Sea Dragon's location through a horizontal tunnel at the bottom of the Blue Hole. This passage, too, was strangely empty, with nothing but sand.
…Is this what they call a 'world of death'? A place where living things can't survive.