The Abyss

There are two kinds of silence over the phone: the silence of someone searching for words, and the silence of someone who has finished arranging all their words and is about to begin speaking.

Makabe-san's is always the latter.

"I'll start from the beginning."

It was late at night in the six-mat room, and I was sitting in seiza on my futon. It didn't feel right to listen to classified state secrets in my pajamas, but it didn't look as though I had time to get changed, either.

"Special Management Category: Uncharted Labyrinth 〈Abyss〉. A dungeon confirmed three years ago that humanity has yet to reach. Information about it has been sealed until today. There are two reasons. We had no prospect of clearing it, and—it's continuing to expand."

"…Expanding."

"Its area of influence is expanding every year. The latest estimates indicate that it will reach the metropolitan area within a few years. We are past the stage where containment can buy us time. The day after tomorrow, the Director-General will make it public and announce the launch of the national dungeon-clearing project."

Though I hadn't even brought out a teacup, my hand had curled into the shape of one.

"There are records of five solo attempts to clear it. All five ended in retreat. …Hiiragi-san, you understand who they were, even without my telling you their names."

Rei. Mio. Maru. Night Crow. Kokoro...