There's No Point Running Away (3)

'Impossible... Why is there a knife? Could such a thing happen? ...There is no precedent.'

"Um, excuse me. I have no idea what you're talking about. Anyway, you're... a monster, right?"

'Indeed. I am one of this world's singularities... the Dark Dragon.'

"Singularity...? What's that?"

At the unfamiliar word, Kagami frowned.

'A singularity is one who knows everything about this world and keeps its functions running.'

The moment Menou heard that, Menou turned to look at Kagami. There was a good chance this was the being Kagami had been searching for.

"Are you... the god of this world?"

Kagami asked bluntly.

'No. I am merely one of this world's singularities. God and I are distinct beings.'

"Oh," Kagami sighed, visibly disappointed. But those words confirmed that God existed.

"So, what are these functions?"

'You've suddenly lost all sense of urgency... Do you have some grudge against God? More importantly, aren't you afraid of me?'

"I mean, it's not like I hold a grudge... Well, something like that?"

Kagami had originally intended to fight the Dark Dragon. Its terrifying appearance had made Kagami's body tense up, and Kagami had immediately sensed that it was stronger than anyone they'd ever fought. But when the Dark Dragon spoke to them with reason and understanding, Kagami reconsidered. Kagami thought, "Oh, I can't fight this guy."

"Besides, I make it a rule not to fight people I can understand. Sure, I was a little scared, though."

'You intended to fight me...? I should warn you, I am stronger than the Demon King.'

"That's impossible!"

Menou was the first to react. Menou shouted indignantly, then removed the hat and showed the cloth wrapped around the horns—the cloth that absorbed demonic mana.

'A demon...?! Why is a demon here? No, perhaps even that is possible... You truly are fascinating people.'

"What nonsense are you spouting?! You claim to be stronger than the Demon King-sama? Impossible! You may look terrifying, but I can't sense any mana from you at all... There's no way you could be stronger than the Demon King-sama!"

'The Demon King...sama? Do you admire him? You people grow more and more intriguing. I should tell you... It is only natural that you cannot sense my mana. You have all lived surrounded by the mana I emit since time immemorial. Only those with enough mana to realize they are pushing back against that power can sense mine.'

"I-Impossible...?!"

Hearing that, Kagami understood why the Demon King had been able to sense the Dark Dragon's presence while the others had not. At the same time, Kagami felt awe at the thought that the Dark Dragon possessed enough mana to envelop the entire world.

"You still haven't answered my question. What are this world's functions?"

'To periodically create truly strong beings like you.'

"Periodically...?"

At the incomprehensible word, Kagami's expression grew tense.

'You must have been bewildered when you were suddenly transported here, and struggled to make sense of it all. I am sorry. This dungeon is meant to reveal the true strength of you "Reachers" without using weapons or items... but for some reason, it seems you arrived here with your items. Still, neither of you appears to have a weapon... There is no precedent, but I'll count it as a pass.'

Neither of them understood what the Dark Dragon was saying. They could only just barely grasp that, for some reason, the Dark Dragon had been waiting eagerly for them to arrive.

'In any case, your strength has been proven by completing this dungeon's trials and reaching this place. Well done for defeating the Demon King and clearing the way to this final area... You are truly powerful. You should be proud.'

At those words, the two could hardly believe their ears. If what the Dark Dragon said was true, Kagami was beginning to understand why the dungeon was in such an inexplicable place.

"Hey... Could someone have reached this place by collecting 10,000 gold and buying a certain item?"

To see if the theory was right, Kagami asked the Dark Dragon.

'Oh... You realized that? Indeed. That is another way to prove one's strength—not through force, but through wisdom and charisma. Wait... Don't tell me that's how you got here?'

"No, that's not it."

At those words, the scattered pieces that had seemed so inexplicable began to connect in Kagami's mind.

There were two important points.

【A being that periodically creates the truly strong】

【A dungeon that can be reached by defeating the Demon King or collecting 10,000 gold】

And Kagami knew someone who had been urging them to defeat the Demon King, even trying to start a war.

Estellera Urgot.

Kagami instinctively sensed that there was undoubtedly some connection between that being and Estellera Urgot, who had captured the Demon King and was still hiding somewhere.