Chapter 233: A New World Threat [Bonus Chapter]

The murmuring that had begun to spread throughout the room was interrupted by James, who changed the image on the screen and displayed a series of more detailed graphs.

“As you can see, the anomalies aren’t limited to an increase in energy. We’ve also recorded changes in the dungeon’s internal structure.”

An image of the Antarctic tower was replaced by several representations of its different floors. Some areas were marked in red, while others were completely covered by incomplete data.

“Our research teams have detected variations in the energy distribution. It’s as though the dungeon is rearranging its own structure from the inside.”

Wayne slowly exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke before speaking, pointing at some images of the dungeon’s interior displayed on the hologram.

“Does that mean the maps we have could become useless?”

“Exactly,” James replied.

“If the transformation continues, we can’t guarantee that the paths, areas, or even the connections between the different floors will remain the same.”

“Then sending an exploration team right now would be quite risky,” Jane Armstrong commented.

The young woman stood near her father, her arms crossed and a serious expression on her face.

“It would,” James confirmed.

“But that’s not the only problem.”

The screen displayed a new set of measurements.

“We’ve also recorded energy concentrations that far exceed the usual limits of an SS-Rank dungeon. At certain times, our instruments have detected levels that shouldn’t even be possible.”

Don Rouch adjusted one of his rings and frowned.

“And what exactly does that mean? Because, if you ask me, I don’t like it when machines start displaying numbers that make no sense.”

“It means the amount of energy it’s accumulating could be enough to trigger something more than a simple evolution,” James explained.

Amber uncrossed her arms.

“So, are we really talking about the first SSS-Rank dungeon?”

The question prompted several people in the room to exchange glances.

James slowly nodded.

“As I’ve already told you, that’s our main hypothesis.”

For a few seconds, no one said anything.

If the Antarctic tower evolved, they would be facing an unprecedented threat.

Liam looked at the image once again.

‘An SSS-Rank dungeon could actually exist… We were only just getting used to SS-Rank ones.’

This wasn’t simply a more difficult dungeon. It was something that even the researchers couldn’t fully understand.

“Do we really have no estimate of when it might happen?” Tim asked.

James shook his head.

“We can’t establish a date. According to our records, its energy activity continues to increase, but it doesn’t follow a consistent pattern. It could evolve within a few days, a few weeks, or even before this meeting ends.”

That last part caused several people to look uncomfortable.

“Are you saying it could happen at any moment?” Amber asked, her eyes widening.

“That’s right.”

Ryan Carter placed both hands on the table.

“Then I don’t see why we’re wasting time talking. We should send a team as soon as possible and find out what’s going on inside.”

Daniel Foster turned toward him.

“And what do you propose? Sending hunters into a dungeon whose interior could change at any moment, without even knowing the nature of the anomalies?”

“I propose that we don’t wait until it’s too late.”

“Acting without sufficient information could also doom the hunters we send in.”

Ryan snorted, but before he could respond, Selena, the hunter accompanying him, spoke up.

“You’re both right to some extent. We need information, but we also can’t afford to wait indefinitely.”

Margaret silently observed the exchange. Her calm expression made it difficult to tell what she was thinking.

“Perhaps we should consider another possibility,” she finally remarked.

“If the dungeon evolves, the resources required to deal with it will likely change as well. It would be wise to start preparing a joint operation now.”

“A joint operation?” Daniel asked.

“Naturally. None of our guilds should attempt to face something like this alone.”

Ryan smiled slightly.

“For once, I agree with you.”

Armstrong took advantage of the pause to speak.

“That’s precisely why we’ve called you here. We need the cooperation of all four guilds. We can’t allow each of us to act independently when we’re dealing with a threat of this magnitude.”

Don Rouch ran a hand along his chin.

“Well, if we’re going to need that many hunters, I suppose we’ll also have to prepare a considerable amount of equipment. I wouldn’t want anyone to be left without protection because we’re short on materials.”

“We can take care of that,” Armstrong replied.

“But first, we need to determine what kind of operation will be necessary.”

“And make sure our squads are prepared,” Amber added.

Timothy, who had barely spoken during the conversation, raised a hand.

“Does that mean we’ll have to mobilize all our hunters?”

“It’s a possibility,” James answered.

“Although we still can’t determine how many we’ll need.”

Wayne took one last drag from his cigarette before putting it out.

“Then the first thing we need to do is obtain reliable information about the interior. If the maps become useless, we’ll have to find another way to navigate.”

Jane nodded.

“And establish teams capable of reacting to any changes. We can’t rely on a strategy that might become obsolete halfway through the mission.”

Liam listened to the various opinions without saying anything.

Everyone seemed to understand that this situation couldn’t be handled like an ordinary mission. Even the leaders of the other guilds, who were accustomed to making important decisions, were being especially cautious.

Finally, Armstrong looked around at everyone present.

“For now, each guild will begin preparing its resources and reviewing which hunters could participate in an operation of this nature. James and his team will continue investigating the anomalies. Once we have more precise information, we’ll meet again to establish a plan.”

Daniel nodded.

“That sounds reasonable. As long as we don’t mistake preparation for authorization to send hunters in without a clear objective.”

Ryan shrugged.

“As long as we don’t take too long.”

Margaret smiled faintly.

“Then it seems we’ve reached an understanding.”

Liam looked at the image of the Antarctic tower once again.

The meeting wasn’t over yet, but one thing was already clear: the four most important guilds in the country would have to work together to face a threat that could surpass everything they knew.

And although no one had said it outright, Liam was already certain that his own squad would eventually get involved.

He didn’t know when it would happen or what they would find inside that dungeon.

But he had an unpleasant feeling that, when the time came, returning home might be much more difficult than usual.