[2020 End-of-Year — Tokyo TV — Ezoe Kazuhiko]
Just as they had in 2019, Tokyo TV brought back its year-end Dungeon Special variety program. Oosuga Fumika, the star caster of World Business News, presented the show.
The main difference from last year was that this time, another person had been invited as well. I wasn’t sure why he was here, but Isaac Roland, a Gamerican researcher who had recently come to Japan, sat next to me and was speaking perfect Japanese.
I’m guessing the Gamerican government will see this. Are you going to be okay, Isaac?!
Oosuga Fumika, perfect newscaster that she was, immediately raised that issue as well.
“Why can’t I be here? I’m a civilian. Why couldn’t I be? I can’t tell you about anything I did at the Pentagon because of confidentiality, but I’m free to speak about my personal views and opinions on the dungeons. I’ve always wanted to have a chat with Kazuhiko-san, so I’m happy to be here.”
“I see, I see. Well then, without further ado, let’s get started. A year ago, Ezoe-san told us about the possibility of the Monster Stampede on this show. In the following months, Dungeon Busters cleared several dungeons and was able to prove that this theory was indeed correct. If nothing is done, the world will be overrun by monsters. Every government in the world is currently busy planning anti-dungeon policies. Professor, could you share your thoughts on the Monster Stampede with us?”
She went for a direct question from the get-go. The young professor did not let it faze him.
“If the current status quo is maintained, humanity is heading toward its ruin,” he replied in an even tone, shrugging. “However, the culprit won’t be the Monster Stampede. Our stupidity will be our downfall. I’ll be blunt. Stopping the Monster Stampede isn’t that hard. If every country accepted cooperation with Dungeon Busters, they could simply go around clearing all the dungeons one after another. Considering the speed at which they’ve been clearing dungeons up until now, Kazuhiko and his teammates would only need a few years to clear every single one. This is nothing but an impossible ideal, naturally. I expect only seventy percent of the dungeons will be cleared before the ten-year mark.”
“Why...? I mean... What makes you think that? Are you referring to Joker?”
“Yes and no. Half of the issues are his fault. The other half is on you. It’s also on me and on everyone who is currently watching this show. People always prioritize immediate profit over long-term needs. Dungeon items are already circulating on the black market. There are collars that can turn someone into a slave and drugs that don’t develop addictive behaviors, you see. These items sell for high sums and help fatten the pockets of mafia lords and dictators. Then they use this money to buy weapons, high-end cards, and other cool things. Anyway, it’s making the economy move. Joker is right. Our current world order is built on income inequality. As long as this gap exists, people will try to use the dungeons for their personal interests.”
“Humanity evolved thanks to its greed and will fall because of that very same greed... Is that right?”
“That and fear.”
I couldn’t help but nod along with Isaac’s every word. The history of humanity was pretty much the history of conquering fears. We pursued science to get over our fear of nature and our fear of epidemics. But there’s one fear we’ve never conquered: our fear of other people.
“Professor Roland, could you elaborate on fear?”
“Ms. Oosuga, you have a man who has far surpassed the bounds of humanity in front of you. If he so decided, both you and I would be dead in an instant. Hell, if he so wished, he could topple Japan in a day. The police and the JSDF wouldn’t be able to stop him. No one would. Doesn’t that scare you?”
“Well... I trust Dungeon Busters and Ezoe-san. He has proven his trustworthiness countless times through his actions. Dungeon Busters’s activities have led to many ill patients being saved and solving our country’s energy crisis. They do wield great power, but I don’t think they would use it to hurt people.”
Isaac laughed and nodded.
“I agree,” he said. “But sadly, I don’t think everyone would agree with us. I especially doubt politicians would easily accept the existence of powerful beings they can’t rule over. After all, the very raison d’être of nations is to rule over and control strength. A nation is a system that aims to regulate the strength of each of its inhabitants and help them head toward progress. The members of Dungeon Busters are currently part of this Japanese state system and make use of their powers to help the nation. That’s why Japanese society accepts them. But there is still a fundamental truth to keep in mind. Ezoe-san is not truly being controlled by the system. He lets the system control him. If he decided that he didn’t like the system anymore, he could easily destroy it. Isn’t it what happened in South Gamerica?”
“You’re...not wrong, but—” Oosuga Fumika tried to object, but Isaac raised his hand, stopping her in her tracks.
“I only meant to explain the way some people think. It’s merely an example. My point is that adventurers aren’t the only ones facing the dungeons. You, me, your viewers, and every single person on this planet is being put to the test to find out whether we can get over our fear of other human beings.”
The studio fell completely silent. Dumb genius! He just couldn’t stop himself from blabbering, could he? What was the point of scaring the viewers even more? At least find some sort of conclusion to make them feel better afterward. Dang. I guess I have no choice but to handle his mess for him like a proper, responsible adult.
“When I was young I had a horrible breakup with a girl,” I started, in the lightest tone I could possibly muster. “And I haven’t been very good with women since then... Honestly, I wish I could get over that fear first.”
Oosuga probably understood my intention and laughed at my joke. Hopefully, that was enough to change the mood a little. Eventually, the end of the program approached. It was time for Isaac and me to answer questions from the viewers.
“Why did the dungeons appear? There’s a scientist who said it was an alien invasion. Is that true?” someone asked.
“What nonsense! I’m sorry for every sci-fi writer and moviemaker, but there’s a next to zero percent chance aliens will ever invade us. No, actually, I can vouch for it! There’s absolutely no way!”
“To be honest, I’d much rather it’d been an alien invasion. If the dungeons were made by alien scientists, it’d mean we would eventually find a proper explanation,” I said.
“Our infamous neighbor is trying to clear dungeons without joining the IDAO. Do you think it’s cause for concern?”
“Information exchange might become an issue. If this keeps up, we may see the birth of Busters in countries that aren’t part of the IDAO. It may become necessary to watch the borders a bit more carefully.”
“The IDAO regulations stipulate that the names of adventurers who are Rank C and above must be made public. I can only recommend that this country joins the IDAO as soon as possible to ensure smooth communication with everyone else.”
We answered the viewers’ questions one after the other. After a while, the last question came.
“I’m worried about the Legion. One of the Dungeon Crusaders even lost his life! Ezoe-san, do you think you can defeat Joker?”
I looked at Oosuga. This question had finally come. It would be easy for me to confidently say I could beat him, but I had something I needed that person, and everyone else, to know. I needed to be clear about what it meant to “defeat” Joker. All right. Let’s drop a bomb and end this.
“I personally knew Léonard Chartres, the late member of the Crusaders. He was a kind and strong young man. My heart dropped when I heard he had been killed. This is why, although this may be a controversial statement, I think I should be clear...”
I paused and looked straight at the camera.
“I will kill Joker myself.”
I noticed the cameraman trembling. I may have made my determination to kill him a bit too apparent.