Meanwhile,
Even though there were only two people in the room, the rising tension couldn't get any more intense as Fury glared at Technomarine. He still couldn't believe that the difficulty level of Dungeon Spire was as Technomarine stated.
"Plunder... the number one superhero... was defeated?" Fury clenched his fists, trying to suppress the anger that rose up within him. Everything that he had worked hard for and planned went down the drain. Not only was the number one superhero dying in the Dungeon, the government and the SAO decided against his will to destroy the Dimensional Portal that didn't mean any harm. And throughout all of these, he was as helpless as a newborn rat— there was nothing he could do but stand in the sidelines and watch.
"Sir! You have to see this!"
Just when things couldn't get any worse, one of the SAO Personnel ran towards Fury and Technomarine once again. Fury felt the urge to bash the personnel's skull inn but he held himself back. "WHAT IS IT THIS TIME?!" That didn't stop him from screaming, however.
"It's Midoriyama Satoshi, sir!" The SAO Personnel continued.
With those clear-cut words, Fury didn't need any further explanation. In haste, he got out of his tent, followed by the struggling Technomarine. When they got out, they noticed an imposing figure a couple of feet in mid-air, hovering right in front of the Navy on the other side. Since the Dungeon Spire is right by the middle of the Dimensional Portal and the shore, Fury conveniently got the view in the middle, overlooking Satoshi mounted on his White Lion and the Japanese Navy who now sent a couple of superheroes his way.
"This kid!" Fury smiled from ear to ear. What was unexpected actually turned out for the better. With Satoshi buying him time, he'd be able to lay out the groundwork of solving both issues at once. There was no one else to help him, or so that's what he thought, but Satoshi came at the right time, providing him with a way of escape.
"Technomarine! Can you move!" Fury clenched his fist as he ordered Technomarine.
"Yes, sir,"
"Then get on your backside and address the reporters with us! I want you to give them all the details regarding the situation right now! Leave no stones unturned! Tell them what's going on inside the dungeon as briefly and as detailed as you can!"
"On it!" Technomarine continued, dragging himself towards the eager reporters who were waiting with them by the foot of the Dungeon Spire.
"After that, you tell the reporters to point the camera at Satoshi! They don't need to ask questions, they just need to listen and they'll get the viewership they want!" Fury continued.
With a nod, Technomarine continued instructing the reporters on what to do. They set to work, asking for help from other superheroes who weren't part of the expedition. With this broadcast, they'd be able to get some help for Plunder and his party who were trapped down below. And as for Satoshi, he just had to hold the Navy back before time runs out.
"It all depends on you now, Satoshi." Fury continued.
.....
Meanwhile,
The sun was beginning to dip on the horizon when Yukine Shiroi (Satoshi's childhood friend with the snow superpower) and Kurayami Kuroe (mind-reader in the same class as Satoshi and Shiroi) decided to head home for the day. They didn't have any particular plans for today but a new parfait stand showed up in the middle of Tokyo so they decided to visit it. And no, they didn't visit it together, but they met each other on the way.
With the new parfait stand discovered and with nothing else to do, the two of them headed home, talking about a wide range of topics that included gossip and school stuff.
"And then did you know— " Shiroi was about to say something when she stopped short, her eyes wandering towards one of the television inside a shop where they passed by.
Curious, Kurayami Kuroe also looked at the television. News about the Dungeon and the appearance of the Dimensional Portal was being broadcasted and the reporters urgently started narrating something with Technomarine beside them. He was getting interviewed, and judging from his expression, something must've gone wrong in the exploration of Dungeon Spire.
"Shiroi, look at the headline." Kuroe suddenly brought up, shakily pointing at the headline that flashed on the bottom of the screen.
[Number One Superhero, Plunder, Defeated?!]
By now, a crowd of people started forming behind Shiroi and Kuroe as they watched the live news. They voiced out their concerns and worries as well as their uncertainties towards the situation. Layers upon layers of thoughts started invading Kuroe's mind that she was beginning to get a headache.
"Are you all right, Kuroe? Let's get out of here." Shiroi worriedly asked, grabbing Kuroe by the arm as she dragged her out of the crowd. "Excuse me," She politely asked.
"Oi! Isn't that the son of the Midoriyama Duo?!" One of the watchers commented, causing Shiroi and Kuroe to look back at the live broadcast.
And there he was, Midoriyama Satoshi in the flesh floating right outside the Dungeon Spire while addressing the battleships that seemed to be hovering by the shores of the Sea of Japan.
"Satoshi? What is he doing there?" Shiroi asked herself.
"Is he going to fight the Navy? No way." Kuroe muttered to herself.
The camera then zoomed to Satoshi and his voice could barely be heard from the live broadcast. Fortunately, the shop owner was kind enough to turn the volume up so everyone could hear what Satoshi was saying.
...
"Stop this! Right now!"
"Midoriyama Satoshi, son of the Midoriyama Duo, I wouldn't do this if I were you."
"You can't do this! There's a forest on the other side of that portal!"
"We don't know what's in there! And we can't have another threat to our world while we're dealing with a Dungeon!"
...
Upon hearing that, Shiroi made up her mind as she dragged Kuroe out of the crowd. "Can you move, Kuroe? We're going in." Shiroi told her.
"We're going in where? Where are we going? Wait... don't tell me—" Kuroe almost gasped.
"Yes, we're going to fight alongside Satoshi. If he's up against that many superheroes, he won't stand a chance." Shiroi reasoned out, but deep inside, she had another reason why she needed to be there.
During the entire live broadcast, Shiroi noticed that there was someone else with Satoshi. It was none other than Emma Leisenberg, of course, and her presence somewhat made her feel a pang in her heart. (She was jealous, to say the least). That's why she had to go there no matter what. There was no way she'd get left behind and let another girl fight alongside her childhood friend.
"All right then, let's go." Kuroe clenched her fists. "I will not doubt your resolve, Shiroi! Hmph!"
"What are you talking about?" Shiroi cluelessly asked.
"Did you forget? I can read your thoughts, hehh~" Kuroe responded, causing Shiroi's face to redden in embarassment.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m