I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

54 – Monolith -2-

The origin of monsters in Abyss City varies depending on the type.

While some monsters increase their numbers through reproductive acts among their kind, others, like machines or spirits, which lack a typical reproductive process, appear in this world through special means.

There are two main special processes.

The first is the dimensional rift, presumed to be connected to another world.

Although most of them occur suddenly in midair and cause damage, the most commonly mentioned example is the Void Whale.

That monster, which creates a dimensional rift inside its massive maw, wiped the powerful southern nation of Solarea off the map.

And the second case is the black monolith that swallowed Rohan and two girls.

Originally, this monolith had the same characteristic of creating monsters, even though its form was different from that of a dimensional rift.

But from a certain day onwards, it began to cause an abnormal phenomenon that transferred passersby within a certain range to another space.

‘Why did that certain day have to be now?’

The space guided by the monolith would later be called a dungeon, which is the natural order of Abyss City.

It’s an intuitive name that makes sense even without visiting the space.

.

Rohan, who had been lying down, opened his eyes. What filled his vision was the glaring sun.

He moved his head left and right to look around and fortunately, there were no dangerous creatures in sight.

Only shattered statues and broken stained glass. The walls, cracked and split, letting in sunlight.

‘It’s not a church. This is that temple…’

It was a form that one could predict would have had a ceiling above these walls originally.

Seeing the unknown vine plants clinging to the statues and walls, it was clear that it had been abandoned for quite some time.

The temperature that touches the skin is as hot as midsummer.

The wind that weakly blows through the cracked walls carries heat so intense it could be called a hot blast.

In any case, it was obvious to anyone that this was not the academy city of Elysium.

“Huuu…”

“Mmm…”

Rohan gently patted the backs of Clara and Sion, who had collapsed on top of him, letting out faint groans.

They must have hugged each other tightly to avoid falling apart, resulting in this state. It was fortunate that he was at the bottom.

‘It seems there are no injuries.’

Clara and Sion appeared to be simply asleep.

Both were breathing regularly, supplying Rohan’s senses with an addictive touch and sweet scent.

Normally, he would have to sing the national anthem in his head to calm his emotions.

But Rohan’s mind was already as cold as if it had been doused with cold water.

The ominousness emitted by the monolith. The tension that mysterious stone had caused still made his muscles stiff.

“Huuu…”

Rohan let out a long breath and began to organize his thoughts while waiting for the two girls to wake up naturally.

A brief moment of quiet meditation.

His mind was too chaotic, and he needed to sort out the information.

‘The first dungeon was originally something the protagonist experienced.’

If this was the first appearance of the dungeon caused by the monolith? No, there was no need to assume that. Rohan knew this place.

In conclusion, could he simply dismiss being caught up in this as a coincidence?

Rohan could no longer ignore the feeling that he was replacing the protagonist with this one event.

[ The Country that Worships the Sun ]

Quest Details: A Monolith, the symbol of anomaly, has appeared in the academy city. Escape safely from the twisted space with your companions!

Category: Sudden

Success Reward: 3,000P, Complete Party Recovery, One-time Luck of Seneca

Penalty for Failure: None

The Country that Worships the Sun… and the temple…

Rohan carefully read the notification window that appeared before his eyes and chewed over the information.

He remembered what kind of dungeon this was.

Even if it was possible to clear it smoothly in terms of difficulty, having information itself was an immense luck.

The more points, the better. Complete recovery is obviously good, but what is Seneca’s luck? It’s the first time I’ve seen it.

While he was pondering the question he found in the reward.

Clara and Sion began to stir and move.

Ugh… Oh, brother…?

Ugh! Where is this…

At Rohan’s soothing touch, the two girls raised their heads with bleary eyes.

Are you both unhurt? Are you okay?

Clara jumped up from Rohan in surprise.

Sion blinked and quickly examined her body as she sat down on the stone floor.

I’m, I’m okay…

“All the equipment is here, and my body is in good condition. The problem is, where are we?”

Having regained his physical freedom, Rohan slowly raised his upper body. At the same time, he turned on the timer on his smartphone to keep track of time.

Only after completing that series of actions did he check outside through the crack in the wall.

‘As expected.’

Despite the current location reminiscent of some cultural heritage site, the outside was lined with modern buildings comparable to those in an academy city.

However, there were no pedestrians, and there was no sense of vitality.

The windows were all shattered, and the signs were either dented or swallowed by vines. There were no places that seemed to have electricity.

The ground was a mix of asphalt and paving blocks, some parts completely overturned.

‘There are definitely problems.’

Problems were recognized as soon as they were faced.

In Abyss City, dungeons were passed in a stage format, but the size of the materialized dungeon was never omitted.

It was simply absurdly vast.

When Rohan finished his inspection and lifted his head from the wall,

Sion and Clara were waiting for him to explain what he had seen.

“Brother. We…”

“It’s okay. Clara, don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”

First, he needed to calm Clara, who felt an unusually strong sense of anxiety about the unknown place and phenomena.

Only then could she perform at her best.

“Rohan. Did you see anything?”

“For now, there are no people, and I don’t see any monsters either.”

“Hmm.”

Sion approached and checked outside through the gap in the wall.

“The temperature is strange. This isn’t the weather of Academy City.”

“It’s almost midsummer. Aren’t you hot?”

The girls nodded at Rohan’s question. It was a relief.

“I’m weak to the cold, but I can handle the heat pretty well.”

“This is still bearable. But if we move, we might sweat a bit.”

Clara stared intently at Rohan and followed him closely.

Sion began to look around.

Sion, convinced that the buildings outside and the current location were of different styles, showed curiosity.

“This building might be a religious facility.”

“Similar.”

“Oh, you sound like you know something. Do you have any information?”

“It’s a temple that worships the sun.”

“The sun?”

“Yeah. That thing up in the sky.”

Rohan’s finger pointed to the ceiling of the world.

Clara understood faster than Sion, who followed the fingertip. It was inevitable that her eyes widened.

She couldn’t help but think of the connection to Rohan.

“A temple that worships the sun? If there’s a country with such a faith, the only one that comes to mind is Solarea… But that country is already…”

“That’s right. It’s a country that no longer exists. You know it well.”

Rohan affirmed Zion’s muttering with a refreshing nod.

Seeing the princess’s gaze demanding an explanation, Rohan continued.

“But this place isn’t Solarea.”

“You’re quite certain. Have you been to the south?”

“It’s where I’m from.”

“…!”

Zion’s mouth, hidden under the cloth, slightly opened in surprise at the sudden confession.

Rohan headed towards the door, tangled with vines, as if it was no big deal.

Crack! Crack!

He tore off the tough vines that remained lively even under this intense sunlight.

Calmly, he prepared to open the door.

“Brother, let me do it…!”

Clara, who was holding onto Rohan’s collar, pulled out a balisong from her bosom.

A short blade in the hands of a skilled person is more than an ordinary jungle knife.

With a light swoosh! she swung it, and the slash precisely cut through the door gap. The vines were cleanly severed, and with a strong pull, the door could be opened.

Securing the entrance, Rohan turned around before opening the door.

“Before we go out, I’ll explain this phenomenon. I’ve learned about the monolith at the academy and have some additional knowledge.”

“That would be useful. I’m as good as an idiot in such experiences, so I’ll listen carefully.”

“Me too…!”

Rohan didn’t need to explain at length. The method to escape the dungeon created by the Monolith was simple.

Destroy the Monolith somewhere in this vast space. That’s all.

Whether it was creating the space or moving to that location, it was unknown.

The Monolith, exhausted of its magic, could be easily destroyed, unlike when it first appeared in a weakened state.

“Even if we can’t see it now, there’s a high chance there are monsters outside.”

“Is that so? Let’s be prepared.”

Clara seemed to have regained her composure at the thought of being able to return.

Her eyes did not show fear of battle or monsters.

“Does anyone have something I can use as a weapon?”

“Wait a moment…!”

Clara hurriedly tried to take out a weapon other than her balisong, but before she could do anything, Zion handed Rohan the dagger he was holding.

“I have a spare. Use this.”

“Thanks. Next time, I’ll ask Clara.”

“Okay!”

Rohan was quick to notice. The girl, who was about to pout in disappointment, nodded with a satisfied face.

“Does anyone need time before we move? Speak freely.”

“Rohan.”

Zion drew attention with his voice.

Rohan and Clara naturally turned their heads.

“Could it take several days to escape from here?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

At Rohan’s answer, Sion touched his slender chin and let out a sigh.

His face couldn’t hide the look of trouble in many ways.

Clara didn’t understand Sion’s hesitation, but Rohan immediately thought of the problem the princess had.