Chapter Twenty Two: Those Who Dwell

Sendai Daikannon had once been a towering statue monument — a massive white Bodhisattva looking out over the city. Like every other major landmark, it had been overwritten when the dungeons appeared. What remained was no longer just a statue, but a full Zero Delve Zone: a self-contained domain where its inhabitants lived in relative peace… at least most of the time.

The journey from Wakayama HQ took three hours by Shinkansen. When the team finally disembarked and made their way to the outer perimeter, the scale of the security became immediately clear.

Massive reinforced gates sealed the entrance. Layers of defensive emplacements lined the approach, and a large force of Delvers stood guard both outside and just within the threshold. The air hummed with active Magicyte barriers.

Zero surveyed the heavy presence with a slight frown.

“Why so many soldiers?”

Raiden adjusted the greatsword on his back.

“We’ve had criminal elements try to sneak in. People looking to steal what little valuables the residents have.”

Zero glanced at him.

“Put the boot to their necks?”

Raiden let out a short laugh.

“No. Policy is clear when it comes to a Zero Delve Zone. Death is the warrant for breaching the Shogun’s order. You can normally push back against an order if you’ve got a good reason… but a ZDZ?” He shook his head. “No. Hanzo won’t tolerate anyone disrupting the people below.”

The team approached the main checkpoint. After a brief exchange of credentials and a confirmation from Central, the heavy gates began to open with a deep mechanical groan.

Beyond them lay the interior of Sendai Daikannon — a vast, vertical domain built into and around the transformed monument. Soft light filtered down from high above, and the architecture mixed ancient temple aesthetics with the organic, slightly warped structures common to stable dungeons.

For the first time, Zero was about to step into a dungeon that was not treated as an enemy to be cleared… but as a place to be protected.

Whatever disruption had prompted the Elder to contact Hanzo directly was waiting somewhere inside.

They entered Sendai Daikannon.

A vast staircase descended into the heart of the transformed monument. As they reached the lower landing, the city opened before them.

To the Tyrants it looked primitive — stone and living wood architecture, soft magical lighting, and streets that lacked the hard industrial edges of the outside world. To Zero, however, it felt strangely familiar. He looked over the city with a quiet, almost fond expression. It was large, yet designed so that every street, canal, and walkway seemed to flow naturally toward the center.

The people moving through the streets were a mix of demi-humans and elegant High Elves. Many paused when they noticed the group of heavily armed outsiders, their expressions tightening with unease.

A High Elf in long, flowing robes approached them. The fabric never quite touched the ground, held aloft by a constant, gentle current of wind magic.

“Greetings, Delvers,” he said, offering a half-bow. “I am High Rune Lord Kalvire De’Tar. The city Elder has requested your assistance. Please come with me, and I will take you to him.”

The Tyrants nodded in acknowledgment. Zero simply followed.

As they walked, Kalvire continued in a measured tone.

“While you are here, please do not interact with the people. They are already terrified by what has transpired. Allowing humans into our city has only added to that fear. The Elder wishes for this matter to be resolved quickly… and as quietly as possible.”

Raiden glanced around at the watching residents, then gave a short grunt of understanding. Yumi remained expressionless. Kai looked vaguely disappointed at the restriction, while Sora simply inclined her head.

Zero’s gaze lingered on the flowing streets and the distant central spire where everything seemed to converge. Whatever had disturbed this place enough for its Elder to contact the Shogun directly was waiting ahead.

And for the first time in a long while, he was walking into a dungeon not as a weapon of pure destruction… but as a guest who was expected to solve a problem without breaking everything around him.

The Elder’s Manor sat at the absolute center of the city.

As the group crossed the main square, the flowing market came to a near halt. Vendors and citizens froze at the sight of the heavily armed Tyrants. Kalvire spoke quickly in the native tongue of the city, his tone firm but calm, instructing them to continue their business. Reluctantly, the market resumed its quiet rhythm as the gates of the manor opened and the group stepped inside.

“Please, remove your weapons and place them here,” Kalvire said, gesturing to a long stone rack near the entrance. “You may collect them after.”

Raiden grunted, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of parting with his greatsword. The rest of the Tyrants shared the same reluctance, but one by one they placed their weapons down. Zero followed suit, though his fingers lingered on the hilt a moment longer than the others before he released it.

Kalvire led them deeper into the manor until they reached a quiet meeting chamber.

Inside sat the Elder.

The moment they saw him, every member of the Tyrants tensed.

He was a Sidhe.

Old. Almost ancient. His frame was frail, his once-proud posture bent by age, and the sharp vitality common to his kind had long since faded into something quieter and more worn.

“Please, dear guests,” the Elder said, raising a thin hand. “I am not a part of my fellow Fae’s assault. I am considered a rebel among my people. Please… sit.”

He motioned to the seats arranged before him.

Raiden remained standing for a moment longer before finally taking a seat, the others following.

“Elder,” Raiden said, “you requested Shogun Hanzo’s assistance with a matter that only we can solve?”

“Yes.” The Elder adjusted himself slowly in his chair. “A matter has arisen beneath the city. We are unable to focus any of our warriors to deal with it. I would like to believe my brethren have stayed their hand… but I do not think they would, in this case.”

He paused, the weight of the next words settling heavily in the room.

“We have a place that is forbidden to access. It is… our greatest shame.”

Raiden’s eyes narrowed.

“What is it?”

The Elder’s voice dropped.

“It is called the Altar of Flesh.”

The name alone sent a visible chill through the Tyrants. Even Zero’s expression hardened at the words.

Whatever lay beneath Sendai Daikannon, it was not something the city’s people were willing — or able — to face themselves.