"Dungeon... has a Dungeon Break occurred?"

"Still a hypothesis. We need more confirmation. But if it's true, then Ark is doomed without the lockdown."

The atmosphere in the meeting room sank lower than the bottom of the deepest ocean. Every person present found themselves repeating what Storm had said earlier.

"Lucky."

They were genuinely grateful that the horde of monsters hadn't headed toward Zone 2 but were instead circling around Zone 3.

There was no other choice.

With Ark's current forces, there was no way to handle a Dungeon Break from a C-rank dungeon. And the number of players capable of facing off against the Giant Horned Lizard?

Virtually none.

Or rather—only one.

All eyes turned in the same direction.

If there was any sliver of hope remaining in Ark, it was this: the number-one ranked player of Exodia had finally joined them.

"Kyle," who had officially settled in Ark.

Storm came out and asked him directly.

"Kyle, can you defeat the Giant Horned Lizard?"

Kyle, who had been sitting with his eyes closed and a look of boredom on his face, slowly opened his blue eyes and answered.

And his answer mercilessly trampled over their hopes.

"Impossible."

"...Isn't there at least a chance you could buy us some time?"

Kyle nodded and spoke without hesitation.

"My current level is 173. That thing's got to be at least 180, maybe 190."

The highest-leveled player in this meeting room was barely above level 130.

So level 173 was an incredible feat—just as one would expect from Kyle.

But even that wasn't enough. The weight pressing down on everyone's shoulders only grew heavier.

Kyle spoke slowly.

"There's only one way. We have to hope that thing never realizes Zone 2 exists."

"That should be doable. Just as you recommended, the lockdown was issued at the right time. With the magical barrier active, the monsters can't detect us."

"Then what's the problem? Honestly, the lockdown's already in place, so what's the point of this meeting?"

With a sigh, Storm moved the screen forward to the next image. The footage from a CCTV camera showed dozens—no, hundreds—of people unable to move past the wall.

"Countless refugees have gathered outside the barrier. The Lizardmen haven't noticed them yet, and if we open the gate now, we could still save them."

At first, most of the people in the room readily agreed that the gate should be opened.

The people in Zone 3 were mostly not players—they were the weak, the powerless.

Even if they were lower in priority, it was only right to save them if there was any way to do so.

If left as they were, there was no telling when the Lizardmen might find them and slaughter them.

"But opening the gate will break the magical barrier protecting Zone 2."

"What..."

"It takes three hours to re-establish the magic circle. If we're lucky, maybe two. But during that time, we can't guarantee that the Giant Horned Lizard won't detect us."

Only then did the room understand why Storm had convened a meeting even after the lockdown was already in place.

He was forcing them to make a choice.

Take the risk to save the people in Zone 3?

Or preserve Zone 2 and abandon them?

Just moments ago, many had insisted the gate should be opened. But now, their mouths went silent.

That's when Kyle, as if to ask what the big deal was, spoke casually.

"Wasn't Ark's purpose to preserve humanity? And you'd risk that mission to save those worthless lives?"

"..."

"There's nothing to discuss. This isn't a game. When the odds are stacked, you fold."

The vote was held swiftly.

Out of fifty members, only seven voted to open the gate.

Kyle stood up irritably and stormed out.

"What a waste of time."

People gradually began filing out of the meeting room. The decision had been made.

Zone 2's gate would remain shut.

Left behind alone in the meeting room, Storm quietly gazed at the footage of desperate people clinging to the walls of Zone 3.

"...Utterly tragic."

One of the players helping clean up noticed Storm still staring at the screen and cautiously approached to offer comfort.

"Sir... I'm sure your mother will be all right."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Storm blinked, confused, then smiled crookedly as something clicked.

"Oh, that was a lie. My mom's been dead for a while now."

"...What?"

"I just said that to cool things down a little. Don't think too much of it."

"..."

With a shrug of his shoulders, Storm walked out of the meeting room. He muttered under his breath.

"Would've been nice if the real Kyle showed up right about now... but I guess that's asking for too much."

Storm.

A national assemblyman, and one of the highest-ranking surviving officials in the South Corelands n government.

Despite his young age, he was a shrewd man who knew the truth—Ark's "Kyle" wasn't the real one.

And yet he hadn't revealed it.

Because even if the man had the power, his personality made him utterly useless.

"Tch. Great skills, zero character. What a waste. And of all times, Bellatris had to be gone. Just perfect."

He clicked his tongue and strolled slowly through the hallway, muttering complaints about Bellatris being absent.

The next morning.

The people of Zone 3 looked utterly drained. Their dark eye bags told the story of a sleepless night spent listening to the footsteps of prowling Lizardmen.

When the sun rose and it was clear the night buffs had worn off, Jhin stood and said,

"Alright. The night buffs should be gone now. Let's get to work on the plan we talked about."

"...You really think it'll work?"

Beside him, Caleb asked with concern in his voice. Jhin grinned and replied confidently.

"The chances of success are low. It's practically a gamble."

"...Then we shouldn't be doing it."

"But Detective," Jhin said, his voice firm. "This isn't a game."

"Huh?"

"To hell with probabilities. Even if it's impossible, we'll make it happen."

If you quit just because the odds were bad, you may as well never have started playing.

And either way—this world was headed toward ruin.