Chapter 68
The prestigious conference where dungeon studies experts gather—Dungeon One Hundred.
The stage where the top 100 researchers, honored for their greatest contributions to modern dungeon studies, present on various themes is a dream platform for any dungeon researcher.
Dr. is also one of those aiming for that stage.
Today, at the academic symposium held at the civic hall, Dr. presented on "Realizing the infinite storage capacity of the next-generation dungeon bag, Mugen High-Load, utilizing a pocket dimension."
Having proudly given his presentation, Dr. moved into the Q&A session in a Humming with joy mood.
(Heh heh heh, with my flawless theory, these so-called experts won't be able to nitpick a thing. Watch me, Finger Man. I'll show you I'm your equal.)
"Now then, we will proceed to the Q&A session."
The moment the chairperson said that, the attendees all raised their hands at once.
Researchers from companies, university professors, diligent students, members of the Foundation, and more.
Far too many hands were raised.
This was a strict and academic world.
If there were flaws in the research or the literature review was lacking, that alone could lead to criticism, correction, and a terrifying public execution-like scene.
Dr. rapidly turned pale.
Suddenly, one especially large hand went up.
A man significantly larger than average had raised his hand, no exaggeration.
Overwhelmed by his imposing presence, even the chairperson granted him the first question.
"Then, I shall begin with one question."
Saying that, the questioner took the microphone from the chairperson.
The attendees began to murmur.
Everyone was starting to realize it.
The identity of the questioner.
They were shocked by the appearance of a legendary figure who had no reason to attend such a remote conference.
"Th-that's...! Isn't that the dungeon scholar who became world-famous for 'two-point transfer using dungeon entanglement'...?!"
"No doubt about it... That's Gregorious Shita Chichigasky, one of the Four Emperors of Dungeon Academia."
He was an old man with a fearsome face and a grand beard.
In his far-off gaze dwelled wisdom—or perhaps H—and the deep wrinkles on his face vividly reflected the scholarly refinement he had cultivated throughout his life.
Despite being close in age to Dr., his body appeared several times larger. Such was his gravitas.
"Thank you for your presentation. It was a very intriguing topic."
"Th-thank you... (Ugh, crap, did a total monster just show up?!)"
"Pardon me if this is a layman's question."
"(No, if you're a layman, no one else could call themselves a specialist?!)"
With that preface, Dr. Shita Chichigasky dropped his tone and asked a question.
"It seems the presenter is fixated on storing items in a pocket dimension using this Mugen High-Load. However, as you yourself mentioned in the presentation, the technology for storing items from point A to point B is already established and in use. Given that, is there any meaningful reason to use a pocket dimension, which is technically more difficult, for storage?"
The others in the venue sympathized with the presenter, Dr., in the face of that intimidating tone.
"Dr. Shita Chichigasky is famous for always tearing the presenters apart during Q&A... But now I'm sure of it. The rumors were true."
"They say he demolishes everyone one by one..."
"That's what makes authoritative researchers so scary—"
"Just because no one can oppose him, he says whatever he wants... I feel bad for the presenter... Who would expect a giant in the field to show up to some tiny conference in Peanut Country, not even an international one..."
The venue had already taken on the mood of a funeral.
Everyone, though sympathetic, was simply waiting for the execution show to end during the Q&A session.
Faced with a question from a globally authoritative heavyweight, Dr. trembled as he answered.
"S-storing in a pocket dimension, in terms of convenience, I-I believe it surpasses storage using two-point transfer. Ah, no, never mind (Crap, I blurted it out! Did that come off like a provocation?!)"
Dr. was too honest.
"I see. If that is the case, I believe you should have clearly stated the specific advantages, research significance, and supporting evidence in your presentation."
"Y-yes, certainly."
As Dr. floundered with his answer, a wave of exasperation began to spread through the venue.
To prevent the overbearing, arrogant superstar from looking down on them any further, they hoped Dr. would respond properly.
"Now then, let's return to the topic of advantages. Why use storage in a specific space with Mugen High-Load instead of the currently mainstream two-point transfer?"
"W-well, as the name 'dungeon equipment' suggests, the concept is 'infinite'... With two-point transfer, you always have to secure physical space, right? So, for example, if you connected the inside of Mugen High-Load to a warehouse at the pier, you could definitely store a lot, but that capacity still wouldn't be infinite..."
"Why is infinite necessary?"
"...Huh? (Necessary? I've never thought about that?!)"
"The average exploration time for explorers is said to be about six hours. This figure includes the exceptionally long working hours of B-rank and A-rank explorers, meaning that most explorers can only stay in a dungeon for one or two hours at most. You're aware of this, of course."
"O-of course I am (※I didn't know that)"
"According to this year's report from the Dungeon Research Division of the Dungeon Countermeasures Department of the Dungeon Foundation, the median exploration time is 3 hours and 45 minutes. Weaker Japanese explorers likely spend even less time."
Bombarded like a machine gun, Dr. could only flap his mouth open and closed.
(Conferences... are terrifying...!)
"With that in mind, allow me to ask once more. Why infinite?"
During short excavation sessions of mere hours, no one needs infinite storage space. After Dr. Shita Chichigasky's smooth argument, that fact was self-evident.
Dr.'s mind went completely blank.
Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?
What, what even is "necessary"?
I mean, I don't know...
I've never thought about it...
Dr. had always been a scientist from whom nothing was expected.
That's why he was free to research and invent whatever he wanted.
Maybe that had been a kind of happiness.
A scholar is a seeker of truth.
However, they sometimes choose which truth to pursue.
Why are there academic problems that remain unsolved for centuries?
Why are such problems left untouched?
There's a reason why no one challenges them.
——Tackling difficult problems wastes time.
Someone once said that.
There was a genius who represented an era.
He stood out from his student days and challenged the greatest problem of the century.
Pocket dimension. That was the problem he chose.
He kept challenging it, clinging to it with incredible persistence, enduring a solitary battle that would drive normal people insane.
Even a genius faced overwhelming difficulty before the pocket dimension.
Forty years later, someone reflecting on his career said this. Pointing at the genius who, in his obsession with the hard problem, had achieved nothing.
"What were you doing all that time?"
"I..."
"Did you accomplish anything?"
At that moment, the old man could say nothing in return——
"The theory that dungeons are invasion attacks from another dimension toward Earth is the most widely accepted hypothesis today. Are you aware of that?"
"Y-yes, of course... I'm the one who proposed that theory..."
Dr. muttered. His voice was so small the microphone couldn't pick it up.
"Don't you understand? It's self-evident that research and development with practical utility is an urgent priority. It seems the Dungeon Foundation has allowed you to live quite freely, but in that case, shouldn't you refrain from acts like drinking at Fyuria's place and hitting her? Your research is barren. The international community—no, let me say it plainly—humanity on Earth has no time to waste. So let me ask you again: what is the point of 'infinite'?"
Dr. trembled and gripped the microphone tightly.
He couldn't forgive it. That his research had been rejected.
Or rather, it just pissed him off.
That Shita Chichigasky, preaching his meddlesome righteousness.
So he shouted back at the top of his lungs.
"Don't go running your mouth if you don't understand romance, you amateur! You damn octopus! Of course 'infinite' is cooler, that's all there is to it!"
It was a roar.
An illogical answer.
A shrill sound that shattered the audio and pierced the ears echoed through the hall of the civic center.