——C.
This name, Rozen had heard Aiba Asagi mention during a past conversation.
"I remember it's supposed to be a room located at the bottom level of Itogami Island beneath sea level, where five supercomputers are housed, right?"
Exactly so.
Itogami Island was a man-made island built through an organic combination of cutting-edge technology, feng shui, and magic. Since it served as a ritual altar, naturally, it also had the face of a futuristic metropolis.
This was evident in the five supercomputers Rozen had just mentioned.
These were the world's top five supercomputers, designed to manage and maintain Itogami Island. From electricity, tap water, traffic control, and waste disposal to the air conditioning settings of public institutions—every function of the urban infrastructure on this artificial island was maintained and operated by these five supercomputers.
Without them, Itogami Island would become a deserted land, reverting to a primitive lifestyle.
These five supercomputers were housed in a special room known as "C."
It was located on the lowest level of the Keystone Gate, in a section referred to as the "Zero Level," deep beneath the sea under Itogami Island—a special zone that was nearly impossible to reach through ordinary means.
According to Asagi, it was a completely airtight space housing the core components of the five supercomputers that manage Itogami Island. These were connected like neural networks to the island's web systems. Its structure was so solid it could withstand a direct nuclear strike or the water pressure of 20,000 meters deep—its level of security rivaled the world's most elite shelters.
Orders issued from the five supercomputers inside "C" took top priority over all other systems on the island managed by the Management Cooperative. They could even manipulate the registration data of Demons at will, enabling comprehensive monitoring and control over all Demons.
To use an RPGVRMMO analogy: a player who enters this room gains the highest administrator privileges—essentially allowing them to do whatever they please within Itogami Island.
As such, the access list for entering "C" was tightly restricted. Not even senior directors of the Management Cooperative or the mayor of Itogami City were allowed inside. This led to rumors that "C" didn't actually exist, that it was merely a phantom room.
And yet, Rozen had heard from Asagi that she had entered this room before.
"The Management Cooperative bastards set 'C' as a private-use system and put me on the list. Can you believe they handed such a monstrous responsibility to a high school girl like me?"
Asagi had grumbled like that.
In other words, in all of Itogami Island—and perhaps the entire world—the only person capable of accessing and using the functions of "C" was Aiba Asagi.
"They said it was because my dad recommended me to manage and maintain 'C.' Those bastards didn't even bother to ask for my opinion!"
Asagi had vented her frustration more than once.
Her father, a council member of Itogami Island, even had the authority to remove directors of the Management Cooperative. If his daughter was an unmatched genius in computer science, of course, he would want to nominate her to manage "C."
After all, having control over the system that determines the life or death of Itogami Island within the hands of one's own family would be a politician's dream.
Thus, Asagi had been sold out by her own people.
"Anyway, things are really messed up right now, so I'm heading to 'C' to shut down all management systems, purge the virus, and reboot everything one by one. I probably won't be back for a while."
Asagi's voice continued with clear irritation over the phone.
"The Management Cooperative is in chaos. Motoki is probably busy too—I don't even know where he ran off to help. There are terrorists on the island, and the explosion at the East District warehouse and the sniper attacks on two senior directors were likely their doing. Yo, make sure to watch over everyone. Don't go wandering outside for now, got it?"
Asagi had called presumably because she was aware of the situation and wanted to warn Rozen and the others to stay safe.
Little did she know, Rozen and the others were already aware of the matter.
At that moment, Rozen didn't waste words.
"Just make sure you're careful." Rozen warned specifically: "Since you're the only one with admin privileges over 'C,' you're probably a prime target for those terrorists. Be careful not to get caught."
Rozen's words turned Asagi's anger into surprise.
"Seriously?" Asagi replied in disbelief, "Even I might get sniped?"
This girl hadn't changed at all—still completely unaware of how high her abilities were, how important she was. She remained just as carefree and careless as ever.
"I should escort you there myself."
Rozen rolled his eyes and offered the suggestion.
"No need." Asagi sounded tempted, but then she added regretfully: "With things going so wrong on Itogami Island, Natsuki-sensei must be swamped too. None of us have an adult around. Only you can make everyone feel safe. If I monopolized you, I'd be hated for sure."
Asagi knew all too well how much influence Rozen had among them.
Though the same age, Rozen was smart, strong, and had even obtained a formal Attack Mage license. If something happened, having Rozen around would bring peace of mind and safety.
To everyone—Rozen was a pillar of strength, an indispensable presence.
Asagi might not have been aware of her own importance, but she wasn't dumb.
She knew everyone needed Rozen.
Even though she needed Rozen too, and having him by her side would've made her current troubles much more bearable, she still chose to let him stay behind.
As for her...
"Someone from the Management Cooperative will escort me to the Zero Level. You don't need to worry about me."
So Asagi said.
"Alright then." Rozen didn't press further.
He glanced at Avrora, who was tightly gripping his arm with a visibly pale face, and added: "I'm also tied up here. If something happens to you, I'll figure out a way to resurrect you."
"Don't curse me, you jerk!"
Asagi instantly shouted in protest.
Poor Asagi had no idea—Rozen was completely serious.
If anything really happened to her, Rozen would bring her back.
The two exchanged a few more words, then hung up the phone in haste.
At that moment, Himeragi Yukina also finished her call and walked over to Rozen, holding her phone.