arc1 · 001-ch1

【Kakuyomu Con 10 Special Prize】Dungeon Exploration From Your Thirties I Won't Aim to Be a Hero. I'll Earn While Playing at My Own Pace

Mayoi Ko

Arc 1: Debut as an Ex-Salaryman Explorer

Chapter 1: Moving Forward with Determination

――About two years ago, dungeons appeared simultaneously across the world.

Dungeons. Yeah, dungeons.

That thing from fantasy works across all sorts of media. Suddenly, it appeared all over the world.

At first, the leaders of various nations and the on-site security organizations were wary of these suddenly-appearing dungeons――which just seemed like ordinary caves, or eerily glowing holes for some reason――but.

Those with thin caution, those with abundant curiosity, and the resources and information brought by the otaku in certain fields who jumped in pinning their hopes on "maybe, just maybe..." shocked the world.

New materials harboring effects that cannot be explained by existing substances, technology, or knowledge.

The existence of creatures there that could only be seen in fantasy worlds.

And above all, the existence of 【Level】, 【Job】, and 【Skill】 that those who invaded dungeons became aware of.

Thanks to these, the world properly recognized it.

Ah, this is a dungeon――they thought.

Fantasy has arrived in reality――they thought.

Great confusion occurred around the world, and while the response differed in each country, the reckless fools who dreamed big and acted like "who cares" jumped into dungeons one after another.

Since then, while repeating confusion and discovery, and countermeasures many times over for two years, the world finally began to show a certain degree of stability.

And today, on June 30th, the final day of the month, when it came to be such a time.

I――Kabata Futa is trying to resign from the company.

●

――Inside Tokyo, in a dim equipment room of a certain university.

In one corner of the room, which was spacious enough for giant air conditioning equipment, sitting on pipe chairs across a folding long table, me and my boss――the director are facing each other.

"Kabata-kun. For now, good work until today. But about that, you're really quitting? Won't you reconsider even now?"

"No, that's a bit..."

The middle-aged man who seemed genuinely wishing it, feeling a little apologetic.

But that's impossible, right. Various procedures are already moving along, aren't they?

I can't suddenly say "actually I'll keep working" at this point. That would be embarrassing.

"I'm pretty firm in my resolve. Sorry. But thank you."

"I see. That's right. Can't be helped then..."

The director slumps his shoulders heavily with an "Ah~"

It doesn't look like acting so I'm happy about it, but isn't that a bit exaggerated?

"It feels like you're genuinely disappointed, doesn't it?"

"――Of course it would!"

A stronger reaction than I expected came back.

I got a bit scared.

"I'll say it since it's come to this, but there are very few promising young kids like you!"

"Young? I'm already thirty-two."

"In your early thirties, in this industry you're still totally a young guy! If anything, even outside this industry, socially you're still just a kid!"

Certainly, that's true. Equipment management work is a job that can be done even by older people.

But "promising" is different, isn't it....

"I don't think I'm particularly excellent myself."

"I've been thinking this for a while, but you're humble――no, that makes it sound like a compliment so I'll say it clearly. You're too humble! You really have no confidence! What a waste!"

"Eh? Ah, haah. Sorry..."

I ended up apologizing without thinking.

Then, he continues somewhat like he's venting.

"First off, you can greet properly, and you chat cheerfully with anyone, right? At this point, you're already quite reliable."

"No, isn't that normal as a person?"

"There are lots of guys these days who can't even do that."

It was an expression that looked quite serious.

Precisely because I understand it a bit, I can't say anything.

"And then, you follow instructions from our side properly, right? You fix things right away when pointed out, you humbly ask for instructions when there's something you don't know, and you don't do things on your own, right?"

"...Unless it's completely unreasonable, isn't it natural to follow what your boss says?"

At work, the other party is your boss.

Also, if you don't understand, you ask, right? I don't want to do weird things and get scolded. Responsibility gets pushed up.

"That's right. Normally that's how people think. Yet there's no one who can do what's normal. They prioritize their own preferences or do things on their own without reporting, making problems bigger. If they consulted early, it would end much more easily...!"

"Hah, haah. I see."

"In that regard, you don't do such things, and you try to remember what I teach you in one go, right? Even if you make a mistake, you don't repeat it. Just that alone makes you very excellent."

Trying to remember in one go is because I don't want to talk to the boss many times, and not repeating is because I don't want to get scolded, that's all.

The view is too favorable and it's awkward.

"You don't have to be excellent. But there are too many guys who don't even cross the minimum line. Even though there's a labor shortage, they're all guys you wouldn't even feel like hiring, what's going on...!"

It was the anguished cry of a manager.

I strongly think that climbing the career ladder isn't something to do.

"In these times, you can't force someone who wants to quit to stay. But if an employee you were expecting might die, you still want to stop them."

The director, who had been holding his head, looks at me with serious eyes.

A bit scary, but... it's precisely because he's genuinely worried for me.

"You want to quit to become an explorer. Certainly, age-wise, if you're aiming for it, now might feel like the last chance, but to be honest, I wonder why now. Conversely, if you're going to do it, I think you should have moved earlier."

"Ah~. In my case, it's precisely because it's now."

I can't say I don't understand what the director says.

Age-wise and profit-wise, if I have the resolve to enter a dungeon anyway, I should have jumped in right from the beginning.

For example, even in net games, those who can enjoy the most benefits are those who develop the front lines. Those who move early, with their resolve for risk, have various advantages they can gain there.

Those who follow later will walk on the road paved by their hardships. Safe but with that, the benefits gained become smaller.

In terms of current dungeon circumstances, the demand for dungeon resources is gradually settling, so compared to the beginning, the purchase price for materials is lower, for instance.

However, there are also advantages because you follow later.

Precisely the fact that you can walk on that paved road. That information is gathered, and you can explore safely.

"I don't want to earn big money or want fame. I have admiration for dungeons, but I don't want to die. But I can't give up on dungeons. So I'm thinking if there's a way to explore safely."

"...Ah, I see. That's why you deliberately waited."

Somewhat amazed, yet the boss immediately understood.

"Yeah, then that's good. If you're thinking carefully about your life, that's good. The only thing I was worried about was whether you'd do something reckless without thinking and die. If it were actually the opposite of that, nothing could be better."

"Director..."

"Also, I understand your feelings too."

The director smiled embarrassedly.

"If I didn't have a family. If I were twenty years younger. If I weren't in my current position. If any one of those applied, I probably would have made the same choice as you. Honestly, I'm curious about what kind of job I'd have."

"――I thought so!"

No wonder he understood quickly, that's it!

He's a boy after all! If he knew he could get powers like in a game, of course he'd want them!

"Well, if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out, contact me. If it's you, I'll negotiate with upper management anytime."

With that, the director kindly sent me off, after greeting the other employees, I left this workplace.

I received words of encouragement from everyone, and welcomed my retirement without worry.

I know it's not that sweet, but thinking about my upcoming dungeon life, I couldn't help but get excited.

●

【Exploration Hints! #1】

< Dungeons >

Spaces that became otherworldly due to magic power accumulated inside the Earth.

There are similar dungeons, but in the strict sense there are no identical dungeons, and the internal environment changes for each dungeon.

Explorers, explore.

If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't get the tiger's cub.

Knowing it's dangerous, only those who proceed forward can obtain all wealth and glory.

Even if the price of failure is life, there is value enough to challenge.