arc1 · 003-ch3

Chapter 3: Obtaining Status ①

An unexpected party formation with Kawabe and Ina was decided, and we proceeded with future planning right then and there at the drinking party.

Since alcohol was involved, there was momentum to go to a dungeon as soon as possible tomorrow in the spirit of "good things should be done quickly," but naturally it wouldn't go that conveniently.

To become an explorer, there are several procedures that must be followed, such as submitting necessary documents to the appropriate places.

We finished those preparations in a few days, but the most important event took time.

The beginner training course hosted by the Japan Explorer Association. You hear about dungeon knowledge and mindset from an instructor, and obtain your status with an escort arranged by the Association.

Attending this training course is mandatory to obtain explorer qualification, but this alone couldn't be taken at one's convenience, and the specified date and time ended up being two weeks after the drinking party.

"Conversely, having time open up might be good. I was able to make up my mind again after calming down."

"Yeah. To be honest, I worried for about three days after that. About whether I'd cause trouble for my family if I died. But I decided to just give up and say who cares what happens after I die."

I can only agree with Kawabe, who says that while laughing.

I thought similar things, but I couldn't lie to my own desires. And the conclusion was the same. I'll just do my best to the maximum extent not to make my parents sad.

Or rather, I was definitely too excited about exploring the next day. If I had actually done it, I definitely would have died. The momentum of alcohol is scary.

Seeing us like that, Ina speaks as if, conversely, he's surprised.

"What is wrong with you two? Was that the extent of your resolve? I didn't even think about such things. Rather, I was so impatient I was thinking why won't this day come sooner."

"There's a limit to being unfilial. Think a bit about your family."

"Rest assured. As for filial piety, I'll fulfill it by showing my grandchildren's faces. Cute children born between me and a wife of a different race, that is!"

"Ho. Except for the fact that the possibility is practically zero, that's a perfect plan."

"By the time that one in a million comes true, won't your parents already be dead? From old age?"

I think so too. Before even considering whether there's a woman who can respond to this guy's love, women of other races are absolutely few in number.

The clear conditions for <Race Evolution> aren't even understood, and it requires at least level fifty? Does this guy understand that?

He's usually a calm man, but in the end this guy is the most carried away. Women change men this easily, which is scary.... I need to be careful.

Ina, who is making a creepy smile saying "Mm fuh fuh fuh fuh," I feel a hint of anxiety, but we arrive at our destination.

The <Shibuya Dungeon>, which is called the most beginner-friendly in Tokyo. The Japan Explorer Association, Shibuya Branch, established right next to it.

You can receive training at other branches too, but it's said that if you're taking training within the city, this is the only choice because of the low danger level.

Safety is prioritized above all. For that reason, it seems crowded, but beggars can't be choosers. I was thinking that... but...

"There are more people than I thought."

"Right? And aren't they young?"

"It's nothing but kids around college age. Adults are here too, but excluding us there are only a few people."

At the branch entrance, as Ina says, kids who seem to be students are gathering in groups and getting excited.

They might be clumping together with friends. Everyone is wearing sweatpants or sportswear that are easy to move in, as specified by the Association. The overflowing brilliance of youth is dazzling.

Strange. The conditions should be the same for us, but where did that brilliance go?

No, maybe I didn't have something like that to begin with. We are, after all, people on the dark attribute side....

Because he was a former university staff member, Ina realized this situation.

"Come to think of it, it'll be summer vacation season next month. They might have come to get qualifications now so they can devote all their vacation to the dungeon."

"Tch, they're doing it with a part-time job mindset. Even though I'm going to make it my main profession, are they looking down on the dungeon? Young people with promising futures are risking their lives here, you know. What are they going to do if they die?!"

"Are you jealous or worried? Make it clear."

Despite looking like a gross fat otaku, he's a sensible guy.

For now, in Japan, any adult can become an explorer. And even in relatively safe layers, the income is good. For that reason, recently, it seems college students exploring shallow layers are increasing.

There are also opinions that it's questionable to let young people into dangerous places even if they're adults, but in this area young people are more flexible after all.

Unlike old fogeys who hole up in safe zones and just open their mouths saying things like "they're barbaric" or "they're violent," if they're not too greedy and understand their limits, it seems to be gaining popularity as an easy, high-paying part-time job.

Actually, young people's bodies also move better and they're more suited to being explorers.

Materials from shallow places are still in demand, and as a country――no, as a common challenge for humanity, we have to increase explorers. Whether they're students or not, humans who are willing to explore are appreciated. That's why we can't stop them even more.

That said, I wish they would have done it on a different day. With this, middle-aged men like us stand out.

"Uwa, nothing but students. I'm standing out, aren't I? Maybe I should have quit after all."

"That's not true. You're young too, big sister."

Thinking there was someone thinking the same thing, I involuntarily turn my face toward where the voice came from. And then I involuntarily gasped.

Right next to us, there were two women.

One is a young woman. Though I say young, she has a mature-looking face for a college student. But not as much as us, I suppose. Around mid-twenties?

A beautiful woman with short hair and slanted eyes, carrying an atmosphere that makes her somewhat hard to approach. If she wore a suit sharply, she would transform into a career woman with whom I'd have absolutely no connection in my life. But now, wearing black leggings, short pants, and a sportswear top, she's dressed like everyone else.

――Big...!

Her chest is so large I'm about to say it out loud. No, of course the size is amazing, but the shape is amazing. They're beautifully thrust forward. This is that thing called "rocket boobs," right?

I've seen them online, but with this size and shape in reality, they have this much impact... Not that they're erotic or anything, but they're practically awe-inspiring. Just looking at them makes me feel like I should be charged money――this must be what that means.

With just this woman alone it's amazing, but there's another small girl.

Smaller by one head than Rocket-san, with a cute face that feels a bit childish. She looks even younger than a college student.... I wonder if, don't tell me, she's a high schooler?

She has fluffy hair extending to about her shoulders, and her eyes are clearly defined here, giving off a small animal-like atmosphere that seems to want to be fussed over occasionally. She's a child who makes you involuntarily let your guard down too. In different pink colors, her outfit is almost identical too.

――Whaaaaaaa?!?!?!

A chest with don-like impact that might exceed Rocket-san's. Because she's short, it looks even more so. Rather, they're definitely huge, right?! At that height?! Seriously?!

That being said, they feel gravity accordingly, but they look very soft. Which is better depends on preference, but as for me, I can't choose between the two.

What are these kids? Huh? Are they really real humans? Are they inhabitants of the anime world? Did such lewd bodies actually exist?

They were a pair overflowing with just that much charm. In reality, almost all the men here were having whispered conversations while looking at them from a distance.

No, this is bad, isn't it. Honestly, these aren't kids who should be in a place like this. Guys who want to become explorers from a young age are nothing but hopeless idiots, you know. Trouble is visible to the eye.

Not everyone is a sensible person like me.... But well, if it's just looking, it's allowed, right?

"Well, I think I'm still young too, but compared to you――umm, what?"

"Huh? ...No, it's nothing, really..."

No way. She noticed even though I was just sneakily glancing? This person is too sharp.

I avert my eyes and try to play it off as Rocket-san glares at me looking displeased. Crap, what should I do from here? Don't tell me I'll be treated as a molester!?

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Everyone participating in the training course, please come this way."

It was literally help from heaven. When I was internally panicking, staff came to tell us the training was starting.

Rocket-san glared at me for a few seconds, clicked her tongue saying "Tch," and headed toward the venue. And the other girl too trotted behind her.

"That was scary. I thought my life was over..."

Watching her back, I pat my chest in relief.

Kawabe speaks to me teasingly.

"You were lucky. You could have been caught as a molester."

"No, that would be false accusation. To the level where I could even win in court, even."

"After looking at them like you were licking them all over, what are you saying? Just looking at them that much is enough to constitute sexual harassment."

No way? Even though I only looked for ten seconds total, I get treated like that?

I shudder at the common sense of society, and Ina shakes his head looking disappointed.

"If the breasts are big, there's no distinction. Big tit lovers can't be saved."

"No wait wait! That couldn't be helped, right?! I wasn't the only one looking?! Everyone was looking!"

"I'm so disappointed I can't say anything. What did you come to the dungeon seeking?"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear that from you of all people!"

"Well, I can't deny Futa's feelings. Even I had my eyes drawn to them. If you're a tit alien then even more so. But we're also at a good age, so at least let's be a bit calmer like me. Okay?"

"You're only not interested because you're outside your own fetish. Don't group me with you, lolicon suspect."

"I'm not a lolicon! No, I do like lolis, but that's only 2D! I also like normal adult women in reality, you know!"

Kawabe denies it fairly seriously. Yeah. That's right. It's too harsh to treat him as a suspect when he hasn't even made a move yet.

However, the part about "reality and whatnot" is considerably suspicious. This guy's obsession with lolis has heat that can't be explained just by liking that type of character. Honestly, I think he could appear on the news as early as tomorrow.

"Whether you're a lolicon or a tit alien, either is fine, but stop ugly fights in public places. Being unsightly has its limits."

Urged by Ina, I obediently follow while feeling irritated. Three middle-aged men arguing loudly is certainly unsightly.

"Then, we will begin the training now. First of all~"

We take seats in the venue and listen to the instructor while looking through the distributed materials.

The content starts with the currently understood dungeon and status mechanisms. Then it's mostly manner-like talks such as conflicts between explorers are forbidden, and in dungeons we should help each other as much as possible.

It's something people seriously aiming to be explorers would already know, and since it's content that's too late for now, we ended up mostly tuning it out.

Just when I was about to be attacked by genuine sleepiness, the training finally ended. And the main attraction of this training――the time for dungeon exploration arrived.

"After this, you will obtain your status. Those whose names are called, please come here in order."

It's finally happening. Thinking that, I get nervous.

Unlike me, Kawabe speaks in a carefree-sounding whisper.

"Somehow they're calling five people at a time. I wonder why?"

"I think simply because that's the right number of people... Hmm, maybe they're deciding parties at this point."

Party... Oh, I see.

Just as games have limits on party size, this world's dungeons also have limits. As a result of various investigations, it seems up to six people are counted as a party, and beyond that, you can't grow.

Since a guard role should be mixed into the party as one person, if we consider the remaining as five people, Ina's talk also aligns.

That means, in our case since we're applying as a trio, two people we don't know will be mixed in.

...Two people?

The miraculous boob-san we met before the training started were also two people. That means, is this that? That cliché trope where women you coincidentally end up acting together with become heroines afterwards?

Don't tell me, was the encounter just now a flag? Was it destiny?!

――Something like that didn't happen, and the boob pair were quickly called with three young men and exited the room. If anything, they left while having a friendly conversation.

And we, for some reason, were only called as three people unlike the others.

"Why... What's different between me and them?"

"I'll refrain from asking what you were thinking, but if it's three people, that should be fine on its own."

"It would be more troublesome to mix with guys we don't know. Since it's life or death, we can't be concerned about strangers."

Well, that's certainly true. I wasn't seriously expecting it either. Let's be happy that we can do what we want to do.

"Then, those who wish, please choose your favorite items here."

In the room we were guided to, various weapons and armor are arranged by type. It's a scene that makes boys excited just looking at it.

In the beginner training course, free rental of weapons is also possible, and those who wish can borrow their favorite items like this and dive into the dungeon.

You can't enter the dungeon without equipment, but since you don't have martial arts experience, you can't buy expensive equipment. Weapons probably have feel to them too, and if you buy them and it doesn't work out, it would be disastrous. This system where you can try your favorite items, even for a short time, is really appreciated.

By the way, all the items here are not made of dungeon materials, but modern scientific materials and technology. Basically, items made of dungeon materials have better performance, but for shallow layers this is apparently still sufficient. Just being able to borrow is appreciated, and I can't complain about rental items.

"For now, the officially recommended beginner set. Armor is gauntlets and shin guards. And a stab-proof vest."

I nod at Kawabe's checking question.

Light equipment that nonetheless has minimum defense capability. It seems practical combat equipment that ordinary people can use is essentially limited to this much, so up to here there's no need to hesitate.

"Yeah, other than that, it's whether to hold a shield or not..."

Me and Kawabe look at Ina with subtle faces.

Ina was choosing a shield while looking excited.

"Ina. Are you really going to hold a shield?"

"Hm? Of course. We talked about it beforehand, right."

"No, it is, but..."

Why is the physically weak Ina trying to actively hold a shield. And why can't both me and Kawabe stop him even though we're worried. That has to do with this world's status――specifically, jobs.

This world's status consists of three things: level, job, and skills. If even one monster is defeated in a party, it seems you can obtain those statuses at that moment.

And the job obtained at this time is random, and you cannot decide it yourself. But there is one, albeit a hypothesis, talk with high credibility. Doesn't status acquisition and growth change based on actions up to that point? Something like that.

Actually, verification results obtained by the Self-Defense Forces and volunteer explorers have revealed that skills obtained later change based on each person's experience even if level and job are the same. Since it's a result investigated mainly by the Self-Defense Forces, there's no room for doubt.

If so, couldn't the initial job acquisition also be influenced to some extent by equipment and actions? There was that opinion, and when people actually tried it, the number of people who got the job they wanted apparently increased, though not certainly.

That's why, if there's a job you want, the initial equipment choice becomes important, but...

"So that whenever I meet my ideal woman, I'm prepared from now. That's why I'll become <Warrior>. Farewell to this too-thin body I'm so familiar with."

"No, I honestly evaluate that attitude, but..."

"It's reckless, isn't it."

I can only worry. I have absolutely no image of this guy being able to serve as a vanguard.

By the way, if I say each person's desired job.

As I just said, Ina is <Warrior> because he wants to train his body.

Thinking about balance, we decided we wanted one more vanguard, so my experience in the rugby club in high school was bought, and I'm also <Warrior>. I only have otaku hobbies, and I don't hate moving my body. Though my trained body now barely remains....

And the fat Kawabe is <Mage>. No no, your body shape is clearly that of a sumo wrestler, right. At least a vanguard, retorts would fly.

"Moving briskly is impossible for me. <Mage> types are the only choice."

So, he was choosing jobs with a severe perspective that makes sense when you hear it.

"Will it be okay? I only have anxiety."

"The person's own motivation is the most important. If it doesn't work out, we can think about it then."

I guess that's the only choice. If there's motivation, people grow. And in that respect, in a certain sense Ina has far higher aspirations than us. Even if the motive is more impure than anyone's.

Kawabe didn't hold a shield and unhesitatingly picked up a wooden staff. It's a short item that could be used as a substitute for a baton.

I, for a mace that can be held in one hand, chose the lightest and longest one. As a man, I admire swords and such, but they require technique. Since you just have to hit, this is apparently also recommended for beginners.

And furthermore, a transparent rectangular shield of the type that can hide the whole body. I was going to choose that, but,

"Huh. It's unexpectedly heavy?"

"Which one? ...Aah~ certainly it's heavy. It's not that you can't hold it with one hand, but carrying it would be tough."

Yes, that kind of feeling. Rather, Kawabe, who's holding it looking lighter than me, is amazing. You really should be a vanguard, shouldn't you?

"If we don't choose this, what about that smaller type?"

"Ah. Certainly if it's this one, I can hold it."

The whole body is impossible, but it's big enough to protect the upper body. Carrying it would also be tough, but it's better than the previous one. Going without a shield is out of the question, so let's go with this.

"Alright. Ina. We're decided. You on the other hand――"

When I looked at Ina, he was trying to hold the same size shield as me.

And then, looking a bit embarrassed, he says,

"Sorry. It seems a shield was still too early for me."

"For real, you."

No way. A grown man can't even hold a single shield? How have you lived until now?

"But, I can't give up on being a vanguard. Can't be helped. I'll go with this short spear in both hands."

"Ohh, ooh. Well, there's nothing else to do. Then Kawabe, sorry, but hold the shield."

"Hah?! I'm aiming to be <Mage>, you know?!"

"No, having only one shield holder is definitely tough, right? If he's using a spear, we especially have to protect him. And look, I'm not saying change weapons too. If it's that staff, it can be used as a blunt weapon. If the weapon is that, it meets the conditions for <Mage>, doesn't it?"

"That might be true, but... Eeh~ seriously?"

Even while grumbling, Kawabe takes the same shield as me saying can't be helped. At the point of holding a shield, he also satisfies the possibility of <Warrior>, but I'll stay quiet about that.

Alright, with this safety is secured. At worst, there's a possibility Kawabe becomes <Warrior>, but rather that would be better so there's no problem. It's like an accident, and if that happens, it can't be helped.

With equipment decided, we're guided by a staff member to the branch's basement. The basement has about the same area as the building above, and in the center a rocky mountain rises from the ground, with a cave there.

"Then, this will be the dungeon. Please follow the instructions of the person in charge over there."

While being seen off by the staff member who says that, we enter that cave with nervousness.

After walking in the darkness for a few steps, I thought I felt a momentary dizziness, when suddenly it becomes bright. Shielding my eyes from the brightness, and timidly moving my hand away, there a grassland was spreading.