c21-c40 · 032-ch32

Chapter 32: Still Have Work to Do

"Shibasaki-san... um, I'm sorry."

Stained Hawk, having had their bodies healed, came over to where I was waiting for the mana to stabilize. Anarchy-san apologized right off the bat.

"Huh? Why are you guys apologizing?"

"...! ...Right. We caused you trouble, so being apologized to must be confusing..."

"...? Ah, that's not what I meant. You guys came here because that president told you to, right? You even helped with the rescue—I should be the one thanking you."

"But we forced a battle on you, and even though we didn't injure you, we wasted your time... actually, that didn't take long either."

"Anarchy-chan, let that go."

"Anyway, we're sorry for causing you trouble!!"

At Anarchy-san's signal, all four of them bowed their heads in unison. A beautiful bow. As expected of a group affiliated with a major corporation.

...Wait, that's not the point. What is this disconnect?

"...Let me ask one more time. You guys came here because the president told you to, right?"

"Yes. She showed us yesterday's video and told us to bring this person back."

"Right, so... huh? Wait, was that all she said?"

"? Yes, that was all."

Ah... I think I'm starting to understand the source of this strange feeling.

"Um, didn't you guys come here to get training from me?"

"...? I don't know about that."

"Training?"

"No, we were just told that if he resisted, using force was fine..."

...As I thought. She didn't tell them anything.

Scratching my head, I explain the truth to them.

"Look, I'm really sorry about this, but Uwa and I go way back—we're old acquaintances. I've given guidance to her subordinates a few times as a favor, so I thought this was the same kind of thing..."

"H-huh!?"

"Shibasaki-san and the president... knew each other? Then why did the president tell us to bring you in?"

"...Ah, I see. The president gave that order knowing full well we'd be defeated by Shibasaki-san. Or rather, that was her true objective..."

Half surprised, half understanding, huh. I see. From Stained Hawk's reaction, I can pretty much figure out that woman's scheme.

Uwa is someone who casually causes trouble for others just because it seems interesting. And yet, she's stingy to an outrageous degree. She probably did this thinking of Stained Hawk in her own way, but her real intention was to save on training costs by siccing me on them. Explorers fighting among themselves doesn't cost money, after all.

...In this case, Stained Hawk is completely the victim.

"So that's how it is. You guys really aren't at fault here."

"...But I really was disrespectful."

Andante-san, who had been silently watching with a serious expression from behind, finally spoke up.

...Hmm.

"I'm sorry. I was told to treat explorers with respect from the start, but I got carried away..."

"A-Andante isn't at fault! I'm the leader, and it's my fault for not being able to speak up firmly until now!"

"Now, now, calm down you two..."

I take a breath, wait for them to settle down, and then speak.

"Being an explorer is a profession where you might die tomorrow. As long as you don't die, you can make as many mistakes as you want. What matters is the desire to become even a little better. If you can want to change, you will change."

"Shibasaki-san... can I call you Master!?"

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

This kid's mood shifts way too fast. The other three also looked a bit surprised.

Even with party members you've traveled with for years, you sometimes catch glimpses of sides you never knew. Stained Hawk is a young party—they probably still have plenty they don't know about each other.

"Shibasaki-san, um... this is an abrupt request, and setting aside Andante calling you Master, we'd like to have mock battles like today again. We want to get stronger... all four of us."

"Of course I'll help. It'll have to be on my days off, though."

"...You should take more days off."

"Hahaha... sigh."

"Everyone, the mana flow has stabilized. Those returning, please prepare."

Rose-san informs us in a gentle voice. We were so caught up in conversation that I didn't realize that much time had passed.

"What will you do? Want to explore the Shinjuku deep layer a bit more?"

"No, we're going back. We have a report to give to the president, and right now there are more important things to do than explore."

The expression on his face—no, on all their faces—was bright and clear.

"I see. Well then, tell the president this for me: 'If you want me to train your subordinates, I won't charge money, so at least contact me beforehand.' And also, 'Next time we meet, I won't let you off easy.'"

"Understood. I'll convey every single word. Shibasaki-san, thank you for today!"

"Thank you very much!!"

After the chorus of thanks and farewells to everyone, they undid the knots of their life cords. All four were enveloped in light and vanished in an instant.

They were some pretty intense, athletic types... But it didn't feel bad.

Combat with monsters always carries the possibility of losing one's life. But if it's me, I can break their spirit without taking their lives. And explorers with broken spirits grow stronger.

In dungeon exploration where the danger of death is ever-present, making explorers even a little stronger so they don't die is also an old man's duty.

Of course, there are some who won't change no matter how much they fight me. But those four will become much stronger than they are now. Just my intuition.

"Shibasaki-san."

"Negomin-san. Oh, where are those two?"

"Um, over there."

I look in the direction Negomin-san is pointing and see the two of them sleeping soundly side by side next to the rescued explorer.

"It seems they got tired while waiting and fell asleep..."

"I see."

"We're going back using Rose-san's party life cords. What about you, Shibasaki-san?"

"Ah, I'm fine. I still have work left to do."

"...I'm sorry for making you accompany us on the exploration when you have work and are busy."

"No, no. I should be the one apologizing—if I hadn't taken you to floor 30, we wouldn't have fallen into the deep layer."

"That's not Shibasaki-san's fault..."

She said that and lowered her head as if wrestling with something.

"Negomin-san?"

"...In the end, I couldn't do anything. I made this big talk about saving people, but I was completely useless. It's pathetic."

Negomin-san's voice trembled as she spoke. Her hands were clenched tight, her teeth gritted.

Feeling inadequate is a curse that strangles your own neck. Even if you don't want to see it, it just sits there, making you thirst for an ideal of strength with no end in sight.

But this person isn't weak. She's someone strong who knows her own weaknesses.

"Please don't belittle yourself like that. That person is alive because you said you wanted to save them."

"But..."

"Negomin-san, let me tell you one good thing. Please lift your head."

The resolution to her anguish is something only she can find. If so, there's only one thing I can convey.

"The past cannot be changed. That goes for bad things, and good things too. Today, because Negomin-san said we should go help, we came to this place and were able to save that person. That alone is an absolute fact that will never change."

"...!"

"Please hold your head high. An explorer who saves people is many times stronger than one who hurts them."

"Shibasaki-san... wait, sorry, something's... weird."

Tears spilling from her eyes still showed frustration, but they were also firmly fixed on where she needed to go. Negomin-san will surely become a good explorer.

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation, Negomin-san. We'll be returning soon."

"Ah, Rose-san, I'm sorry... um, Shibasaki-san. If it's alright, could we exchange contact information at the end?"

"Yes, of course."

I take out my card holder from my back pocket and hand one to Negomin-san.

"Huh, oh, a business card. Thank you for being so formal... oh right, I had some made too. Just a moment..."

Rummaging through her bag, Negomin-san pulled out her own business card and handed it to me. It's completely pink and flashy. Business cards these days are something else.

And for some reason, Sandai-san is watching us exchange cards with a sharp gaze. Negomin-san also looks at Sandai-san with puzzlement.

"Um, Sandai-sama?"

"Ah, sorry, sorry. Don't mind me."

"...Is Sandai-sama not returning?"

"Ah, I still have some things to do here. I'll head back after that's finished."

After finishing the card exchange, Negomin-san went over to Rose-san, who had the rescued explorer and the sisters with her.

"Well then, Shibasaki-san, goodbye!"

"Shibasaki-san, we didn't get to talk much, but I hope to see you again somewhere."

"Ah, yes, same here. Take care, both of you."

The five of them were enveloped in the light of the life cords and returned home. Once they were gone, the dungeon suddenly fell silent.

I'm glad everyone made it back safely. Now then...

I still have work left to finish.

"So, Sandai-san. Did you need something from me?"

"...I figured you'd notice."