Melt Lilith, huh!?
I’m posting this with the resolve that I have no choice but to roll the gacha!
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, single
Girlfriend: Suella Henderberg
Memoria Tris
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee)
Magic Aptitude 8 (General Class)
Position: Warrior
It’s not so much that things are messy, but rather that after human relationships are settled, a peace of mind naturally follows.
“Or so I thought.”
There was a period of temporary chaos caused by Toru Himusumi’s possessive desires rather than romantic feelings, but that was yesterday. As expected, with a third party mediating, that young lady-like Nostalfer was also cooperative, and Kitamiya’s transfer to our party went smoothly, making her an official member.
And we, or rather, I, continued as usual, safely clearing dungeons, which was my normal operation… or so it should have been.
As I muttered at the beginning, after finishing yesterday’s messy work, today, my day off, was supposed to be a sweet time spent watching Japanese and Hollywood movies with Suella, as she wanted.
“…What do you mean by this?”
But she, who should have been beside me, just contacted me saying she had to work overtime today due to an urgent job. In her place, the woman I met yesterday is in front of me.
Displeased. That one word can describe my emotions.
I can tell it’s coming out in my voice.
“You will fulfill your duty.”
The young lady-like Dragonkin in front of me, whom I should probably stop calling “Ma’am,” crosses her arms with a seemingly elegant余裕 and even smiles.
Nostalfer, though not as well-endowed as Suella, sits gracefully on the sofa, her ample chest emphasized, and picks up her tea.
In front of me, sitting opposite her, is an ashtray with a significant number of cigarette butts.
This is not my usual room, nor is it the party room where I talk with Kaido and the others.
This is a company interview room.
And here I am, on my day off, on my DAY OFF!!
“Why are you coming when I’m supposed to be off? Hey.”
The reason for my displeasure is simple. I’m being made to work overtime on a day off, which must be in the top three of things working adults despise.
In this industry, where there are no fixed working hours, I usually align my schedule with Minami, Katsu, and Kitamiya, and sometimes work solo with Kaido. But I’ve never been called in on a day I’ve decided to take off.
Fortunately, I heard Suella would be done by noon, so I was planning to go to a rental shop to borrow movies when this happened.
The person I had been dreading seeing for a while, especially after the recent incident, has shown up.
A bad premonition was ringing loudly, not as a tester, but as a working adult.
“My apologies. We are working *today* as well, so I assumed you would be working too. Besides, it seems they are challenging the dungeon again today.”
“The schedule should have been adjusted properly. We are proceeding at our own pace, and there should be no delay in work, right?”
While throwing out jabs, I don’t neglect to gauge the situation, implying, “Don’t make me work.”
If I go along with their pace, I’ll definitely end up working.
I was raised on labor laws, I’m a salaryman.
I will not compromise on my days off.
Besides, it’s easier to predict what someone who immediately tells you to work will say next than to predict tomorrow’s weather.
“Your statement can be interpreted as a lack of cooperation.”
There it is.
An invitation to a death march at a black company.
The message is, “Since others are working hard, you should work harder too.”
When you keep achieving quotas, the higher-ups demand even more results.
“My apologies. So? Can we get to the main point?”
It’s best to brush off unpleasant words.
From the word “duty” earlier, I can pretty much guess, but I don’t want to make the mistake of misunderstanding by not asking.
“By all means, Chief Tanaka.”
“Chief,” huh?
I haven’t been called by my title like this just now, or even in the past.
This probably has something to do with it.
I take a drag from my cigarette and quickly stub it out.
I have a feeling about what I’ve been told.
It’s about the recent personnel changes and my position.
I’m in the process of drafting it, so I’m not without ideas.
“…I suppose you want me to support their party, right?”
“Oh my, you’re getting straight to the point. I thought you would try to beat around the bush a little longer.”
“The most wasteful thing in work is butting heads over work. That’s what I believe.”
“That’s a commendable attitude.”
Easy for you to say. Do you think I don’t see that A4-sized brown envelope on the desk, just waiting for a sheet of paper to fit snugly inside?
Placing it in my line of sight openly means there’s something inside that will move me.
“Then, I will leave the formal orders here. I have informed them to wrap up their dungeon expedition for today and join us this afternoon, so please discuss the details from the afternoon onwards.”
“You know there’s no overtime pay, and you’re saying this.”
“A position comes with responsibility. Well then, please do your best.”
For testers who have no regular days off, holidays are determined by individual judgment. In this profession, where the concept of overtime pay is thoroughly eliminated, taking on work on a holiday means it’s either zero or one in terms of commission-based income. Therefore, one must hold the firm conviction of opposing holiday work at all costs.
However, it seems I can’t do that this time.
With a slight wave of her hand, the tea set I was drinking from disappears. As if her business is concluded, she quickly leaves the room.
“Damn it, advance notice is common sense in society.”
Even if I say this to someone from another world, it might not get through due to differences in common sense, but I can’t help but say it.
What awaits me is informing my own party, revising our action plan, and canceling my date with Suella – a parade of events that will be sure to slam my mood into the ground. I’m already spitting out complaints, though they can’t hear me.
There isn’t even enough time to utter the words “at least some solace.”
The order, which I took out with deliberate force, causing it to wrinkle slightly, read in Japanese:
“Order to provide support to Toru Himusumi’s party.”
Just the heading alone is enough to make me groan. I desperately search for any loophole to dismiss this, but seeing the supervisor’s signature at the end, I realize it’s impossible.
“Ah, damn.”
I have no choice.
Cornered, I quickly operate my phone and call Kaido.
I briefly convey the necessary information and hand over command. He seemed like he was about to complain, but when I asked, “Huh?” with all my displeasure, he said, “A senpai returning after an all-night overtime session!?” Even though he said something nonsensical, he accepted the handover, so I’ll consider it done.
For now, or rather, for this week and next, I can buy time by instructing them to look for flaws in the familiar floors while leveling up.
I don’t know when my own work will be finished, and the content has no clear end in sight. For now, all I can do is issue instructions when things are calmer.
As for Suella,
“I see…”
“Yeah, I apologize.”
“It can’t be helped with Evia-sama’s orders. However, it seems we need to have a thorough discussion regarding ‘that person.’ The eighth training ground should be free, shouldn’t it?”
She understood when I explained the situation.
I knew time was of the essence, but I felt it would be wrong to cancel over the phone, so I chose to go see her in person.
I interrupted her work as she was tidying up documents, and as much as it was work, I felt bad about changing our plans so suddenly and apologized.
Suella, who tells me not to worry about it, is a wonderful girlfriend.
I vowed to make it up to her and tried not to look at her smile as she summoned a rather ostentatious staff.
There’s no need to imagine where her anger is directed.
This is entirely her own fault.
“Still, it looks like you have your hands full.”
“Yes. It can’t be helped.”
“The second batch of tester recruits, are they gathering smoothly?”
“Yes, some have already had their interviews, and some will be moving into the dorms next month.”
“Please, let’s avoid another situation where we’re biased towards backliners again. It’s pretty bad that I’m the only pure frontliner in the current active tester parties.”
“Yes, considering that, we’ve now made it optional and included aptitude tests, so it won’t be like last time.”
“Is that so? If more people like you join, that’s good. But that means more sacrifices for Instructor Kio.”
“Then we’ll need to increase our potion stock.”
“How about combining it with the healer class? They could gain experience too?”
“That might be a good idea.”
She indulges me in conversation during our short break. While I mostly talk about work, the fact that I can spend time with her lightens my mood, which had been depressed until just a moment ago.
“Still, I was curious how much Suella and the others would appreciate Hollywood action movies.”
“Yes, I was curious too. I was hoping to get new ideas for magic from them.”
“It seems like they can defeat aliens, those people.”
“From what Jiro-san described, we have similar beings here too. We might be able to deal with them.”
Aliens, huh?
My mind conjures up movie credits like “Demon Lord VS Giant UFO.”
The fact that the protagonist isn’t a hero but a demon lord is probably a sign that I’m starting to be influenced by this company.
I tried to imagine it: I don’t think our President, who can unleash firepower comparable to nuclear weapons with full strength, couldn’t do it.
If it were to happen, a live-action film with a cast of skilled individuals, with no stunts or CGI, would surely be a breathtaking spectacle.
Personally, I’d like to see Instructor Kio split a spaceship in half with his sword, even a small one.
In this case, I feel the film crew would be more at risk than the actors, but let’s put that aside.
“The President, of course, but Instructor Kio would probably just punch them away.”
“Yes, and others… let’s see, Evia-sama would probably handle thousands of them.”
“Ah, that sounds about right. She’d likely dispose of them with uncast magic in a detached manner.”
“Indeed. For me, I might be able to handle one or two.”
“Could I handle them too?”
“Well, with your current equipment, you could safely handle about one.”
“If there were more, it would be better to run, I guess.”
I found it interesting to adapt our fiction to their reality, but Keiri-san’s gaze, which seemed to say, “Don’t flirt during work,” was starting to become severe.
I came here to cancel today’s plans.
Any longer, and I’ll incur her wrath.
“I should be going soon.”
“Yes, it might be difficult for you, but please be careful.”
“Yeah.”
It’s one thing in front of her room, but this is the workplace. I can’t push it any further.
With Suella’s smile seeing me off, I feel a slight boost in motivation and leave the place.
I’m already equipped for work, so I head straight for the gate.
With so few testers, this place is deserted.
Ordinarily, it would be more lively, but there’s no sign of that.
I was supposed to meet Himusumi and the others here, but
their absence means they are still inside the dungeon.
Why do I have to have such a troublesome meeting? But work is inherently troublesome.
I’ll just accept it.
By the time I finished a pack of cigarettes, they appeared.
“You look like you’ve been thoroughly beaten.”
“It’s your fault.”
“Wrong. It’s your screw-up.”
Even after spotting them, I don’t bother to extinguish my remaining cigarette.
As a smoker’s etiquette, I’m careful about the direction I exhale, but that’s it.
They must have been challenging the Oni King’s Dungeon again.
The dust and mud characteristic of the dungeon are visible all over their equipment.
Their appearance, coupled with their exhaustion, epitomizes fatigue.
“Nostalfer’s orders are for me to come support your party.”
“…”
“At least give me a reply. And if you don’t want to be treated like a kid, fix your facial expression.”
I cut to the chase with a cool demeanor, unfazed by Himusumi’s uninspiring glare.
I warn him, looking exasperated by his lack of response, and his expression darkens further.
“If you don’t like it, say so. If you have the guts to smear mud on your assigned person’s face and spit on the supervisor who issued the order, then by all means, refuse. I am here to fulfill my duty. I’m willing to do this, but if you, the leader, lack the motivation, we can’t proceed.”
“…You mean I’ll be under your command?”
“Idiot, who said that? We can’t decide that without understanding each other’s abilities. I’m here as a helper, but whether you’ll be under my command is something we’ll decide from now on.”
He’s probably tired, or stressed, or both, and on top of that, his recent lack of progress is adding to his impatience. His brain isn’t working at all.
“…Haa, for now, do you have any physical stamina left?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then let’s confirm each other’s abilities.”
I don’t expect anything from Miki Nanase, the woman behind Himusumi.
Whether she’s timid or just acting, she’s just nervously watching Himusumi and me, a tense atmosphere surrounding us.
“What are you planning to do?”
“We’re going to the training facility. It’s a simple competition.”
“Follow me,” I say, extinguishing my nearly finished cigarette in my portable ashtray, and start walking.
I stop for a moment and prompt the two, who are hesitating about whether to follow, with a nod of my chin.
The training facility is a five-minute walk from the gate.
“This place?”
“You’ve never used it? Then take a look around the facility more, Mr. Goody-two-shoes.”
From the control room above the training room, holding an unlit cigarette in my mouth, I tap away at the keyboard.
I thought my hastily submitted request wouldn’t be approved even if it was submitted in the morning, but since the number of testers is small, fewer personnel are using it, so the application went through smoothly. I quickly type to prepare the facility.
While they are seeing this for the first time, I have used this facility many times.
I also know how to operate it.
“Settings complete. For now, I’ll show you what I can do, so you two can take a break and watch.”
“What are you going to start?”
“A virtual combat simulation of a dungeon deployment. Here, you can fight souls in a simulated environment. I’ll go alone, and you two will face it together. The scenario won’t change, so you two watch from here. Then we’ll compare abilities to see who takes command. Simple, right?”
“Couldn’t you just discuss it instead of doing something like this?”
“Either way, we need to confirm your abilities, Nanase. There’s a proverb, ‘Seeing is believing,’ and it’s true. It’s better to see than to hear. That’s why this kind of realistic training is perfect.”
I light an unlit cigarette with fire magic, a skill I recently learned.
Thanks to this, I no longer need a lighter.
When I shift my gaze back from the tip of my cigarette, I see Nanase’s expression, which is less of dissatisfaction and more of anxiety.
Explanation is a duty of a working adult, so while answering her, I check my equipment.
“From my experience, numbers on paper have no value in the field, less than scrap paper. You probably wouldn’t be convinced if I said I should be in command just because I can do this, right?”
They don’t nod, but they seem to understand.
“I haven’t closely observed your battles either. I need to confirm your current capabilities.”
Even if I were shown their stats, I doubt I could confirm their actual abilities.
This is necessary not only for them but also for me.
“There are potions over there. Drink them while you watch.”
I head towards the door to the stairs connecting to the training room from the control room.
As expected, there’s no reply. Seeing me off in silence, I step outside and practically jump down the stairs.
The countdown has already begun.
Though the action was to make it in time, a fall from this height is nothing.
With a light landing sound, I find myself standing almost in the center.
“Well then, let’s take it easy.”
“Set up.”
As the mechanical voice speaks, the scenery distorts.
The field is a mix of rocky areas and wastelands, easily visible from above. Peeking out are goblins, orcs, and minotaurs – familiar faces from the Oni King’s Dungeon.
My equipment is divided to handle both close and long-range combat.
Bows, axes, swords, and shields.
I’ve prepared a total of about a hundred.
The distance is about two hundred meters, by my estimation.
“The objective is…”
I slowly draw out the Ore Tree from my back and crush the lit cigarette.
“Let’s say 10 minutes.”
“Start!”
As the mechanical voice announces, the army before me begins to move.
Unlike a dungeon, they move with military discipline, with no surprise attacks. I smirk, my facial muscles forming a crescent moon.
“Kiyyyyeeeeeeeeeeyyaaaaaaaaahhh!!”
First, I break their formation with a battle cry.
The unified marching order is divided into those who flinch from the monkey’s roar and those who don’t.
“I’m closing in!!”
I slash into the gap.
Running low enough to almost scrape the ground, I close the two hundred meters in mere seconds.
Without regard for the weight difference between goblins and orcs, I slash them all sideways with all my might.
If there are enemies at a distance, I have no choice but to relentlessly press forward.
Whether it’s swords, bows, axes, or magic, I get close and cut them down.
That’s all I can do, but I need to fully understand my role.
Confirming the sensation of my feet crunching on gravel, I change direction and take out the surrounding enemies with a blast of magic as shamanic forces attempt to cast spells at me and my allies. If I have a brief respite, a space, and time to prepare for a kick, I can charge forward like a giant bullet, infused with magic, in the same way I thrust the Ore Tree.
My passage alone inflicts immense damage.
But fully utilizing my abilities leads to results. I won’t hold back.
Prioritizing attacks on the rear guard, I reduce the chances of surprise attacks against me.
A giant, as if to obstruct me, challenges me.
“A Minotaurus, huh? I’ve certainly become stronger!”
However, even the power of that giant only creates a moment of stagnation.
I receive the downward swing of his axe with the Ore Tree, which has become like a sword, and bounce it back without a creak, then counter-attack and sever him vertically.
I only included one Minotaurus. Since I’ve already cut down the rear guard, there shouldn’t be many left.
Souls possess the emotion of fear, but they do not choose to flee.
Then it’s just a matter of processing.
“Finish.”
“11 minutes. A minute over.”
It’s just a warm-up.
I take a cigarette after the task.
I’m satisfied with this, even though I didn’t go all out.
“Well, well, let’s see what you’ve got next.”
Unscathed, I walk across the floor of the sterile training room, which glistens again as the scenery twists, and head back to the control room.
To measure Himusumi’s abilities, which I’ll see next.
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, single
Girlfriend: Suella Henderberg (Dark Elf)
Memoria Tris (Vampire)
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee)
Magic Aptitude 8 (General Class)
Position: Warrior
Stats
Strength: 2802 → 3012
Endurance: 3050 → 3331
Agility: 1999 → 2102
Stamina: 2641 (-5) → 2924 (-5)
Dexterity: 1336 → 1600
Knowledge: 89 → 90
Intuition: 422 → 485
Luck: 5 → 5
Magic Power: 1022 → 1233
Condition
Nicotine Addiction
Lung Contamination (Minor)
Skills
Monkey’s Roar
Slash Attack (NEW)
A word for today:
Huh?
Oops, I almost slipped back into old habits.
This chapter concludes here.
I’m happy that more people are starting to read my work lately.
Please continue to support “Corporate Expansion from Another World!? Rise to Power Record from Job Change!”
