Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, has a girlfriend.
Girlfriend: Suella Hendelberg.
Memoria Tris.
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time Employee).
Magic Aptitude: 9 (Quasi Demon Lord Class).
Position: Warrior.
In the Demon Lord’s Army, fights where you punch each other are commonplace.
Without receiving a scolding the next day, I parted ways with Suella and the others, then returned to my room and found myself facing my PC here.
“Hmm, what should I do?”
That’s not to say I’m working on a report.
I’m creating a project proposal.
Yesterday’s fight was, in a way, an one-sided outburst, but even so, it’s not like I don’t have anything to think about.
If things had continued as they were, they would have either quit or caused more trouble.
It would be better if they quit, but if they became reckless and it escalated into semi-criminal interpersonal combat within the dungeon, it would be a bit troublesome.
The guarantee that they won’t die even if attacked can lower human judgment standards in such situations.
If the number of Testers in the dungeon increases, the organization itself, no, the very existence of Testers will be called into question.
We need to act before losing a flourishing profession.
Before it comes to that, I might need to consult with the supervisor or Suella, but it feels strange to just go consult without having done anything.
So, first, I’ll think of a few solutions myself, like this.
“I can see the problems… but the problems are too elementary.”
The issues that are the source of dissatisfaction, which other Testers probably face as well, can probably be broadly narrowed down to these three points.
The first is that even if you bravely challenge a dungeon, the income doesn’t match the effort.
Well, even so, combining my commission and monthly salary, I should be earning more than three times that of a regular salaryman.
If that becomes the norm, humans will want more.
If one can’t earn well, dissatisfaction will arise, even if it’s their own fault.
The second is the sense of frustration due to the攻略 not progressing as expected.
At this stage, where we are still fumbling for ways to攻略 and become stronger, unnecessary effort is inevitable.
This prevents efficient action.
It’s probably because they can’t accept that they can’t do their work as imagined.
And the third point, the grass is greener on the other side.
It’s probably jealousy that only we are being evaluated.
From our perspective, we’re still far from perfect, but we have pride in succeeding better than others.
That’s certainly due to the company’s support, but it’s also the result of our own efforts.
Even if questioned, I can say it with my chest puffed out.
Considering yesterday’s rant, it seems they aren’t paying attention to the parts where effort was put in.
“I’ve had similar experiences… what should I do?”
When I was at my previous company, departments that were good at their jobs were suspected of not working at all, rather than being respected.
The stories about my previous company were baseless rumors; in reality, the department was peaceful because the competent senpai efficiently handled things.
However, as soon as that senpai had a falling out with the boss and quit, it turned into a battlefield.
This case is similar to that.
The difference is that I have no reason to quit.
Now, if I were to list other minor points, there would be no end, so I’ll omit them, but these are the major ones I’ve listed, and they are all outside the scope of my interference.
Regarding salary, I can’t give them money, so they have to earn it themselves.
I might be able to help them get stronger by offering advice or training, but the problem is whether they will honestly listen to me.
As for jealousy, I suspect involving myself would only complicate matters further.
It would be easier if I could think of a plan that could solve this quickly, but my fingers are stopped by the content of the project proposal.
I press the cigarette I was holding in my mouth into the ashtray, and a mountain of butts has formed while my fingers remained idle.
“An idea for recreation came to mind… but the problem is the content.”
The task is determined, but the content is not.
I’m stuck, and no good ideas are coming to me.
At times like this…
“I guess I’ll go to a dungeon.”
Exercise is the best.
It’s strange to go to work for a change of pace, but being able to exert my full power is surprisingly effective at relieving stress.
On top of that, being able to earn money makes it a win-win situation.
As soon as I decide, I’ll temporarily save the draft of the project proposal, which only has a title written, turn off my PC, and quickly get ready.
Unfortunately, today is a holiday, and none of the other members are here.
I might be able to find someone if I go to the Party Room or contact them by phone, but I can’t ask them to come in on their day off.
After equipping my armor and Ore Tree, I head straight for the dungeon entrance.
With that, I decide to challenge a dungeon I’ve never tackled before for a change of pace, and I decide to try the Uuor’s dungeon.
“This looks like it’ll be quite tough.”
It’s a natural fortress.
That’s my impression of the mountain face, close to a cliff, where I can’t see the summit just by looking up.
A fortress, which seems too difficult to be called a dungeon, stood majestically, making good use of the terrain of the high mountainous region.
I heard it was a field-type dungeon that doesn’t use caves or underground areas, but I haven’t heard it was a fortress complete with multiple secondary castles.
The cliffs are almost vertical to the ground, and the path, which appears to be the only way, leads to a secondary castle.
Climbing the cliff would be the shortest route, but it carries the risk of falling and the danger of being attacked by monsters along the way.
On the other hand, if I proceed cautiously along the mountain path, which offers a secure footing, I risk being riddled with arrows from the fortress.
It’s a dungeon that’s difficult to attack by utilizing its mountainous characteristics and easy to defend, presenting a different kind of worry than creating the project proposal earlier.
“I guess I’ll try it first.”
With a forward-looking resolve regarding combat, I decide to worry after I’ve tried, so I grip the handle of the Ore Tree and kick off the ground, running up the cliff to take a shortcut.
That was the choice because I sensed an obvious trap on the mountain path.
“As expected, they’ve made countermeasures even for this kind of action.”
As I heard a loud rumbling sound, rocks began to fall from above.
Ahead, a cyclops was continuing the task of dropping rocks.
If I keep kicking straight up like this, contact with the rocks will be unavoidable.
“Well, I won’t stop just because of rocks.”
If it were made of iron, I might ponder for a bit, but I’m not someone who stops for mere rocks at this point.
“As expected.”
I slash through the leading rock and, using the brief moment of airtime, use it as a foothold to leap even higher.
Seeing my actions, the Cyclopes then retrieve ballistae as their next means and start shooting arrows at me.
The arrows are giant-sized.
Each one is like a short spear.
Considering the weight, gravitational acceleration, and launch speed, I can sense its power.
Being impaled wouldn’t just be painful.
And yet, there’s no escape on the cliff.
Even if I try to dodge left or right, the limited footholds prevent me from moving freely.
It’s troublesome, but I have no choice but to cut through it all.
I increase the power in my grip and channel magic.
The roots of the Ore Tree won’t spread.
That consumes a lot of magic power, and while it’s okay for short periods, it’s difficult for extended durations.
Using it here wouldn’t be a wise decision considering what’s to come.
Even so, I’ve acquired enough skill.
Mixing the sound of cutting rocks with the metallic clang, I climb the cliff and emerge onto a plaza.
“Three more to go.”
Floating in the air, I first send a magical blade attack, then slash at the nearest Cyclops.
That alone causes two Cyclopes to collapse.
Without even giving them time to react, I slice off the head of the Cyclops near the cliff’s edge, land, and quickly survey my surroundings. I see a barrier beyond the plaza and understand the general purpose of this place.
This seems to be a temporary base.
In such a place, I spot the remaining Cyclopes who were guarding the mountain path and, without hesitation, sprint towards them, estimating the distance to be about thirty meters.
“Two, next.”
The thirty-meter distance quickly becomes zero, and before the slow-moving giants, armed with great spears and large shields, can react, I sever their ankles and swing my Ore Tree towards their heads as they fall.
Without watching them convert into magic particles as I do a finger-point inspection of the fallen enemies, I rush to the next foe.
“One.”
As one Cyclops attempts to swing a great hammer, I leap up from below, as if kicking it, and swing my Ore Tree, aiming from its left flank to its right shoulder.
Then, I spin in mid-air and cleave its face vertically with a downward strike.
That’s the end of it.
An entire squad of Cyclopes has been wiped out.
“It feels less like fighting monsters and more like fighting an army.”
The opponents I’ve fought until now were, for better or worse, wild.
In contrast, this was a battle where I felt the difference from fighting opponents with conspicuous military movements.
This means that as I proceed further, it’s likely to become more difficult.
I reach for a cigarette from my pocket to take a breather, but…
“Oh?”
I hear the sound of something rushing past.
And with it, a deep, low sound, as if something is chasing it.
“More?”
I postpone my smoke and quickly put the cigarette back in my pocket, turning my face towards the source of the sound.
The origin is from the climbing mountain path.
It’s a path wide enough for a giant over three meters tall, like a Cyclops, to move around, but for unrestrained movement, a plaza is better, so I wait here.
“Seriously! Mike keeps saying weird things! Now I’ve been found!”
“Hm? I don’t think I said anything wrong. I just said I was curious about the back of the Cyclops’s head, and Amī started laughing.”
Running towards me at full speed around the corner is a girl I recognize, Amelia, who performs skits.
She was supposed to be off today.
Behind her, a horde of Cyclopes is chasing them.
The number is roughly fifteen.
Amelia has the second-highest magic aptitude among us, after me, but she’s only been working part-time for a short while.
She probably judged that she couldn’t handle that army and ran away.
For now, I’ll help.
“Someone’s here! Jiro-san!”
“Yeah, good work. For now, Amelia, just keep running through.”
I raise my hand in greeting, as if we happened to meet at a convenience store, and with that momentum, I point behind me with my thumb.
Then, I position myself in front of the path Amelia is taking, casually hold my Ore Tree at mid-level, and give instructions to Amelia, who has noticed me.
Following my instructions, Amelia passes by my side.
“Haa, KIIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!!!!!!!!!!”
I use a monkey’s roar for the first time in a while.
“What?! An enemy attack?!”
“Yeah, there’s no ‘enemy attack’ now, Amī. This magic is Jiro-kun doing something. But it’s quite impressive just with the sound, isn’t it? The magic power is fully infused. By the way, is it alright? Jiro-kun seems to have shifted to attacking.”
“I’m turning back now!!”
However, it was my mistake not to have used the monkey’s roar after enhancing it.
In my mind, I intended to draw the enemy’s attention with my usual monkey’s roar, but my voice had physical power.
My monkey’s roar, becoming a magical sonic wave, repelled the fast-running Cyclopes.
Although the damage is minimal, it could be considered a good feint attack.
While I’m surprised by the unexpected result, it’s also a fact that the opponents have exposed a critical opening.
Behind me, Amelia and the others are making noise, but my body reacts instinctively, and I rush at the Cyclopes with all my might.
My Ore Tree’s blade glides towards a Cyclops that had fallen on its backside.
The touch is light, but I feel the distinct sensation of cutting.
Linking the return stroke with my footwork, I unleash a slash, cutting through two at once, and while they’re trying to get up, I finish off three more.
And then…
“Haa!!”
Even as they get up, I don’t allow them to react, using their bodies as stepping stones to fluidly sever their heads.
And by the time Amelia returns…
“It’s over, it’s over.”
“Oh, Mike. It was over in an instant.”
“Yeah, and Amī didn’t make it in time.”
The Cyclops horde lies defeated on the ground.
Amidst the illusory particles of magic rising, I light the cigarette I couldn’t smoke earlier.
“Amelia, are you injured?”
“Yeah, I’m alright.”
While slowly looking back to make sure there were no more moving individuals, Amelia, sheathing her large knife, approaches me with a trot.
From what I can see, she doesn’t appear to be injured.
“So? I want to hear your excuse for going on a dungeon attack alone.”
“Uh, well…”
With safety secured and no apparent injuries, I can now give Amelia, who took a dangerous risk, a lecture without reservation.
The smile I learned from my instructor is useful in situations like this.
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, has a girlfriend.
Girlfriend: Suella Hendelberg.
Memoria Tris.
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time Employee).
Magic Aptitude: 9 (Quasi Demon Lord Class).
Position: Warrior.
Today’s quote:
“This is this, and that is that.”
This concludes this installment.
We look forward to your continued support of this work.
