The welcome party for the newcomers, or rather the mock welcome party, can be said to have ended without incident.
While it wasn’t a wild atmosphere of singing and drinking, the tension had subsided by the end, leaving an impression of people conversing over drinks.
“So, why am I the only one left behind? I can’t shake this bad feeling.”
And then, not in a post-feast silence, but the atmosphere after that naturally felt quiet.
Since we had been drinking quite late, everyone except me and those who didn’t drink alcohol was tipsy. I watched them stumble home and, with a liver trained by Instructor Kio, I saw Suella, Himik, and Memoria off before heading to the second party.
The next place wasn’t a izakaya like before, but, dare I say, a quiet bar that suited Evia and Instructor Fushio, but not Amili-san and Instructor Kio.
“Oh? And what is the basis for this bad feeling of yours?”
“If it were just being taken by the four executives, I wouldn’t be this wary, but the moment we entered the establishment and the sign changed to ‘Closed,’ I’d suspect something was up, Instructor.”
“Kakakaka, you observe well.”
“If I didn’t, I’d think my observational skills would naturally be honed. I was taught by certain people that this applies not only in dungeons.”
“That’s a good sign, isn’t it, King?”
“Affirmative, observation is important.”
With me at the center, Evia to my right, and Amili-san to her right. To my left were Instructor Fushio and Instructor Kio, each drinking. In front of me wasn’t the mug of beer I had been drinking earlier, but a glass of dark beer. I took a light sip, preparing for what was to come. The fine bubbles and the well-chilled dark beer slid down my throat, quenching my thirst. The slightly bitter, refreshing taste flowed from my mouth to my throat, and I began to speculate on the purpose of these four. Then, though various ideas came to mind, I dismissed them all. I had said something was up, but in reality, I wasn’t that wary. If I had to give a reason, it was that if there were any danger, these four wouldn’t bother with the trouble of bringing me along, and I wouldn’t have had time to notice. I drank alcohol simply because I was thirsty; one could say I was resigned to it.
“Hmm, then there’s no need for preamble.”
Perhaps because of my attitude, Evia, who had been slowly drinking her red wine, placed her glass on the counter and began to speak.
“It’s not bad news, you know?”
Seeing that I had tensed up, expecting it to finally happen, Evia told me with a slight smile.
“It’s not good news either, though. That’s the kind of progression where a word like ‘but’ or ‘however’ follows.”
And seeing that she smiled with mischief, as if she had no intention of hiding it, I smiled back as was customary, and Evia nodded with satisfaction, knowing I understood.
“I can’t tell you to rejoice honestly when I’m about to burden you with trouble. It helps that we can get to the point quickly.”
“It’s just that I don’t have the confidence to escape in this encirclement.”
When she mentioned trouble, it meant there was something fishy going on. I’m the type to avoid trouble as much as possible, but I had no choice but to listen to her now that I was in this bar. So, I interspersed jokes while listening carefully to Evia’s story.
“Your promotion has been officially decided. The order will likely come out next week.”
“To rejoice honestly, I’d like to hear a bit more. May I ask about your affiliation?”
And for a story Evia described as troublesome, the way she started it was normal for a salaryman. However, this was not a normal salaryman’s story. In this company, promotion didn’t necessarily mean good news. So, I conveyed my honest feelings and then asked for details.
“We will not remove you from the Tester position. You will remain in the Dungeon Tester Division.”
“So, it’s like a successor to Suella?”
Evia nodded as if my attitude was natural and began to explain the details. She placed her wine glass on the counter and turned her body towards me.
“That’s what you might think, but it’s a little different from here.”
It would be difficult to keep Suella, who was close to giving birth, as the head of the Dungeon Tester Division indefinitely due to various operational issues. Therefore, it wasn’t strange for a new section chief to take her place. I thought someone might take over as acting chief, but I never expected to be chosen. However, Evia’s ambiguous phrasing caught my attention.
“You will be appointed as the head of Dungeon Tester First Division.”
“First Division? Does that mean there are also Second and Third Divisions?”
And the department she announced had a word I had never heard before, which was the ambiguous part.
“That’s right. With the increase in newcomers, we will be dividing the Testers’ affiliations.”
“There’s a reason for that, isn’t there? It’s like curtailing the freedom we’ve had until now.”
“Naturally.”
And dividing affiliations would mean that methods would change by division. More importantly, Dungeon Testers have operated in a position similar to adventurers in fantasy novels. There was a possibility that this category would change. When affiliations differ for sales purposes, departments are often divided by genre of goods handled or whether they are for overseas or domestic markets. Perhaps we will divide the dungeons we conquer to improve efficiency?
“There are two main reasons for this. First, by dividing the organization, we will intentionally create a sense of distinction.”
“A sense of distinction?”
“Indeed, living beings are strange. By making distinctions, various emotions arise.”
“Just that sense of being different from others broadens the reasons for action. Ideology, ideas, basis, or even doubts.”
“What’s interesting is what comes from that. What emerges from it? The answer is that in most cases, it ignites competitive spirit.”
Fushio, Amili, and Kio explained Evia’s reasoning in succession.
“Are you creating a competitive society? But isn’t it the same as before? Dungeon Testers have competed in a sense.”
“It means the meaning of Jiro’s words is not enough. While there was a competitive aspect, it went no further than that. It doesn’t lead to a fundamental solution. Competition among small groups doesn’t create anything.”
This division was meant to create a field for competition as a company. While that was understandable, the reason for doing it at this timing was not.
“The point we misjudged. In our world, they would actively compete and step on others if left alone. However, we underestimated the ideology of this country. Pacifism, it sounds good, but it’s a bit unsuitable for making them compete.”
And here came the difference in cultural norms.
“Affirmative. We have been fighting for many years, but this country has not engaged in war for a long time. Fundamentally, violent conflict is considered evil, and the word ‘peaceful’ is a prerequisite. That’s a handicap.”
“I’m not saying it’s bad in itself, but it’s an obstacle in this line of work. That’s why we’re giving it to you. It’s the so-called justification.”
The instructors’ thoughts gradually became clear. For the past year, we Dungeon Testers had been aiming to conquer dungeons at our own pace. In other words, others were secondary, and we didn’t really see them as rivals to compete with. Of course, there were times when I was inspired by the regret of being left behind, but otherwise, I didn’t pay much attention.
“Is it justification as a job?”
If told not to lose to other divisions for the sake of work, what would happen? Some motivation, large or small, would arise. After all, it became a job to win against others, and winning against others would lead to differences in evaluation. Plus, if the personnel who could be allies increased beyond parties, our scope of action would also expand.
“That’s right. Of course, we intend to severely punish any interference, direct or indirect. We want to avoid a swamp of people pulling each other down.”
“So, it’s about making them compete. I see. What I’m curious about is the bait you’ll be offering. Without anything, it will be no different from before.”
I understood the policy. However, a question arose. If you want to make them compete, you need to provide a reason for them to compete. For example, in war, various countries might target one country because they want fertile land, and we testers need bait that makes us think, “We’ll do this job because of this.” Ideally, salary would be that. But, dare I say, that alone feels weak. Status and honor might be unnecessary for some people. On the other hand, some people might be bothered by receiving typical fantasy treasures or princesses. Evia and the others grinned at my question.
“Dungeons.”
“Huh?”
And I felt like I heard something impossible.
“It’s not a misunderstanding or mishearing. The Demon Lord said that excellent divisions will be granted the rights to manage dungeons.”
“Haa!?”
I stood up abruptly. In a sense, it was more problematic than the string of rewards I had imagined, but upon further reflection, it meant we were being given something incredible. This must be what it means to be dumbfounded.
“So, that means…”
“It doesn’t mean you’ll be given general rank immediately, but that’s what it will likely lead to in the future.”
“H-haha, seriously.”
Rank, honor, and wealth, all at once. It’s a reward that makes me want to call it the Warring States period of self-advancement. Giving us dungeons that are clearly established as a world, not just a noble title, is perhaps the greatest reward within the Demon Lord’s Army. I don’t think Evia and the others are lying. That means it’s reality. I weaken and sit back in my chair.
“You convinced everyone around you quite well.”
“Are you saying that, you who are the one being convinced?”
“Huh?”
“I said, are you saying that, you who wounded the Demon Lord? There are only a handful of beings in the Demon Lord’s Army who can inflict wounds on him. You should think that the weight of that fact is more important than you imagine, Jiro.”
And to think that I, of all people, was the one who convinced everyone else to accept that right, it’s almost comical.
“Don’t get careless just because you’ve been recognized. It wasn’t a unanimous decision. The remaining two divisions will be complemented by individuals chosen from the Demon Lord’s Army who have the potential to become generals in the future.”
However, Evia doesn’t let me laugh. She doesn’t forget to sternly warn me. But still, I can’t help but laugh. To think that a person could progress this far in just one year, I feel an overwhelming urge to show it to my past self. That overflowing emotion turns into a smile, and I utter these words.
“So, is this gathering itself not only a celebration of my promotion but also a pep talk to make sure I don’t screw up too badly?”
I think I naturally had a smile on my face, a smile of enjoying the battle, just like the instructors.
“Hmm, is that how it is?”
“I won’t deny it. This gathering does carry that meaning.”
“We are your recommenders, so don’t disgrace us, okay?”
“That’s right. Try your best.”
“Well, well, that’s quite a pressure to bear.”
To my combative smile, they returned equally combative smiles. Instructor Fushio’s smile, which was a question mark but clearly affirmative. Amili-san, who appeared emotionless and mechanical but with a slight smile at the corner of her mouth, her provocative gaze fixed on me, not on her drink. Instructor Kio, whose broad smile was all I could describe as ferocious. And Evia, her smile sharp like a blade, yet encouraging me to reach that level, a superior’s smile. Encouraged by their four distinct smiles, I couldn’t honestly say I would try my best, and my response became a little twisted. However, they seemed satisfied with that and nodded, saying it was fine.
“I understand and accept. Then, I’ll drink without holding back today.”
“But, what is it?”
“What is the other main reason?”
“Ah, that. Well, I heard that a certain two people were thinking of something interesting, and this is to help them.”
“Two people? Who?”
“Shiretoko Min, Kawasaki Midori. You know them, right? Wasn’t it something called the Clan Plan? Make full use of that plan.”
And so, I can only offer wry smile at one of the reasons why I ended up drinking at a place like this. I couldn’t just say “What are you doing?” but I never expected that two people looking in different directions would achieve the same thing. Thinking that I didn’t know if tonight’s drink would taste good or bitter. For now, at least.
“I will do so.”
I’ll chug the dark beer in front of me all at once. Not to cool this excitement.
Today’s Word:
You never know what might be a trigger.
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*The first volume of the book is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
Volume 2 was also released on December 19.
Volume 3 was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and supplemented from the content posted on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, including unreleased intermissions.
Please consider purchasing the new books as well!!
The manga adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
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