Entering a Company From Another World! – Chapter 286

“A lot has happened, but we’ve somehow managed to get this far.”

“Yeah, it feels like too much has happened, though.”

If you were to ask new employees what the most important thing is for a Dungeon Tester, most people would probably answer combat power. It’s true that it’s important for the job, so it’s understandable they’d think that way. In the first place, newcomers tend to join companies with some degree of idealism. They expect glamorous work to await them. And so, these testers, who have an imagination that’s both right and wrong, come in. Forty-two full-time Dungeon Testers. Sixty-three part-time Dungeon Testers. A total of one hundred and five people. That’s the number of second graders. Yet to know battle, their job duties are supplemented by their imagination, and they’ve joined this company as pure, unblemished eggs. It’s not strange to think such things.

“The question is how many will remain from here on, but I doubt Evia-san and Suella have made no preparations. They’ll manage the strength control well, and it probably won’t end up like it did in my time.”

Now, suddenly – what’s the difference between these newcomers, the second graders who don’t even know their right from their left, and us, the first graders? If asked, many clear differences would emerge. One year is a short time, yet it is also a long time. During that period, many things can be thought of. Equipment, human relationships, it’s all like that. The experience accumulated in one year cannot be underestimated. However, if asked which one is the most important, I would say none of them. And to add to that, I would say that the advantage of one year is not an absolute difference.

“I hear the newcomer training is going well so far.”

So, if you ask what is important, I feel like I thought about this a year ago, but now, having experienced various things, I would say this: What’s important in this company is overall ability. Well, I’m saying it grandly, but it essentially means that everything is important. The more you challenge dungeons, the more you see what you’re lacking. It’s not enough to just be able to fight. It’s not enough to just have knowledge. It’s not enough to just have the right tools. I can confidently say that you need to possess skills in mind, technique, and body to do this job.

“It’s just a step up from what we did at the orientation, but it’s the starting point for Dungeon Testers. What they’re doing isn’t combat training, it’s mainly basic physical conditioning and lectures, and apparently, there have been some complaints.”

The newcomers probably thought they’d be handed equipment and told, “Let the adventure begin.” But what they’re doing is group physical training. This training also includes tests to assess their humanity, physical capabilities, and suitability as combatants. Of course, the newcomers don’t know this, and it’s better left unsaid. I hope they diligently engage in this physical training. After all, stamina is also an important element in dungeon攻略. I’ll say it again: I hope the newcomers will respond patiently. It’s only when various elements work together that dungeon攻略 and improvement can be achieved. It’s not just a matter of clearing it and being done with it, which is the difficult part of this job. Conquer and prevent it from being conquered – contradictory aspects are mixed in.

“It might be better than when we were suddenly beaten up by the instructor, but I bet some people will complain about the tedious training.”

The newcomers probably wouldn’t even think of such a thing. They’re probably still dreaming and excited about their own accomplishments. Although the number has decreased slightly since the orientation the other day, it’s more than double the number of first graders. It’s a hiring number that makes you want to call it a major corporation. They’ve recruited from overseas, and their lineup is truly rich. Not just Japan, but Europe, Southeast Asia, America, Russia, etc. The second graders are the result of gathering people regardless of gender or race.

“Both stamina and knowledge are important. You’ll understand that after you start working.”

“No, Leader and Kaido-senpai, standing on a pole with jars in both hands and your upper body bare – what manga training scene is that?”

“What are you saying now, Minami? We can’t criticize either. Our magic control training looks like something out of a manga to outsiders.”

While those newcomers are working hard, we, “Moonlit Perch,” are not doing dungeon tests today but our daily basic training. Fighting isn’t our only job; we regularly engage in physical conditioning like this. Kaido and I, being frontliners, are doing physical training as Minami mentioned earlier: standing on a three-meter-long bamboo pole stuck vertically in the ground, holding water-filled jars in each hand with our arms spread out. It trains core strength, grip strength, concentration, stamina, and various other parts all at once. On top of that, the liquid in the jars can have its weight changed by infusing your own magic power, making it an excellent tool. Minami might call it brute force training, but Kaido and I have become so accustomed to it that we can chat while doing it. However, just because we’re used to it doesn’t mean it’s not tough. Our arms tremble, the bamboo pole sways with the recoil, and controlling all of that at a level where we can maintain our posture and chat requires tremendous effort, almost to the level of a spinal reflex. Minami says it with a look of exasperation, but as Kitamiya-chan says, the training for magic users like her is similar, and I think so too.

“Kitamiya-chan is right! Minami-chan, yours looks like it’s in outer space. What about gravity?”

“Gravity apparently wants to take paid leave sometimes, especially around me.”

“You’re amazing because you can control it like that, but it gives me a headache just watching.”

Kitamiya and Minami are both meditating, floating themselves and surrounding weights in the air. It might look like telekinesis, but it’s all controlled by magic power. They circulate their magic power, distribute it around them, grasp that magic and control the weights to make them float. The effect is improved magic control, amplification of magic power, and improved parallel thinking. Kitamiya moves with a celestial, orderly motion, occasionally imposing complex movements on the weights, but Minami is the opposite. As Kaido said, it’s sheer chaos. The weights move erratically and at irregular speeds around Minami, yet they never seem to touch. Some come close to colliding, but they narrowly miss and cross paths. I’m in awe of Minami’s ability to control all of it.

“Mmm, if that’s the case, our training seems so mundane!”

“Well, it is actually mundane.”

Compared to that training, which sounds like something out of a manga, the training for the younger members is undeniably dull.

“What can we do? Amelia can’t control her magic that well yet. I won’t forget the time you tried the same training and scattered the weights like claymore mines.”

“Ugh, if you put it that way…”

“Hahaha, I really thought I was going to die then.”

Amelia is doing the most basic of magic control, a kind of part-time job or side hustle of flowing a certain amount of magic power into a magic stone. She has an immense amount of magic power, so she can unleash powerful magic, but unfortunately, she’s completely lost control of lower and mid-level magic. To use an analogy, her household water tap has become a fire hydrant. Adjusting the flow seems to be quite difficult, so she’s slowly pouring magic power into small magic stones, like charging a battery.

“It’s fine to join in on the chitchat, but if you’re careless…”

“WHOA!?”

“You’ll break it. That makes twelve now.”

If she pours in too much, the magic stone shatters with a beautiful *parinn* sound. Katsu hands her a new magic stone with a wry smile, while beside him are boxes filled with magic stones that far outnumber Amelia’s. Katsu does it simply for magic power reinforcement. It’s a common sight to see him filling magic stones, as he hasn’t entered Minami and Kitamiya’s domain yet.

“Speaking of which, have you heard anything about the newcomers? I often hear about their training, but I rarely hear about who’s outstanding or interesting.”

“I’ve heard they’ve gathered quite a few unique individuals, but I haven’t heard any detailed stories yet.”

Kaido changes the subject while Amelia sweeps up the remnants of magic stones with a small broom, making a *shik-shik* sound as if she’s about to cry. The topic is the recent increase in their junior colleagues. After the incident in Kawasaki the other day, our members have paid more attention to the newcomers. It’s not simply that they’re wary; right now, simple curiosity prevails. It’s also true that not all of them are like Kawasaki. There are friendly and approachable people like Benny. Perhaps that’s why what kind of juniors they have is often discussed. However, as Kaido said, it seems to take time for truly unique individuals, enough to be mentioned in personal information, to show themselves.

“What they’re doing now is basic training, so it’s hard for them to stand out unless they’re exceptionally athletic. It would be more problematic if they did.”

“But like, say, running 100 meters in three seconds?”

“Even I couldn’t do that back in the day. If I could, maybe I could have escaped from the instructors a little.”

“Everyone knows this. My lack of exercise. Even with my magic crest, it would take me over ten seconds.”

“Me too. Just a little faster than usual.”

“Hmm, I was okay, I guess? I don’t really know because I was in another world, but I was faster than usual!”

What are you expecting from stamina enhancement training? We’re chatting about our manga-like training, so please overlook it.

“If we’re talking about problem children, we’re all problem children to some extent, so we can’t really say anything.”

“Hey, don’t lump me in with senpai! I haven’t caused that much trouble.”

“I’m no good. I was also a troublemaker.”

“I have no comment.”

“Hahaha, in that regard, I was probably the biggest troublemaker.”

“I… never mind.”

And if we shift the topic to those who are remarkable in a strange way, everyone gathered here has done something outrageous. We weren’t in a position to criticize others.

“In that case, I don’t mean to be rude, but the topic shifts to cute girls and that sort of thing.”

“I’ll pass on that. With four potential beautiful wives, I don’t have the confidence to get excited about that.”

“I’ll pass too.”

“Me as well.”

“I’m also kind of… in that area.”

“Me too.”

“Eh!? Usually, we get excited about this sort of thing, right!? Why isn’t everyone enthusiastic!?”

And so, when men and women are gathered, the topic of appearance comes up, but this was the topic that generated the least excitement. Kaido, thinking it would be lively since people from various countries were gathered, brought it up but met with hesitation from everyone. And naturally so. I, of course, have Suella, Memoria, Himik, and Evia-san. With four types of beauties surrounding me, what more could I ask for? For Kitamiya and Minami, the topic is almost taboo right now. Katsu might feel similarly, or perhaps he hesitated to speak, sensing the mood. Amelia probably has the most relaxed answer. It looks like she has priorities other than romance right now.

“To summarize the conversation so far, we have a large number of people, but they’re not particularly remarkable. But is that really the case?”

“I’ll just say that this isn’t the kind of company that’s satisfied with just gathering such talent.”

“Oh, you say that. Is that your intuition, Leader?”

“It’s based on experience.”

We’re summarizing the points raised in our casual conversation, but Minami probably understands. She’s also vaguely aware that the newcomers gathered this year are not all ordinary. She doesn’t know what’s different exactly. But there’s one thing that can be said for sure.

“Also, don’t waste time worrying only about the newcomers. Don’t forget that we also have walls to overcome.”

“I know, I know.”

“Haa, I was trying to forget.”

“Get a grip. This time, it was our lack of skill.”

“Ugh, I wonder if we can really win. I’m worried.”

“We just have to do our best.”

If you keep moving forward, eventually, there will be days when you stop.

“There’s no option but to do it. We’ll have a meeting later to discuss countermeasures.”

We must accept the defeat in the dungeon攻略 that had been proceeding smoothly.

Today’s Word:
The perspective of others is constantly changing.

Thank you for pointing out my mistakes and for your comments.
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*The first volume of the book has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
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