Another side
When Jiro and his companions were engaged in their normal operations, other testers were also involved in their respective duties.
The new employees were still in training and not yet deployed for actual combat, but the testers who had been active since last year were different.
Although their numbers had decreased, they had the experience of continuing dungeon tests for a full year.
Including Jiro’s party, there were currently four active parties.
Jiro’s party, “Moonlit Perch.”
Himusumi Toru and Nanase Miki’s two-person party, “Wings.”
A female party led by a female archer named Kanzaki, “step beat.”
A group of four male mages, “Golden Hill.”
There was almost no connection between these four parties.
There was a time when Jiro tried to mentor Himusumi and Nanase, but that period was short.
Although they interacted occasionally, their relationship was extremely dry, with no private connections. Like Jiro’s party, their connections were solely for work.
This was also due to profit-related reasons.
Information published on the company’s internal website was sufficient.
In an age where information gathering had become easy, no one would go to the trouble of interacting if it wasn’t necessary.
It was also due to a sense of rivalry.
In fact, this reason was more common.
Pride could sometimes motivate people and serve as emotional support.
However, conversely, pride could also be a hindrance, preventing one from admitting that they were inferior to others, leading to cases where they couldn’t bow their heads.
“Thank you both for responding to my call.”
It was unclear whether this led to the current situation.
However, there was no element that could be unequivocally denied.
It wasn’t just some of the Demon Race within the company who were dissatisfied with the current “Moonlit Perch” monopolizing the top position.
Himusumi Toru and the other parties also fell into that category.
While they didn’t wish to go so far as to sabotage them and take risks to overthrow them, the three individuals gathered here could not deny that they did not look favorably upon the ones always running ahead.
Moreover, regardless of superficial words, emotional reasons were often difficult to dismiss.
“So, what’s this about? You even rented out a place like this for it.”
“That’s right. We’re busy trying to pick the best newcomers.”
In a small conference room.
This place was inconspicuous within the company and was a space with magically and mechanically maintained confidentiality.
An application was required, so the company was aware that some secret discussions were taking place, but beyond that, the room’s content was kept secret.
There, two men and one woman were gathered.
Himusumi was pleased that they had agreed to talk with cheerful smiles.
Kanzaki, the sole woman, wrinkled her brow suspiciously, urging them to get to the point.
And the man, Torimatsu, who leaned back against his chair as if agreeing with her, making no effort to hide his displeasure.
“It’s about our future activities as Dungeon Testers.”
“Haa, discuss that with your party. I came because I heard there was something important.”
Kanzaki bluntly cut through Himusumi’s indirect statement.
However, Himusumi, who was childhood friends with Kitamiya, a strong-willed woman, seemed unfazed by her assertive tone and lightly agreed before continuing.
“Originally, there would be no need to share this kind of conversation, but over the past year, we have fallen significantly behind. We need to close that gap.”
Himusumi’s normally cheerful expression turned serious as he spoke.
The other two reacted sharply to the word “gap.”
“…Them?”
Torimatsu of “Golden Hill” broke the silence of a few seconds.
His already displeased expression deepened, and he gloomily spat out words about Jiro’s group.
At first, they were solo players who were older.
The rest were young, talented, and somewhat detached.
One was a mid-career hire, whom they had looked down on, but who had now become someone they looked up to.
While acknowledging this fact, he leaned back heavily against the chair, making it creak, as if expressing his dissatisfaction.
“Their progress is abnormal. Without external intervention, it’s impossible to grow that fast. We ourselves are living proof of that.”
Himusumi then threw the cause of their frustration into the room.
They all believed they had put in their own effort and achieved results.
In fact, Himusumi’s party could be said to have been in the lead from the beginning.
However, after a certain day, their dungeon攻略 had stalled, and they were now spending their days patiently clearing dungeons while waiting for their daily stats to increase.
Moreover, Himusumi was still considered the fortunate one.
Kanzaki’s party was also progressing steadily, but they were a step behind Himusumi, and Torimatsu’s攻略 had completely stopped.
Therefore, from Himusumi’s perspective, the speed at which Jiro’s group was clearing dungeons and increasing their difficulty was nothing short of abnormal.
What was the difference between the abnormal Jiro and the members at this gathering from the perspective of these three?
Why could they not do what Jiro’s group could?
They couldn’t ask directly, and even when they asked the person in charge indirectly, they only received vague answers.
From the company’s perspective, they were hesitant to convey information that even members of the Demon Lord’s Army, with few exceptions, would not willingly accept, hence the vague answers.
The company’s response was not malicious.
However, Himusumi didn’t see it that way and interpreted it as some kind of reason, perhaps a gag order.
“If that’s the case, it’s simple. Don’t you think this company operates on inequality? They receive special training and guidance that we don’t, and they build connections that we lack.”
Following that line of reasoning, Himusumi became convinced that external intervention, or rather, favoritism, was being implemented.
Most people react unpleasantly to the word “inequality.”
In fact, although Kanzaki and Torimatsu did not show it on their faces, the atmosphere subtly worsened as they tacitly agreed.
Although he didn’t show it on his face, an intense gleam appeared in Himusumi’s eyes, as if he found it unforgivable.
“Don’t you think so?”
He was seeking agreement, but his tone was as if he were stating a certainty.
He conveyed it to the two people present as a foregone conclusion, without seeking their agreement.
“…”
The two, who agreed with him in their hearts without voicing it, chose silence.
Affirming his words might lift their spirits, but it could lead to actions that went against company policy.
Himusumi’s argument accurately captured the feelings of both of them.
“…What are you getting at?”
After a period of silence, Torimatsu, who had grown impatient, broke the silence and addressed Himusumi.
Himusumi, who had seemingly been waiting for this, glanced at Kanzaki.
“…”
Perhaps it would have been more convenient if Kanzaki had also joined in, but she remained silent for a few seconds.
Accepting this, Himusumi closed his eyes and then opened them to speak.
“Their status is something we could have reached. I think the company is overvaluing them for being ‘a little’ active.”
He emphasized the word “little.”
And Himusumi was saying that Jiro’s group’s achievements should have rightfully been theirs.
“I have a great way to break through the current situation. I want you two to help me with it.”
Himusumi then smiled in a friendly manner, as if subtly suggesting who was suitable for the task.
With his good looks, this smile would have been perceived as gentle and kind, and charming, especially by women.
Torimatsu, who had listened to Himusumi’s proposed method with initial suspicion, gradually deepened his smile.
Kanzaki, however, maintained a consistent expression.
“Interesting. I’m in.”
By the time he finished speaking, Torimatsu’s initial displeasure had vanished, and he enthusiastically agreed to Himusumi’s plan in a friendly manner.
“This is all I can say for now, but Kanzaki-san. What about you?”
“…If what you say is true, it’s certainly an appealing offer.”
“Then…”
“But I can’t make a decision alone. I’ll discuss it with my party members and give you my answer.”
“…Understood. However, I will set a deadline. The sooner the better. Three days. I won’t wait any longer.”
“Understood.”
Kanzaki, on the other hand, seemed skeptical.
If what Himusumi said was true, there would be a substantial reward.
There were no inconsistencies or contradictions in what was discussed.
However, she felt a persistent unease, like a small bone stuck in her throat, and avoided giving an immediate answer.
Himusumi accepted her response resignedly, while Torimatsu snorted, as if he couldn’t understand why she didn’t give an immediate answer.
When the conversation ended, there was no need for further discussion.
Kanzaki quickly stood up and left the room.
Torimatsu appeared as if he wanted to hear more details, but…
“Sorry, I have someone I’m meeting.”
“What? You’ve asked others besides us?”
“Well, something like that.”
Himusumi rebuffed Torimatsu and left the conference room.
On his way, he took out something hidden in his sleeve and turned it off.
In Himusumi’s hand was a voice recorder.
Everything that had been said in the conference room was recorded within it.
“Hello, how are you doing?”
“Midori-san.”
Seeing a woman leaning against a vending machine on the way, Himusumi smiled.
“I’ve secured the cooperation of one of the two. Here’s the thing you asked for.”
“Thank you. So, only one of them? Was it the girl who refused?”
“Yes, that’s right. Was there a problem?”
“No, it’s alright. I’m sure she’ll come around to this idea too.”
The person Himusumi was meeting was Midori.
She waved her hand as if they were meeting on a date and slowly approached Himusumi, standing before him.
The distance between them was such that an outsider might mistake them for lovers.
There were no eyes watching them talking at this distance.
This was a hidden spot, so to speak.
While the conference room offered confidentiality, it attracted attention.
Conversely, this place, despite having a flaw in its confidentiality, attracted significantly less attention.
It was a suitable place for such secret meetings, where one could be aware of their surroundings.
The two were discussing the results of what Himusumi had spoken about just moments earlier.
“You look anxious.”
“Can you tell?”
“Yes, you show it on your face more than you realize. You think you’re okay, but you’re not.”
She pointed to his furrowed brow with a gentle touch and told him with eye contact that he was okay, easing the tension in his shoulders.
“It’s alright. I’ve got your back. You just need to keep moving forward. I’ll handle everything else. Then there won’t be any problems.”
Few knew when he and she had met.
However, there was only one thing that could be said: he did not doubt her words.
And he accepted her words, which had “helped him break through” his current lack of results, more readily than he realized.
“I’ll push your back like I did that time. Then ‘Kitamiya-chan’ will come back too.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Yes, you made a mistake. But that mistake isn’t unfixable.”
Her hand gently cupped his cheek, and he gently enclosed it.
“Because you were able to reflect on your mistake. I’m sure she’ll forgive you.”
Her touch was gentle and sweet, seeping into him like honey.
“However, it’s difficult to make her speak her true feelings because she’s not straightforward. So, we need a trigger.”
Her sweet whisper entered his ears pleasingly.
And slowly, it “shifted” his perception.
“That trigger will begin soon. And although this is Japan, it’s not like Japan. That trigger will surely work.”
Her hand, which had been gently resting on his cheek, slid away, and her hands wrapped around his neck, embracing him gently.
He buried his face in the neck of the sweet-smelling woman, surrendering to her warmth and comfort.
Her words assured him it would be alright.
He was immersed in her presence, like a mother, an older sister, and a “lover.”
He didn’t know what kind of result it would bring.
But the future was surely predetermined, like a fairy tale picture book.
“The evil mage was defeated, and the hero lived happily ever after. The end.”
He had forgotten to doubt that.
Today’s word:
Everything is going smoothly, but such things never last.
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*The first volume of the book has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was also released on October 31st of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19th.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the content posted on “Shosetsuka ni Naro,” with the addition of unreleased interlude chapters.
Please also check out the new releases!
A comic adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
We hope you will enjoy that as well.
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