I obtained information from Hands that Kawasaki was taking some action, but I had no concrete proof.
So, I thought the only option now was to watch and wait.
“Are you Kawasaki Midori?”
There was no choice but to do something, so I went directly from Hands’ store to Memoria’s shop to gather information.
It was a familiar conversation across the counter.
I came to the store thinking that Memoria, a shopkeeper in the same shopping street, might have some information.
Since we became lovers, she no longer reads books behind the counter, but perhaps as a remnant of the quiet store from earlier, there was a book with a book cover at hand.
Not minding it as usual, I conveyed the information from Hands and told her my imagined impression of the person.
“No, I haven’t met her. Besides, new recruits shouldn’t be able to enter this shopping street yet. So, contact would be made outside the shopping street. I don’t go out much from here.”
“I see. Then you haven’t heard any stories about her?”
“If it’s just rumors, then yes.”
That prediction ended up being a miss.
Whether she was avoiding me, or by chance, Memoria hadn’t had contact.
It was understandable that Giants, who only had weapons in their eyes, wouldn’t remember such appearances or characteristics, but it was unlikely Memoria would forget.
If that’s the case, it means she’s not active within the shopping street.
“What kind of rumors? The rumors from Hands were a bit vague.”
“I wasn’t listening closely, but it might be more accurate to call it ‘sales’ rather than a request for cooperation. I heard it was about presenting a return and trying to gain profit.”
However, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
If rumors are circulating, there must be a cause for them.
And based on Memoria’s story, I started to piece together the flow of events.
Her scope of activity would be limited to what a newcomer could handle, and the timing would also be restricted.
And Memoria’s story confirmed my prediction.
“Sales, huh? Do you know the details?”
“Yes, the woman presented three things. First, the group she belongs to basically purchases consumables and weapons from contracted stores. Second, they create reviews of the products used. Third…”
Memoria, counting with her index and middle fingers, told me the content of the rumors.
The first was an exclusive contract.
The second could be called a product development contract.
Then, the third could be roughly predicted.
“Creating advertisements and making announcements, perhaps?”
“That’s correct. You figured it out well.”
“Well, it’s something I’ve done before.”
“Kotsuyaki? What is that?”
“It’s a Japanese proverb. It means you understand something because you’ve done it before.”
Merchants tend to see value in information.
They jump on items with good reputations and avoid those with bad reputations.
So, who decides that reputation?
The product developer? No, of course, product developers also evaluate products and release that information, but such information often hides the bad parts.
It’s an effort to sell.
So, it’s a reference, but not a decisive factor.
Then, what is it? When you think about it, the most reliable source would be the voices of people who have actually purchased and used the product.
Of course, there are individual differences in opinions, and misinformation exists, making it difficult to rely on at times, but with careful examination, it can become reliable information.
And good reputations attract new sales, and by seizing that flow, one can differentiate themselves from other shops.
“It’s a good deal for bait. It could be seen as a deceptive act, but conversely, if you can get them on board, they’re as good as ours. Recommendations from acquaintances are the easiest and most trustworthy form of advertising.”
For a Dungeon Tester group of about a hundred people, manipulating that information is relatively easy.
“This weapon shop is bad, but that weapon shop is good.”
With that kind of word-of-mouth, people’s flow will likely shift to some extent.
The shops here were all invited by the Demon Lord’s Army and receive subsidies and aid.
However, it’s undeniable that a lack of sales is difficult.
Currently, with the increase in the number of testers, there is a growing momentum for new business in the shopping street.
In such an environment, if you’re offered a sweet treat, most people would reach for it.
“So, have any stores taken the bait?”
“I haven’t heard of any such stories yet. However, I can’t trust them. Silence is golden. There’s a possibility they’re staying silent.”
“That’s a proverb that exists in this otherworld too.”
“As merchants, they should naturally know that by closing their mouths, they can gain profits depending on the time and situation.”
However, they are merchants.
It means they don’t engage in amateurish behavior like openly reaching out.
Even with information gathering like this, they don’t easily reveal their hand.
“Perhaps I might be one of those who are closing my mouth?”
“Please spare me. If that’s the case, I’m completely out of options.”
“Heh heh.”
It’s difficult to gather such information when you’re not a professional.
Memoria teased me, and I honestly raised both hands in a surrender pose.
I judged that if she didn’t know, I couldn’t push any further.
“If possible, I would appreciate it if you could gather any information like that.”
“Then, as a business deal, let’s discuss how you will pay for that information.”
“Please be gentle.”
“It’s not a merchant if they don’t profit when they can.”
I knew it wouldn’t hurt, but her expenses would likely be high, so I listened to her request.
I’ll just say one thing: she was very passionate that night.
“Senpai, you have bags under your eyes, is something wrong?”
“Nothing, just a little sleep-deprived and anemic. Don’t worry.”
The next morning, I dragged myself to work, feeling a bit sluggish.
I was chatting with Kaido, who had already arrived, while drinking coffee to wake myself up.
When I asked Kaido, who was pouring coffee in the kitchen and looking at company news on his PC, if he was there, he replied he was.
“Is there any interesting news?”
“Just that the newcomer’s training is scheduled to end. And that we’ll be called out for the closing ceremony, right?”
“Well, that’s the condition for scaling back our activities.”
I handed him one of the cups and gently glanced at his PC screen over his shoulder.
I checked for information about Hands and Memoria from yesterday, but it wasn’t publicly available, as expected.
The other party doesn’t show their hand easily either.
Even though I had a bad feeling, I wasn’t doing anything wrong.
So, I was feeling uneasy about not being able to take any specific measures.
I sipped my coffee.
“By the way, Senpai.”
“What is it?”
“Uh, it’s a rumor, but there’s something that Piqued my interest.”
Just then, I heard the word “rumor” from Kaido’s words and reacted instinctively.
My body moved naturally, waiting for Kaido’s next words.
“You know Himik-kun, Kitamiya-chan’s childhood friend, right?”
“Ah.”
“There’s a rumor that he’s got a new girlfriend.”
“A new girlfriend?”
However, the story that came out was different from what I wanted to hear.
I understood that romantic relationships were a form of entertainment for working adults, but I never expected Kaido to bring up such a topic. I relaxed my shoulders, which had tensed up slightly, and listened to the story with a calmer mind.
“Yes. Gobu Gorou-san told me.”
“Who’s that?”
“He’s an Elite Goblin named Gobu Gorou, whom I sometimes go drinking with.”
“I don’t know him.”
I have a few goblin acquaintances, but I don’t know a goblin named Gobu Gorou.
So, I cut off Kaido, who wore a suspicious look when I bluntly said I didn’t know him, and urged him to continue.
“He said he saw a beautiful woman embracing him when he was doing equipment maintenance the other day.”
“When was that?”
“I think it was the day before yesterday. He said it yesterday when we were drinking together, asking if it was a new girlfriend?”
“Heh, he’s become quite the man. Did he benefit from our company’s influence?”
“Like Senpai?”
“You too, right?”
“I’m not there yet!!!”
If I had to describe Himik in one word, he would probably be a protagonist from a story.
He’s good-looking and his personality isn’t bad.
He’s a bit too strong in his sense of justice and prone to jumping to conclusions, but even including that, I don’t think he’s a bad person.
Honestly, I was surprised after what happened with Kitamiya, but I thought it would be wrong to speculate about who that woman was, so I decided to cut the story short here.
“Not yet, huh. Will there come a day when you and I become sworn brothers?”
“…Senpai as the older brother… Is this like a yakuza movie?”
“Who said we’re making a pact? Geez, you’re no fun to tease.”
“Heh heh! I’m not the only one who gets teased all the time!!”
“Yes, yes, you’ve grown.”
I teased him, thinking that if Himik married Himik, and Kaido ended up with those twins, we might become indirect brothers, but lately, he seems to have developed a resistance to this kind of teasing.
I gave Kaido, who had retorted, a weary look.
I don’t know what Kawasaki is thinking or planning.
I slowly drank my coffee, lost in thought, and pondered.
I had reported the information to Suella and Evia as well, but both of them said they couldn’t impose any regulations or cautions.
Evia stated that such actions are not malicious and that interfering with them would only be a disadvantage if viewed as part of the dungeon攻略 efficiency improvement.
For now, we’ll observe the situation. It’s probably for the best that attention is just slightly focused on Kawasaki.
If attention is drawn, it will naturally become more difficult for her to act.
“That’s right, Senpai.”
Just as I was hoping for such a deterrent and trying to shift my thoughts to work matters, Kaido spoke to me. Wondering if there was something else, I asked him back, holding my coffee cup.
“What is it now?”
“I’ve developed a new special move, so please be my test subject.”
“If you can take me down at the counter, then fine.”
“If I actually did that, I’d be the one getting taken down!!”
“Not all enemies will attack you defenselessly, so it’s practical, isn’t it?”
“It’s too practical!! Please, at least use a wooden sword!”
“Even with a wooden sword, I could cut you down.”
“That’s right.”
While thinking in the back of my mind that I should also pass on the information to Minami later.
Exchanging jokes, we moved on to our next action.
My plan for the rest of the day is training with Kaido.
As someone who still cannot fully control the dragon’s blood, this training is indispensable.
On the other hand, Kaido is also not neglecting his efforts to fully exert the abilities of his suit.
Therefore, recently, the two of us have been sparring frequently.
I have many challenges, such as controlling my power, and Kaido, developing new techniques.
After finishing my coffee, we changed in the locker room and headed to the training facility we had applied for in advance.
“Excuse me, Mr. Tanaka, do you have a moment?”
“You’re…”
Normally, it would only take about five minutes to reach the facility.
However, there was someone waiting on the way.
A woman, holding her hands together at her chest, standing there anxiously.
“Nanase?”
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
“Ah, you seem well… or rather, not.”
“…”
That day, when we trained together, Nanase’s hair was short enough to cover her neck, but now it had grown past her shoulders and was reaching her waist.
That was the only physical change, but the problem was her expression.
Her eyes looked as if she was afraid of something, suppressing her anxiety, and doubting if this was really alright.
Honestly, anyone would see that her complexion was poor.
Now, had trouble found me, or was it something else?
I exchanged a glance with Kaido and decided to listen to what she had to say.
Today’s Word:
There are various actions that are not necessarily bad, but undesirable, depending on one’s position.
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*The first volume of the book is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
An e-book version was also released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and supplemented from the version posted on “Shosetsuka ni Narou,” with the addition of unpublished interlude chapters.
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A comic adaptation is serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
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