The battle to reclaim my freedom has now begun.
With an indescribable crowbar-like crowbar in hand, I dash through the company hallway.
“Wait…! Trying to get ahead alone is—hebu—!”
A Crowbar Chop (※a strike with a crowbar) flashed across the forehead of the colleague who appeared.
The chopped colleague collapsed to the spot with great force.
“If you want to quit, then quit yourself before you get sick!”
Next to block my path was—Section Chief Sudare.
『Huh, wasn’t Department Head Sudare here just a moment ago?』
“This one also has a Sudare-head.”
『I see… The people in Master’s world are difficult to distinguish.』
Section Chief Sudare spread his arms, blocking the way.
“Don’t you think you’ll cause trouble for those around you if you quit…?”
“Guh…!”
Gnnn… That’s… certainly true. Quitting suddenly would cause trouble… it would…!
“Crowbar Kick!”
“Abeshi—!”
A mere kick, delivered while still holding the crowbar, exploded forth.
『Master, that’s a normal kick…』
“I don’t give a damn about causing trouble for others! Besides, the workplace will keep running even if I leave! Don’t underestimate the cogs of society!!!!”
There are plenty of replacements.
Everyone, quit without worrying!
『Master… you’re cool, but your remarks are pretty scummy…!』
“Thank you, Sinri!”
Section Chief Sudare, defeat complete.
I dashed vigorously down the hallway, and voices could be heard from the break room along the way.
“Nagano-san is quitting, apparently.”
“This voice… It’s the Office Crone!”
Even though I’m approaching, she’s deliberately raising her voice.
“Young people these days really have no guts, do they? They get scolded a little and immediately cry power harassment or sexual harassment and quit. It’s not like it’s a part-time job, you know.”
The Office Crone’s nagging verbal assault begins.
Damn it… So irritating!
…Actually, it’s subtly effective.
It’s true, a job isn’t a part-time gig…
“Young people these days really are…”
“Shut uuuup…!”
I swung the crowbar-like crowbar and threw it with a fwish!
“Hidebu—!”
“It’s because of people like you that my motivation drops!!!!!!!!”
I’m trying my best too, you know!
『But Master, you’re 29, right? You’re not that young to be called a “young person”… are you?』
“Silence, Sinri! That remark will make enemies of all the late-twenty-somethings in the world, you know!?”
Twenty-nine is young, got it!?
『Ah, yes.』
“Alright, next…!”
Passing through the break room and going up the stairs—
“Hey.”
Standing before me was the number one handsome employee in the office.
“Nagano-san, I heard you’re quitting? What’s wrong, shall I… listen to your story?”
Hoh, a handsome guy offering to listen to my troubles?
“Don’t need it!”
“No need to be shy, little kitten… hebushi—!”
With the crowbar I had retrieved from the Office Crone earlier, I struck him in the groin.
『How cruel! To aim pinpoint for a man’s vital spot! You fiend! But that’s what’s good about it…!』
“Can a good-looking-only incompetent solve my problems?! Sorry, no!”
Subduing the handsome guy, I ascend the stairs.
Just a little further to the president’s office. There lies the “Core” that supports this dream world…!
“Waaaaaaiiiiiit!”
Blocking the way were Sudares of department head rank and above.
Let’s tentatively call them Sudare A, B, C, and D.
“Nagano-san, have you decided on your next job? Being unemployed is risky, you know.”
“Quitting at 29, what can you do? Once you drop out, re-employment is hell, you know.”
“Have you contributed anything to the company? To quit without repaying the kindness of being nurtured… isn’t that cold?”
The Sudares’ words pierce my heart.
Aren’t these kinds of dream worlds supposed to try and hold you back with sweeter temptations…?
Why are you throwing reality at me!?
“Now, Nagano-san. Let’s return to work.”
“Shuuuuuut uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!”
I slammed furious Crowbar Chops into the Sudares.
“Gah!” “Guh!” “Geh!” “Nhoooooooo♡”
The Sudare Four Heavenly Kings, annihilated.
『It’s an M! There’s an M mixed in, Master!』
“Thank you for the information I least wanted to know, Sinri. Now then…”
All obstacles have been eliminated.
The president’s office is right before me.
If I destroy the “Core” inside, I can reclaim my reality—my slow life in the other world.
I opened the door to the president’s office.
The dazzling light made me instinctively narrow my eyes.
Standing by the window was—a young man in a suit.
『Is that the president of Master’s company?』
“No… different. He was older.”
『Then…?』
“Yeah…”
The man was a black-haired youth. He looked to be in his twenties.
Not much different in age from me.
That man said with a smile.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Iiyama Kaito.”
“…Nagano God.”
“Yes, that’s what everyone calls me. Pleased to meet you.”