The day after procuring Kiraboshi’s dungeon equipment.
Kageichi and the others went to the government-designated venue with Kiraboshi to receive an explanation about the upcoming cleanup operation.
The conference room designated by the Labyrinth Agency had the image of a special investigation headquarters that appears in detective dramas.
Among the many Cleaners and Raiders gathered, the combination of a suit and a high school uniform stood out considerably, causing Kiraboshi to shrink back, but Kageichi had already resigned himself to it.
Around the appointed time, two figures appeared on the stage.
One was a petite woman wearing a crisp black suit.
Her face was youthful and exuded charm, but her movements were efficient.
The other, a man who seemed to be the main figure, was a burly giant.
Clad in a full black suit, with a physique as solid as a rock, the man, who introduced himself as “Goto,” promptly began the briefing.
“This time, we would like to request you all to exterminate specific monsters in the middle layer of the government-designated Rank S Dungeon, ‘Nagi Plains.’ As some of you may know from the news, there is a high risk of a mass outbreak, so this will be a preliminary measure.”
The government-designated, Rank S Four Great Dungeons, “Nagi Plains.”
Located mainly around Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture, where Kageichi and the others lived, this labyrinth had the most extensive area after those in Tokyo and Osaka among the Four Great Dungeons.
Although it was a public dungeon, the full extent of its depths remained a mystery—or so it was said on the surface.
By the way, some people mistakenly believe that Rank S means the highest difficulty dungeon, but that is not quite the case.
Certainly, the depths are an unexplored area where monsters befitting Rank S appear, but the lower layers are so easy that they are called Rank E to F, and the general public is allowed to enter as a public dungeon.
In addition, it is a convenient dungeon for various purposes, such as the condition for obtaining a Hunter License being to break through the Boss Monster on the 5th floor of the lower layers, and for collecting materials.
…While Kageichi was considering whether to explain this to Kiraboshi, she nudged him from the side.
(Kageichi-san. May I ask a question? I’ve heard that there are many Streamers in Rank S Dungeons, hunting monsters… is it still necessary to exterminate monsters additionally?)
(It’s not necessary in the lower layers. However, there are fewer Hunters in the middle and upper layers, and they tend to be picky.)
The value of the Magic Stones dropped by monsters is often proportional to their strength, but there are exceptions to everything.
Some monsters have little value, and naturally, many people tend to avoid them.
(It is a common belief that if monsters in the dungeon become biased in this way, the balance will be disrupted, and the risk of a Gate Crash will increase. Therefore, the government regularly pays for extermination.)
(I see… Hunters have a hard time, don’t they?)
(It’s a business, after all. Everyone prioritizes what’s profitable, and if I could, I’d like to just use Demon Slash on metal slimes and make a fortune. But the world doesn’t work that way. In that sense, I think the Labyrinth Agency is doing its job properly.)
Many people on social media complain that the Labyrinth Agency is wasting taxes and not taking sufficient measures, but Kageichi appreciates them.
It is because there is an organization that supports them that dungeon exploration and the safety of residents are maintained.
(…Huh? In that case, why did you participate in this cleanup, Sensei? Is the reward that high?)
(There’s not much profit. But, although I’m a freelancer, I’m still participating in society, so sometimes I participate out of goodwill and a spirit of service.)
(That’s a lie, isn’t it?)
(It is a lie. I’m participating partly for a certain investigation. It’s a good opportunity to assess the abilities of my fellow Hunters. –I’m sure they feel the same way.)
Kageichi casually surveyed the venue.
Excellent Hunters are in high demand in any industry.
Of course, the government is no exception, and in many cases, they are planning to assess their abilities during large-scale events like this and later scout them directly.
(Do you want to be scouted, Sensei?)
(No way. I hate working for the government. However, I’d like to know how many capable people are gathered at the venue, partly for market research. So that I can respond when I get caught up in trouble in the future.)
(…Do you know who the strongest person in this venue is, from your perspective, Sensei?)
Kiraboshi looked around at the participants from the back seats.
The strong-looking ones are either that master-like old man in the work clothes with a sword… or that magician-sama wearing a triangular hat in the front row.
Kageichi chuckled as Kiraboshi pondered.
(There are various standards for strength, but the most troublesome, in a sense, is her. She seems like a pain to have as an enemy.)
He pointed to the woman in a suit next to the black-suited man on the stage.
Eh? Kiraboshi blinked.
(That plain-looking person with the bob cut?)
(In terms of simple ability, the man on the stage is overwhelmingly stronger. However, in a good and bad way, that girl over there is surrounded by Magical Power that would make her troublesome to have as an enemy.)
Well, he had no intention of antagonizing anyone in the government organization.
At Kageichi’s whisper, Kiraboshi looked at the girl again.
The woman with a name that didn’t suit her youthful face, “Torako,” with a nameplate hanging on her chest… was she that strong?
With an exploratory feeling, Kiraboshi emitted Magical Power from the penlight in her hand… but, because the Magical Power density was low on the ground, “Detection” couldn’t be used.
When she thought, “Oops.”
The girl—Torako—looked back at Kiraboshi and snapped her fingers.
(Kiraboshi-san, you emitted Magical Power just now, didn’t you? It’s being returned to you.)
(!!)
(The Magical Power density is low on the ground, and the effects of dungeon-produced items are weak. But some people notice. Also, the act of emitting Magical Power at someone for a search is the same as picking a fight. Be careful with those who are stronger than you.)
(Yes… I’m sorry…)
Ignoring the pale and downcast Kiraboshi, Kageichi bowed his head in apology instead.
It was our fault, I apologize.
But, to have the sensitivity to notice Magical Power emission on the ground, even with an amateur’s Detection, Kageichi decided to revise his perception of the two officials on the stage.