“Good work today, Kiraboshi-san. You took down quite a big one.”
“Yes. I managed to defeat it somehow. Though, we didn’t completely annihilate the ‘Mother Sphere’…”
Having finished today’s Quest, Kiraboshi sighed softly while swaying on the train ride home.
It was still daytime, time-wise.
But for Kiraboshi, it already felt like she had been fighting all day.
The emergency Quest, “Mother Sphere Subjugation,” ended with incomplete results.
The sniping of Osanai Torako of the Labyrinth Agency’s Public Safety Division had a significant impact on the staff’s actions.
If an external collaborator were to be sniped during a Quest, it would be a matter of credibility for the Labyrinth Agency, and the lives of the staff themselves would be in danger.
Since the use of Sniper Rifles in Japanese Dungeons was extremely rare, they probably took a cautious approach.
Afterward, fortunately, the culprit was successfully apprehended.
But the conclusion of this incident was that the Mother Sphere Splinter was allowed to escape in the meantime.
“However, it can be said that the objective has been achieved. The ‘Underwater Crystal Cave’ should disappear eventually.”
“…Ah, I see. Because you reduced most of the Boss’s Magical Power, right?”
“Yes. As I mentioned before, in order to cause a Dungeon to self-destruct, it is necessary to lower it below the limit Magical Power that maintains the Dungeon. In a normal Dungeon, the Boss itself holds more than 30% of the total Magical Power that maintains the Dungeon, so it does not collapse, but this time, the Mother Sphere can cut below the lower limit even without being completely annihilated. …If the Boss was really defeated, that is.”
“Eh? That means…”
“Excuse me. It’s just my speculation, so don’t worry about it.”
A Dungeon that has fallen below the lower limit cannot maintain its shape and disappears naturally, which is the basics of Dungeons.
The result—we’ll know later.
“…Ah, but Sensei. I have a question. If that’s the case, why was it necessary to annihilate all the Mother Sphere Splinters?”
If you only need to go below the limit Magical Power to maintain the Dungeon, then even if you don’t defeat all the Bosses, the Dungeon will collapse on its own and disappear along with the Bosses, right?
That was probably her question. Of course, the Labyrinth Agency understood that as well.
“Do you remember that it was mentioned in the meeting that this Dungeon is a differentiation type?”
The differentiation type indicates that if the Dungeon is left unattended, similar Dungeons will appear around it.
To give an example, it’s like a queen ant flying out from one Dungeon and creating nests in other Dungeons…
“…Could it be that the Splinter will create other Dungeons? But normally, Dungeon Monsters can’t go outside, right? Unless a Gate Crash occurs.”
“That’s the unique point of the ‘Mother Sphere.’ That Boss seems to have the special property of being able to operate outside the Dungeon for a short time.”
The Mother Sphere Splinter, having moved to the next nest, becomes a new Boss and creates a Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth Agency, fearing that leaving it alone would lead to a major disaster, hired a private Cleaner and was determined to annihilate it, even if it meant labeling it as an emergency Quest.
“However, only a few Splinters remain. Even if a Dungeon is formed, there will be no problem if a discovery report is made early, and it will be impossible for it to become as deep as an A-class Dungeon.”
“I see. So, most of the problem is solved.”
“Yes. However, I was able to do a separate job… It’s hard to improve the QOL of safety and security.”
Kageichi cracked his neck, as if to say, “Oh well.”
The fact that he didn’t tell Kiraboshi the details meant that it was that job… cleaning up to improve the QOL of a stress-free life.
I think it’s not good to say that you’re doing murder to improve your QOL.
While admiring that Sensei is still unwavering as ever…
What about Kiraboshi’s future? She asked herself.
–It was a Quest that made me keenly aware of my lack of ability.
Without Sensei’s help, it would have been a dangerous battle.
To improve my own level, I want to spend more time conquering Dungeons and improve my skills in the future.
…But, tomorrow is school.
Today, I forced my parents to let me take a day off–I told my mother, “Being in the Dungeon distracts me,” hinting at the aftereffects of bullying, but the same trick won’t work twice or three times.
And if I go to school, Kamase Imoutoya and Shirogasaki will be there.
Imoutoya is one thing… Shirogasaki is stubborn and inflexible–Kiraboshi still doesn’t have the skill to win in a war of words.
Even if I become stronger in the Dungeon, I’m just a student in the classroom.
Haa, while letting out a troublesome sigh,… I suddenly thought, what if I could become a formal Hunter myself?
If I become a full-fledged Cleaner, I can also receive rewards for Quest completion.
If I can earn income on my own, I can live without going to school, and I don’t have to talk to annoying classmates.
…Yeah.
I struggled today, but I defeated a mid-B-class Boss.
If I work hard properly from now on… no, what if I do it right now…?
“Is something the matter, Kiraboshi-san?”
“No, well…”
She was a little embarrassed to be seen sighing, but.
“Sensei. I have something to discuss… Do you think I can live as a Cleaner in the future?”
“Hmm.”
“If I go to school, my time will be limited, and my growth will be slow. I think it would be better to work hard at the Dungeon business properly…”
Becoming a full-fledged Cleaner. I’ve never thought about it, but is it a possibility?
No.
The more I think about it, the more I think that’s the only path for me.
I don’t have time to go to school. More than that, the Dungeon.
Sensei should be happier with that, and he should agree–
“You will be suited for it in the future. But I don’t think that choice is right now.”
“Eh?”
…What do you mean, not now?
“Is it because of my age? But there are people in the world who are working as Cleaners in high school…”
“It’s not an age problem. It’s simply because I felt that there is a sweetness in your will.”
The train stopped.
Kageichi got off first, and Kiraboshi hurried to follow him.
–My, will… sweetness?
“Wait. I didn’t say that with a casual feeling. I’m seriously thinking…”
“Then I’ll ask you directly. Did you say that you want to work hard in the Dungeon business because you want to become a Cleaner now? Or did you say that you want to become a Cleaner because you don’t want to go to school?”
“–Ah.”
“At the very least, I don’t think you should make a decision about your life with a sigh.”
My chest ached.
…Th, that’s of course.
I’m serious about making a living as a Hunter,
“Does Kiraboshi-san know the average annual income of a Cleaner? What is the accident rate? You said you would become a Cleaner, but have you properly considered what specific path you will take to make a living?”
“That is…”
I have a vague image.
To receive official Quests from the Labyrinth Agency, it is necessary to obtain a B-class license.
To become a B-class, you need more than one year of Dungeon experience, completion of Quests designated by the Labyrinth Agency, and passing a written exam–
But, salary and career path…
Besides, what kind of Cleaner do I want to be?
“If it’s a conclusion after careful consideration, I don’t mind. But if not, you should reconsider.”
“Th, that’s…”
“In addition, if you want to live in the Cleaner business–or rather, in society, you need basic negotiation skills and communication skills. At the very least, if you’re using the Dungeon as an excuse to escape from school friendships, it will be difficult to be a freelancer. Unless you’re an exceptionally talented person.”
Struck by the truth, my feet froze.
I really want to become a professional Cleaner, that feeling is real, but…
Can I say that there was no impure feeling at all?
Could I have said with my chest puffed out and without a trace of cloudiness, “I want to be a Cleaner because I like the job of a Cleaner”?
If I could really say that, why did I say this after thinking about school and Shirogasaki-san?
Even if I were to say it, there should have been a more appropriate scene…
“I’m sorry… I was shallow.”
Sensei is right. My current statement is just an excuse to escape from school friendships.
…But–
“But, I don’t know. How should I get along with people like Shirogasaki-san? In the end, if they don’t listen to me, I can’t help but think that I have to kill them… but in my mind, I don’t want to do that to people who are just annoying…”
Kiraboshi cannot make such a decision.
Besides, the risk is high.
The other party is a pure-blooded young lady, and if she goes missing, they will definitely start an investigation.
In the first place, Kiraboshi doesn’t have the resolve to just get rid of Shirogasaki because she’s annoying.
Kiraboshi defeated the Boss Monster “Mother Sphere” Splinter today and grew.
However, the mentality of the human being Kiraboshi Yoshiko is still immature–
“Kiraboshi-san, do you have time after this? Why don’t we have lunch and talk slowly?”
Invited by Kageichi, she got off the train and headed to the underground shopping street, letting herself be carried along.
As it was lunchtime but still a weekday, we slipped right into a diner, and Kageichi smiled, saying, “It’s on me.”
“One word of praise for you,” he added.
“Huh?”
“Kiraboshi-san. Noticing your own shortcomings and consulting others is a good sign. The last time we encountered a similar situation, you immediately snapped, went for a dark ambush, and used a Chainsaw, you know?”
“Ah!? I, I see… that’s right…”
“That’s interesting in its own way, though. But if you’re going to do it, you should control your emotions and kill them systematically. — Surely next time, right?”
That’s the way to enjoy life more.
Oh, I’ll have the Spicy Cod Roe Zoni set meal, Kageichi said, deciding on the menu and straightening his posture.
From here on, it’s study time.
The battle is won. Next is the time for intellectual and spiritual growth —
“Now then. I am now going to talk about very common generalities. You might even call it a lecture. …It may be boring at first, but if Kiraboshi-san listens carefully, I think you’ll understand the meaning.”
“…Yes.”
Common generalities.
The teacher looks like this, but he’s also a very ordinary adult, and he has common sense.
He’s sure to give the immature Kiraboshi appropriate guidance —
“First of all, as a major premise. I am not recommending murder.”
…Huh?
“In the first place, murder usually takes a lot of effort and cost, and it’s high risk. I’m only doing it because I have a cheat that can clear those problems, and ordinary people don’t make that choice.”
“Ah, well…”
Very common generalities… well, it certainly is a generality…
Is he just saying this now?
“You may be thinking, ‘Why are you talking about this now?’ But — how do you think ordinary people solve this problem?”
“Huh?”
“When you come across a scene that makes you want to swing a Chainsaw, what do ordinary people do? — In other words, when you encounter trouble in relationships and communication, how do you deal with it?”
“…………”
“Until now, Kiraboshi-san probably only had two choices. — Endure it, or kill them. But since murder is illegal, you have no choice but to endure it, and you’ve been living while enduring it. I understand that you awakened to murderous intent as a reaction to that… but in the world, there is usually a third option.”
He held up a third finger and showed it to Kiraboshi.
“Reconciliation. A common communication method that many people take. Let’s learn about it today.”
…Huh. Reconciliation?
Does such an option exist in the world?