Chapter 13: Contact from the Old Nest, and a Cross Counter ②
After sending the image captioned, “To Natsume Kouichi-sama: Estimated Magic Stone Purchase Value: 698,000 yen,” I decided to tell Iyada about my current situation.
Kouichi: I became an Explorer after quitting the company. That picture just now was my income from yesterday and the day before, two days’ worth.
Kouichi: I never thought I’d earn four months’ salary in just two days, lol.
Even as I wrote it, it was almost unbelievable.
All thanks to the Private Dungeon.
Pikon! A notification sound chimed again.
IYADA: That’s gotta be a lie. There’s no way someone like you could make it as an Explorer.
IYADA: You’re the kind of guy who couldn’t adapt to our company. You’re probably incompetent no matter what you do, lol.
…He really is a piece of trash.
Quitting a company that valued someone like him was definitely the right choice.
Kouichi: I thought so too, lol.
Kouichi: But it seems like my innate skill and the environment clicked perfectly, so it looks like I can manage.
Kouichi: I also seem to be growing at an astonishing speed, so I might even clear an annual income of around 10 million yen in my first year.
Pikon!
IYADA: Huh? There’s no way you’re worth 2.5 times my annual salary.
IYADA: Cut the jokes.
“Haha…”
Well, it’s fine if he doesn’t believe me.
After all, it’s 698,000 yen in two days.
Even I can hardly believe it.
If I keep this up, I’ll surpass his annual income in no time.
Kouichi: Well, that’s why I became an Explorer, so I can’t receive unemployment benefits anymore.
Kouichi: I have to tell General Affairs that I don’t need the separation notice. You could tell them for me, but you seem busy, so I wouldn’t want to bother you.
IYADA: Huh?? Are you serious???
Kouichi: You’ll tell them for me? Thanks.
IYADA: Did you really become an Explorer???
Kouichi: That’s what I’ve been saying all along, right? The Explorer Association will probably contact General Affairs about pensions and stuff too.
Kouichi: Quitting that job was the right decision. Maybe I’ll go for some high-class yakiniku to celebrate.
After a short pause, Pikon! a notification sound chimed.
IYADA: Huh? An Explorer? That’s not good at all.
IYADA: You’re risking your life fighting monsters for money, right? How desperate, lol.
IYADA: Wouldn’t want to imitate that.
“Huh…?”
The tide has turned…
It seems like he believed me.
Well, my business with him is done, but maybe I’ll humor him a little longer.
Kouichi: I can’t go into details, but I’m diving in a safe dungeon. It’s safe enough to go in empty-handed, wearing just a T-shirt.
Kouichi: Being told things like “Work yourself to the bone until morning” over there was probably tougher.
Kouichi: You’re that age and your health check-ups are a mess, right? You should get a detailed examination.
By the way, at my old company, they’d let you get a health check-up, but it was a crappy environment where you’d get yelled at if you took time off work for a detailed examination.
Well, it’s just that many employees thought that was normal.
IYADA: Don’t need that crap. Work’s life-or-death, ya know!
IYADA: You ain’t got that fightin’ spirit, that’s why you’re useless!
IYADA: If you’re so damn salty, try gettin’ the President’s Award, ya know!
“Huh…?”
What he’s saying now is different from before, and it’s full of typos.
I now understand how people on old internet forums felt when they’d write, “You’re beet red.”
He must be frustrated that I, someone he looked down on, turned the tables and asserted dominance over him.
My mood brightened a little.
That’s enough.
There was nothing to talk about with him in the first place.
I decided to cut the conversation short appropriately.
Kouichi: Is it 11 o’clock already?
Kouichi: I’m going to grab lunch and then head to the dungeon. It’s a bit late, but time to start work.
Kouichi: Keep working yourself to the bone so you can get the President’s Award next year too. Make good use of that 30,000 yen.
Kouichi: Later.
I put my smartphone on the desk and started preparing my Explorer set.
Pikon!
IYADA: Hey, wait.
IYADA: I’m more excelent than you, ya know!
IYADA: Don’t get cocky just ’cause you got a little money.
IYADA: You’ve never even gotten the President’s Award, have ya!
IYADA: I’ll do it too, ya know, just watch!
IYADA: Being an Explorer ain’t such a big deal!
IYADA: Not jealous at all, ya know!
IYADA: If you can do it, I can do it to!
IYADA: Don’t underestimat me!
IYADA: Are you listening? Huh!
IYADA: HEY! HEY!!!!
A flood of LINK messages came from Iyada, but I decided to leave them unanswered.
“How foolish…”
Seriously, can’t he even support someone on their new beginning?
He’s the worst as a human being.
Come to think of it, my old company was full of people like that.
“…I guess there was no need to feel inferior over a mere 30,000 yen and a certificate of commendation.”
Now that I’ve quit my previous job, I understand.
Just because someone is excellent within one company doesn’t mean they are excellent as a person.
If the environment changes, the definition of excellence also changes.
“Iyada, who doesn’t understand that… is probably incompetent himself.”
I even started to feel a little pity for him.
When I think about it, I’m collecting magic stones and contributing to this country’s energy situation and new industries derived from dungeons.
On the other hand, what about Iyada?
He deceives customers to make money and pushes complaints onto other departments.
Between Iyada and me, who is more beneficial to society?
“…There’s no comparison, is there?”
And the most important thing is that my current days are very enjoyable.
Back then, I lived with dead fish eyes, suppressing my emotions.
If I were told to go back from these fulfilling days, I probably couldn’t bear it.
It’s not about the income.
It’s more like I feel alive, or like I’ve remembered something precious I had forgotten…
I can’t quite put it into words, but there’s a joy that money can’t buy.
“…Well, whatever.”
Talking with Iyada made me feel like my pure feelings had been tainted.
I’ll go to the Private Dungeon and overwrite it.
“I wonder what awaits me today.”
For now, maybe I’ll look for some new insects.
Full of excitement, I put on my shoes.
(Meanwhile)
Explorer Beginner Questions Thread Part 258
1: Nameless Explorer
This is a question thread for people who want to become Explorers or have just become Explorers.
When asking a question, please be sure to read the FAQ in >>2-5 and follow the template.
Caution
To all veteran Explorers, please remember when you were young and answer kindly.
367: Nameless Explorer
Tell me how to earn 700,000 yen right after becoming an Explorer.
368: Nameless Explorer
367
There isn’t one.
End.
Production/Copyright
━━━━━
ⓃⓉⓀ
369: Nameless Explorer
367
First, consult here:
[Multiple Debt Consultation Service]
https://gov-help.••••••••
370: Nameless Explorer
367
Please use the template for your question.
[Age]
[Gender]
[Exploration Experience]
[Stats]
[Skills]
[What you want to ask]
*Please write your stats and skills in a way that doesn’t identify you personally.
375: Nameless Explorer
What a pain. Like a government office.
[Age] 25
[Gender] Male
[Exploration Experience] None
[Stats] Attack 5, others are at least 3
[Skill] Sleep Resistance
[What I want to ask] Tell me how to earn 700,000 yen quickly.
376: Nameless Explorer
What, is this a troll?
377: Nameless Explorer
Disperse.
378: Nameless Explorer
375
I’ll give you a serious answer.
With your stats, you won’t even be able to properly earn 1,000 yen, let alone 700,000.
First, find a dungeon near where you live that you can enter with those low stats.
By the way, there aren’t any in the 23 wards of Tokyo.
379: Nameless Explorer
With your stats, you’d be better off doing FX or crypto.
Aiming too high will be your downfall.
380: Nameless Explorer
I was wrong to ask you guys, ya know!
Don’tcha underestimate me!
I’m gonna make it big, so you just remember that!
381: Nameless Explorer
380
Don’t get so red in the face.
Composure is an important quality for an Explorer.