Chapter 5: Official Recognition
“Our Private Dungeon… you mean?”
“Yes, and in two senses of the word, you could say… I’ll explain it step by step.”
To summarize what Yamada-san from the Explorer Association said, it was like this:
・Currently, the dungeon only has one floor. It’s about 200m x 200m in size. If you go to the edge, there’s an invisible wall.
・On the first floor, three types of terrain have been confirmed: pastoral, forest, and river.
・No monsters or traps could be confirmed.
・The mana particle value inside the dungeon is slightly higher than in a typical dungeon.
・There’s a possibility the labyrinth might grow in the future, but at present, there’s no danger. Entry restrictions based on stat values are deemed unnecessary.
“And, most importantly. We confirmed with Ms. Omogawa during the investigation, but this dungeon formed on the site of the Secret Base where you, Natsume-san, and Ms. Omogawa used to play when you were little… Is that correct?”
“Yes, but…”
“That’s likely why. It’s believed this dungeon has strongly inherited the characteristics of a Secret Base. Specifically, we imagine that only Natsume-san and your friends can open the dungeon entrance.”
“Ah…”
Come to think of it, it’s true that only Otama-chan and I were able to open this door.
They call it a Private Dungeon, but can outsiders really not even enter?
“Furthermore, the inside of the dungeon is the same. The detailed mechanism is unknown, but it’s thought that the space within the dungeon was likely generated, nourished by the thoughts and feelings of Natsume-san and your friends.”
“Um… what exactly does that mean?”
“――To put it simply, it means this dungeon might have been born as an exclusive playground for you all. Perhaps there might even be rewards that only you can obtain.”
“Ah…”
I took out the magic stone I got from the dragonfly from my pocket.
“Speaking of which, this…”
――I explained how I obtained the magic stone.
“Just as I thought… I have the 【Presence Detection】 skill, but I couldn’t recognize the dragonfly as a monster.”
Satou-san from the prefectural office also raised his hand to add.
“Even with the magical monster detector I brought from the prefectural office, the reading was consistently zero. In fact, there was even a time when a dragonfly landed on the detector’s antenna. There was absolutely no reaction indicating it contained a magic stone…”
“That settles it, then.”
Yamada-san from the Explorer Association looked around at the city and prefectural officials and nodded.
“For us, this dungeon is just an empty space stretching out. There are no monsters or items. We can’t even get inside in the first place… Therefore, I believe there’s no mistake in classifying it legally as Type 5… a Private Dungeon.”
“No objections.”
“It’s safe for now, but Natsume-san, please contact the Explorer Association promptly if there are any abnormalities in the dungeon. Violating this obligation could result in a fine.”
“Understood.”
And so, the dungeon in my house officially became a Private Dungeon.
“But, Natsume-san. Just one thing…”
Yamada-san said, holding up her index finger.
“You mustn’t carelessly touch things in the dungeon. Natsume-san, you haven’t even taken the Explorer training course yet, and you don’t have any recovery potions. It was fine this time, but what if the dragonfly had been poisonous?”
“Y-yes… I’m sorry.”
I got scolded by Yamada-san.
“Pfft, hehehe…”
“Hmph…”
Otama-chan looked happy, laughing at me getting scolded.
But if she acts like that…
“Hey! Ms. Omogawa, you’re slacking off! You’re getting a lecture when we get back!”
“Ehh~, wh-why~…”
See?
“Hahaha…”
Good grief, what a hopeless girl.
…I’d been in a gloomy mood ever since I quit my job, but somehow, things are starting to feel fun.
I have Otama-chan to thank for that.
“Well then, we’ll be taking our leave now. Natsume-san, the Explorer Association is on the first floor of Eeyon, so if you intend to explore the dungeon, please come and take the training course.”
“Understood.”
“Instructor Omogawa will teach you kindly.”
“Ehehe, I’ll be waiting!”
Otama-chan gave a clumsy wink.
☆★☆
That night, I reported the whole story to my parents.
“…So, basically, it’s a dungeon, but they say it’s not dangerous.”
“Hmm…”
But my parents looked unconvinced.
“Is something bothering you?”
“Well, you know… Dungeons are scary, aren’t they? Things like goblins, or orcs, those monster-like creatures come out, right? Wouldn’t it be better to just fill in the whole door?”
“I told you, those kinds of things won’t appear.”
“Besides, I was thinking of selling that mountain since there’s no point in keeping it. Maybe some places are still doing solar power generation, or there are people who like the outdoors, right?”
“It’s the age of magic stone power generation, so solar power isn’t popular, and campgrounds peaked a long time ago.”
“But still…”
…Honestly.
It’s been a while, this feeling of not being on the same wavelength.
This is why I hated it and moved to Tokyo.
However, my parents are the landowners.
I have to respect their wishes. Besides, people can’t be persuaded by words alone.
The very fact that I can think this way probably means I’ve matured.
“Well then, give me a little time. I’ll check if there’s anything good sleeping inside that door. The city office also said it’s safe, so I don’t think any problems will arise immediately.”
“Hmm, well. If the city office said so…”
“That mountain would be doing well if it fetched even a million yen. It’d be great if you could earn that much.”
“…You’re right.”
I thought, Nobody would even take a mountain like that for free these days, but I didn’t say it out loud.
…A million yen, huh.
For now, I need to produce some results.
☆★☆
The next day, I promptly visited the Explorer Association inside Eeyon.
Yamada-san, who had come for the investigation the other day, was there.
“Good morning. I’d like to request the Explorer training course.”
“Oh, Natsume-san. Good morning. Will the training course for Private Dungeons we discussed yesterday be alright?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Then, I’ll go ask Ms. Omogawa to be the instructor. I gave her plenty of guidance yesterday. I think today’s lecture will be perfect.”
“That’s good to hear.”
When Yamada-san went to the back, Otama-chan came out to replace her.
“I am Omogawa Tamaki, and I will be your instructor for today. P-please to meet you.”
Behind her, Yamada-san was nodding with a satisfied look.