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“Come to think of it, Kiraboshi-san. I’m not too familiar with the recent high school situation, but isn’t it about time for mid-term exams?”
As they were heading home after finishing today’s Dungeon cleaning work, Kiraboshi, who was suddenly asked this by Kageichi, felt her throat tighten a little.
Kiraboshi is a very ordinary, serious, honor student High School Girl.
Her Dungeon work is, at the end of the day, a part-time job; her main duty is her studies. In the first place, one of the conditions her parents set for allowing her to work part-time is that her test scores don’t drop.
As a former Class Representative, maintaining her grades is essential.
“I’ll tell you this just in case, but if you get so caught up in the Dungeon business that you get failing grades, you’ll be prohibited from work for a while.”
“I don’t think I’ll get failing grades, but…”
“Umm,” Kiraboshi mumbled. …She had been studying, sort of, but lately, there had been a string of troubles.
The incident with the Kamase Sisters, and improving her relationship with Shirogasaki.
Although various things had happened, in the end, they were able to properly affirm their friendship and safely reconciled… but, if asked whether she hadn’t neglected her studies by focusing too much on her “friend” relationships, it wasn’t as if she had no inkling of what they meant.
Well, as for that, I think I’ll try harder from now on… yes…
“Sensei. I’m sorry, but would it be alright if I took about a week off?”
“Of course. Some schools probably prohibit part-time jobs a week before exams.”
“Yes…”
This is also a student’s duty. It can’t be helped, Kiraboshi thought, sighing as she looked up at the sky.
The park was gradually being dyed red by the sunset. She turned her gaze towards the cluster of high-rise buildings beyond it and muttered, “Studying, huh…”
…Come to think of it—
The Kiraboshi of the past had thought she had no choice but to go to university after graduating high school.
Because her parents and teachers wished for it, she had vaguely thought that was her only option.
…And so, she’d vaguely graduate from university, get a job… and being inflexible, she’d be scolded by her superiors, struggle with communication, and end her life tightly enduring it all.
She had imagined such a future.
But, now…
“Sensei. Um… this isn’t escapism, but. If I continue in the Dungeon business, would it be better to level up in Dungeons rather than go to university… or something like that?”
If she were to continue in the Dungeon business, there was no harm in raising her level.
Of course, with ingenuity and resourcefulness, she could fight against higher-level Monsters.
But still, having higher base stats would allow her to utterly crush more of those annoying bastards… no, I mean, defeat them safely and securely.
In that case, shouldn’t she focus on leveling up rather than studying?
“I understand what you’re trying to say, Kiraboshi-san. …However, unless your resolve is exceptionally firm, it would probably be better to attend university. Of course, there are reasons for this.”
“May I hear them?”
“One is that it purely increases your knowledge and experience. Leveling up in Dungeons is important, but conversely, you only gain experience from Dungeons. Of course, if you’re determined to pursue only that path in the future and are prepared to commit yourself entirely to it, I won’t stop you… Fortunately, the current Dungeon scene has wide entry points.”
The Dungeon scene is by no means a world where you can’t become a pro unless you dedicate your entire life to it.
Rather, the Cleaner business tends to be short-staffed, to the point where even freelancers can get work from the government.
It’s not so harsh that you have to abandon everything to aim for it.
“In that sense, it’s not a problem to take a few detours. In fact, enriching your life experience by taking detours might make you a better Hunter in the future.”
“…Is that how it is?”
“Yes. Experience enriches life. You could think of university as one such experience and give it a try. …Also, simply put, having a university degree makes you more versatile. Well, I’m an old-fashioned person, so I don’t know how effective the ‘new graduate card’ is these days… but being able to choose other options when you’re in trouble is convenient.”
“But, even if you say other jobs…”
Kiraboshi couldn’t imagine it right now.
There wasn’t anything else she felt she could do…
“Besides. If you, Kiraboshi-san, continue as a Dungeon Cleaner, and five years from now—Dungeons disappear from the world, what would you do?”
“—Eh?”
“It’s not an impossible scenario, is it?”
Come to think of it, Kiraboshi reconsidered.
Historically, it’s said that Dungeons first appeared in the world around 2010. Not even twenty years have passed yet.
For Kiraboshi, who was still a kindergartener at the time, Dungeons were something that naturally existed, but…
“The Dungeon business is a precarious one. If the industry undergoes a major change, and all you know is Dungeons, you’ll be in trouble in the future, you see.”
“I see. …By the way, Sensei, what would you do if Dungeons disappeared?”
“I have funds and savings earned from the Cleaner business, so I suppose I’d elegantly FIRE. I could become a recluse and devote myself to creative pursuits, or immerse myself in games. I was originally a gamer, after all.”
Ah. Th-that’s unfair…!
I mean, I’ve thought this for a while, but Sensei, you actually have quite a bit saved up, don’t you? You pull out tons of Dungeon-sourced items from your Inventory.
As Kiraboshi sulked with a “Muuu,” Sensei chuckled, “Fufu.”
“You shouldn’t underestimate a frugal bachelor. I’m what you’d call a ‘single aristocrat.’ …That said, not working at all would also be problematic, so I think I’d do something.”
“…Work other than Dungeons?”
“Yes. I don’t have anything specific in mind, but I’m sure it’ll work out somehow. …If I’m really in a bind, I’ll ask Goto-san from the Labyrinth Agency if he can introduce me to something.”
Listening to Sensei’s carefree reply, Kiraboshi thought that this person could probably survive anywhere.
Anywhere, elegantly. Leisurely.
Safe, secure, and no Stress.
Perhaps, as long as nothing world-ending happened, this person would never be shaken.
…In contrast, Kiraboshi was still very immature.
She didn’t understand anything about the future—she hadn’t even considered what would happen if Dungeons disappeared.
Truly, there were so many things she didn’t know…
What could someone like her do?
“…For now, I’ll do my best on the mid-term exams.”
“Yes. A student’s main duty is their studies. There’s no harm in acquiring knowledge.”
“Yes,” Kiraboshi nodded obediently and set off on her way home.
Sensei’s motto: “Live your daily life properly, seriously, and thoroughly…” Engraving this in her heart, Kiraboshi parted from Sensei with a smile.
*
That night—after finishing her exam studies, Kiraboshi flopped onto her bed and thought.
…A job suited for me.
Being a Cleaner is the best, but is there anything else?
Streaming. Of course, not the annoying kind, but proper guide-type or entertainment-type Streaming.
Lately, there’s also Dungeon gourmet, Dungeon life Streaming, and such…
In the first place, I’m a serious High School Girl. When I grow up, I’ll become a serious office lady, and for example… a Dungeon receptionist, maybe?
A Dungeon tour guide, appearing before people… no, that’s somehow different… Defeating Monsters is easier.
Work. Work, huh…
A job suited for me… something like that…
…Ummm…
『LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Thank you for waiting, the Third Dark Dungeon Deathmatch Battle Royale BEGINS!!!』
『『『WOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!!』』』
『Beat each other until your opponent DIES! Now that all Dungeons have been conquered, what heats up the world is PvP! Men, women, it doesn’t matter! Anything goes as long as your opponent’s Magical Power doesn’t hit zero! Welcome to the world of Vale Tudo, where all violence is not a crime!!!』
『『『WOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!!』』』
『Now, let’s introduce the fighters! First up… in the RED CORNER! The one standing in the way of all challengers is, of course, this woman! An evil ogre, a rakshasa, said to be the reincarnation of the Death God, Killer Star! How many friends has she stained with blood by her own hands!? Do you remember the number of friends you’ve beaten down!? The masked terror, the mad brass knuckles & Chainsaw woman, Kiraboshi Yoshikooooo—!』
『『『KI-RA-BO-SHI!!! KI-RA-BO-SHI!!!』』』
『Her record: 29 fights, 0 losses / 29 KOs / 29 deaths! Will the one to challenge this queen, who has never let a challenger return in one piece, be a brave contender, or a pitiful sacrifice!? In the BLUE CORNER—』
Gaba! Kiraboshi threw off her blanket and shot up.
Wiping away the cold sweat streaming down her, “No, no, no, no, no!” she shook her head violently, trying to shake off the terrifying nightmare.
…M-my future… j-job!?
No, that can’t be right, what am I thinking, she exhaled deeply, and decided, I’ll focus on my mid-term exams for now! and snuggled back into her futon.
Life is always best lived seriously… she told herself firmly, clenching her small fists tightly.