A month had passed since the dungeons were opened to the public. As the number of explorers grew, drop items finally began to circulate in the general market.
However, supply remained low and far from stable. Consequently, dungeon-sourced goods were sold at significant premiums. Rare healing potions and skill scrolls were put up for auction on a dedicated site established by the Japan Dungeon Association, where they were traded for eye-watering sums. Many explorers delved into the depths, dreaming of striking it rich with a single rare find.
“And the result is a sharp increase in injuries and casualties…”
I sighed, sitting in my chair and staring at a small online news article on my PC. Perhaps pressured by the major media outlets and the feverish public opinion, the article itself was minuscule—it felt like a token gesture, as if the editors were simply checking a box.
“I expected this to some extent, but everyone is really being taken for a ride.”
On the covers of the magazines lined up at the bookstore I’d stopped by on my way home from school, headlines for cheerful dungeon features showed no hint of the mounting casualties. The television specials introducing dungeons, broadcast repeatedly, focused entirely on upbeat segments about high-priced auctions for rare items and the like.
It was true that the phenomenon known as the dungeon boom had begun to turn the gears of Japan’s stagnant economy. Experts claimed that if the economy continued to circulate this smoothly, the country might finally escape its long-standing recession. However, that progress was built upon the corpses of numerous explorers.
“They’re successfully shifting the public’s focus for now, but what do they plan to do when people eventually calm down and face reality?”
As I tilted my head in thought, my eyes stopped on one particular news item regarding insurance for explorers.
Apparently, insurance policies for explorers had not yet been established. There were many cases where the standard life and medical insurance policies explorers were already enrolled in refused to pay out, judging that the injuries or deaths had been caused intentionally. One reason cited was the will that had been submitted along with the consent form during the Explorer Card registration.
When registering, the Japan Dungeon Association explained that dungeon exploration carried a risk of injury or death. As an absolute requirement for the issuance of a permit, they required applicants to submit a consent form waiving the right to sue the Association in the event of injury or death, along with a will to be left to their families. Many explorers had signed these documents according to the Association’s regulations without thinking twice.
“This was clearly a backroom deal between the Association and the insurance companies…”
There were likely retired officials from government ministries working at the insurance firms, so the connection probably ran through those lines. Well, since there was no data on the projected mortality rate for dungeon explorers, the insurance companies would risk bankruptcy if they recklessly paid out every claim. Even if they tried to resolve this by creating new policies, it wouldn't happen immediately. It would take at least a year to gather enough data to create insurance specifically for explorers.
“Normally, the media should be covering this extensively and urging people to think carefully before entering a dungeon… but I guess that’s ‘sponsor intentions’ for you. Seeing things like this really makes me think our mass media has earned the name ‘mass garbage.’”
The group of companies whose performance and sales had improved due to the dungeon boom were likely applying pressure to ensure no articles dampened the craze. As media outlets that gained most of their advertising revenue from large corporations, they probably couldn't ignore their sponsors' wishes, but I still wanted to see them show some backbone.
“…So, what exactly is this?”
I was preparing to head home when I noticed a single application form sitting on my desk with a strange sense of presence.
In the classroom after school, the students had thinned out as they left for club activities or headed home. I was stuck at my desk, unable to move, sandwiched between Yuji and Hiiragi-san.
“As you can see, it’s just an application form,” Yuji said.
“It’s an ordinary application form that you can get for free at any government office,” Hiiragi-san added.
“No, I mean…”
The two of them brushed off my concern with expressions that suggested this was perfectly normal, but I felt an inexplicable pressure radiating from them.
After all, the document they claimed was “nothing” was an Armed Exploration Permit for Special Underground Structures Issuance Exam Application—an Explorer Card application.
“For now, could you explain why you’re giving this to me?”
I didn't understand the sudden change of heart in these two, who had previously called dungeon exploration reckless and foolish. Fortunately, no deaths had occurred at our school yet, but several students had been injured and were taking leaves of absence. Under such circumstances, I couldn’t grasp why they were handing this to me.
“Well, I guess we should,” Yuji said.
“I suppose so,” Hiiragi-san agreed.
They sat in their own chairs and began to explain. Yuji went first.
“First of all, Daiki.”
“Yeah?”
“You know my family runs a dojo, right?”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve been over to play a few times.”
Yuji’s house had a gate like a samurai residence and a dojo on the premises. Apparently, it was a historic and prestigious martial arts dojo, though I’d never heard the specifics.
“My family’s dojo… it’s a form of koryu martial arts called the Hirose Yushu Style. It has its roots in battlefield martial arts.”
“…Hmm?”
I had a feeling things were taking a weird turn.
“And my gramps is the master of our style. He told me that as a test to become an assistant master, I have to go to a dungeon.”
“…Excuse me?”
Wait, what was this, a manga plot?
“He said something like, ‘Anyone who carries the sign of our style must experience a real battle or two!’”
“…”
“Actually, my old man was apparently in a special forces unit in the police—I won't say which one. It seems he’s been through his fair share of life-or-death situations.”
Oh boy, this guy’s family sounded like a tribe of battle-obsessed manga characters. I’d met Yuji’s father a few times, but to think that nice-looking man was actually…
“So, since dungeons were opened to the public, my gramps decided it was the perfect opportunity for me to go.”
“…Wait a second, let me organize my thoughts.”
My head was starting to ache. In other words, he was being told to go to a dungeon as a form of warrior pilgrimage? What era was this?
“Well, that’s why I’m going into the dungeon.”
“…I see.”
I’d already heard more than enough. To think such a dense backstory was hidden so close to home. As I collapsed onto my desk in exhaustion, Hiiragi-san spoke up.
“I see. So Hirose-kun has family circumstances as well.”
“‘As well’? Does that mean you too, Hiiragi-san?”
“Yes. Well, it’s not quite the same reason as Hirose-kun’s.”
If it were, I was confident I’d lose consciousness and transcend to the other side, so I really hoped she was serious.
“My reason is simple. My family runs a restaurant.”
“A restaurant?”
“Yes. It’s a small, family-run ramen shop called Hiiragi-ya. You haven't heard of it? It’s along the national highway…”
“…Oh, that ramen shop. That’s your place, Hiiragi-san?”
Yuji seemed to recognize it, but it didn’t ring a bell for me.
“From that face, it looks like Kokonoe-kun doesn’t know it.”
“Sorry.”
“Well, that’s fine. Anyway, the reason I’m going into the dungeon is because of my father.”
“Your father?”
Did her father do something? Had he caused an accident and needed a settlement? Had he been tricked into being a guarantor for a massive debt?
“A new ramen shop opened nearby, and our customer base has been dropping lately,” she explained.
I was wrong.
“That shop serves ramen made with dungeon-sourced ingredients. Our customers have been flocking there instead.”
“…It might sound harsh, but isn’t that just common competition in the industry?”
An existing shop falling into hardship due to a new competitor—it was a common story.
“Well, that’s true. The regulars still come to our place like always, and our price ranges are different. I think we could coexist even if we aren’t exactly buddies. There was no need to immediately treat them as enemies, but…”
“But?”
“After my father went to that shop for a reconnaissance mission and ate their ramen, he came back saying he was going to use dungeon-sourced ingredients in our shop’s ramen, too!”
Whoa, whoa. Even though there was no need to be hostile, he was intentionally charging into the opponent’s territory.
“It seems like trying the dungeon-sourced ingredients set my father’s chef spirit ablaze.”
“I see…”
Wait, if that was the case…
“As you know, the supply of dungeon ingredients is low. Most of them are treated as luxury goods. If we tried to provide ramen using those ingredients to our customers, it wouldn't be profitable even if we doubled our current prices.”
“Well, naturally.”
“But my father is stubbornly insisting on keeping the prices the same.”
“What?”
What was her old man thinking? Determining a price by reflecting profit on the cost was the basic principle of business. Why ignore that? If he were trying to maintain the price by lowering the profit margin, I could understand, but since the cost had jumped astronomically, it would be impossible to break even even if the profit margin was zero.
“He’s trying to serve something that will pile up deficits the more he sells. I know he’s not the type to listen once his mind is made up, so I had to take action before he starts selling it in earnest.”
Hiiragi-san pressed her forehead as she let out an exhausted sigh. From what she said, her father was what you’d call a “cooking idiot.” He left all the accounting and administrative tasks to his wife while he focused solely on the kitchen. He was the type who never compromised and only served what he was satisfied with. That was why the shop was currently thriving, and it seemed his wife wasn't in a position to strongly argue for a price increase.
Apparently, one of her father’s legendary tales involved him punching out the head chef and manager of a restaurant where he worked before getting married because they were falsifying the origin of ingredients. Hiiragi-san’s mother was at her wit's end, as he refused to simply raise prices.
“So, after discussing it with my mother, we decided that I would dive into the dungeon and procure the materials myself.”
“…”
That was a very aggressive solution. If you can’t buy it, just go hunt it. I’d heard stories about shop owners whose hobby was fishing providing their catch to customers at a low price, but… a dungeon?
After hearing more, it became clear that the difference in perception regarding dungeons between them and their families had reached a breaking point. Their families were taking the media hype at face value.
The two of them recognized that dungeon diving wasn’t as easy as the media portrayed it, but they were still minors who needed a guardian. They had been pushed into it by their families through a mix of emotion and pragmatism. In today’s world, it seemed that those who remained sane were treated as the eccentrics.
“And while I was reluctantly going to the government office to get an application form, I ran into Hirose-kun,” she said.
“I was surprised, too, seeing Hiiragi-san there with an application in her hand.”
The two exchanged looks, recalling the encounter. Apparently, after a brief exchange of information, they confirmed that both were diving due to family circumstances and decided to team up.
“So, how does any of that lead to this application form on my desk?”
“You’ve probably already guessed, haven’t you?” Yuji said. “Won’t you dive into the dungeon with us?”
I knew it would come to this. Why on earth would I want to charge into a danger zone of my own accord?
I shifted my gaze from Yuji and saw Hiiragi-san watching me with a serious expression. Seeing my hesitation, Yuji explained why they’d chosen me.
“At first, I thought about inviting the guys in class who are obsessed with the dungeons, but after hearing Hiiragi-san’s opinion, I decided to ask you, Daiki.”
“Why? If it were the other guys, they’d jump at the chance in a heartbeat.”
“You mean those idiots who would be nothing but baggage? Hah, don’t make me laugh.”
“Before long, they’d get carried away, make a reckless charge, and blow themselves up while taking their teammates with them,” Hiiragi-san added bluntly.
That was a harsh evaluation of our classmates, though I didn’t think it was an unreasonable one.
“In our class, the only ones who tried to act thoughtfully regarding the dungeons were the three of us,” she continued. “If I’m going to form a team, I want it to be with people I can trust.”
“I agree with Hiiragi-san. Hey, Daiki. Won’t you dive into the dungeon with us?”
Yuji reached out his hand with a serious expression. As I stared at his hand, I realized this was one of those crossroads in life. Glancing at Hiiragi-san, I saw she was watching the outcome with the same intensity.
I looked up at the classroom ceiling and agonized. I didn’t have any particular reason to dive into a dungeon myself. But at the same time, I didn’t have a definitive reason not to. It all depended on my own choice.
However, it would be better to have a reason, even if it was just a pretext… Oh, that’s right. I could film footage of the dungeon’s interior and show it to Mika. It would probably end up looking like R-18G footage, but it would be a more effective wake-up call than any lecture. Above all, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth if I refused and something happened to these two.
After a moment, I reached a conclusion. I grasped Yuji’s hand.
“All right. It must be fate. I’ll count on you guys.”
“Same here. Sorry for pushing this on you.”
“No, I was actually interested in dungeons myself. I think this was a good opportunity.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
While still holding Yuji’s hand, I turned toward Hiiragi-san.
“So that’s that. I’ll be in your care too, Hiiragi-san.”
“Mhm. Thank you. I look forward to working with you.”
Hiiragi-san finally smiled, looking relieved.
Well, I didn’t know what the future held, but things would turn out somehow. I immediately began filling out the application form while listening to the two of them chat in a much lighter atmosphere.