A never-ending stream of people flooded the lobby. Scores of individuals occupied the sofas and folding chairs, clutching numbered tickets as they found various ways to kill time while waiting for their turn at the registration windows. I was among them, ticket in hand. I had been waiting for nearly thirty minutes already, yet my number had yet to light up on the electronic display.
"...Isn't this taking forever?"
"You think? For a wait at a government office, this seems pretty standard, doesn't it?"
"Indeed. I went to the city hall to get a copy of my residence certificate once, and the wait then was about the same. Besides, this is the peak season, so it's only natural for it to be particularly slow."
Bored, I struck up a conversation with the two sitting next to me, who were similarly killing time on their phones. So this is normal for a government office...
If I have to wait this long, I’d much rather be standing in line at some famous restaurant.
"Well, things seem to be moving along at a decent clip, so our turn should come eventually."
"That's right. No one seems to be making a scene or anything, so we might as well just wait patiently."
Neither of them took their eyes off their phones, and their voices remained perfectly calm. They’ve reached a state of enlightenment.
"...I'm going to go buy some drinks. Can you guys hold my seat?"
"Sure. Hey, if you're going anyway, could you grab something for me too?"
"I don't mind... Hiiragi-san, do you want anything?"
I was so tired of sitting still that I decided to stretch my legs under the guise of getting a drink. Yuji immediately hopped on the chance to send me on an errand. I felt a bit like a lackey, but since I was going anyway, I agreed and checked with Hiiragi-san as well.
"Yes, please."
"What would you like?"
"Let's see... a lemon tea, please."
"I'll take a Coke," Yuji added.
"Got it. I'm heading off then, so keep an eye on my seat."
I grabbed my bag and stood up. As far as the eye could see, the lobby was packed with people, people, and more people. It felt like the crowd had grown even larger since we first arrived.
Pushing through the throng toward the vending machine corner, I glanced at the ticket machine near the general reception. The current number being issued was in the five hundreds. Give me a break.
I finally reached the vending machines, only to find another cluster of people gathered there. I had no choice but to wait my turn, and after about five minutes, I finally reached the front.
"Let's see... a Coke for Yuji, and a lemon tea for Hiiragi-san. And—ugh, are you serious? The coffee is sold out."
I managed to buy the other two's drinks without issue, but every single coffee option had its "Sold Out" lamp glowing red. Well, with this many people, I suppose it's inevitable. Coffee sure is popular.
"Can't be helped... I guess I'll just get tea."
I stepped out of the vending machine corner cradling the plastic bottles. After weaving back through the crowd to the others, I found my seat still waiting for me. I sat down and handed over the bottles as they thanked me.
"Here you go. Your orders."
"Thanks."
"Thank you, Kokonoe-kun."
"You're welcome."
They took the bottles and offered me the money. Hiiragi-san gave me the exact amount, but Yuji didn't have any small change, so he promised to pay me back later.
"So, does it look like our turn is coming up soon?"
"From the look of it, there are about ten people ahead of us. Maybe another ten or fifteen minutes?"
"Yes, if things proceed at this pace, that sounds about right."
I nodded at their assessment. There were three registration windows, and each person was taking about five minutes, so it seemed like a fair estimate. After the pleasantries, I unscrewed the cap of my tea and took a sip....Yeah, this tea is a total dud. It has an indescribable, off-putting flavor that really doesn't suit my palate. I grimaced, forcing myself to finish it only because it would be a waste otherwise, while silently resolving never to buy this brand again.
Then, our turn finally arrived.
"Number 317, please proceed to Window 2."
"Alright, I'm off."
I gave them a casual wave and headed to the registration window.
"Thank you for waiting. You're here for a registration application, correct? Please provide your documents."
The clerk offered a canned apology, which I ignored as I handed over the set of application documents for the issuance of a Special Underground Structure Armed Exploration Permit.
The clerk accepted the papers with a businesslike air, quickly checking the contents and stamping several forms.
"Yes, these documents are in order. It will take some time for the permit to be issued, so please take this number tag and wait near the issuance window. There will be a registration fee to pay when the permit is issued, so please have that ready. We apologize for the long wait today due to the congestion."
The registration itself finished without any issues in less than five minutes. And to think I waited nearly an hour for this...
Feeling a bit conflicted, I took the number tag, moved to the issuance area, and sat on an empty sofa.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. That was a pretty simple procedure, wasn't it?"
"Tell me about it. Why do we have to wait an hour for something that takes five minutes?"
"Now, now, that's just how government bureaucracy works."
Yuji showed up right after I sat down. When I let out a complaint, he gently chided me. He didn't seem irritated at all, which I found truly mysterious. I felt like I was entitled to at least one grievance.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"Ah, Hiiragi-san. Good work... though you don't look very tired."
"I only had to hand over a set of documents and get a number tag. There's no reason to be tired."
Seeing that Hiiragi-san didn't seem inclined to complain either, it appeared that this was just the standard for all government-related procedures.
"Don't look so grumpy. We should be glad we finished before noon."
"That's true. At government offices, once the clock hits closing time, they'll shut the window right in front of you no matter how many people are still in line."
"What?"
...Seriously? After making people wait that long, that's how they handle it? While I was reeling from the horror of the bureaucracy, the two of them started bonding over common government office anecdotes.
As I killed time eavesdropping on their stories, my number was called after a much shorter wait this time. Excusing myself from the two, I headed to the issuance window.
"Thank you for waiting. This is your Special Underground Structure Armed Exploration Permit. Please check to ensure there are no errors in the recorded information."
I handed over the number tag, and the clerk presented me with two items: an A4-sized document and a card about the size of a health insurance card. I quickly scanned the name, address, and other details. Finding no errors, I informed the clerk.
"It's all correct."
"Understood. Since the information is correct, I will explain these two items. First, the A4-sized document is the holder's copy of the Special Underground Structure Armed Exploration Permit. Please keep it in a safe place and ensure it is not lost or damaged. It will be required as a verification document for things like reissuing a lost card."
It was printed on high-quality paper, the kind used for certificates, but the design was quite utilitarian—just a list of necessary information. I kind of wished they'd put more effort into it... maybe some gold decorative patterns around the border or something to make it look official.
"Next, I will explain this card. This card is required for identity verification at the gates when entering a dungeon. Please make sure to bring it with you whenever you enter a dungeon. Furthermore, please keep this card on your person whenever you are carrying or transporting weapons used within the dungeon. If a police officer stops you for questioning during transit, presenting this card will allow for immediate identity verification and release. However, please be warned that if you do not have it on you, you will have to undergo extremely cumbersome procedures for identity verification and may be detained for a long period."
It looked like nothing more than a somewhat thick piece of plastic, but it was apparently quite important. However, was it just my cynical nature to think that if it were such an important card, it should be made of metal like a dog tag instead of fragile plastic?
"Please be aware that reissuing a lost card requires the holder's copy of the Special Underground Structure Armed Exploration Permit and a reissue fee of 5,000 yen."
...Hey. Are they making these out of plastic on the premise that they'll break and need reissuing? They definitely chose plastic on purpose. Are they trying to profit off the replacement fees?
I felt like I had just caught a glimpse of a petty—or perhaps not so petty—malice from the Japan Dungeon Association.
"..."
"..."
When I stared at the clerk with a deadpan expression, she couldn't help but look away. What are you doing, Japan Dungeon Association?
"...Please sign for receipt on this document and settle the issuance fee for the Special Underground Structure Armed Exploration Permit."
She escaped. Still looking away, she slid a receipt form, a ballpoint pen, and a small tray toward me.
I let out a sigh, signed the receipt, and placed the issuance fee of 5,400 yen onto the tray.
"I have received it. Please wait a moment."
The clerk collected the receipt and the tray, processing it quickly. After about a minute, she returned the tray with a receipt and my change.
"That concludes all the administrative procedures. Good luck out there, and please stay safe."
With those final words of encouragement from the clerk, I was handed a brown envelope containing pamphlets and other documents.
I gave a non-committal smile in response to her encouragement and returned to the sofa.
We moved to the cafe space on the top floor of the Association facility to confirm that all three of us had successfully completed our registration and officially become rookie explorers.
"Phew, I'm beat."
"Registration took quite a long time, after all."
"I can't believe it took an hour and a half even though we came first thing in the morning."
I took a sip of the cup of coffee I had bought from the cafe's vending machine, stretching to loosen my stiff body. Yuji downed the rest of his Coke in one go, while Hiiragi-san murmured thoughtfully as she sipped her lemon tea.
The three of us shared one common sentiment: exhaustion.
"Anyway, now that we're registered, do you want to try going to a dungeon as soon as our next day off?"
"Before that, we need to get our equipment in order. I've been looking at price ranges on online shops using the pamphlet we got during the exam as a reference, but..."
"With the dungeon boom, everything is sold out, I take it?"
I had an idea why Hiiragi-san's expression was clouded. I had also scoured online shopping sites, but all the reasonably priced, high-quality items were already sold out. All that remained were ultra-expensive products from famous brands or suspicious, bottom-of-the-barrel bargain items. They weren't the kind of things I’d feel comfortable buying through a screen without seeing the real thing.
As I was wondering what to do, Yuji clapped his hands as if remembering something.
"Ah, that reminds me..."
"? What is it, Yuji?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure the sign said the Official Shop on the second or third floor here sells items mainly from the catalog."
Ah, that reminds me...
Now that he mentioned it, I remembered. There had been a small promotional poster on the wall of the elevator we took to get to the cafe.
"Want to go see what they have?"
"Sure. I don't intend to buy anything yet, but it would be good to take a look for reference."
"Yeah, let's check it out."
As Yuji suggested, it would be a good idea to peek into the Official Shop just to see their inventory, and Hiiragi-san seemed to agree. We finished our drinks and left the cafe space. After checking the poster in the elevator hall, we confirmed that the Official Shop was on the third floor.
Arriving on the third floor, the shop came into view immediately. To our surprise, it took up about two-thirds of the entire floor.
"They've secured quite a large retail space."
"Maybe it's because they carry products from so many partner companies?"
Even a quick glance revealed everything from small accessories and portable rations to clothing like camouflage gear. Beyond what was in the catalog, it was an inventory that screamed, "We've gathered everything you might need for dungeon exploration."
Whether the selection was "good" or just "overflowing with stuff" was up for debate... but for now, we decided to walk through the store.
"Oh, this is..."
"Hmm? What's that?"
Yuji stopped in front of a product and let out a surprised voice. Curious, I leaned in from the side to look, but I couldn't tell what it was used for.
The item Yuji was looking at consisted of two pieces—a rod-shaped piece of metal and a plate-shaped piece of metal, both connected by a cord, looking like a keychain.
"This is a metal match."
"A metal match?"
"This rod part is made of magnesium. You shave off a small amount to make powder, then strike the rod with this flat metal piece to create sparks. When the sparks hit the powder, it catches fire. That's the mechanism."
"Huh."
Listening to Yuji's detailed explanation, it was originally an ignition device used for mountain climbing or emergencies like disasters. Its advantages were its portability and the fact that it could be used regardless of the weather.
"Well, since we have lighters and matches these days..."
It seemed most people carried them more for the novelty than for practical use. It was true that you wouldn't need one in a situation where a lighter worked. While the three of us were browsing the shop like that, a loud voice suddenly echoed through the store.
"What do you mean I can't buy it!?"
What? What's going on?