A few days had passed since we encountered the attackers inside the dungeon.
The morning news I was currently watching reported that robbery and assault cases committed by explorers within dungeons were occurring frequently. The perpetrators would systematically target explorers exhausted from their dives to steal their drop items. Similar incidents were popping up in dungeons across the country; because the methods were so consistent, authorities suspected a large-scale criminal organization might be operating behind the scenes. Fortunately, there had been no fatalities reported so far...
However, since a death was practically inevitable at this rate, the news issued a warning. It also announced that the police and DP had established a Joint Investigation Headquarters to resolve the cases as quickly as possible.
"Onii-chan... are you going to be okay?"
Mika, who had been watching the news with me, spoke up with a worried expression. I suppose it was only natural for someone with an explorer in the family to feel anxious after hearing reports like that.
Well, I’d already run into members of this group and driven them off without much trouble, though.
"Hm? You mean the news?...Well, I should be fine, right? School starts next week, so I won't be able to go into the dungeon for a while anyway. I’m sure they’ll have the case solved by the time I can go back."
I spoke gently, trying to reassure Mika.
The DP and the police were likely grilling the attackers we caught the other day. If there was a connection, they should have squeezed a fair amount of information about the criminal group out of them. I mused that they might even be at the countdown stage for rounding the rest of them up.
However, my words seemed to strike Mika as somewhat irresponsible.
"Onii-chan! You have to take this more seriously! Even if you survive an attack, if you're injured when a monster shows up, you could die!"
"Ah, yeah. You're right..."
"Exactly! Even if this group is caught, what are you going to do if copycats show up?! You have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario!"
"Uh... sorry. I didn't mean to brush it off... maybe I just phrased it poorly?"
I apologized, taken aback by the sheer intensity of Mika’s anger. I didn't intend to take the situation lightly, but... words are difficult things.
Once a crime like this is publicized, copycats are practically guaranteed. I was certain of that. When a precedent is set, people’s sense of restraint tends to fail, and both good and bad things often happen in chain reactions.
"The Dungeon Association must have anticipated this kind of thing, so they’ll surely implement some kind of countermeasures."
"...Like what?"
"Let's see... maybe the introduction of a party registration system?"
Currently, the foundation of dungeon exploration is forming a party with other explorers. This isn't a game, so there are almost no people capable of exploring solo.
Between the constant threat of monster attacks and traps, the need for large quantities of food and supplies, and the luggage—the drop items—that grows heavier after every battle, long-term activity is grueling. There are limits to what a single person can do. Therefore, most explorers form parties.
"Most explorers already work in parties anyway. All the Association has to do is make it so you can't enter the dungeon without being part of one. Given the current climate, I don't think it would cause much chaos if they introduced a formal system. If they frame it as a safety measure, most explorers won't object. For the average explorer, the system wouldn't really have any downsides."
"That might be true... but I still think people will object, you know?"
The objectors Mika was thinking of were likely the soloists or those who felt that being forced into a party was a disadvantage.
"They’re using 'safety' as their banner, and that’s a justification that appeals to everyone. If someone objects, the Association can just ask them, 'Are you planning to do something wrong?' Once that question is on the table, continuing to protest is basically announcing you have a criminal scheme in mind. Most unreasonable opposition would be shut down pretty quickly."
"...I guess so. But how does a party registration system actually stop crimes inside the dungeon?"
"They’d introduce a collective responsibility system along with it."
"Collective responsibility?"
Mika tilted her head, clearly not grasping what I meant.
"Collective responsibility... in other words, if one registered member of a party commits a crime inside the dungeon, the other members of that same party also face penalties."
"I understand that part, but..."
"The main goal is to create a psychological barrier. If someone thinks about committing a crime but knows it will ruin things for their companions, they’ll hesitate. It forces them to stop and think. That should be enough to keep a lot of people from making a reckless decision."
"...Like how minors might hesitate to drink alcohol?"
"Exactly. It might not stop everyone, but it provides a reason to pause."
Ultimately, the goal was psychological deterrence.
Right now, while there is a certain order based on Japanese sensibilities, the inside of a dungeon is essentially a lawless zone. Without the deterrent of a police force, the extraordinary environment makes it far too easy for people to lose their sense of restraint.
"Besides, you can expect the other party members to stop someone who’s about to turn to crime. With a clear justification like collective responsibility hanging over their heads, it's easier for them to step in."
"...That makes sense. Just like you said, if they were just friends, they might hesitate to stop them until it was too late."
"Without a clear reason to act, people get caught up in all sorts of social complications..."
There are endless things to argue about if you’re looking for them—like the split of drop items or future interpersonal relationships within the group.
However, with safety and crime prevention as clear priorities, the majority of people would move to stop trouble, which would improve the overall public safety within the dungeon.
"Of course, you might get an entire party that turns into a criminal gang, but we’ll just have to deal with that separately when it happens."
This sort of thing was a constant game of cat and mouse. It would never truly end.
After the discussion with Mika, I was over at Yuji's house, undergoing training with Juzo-san. As per usual, I was busy trying to slash at him while he toyed with me as easily as a child.
Sigh... I wonder when I’ll finally be able to land a single decent blow...
After finishing about two hours of training, we were drinking tea in the dojo when Juzo-san suddenly held out his right hand toward us.
"Here now. Let me see those weapons I told you to bring."
Prompted by his request, we pulled Shiranui and the others out of our transit bags and handed them over.
Juzo-san examined our weapons carefully. Once he had inspected every one of them, he let out a long sigh.
"They've been maintained meticulously, but... it's a wonder these things haven't snapped before now."
"...Eh?"
At Juzo-san’s blunt words, we all let out dumbfounded sounds.
Anyone would react that way if they were suddenly told it was a miracle their weapons were still in one piece.
"What’s this? Did you lot not notice? These things have reached their limit."
With an exasperated look, Juzo-san explained exactly why they were finished.
According to him, while Shiranui and the others had achieved level ups in the dungeon, the blades weren't hitting our targets perpendicularly. Because of that, the metal couldn't withstand the force of our power. Fatigue had accumulated to the point where they could break at any moment.
"Well, look. It’ll be hard to part with them, I’m sure, but continuing to use these as they are is dangerous. I recommend you swap them for new ones."
"I see... but..."
Juzo-san was right; it was dangerous to go into a dungeon with weapons that might shatter. It would be better to get new ones, but... there was one major problem.
"Are we going to have to use weapons that haven't leveled up from now on...?"
"That's the problem," Hiiragi-san agreed.
"Hmm."
As we leveled up, our equipment leveled up with us. Exchanging weapons now would be a massive blow. If things went poorly, we might end up needing new weapons every time we went to the dungeon, treating them like disposable tools.
From a financial perspective, it would be devastating.
"We really can't keep using them?"
"You could... but I wouldn't recommend it. If you want to keep them as decorations, I won't stop you, but as practical tools, they're done. Going into battle with those is no different than walking to your death."
"I figured... sigh."
I had asked just to be sure, but Juzo-san wasn't budging.
We were in a serious bind.
"What should we do? Should we try to find new weapons?"
"Being told to find new ones at this point is a bit much..."
"True," Hiiragi-san said. "If it weren't for the level up issue, I'd agree right away, but..."
"Hmm..."
As we racked our brains, Juzo-san offered a potential lifeline.
"...Say, you lot. Why don't you try having your weapons reforged?"
"Reforged?"
"That's right. You melt down the metal and have them forged anew into new tools."
"Uh...?"
I wondered how that would work.
Would the level up effects on Shiranui vanish the moment it was melted? Or would the effects carry over to the new blade? Since I’d never heard of anyone doing this, it was a complete mystery.
"If I ask a swordsmith I know, I’m sure he’ll do the reforging for you."
"...What do you think?"
I looked at Yuji and Hiiragi-san to see if they wanted to take him up on the offer.
Both looked as conflicted as I was, but after a quick discussion, we decided to give it a shot. Even if the level up effects didn't carry over, we still needed new weapons regardless.
"Please, we'd like to try it."
"Umu. Let me get in touch with him right away."
We asked Juzo-san to introduce us to the smith.
While he stepped away to make the call, I used Appraisal Analysis on our gear.
Shiranui +31, Isuzu +42, Shigure +46, Murasame +46.
The "+" after each name represented the number of level ups. Between all the orc hunting and other dives, they had grown significantly.
The thought that all of these benefits might disappear made me feel incredibly gloomy.
"Reforging... do you think it'll work?"
"Who knows? I haven't heard of anyone trying it, so we won't know until we see the results."
Yuji was right; it was a gamble. Sigh... I was filled with nothing but anxiety. If the level up effects disappeared, I might have to resort to punching things.
While I was lost in thought, Juzo-san returned.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
He took a sip of his tea before speaking, but his expression wasn't very promising.
"I tried talking to him, but apparently he's had a flood of commissions over the last six months. He says you'd have to wait several years."
"Several years..."
"There's a rule that says those swordsmiths can only forge twenty-four blades a year. If his schedule is full, a wait like that can't be helped."
Was this also the influence of dungeon fever?
I suppose other explorers who wanted custom-made gear had already placed their orders.
"The man is fairly well-known, after all. Usually, he’d do it if I asked... but he’s so busy right now he doesn't have a spare moment for side jobs."
"I see."
So, what were we supposed to do now?
Just as we were sinking into despair over our weapons, Juzo-san continued with a slight smirk.
"However, well, it's not like there's no way."
"Huh?"
"Apparently there's a newcomer at his workshop who recently became a swordsmith. He said that person’s hands are free, so he’s willing to let them handle the job."
"I see."
A newcomer... so, someone unknown who hadn't made a name for themselves yet.
"He gave his word that their skill is the real deal, so I think it'll be fine... what do you want to do?"
We looked at one another. After a few seconds of silent communication, we all nodded at the same time.
"Please!"
"Umu. Then I’ll get back to him. Since it’s a referral from me, the arrangements should be finished quickly."
After that, the discussion between Juzo-san and the swordsmith proceeded smoothly. By the time we were done, a meeting with the smith had been set for the very next day.