When we stepped into the building, a few groups of explorers who looked like they’d already finished their runs were sitting on the sofas in the waiting room.
"Oh, it's pretty empty today."
"Yeah. Looks like the paperwork might be over fairly quickly."
"Maybe..."
Exchanging light banter with Yuji, I pulled a numbered ticket for the purchase counter from the reception machine. The number printed on the slip was 78. Since the electronic board on the calling machine showed number 75, we were third in line.
It looked like our turn would come up pretty fast.
"...Three groups ahead of us. If things move quickly, we should be up in about ten minutes, right?"
"With only three groups, that sounds about right. Anyway, why don't we find a sofa and wait?"
"Good idea. Let's see if there are any open spots..."
I started to scan the waiting room for vacant seats, but...
"Onii-chan, Yuji-san! Over here!"
Mika was calling out to us, waving from a U-shaped sofa with a table located a bit further back. It seemed the three girls had already gone ahead and secured a spot.
After exchanging a glance with Yuji, I let out a small sigh and headed toward them.
"Mika. If you're going to grab a seat, at least say something before you take off."
"Sorry, sorry. But since you guys were going to get the ticket, I thought it would be more efficient if we split up and grabbed a seat first."
"Well, I guess so..."
I sat down in an empty spot on the sofa while offering a mild complaint.
"I’m sorry, Onii-san. We should have said something before leaving your side..."
"Ah, don't apologize so formally, Saori-chan. It's not like I'm actually mad or anything..."
Since Saori-chan was about to apologize with a polite bow, I hurriedly stopped her. It was just a bit of teasing; I wished she wouldn't take it so seriously.
Man, give me a break.
"Hehe, that’s right, Saori-chan. It’s just typical sibling banter. You’ll only tire yourself out if you take it to heart."
"Banter... Hiiragi-san."
"But it's true, isn't it?"
"..."
Well, she wasn't wrong. If you had to call it something, banter fit the bill. To hide our embarrassment, both Mika and I looked away while scratching the backs of our heads. Hiiragi-san and Saori-chan watched us with wry smiles.
Then Yuji, who was sitting beside me, spoke up.
"Anyway, Mika-chan, Saori-chan. Do you have your Explorer Cards and drop items ready?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah. I’ve got them ready, Yuji-san."
"Yes. I’m all set too."
Mika pulled a cooler bag and her Explorer Card out of the bag on the floor and set them on the table. Saori-chan did the same, producing her Core Crystal and Explorer Card.
I was impressed by their efficiency; they didn't look like newcomers at all.
"You guys are well-prepared... Did Hiiragi-san teach you that?"
"Yes. To make sure there wasn't any fumbling at the purchase counter, I had them reorganize their bags in the locker room so everything was easy to reach."
"Hoh."
As Hiiragi-san said, many newcomer explorers end up wasting time at the purchase counter, digging through their gear to find their loot. Even something as simple as one's efficiency during a sale can tell an observant eye whether or not an explorer has been properly trained by their seniors.
It seemed Mika and the others had been well-taught in that regard as well.
"Well, that’s good... but you two. Don't be too shocked when they buy your drop items, okay?"
"?"
Mika and Saori-chan tilted their heads, not understanding Yuji's warning, but Hiiragi-san and I knew exactly what he meant. In short: don't be surprised if the price is dirt cheap.
Recently, as the number of explorers has increased and the supply of drop items has stabilized, the purchase prices for food items and Core Crystals—with the exception of a few rare drops—have been on a downward trend.
"Well, this is all part of the experience."
"I feel like the shock might be a bit much, though..."
"Do you think? I think it's a good opportunity to face reality."
Yuji and Hiiragi-san were both being fairly blunt. Then again, they had to face the reality of the business eventually.
Mika, who had been listening with an increasingly anxious expression, looked at me.
"Um, Onii-chan? What does that mean?"
"Ah, that’s..."
Just as I was about to explain, a digital chime rang out.
"Customer with ticket number 78, please come to purchase counter number 7."
It was our turn.
Mika and the others looked like they still wanted answers, but since it would be a waste to miss our slot, we headed to the counter without giving them any more context.
I just hoped they wouldn't take it too hard.
With Mika and Saori-chan in the lead, we lined up at the counter.
"Thank you for waiting. How can I help you today?"
"U-Um, I’d like to sell some drop items!"
"Selling drop items, certainly. First, please present your Explorer Cards."
"Y-Yes!"
Voice cracking slightly from nerves, Mika and Saori-chan handed over their Explorer Cards with stiff, awkward movements. Seeing how tense they were, the receptionist, who had been professional and smiling, gave a slight, sympathetic grin.
I didn't know why they were making such a big deal out of it.
"Thank you....Yes. Next, please look at this camera one at a time."
" "Y-Yes." "
They each stared into the camera for a few seconds.
"All right, that’s fine. Identity verification is complete. Now, please present the items you wish to sell. Oh, do you have many items?"
"N-No. Just one each."
"I see. In that case, please place them on this tray."
"H-Here they are. Thank you."
"Thank you."
Mika and Saori-chan placed the sealed bag of rabbit meat and the Core Crystal onto the tray the female staff member held out.
The staff member covered the tray with a lid and slapped on a barcode label for identification.
"I’ll take these. Please take this numbered slip and wait until the appraisal is finished."
"Y-Yes! Thank you very much!"
"Thank you!"
While taking the slips, Mika and Saori-chan gave the woman a small bow.
"Now then, you two. Since the check-in is done, let's head back to our seats until the appraisal is finished. We'll be in the way if we stand around here."
"Yeah."
"Okay."
I ushered the two of them back to our sofa, both of them radiating a sense of relief as if they’d just completed a major mission. Once we sat down, I spoke to them as they exhaled to let off the tension.
"You two were really wound up, weren't you?"
"Y-Yeah. I guess so."
"The other people selling stuff had so much loot... we only had one item each, so I thought they might laugh at us."
"So that's what you were worried about. Listen, the results of a first-time dungeon run are usually like this. Even for us, our first time only yielded one item per person. Right, Yuji, Hiiragi-san?"
To encourage them, I brought the others into the conversation. It really wasn't something they needed to feel embarrassed about.
"Yeah. For me, I think it was... a chunk of copper ore?"
"I'm pretty sure it was. For the record, mine was a Core Crystal, just like Saori-chan's."
I decided to keep my mouth shut about what I’d gotten—or rather, what I’d turned in—for my first time.
"See? Everyone starts out like this. This isn't the stage where you should be pushing yourselves anyway. First, you have to get used to the dungeon."
"Daiki is right. If you try to force results when you're still green, you're going to end up seriously injured."
"That's right. I understand the feeling of wanting to look good in front of others, but never do anything that exceeds your current abilities."
We all took turns telling them not to rush into anything dangerous just because they were disappointed with their haul.
In reality, the injury rate for newcomers is actually higher during their second trip than their first. Just as Mika and Saori-chan were feeling now, many people see their initial results as a source of shame and try to overcompensate on their next run. This is especially true for teenagers.
"...So you guys also only had one thing each the first time."
"I see... I understand. I won't do anything reckless until I'm more experienced."
It looked like they’d both taken our advice to heart.
Still... what was with the agonizing groans I kept hearing from the seats around us? Well, I had a pretty good guess as to why, but I'd rather pretend I didn't know.
While we were talking, time slipped by, and the announcement for the finished appraisals rang out.
"Ticket number 31, Team NES. Your appraisal is complete. Please come to window number 7."
"That's us. Shall we go, you two?"
"Yeah!"
"Yes!"
Since our number had been called, we gathered our things and moved to the window.
The female staff member greeted us as we arrived.
"Thank you for waiting. The appraisal is complete. Here is the breakdown of the purchase prices for your drop items."
"Thank you."
Mika and Saori-chan took the slips, looked at them, and instantly froze.
Well, that was to be expected. The numbers were probably a far cry from what they’d imagined.
"Um... excuse me. Is this amount really correct?"
Saori-chan asked with a trembling voice, clearly hoping she’d misread it.
"Yes. The appraisal is determined based on current market rates, so those figures are correct."
"...I see."
Looking like she still couldn't believe it, Saori-chan stared blankly at the paper in her hand.
Man, she's really taking it hard.
"So, how much did you get?"
"..."
In response to my question, they silently handed me their receipts. I held them up so Yuji and Hiiragi-san could see them as they peered over my shoulders.
Let's see...
"Mika got 500 yen, and Saori-chan got 100 yen... the market rate has really tanked, hasn't it?"
I directed the comment toward the staff member.
"Yes. Lately, the supply of drop items from the shallow floors has stabilized because of the increase in explorers, so prices have dropped overall. High-value items from those floors are limited to things like magic items or skill scrolls."
"I see. Well, there you have it, you two. This is the fair market value."
"..."
Even after hearing that, they didn't hide their disappointment.
I suppose if you go through all that life-or-death stress and come back with that little pocket change, it’s hard not to feel cheated.
"If you wish to proceed with the sale, please sign these documents."
"Ah, yes. Sorry to keep you. So, you two... what's the verdict?"
"...I'll sign."
"...I'll sign too."
Mika and Saori-chan signed the paperwork and handed it back.
"Thank you. Here is your payment. We appreciate your business."
" "...Thank you very much." "
They each took their payment—a 500-yen coin and a 100-yen coin—from the trays and gave a dejected bow.
I watched their slumped shoulders as they walked away and exchanged a look with Yuji and Hiiragi-san, wondering how on earth we were going to cheer them up.