After my aunt, Miku Yajima, welcomed us inside, we gave our homecoming greetings to my grandparents—my mother’s parents—who had apparently been waiting for us with bated breath. We made sure to present the assortment of minotaur meat we’d brought as a gift.
"Mom, Dad, we’re home."
"Oh, Miharu. Good to see you. Has it been since Obon last year?"
"Welcome home, Miharu. Daisuke-san, thank you for the long drive. Daiki-kun and Mika-chan, it’s been a while. You’ve both grown so much."
The elderly couple greeting us with warm smiles were my grandfather, Norio Kasahara, and my grandmother, Miya Kasahara.
It had been a year since our last visit, but they both looked as healthy as ever.
"It’s been a long time, Father, Mother. Thank you for having us."
"Of course. Still, it’s a shame you can only stay for one day after all this time."
"I’m sorry. The way the calendar fell this year, we couldn't take a very long break..."
"Well, if it’s for work, it can’t be helped."
My grandmother looked a bit disappointed. Due to our schedule, we could only stay for a single day. If we’d had two or three days, we could have gone out for meals or trips with my grandparents and my aunt’s family... It was a pity.
Well, I splurged on the souvenirs to compensate, so I hope they’ll overlook it.
"Sister, here’s a gift. Please, everyone enjoy it together."
"Thank you. Oh, it’s cold... What is it?"
"An assortment of meat that Daiki prepared. And this over here is for when we visit Daisuke-san's parents tomorrow, so..."
"I’ll put it in the freezer. I’ll make sure to remind you so you don't forget it when you leave tomorrow."
"Thanks, Onee-san."
Aunt Miku took the minotaur meat from my mother and carried it to the kitchen.
Mika looked around, seemingly checking for someone's presence, then tilted her head and asked our grandparents a question.
"By the way, Grandpa, Grandma, where are Uncle Masaru and Fumika Onee-chan?"
"Hmm? Oh, those two went out to pick up a few things."
"Shopping?"
"Since you were all coming, I had them go buy ingredients for tonight's barbecue."
"We didn't have any charcoal, so they had to go get some."
The reason I hadn't felt any presence from Uncle Masaru or Fumika Onee-chan was apparently that they were out preparing for our arrival. Whenever we came home, we always had a barbecue in the yard. It was true that unless you were a real enthusiast, you didn't exactly keep charcoal in stock.
"That’s great, so Fumika Onee-chan did come home."
"Yes. Last year she was too busy with university, but when I told her you and Daiki were coming this year, she made sure to return."
"I see. It’s been so long, I wonder what we should talk about... I hope she'll tell me about university."
"Fumika looked like she was looking forward to talking to you too, Mika-chan, so make sure to chat a lot today."
"I will!"
Mika gave a bright reply to my grandmother, a happy expression on her face.
Once we finished our greetings and started organizing our things in the guest room, the sound of the front door opening echoed, followed by approaching footsteps. A few seconds later, the guest room door opened and a woman who looked very much like Aunt Miku peeked in.
It was our cousin, Fumika Onee-chan, whom we hadn't seen in ages.
"Welcome, Mika-chan, Daiki-kun. Uncle Daisuke, Aunt Miharu, it’s been a long time."
"Ah, Fumika Onee-chan!"
"Long time no see, Fumika-neesan."
"Oh, Fumika-chan. It’s been a while. Thanks for having us."
"Good to see you, Fumika-chan. We're in your care today."
We all greeted her as she stepped into the room.
Having not seen her for a year and a half, Fumika Onee-chan had become much more sophisticated and mature. I suppose this was what it meant to become a university student.
"It’s been about a year and a half, hasn't it? Has everyone been well?"
"Yes. Last year was a chaotic year for the world in many ways, but we all got through it healthily."
"Things like dungeons appeared, and 'explorer' even became a job, after all."
"That’s right, explorers. Honestly, these two... they went and became explorers just because it’s a trend..."
My mother rested her cheek on her hand, complaining to Fumika Onee-chan with a troubled sigh. Fumika Onee-chan gave a wry smile, looking as if she’d expected to hear that.
Then, she turned toward Mika and me, her tone searching.
"Daiki-kun, Mika-chan... did you really become explorers?"
"Yeah."
"Yes. I started last year, and Mika started this year."
"I see, so you two really are explorers..."
Hearing my answer, Fumika Onee-chan put her hand to her chin, lost in thought.
Then, with an air of determination, she made a request.
"Hey, Daiki-kun, Mika-chan. Could I talk to you for a bit?"
"Uh, you mean... about being an explorer?"
"Yeah. Like what explorers actually do, or what it feels like to level up. Would you mind?"
"I mean, I don't really mind, but... Fumika-neesan, do you want to become an explorer too?"
Beside me, Mika’s expression clouded for a split second before she fell silent, watching Fumika Onee-chan with a serious gaze. Ever since that incident recently, Mika had become a bit sensitive to this topic.
Fumika Onee-chan nodded slightly, her expression somewhat pained.
"Yes. Though, honestly, I’m still agonizing over whether I should or not."
"Fumika-neesan, did someone invite you to be their partner or something?"
"It’s not exactly that I was... invited, but it’s a bit complicated."
She was evasive, looking awkward as she bowed her head and asked us once more.
"I really want to hear about it from people who are actually doing it. Please, Daiki-kun, Mika-chan."
"Hmm..." "Hmm..."
"Daiki, Mika. Fumika-chan is asking so nicely, why don't you talk to her?"
"He's right. Your mother and I will handle the unpacking, so you three should go and chat."
Seeing our hesitation, my parents stepped in to support Fumika Onee-chan. It wasn't like I was against talking about it... I thought, nodding as I gave my answer.
"Okay, let's talk."
"Yeah, I'm okay with it too."
"Thank you, Daiki-kun, Mika-chan."
And so, leaving the luggage to my parents, Mika and I moved to Fumika Onee-chan's room. If my parents were there, I could only talk about harmless things so as not to worry them, so maybe this was for the best.
Oh, I ran into Uncle Masaru on the way out, so I gave him a quick greeting.
Once inside Fumika Onee-chan's room, we sat on cushions around a small table in the center.
It had been a long time since I'd been in here, but the decor was quite modern compared to Mika's room. I remembered it being similar to Mika's the last time I visited, but...
"Thank you for listening to such a sudden request right after you arrived."
"No, don't worry about it, Fumika Onee-chan."
"Yeah, it got me out of unpacking, so it’s fine."
Not that we had that much to unpack in the first place.
"So, Fumika Onee-chan, what did you want to know about being an explorer?"
"Um..."
"Oh, Fumika-neesan, it would also help if you could tell us why you want to know. I forgot to ask earlier."
"Y-yeah. Right. Well, I’ll start with the reason."
After a light cough, she began her explanation.
"The reason I want to know about explorers is because it seems like it might affect my job hunting prospects."
"Eh? Job hunting?"
"Fumika Onee-chan, are you planning to work for a dungeon-related company?"
I’d expected reasons like "with friends" or "for a club," so Mika and I were both stunned by the mention of job hunting, tilting our heads in confusion.
"It’s not that. I haven't even decided what kind of company I want to join yet."
"Then why? If you aren't looking at explorer-type companies, I don't see how an Armed Exploration Permit for Special Underground Structures would matter..."
"I thought so too at first. But a senior who’s starting a job this year told me something. They said that in future hiring, whether or not you have an explorer qualification—specifically, whether you’ve reached a certain level—will be a major factor in whether you're favored or not during recruitment."
"...A certain level?"
Mika looked completely lost, but hearing that reaching a certain level was the key, a theory formed in my mind. It was a theory that immediately made me think, Are you serious?
The workplace isn't necessarily a dungeon-related firm. Hiring is influenced by being above a certain level. Explorer, level... new graduate recruitment.
"When an explorer levels up, they get stronger and their body gets tougher, right?"
"Y-yeah. You need a skill scroll to learn specific skills, but physical enhancement happens naturally just by increasing your level."
"How much does it actually increase? When I watch dungeon programs on TV, they look like they have the physical ability of pro athletes..."
"T-that’s right. Technical skill aside, they have physical abilities close to a trained pro. If an explorer is a high enough level, they could probably hold their own against an athlete... even if they lack the technique."
As Mika said, by level 10, the enhancement would allow even an untrained amateur to approach the physical prowess of a pro athlete. Strength, leg power, back strength... as well as endurance and recovery. In other words...
"I knew it..."
"He-hey, Fumika-neesan? This is just a guess, but... when you say an explorer's physical ability is related to job hunting... are you talking about stamina?"
"...Yes."
"Oof..."
"Eh? What? W-what do you mean?"
Fumika Onee-chan nodded with a grim expression, I looked up at the ceiling and covered my face, and Mika was left tilting her head, unable to follow the sudden shift in the mood.
For a moment, only Mika’s bewildered voice filled the room.
"Hey, explain it so I can understand too!"
Mika clearly felt left out, puffing her cheeks grumpily. I didn't mind explaining, but... honestly, the answer was just depressing.
Fumika Onee-chan and I broke it down for her.
"Basically, Mika... general companies are interested in whether you’re an explorer because they want new employees with an explorer's physical stats. In this case, your actual achievements or combat ability don't matter at all. Right, Fumika-neesan?"
"Exactly. Like Daiki-kun said, what companies want is whether you possess the physical capabilities of an explorer of a sufficient level. My senior said your record as an explorer is irrelevant."
"So they want the physical ability, but not the actual explorer experience? Why would a company need that?"
They need it...
Fumika Onee-chan and I sighed in unison before I continued the explanation.
"This is a bit of a tangent, Mika, but how many practice swings have you been doing lately?"
"Huh? When I have time, I do several sets of a thousand. If I’m busy, I just do one set."
"The next day, do you have muscle pain or feel tired?"
"No. In the beginning I did, but lately, not at all."
"Exactly. That’s why. That’s why companies want explorers."
Fumika Onee-chan looked startled by our conversation, but I ignored it for now. If she was surprised by a mere thousand swings, I definitely couldn't tell her about our real training.
Mika thought about it for a few seconds, her hand to her chin, before her eyes widened in realization and horror.
"O-Onii-chan. Could the reason companies hire explorers be..."
"It’s likely because they want sturdy human resources who won't break down, no matter how much they’re overworked..."
"Ugh..."
Mika looked completely repulsed, while Fumika Onee-chan wore a pained, weary expression. Since normal new graduates would collapse from exhaustion under heavy labor, they want to hire explorers whose bodies can handle it thanks to the benefits of a level up. Who the hell came up with a hiring standard like that?
Hey, Fumika-neesan, is that senior of yours joining a black company?