“I hate this! I’m going home! I don’t want to be in a place like this anymore!”
As I watched Kawahara-san collapse while letting out that distraught cry, my body felt paralyzed, as if I were under a spell. My mind, however, was a storm of agitation and remorse. How did it come to this? I wondered.
As my consciousness began to drift, I found myself remembering the day the four of us had gathered right before summer vacation started.
“Well, it looks like everyone managed to get their Armed Exploration Permit for Special Underground Structures without any trouble.”
“The exam was surprisingly easy. You’d practically have to try to fail it.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Though I guess we’ll have to learn things like trap avoidance techniques from here on out.”
“True. I didn’t actually manage to dodge many of them during the test.”
In our classroom after school, we were chatting while showing off our newly issued Armed Exploration Permits for Special Underground Structures. Since all of us had passed the exam we took the other day, we had immediately gone through the procedures to have them issued.
Like Kurata-kun said, with an exam that simple, you probably wouldn't fail as long as you put in a little study time beforehand.
“So, should we participate in the Trap Avoidance Workshop held by the Association? I picked up a pamphlet at the reception desk when I went to do my paperwork. It looks like they hold various training workshops on a regular basis.”
“Sponsored by the Association, huh... I guess it’s a Newcomer Explorer Workshop?”
“Participation seems to be optional. It’s not something you absolutely have to take.”
“Well, I suppose you wouldn’t need to if you had a senior explorer to lead you.”
That being said, for people like us who didn’t have any veteran connections to guide us, this was a precious opportunity to learn the ropes of dungeon exploration. Tsutsui-san had brought us some great information; it would be foolish not to take advantage of it.
“But if that’s the case, shouldn’t we participate?”
“Yeah. I thought this during the exam too, but I think it’s reckless to go in without any know-how regarding trap avoidance. Of course, it’s not just about traps, but since these are workshops we can take for free, we might as well do it.”
“So we’re in?”
“Yeah, it’s the smart move.”
As I said that, I looked at Kurata-kun, Tsutsui-san, and Kawahara-san—the three people I planned to form a party with—seeking their agreement. In response to my questioning gaze, they all nodded.
“I think I should take it too.”
“I got caught by traps constantly during the exam, so I want to go as well.”
“I... I think so, too.”
“Then let’s all attend the training together.”
And so, we decided to participate in as many of the Association-sponsored newcomer explorer workshops as possible until summer vacation began. We had other things to do, so we couldn't attend every single one, but there was no harm in soaking up whatever knowledge we could get.
Thanks to those workshops after school and on our days off, we managed to gain a decent amount of practical knowledge before actually diving into a dungeon.
I had thought the explorer profession would be easy based on what I’d heard from seniors at school and on the internet, but the training forced me to correct my thinking; it wasn't that simple. I realized everyone had just been telling their stories in a way that made themselves look good.
“For now, we need to make sure we’re properly prepared. Half-baked prep could get us in trouble.”
“True. But... what about weapons? We’re minors, so we can’t buy the kind of gear the Association sells.”
“That’s the problem...”
In response to the point raised by Kurata-kun, who wore a gloomy expression, I looked up at the ceiling in frustration. Even though explorers are permitted to own and use weapons inside a dungeon, the Firearms and Swords Act prevents minors like us from purchasing them. Because of that, most student explorers use shovels and iron pipes to explore.
I guess we have no choice but to follow their lead... The weapons sold at the Association are expensive anyway, so it’s not like we could afford them.
“I guess we’ll just have to buy some iron pipes at a nearby home center...”
“I figured it would come to that...”
Accepting the inevitable, both Kurata-kun and I let out sighs of resignation. If there was one advantage, it was that we wouldn't have to go through the trouble of weapon registration with the Association for things like pipes or shovels. Regardless of their actual lethality, they were legally classified as tools or construction materials.
As I was talking about that with Kurata-kun, Tsutsui-san spread a magazine out on the desk.
“Hey, hey. More importantly, what kind of clothes are we going to wear to the dungeon?”
““Clothes?””
“Look, it’s even in this magazine. It’s that 'dungeon fashion' everyone’s talking about.”
“Dungeon fashion, huh...”
Kurata-kun and I looked slightly exasperated as we glanced over the magazine Tsutsui-san had opened. It featured a variety of outfits, ranging from practical clothing to styles that prioritized aesthetics.
I wondered if she’d get mad if I said anything was fine.
“...There certainly are a lot of options, but shouldn't we wear something easy to move in until we get used to it?”
“I agree with Kajihara-kun, Tsutsui-san. We’ll probably get them dirty or tear them constantly until we’re more experienced, so I think work clothes or tracksuits would be fine.”
“Hmm, I guess you have a point... What about you, Kawahara-san?”
“Eh? M-me?”
Tsutsui-san turned the question to Kawahara-san, who was sitting next to her, looking like she understood the logic but wasn't entirely satisfied. Caught off guard, Kawahara-san hesitated for a moment before voicing her thoughts in her usual reserved manner.
“Umm, I also think clothes that are easy to move in would be better, like Kajihara-kun and Kurata-kun said. Maybe we can worry about fashion once we’ve gotten used to everything?”
“Hmm, I see...”
“S-sorry.”
Seeing Tsutsui-san’s reluctant expression after Kawahara-san agreed with us, Kawahara-san apologized instinctively. I didn't think she had anything to apologize for, though.
“Then let’s all go shopping together this coming holiday!”
“Shopping?”
“Yeah! To buy everything we need for exploration. If we go together, we can divide the list so we don't buy the same things twice. We all have small allowances, so if we don’t shop efficiently, we’ll run out of money in no time.”
“True, we don’t have much to start with...”
We had saved up our allowances and New Year’s money, but it was just a kid’s savings after all. We didn't have enough to buy everything under the sun. Like Tsutsui-san said, if we didn't gather the bare minimum efficiently, our funds would dry up instantly.
Our only option was to get the absolute necessities first and then gradually upgrade our gear as we earned money from exploration.
“Exactly! So let’s go shopping together!”
“Alright, let’s do that....But are you two okay with that?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“I-I’m okay with it too.”
“Then it’s settled! It’s the last holiday before summer vacation starts, so let’s get everything ready and hit the dungeon once break begins!”
With Tsutsui-san's declaration, the group shopping trip was decided, and we began listing the essential items. We worked based on the know-how we’d gained from the Beginner Workshop, but once we started listing the necessities, it turned out there were surprisingly many things we had to buy. Since we were only planning short day exploration at first, we excluded items for overnight stays.
Still, even just getting the basics was going to be quite an expense. I worried whether we had enough.
After much careful selection and saving, we managed to gather our equipment. As soon as summer vacation started, we headed to a nearby dungeon. Since it was summer break, the area was swarming with people.
If you’re wondering about the school’s summer intensive course—it ends in the morning, so we were coming straight from that.
“Alright... let’s go!”
“Yeah, let’s do our best.”
“Finally, here we go.”
“...Yes.”
We were a bit intimidated by the crowd, but we steadied ourselves and joined the long line leading to the reception desk. The people in line were truly diverse; there were kids our age and adults in jackets with bold corporate logos, but they all shared an aura that felt far removed from ordinary people. I wanted to ask what they did for a living, but the answer was obviously just "explorer."
However, I really wished they would stop directing such cold, emotionless gazes at us. Kawahara-san even let out a small whimper when one of them stared her down.
“The paperwork is finally done. Man, there really are a lot of people here.”
“Yeah, that’s why those rumors are flying.”
“...The dungeon entry restrictions?”
“Yeah. Apparently they’ve done it before. People are saying that if it gets too crowded during summer vacation, they might implement them again.”
I had heard the rumors Kurata-kun was talking about. They weren't official, but I often heard senior explorers at school mentioning it. Their reasoning was that since it had happened once, it could happen again. In fact, in regions where summer vacation started a bit earlier, a larger number of explorers than usual were reportedly flocking to dungeons, causing some chaos.
Hoping to beat any potential restrictions, we had hurried to the dungeon as soon as we could.
“Well, even if there are a lot of visitors, I’ve heard it’s fine because people are spread out across different floors... I guess we just have to take it as it comes.”
“I guess so.”
““...””
No matter how much we worried, it was out of our hands.
That aside, once the paperwork was finished, we did our prep—changing clothes and warming up—and finally stood before the dungeon entrance.
“Alright... let’s go!”
“Yeah, let’s do it!”
“Let’s go!”
“Y-yes.”
With simple protectors worn over our tracksuits and iron pipes gripped in our hands, we stepped into the depths. Inside, a darkness lit only by faint luminescence stretched out before us; the sight was so intimidating it almost made my legs freeze. Fortunately, the next group was pressing in from behind, so we were forced to keep moving.
And then...
“We’re finally back!”
The moment we stepped out of the entrance, Tsutsui-san shouted with a triumphant fist pump. Our first exploration had lasted about three hours, during which we had wandered the first floor in fear, looking for monsters.
As for the results of those three hours...
“Isn't it amazing that we got a skill scroll on our very first run?!”
“Yeah, it really is!”
Incredibly, we had obtained a skill scroll—the ultimate high-value drop item. It had dropped right while we were still shaken after defeating our first monster. At first, we didn't even realize what it was, but once we recognized it from the Beginner Workshop, our joy exploded. The trauma of the battle vanished instantly. After that, we hunted a few more monsters, hoping for lightning to strike twice, and managed to secure several more drop items.
When we had the items appraised after our return...
“The appraisal for the skill scroll will take a few days, but it’s like a dream that we’ll get at least 100,000 yen!”
“Yeah! Thanks to this, we can buy all the gear we couldn't afford before!”
“All this after only a few hours... No wonder everyone spends so much time in the dungeon!”
“...I guess so.”
Overjoyed by the appraisal results, we immediately began planning our next dive. At that time, we were so blinded by greed that we overlooked the things we truly should have noticed. Later, I would realize this and feel a deep sense of regret—the kind that stays with you for a lifetime.
About half a month after our first dive, having been rescued from a lethal situation by a three-person explorer party, we sat at a table in the corner of a rest area. No one spoke; a suffocating silence hung over us.
Finally, I forced myself to look up and speak.
“...Let's quit being explorers.”
““...””
“Eh?”
At my quiet words, Kurata-kun and Tsutsui-san looked at me with solemn expressions before quickly looking away. Kawahara-san, on the other hand, looked lost, her gaze wandering between us in total confusion.
“...I'm sorry, Kawahara-san. For forcing you to come along all this time.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“It's too late for apologies, but... I’m truly sorry.”
I pressed my forehead against the table, apologizing to Kawahara-san with everything I had. Seeing my actions, Kurata-kun and Tsutsui-san followed suit.
“Me too. I’m sorry. I got carried away because things were going well and stopped thinking... I’m really, truly sorry.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry...”
“...”
Kawahara-san, who seemed to have no memory of her breakdown, was bewildered by our sudden outburst. She stood there, agitated and unsure of how to react. Seeing her like that—not angry or accusatory, just utterly broken and confused—filled us with even more guilt. We could only drown in regret for our thoughtless actions. Thus, our short yet long lives as explorers ended just one step away from tragedy.
However, the atonement for our recklessness was only just beginning.