I was staring at the wall-mounted whiteboard, which was crowded with investigation requests for potential undiscovered dungeons, and cross-referencing them with our dispatch schedule when the phone on my desk let out a shrill ring. Checking the LCD display, I saw it was an internal extension. Expecting yet another addition to our workload, I picked up the receiver. Requests to survey dungeon candidates discovered during the school summer holidays had been pouring in lately, and the investigation teams were reaching their breaking point.
I nearly snapped and told them not to bring me any more work, but I couldn't very well scream something so unprofessional. I took a shallow breath to steady myself before answering.
"Yes, New Dungeon Management Division investigation team. How can I help you?"
"Hm, is that you, Uwajima-kun? Perfect timing. This is Miyashita."
I confirmed the voice on the other end and reflexively looked up at the ceiling, the receiver still pressed to my ear. A direct call from the section chief smelled like nothing but trouble. I really wished he would give me a break, especially with how busy we already were.
Still, I couldn't vent my frustrations to the man himself, so I kept my tone professional while asking for the details.
"Ah, Section Chief Miyashita. Thank you for your hard work. It's rare for you to call me directly. What can I do for you?"
"Yes, there's a bit of a situation... or rather, an investigation request for an undiscovered dungeon. A report reached the General Consultation Desk about a find deep in the mountains."
"Ah, the usual, then. Understood. As soon as we confirm the location, I'll send a team. That said, we're backed up with other requests, so it might be a while before we can get to it..."
"Actually, that's why I called you directly. I know you've all been working incredibly hard lately, but I need you to set everything else aside. Make this investigation your top priority."
What? What was he saying? Top priority? We were already running the teams on a razor-thin schedule, and he wanted us to drop everything for an unscheduled candidate?
I almost forgot my place and nearly shouted a protest, but I shut my mouth before the words could escape when the section chief continued.
"At the reported site, the presence of monsters inside has already been confirmed."
"...What? Monsters have already been spotted? Did someone go inside?! Are there any casualties?!"
"Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—those who entered the dungeon were high-level explorers with Armed Exploration Permits. According to the report, not a single person was injured. However, the fact that monsters were confirmed inside means it is almost certain that the site is a dungeon."
"...I see. If the informants are high-level explorers, it's unlikely they'd mistake a wild animal for a monster. We can treat the reported location as a confirmed dungeon."
It made sense. If a "sure thing" had been reported, it was logical to rearrange the schedule and prioritize it over cases that were merely potential leads. If it truly was a dungeon, we had to coordinate with the police and the Self-Defense Forces to secure the perimeter and prevent trespassers. To facilitate that, the site had to undergo an official investigation by the Association, followed by a designation deliberation, before it could be formally recognized as a new dungeon. Even provisional certification couldn't happen until after an official survey. Every other relevant authority only started moving once the Association finished its work.
Essentially, we couldn't refuse this sudden request—even if it meant a death march of overtime later to fix our ruined schedule. Dammit.
"There's one more reason I want you to hurry," Section Chief Miyashita added. "The explorers who made the report apparently defeated a monster inside. A drop item appeared, and they aren't sure how to handle it."
"...Does that mean a rare first drop item is already in their hands?"
"From what I gathered during our conversation, they seem to understand our position. They were quite reasonable and stated they would be willing to hand over the drop item obediently... for now."
"Understand our position," huh? In other words, they knew the value of a first drop. By implying that refusing to hand it over would lead to trouble, they were signaling that they didn't want any friction with the Association or the government.
It was a relief to deal with people who could be reasoned with, rather than someone who would stubbornly cause a scene, even if caution was still warranted.
"Understood. I'll have the team take an appraisal item to verify the drop item on-site. Since this is a sudden dispatch, the paperwork will have to follow later, but can I get your authorization to sign out an appraisal item?"
"Of course. I'm sure you know this, but it's a valuable item. Handle it with care and submit the checkout forms as soon as possible. Also, I've arranged a helicopter for transportation, so use that to get to the site immediately."
"Understood. I'll begin selecting personnel for the dispatch."
"I'm counting on you."
After hanging up, I stared at my desk and let out a heavy sigh.
The section chief had said to hurry, but there was no investigation team available that could be moved immediately while also being qualified to carry an appraisal item. Consequently, I ended up forming a temporary team with myself as the leader. Because appraisal items were still precious, someone of a certain rank had to accompany them for field work. It was a tedious requirement, but it couldn't be helped since someone had messed up in the past.
While receiving the report from the section chief, I prepared for departure alongside Ogawa-kun and Sugawara, who were to be my temporary team members.
"Uwajima-san, preparations are complete."
"We've also successfully signed out the appraisal item."
"Good, then let's go. I've confirmed the helicopter is ready for us."
The three of us grabbed bags filled with the necessary survey equipment and hurried to the heliport. As promised, the helicopter was waiting on the tarmac, ready to take off.
We greeted the pilot and mechanics, then boarded the craft. It roared to life, kicking up a gale as it soared into the sky.
"We should reach the destination in about twenty minutes!"
"Understood, thank you!"
As expected of a helicopter. If we had traveled by car, it would have taken nearly two hours.
With nothing to do but wait until arrival, we began reviewing the plan for the site, using the materials Section Chief Miyashita had provided.
"Let's see... The dungeon was found in the mountains of ○○ City, XX Prefecture. It was discovered during a property viewing of forest land managed by a real estate agent."
"There were four people present. Three of them hold exploration permits, and those three were the ones who encountered and defeated the monster inside."
"A man named Yuta-san was the real estate guide," Sugawara added. "The three explorers are high school students: Hirose-kun, Kokonoe-kun, and Hiiragi-san. It's quite something for high schoolers to be viewing mountain properties, but looking at the Association's records, it seems they earn a significant income as explorers."
Just as Sugawara said, the group that reported the dungeon had an impressive track record. There weren't many small parties currently active past the 30th floor, excluding the corporate faction. They were likely among the top-tier private explorers. The amount of money they made from drop items was also remarkable for such a small group.
That was likely why their report was trusted enough to warrant an immediate dispatch.
"Well, you might have your thoughts on their ages, but let's focus on the dungeon itself first."
"Right. Um... the dungeon is apparently on a small island in the middle of a wetland. The island is forested, so it's not suitable for a direct landing. It's probably best to land at the mountain-foot plaza where the informants are waiting and proceed on foot."
"The report says it takes about thirty minutes on foot," Ogawa-kun noted. "Though that's thirty minutes for an explorer, so it might be a somewhat difficult trek for anyone else. Looking ahead, we should probably scout for a spot near the island where we can build a helipad."
"Good point. If it's officially designated, we'll need to dispatch security guards and build a monitoring station. Having personnel and supplies hauled up from the foot of the mountain every time would be inefficient. While we survey the environment, let's look for suitable candidate sites for a landing zone."
If the information we had was accurate, certification was almost a certainty. While official designation would take time, we would provide provisional certification during this investigation and set up security at the entrance. Even if the guards weren't explorers, the logistics would be a nightmare. If the trek was thirty minutes for an explorer, it would surely take several hours for an ordinary person.
If we were going to maintain security in such a place, we'd at least need simple lodging and a helipad. No matter if it was their job, we couldn't expect people to guard a dungeon while camping in tents after a grueling mountain climb.
"I agree," Sugawara said. "Let's ask the pilot later about the requirements for a suitable landing zone."
"The rest we'll have to assess once we're actually at the dungeon entrance."
"Right. To certify it, we have to enter and engage in combat with monsters ourselves. We're prepared, but don't let your guard down."
"Understood!"
All three of us were experienced explorers, but we knew that even a small lapse in attention could lead to injury. Even though we were just doing a light run through the 1st floor, we couldn't afford to be careless. We had recovery potions with us, though they were rarely needed for this type of survey.
After confirming our workflow, I brought up the final concern.
"One more thing. We need to recover the rare first drop item the informants secured. They seem willing to hand it over, so I don't anticipate any conflict, but let's handle the recovery quickly."
"A rare item, huh... Normally, you'd think people would want to keep it for themselves at all costs. It's a relief they're willing to give it up, but..."
"They probably feel like they've ended up with something they don't know how to handle," I suggested. "First drop items from undiscovered dungeons are often nothing but trouble because they're so rare."
"So they're being proactive about handing it over to avoid the headache? An item they don't want to keep... I wonder what it is?"
"Who knows?"
Without an appraisal, there was no way to tell. It was an item they'd rather let go of than keep. Perhaps it wasn't a mysterious medicine, but a recognizable mineral or a magic item with an obvious, perhaps problematic, function? I'd even heard of fist-sized diamonds dropping before—the kind of thing that was nearly impossible to sell legally.
With the main points covered, we spent the remaining time speculating about the item until the pilot announced our arrival.
The helicopter landed with a roar and a blast of wind. We waited for the rotors to slow before stepping outside. Four silhouettes emerged from behind a car, where they had apparently been shielding themselves from the downwash. These were the people who had reported the dungeon.
I had seen the documents, but seeing actual high schoolers out here was still a bit surprising. Before I let it show on my face, we moved to introduce ourselves.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Thank you for the report. I'm Uwajima, an investigator from the New Dungeon Management Division of the Dungeon Association. These are my subordinates, Ogawa and Sugawara."
"I'm Ogawa. Pleased to meet you."
"I'm Sugawara. Pleased to meet you."
Now then, it was time to get to work.