I had just begun to breathe a sigh of relief, thinking the meeting had concluded surprisingly smoothly, when Miyashita-san dropped that one sentence. It almost caught us off guard, but we quickly regained our composure, remembering that this was a scenario we had already anticipated.
Given our track record, it was only natural for the Association to try and scout us. In fact, though we had been having the school turn them down, I’d heard that various offers from dungeon-related companies were still frequently arriving at the school addressed to us.
"To become Association-affiliated... you mean?"
"Yes. The Association is very interested in the results you have achieved thus far, and we value them highly. Despite being minor student explorers, you have produced results that are top-tier among domestic civilian explorer groups. We took the liberty of checking your dungeon entry records, and it appears you primarily conduct your explorations on the weekends, correct?"
"Well, yes. We believe that our primary duty as students is our studies, so we refrain from any exploration that would interfere with our schoolwork. As it became a major issue a while ago, we want to avoid a situation where we become so absorbed in dungeon exploration that we end up flunking out."
"That is a very commendable attitude. From our perspective, while we are pleased to see dungeon conquest progressing, we do not wish for student explorers to become so obsessed with exploration that they fail their classes."
Miyashita-san let out his thoughts in a lamenting tone, a slightly regretful expression crossing his face. This was likely because the Association had been scrutinized for potential management issues during the mass flunking incident back in the spring. To be honest, I thought that was more a problem with the student explorers themselves rather than the Association.
After all, there was a period when so many people were flocking to the dungeons that entry restrictions had to be imposed. It was an event that threw cold water on the overhyped dungeon boom, and everyone had a chance to cool their overheated heads. I’d heard that many student explorers actually used that incident as an opportunity to rethink their exploration frequency, and many managed to avoid flunking, even if only by a hair. If they still managed to fail after that... well, it was on them.
"Yes. Therefore, as long as we are students, we intend to limit our dungeon exploration to our days off, and we do not plan to conduct any exploration that would put an unreasonable strain on our studies."
"I see. If that is your policy, then it makes sense that your exploration time is slightly below the average for student explorers. Most student explorer groups that achieve high results spend more than double the average time exploring, as they go into the dungeons not just on weekends but on weekdays as well."
"...Is it really okay for those people to be allocating that much time to exploration?"
"Well, who can say? Given what happened in the spring, I’m sure everyone is exercising some degree of self-restraint, but... I don't think it would be very good if things continue as they are."
If we, who mainly operated on weekends, were slightly below average, then those spending more than double the average time might very well be cutting into their class attendance to explore. Did that mean another mass flunking incident would occur at the end of this year?
Judging by the expression on Miyashita-san's face, which looked as if he were suppressing a headache, that possibility seemed high.
"I see. Well, for those reasons, I’m afraid we intend to balance our studies and dungeon exploration for as long as we are students. We aren't considering joining any particular organization for dungeon exploration at this time. Once we finish our time as students, we might move into the explorer profession more seriously, though."
"...I understand. If that is your policy, then I will not force the issue. However, the Association is seeking talented individuals. We believe the demand and scale of the dungeon industry will only continue to grow, and the Dungeon Association will need many talented people more than anything else to properly manage and operate it."
After hearing our exploration policy from Yuji, Miyashita-san glanced at the three of us and gave a slight bow with a sincere gaze.
"The fact that the dungeon industry is properly managed and operated is a matter that will greatly affect the path toward a stable society in the future. Society is already undergoing a major period of transformation due to the drop items produced by the dungeons. Energy, food, resources, and above all, talented individuals who have gained powerful strengths like levels and skills. While it would be difficult to strictly manage all of these without a single oversight, we can create a minimum set of guidelines to be followed. And to get people to follow those guidelines, we need many people to believe—or rather, be under the illusion—that the Dungeon Association has the power to manage and operate them."
"To believe... or rather, to be under the illusion?"
"Yes. By no means do we possess the power to force compliance with the rules. However, we can make them believe—misguide them into thinking—that we do. To do that, we need many excellent people, so that we can maintain the illusion that we have the enforcement power to make them follow the rules..."
"..."
We found ourselves listening intently to Miyashita-san's words, lost in thought. It was true that the dungeon industry was currently in its infancy, a time when the boundaries of what drop items and explorers could and couldn't do were still blurred. It was precisely because things were unclear that many people were currently thinking of following the rules from before the dungeons appeared, which made society seem stable. Even if people gained power like levels and skills, the shackles of the common sense they had cultivated until now were still in place.
But what if, by some chance, those shackles were to come off even once? Social unrest is much like a pandemic; once it starts to spread, it’s difficult to contain. To ensure that such a catastrophic source of anxiety never arose, they needed to establish a system that would make many people believe—or be under the illusion—that they should follow at least the minimum guidelines. The measure the Dungeon Association was taking for that purpose was likely the recruitment of excellent talent.
"Therefore, if you ever feel like joining the Association, please reach out to us at any time. I have looked into your past achievements, and I believe your character is as impeccable as your skills; we would very much like to have you on our side."
"...Thank you for your high evaluation. However, we are still immature students who have not yet reached adulthood, and we wish to continue our studies and our growth as human beings. We might be able to be of help someday, but with our current selves, while we may be able to wield the power we gained from dungeon exploration, I don’t believe we could achieve the kind of results you're looking for, Miyashita-san."
Yuji declined Miyashita-san's offer with a regretful expression. Certainly, looking at our track record as explorers alone, we would be evaluated as quite capable. But from the perspective of people who have never had direct contact with us, there was a high possibility we would be seen as cocky brats who just happened to succeed in dungeon exploration and gain power. Admitting that someone younger than yourself is superior is not an easy thing to do, regardless of whether you're young or old. Especially since we were high schoolers, the youngest age group allowed to be explorers; I wondered how many people would have the magnanimity to acknowledge us when we hadn't left any clear records, such as in high-profile official tournaments.
"...I see."
"My apologies."
"No, I should be the one thanking you for seriously considering such an abrupt proposal. Well then, I shall look forward to that 'someday' arriving."
"Haha... 'someday' is just 'someday,' after all. We don't know what the future holds, so please don't get your hopes up too much."
Yuji and Miyashita-san both wore smiles as they stated their conclusions in cheerful voices. To an outsider, it sounded like a polite exchange of social pleasantries, but seeing as neither of their eyes were smiling at all, they were likely engaged in a final battle of posturing. Miyashita-san seemed to be saying without words, By "someday," you mean you'll come to us, right? While Yuji shot back silently, "Someday" is just "someday." It's undecided.
Even at the very end, a tense atmosphere flowed through the conference room for a brief moment. Really, you couldn't let your guard down until the very last second.
After finishing the handover of the recorded data copies and leaving the conference room, we moved to the front entrance hall of the Association branch, escorted by Miyashita-san and Uwajima-san. Yuji had tried to decline the escort, but Miyashita-san insisted that since they were the ones who had called us there for their own convenience, he wanted to at least see us to the door. Yuji figured it would be rude to refuse too strongly, so it ended up this way.
As a result, the explorers in casual clothes visiting the Association and the businessmen in suits who seemed to have come for negotiations with the Association were all looking at us, wondering what was going on since Association officials were going out of their way to see us off. We stood out quite a bit. I worried for a moment that strange rumors might start, but after a bit of thought, I realized it was the opposite. Miyashita-san and his team were intentionally making themselves conspicuous by staying with us, posturing to everyone watching that we were under the Association’s wing.
"Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come here today."
As if to prove it, Miyashita-san and Uwajima-san bowed slightly to us and gave a polite greeting of thanks. At that moment, a wave of surprise emanated from the people watching around us. This confirmed that Miyashita-san and his team's plan—their deterrence—was a success. The explorers who didn't know Uwajima-san's face would still be wary and take notice of us for being treated so politely by Association officials who appeared to be high-ranking, and the businessmen who likely did know Miyashita-san or Uwajima-san would certainly be interested but would avoid making any clumsy contact so as not to incur the Association's displeasure.
For the Association, which wanted to stake a claim on us as potential scout candidates, this was effective enough to keep others at bay. On the flip side, some shallow-minded people might get curious and try to make contact, and some powerhouses who didn't care about the Association's pressure might show up too, though.
"No, thank you as well for your polite response."
With a small smile, Yuji replied to Miyashita-san and the others in a polite tone while naturally extending his right hand. Miyashita-san mirrored the motion and exchanged a handshake with Yuji.
To anyone watching from the side, it looked like a scene of people who had built a solid relationship.
"Thank you for today. I look forward to seeing you again."
"Thank you for everything today."
Well, between the two of them, they were checking each other until the very last second, trying to get a commitment or avoiding giving one. If we were to follow the clichés for such situations, the aesthetic would be for them to grip each other's hands with all their might. However, if Yuji were to do such a thing, he would have undoubtedly left Miyashita-san’s right hand a mess of shattered bones, so they just exchanged a normal handshake without putting much strength into it.
And so, as Miyashita-san and the others saw us off, we left the Association branch in a taxi that had been waiting at the rotary.
"...Ah, jeez, I'm beat! I really am bad at those kinds of negotiations!"
"Seriously. Good work, Yuji."
"Thank you, Hirose-kun. It was a big help having you take the lead."
A short while after the taxi started moving, Yuji, who had been wearing the composed face of his negotiation mode, began to vent as if he were truly exhausted. He had been carrying out a negotiation that would have put adults to shame with Miyashita-san; of course he'd be tired.
Hiiragi-san and I thanked Yuji for taking the lead, letting out a long breath and relaxing our shoulders just like him.
"You lot... it's fine to relax, but at least do it with some moderation. The driver is startled by how suddenly you've changed, you know? My apologies, sir, for these grandchildren of mine."
"Oh, no. Please don't worry about it."
Juzo-san's gaze, looking exasperated through the rearview mirror, pierced into those of us who had lost our strength and slumped over in the back seat. As Juzo-san said, the driver also had an expression of surprise and confusion at our transformation. I suppose anyone would be surprised if youths who had been pulling off smart-casual outfits without being overwhelmed by them suddenly sighed and slumped over.
We cleared our throats lightly and sat back up, correcting our posture until it was presentable again.
"First, I'll say good job. I think you two did quite well for your first time in a negotiation. After you gain a few more experiences, you'll be able to speak your mind without being intimidated. Yuji also managed to dodge the other party's demands quite well; I'd say it was a performance worthy of a passing mark. That said, there were plenty of areas that were no good, so once we get home, we'll have a review meeting and consider our future moves."
"...Yes."
Thus, the meeting with the Association was a success to the extent that, according to Juzo-san, it earned a passing mark, despite many points needing reflection. With this, it should be safe to assume that everything regarding the dungeon discovery has settled down.
...Right?
The meeting is over. Now I can focus on the school festival... probably?