The return trip took quite a while because we joined the traveling queue, but we managed to change floors smoothly without any monster encounters. Still, even if it was inside a dungeon, I was getting a bit fed up with staring at the backs of other explorer parties for hours on end.
After those... trials? We finally arrived at the 4th-floor staircase plaza.
"Alright, we're here. Let's take a short break as planned."
"Agreed. Just walking while staring at people's backs is exhausting."
"It really is. No monster attacks, just the same unchanging scenery forever."
When I stepped out of the traveling queue and called for a break, Yuji and Hiiragi-san voiced their complaints while stretching their stiff backs. For us, this was a distance that wouldn't even take fifteen minutes if we ran. Having to walk it at a crawl was a significant source of stress.
"Whew, finally a break."
"That took a long time, didn't it?"
Mika and Saori-chan stretched their limbs to loosen up, fatigue showing on their faces. While the traveling queue provided a high degree of safety, the mental exhaustion of moving across multiple floors tended to stack up.
Especially for explorers who dove down near the 30th floor, the travel time itself became a bottleneck for their efficiency. They often lamented that if there were no traffic jams between floors and they could move faster, they could spend that time exploring and earning more.
"For now, let's head out after about a ten-minute rest. It's better to get outside than to linger here too long."
"True. We only have four floors left; if we're going to take a real break, we might as well do it outside."
"I agree. Even if there are fewer dangers around here, you can't truly let your guard down inside a dungeon."
You could rest your body inside the dungeon, but there was no place where you could truly relax your mind.
As we discussed our plan, Mika spoke up with a suggestion.
"I'm all for that. Also, I saw it when we were coming in, but it looks like they've set up an eat-in space here."
"Oh, I saw that too. There was a sign on the wall saying it was open."
Now that she mentioned it, I did recall hearing something about a simple cafe-style space being established. Apparently, for safety reasons during emergencies, they couldn't allow private restaurants into the building housing the dungeon entrance. Instead, they were installing a variety of food-vending machines and an eat-in space.
It sounded like an old-fashioned drive-in.
"Come to think of it, I did hear they were building something like that..."
"Now that you mention it, they did. I always head home immediately after the appraisal, so I never paid much attention to it."
"Even when we have an after-party, we usually wait until we get back to our local station. I'd heard the rumors, but I've never actually used it."
When it came to day explorations, we usually dove into the dungeon early in the morning and returned just before the deadline for making it home. Since staying here too long would make us late, we always prioritized the return trip and had never used the facility, despite being aware of it.
Besides, if we had the time, I felt like I'd rather relax in a proper restaurant than settle for a vending machine. We were already active in a dungeon where we had to stay vigilant at all times, so when we finally had a chance to rest, I wanted to drop my guard and take it easy.
"Then let's go check it out. I'm curious to see what kind of products they have lined up."
"I wonder if they have rare items exclusive to the dungeon? I don't know how they'll taste, but I'm interested in seeing what's there."
Tourist spots usually have local products you can't find anywhere else. Breads or fried snacks made with beloved local ingredients... Thinking about it that way, I was starting to get curious myself.
I looked at Yuji and Hiiragi-san for their thoughts, and both of them gave a light nod of approval. It seemed they were interested as well.
"Alright then, let's head there once we're outside. I've never used it, so I'm a bit curious myself."
"Yeah!"
"Okay!"
And so, it was decided that once we left the dungeon, we would all go to the vending machine eat-in space.
After finishing our short break at the 4th-floor staircase plaza, we joined the endless traveling queue again, now buoyed by the hope of visiting the eat-in space. It was safe, but simply walking forward for miles still took a mental toll.
Then, after another hour of trudging along with the queue, we finally saw the end.
"We finally made it. We'll be outside soon."
"That felt like forever. Even if this is supposed to be better than it was during the summer holidays..."
"It might be time to seriously look for a detour that's better than the shortest course the traveling queue uses... though I know that will be difficult."
I was tempted to agree with Hiiragi-san's suggestion, but I shook my head slightly, knowing the reality.
I had considered looking for alternative paths to avoid the crowds before, but on the upper floors, there were explorers on every single path. It was impossible for high-level explorers like us to move at a full run. Considering the risk of a collision, other people were often more dangerous than the monsters.
If we had to constantly start and stop while worrying about a detour, it was arguably easier on the mind to just stay in the traveling queue and take the shortest route. Besides, even with all that effort, we'd probably only save ten minutes at most.
"Fundamentally, the problem is just that there are too many people, especially on the floors near the entrance. If only the entrances and stairs were spread out more, we wouldn't have this much trouble."
"True. Putting the total number of users aside, the issue is the concentration in one spot. If we could enter, exit, or move between floors from multiple locations, it wouldn't be such a headache."
"Yes. But from a management perspective, stairs for moving between floors are one thing, but multiple entrances would make management costs skyrocket. They'd be tearing their hair out."
From a user's perspective, it would be convenient, but from a manager's perspective, the costs of ensuring safety would be astronomical. Even one extra entrance would mean building more blockade facilities and hiring more security personnel. If there were multiple locations... it would be a total nightmare for the administration.
The financial burden would be so extreme they'd probably have to invent something like the special explorer tax just to cover it.
"You're right. But well, there's no point in complaining about things we can't change."
"True enough."
"I suppose so."
We let out a collective sigh while watching the long line of people. Until a real solution was found, I guess we just had to live with this overcrowding for a while longer.
While we were talking, we passed through the dungeon entrance before I even realized it. We emerged into a room brilliantly lit by artificial lights, with explorers lining up at the entry and exit gates. Confirming that we had finally exited the dungeon, I let out a small breath of relief and felt the tension leave my body.
"Phew. Now we just need to change and get the appraisal done."
"There'll probably be another line, but it should be better than it was during the summer break."
As I proceeded with the exit procedures, I thought about the minor hassles that still lay ahead. Waiting times had been significantly reduced by the addition of more appraisal counters, but standing in line while exhausted was still a chore.
After leaving the building that housed the dungeon entrance, we moved quickly and arrived in front of the locker rooms.
"Well then, once we're done changing, let's meet back here."
"Yes, see you in a bit."
After parting ways with Hiiragi-san and the girls, Yuji and I entered the men's locker room. Inside, there were all sorts of people: those who had just finished their exploration like us, and those who were about to head in. Those who had finished could be divided into two groups: those with satisfied expressions because they’d had a good haul, and those looking dejected because they’d come up empty.
Us? Compared to our usual earnings, it was a meager haul, but I’d say we fell into the former group today.
"Daiki, you done changing?"
"Yeah, just finished. How about you, Yuji?"
"I'm all set."
Having finished changing in about ten minutes, Yuji and I made sure we hadn't forgotten anything and left the locker room.
As expected, Hiiragi-san and the girls hadn't come out yet, so we found some empty waiting seats to kill time.
"It looks like the girls are going to take a while."
"Now, now, Yuji. We're not in a rush, so let's just wait. More importantly, there's something I wanted to check with you."
"Hm? What is it?"
"How much cash do you have on you right now, Yuji?"
Thinking about our plans, I remembered the contents of my own wallet and asked Yuji a somewhat blunt question about his finances.
"Huh? Cash?"
"Well, we're going to the vending machine eat-in space after the appraisal, right? If they have local products in a dungeon, they're probably made with dungeon food..."
"...I see. I get where you're going, Daiki. You're worried that if they use ingredients like that, the prices might be ridiculous, even for vending machine food."
"Exactly. Usually, the staples of these food-vending machines are things like hamburgers or hot dogs, right? If the meat in those was orc meat or minotaur meat..."
If theme park-style pricing were applied, it could easily cost a thousand or two per item. If we bought several out of curiosity...
Understanding my concern, Yuji looked thoughtful for a moment before answering.
"Thinking about it that way, my wallet might be a bit light. After train fare... and assuming I withdraw more at the convenience store downstairs later... excluding bus fare, I've got five thousand yen at most. What about you, Daiki?"
"I'm about the same. I thought I was just coming for a quick dive, so I didn't bring much."
"There aren't any ATMs around here, after all."
"And they only take cash here."
Aside from Association branches in town that weren't attached to a dungeon, these locations—the Dungeon Association Branch Offices—generally didn't accept post-payment methods like credit cards. This was because since those methods were linked to bank accounts, if someone made a purchase and then disappeared in the dungeon, the transaction might fail or become uncollectible.
Actually, it had happened frequently in other countries during the early days of dungeon discovery. Learning from those mistakes, a regulation was made that branch offices would only handle cash. Though, there were voices now arguing that prepaid cards should be allowed.
"Well, it should be enough for a light meal."
"I hope so. Since today's earnings will be decent, I'm just worried Mika and Saori-chan will get carried away and spend it all. I'd hate to have to run down the mountain because we couldn't afford the bus..."
"You're worrying too much. Those two wouldn't be that reckless."
The appraisal value represented the hard work of the day. It wasn't unheard of for someone to forget their budget in the excitement of a successful hunt. It was a common pitfall for newcomers; I occasionally saw people looking very awkward in front of the bus stop.
Still, Yuji had a point. They'd likely have normal food too, so there was no point in worrying until we actually saw the prices.
"Sorry to keep you waiting... wait, what's wrong with you two? You look so serious."
"Ah, Hiiragi-san, that was fast. No, it's nothing. We just realized a potential problem and were discussing what to do."
"What kind of problem?"
"Nothing major. We were just wondering what kind of things they'd have at the eat-in space."
Glossing over our financial concerns, Yuji and I greeted Hiiragi-san and the girls as they emerged from the locker room.
"Well then, let's take the drop items to appraisal. Let's get this heavy luggage sorted so we can have our after-party in the eat-in space."
"Agreed! I've been dying to see what they have in there!"
"I wonder what the local products are like."
"The merchandise space I peeked at earlier had all sorts of things, so I think we can expect a decent selection. But we should probably keep our expectations realistic."
"Even so, dreaming is free, so I'm going to stay excited!"
With expressions that showed they were practically vibrating with anticipation, Mika and Saori-chan urged us toward the appraisal counter.