Slumped in my office chair, I pored over the list of issues identified during the preliminary investigation to determine the necessary countermeasures. Investigating potential coastal erosion, negotiating safety protocols with the local Fisheries Cooperative Association, estimating repair costs for the damaged boundary fence... The sheer volume of work meant the hours slipped away before I knew it.
President, don't you think you're packing the schedule a little too tightly? This really isn't the kind of workload a person can finish in just a few days...
"These are the proposed solutions for the improvements cited in the preliminary investigation," I said.
"Good work, Yuta-kun. Thank you. I’m sorry for pushing you so hard."
I handed over the documents I’d spent several days compiling, a weary expression likely plastered across my face. The President accepted them with a look of slight guilt, offering words of gratitude and appreciation.
"Don't worry about it. If we don't have a firm handle on these specific points, we won't be able to implement proper solutions, and the final certification won't move forward. I’ve managed to put together a rough draft for the countermeasures. As for the disaster history research and the negotiations with the Fisheries Cooperative Association, I’ll start reaching out to them for appointments now."
"You work fast. It's a huge help."
The President’s eyes skimmed the papers quickly until they hit one particular item, and he stopped.
"Yuta-kun, this estimate for the boundary fence repairs..."
"That’s a rough figure I calculated using the data we have. I haven't requested a quote from a professional contractor yet, but I doubt the final cost would be much lower than that."
The document the President was staring at listed an estimated repair cost exceeding ten million yen.
"I see... I suppose that given the sheer length of that fence, replacing and installing a new one would inevitably cost this much."
"Yes. Removing the old fence adds a significant cost, making it more expensive than a fresh installation on empty land. In fact, it might be cheaper to leave the old fence as it is and simply set up a second fence shifted slightly inward. Since that property is so vast, shifting the boundary a few meters won't make the space feel cramped at all."
"True, with a lot that size, moving the fence in a few meters wouldn't be an issue. Given its purpose as a training ground for explorers, a double fence might actually be a good choice for safety. it shows a much firmer intent to keep people out and could help deter intruders."
"Exactly. If someone intentionally bypasses two layers of fencing marked with warning signs, they’re clearly a deliberate intruder with malicious intent."
A fence's primary role is to mark a private boundary and prevent people from wandering in by accident. It isn't a foolproof barrier against someone determined to break in. If we truly wanted to stop intruders, we’d need to spend a fortune on security cameras, alarms, motion-sensor lights, and barbed wire.
Then again, if we went that far, the installation and maintenance costs would be astronomical. It's better to keep things reasonable.
"You're right," the President agreed. "First, let's see if we can make the existing fence usable through a more cost-effective method. Hirose-kun and his party shouldn't have to shell out a fortune for fence repairs on a property they haven't even officially leased yet. Besides, if we were to build a new fence of that length, it wouldn't be surprising if construction took several months."
"In that case, as a stopgap measure, I suggest we buy wire mesh from a hardware store to plug the holes ourselves. Hirose-kun and his party have already offered to help with the work, so we could fix the problem for the mere cost of materials."
The preliminary investigation had revealed about a dozen holes in the fence. While several sections were looking suspicious due to advancing corrosion, most of the fence still fulfilled its basic function. Eventually, it would need a full overhaul, but if our only goal was to pass the final certification, plugging the holes and patching the weak spots would suffice.
Of course, this was only the bare minimum required for the inspection. If they were going to use the property as a training ground, I wanted them to perform proper repairs sooner rather than later. The last thing I wanted was for someone to wander in through a new hole and get caught in the crossfire of a training session.
"I see. That would certainly be the fastest and cheapest way to clear the inspection. Yuta-kun, go ahead and calculate the costs for that repair plan. If Hirose-kun and his party agree to help, we'll move forward with it."
"Understood. I'll estimate the costs based on hardware store prices."
With the President's go-ahead, it looked like we were going to be DIY fence repairmen. Since the most expensive part—labor—was being handled by us and Hirose and his party, the cost would be negligible. Most hardware stores listed their prices online anyway, so calculating the materials wouldn't be much of a chore.
Once we secured Hirose and his party's consent, the DIY project was officially on. On the Sunday following the preliminary investigation, the four of us stopped at a hardware store to load up on materials before heading out to the Cape property.
In total, the materials cost us about 200,000 yen. It was a massive saving compared to hiring professionals just to plug some holes.
"Alright, everyone. Please follow the procedures from the video I sent you earlier. Be careful not to get hurt."
"Yes!"
"Let's all tackle the first hole together to make sure we've got the process down. We can split up once we've finished the first one."
Technology is a marvel these days. As soon as the party agreed to help, I’d searched the internet and found plenty of instructional videos for this exact kind of repair.
We moved a short distance from the entrance gate to the first hole. It was an oval roughly thirty centimeters across where the wire mesh had rotted away and snapped.
"The frame posts look fine, so for a hole this size, we can just weave in some new wire."
I pulled on my work gloves and grabbed a pair of pliers and a roll of thick, vinyl-coated wire. I carefully studied the original weaving pattern where the old wire had decayed, then began intertwining the new wire with the intact sections.
We fumbled with the weaving at first, but after a bit of group discussion, the four of us managed to plug the hole in no time.
"Okay, just keep doing exactly that for the rest of the fence."
"Yes!"
With the procedures confirmed, I handed out maps marking the damaged spots and we split up. The fence line was incredibly long, so working separately was far more efficient. I sent Hirose and his party toward the far end while I started working my way out from the gate.
By the time we finished, it was just past noon. Fortunately, none of the damaged sections involved the main support posts, so the repairs were well within the capabilities of a group of amateurs.
"Good job, everyone. That’s the fence finished. It’s just an emergency patch-up, but since every hole is plugged, we should be in a position to pass the final certification inspection."
"I hope so," one of them said, looking a bit unsure. "We’ll have to do real repairs eventually, but the cost..."
"It’s a massive area to enclose, so it’s definitely an investment. Building a brand-new fence isn't something you can decide on a whim."
Hirose and his party still looked a little skeptical of our amateur handiwork, but it functioned as a fence, and that was what mattered. The issue during the preliminary investigation wasn't the age of the fence, but the fact that the holes made it fail at its primary job: keeping people out.
As long as the holes were blocked and trespassing was discouraged, we were in the clear. Naturally, a full-scale renovation would still be better in the long run given the corrosion.
"Regardless, the hole issue is resolved. The disaster history research and the negotiations with the Fisheries Cooperative Association are currently in progress. As soon as I have those documents ready, I’ll file the application for the final certification inspection."
"...Right. We're counting on you."
With the fence repairs successfully behind us, we went over the upcoming schedule and decided to grab a late lunch. I’d expected it to be an all-day job, but we’d finished much faster than planned.
It’s not that I was stalling because I dreaded going back to the office early... honestly. Sigh, it was just more paperwork waiting for me once I got back.
Once I had all the necessary documentation for the final certification inspection, I filed the application with the Dungeon Association. While you can apply online, this was a first for our company, so I followed the party's lead and went to the Association in person. The reaction I got was... interesting, to say the least.
As soon as they realized that Kiritani Real Estate was applying on behalf of Hirose and his party, the atmosphere in the department shifted blatantly. The clerk who had been handling my application flustered and retreated, only for Kawakita-san—the man I’d met during the preliminary investigation—to personally come out to the counter.
"It’s been a while, Yuta-san. Not since we met the other day."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for all your help. Thanks to you, we were able to get everything ready for the final certification exam."
"Think nothing of it; I was simply doing my job. So, your presence here means you’ve addressed the points raised in the previous inspection? I expected it to take a little longer. Impressive."
"Thank you. We’d like to request a date for the inspection. If possible, we’d prefer a Sunday so that Hirose-kun and the others can be present..."
Kawakita-san looked thoughtful for a moment before giving a small smile and a nod.
"Understood. Once the schedule is finalized, we will contact you."
"We're in your hands."
The application process went suspiciously smoothly, and just two days later, I received word that the final certification exam was set. Not only that, but it was scheduled for this very Sunday.
Yeah, this is moving way too fast... I’d better not overthink it and just assume this is a special exception.
"President, the Association called. The final certification inspection is this Sunday."
"I see... Well, let's just be grateful that things are moving quickly and leave it at that."
"You're right. I’ll let Hirose-kun and the others know the date is set."
"I’ll need you to accompany them for the inspection... I’m counting on you. I wanted to go myself, but I have a meeting this Sunday that I absolutely can't move. It’s an essential appointment; changing it now would be a huge inconvenience for the other party."
Since this was a project that could define our company’s future, the President really should have been there. He looked a bit frustrated by the sudden timing, but he had no choice but to leave the observation and coordination to me. With only a few days' notice, it was impossible to rearrange his prior commitments.
When I relayed the date to Hirose and his party, they were equally surprised but sent back enthusiastic replies about passing the exam.
As our company’s first foray into this field, the final certification inspection—which I’d been quite nervous about—ended without a hitch. It was the first time I’d ever seen an offensive magic skill used right in front of me. Seeing them train with that kind of firepower, I could finally understand why the screening process had to be so rigorous.
In fact, knowing Hirose and his party likely had even more powerful offensive magic skills in their arsenal, I’d be worried if the land wasn’t this expansive.
"Well, we made it through the inspection safely."
"Yeah. It was a lot of trial and error, but it was a great experience for the future."
A week after the inspection, we received official word from the Dungeon Association: the skill use certification had been granted. It was the moment all our hard work finally paid off, and the moment our company took its first real step toward a new business frontier.
"You did an excellent job, Yuta-kun. Keep it up."
"Yes, sir!"
The skill use certification, the biggest hurdle in the lease agreement for Hirose and his party, had been cleared. Now, one final push to close the contract!