The news arrived just after noon, shortly after I had finished lunch and begun my afternoon duties. I had managed to clear a fair amount of the mountain of paperwork on my desk and was about to take a short break when the phone in the director’s office rang loudly.
Just when I thought I was getting a rest, I thought to myself, lamenting the poor timing. However, since it was an internal call, I figured something urgent might have come up. With a small sigh, I picked up the receiver.
"Yes, hello? This is Hakamada, the Director."
"I apologize for disturbing you while you're busy, Director. This is the reception desk. An incident has occurred that requires your urgent attention."
"Urgent attention? That sounds rather ominous. Is there some kind of trouble at the counter?"
"Yes. An explorer team with a notable designation from the Association has requested an audience with the person in charge—the Director. It appears they encountered an irregular phenomenon inside the dungeon and have information they wish to report immediately."
Hearing the report from reception, I felt my eyebrows shoot up as my eyes widened slightly.
Among the explorer teams operating in the dungeon under our jurisdiction, there was only one that had received a notable designation from the Association based on their achievements. It was the top-tier team that had recently caused a stir at headquarters with the discovery of rare items, and who held the record for the deepest dive depth at our branch. If I recalled correctly...
"A notable designation... Was that the team consisting of three student explorers?"
"Yes, that's the student explorer party. We have verified their Explorer Cards against the database, so there is no mistake. The 'notable designation' label is clearly listed in the special remarks section."
"I see. And such a party has an urgent report, specifically for me?"
"No, they only asked to speak with the person in charge. However, in my judgment, I believe you should meet with them, Director. From the way they speak, it seems to be a very important report, and I cannot help but feel this is a matter that requires the Director's personal handling."
The request for a meeting with me seemed to be the receptionist's own decision, but I could sense the gravity of the situation from the tone of the staff member's voice over the phone. Therefore...
"Understood. I will meet with them shortly. Can I leave the reservation for a Consultation Room to you?"
"Yes. I will contact you again once the procedures are finished here."
"I'm counting on you."
I replaced the receiver and ended the call.
Then, letting out a heavy sigh, I operated the PC on my desk and began reviewing the information for the explorer team in question.
"...I see. Indeed, with results like these, the Association would certainly mark them as explorers with a notable designation."
As I reviewed the data on the team displayed on the screen, a voice of admiration escaped my lips.
Despite being a team with no corporate affiliation, they had reached beyond the 30th floor. Judging by their record of cashing in drop items, it wouldn't be surprising if they had already reached the 40th floor. Furthermore, they had discovered an unconfirmed dungeon and had acquired and sold magic items that were under the Dungeon Association's classified designation...
"And such an explorer team wants to make an urgent report in secret... I smell nothing but trouble."
While I waited and continued to check the subjects' information, the internal phone rang again.
About ten minutes had passed since the last call while I was reviewing the data and rubbing the bridge of my nose.
"Yes, Hakamada speaking."
"Thank you for waiting, this is reception. Regarding the previous matter, we have secured an available Consultation Room."
"Understood, thank you. Could you guide them to the room? I will head there immediately."
"I apologize for the trouble. Thank you very much."
Having finished the business communication, I hung up the phone, tidied my desk to a certain extent, and left the director's office.
"Now then, whether it would be a demon or a snake..."
Steeling my expression, I walked with a measured pace toward the Consultation Room.
It seemed they were already waiting; as I approached the door, I could hear voices coming from inside the room.
Worrying that I might have kept them waiting too long, I slowly opened the door and spoke.
"I apologize for the wait. I am Hakamada, the Director of this branch. I understand you have a matter you wish to discuss in private?"
I gave a brief greeting and took a seat opposite the three of them. They each gave a slight bow and introduced themselves simply.
"Thank you for agreeing to this sudden request for a consultation despite your busy schedule. I'm Hirose. I primarily explore this dungeon."
"I'm Kokonoe. Thank you for your time."
"I'm Hiiragi. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine. I have seen the records kept here, so I have a general grasp of your activities. It seems you have accumulated considerable results and experience in your explorations thus far."
This was no mere flattery. The results these three had achieved were top-tier for civilian explorers. In fact, they were likely the undisputed best among those not affiliated with a corporation.
The fact that the only points of comparison for their achievements were the ace teams of major dungeon enterprises meant they were the cream of the crop. Moreover, while those other teams had organized backup systems, these three apparently operated entirely on their own... It was terrifying to imagine their future potential, though they were already formidable enough as it was.
"That is precisely why we cannot hide our surprise that explorers like yourselves would cut a dive short to request an urgent consultation....Did something happen?"
Since they had specified it was urgent, I skipped the tedious preamble and moved straight to the main point.
As it turned out, this was indeed a matter that required an emergency response.
"Then, please wait for a moment."
Bowing my head slightly while trying to maintain a calm facade, I left the room as they watched me go.
I hurried back to my office, sat down on the reception sofa, and looked up at the ceiling for a moment... then let out the thoughts that had been pooling in my chest.
"I wondered if it would be a demon or a snake, but I never expected both to appear at once..."
I let out a long sigh as I rolled a piece of metal that appeared to be mithril inside a handkerchief that fit in the palm of one hand. I had braced myself for a major incident given that the urgent request came from a notable designation party, but I was at a loss, thinking this was simply too much.
"There were reports regarding high-ranking species of ogres via the Self-Defense Forces' explorer teams. There were also reports of fantasy metals occasionally dropping from high-ranking species. But even so..."
What were the odds of both occurring at the same time?
Even for the Self-Defense Forces' explorer teams who had submitted reports, their encounters with high-ranking species numbered fewer than a hundred, and reports of fantasy metal drops could be counted on two hands.
"No, not yet. First, I must confirm its identity. Before I decide how to respond, I need to be certain of what this is."
I shook my head a few times, then used the internal line to call the section in charge of item appraisal. I instructed them to bring the appraisal glasses to the director's office immediately.
The Section Chief hesitated to bring the appraisal glasses out of the appraisal room since they were a precious magic item, but I pulled rank and ordered him to bring them anyway. Given the nature of what I was appraising, the fewer people involved, the better.
"Excuse me, Director. I have brought the item you requested."
A few minutes later, the Section Chief of the Appraisal Section appeared in the director's office with a slightly disgruntled expression, clutching a sturdy attaché case. As I expected, even though it was an order, he didn't seem to like the idea of taking out the precious magic item that was the foundation of their work.
However, considering the gravity of the situation, he would just have to bear it.
"I apologize for the unreasonable demand. An item was brought in that must be appraised urgently and in total secrecy. Normally, it should be done in your department, but this is a precaution because the item is of a nature that the fewer people who know about it, the better."
"No, if that is the case..."
"So, am I capable of using this myself?"
When I asked, the Section Chief looked momentarily taken aback. He lowered his gaze to the attaché case, cleared his throat softly, and replied.
"Yes, there is no problem with using it yourself. However, unless the appraisal is performed by someone with appraisal qualifications, it won't be recognized as an official appraisal result..."
"That's fine. I only want to know the identity of this drop item for now. Our subsequent actions will change depending on the result, so the official appraisal can come later."
"I see. In that case, should I leave the room while you are appraising the drop item?"
"That would be a great help. My apologies for having you bring it all this way only to treat you like this."
I bowed my head slightly, and the Section Chief, his expression twitching as he seemingly recognized the seriousness of the situation, hurriedly gave me a brief lecture on how to handle the appraisal glasses before leaving the room.
Now then, there was no time to waste. I would begin the appraisal.
"...There's no mistake. It really was mithril."
After using the appraisal glasses to inspect the metal wrapped in the handkerchief, the result confirmed it was indeed mithril, one of the fantasy metals. Fantasy metals possessed superior properties and were quasi-specified important materials—so-called strategic materials—with high expectations for future industrial use. Since the dungeons appeared, aside from the first drop, only extremely small quantities of fantasy metal had been secured on rare occasions. They remained precious items that had yet to be acquired in large amounts.
At this stage, it was one of the extremely rare and expensive drop items that were not traded openly at all. Furthermore...
"So people who can obtain fantasy metal as a drop item have finally appeared among civilian explorer teams. And people who encounter high-ranking species of ogres as well."
Since reports had been coming in from the Self-Defense Forces, the Dungeon Association had foreseen that civilians would eventually encounter these things.
Because of that, a set of public disclosure processes had already been determined for when a civilian explorer made such a discovery.
"Though, first I must deal with those I've kept waiting."
With an expression of pure exhaustion, I first thanked the Section Chief waiting outside and returned the appraisal glasses. After reviewing the manual for responding to high-ranking species encounters and fantasy metal discoveries, I gave my cheeks a light slap to psych myself up and left the room.
When I hurried back to the Consultation Room, I was met by the three of them, looking somewhat bored. Even though I had been rushing, from their perspective, it was just time spent waiting, so it couldn't be helped.
After offering a brief apology, I placed the mithril wrapped in the handkerchief on the table and got straight to the point.
"This drop item was mithril. It is one of the rare drops called fantasy metals, a quasi-specified important material that the government aims to secure for a stable supply... what is known as a strategic material. I apologize, but until a response for this case is decided, I must forbid you from speaking of the existence of this item, as well as the irregular phenomenon, for the time being."
As I stated our future course of action in a flat but firm tone with a stern expression, they turned serious gazes toward me, their faces tightening with tension.
I then carefully explained the reasons for taking these measures.
"Understood. It certainly doesn't seem like the kind of information that can be made public without any prior preparation."
"I am glad you understand. The situation may change depending on the progress of our deliberations, but I don't believe it will take very long. I must emphasize once more: please do not speak of this matter to anyone for the time being."
"Understood."
Just as mentioned in the special remarks, perhaps because they had experience being caught up in trouble regarding similar drop items before, all three of them accepted the temporary non-disclosure request without fuss, looking as if they felt it couldn't be helped.
For a moment, I had worried we might clash over the request, with them claiming their honor as the first discoverers, but it seemed they had little desire for that. In fact, they were the type who preferred not to get involved in trouble, which worked in my favor.
"Then, I will prepare the documents for the purchase procedure. Please wait a moment."
"Understood. Thank you."
The purchase procedure for the mithril was completed without any dispute over the price, and the emergency meeting came to an end.
I let out a breath of relief that it had concluded successfully, but my expression immediately tightened as I looked down at the mithril still sitting before me.
"No, the main event for me starts now."
I wrapped the mithril in the handkerchief and tucked it into my inner pocket so it would stay out of sight. If anyone else saw it here, my efforts to handle it in secret would be wasted.
After another light slap to my cheeks to refocus, I headed toward the director's office with a heavy step. It looked like I'd be working overtime tonight. Sigh...