After swaying along on the shuttle bus for a while, we finally arrived at the dungeon. A steady stream of explorer parties carrying massive packs piled out, and the area around the bus stop quickly dissolved into a bustling crowd.
Huh, were there really this many people on board?
"There are so many people..."
"Hm? Oh, that's because shuttle buses run from stations other than the one we used. It's always like this when arrivals line up."
"Wait, they run from other stations too?"
"Yep. If they concentrated this entire crowd into a single station, it'd be dangerous, so the routes are designed to spread people out to some degree."
Indeed, now that he mentioned it, having this many people converge on one station sounded like a safety hazard. Even at the station we had left from, a massive queue had formed; if it were several times longer than that, it would clearly exceed capacity.
Since the chances of accidents and altercations only rose the more people congregated, dispersing the flow across multiple hubs was a solid solution.
"Well, even with that, it still tends to get overwhelmed during peak hours. That's why plenty of people drive their own cars, take taxis, or, in the case of students, ride bicycles or just walk."
"Right, right. But between parking lots and bicycle racks filling up, the train-and-shuttle route is probably the most popular, right? Nearby parking lots jack up their rates anticipating dungeon demand, so for rookie explorers, it's pretty common for an entire day's earnings to get wiped out by parking fees alone."
"Bicycles and walking aren't much better. After spending all day fighting, running, and taking hits inside the dungeon... hauling a massive load all the way home on foot or on a bike is a pretty brutal return trip for a beginner explorer, don't you think?"
Hmm. Listening to Kokonoe-senpai and the others, taking the train and transferring to a shuttle bus really did seem like the safest bet for beginners. Traveling by car or taxi sounded comfortable enough, but parking and transit fees were steep. Walking or cycling was free, but factoring in the journey back from a dungeon dive, that level of exhaustion could be dangerous.
The train-to-bus route might get a little cramped, but it was an affordable, dependable way to travel even when completely drained.
"Once your level goes up, your recovery rate improves too. After that, taking a short break in the lounge once you exit the dungeon is usually enough to get you moving again without issue. Though I suppose by the time you reach that point, you're graduating from rookie status and just barely dipping your toes into the mid-level tier."
"Dipping our toes into mid-level?"
"It depends on how exhausted you are, but in terms of level, maybe around 10 to 15? Basically, right around the time you can reliably take down a goblin solo without putting yourself in danger."
"Goblins..."
Slaying a goblin—the monster known as the second wall that beginner explorers had to overcome if they wanted to keep delving. They were the very first humanoid monsters an explorer would encounter in a dungeon. I had heard that quite a few people felt such a deep aversion to killing them that they retired right then and there, and in the worst cases, ended up permanently traumatized.
Even the second-hand armor we had bought at auction had found its way onto the market after explorers who couldn't get past that wall gave up and sold their gear.
"Well, it'll take some time before you get to that stage. For now, the main priority is making today's dive a success."
"Right... of course."
"...Yes."
At Kokonoe-senpai's words, Suzune-chan and I nodded lightly, our expressions growing taut.
He was right. Before we started worrying about the second wall, we had to clear the first: proving we could actually kill a monster in the first place.
"Alright, shall we head toward the building? With a crowd this size, checking in is probably going to take some time."
Yes!
We hefted our gear and followed the stream of people toward the facility.
Stepping inside, the first thing that greeted our eyes was an enormous line of explorers waiting for reception. Shoulder to shoulder, with bulky packs strapped on, they formed tidy queues in front of about five reception counters. Most of them were waiting patiently, keeping their chatter low enough not to disturb those around them.
There was no tense, hostile atmosphere from people tired of waiting, nor was anyone making a scene; it was treated as an ordinary, everyday routine.
"What an incredible crowd. It was crazy outside at the bus stop, but it's even more packed in here."
"The check-in procedures inevitably take time, after all. But honestly, even this is a huge improvement compared to the old days. Back then, there were fewer counters, and the lines were easily twice this long."
"Yeah. The staff at the counters weren't used to it, which slowed things down, and the explorers didn't know the ropes yet either, so they fumbled around. Now that they've ironed out the rough edges, the wait is far better than it used to be."
"Even if each delay is only a few seconds, with a line this long, the cumulative time really adds up. In the past, waiting an entire hour just for reception was totally normal. I wonder how long we'll be stuck waiting today?"
Waiting an entire hour at reception before we could even enter the dungeon, huh... Spending an hour wandering around searching for monsters was one thing, but burning sixty minutes just to register was the last thing I wanted to do.
Kokonoe-senpai and the others said it had gotten better recently, but with this many people, even if it didn't take a full hour, we might easily be standing here for thirty minutes...
"It'll be fine, Asami-chan, Suzune-chan. It's really not that crowded today, and all the counters are open, so our turn should come in under thirty minutes."
"Yeah, exactly. Compared to the summer vacation rush, this is nothing. We'll be through in no time."
Mika-chan, Saori-chan...
Seeing the worried looks on our faces as we fretted over the wait, Mika-chan and Saori-chan offered us reassuring smiles.
Then, watching Suzune-chan and me breathe a quiet sigh of relief, they turned and shot slightly sharp glares at Kokonoe-senpai and the upperclassmen.
"Honestly, Onii-chan and the rest of you, stop trying to scare Asami-chan and Suzune just because it's their first time."
"She's right. They've streamlined the reception process a lot lately, so it barely takes any time at all. Waiting a whole hour only happens during extreme situations, like school summer vacations or when most of the windows are closed, you know?"
...
At Mika-chan and Saori-chan's scolding, Suzune-chan and I couldn't help but narrow our eyes and stare flatly at Kokonoe-senpai and the rest.
"Haha, well, that's true. But if you know that it could take that long in the worst-case scenario—or that it used to—then even if you do end up waiting a while, you can take it in stride."
"Think of it as stress management. If your head gets all scrambled from waiting around before you've even stepped foot in the dungeon, that's how people get hurt. If you go in blind, you'll just get irritated and impatient, but if you know it's a breeze compared to the nightmare lines of the past, you can keep your cool."
"We've been through those brutally long waits ourselves, so when we have to stand in line now, we don't really get annoyed—we can just wait patiently. We just think, 'Hey, at least it's better than back then...'"
Without looking remotely guilty, Kokonoe-senpai and the others offered wry smiles as they explained the logic behind their exaggerated warning.
It made sense in theory, but I really wished they'd stop doing things that were so bad for my heart.
"So that's why... Still, when you say it right in front of a massive line like this, we're obviously going to take you seriously."
"Well, there's no point in telling a lie if it's glaringly obvious, right? It has to have some ring of truth to it."
"We completely fell for it."
"Just consider it a bit of trivia to tuck away. As long as you know that's how things used to be, that's enough."
Watching Kokonoe-senpai and the others flash unrepentant smiles while making small, apologetic gestures, Suzune-chan and I could only manage wry, complicated looks in return.
After about fifteen minutes in line, our turn arrived much faster than expected.
Just as my nerves started flaring up at the realization that the moment was here, Yukino-senpai placed a gentle hand on both Suzune-chan's and my back, nudging us forward toward the counter.
Eh?
"You two go ahead and take the lead. Just follow whatever the clerk asks, and you'll be fine."
...
We cast surprised glances back at Yukino-senpai, who only beamed in response. Suzune-chan and I looked at each other and nodded firmly... There was no turning back now.
With tense expressions, we stepped up to the reception counter.
"Welcome. How may I assist you today?"
"Um, ah... well, we're here for dungeon exploration."
"Understood, dungeon exploration. The party entering today... consists of seven people, correct?"
"Y-Yes! That's correct!"
The clerk behind the window smiled faintly, looking at Suzune-chan and me with an amused, affectionate gaze as our voices squeaked from the tension. He had definitely clocked us as complete first-timers.
Clearing his throat softly, the clerk continued in a calm, practiced tone meant to soothe the two nervous rookies.
"Then we will proceed with the entry paperwork. Could everyone who wishes to enter please present their Explorer Card?"
Y-Yes!
Prompted by the clerk, Suzune-chan and I flusteredly placed our prepared cards on the counter. Letting out quiet chuckles at our frantic movements, Kokonoe-senpai and the others laid their own Explorer Cards down alongside ours.
First-time administrative procedures always made people unnecessarily anxious, so acting a little suspicious was practically inevitable.
"Thank you. I have received all of them. Please give me just a moment."
Y-Yes!
The clerk smoothly scanned our cards, maintaining a pleasant, warm smile as he ran the identity verification against the database.
However, while his expression had been nothing but friendly when checking our cards, a look of perplexity crossed his features the moment he scanned Mika-chan's and Saori-chan's. And by the time he pulled up our upperclassmen's files, his eyes widened in sheer, stunned disbelief, as if he couldn't process what he was seeing.
"Uh... um, thank you very much. The identity verification is complete. Here are your Explorer Cards back."
Th-Thank you very much!
"..."
As the clerk handed back the cards while visibly struggling to compose himself, Suzune-chan and I accepted ours with puzzled looks.
What was that about? The clerk kept darting nervous glances toward our seniors over and over again.
"N-Now then, here are the keys to the lockers in the changing room. Everyone, please stay safe and take care to ensure an accident-free dive."
Th-Thank you very much! We'll do our best!
"Thank you."
Taking everyone's locker keys, Suzune-chan and I gave polite bows before stepping away from the counter.
After splitting up with Kokonoe-senpai and Hirose-senpai outside the changing rooms, us girls began suiting up into our exploration gear. We strapped on our equipment, including the armor we had prepared specifically for today. Compared to Yukino-senpai's, Mika-chan's, and Saori-chan's gear, ours had a few scuffs, but it was practically mint-condition kit that practically screamed 'novice.'
It went beyond just the people wearing it—the sheer difference in our presence was overwhelming.
"Somehow, standing side-by-side like this... Suzune-chan and I look totally out of place. Like we don't belong..."
"We're definitely lacking... stature, aren't we?"
The unfiltered truth slipped out of my mouth. Standing next to three people who carried the effortless air of seasoned veterans, our amateur status was painfully glaring. Comparing ourselves to them made me shrink back in embarrassment at our own appearance. At first, I had been purely thrilled and relieved to have them guide us, but having the undeniable gulf in our caliber shoved in our faces before we even started felt a little disheartening, even if I had known it all along.
If we worked hard as explorers and threw ourselves into dungeon dives, would we eventually carry an aura like theirs?
"What's the matter, you two?"
"Ah, well... We were just thinking that maybe it looks mismatched, us diving together with Mika-chan and the rest of you..."
"Mismatched? Why?"
"How should I put it... It kind of feels like a pair of clueless country bumpkins got mixed in with pros, you know?"
When I voiced what was on my mind, Yukino-senpai blinked in surprise for a second before a gentle smile returned to her face.
"Is that what was bothering you? Honestly, it's only natural for you to feel that way right now. We've spent a good deal of time gaining experience down in the dungeons. If the two of you, having never stepped foot in one, felt exactly the same as us, that would mean we hadn't grown at all. So don't worry. As you build up your own experience from here on out, things like that won't cross your mind for long."
"Is that... really true?"
"Of course. We're the ones training you, after all. Just think back on everything we've put you through so far. Do you really believe that the two of you, having survived all that training, won't be able to catch up?"
...
All those grueling training sessions that had started the moment we asked our seniors for help... Yeah. We'd be fine. Having endured that hellish routine, the thought naturally took root that catching up wasn't impossible, even if it took time.
You're... right.
"Exactly. More importantly, make sure you double-check that your gear is secured properly, alright? A single loose buckle can cause an injury, or in the worst-case scenario, a critical wound. You aren't used to wearing all this yet, so inspect each other's equipment—double-checking is the safest way to go."
Yes!
Suzune-chan and I carefully looked over each other's armor, ensuring every strap and buckle was firmly fastened in place.
My fingers trembled slightly from the tension, but I told myself it was just pre-battle excitement.
"Alright, looks like everyone's ready. Kokonoe-kun and Hirose-kun are probably waiting for us, so shall we head out?"
Yes!
As if shouting down our lingering anxieties, Suzune-chan and I answered with slightly stiff, resolute voices.
Alright. It was finally time.