Golden Week had come to an end, and the weekdays returned.
In my case, if I wanted to take a break, I could simply head to my PD and take as much time off as I pleased. But somehow, being at school felt like a better change of pace.
A peaceful daily life.
Yes, incredibly peaceful.
Except for Aoki, who had eyes like a dead fish.
「What’s wrong, Aoki?」
「Oh… Ichino, I might be done for.」
「What happened?」
「I’ve found my ideal beauty.」
Unbelievable.
It seemed Aoki had fallen in love.
「Seriously? Huh? Does the other person know about you?」
「Know me very well.」
「What’s she like?」
「This—」
While thinking that he is being so impolite calling the other party ‘this’, Aoki handed me his smartphone.
On the screen was a photo of an adorably bashful, transcendently cute girl.
The kind of girl that a hundred people would unanimously agree was cute.
But there was something else.
I felt she has something really dangerous.
I sensed it on my skin—the kind of air that would spell disaster if I fell for this girl.
And somehow, I felt like I’d seen her somewhere before.
Especially her eyes—they were familiar.
And then, as I looked at Aoki’s face, it hit me.
「this… by any chance, you?」
Aoki hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly.
「….It all started with Hibiki-san’s video site. Since there were many female viewers, they thought it’d be fun to attract male fans by having me cross-dress. At first, I thought it was a joke, but our editing senpai was incredibly skilled at makeup… And before I knew it, this transformation happened. Can you believe it? My ideal woman turned out to be myself crossdressing… What a ridiculous situation.」
「…….Cheer up. I’ll treat you to juice later.」
With that, Aoki seemed to reboot his spirits, and…
「I’ll have melon soda, please. Also, I’ve decided to return as an explorer.」
「Huh?」
「Apparently, I’m quite popular. Hibiki-san suggested we do a dungeon livestream together. And since the dungeon is currently unoccupied, I could probably reach level ten in just a month. They’ll even pay me during the leveling process. So, how about you join me at Umeda Dungeon on our next day off?」
「Sorry. I’ve already made plans to hang out with someone else that day.」
Next Sunday, I have a promise to explore the dungeon with Azuma-san.
We’re planning to tackle the third floor together, and since Aoki is still at level one, he won’t be able to keep up.
After the incident at Expo Park D, I thought Aoki might be afraid to venture into dungeons alone. But his reply indicated that he’s looking forward to going with me. Perhaps he’s still nervous about going solo, but he also harbors a strong desire to become a top-tier explorer.
「I see… By the way, if they offered to triple your pay for cross-dressing during a dungeon livestream, what would you do?」
If it were me, I’d probably run away from that company immediately.
Talking to Aoki makes me feel like normalcy is gradually returning.
※ ※ ※
As everyday life resumes, the extraordinary continues. Just as I returned home from school, a single limousine pulled up in front of my house.
It seemed to be a summons from Gyuuzou-san.
I wasn’t surprised—I had been informed in advance.
At least they didn’t send a helicopter this time; I’ll consider that a small mercy.
The hired car merged onto the highway and headed toward City Hall.
From there, we took the elevator to the top floor, where the restaurant awaited.
I’d heard that the highest floor of City Hall had been converted into a restaurant, but this was my first visit.
Milk and now Gyuuzou-san—do the Makino family members have a penchant for top-floor restaurants? As I entered, I found Gyuuzou-san waiting at a window-side table.
No other patrons were in sight.
「Sorry to keep you waiting.」
「Thank you for coming all this way. Ideally, I would have preferred to discuss matters at our home, but my wife remains unaware of your involvement in the dungeon incident that day. Besides, I’d rather avoid others overhearing our conversation. When it comes to reserving a private venue, this restaurant was the first that came to mind.」
「Did you reserve the entire place?」
「Originally, this place was only available for customers with reservations. There was another reservation for this time, but we managed to have the other party give up peacefully. No issues.」
The nonchalance… Well, I suppose that’s how the wealthy operate.
But something’s odd.
There are only two chairs at this table.
I don’t sense anyone else arriving later.
「Ano, is Milk… not joining us?」
「Milk is currently attending counseling. Ideally, I wanted her to go in the morning, but she’s quite stubborn when it comes to school.」
Wait, does that mean it’s just Gyuuzou-san and me?
Oh, this is going to be awkward.
Sweat starts trickling down my forehead.
「Please go ahead and order something you like.」
He hands me the drink menu.
I opt for a cola.
「Cola, and for me, oolong tea.」
「You don’t drink alcohol?」
「I have to return to Mount Fuji afterward, so it wouldn’t be wise. There’s a helicopter waiting on the rooftop.」
Ah, the whole ‘waiting vehicle’ thing…
The limousine I arrived in is apparently waiting outside too.
「First, let me give this to you.」
Gyuuzou-san hands me a piece of paper.
It’s a blank check.
The amount field is empty.
Did he forget to fill it out? Or…
「Ano, there’s no amount written here…」
「My daughter’s life cannot be assigned a price. Write down whatever amount you like.」
As expected.
There are people in the real world who say things like that.
What if I wrote down a billion yen?
Am I being tested?
「I have savings of over ten billion in the bank. In any case, it’s an amount I can’t possibly spend, and my income still exceeds my expenses. You’re welcome to have it all.」
Beyond my imagination.
His way of life is extravagant.
I looked at the blank check, retrieved a pen from my bag, and filled in the amount.
「This should do.」
「Is that all?」
Gyuuzou-san frowned at the check, which had the amount of fifty thousand yen written on it.
His expression seemed to say, ‘Is my daughter’s life worth only this?’
「Milk and I made a promise to consider her debt repaid if she treats me to a high-end yakiniku meal. So, please give this check to Milk. I don’t expect anything more.」
Though when it comes to actually handing it over, I hope it’s in cash.
Handing Milk a fifty-thousand-yen check from her father might put her in an awkward spot.
「Is that really enough?」
「It’s more than enough.」
「I see… Well, I won’t insist further. However, since you should be going for a high-end yakiniku, let’s add another fifty thousand.」
Gyuuzou-san pocketed the check, now totaling a hundred thousand yen.
I thought fifty thousand was already generous, but now it’s doubled.
With a hundred thousand yen, you could have all-you-can-eat yakiniku for a month.
Maybe it’s the difference in financial sense between a high school student and an adult.
I took a sip of my cola, which was already more than halfway gone.
I hoped the food would arrive soon.
「Now, let’s get to the main topic.」
The conversation with Gyuuzou-san wasn’t over yet.
I have no idea what’s more significant than a blank check, but I’m about to find out.
「This is still confidential, but the government plans to enact the EPO Law within this month. You’ve probably heard the name before.」
「Isn’t that the one they called the ‘guild’?」
「The government despises that term, but yes.」
The EPO stands for Explorers’ Partnership Organization, and in Japanese, it translates to 「探索者協力組織」 (tansakusha kyōryoku soshiki).
TN: EPO and its meaning are written in English so I put Japanese and romanji equivalent of them.
It’s the legal framework concerning the groups of explorers commonly referred to as guilds. Rumors about it have been circulating since last year.
Indeed, the concept of EPO law is intriguing. It aims to provide a distinct framework for managing explorers—something beyond the current system of individual contracts and party formations.
The government intends to create a legal entity specifically for explorers.
Many countries overseas, including the US, have adopted the law and Japan has been a big laggard so far.
「Under this system, EPO corporations would enjoy various privileges. Notably, they’d receive tax benefits, but more importantly, the safety margin for full members would be more lenient. Given your ability to defeat Bite Wolf, you could immediately access the seventh floor. Approval from the Danpons has already been secured. However, there’s a limit: only thirty EPO corporations will be authorized, and each can have up to fifty recognized explorers as full members. Managing more than that becomes challenging. 」
「That sounds great.」
Imagine—up to 1,500 guild members… I mean, EPO full members—each operating within this framework.
There are more than 10000 professionally active explorers so it would create tiers even among professional explorers.
「Now, here’s where it gets interesting: I’ve been approached by the government to establish my own EPO corporation. 」
「Congratulations.」
「Thank you. But here’s my proposal: Would you consider becoming a full member of my EPO corporation? I intend to offer a base salary of 2.」
「2 million yen annually?」
「No, it’s a monthly salary. And on top of that, there’ll be performance-based rewards. Considering your ability to take down Bite Wolf, you could easily earn double that. 」
A base salary of 24 million yen annually, plus tax benefits—it’s an enticing offer. Most people would jump at it without hesitation.
But…
「I apologize. I still can’t decide. School is a factor.」
「Opportunities slip away if you don’t seize them while they’re within reach.」
「Even so… Yes. Ehto, you’re aware that the method I used to enter the Stone Stage Dungeon is different from the norm, right?」
Gyuuzou-san fell silent when I mentioned it, then slowly began to speak.
「I can imagine. Translocation skills that bypass the standard methods of entry. Invisibility skills to slip past others unnoticed. Perception inhibition skills. Well, it’s likely something along those lines. People who developed those kinds of skills are usually level 100 or higher, but there’s also a rare possibility of manifestation at lower levels.」
None of those, actually.
So, rare skills tend to manifest more easily at higher levels, just as I suspected.
I considered explaining the D-Can and its skill orbs, but revealing that information would inevitably cause the D-Can market to skyrocket.
If I were to leak it through Gyuuzou-san, I’d prefer to amass a few more D-Cans first.
「Any of those would be highly desirable for a criminal. While level 100+ explorers have diminished stat benefits outside dungeons, they still possess some means of self-defense. But given your level and age, that might be challenging. True, EPO full members are required to report their skill information upward. The risk of government leaks is low, but not zero… I understand. Let’s put it on hold for now. Your seat will remain open, so feel free to change your mind anytime.」
「Thank you.」
「Actually, I wanted to express my gratitude. Inviting you to join my EPO corporation was meant as a gesture of thanks, but it seems it caused more inconvenience. Now, how can I reciprocate?」
「Ah, I’ve got it! If you happen to have any D-Cans lying around—ones you found in dungeons but haven’t used—I’d appreciate even a few. Collecting them is a hobby of mine.」
「D-Cans, huh? I believe there were a few in our household storage. Very well, I’ll have them sent to you.」
「Thank you.」
With this, I might acquire new skills or rare magical items.
「And here’s something else for you.」
Gyuuzou-san took out a black card.
Not a black credit card, of course.
I mean, it’s not like he’s carrying someone else’s credit card—that would be unnerving. But when I looked closely, my own name was written on it.
「This is a special membership card from the Oshino Group. With it, you can access Oshino Group hotels for up to ten people—more than just accommodation, it includes restaurants and spas. Plus, you’ll be allowed entry into dungeons managed by the Oshino Group. While reservations are typically required for regular hotel rooms, the special rooms are often vacant, so you won’t need to book ahead. If a room happens to be full, they’ll likely refer you to another affiliated hotel.」
「Huh!?」
My voice came out rather foolishly.
In a way, this card is even more intimidating than a black card.
I’ve heard about those legendary ramen shop cards in Osaka that grant you free ramen for life, but this is on a whole different level.
「At Oshino Group hotels, they always have several of these special rooms available. This card is part of the gratitude and apology for the recent incident, but I don’t need it personally, so I registered it under your name.」
An incredible card.
Gyuuzou-san stood up.
「Now, I’ll take my leave. Dining together with me would probably make you nervous, and it’s not good to keep the helicopter waiting. Don’t worry about the bill; it’s already settled.」
「Thank you.」
As he was leaving, Gyuuzou-san paused, lost in thought.
What’s going on? I wondered. But without turning back, he said:
「Dungeons always come with risks. If anything happens to me, I entrust my daughter’s well-being to you, Ichino-kun.」
「Yes, of course.」
「However, as long as I’m around, it won’t come to that. Keep that in mind.」
Terrifying!?
The vibe I got was that if anyone harmed his daughter, he’d go banana.
I nodded, trembling. He acknowledged it with a deep nod and left confidently.
-0-
The next day, while I was at school, a delivery truck apparently arrived at our house.
Gyuuzou-san had sent me D-Cans overnight.
My mom signed for the delivery, but she was seriously upset.
Well, who wouldn’t be?
When I returned home, the entrance was completely blocked by cardboard boxes.
But honestly, I didn’t expect to receive over 300 boxes of D-Cans.
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