kscans

Chapter 149 - The Briefing Goes Smoothly

Just as the group—a gathering that seemed to be the very essence of eccentricity—fell silent, Director Akasaka began to speak.

"Everyone, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be here today. We will now begin the briefing concerning the trial introduction of 'B-Rank Adventurers'."

He bowed and offered a pleasant smile.

"Let's get right to it. I'll briefly explain today's agenda. First, I will provide an overview of the 'B-Rank Dungeons' that are scheduled to be opened to the public, followed by details on monster subjugation rewards and the handling of dropped items. Finally, you will view a video we've received from the Self-Defense Force members who have been fighting in a 'B-Rank Dungeon'."

It was the exact same schedule that had been written in the envelope. On the desks lay bundles of paper, likely related to the topics he mentioned.

"Furthermore, as we have informed you in advance, please refrain from sharing the contents of this meeting with outside parties, such as on social media or with the press. This is not mandatory, but we would appreciate your cooperation."

After saying this, Director Akasaka cleared his throat softly.

"This portion of the briefing is scheduled to last approximately two hours. Afterward, we have set aside thirty minutes for a question-and-answer session, so please save any questions you may have until then. The restrooms are to the left as you exit this room. If you get thirsty, there are vending machines in front of the elevators. Please feel free to use them."

He operated a remote in his hand, and a screen descended from the wall at the front of the conference room.

The room's lights dimmed with a click, and the white glow of the screen cast a faint light over the interior.

"Now then, let's begin with the 'Overview of B-Rank Dungeons.' Please refer to the documents at hand."

And with that, the briefing began.

---A rough summary of the contents is as follows:

・ The 'B-Rank Dungeons' we will be entering can be chosen by each party based on compatibility, then decided upon by submitting an application to the Dungeon Agency.

・ There are a total of thirty dungeons being made public. During the trial period, travel expenses will be covered by the government if receipts are brought to the respective stores.

・ The subjugation reward is a flat rate of 20,000 yen per monster. This is a considerable amount compared to C-Rank and below, though whether it matches the level of danger is another matter. It's less than you'd get for a brown bear.

・ However, in exchange, all dropped items are ours to do with as we please. While some items may be imbued with more powerful magic than those of previous ranks, the right to sell or use them belongs to us.

・ During this expedition, we will be provided with magical tools donated by the Alchemy Enthusiasts Club. In an emergency, these can be used to immediately send a distress signal to the Self-Defense Force.

・ There will be no salary or other compensation for adventurers participating in this trial.

・ Even those not invited to this briefing can be recommended to the Dungeon Agency as candidates. If approved, they may accompany us into a 'B-Rank Dungeon,' provided they are at least LV: 30.

・ Filming inside 'B-Rank Dungeons' is permitted, but they request that we refrain from uploading the footage online. Apparently, this is also not mandatory.

That about covers it.

To be blunt, if you're just looking to make money, you'd earn more by getting hired by a corporation or a country than by becoming a 'B-Rank Adventurer'.

But in terms of 'Level' and 'Materials,' the advantages were overwhelming.

I'm sure that I, and probably everyone else here, was already struggling with their level progression hitting a plateau. While everyone's reasons for wanting to get stronger are different, anyone who becomes a 'C-Rank Adventurer' generally wants to level up. Otherwise, they would have just stayed at D-Rank.

As for materials—or rather, dropped items—we could sell them or use them to strengthen ourselves and our allies. It offered more freedom than just receiving money.

On top of that, in our case, the 'permission to film' was also a welcome bonus. The professor would surely pay a high price for footage from inside a B-Rank Dungeon.

I was already eager to participate, but after the briefing, I was fired up.

The one concern, of course, was 'safety.' I know, some might say, what are you talking about now, after becoming an adventurer of all things?

But while my main goal at first was to earn money, my primary objective for diving into dungeons now is 'self-defense.'

We live in a world where you never know when you might be attacked by a superior monster or a high-level Awakened miscreant. I can't afford to neglect leveling up.

I'll have to choose which dungeon to enter with extreme care. Depending on our compatibility, we should be able to fight with relative safety. I have no desire to repeat the life-or-death struggles we had against the Rey Cuelebre or the Minotaurs.

The briefing proceeded without any particular problems.

It seemed the assembled men and women possessed a minimum level of common sense... but that wasn't all.

It was that trio sitting in the back row. Their presence had everyone completely overwhelmed.

From the promotional video we'd seen beforehand, and now from the pressure we felt facing them directly.

They were a cut above everyone else in this room. And these individuals were sitting silently, listening politely to Director Akasaka's presentation. No matter how eccentric the candidates were, it naturally made everyone sit up straight.

I, for one, was sitting ramrod straight. My instincts were screaming at me.

Those girls... once they get fired up, there's no telling what they'll do.

Even without any hostility, I could feel a surge of mana from them. Was it a form of intimidation? If anyone caused trouble here—no, in this entire city—there would be some kind of retaliation.

This was their territory. And the one who had tamed these 'rational beasts' was...

"We will now move on to the question-and-answer session. If there is anything you are unsure about, please feel free to ask anything."

...none other than Director Akasaka of the Dungeon Agency.

Just as I thought. It seems the government has secured powerful Awakened Persons outside of the Self-Defense Force.

But the participants didn't stay intimidated for long. Hands shot up one after another, and questions were fired off.

They ranged from nitpicky inquiries to ones that made me realize I'd overlooked something.

Fundamentally, every C-Rank Adventurer here, myself excluded, was an oddball. Even if they were cowed by the girls' mana, they'd either push back with even more competitive spirit or simply shrug it off as none of their business.

For better or worse, they were all people who marched to the beat of their own drum. If they were the type to be stopped by something like this, they wouldn't have shown up at a government building dressed like that.

...No, seriously, stop. And look in a mirror. Your parents are probably crying.

On the other side from Erina-san, to my right, sat a person in a black long coat covered in an absurd number of belts.

I refrained from pointing out that it was July, but I really wished he'd stop groaning things like, "Ugh, my demon eye... it aches." For a second, I thought it was a skill going berserk, but from the flow of mana, it was just a regular eyeball. It's confusing.

Would you believe it? In this crowd, a guy like him actually seemed to be within the bounds of normalcy.

In any case, the briefing concluded without incident.

Some, apparently still having questions, approached Director Akasaka.

The afro, the pompadour, and the mohawk walked off with their arms around each other's shoulders, having apparently reconciled.

A cat-eared butler in men's clothing walked upside-down on all fours, snorting excitedly, with a blonde, ringlet-haired young lady riding on his back, equipped with a blindfold, a ball gag, and handcuffs.

A pair of cross-dressing boys in skintight outfits held hands like lovers, trailed by a female elf who watched them like a stalker.

The Stars and Stripes Boomerang Man and an old man in a red loincloth shook hands firmly before hurriedly starting to get dressed. Incidentally, I didn't want to see the moment their clothes emerged from their briefs and loincloth, but I did. Sometimes, having good eyesight can be a curse...

Then there were the others—a middle-aged man with impressive ass-hair in a bikini armor, a muscular woman in a samba outfit, and an obnoxious card gamer who kept trying to challenge everyone to a battle until the very end.

All sorts of people (a veritable parade of demons) were heading home.

...I bet about eighty percent of them are going to get stopped and questioned by the police. Also, won't the hair-alliance guys with the afro and mohawk scrape the ceiling?

Just as I thought that, all three of them bent at the waist and started walking in the style of old-school Japanese delinquents. I see, that way their hair won't get crushed by the ceiling.

...They don't actually walk like that in dungeons, do they? Also, the pompadour guy has no reason to be in that posture, does he?

"What's wrong, Kyou-chan? Sad that everyone's leaving?"

"Definitely not."

I retorted to the self-proclaimed ninja spouting nonsense next to me and put today's documents into my bag.

Director Akasaka said that if we had any new questions, we could contact the Dungeon Agency anytime. When I get back, I'll review today's events with Aira-san and the professor.

And I'll try to erase the images of all the perverts from my memory. Especially the boomerang briefs, the loincloth, and the ass-hair armor.

"Shall we go..."

"Yes, let's..."

"Aww! Let's do something fun before we go!"

"No. We have a bullet train to catch, remember?"

"Wait! I can use my teleportation for that...!"

"Your teleportation's mana consumption changes with distance, doesn't it? Give it up."

"Aww, fine..."

For a moment, I glanced at the trio.

The other two aside, the girl with the twin-sided-up pigtails seemed to be looking this way too. Our eyes met for a brief instant.

It seems they plan to stay in this room until the other participants have left. They must be cooperating with Director Akasaka on matters beyond just this briefing.

Well, it's none of my business. Telling myself there was no need to worry about it, I looked away.

"I know! Let's buy souvenirs at Tokyo Station!"

"Wha-"

"That's a great idea! What kind should we get, Sis?"

'Get something interesting. Heh heh heh. Let me be the judge of your taste.'

"You got it, Senpai! I'll buy something amazing, so look forward to it! You have to use it, okay?"

'Wait a minute. I'm getting a bad feeling about this. Can I take that back?'

"S-Sis...! How shameless...! I understand. If that is what you wish, I will buy it!"

'Mia. Tell me what you're planning to buy. I don't want a surprise. Please, just give me a chance to stop you.'

So they're going to indulge in a shopping spree in that demonic realm, that man-made labyrinth... Seriously?

'Hey, Kyou-chan! Stop spacing out and stop those two! Playing the straight man is your job, isn't it!?'

Am I going to make it back alive...!

'Hey, can't you hear me?! You socially awkward virgin! Still extending your 'age equals years without a girlfriend' record! You boob addict! Your brain's in your pants!'

"I'm buying you a bald cap and novelty nose glasses, so be ready."

'That's strange... It's clearly a useless souvenir, yet compared to what the other two are planning, it seems like the safest choice.'

"You've made your bed. Now lie in it."

'Th-this wasn't supposed to happen...! D-dammit...!'

Watching the two buy souvenirs for Aira-san, I keenly felt how the characters at the briefing had been a bad influence on them.

Hapless university student... please, rest in peace... And if you could, please take one for the team for a little while...