Chapter 7

"2nd Lieutenant Yamane"

"3rd Lieutenant Kanemura, is something the matter?"

"---No, I just felt a bit concerned and came to follow you."

"I see..."

"Is there something that's bothering you---did you meet that man?"

"Yes... During the seminar, I deliberately tried to test the problem-solving abilities of those who attended."

"You mean the matter of buying the monster core?"

"Yes."

While nodding in agreement, 2nd Lieutenant Yamane's gaze was directed at the back of Yamagishi, who had just passed through the gate and left.

"That man, Yamagishi, has a very high problem-solving ability. I don't know what he did for a living, but I think he has received training to make quick judgments on what the other party needs and how to solve it, given a certain amount of discretion."

"Hmm... So you're saying he would be suitable as an explorer?"

"Yes. Explorers must instantly derive the optimal action and the best solution in the confined space of a dungeon, according to the situation. If they can't do that, they will die inside the dungeon."

"I see... So you chased after him to try to recruit him as a dungeon explorer?"

"Personally, I wanted him for the Ground Self-Defense Force's dungeon strategy team..."

"Hmm---"

"Given the limited time until the dungeon strategy deadline, we need as many excellent people as possible. Besides, once his level increases, the physical decline due to age won't be a problem."

"I see..."

"In that case, should we talk to Takeshima?"

"To the Chief of Staff!?"

"If we want him, we need to take appropriate action, right?"

Three weeks have passed since I was invited by my junior, Sasaki, to participate in the dungeon seminar at Shimoazu Camp. Currently, I am in the midst of job hunting after becoming unemployed.

"Still, the job offers at the employment office have such low salaries..."

The wages displayed on the employment office's computer seem to be based on the minimum wage, making me want to point it out. Occasionally, when I bring a good desk job or call center job to the counter, the staff member tells me, "This job is for women only!" When I ask, "The job listing doesn't say it's for women only?" they always explain, "Due to the Equal Employment Opportunity Law, we have to list it as open to both men and women."

---But, I want to say, just write 'women only' or 'men only' on the listing from the start! It's frustrating to get a number and go to the counter only to be told, "This job is for women only."

The Japanese government is so concerned with appearances and efficiency that it takes forever to get anything done. While waiting in my seat, trying to suppress my frustration, my phone vibrates. Pulling out my smartphone, I see that I have 10 new emails. Five of the 10 are rejection emails.

They are written with phrases like, "We wish you continued success." Since I haven't found a job, I don't think I'm the only one who finds this meaningless. I can't help but think, "If you're going to wish me success, why don't you just hire me?" Still, it's strange... In the past three weeks, I've had nearly 20 interviews, and all of them have resulted in rejection emails. It almost feels like I'm cursed...

Anyway, let's pull myself together.

"The other five are..."

The email subject lines read, "Please come to the registration meeting."

"Registration meeting..."

Honestly, I wonder if attending a dispatch company's registration meeting is really worth it. I think, why can't companies just hire me directly with a high salary instead of going through a dispatch company that can fire me at any time? I want to be hired with a high salary, knowing I can be fired at any time! After all, the one who suffers the most when fired is the worker, not the dispatch company. They can just send someone else. In the end, it's always the worker who suffers.

Still, when looking for a job, most of the opportunities involve dispatch companies, so it's hard to get a fair wage. With the wages being skimmed off, workers can't afford to spend. That's why the Japanese economy never improves.

The birth rate is declining because of low wages. The ruling party at the time of the dispatch law reform—Akai Junichi and Takeshima Heizou—can be considered the worst politicians in history.

I stand up from my chair and check my number, but it seems like it will take a while.

"Excuse me."

"Yes, what is it?"

The receptionist, who was about to hand over to the window staff, looks at me.

"I'm sorry, but I have an emergency. Can you cancel my number?"

"Understood."

I hand over my number card to the receptionist and leave the building.

"Well then..."

While waiting for the bus, I check the details of the interviews.

"---Huh?"

I frown as I read one of the emails.

"In this day and age, they want me to bring a resume..."

---This is so outdated. It's ridiculously old-fashioned. Nowadays, everything is registered through websites. The site I use for job hunting, "Hatarakite Net," allows you to edit your resume entirely online.

"Well, I have no choice..."

The other party wants a resume, so I have to bring one. Besides, it's the highest-paying job at 2400 yen per hour, so I can make an effort.

It takes about 20 minutes by bus to get home. I quickly open the door to my apartment. With five registration meetings, there are various things to check and prepare, mainly confirming the locations of the registration meetings for the dispatch companies.

"First, the resume..."

I pride myself on keeping my 1DK apartment tidy. I don't buy unnecessary things and discard them thoroughly when needed.

"The resume should be somewhere in the work desk..."

I have a work desk in my home, where I can place multiple computers.

"Not here... Maybe in the drawer?"

The drawer won't open easily. It's not a high-end desk with a lock, so something must be stuck inside.

"Well, I have no choice..."

If the drawer won't open, I'll make it open. I force a screwdriver into the drawer and use the lever principle to pull it out. With a "clunk," the drawer opens.

"---This is a hassle..."

I lower my gaze to check if the resume is in the open drawer. Then, I instinctively close the drawer.

"---Did I see it wrong? I don't have that kind of hobby..."

I open the drawer again. Inside, there are many corridors, small rooms, and large rooms, and countless tiny figures about 1 cm tall are moving around.

"What is this---? It's like---"

---Yes, it's exactly like the dungeon described in the seminar.

"Is this real? No---but---"

It looks harmless. There are no creatures that seem to be looking at me, and even if they tried to attack, I could crush them with my finger.

"---No, calm down. I haven't found a job in three weeks, so I must be tired. First, I'll take a bath and a nap."

It's not good to prepare for a registration meeting when tired. I close the drawer, take a bath, and take a nap.

---And when I wake up at night and open the work desk drawer, the miniature dungeon is still there.

"It's not a dream..."

I can only sigh. What is happening?