Chapter 49

Starting exactly half a month from December 25th, this time, I was honored to receive the top spot in the Low Fantasy category on "Shousetsuka ni Narou."

Starting today, there will be three consecutive episodes (3/3).

When Shouta started snoring on the staff bed, the remaining people in the room began preparing for what was to come.

"Since today's reception is already closed, it all depends on when the guests inside come out."

"Senior, what's it usually like?"

"If they are far from the entrance, we inform them that time is running out and gradually guide them towards the entrance. When people start to leave, the number of people who can deal with the cotton caterpillars decreases, so they overflow from the forest. However, the pace is quite slow, so we clean up every morning around 7 o'clock."

"…Then, we don't need to rush. I want Shouta to rest well."

"…So, he's important to you. Are you already dating?"

"‘Tsu…’"

Both of them froze simultaneously.

Seeing this, Yoko smiled slyly.

"Oh, you're not yet? If you're not careful, someone else might take him."

"Such a thing…"

"Don't worry, Maki. Shouta wouldn't do that! Senior, he'll be angry!"

"Sorry, Maki. It's a joke. I can see that he cares about you both."

Yoko was surprised by how fragile Maki's mental state was.

"Care about… hehehe."

But she seemed to recover quickly, and the girl who had been lost in sadness soon regained her smile.

"Then, both of you rest. Whether to follow him is up to you. I'll go to the meeting and discuss the current situation. After that, we'll establish detailed rules regarding Amachi's skill to adjust the appearance of rare monsters, including explanations to the staff. Still, when they brought the bomb, I was really scared. But thanks to the prepared countermeasures, we managed to avoid an immediate shutdown. If there were no countermeasures or unclear conditions, we would have been in trouble. But thanks to the information, we can handle it."

"Ah, Senior, that's an online meeting, right? Were your parents also participating?"

"Of course. What, you didn't think so?"

"That's exactly what I thought! Senior, let's go together! Maki, prepare Shouta's meal. After that, if you have time, you can even sleep with him."

"Hey, big sister!?"

Yoko pushed Aki, and she left the room.

Maki, left behind, caught the other receptionist who looked lost and decided to have her show her around the association.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

"Everyone, thank you for waiting."

"Welcome back. It took quite a while. Was there any trouble?"

"Haha, there's no trouble in the Heart Dungeon, which has been stable for two years."

"Sir, complacency can lead to downfall. However, the only trouble I can think of in that dungeon is a civilian ignoring the adventurer's warnings and rushing at a monster."

"In that case, I'm relieved. Yoko has done a good job with education. We should follow her example."

When I returned to my seat, the branch managers of the surrounding dungeons worried and praised me. It's gratifying to be evaluated this way.

However, this trouble is my responsibility. It happened because I judged that there was nothing there based on the initial investigation and started operating it as a couple's date course.

If it had been discovered by a regular participant instead of them, what would have happened?

I'm afraid of disappointing the seniors I respect, but this is my mistake. I must take responsibility and explain.

"No, a serious problem has occurred. It's significant enough to overshadow today's agenda. I'm truly sorry."

"…"

Silence returned, but Miki, who had been kind to me since my days working at the beginner dungeon, spoke gently.

"Yoko, what happened?"

Even now, as a branch manager in another association, she treats me like one of her daughters. I'm truly grateful for that.

"A completely new rare monster, not in the database, was discovered in the first layer. The discoverer was an external adventurer, and an association member with 'Appraisal Lv4' was present. Here are the stats recorded at that time."

Aki transferred the data she had investigated. The members were surprised by the content but didn't panic. They are all seasoned veterans.

Among them, Miki, as always, was the calmest.

"An association member with Lv4 would have a minimum rank of 3. And the one who would be visiting Yoko's dungeon at this time… Aki, you're there, right?"

"Yay!"

Aki appeared in the camera with a double peace sign.

"Oh, it's Aki! You look energetic!"

"You seem to be full of energy today!"

"Aki, you're always so lively."

As always, the seniors treat her like a grandchild. In this warm atmosphere, one woman, despite the online meeting, gave off a cold aura through the camera.

"Aki… what are you doing?"

"Hey, you're angry!?"

"Since you're there, Maki and her boyfriend must be there too, right? The one who caused the commotion is him, right?"

"Yep. He really wanted to do it, so I supported him!"

"Aki has a boyfriend!?"

"Who is he!?"

"Oh, what kind of person is he?"

The meeting turned into a lively discussion, ignoring the rare monster information. Despite their lively nature, they become truly reliable when they switch to work mode. Now, I'll join in the teasing.

"Wait, wasn't it supposed to be a one-sided love?"

"Th-that's, well, that—"

"What!?"

The news of it being a one-sided love further heated up their enthusiasm.

However.

"Be quiet."

At that moment, the noise stopped abruptly. It was the Director of the First Headquarters of the Japan Dungeon Association, who had been silently watching until then.

"Aki, Miki."

"Yes."

"Regarding this incident and the new rare monster, I heard it was the same person. Is that correct?"

As the Director of the First Headquarters, he has a dedicated department for information gathering.

In front of the Director, who has such resources, hiding anything is almost impossible.

"Yes, it's correct."

"Is this person important to you, Aki?"

"Yes!"

"…I see. Aki, do you have a video of the battle with the rare monster?"

"I have it!"

"Then, everyone, we will only confirm the full appearance of the monster in the video. Do not unnecessarily investigate the person in the video. Understood?"

Everyone nodded in agreement with his words.

"Thanks, grandpa! I love you!!"

"Hehe. Then, let's watch the video right away."

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