Chapter 17

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The lobby was filled with a constant stream of people. Many sat on sofas and folding chairs, clutching their numbered tickets tightly as they waited to be called at the registration counter, each passing the time in their own way. I, too, had received a ticket and was waiting, but I had already been there for nearly 30 minutes. However, my number had yet to appear on the electronic display.

"Isn't this taking a long time?"

"Is it? I thought this was pretty typical for city hall waiting times."

"Yeah, I remember when I went to the city hall to get a resident certificate. The wait was similar. Plus, it's the busy season, so it's bound to be longer."

I struck up a conversation with the two people next to me, who were also passing the time on their smartphones, and received such a response. This is what it's like at government offices...

If I had to wait this long, I'd rather wait in line at a popular restaurant.

"Well, it seems to be moving along smoothly, so it should be our turn soon."

"Yeah, no one seems to be causing a fuss, so it's best to be patient, right?"

The two didn't take their eyes off their phones and showed no signs of being in a hurry. ...They seem to understand.

"Hey, I'm going to get some drinks. Can you hold my seat for me?"

"Sure. Oh, if you're getting drinks, can you get mine too?"

"Sure, but... do you want anything, Ms. Hoshizaki?"

Since I was getting bored from sitting, I decided to get some drinks and move around a bit. Yuzi asked me to get his, and I asked Ms. Hoshizaki if she wanted anything.

"Yes, please."

"What would you like?"

"Let's see, lemon tea, please."

"I'll have a cola."

"Got it. I'll be back, so hold my seat, please."

I grabbed my bag and stood up. The lobby was packed with people, and it seemed like there were even more than when we arrived. As I pushed through the crowd toward the vending machine area, I glanced at the current number on the ticket dispenser near the general reception, which showed a number in the 500s. I really hope it doesn't take that long.

Finally, I reached the vending machine area, but there was another crowd there. I waited in line for about five minutes before it was my turn.

"Okay... Yuzi wants a cola, and Ms. Hoshizaki wants lemon tea. And, geez! The coffee is sold out?"

I managed to get the drinks for the two of them, but the coffee I wanted was all sold out. With this many people, it's no surprise it sold out, but coffee is really popular.

"Well, I guess... Is tea okay?"

I held the purchased bottles and made my way back through the crowd to the two. They had held my seat, and I sat down, thanking them as I handed over the bottles.

"Here you go. Your order."

"Thanks."

"Thank you, Kujou-kun."

"You're welcome."

They took the bottles and handed me the money for the drinks. Ms. Hoshizaki gave me the exact amount, but Yuzi didn't have change and said he'd give it to me later.

"So, is it our turn soon?"

"From what I can see, it should be our turn in about 10 more people, so probably 10 to 15 minutes."

"Yeah, if it goes smoothly, it should be around that time."

I nodded in agreement after hearing their conversation. There are three registration counters, and it takes about 5 minutes per person, so that sounds about right. After thanking them, I opened the bottle cap and took a sip of the tea. ...Hmm, this tea is not good. It has an indescribable taste that doesn't suit me. I frowned and decided not to buy it again, but I drank it all to avoid waste.

Finally, my turn came.

"Number 317, please come to window 2."

"Alright, I'll go."

I waved to the two and headed to the registration counter.

"I'm very sorry for the wait. You're here for a registration application, correct? Please provide the necessary documents."

"Here they are."

The receptionist said the standard apology, but I handed over the application documents for the special underground structure armed exploration permit without much reaction. The receptionist took the documents calmly, quickly checked them, and stamped a few of them.

"Thank you. The application documents are in order. It will take some time to issue the permit, so please wait with this number at the issuance window. You will need to pay the registration fee when the permit is issued. We apologize for the long wait due to the high volume of people today."

The registration process itself went smoothly and took no more than 5 minutes. I had waited for nearly an hour... I felt a bit frustrated as I held my number and moved to a nearby sofa.

"You took your time. Wasn't the procedure pretty simple?"

"Exactly. Why did we have to wait for almost an hour for such a simple procedure?"

"Well, well, that's just how government offices work."

I had just sat down when Yuzi appeared, and I couldn't help but complain, but he scolded me. Yuzi didn't seem annoyed, which I found very strange.

"Sorry for the wait."

"Ah, Ms. Hoshizaki. You don't look very tired, though."

"Of course not. I just handed over the documents and got a number."

From the way Ms. Hoshizaki didn't complain, it seemed that government procedures were generally like this.

"Don't pout. At least we finished in the morning."

"Yeah, government offices close the reception at a certain time, no matter how many people are waiting."

"Really?"

...Seriously? After waiting in line for so long, that's the response... While I was in shock, the two of them were discussing common government office experiences.

As I listened to their conversation to pass the time, my number was called again before long. I excused myself from the two and headed to the issuance window.

"Thank you for waiting. Here is your special underground structure armed exploration permit. Please check the information for any errors."

I handed over my number and received an A4-sized document and a card about the size of a health insurance card. I quickly checked the information, confirmed there were no errors, and told the receptionist.

"It's all correct."

"Thank you. Since the information is correct, I'll explain the two items. First, the A4-sized document is your personal copy of the special underground structure armed exploration permit. Please keep it safe to avoid loss or damage. It will be necessary for reissuance if the card is lost."

The document was made of high-quality paper, but the permit itself was a simple list of necessary information.

"Next, I'll explain the card. This card is required for identity verification at the gate when entering the dungeon. Please bring it with you when entering the dungeon. Also, when carrying and moving weapons within the dungeon, you must have this card on you. If you are stopped by a police officer, showing this card will allow for quick verification and release. However, if you don't have it, you will have to go through a complicated process and may be detained for a long time, so please be careful."

The card looked like a thick piece of plastic but seemed to be very important. However, I wondered if it would be better to make it out of metal like a dog tag, rather than plastic, which could break easily.

"Reissuing the card will cost 5,000 yen and require your personal copy of the permit, so please be careful."

...Hey. Is the plastic designed to break and require reissuance? It seems like they're manufacturing it to make money from reissuance fees. I suddenly felt like I saw a hint of the Japan Dungeon Association's subtle malice.

"..."

"..."

As I glared at the receptionist, they couldn't help but turn away.

What are you doing, Japan Dungeon Association?

"Please sign this document to confirm receipt and pay the issuance fee for the special underground structure armed exploration permit."

They turned away and handed me a receipt, a pen, and a tray. I sighed, signed the receipt, and placed 5,400 yen (including tax) on the tray.

"I'll take that. Please wait a moment."

The receptionist collected the receipt and tray and quickly processed them. After about a minute, a receipt and change appeared on the tray.

"The administrative procedures are now complete. Please be careful and do your best."

With a final encouraging word, I received a brown envelope containing a pamphlet and other documents. I gave a vague smile in response and returned to the sofa.

We moved to the cafe on the top floor of the association building to confirm that all three of us had successfully registered as new explorers.

"Phew, I'm tired."

"The registration took a long time."

"Starting in the morning and taking an hour and a half..."

I stretched and sipped the coffee I bought from the cafe's vending machine, while Yuzi finished his cola and Ms. Hoshizaki sipped her lemon tea, sighing. The one thing we all had in common was that we were tired.

"Since the registration is done, how about we go to the dungeon on our next day off?"

"Before that, we need to get proper equipment. I've been checking prices online based on the pamphlet we received during the exam, but..."

"Due to the dungeon boom, a lot of things are sold out, right?"

Ms. Hoshizaki nodded with a troubled expression, and I understood why. I had also searched online, but the good quality items at reasonable prices were already sold out, leaving only high-priced brand items or suspiciously cheap knockoffs. I couldn't bring myself to buy anything without seeing it in person.

As I was thinking about this, Yuzi suddenly snapped his fingers.

"Oh, that's right..."

"What is it, Yuzi?"

"Well, I remember seeing a sign that said the official shop on the 2nd or 3rd floor has items from the catalog on display and for sale."

"Ah, that's right..."

I remembered the small promotional poster on the elevator wall on the way to the cafe.

"Want to check it out?"

"Yeah, even if we don't buy anything, it's good to see what's available."

"Sure, let's go."

Following Yuzi's suggestion, we decided to visit the official shop to see the selection, and Ms. Hoshizaki agreed. We finished our drinks and left the cafe. We confirmed that the official shop was on the 3rd floor from the poster in the elevator hall. When we arrived, the shop was immediately visible, taking up about two-thirds of the floor.

"They've secured a lot of space for the shop."

"Probably because they have a wide range of products from affiliated companies."

Just a quick glance showed a variety of items, from small accessories to portable food and camouflage clothing. It seemed to have everything you might need for dungeon exploration, as advertised in the catalog.

"Is this a good selection, or is it just a lot of stuff... Let's take a look around, I guess."

"Hey, what's this?"

"Huh? What is it?"

Yuzi stopped in front of a product and exclaimed. I peeked over to see what it was, but I couldn't figure out its purpose. It was a metal rod and a flat metal plate connected by a string, similar to a keychain.

"This is a metal match."

"Metal match?"

"The rod is made of magnesium. You scrape it to create a powder, and then strike the flat metal plate to create sparks. When the sparks ignite the powder, it catches fire."

"Wow."

According to Yuzi, it's a fire-starting device used in emergencies like mountaineering or disasters. It's portable and works in any weather.

"Well, nowadays, we have lighters and matches."

It seems more of a novelty item than a practical one. Indeed, if you can use a lighter, you don't need it. As we were browsing the shop, a loud voice suddenly echoed through the store.

"What do you mean I can't buy it!?"

What's going on? What's happening?

Chapter 2 begins.

The side stories are published in a different order.

"Morning Dungeon" is now on sale. If you see it at a bookstore, please pick it up.