Chapter 23

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The week after leveling up, early in the morning, we arrived at the nearest station to the dungeon, each carrying our weapons. In front of the small, old station, which had a rustic charm, a crowd of people had gathered, ranging from the elderly to the young. As far as the eye could see, it was a sea of people. The scene before us was the result of all the train passengers getting off at once.

From their attire, it was clear at a glance that they had the same purpose as us.

"Wow, so many people."

"Roughly... about 100 people? It's quite lively even this early in the morning."

"Maybe it's like going fishing or playing morning baseball on a Sunday?"

I tried to gauge the levels of a few regulars, and the results were 5, 5, 7, 2, 4, 3, 9...

"Huh? They're not as high as I thought..."

I tilted my head in surprise at the unexpected results. It had been over a month since the dungeon was opened to civilians, yet their levels were...

While puzzled by their low levels, I didn't say anything out loud. Instead, I exchanged comments with the two of them about the crowd and checked the surroundings of the station. A brand new convenience store had been built near the station, and many new restaurants and cafes were under construction.

"Even though it looks like a rural area, it's quite developed, as seen from the train window."

"Probably due to the dungeon boom. Businesses are targeting explorers."

"Right. Dungeons are usually located far from populated areas, so there's plenty of land available for new businesses. When people gather, money follows."

I agreed with what they said. I remembered that the news recently reported that the local economy was revitalizing thanks to the dungeons, creating jobs in rural areas and dispersing the population from urban centers. Indeed, construction vehicles were entering and exiting what used to be rice fields, building apartments and condominiums.

"At this rate, some of these people might be considering moving here."

"Probably. If they can earn a stable income as explorers, living near the dungeon would be more convenient."

"True. It takes us nearly an hour to get here. If we wanted to visit the dungeon every day, we'd move closer."

"Indeed."

If explorers can earn a stable income, moving or changing jobs could be an option. The train is available, so even without a car, it's possible to go to the city. The signs also indicated that large stores were planned to open.

The crowd stirred a bit.

"Huh? Ah, it looks like the shuttle buses have arrived."

Yuzi, the tallest among us, explained the reason for the commotion.

"Three buses have arrived."

"Can everyone fit?"

"Maybe if we squeeze in..."

I asked, and Yuzi responded uncertainly. I could understand his hesitation. The buses looked large enough to fit everyone, but with all the heavy equipment, there was a limit to how much they could squeeze in.

"Maybe it's better to wait for the next batch of buses? I think it takes about 30 minutes to reach the dungeon even by direct bus."

"According to my research, that's correct. It might be better to wait for the next bus. Yuzi, what do you think?"

Watching the crowd trying to board the buses, Hime-san suggested waiting for the next batch, looking uncomfortable. I could understand her feelings. No one wants to spend 30 minutes in a packed bus. The schedule showed that the next bus would arrive in 15 minutes, so there was no need to rush.

"I'm fine with that. There's no particular reason to rush."

With Yuzi's agreement, we moved away from the crowd trying to board the buses. From a distance, we could see everyone trying to get on the first batch of buses. The scene reminded me of the morning rush hour, and I was glad we had kept our distance.

"Everyone is trying so hard."

"Yeah. They could wait a little longer for the next bus."

"They'll be exhausted before they even enter the dungeon."

"Right. Some are giving up and taking taxis."

Due to the large number of people trying to board the buses, several groups of explorers gave up and took taxis. It seemed the local taxi companies had anticipated this, as many sedans and wagons were waiting in the rotary. Good for those with extra funds, but it's not an option for us students.

In the end, the buses left 7 minutes after arriving, all packed to the brim. With the taxi group also gone, fewer than 20 people remained at the station.

"The buses looked heavy."

"Yeah. The next batch will be here soon, so there's no need to force it."

Watching the buses, which had their suspensions compressed, drive away, I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Yuzi glanced at his watch and sent a sympathetic look to those who had squeezed into the buses.

After a light chat, the next bus arrived in about 10 minutes. We boarded the bus, found seats easily, and set off for the dungeon.

---

The bus, carrying us, navigated through a narrow forest road overgrown with trees and arrived at the dungeon after about 30 minutes. The forest in front of the dungeon had been cleared, and many buildings and parking lots had been constructed around the facility.

As the bus stopped and the doors opened, we covered our mouths and stepped out.

"Finally, we're here."

"Exactly..."

"Ugh, that was awful."

The forest road we had traveled on was in poor condition, and the bus had been jostling us relentlessly in all directions. Holding onto the seats, we had endured it. The thought of being packed in made me shudder.

Some of the other passengers were in a similar state, with a few looking pale and on the verge of vomiting.

"Someone might give up before even entering the dungeon."

Indeed, many explorers who had arrived on the earlier buses were sprawled out near the public restrooms.

"Well, they might not be useful for the rest of the day in this state."

"True. I need a break too."

Yuzi frowned, and Hime-san, looking queasy, suggested a break. I also thought a break would be a good idea. I didn't want to rush into the dungeon in this condition.

"Agreed. Yuzi?"

"I'm in. Let's take a break first."

"Thanks."

With everyone in agreement, we moved from the bus stop to the vending machine area and took a break. Most people were doing the same, and only a few were rushing into the dungeon without a break.

"What's the rush?"

While sipping my tea, I watched the people rushing into the dungeon.

"Maybe it's because of this?"

Yuzi pointed to a bulletin board with a large headline "Buyback Promotion" and a list of items with photos and prices. A crowd had gathered around the board, with some casually browsing and others stopping at a particular item before running off to the dungeon.

"Wow, there's a lot. What's this? Healing potions are being bought back for 10,000 yen each?"

I felt a sense of unease about the buyback prices. The healing potions in the photos were the lowest tier, capable of healing minor scratches in a few seconds.

"10,000 yen? Isn't that cheap?"

I checked the other items, but none were priced as high. Metals and gems were bought at market rates, and core crystals, which were energy resources but dropped in moderate numbers, were bought at low prices. However, magic items and skill scrolls were being bought for six to seven figures.

"It doesn't seem like you can earn much without a lot of drops."

"True."

Yuzi and Hime-san had joined me, looking at the board with concerned expressions.

"I understand why magic items and skill scrolls are expensive, but the low buyback prices for other items are concerning."

"Right. Metals and gems are priced at less than 100 yen per kilogram. Some might not earn 10,000 yen a day, even risking their lives."

The drop rate from my personal dungeon was roughly: 50% nothing, 30% core crystals, 20% metals and other items, and rare magic items or skill scrolls.

"We're not here for the money, so it's fine for us. But for those who are, these buyback prices might be tough."

"True."

Yuzi was after combat experience, Hime-san was gathering ingredients, and I... was just going with the flow?

"Directly earning money isn't our goal, so these prices are okay for us. But I'm worried about potential riots."

"The valuation criteria for magic items are unclear, but the prices for other items are based on market rates, so they're not that unreasonable..."

"People might complain about earning so little despite risking their lives."

There would be some, no matter where you go.

"But there's nothing we can do about it. The Dungeon Association, and ultimately the government, set the buyback prices. One or two people complaining won't change anything. It would take a class-action lawsuit or a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures."

The two of them nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. It's not like they're overcharging. If they say it's based on cost and wholesale prices, there's no arguing with that. Explorers are essentially subcontractors for the Dungeon Association, paid on a piece-rate basis."

Huh, that's a bit... I shook my head to clear the thought.

"Anyway, there's no point in worrying too much. We've had a decent break. Shall we head into the dungeon? Hime-san, you look better. Are you okay now?"

"Yes, I've had enough of a break. I'm fine now."

Her queasiness seemed to have subsided, and her complexion had returned to normal, so she wasn't just toughing it out.

"Let's go, then."

"Sure."

"Okay."

We threw away our empty tea bottles and headed towards the prefab warehouse where the dungeon entrance was located.

---

At the warehouse entrance, we completed the registration and received locker keys. We parted ways with Hime-san at the changing room entrance and changed into our combat gear. I wore black tracksuits and safety boots, a white helmet with an LED headlamp, and Yuzi wore blue work clothes and safety boots, a white helmet with an LED headlamp. We also equipped weapons and tools on our belts, and wore reinforced plastic armor with shock-absorbing urethane padding and assault gloves, which were relatively inexpensive from the association's official shop. After putting on backpacks with small items, we were ready. We stored our extra items in the lockers and left the changing room. About five minutes later, Hime-san, wearing a white work uniform and carrying a spear, emerged from the changing room, dressed similarly to us. We did a final equipment check and headed to the dungeon entrance.

In the hall with the dungeon entrance, a crowd had formed, with people of various attire standing in neat lines. Most were carrying swords or spears, but some had shovels or crowbars, which was puzzling.

In one corner of the warehouse, a 20-tatami mat area was set up for warm-up exercises, and a few explorers were doing the exercises they had learned. We also did a thorough warm-up to loosen up our bodies, then joined the long line, receiving a sign indicating the end of the line.

After waiting in line for a while, it was finally our turn. Following the staff's instructions, we placed our permits in a case and passed them through the reader, which opened the gate with an electronic sound. Yuzi and Hime-san also passed through the gate, and we finally stood in front of the dungeon entrance.

I took a deep breath and did a final check with the two of them.

"Ready?"

"Yep, I'm good."

"Me too, no problem."

They responded confidently. I had been worried they might be nervous, but it seemed my concern was unfounded.

"Let's go!"

With my encouragement, we took our first steps into the dungeon.

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Thank you for waiting, we're finally entering the dungeon.