Chapter 44

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While having breakfast and watching the morning news as usual, a report about the dungeon was being broadcast. The current number of dungeon visitors far exceeds the appropriate number, and due to the current overcrowding, there is a risk of accidents, so the number of visitors per day will be limited for a while.

"Well, it's about time." That was my reaction to the news. Considering the overcrowding at the surface levels of the dungeon, I thought it was rather late. I guess it's the nature of bureaucratic work with many procedures, but I wish they had acted a bit faster.

"It's going to be a limited entry, big brother."

"Yeah, I think it's a good thing. It's a fact that it was getting crowded. As long as there are no flaws in the method of selecting the visitors, I think it will be fine."

"Hmm."

Holding her chopsticks, Mika asked me. Well, a lottery from the applicants would be the most reasonable method. Since they didn't say anything specific on TV, I thought I would check the Dungeon Association's website later. While sipping the miso soup, I thought to myself.

The news about the dungeon continued, and it was reported that a ranking system would be introduced for the explorer qualifications. The number of injured explorers in the dungeon has been increasing every month, so the purpose of the ranking system is to recommend appropriate exploration levels to the explorers and reduce the number of injuries.

Indeed, if there is a visible ranking, the number of explorers who take unnecessary risks will decrease. Of course, there will be a certain number of people who ignore it based on unfounded confidence.

"Still, a ranking system... how will they decide it?"

"Um, maybe by the number and types of monsters defeated?"

"How will they confirm that? It's not like in a game where the number of defeated monsters is automatically recorded."

"Oh... right. How about bringing back the parts of the monsters they defeated?"

Mika, who was asked by me, tilted her head and tried to come up with an answer.

Still, bringing back parts of the monsters... Well, in games, that might be a method...

"That's not possible. Even if you cut off a part of a monster, the body disappears after a short time, so it would disappear along with the part. Even if they tried to use dropped items as proof, the items don't always drop, and the types vary, so it would be difficult to prove that a specific monster was defeated."

"Uh, then, what if it's self-reported..."

"There would be people who report falsely, and since it's inside the dungeon, there are few ways for the association staff to verify it. They can't assign a staff member to each explorer who enters the dungeon, after all."

"Then, what if they use cameras..."

"Would the association prepare and lend cameras to all the explorers? The budget required would be unknown, but it would be enormous."

I looked at Mika, who made a desperate suggestion, with a somewhat exasperated gaze.

If the total number of explorers is 100,000, and even if only 30% are active, that's 30,000 people. At least 30,000 cameras would be needed. Including spares, about 50,000 cameras? At 10,000 yen per camera, that would require a budget of 500 million yen.

Even if the explorers were to prepare the cameras themselves, from the perspective of preventing fraud, it would be impossible. The association would have to inspect the cameras to ensure they were not tampered with or had unauthorized software, and only then could they be used for fair kill records. Otherwise, it would require a lot of extra work to verify.

"Then, what should they do?"

"Well... how about this. All dropped items are bought by the Dungeon Association, so they might decide the rank based on the total purchase amount?"

"Um, that means..."

"It's like saying high-ranking explorers are high-income earners."

In other words, it's like a ranking of high taxpayers. Let's hope there's no obligation to disclose it.

"That sounds kind of unpleasant."

"But there's nothing else that can be used to create the ranking."

Mika, who looked dissatisfied, and I, who shrugged and gave up, faced each other.

Since the entry and usage frequency records of the dungeon don't show whether an explorer is excellent, average, or incompetent, the only way to judge is by how much they earn. Of course, there are explorers who get a lot of skill scrolls and magic items and earn a lot, but we can only think of luck as part of their ability.

I put a tamagoyaki in my mouth and tried to change the topic.

"Well, let's talk about me enough... Mika, isn't it time for your private school entrance exam? Are you prepared?"

"Eh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I got an A in the last mock test, so if I don't mess up on the real thing, I should be in the range to pass."

"Really?"

"Yeah... I mean, big brother? What did you think of me?"

I was at a loss for words to Mika's question.

What did I think... Should I say that I thought she was making a lot of mistakes in the problem sets? ...Can I say that!

In the end, I didn't answer Mika's question and turned away.

"Ha... You know, big brother? I was in the top 10 in the class ranking in the last regular test."

"Really?"

"Really! Ha... Why didn't the person who was teaching me know this?"

"Well... I'm sorry."

When I turned to Mika, she looked tired.

I hadn't noticed that she had been acting as a tutor-like figure since she quit her club activities in the summer. I bowed my head to Mika and apologized for not knowing.

"Still, I didn't know Mika was so smart."

"What are you talking about? My grades improved because big brother started teaching me."

"Is that so?"

"Yes! I was just above average last year, but my grades improved after big brother started teaching me."

Ah, right, in the mock test she took after quitting her club activities, she said she was just barely passing. It seems she improved a lot in 2-3 months. To go from a barely passing line to a sure pass, she must have worked hard.

"I thought big brother was a great teacher. To improve my grades so much in just three months... and you didn't even realize what you were doing..."

"Well... I'm sorry."

It seems I had unknowingly planted a strange idol in Mika's mind.

A great teacher? Who are they talking about? All I did was teach Mika, who didn't know how to study, some study methods. Problem-solving techniques and memorization methods. I don't remember giving her specific instructions...

"Well, my entrance exam will be fine."

"Good to hear that."

"Yeah."

It seems my worry was unnecessary.

Now that I think about it, Mika didn't seem to be under any particular exam pressure.

After finishing breakfast, I returned to my room and opened the Japan Dungeon Association's website on my PC. On the homepage, there was a large announcement about the entry restrictions and the ranking system, prominently displayed as if urging visitors to read it immediately. Clicking on the announcement, the details were displayed.

"Hmm?"

Skimming through the explanation, the general content of the entry restrictions is as follows:

- The number of visitors per dungeon is excessive, causing obstacles to the explorers' activities.

- To resolve these obstacles, the number of visitors per day will be limited for a certain period.

- The visitors will be selected from those who apply to enter the dungeon. If multiple applications are concentrated on the same day, a lottery will be held to decide.

- Applications can be made through the dedicated page on the website using the registration authentication number on the explorer card, or at the Dungeon Association's counter.

- Multiple applications on the same day using the same registration authentication number are not allowed.

In other words, it's a system similar to booking airplane tickets.

When I tried to open the reservation page, I was first asked for the registration authentication number. After entering the number and logging in, I was asked to input the location of the dungeon I wanted to enter, the date and time of entry, and the number of people entering. The locations, dates and times, and numbers of people were listed, and I could select and input my preferences from the list.

"Wow. They even divide the entry times finely on the same day. Indeed, if everyone entered at the same time, it would defeat the purpose of reducing congestion. Entering the number of people together might be a consideration to allow parties to enter together?"

I tried to check the current reservation information for the dungeon I usually go to, and I couldn't help but exclaim.

"Ugh! What is this number of applicants for this weekend!? The morning slots are nearly double the capacity!?"

The counter showing the total number of applicants for the weekend morning slots was showing an incredible number.

Probably, the applications from students and office workers are concentrated on the weekends. Considering the time since the announcement on TV, this number will likely increase even more. I sighed while looking at the PC screen. The multiplier for early morning and late night slots is lower, but it's going to be a tough road ahead.

Closing the reservation page, I started skimming through the announcement about the ranking system again.

"Hmm. Is this... as expected?"

The announcement about the ranking system is as follows:

- The number of explorers who get injured due to attempting exploration beyond their capabilities is increasing, so a ranking system is being introduced to reduce the number of injured explorers.

- Explorers should explore at levels appropriate to their rank to avoid injury.

- The ranks are divided into seven levels: S (top), A (high), B (upper-middle), C (middle), D (lower-middle), E (beginner), and F (novice).

- The criteria for ranking are based on the number of dungeon entries per month, the number of floors reached, and the total amount of money earned from selling dropped items.

- The ranking is updated once a month, and if an application is made, the association will review and certify the rank.

"Using the number of entries and the total amount of money earned from dropped items as criteria means they will evaluate based on the average amount?"

For example, if there is an explorer who earns 1 million yen per month, and one who enters the dungeon 10 times and another who enters once, the one who enters once would be evaluated as more skilled. Of course, luck plays a big role, but basically, the deeper you go in the dungeon, the rarer the dropped items and the higher the amount of money you can earn, so it's not a completely wrong evaluation criterion.

"Still, there's nothing particularly wrong with the ranking system."

Having a high rank doesn't come with any special benefits.

Perhaps companies or the association might request high-ranking explorers, but that's not relevant right now. A high rank is proof that an explorer can go deep into the dungeon and has a higher chance of securing the desired items.

"Still, it's becoming more like a game."

Maybe there will be dedicated explorers or company-affiliated explorers in the future.

On a certain large bulletin board, there are several threads recruiting members to form guilds, and several groups similar to circles have already been formed, with the largest having nearly 100 members.

However, these groups lack discipline, and some engage in annoying behaviors like occupying hunting grounds, leading to a lot of negative feedback.

"Well, it's time to go to school."

I shut down my PC and got ready to go to school. I changed from my room clothes to my uniform, packed the necessary materials into my bag, and left the room.

When I get to school, I need to discuss with Yuzi and Himeko what to do next. According to the reservation status I saw earlier, it seems difficult to enter the dungeon on the weekend. We need to discuss whether to go to a different dungeon or not.

Sigh, it's a lot of trouble.

Entry restrictions have been implemented.

Is this a quick response or a slow one...

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