Chapter 57

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---

The Japan Dungeon Association officially decided to implement the party system. Under the pretext of ensuring safety, they mandated that parties consist of at least two explorers and required them to enter dungeons as a group, effectively banning solo exploration. Additionally, with the introduction of the party system, a new party rank system was established, which averaged the ranks of the party members based on their individual ranks.

Rumors had been circulating for some time that this would happen, so most explorers, who had anticipated it, formed parties with their companions and accepted the new system.

At this time, a major company that handled dungeon-produced goods established a subsidiary dedicated to dungeon exploration. They began actively recruiting explorers to become company-exclusive explorers, offering to cover expenses such as equipment and medical costs. Many F-rank explorers, known as "salaryman explorers," were born as a result. The items they obtained would primarily flow to their respective companies, leading other companies to establish exploration subsidiaries to stabilize their supply chains. The competition for excellent company-exclusive explorers intensified among the companies.

To address the issue of robbery and assault in dungeons, the Dungeon Police (DP) decided to increase their numbers and patrol inside the dungeons.

After the implementation of the party system, the official announcement of the removal of dungeon entry restrictions was made. Explorers could now freely enter dungeons, and they began to challenge them.

---

A few days after requesting a sword from Konosuke, we advanced to our second year of high school with the start of the new term. Our class was divided into science and humanities streams. Fortunately, the three of us who had chosen the science stream remained in the same class. Incidentally, Noguchi and his cronies also chose the science stream but were placed in a different class.

After the homeroom meeting, we were chatting in a corner of the classroom, which had become quieter with fewer students.

"It's really lucky that we're all in the same class."

"Yeah, I thought we'd be in different classes until I saw the class list..."

"Me too. I was wondering how I'd keep in touch with you guys within the school."

"Looking at the class list, it seems the students were quite evenly distributed. As a result, most of the class are people I don't know."

I looked around the classroom, but I didn't see many familiar faces. The only ones I knew were the three of us and a girl who served as the student council secretary.

I lowered my head and asked Yūji and Hōji about the issue we were discussing.

"So, what should we name our party?"

"Party name, huh..."

"Right."

Thanks to the Dungeon Association's implementation of the party system, we needed to come up with a party name.

"It's good that we don't have to go to the association to register, as we can do it on their website..."

"But there's a rule that names with just one character changed or similar names with numbers added at the end are not allowed, right?"

"Yeah, that's a really troublesome rule."

"Exactly. I just checked the party name registration list, and it seems most of the famous terms from fantasy and mythology are already registered."

"Similar names are not allowed... which means we have to come up with an original name."

Sigh... It's troublesome.

But if we register a weird party name, we'll regret it later... I saw some names in the registration list that were just jokes or gags. Could the people who registered those names really stand being called by those names at the counter every time? I wouldn't want to be in a party with a gag name...

"Let's avoid weird party names, okay?"

"Of course."

"Right. Considering we'll use it every time we go to the dungeon..."

It seems both of them had also looked at the registration list.

While discussing what would be good with our smartphones in hand, a name came to mind. I used a free translation site to check the pronunciation, which wasn't too bad, and proposed it to the two of them.

"How about 'Team NES'?"

"NES?"

"Is it an acronym?"

"NES... It stands for Natural Enemy of Slime, the English translation of 'Slime's Natural Enemy.'"

Slime's Natural Enemy... It's the title I earned in the Slime Dungeon. Thanks to leveling up in the Slime Dungeon, we've been able to explore dungeons relatively safely. I don't think it's a bad name for our team...

"That's the title you have, right?"

"Yeah. The pronunciation isn't too bad, right? Team NES."

"True."

"Right. I can't think of anything else... It's not a weird name, so it should be fine, right?"

Both of them seemed to agree reluctantly, but they didn't object.

"Then, shall we name our party 'Team NES'?"

"I'm fine with that name."

"Me too."

"It's settled. I'll submit the party registration application right away."

I connected to the association's website on my smartphone and filled out the party registration form. After entering the required information, I pressed the submit button. The review was completed in a few seconds, and there were no duplicates for the party name, so it was approved immediately.

"Registration complete. From today, we're Team NES."

"Well, it's just a name, so nothing really changes, right?"

"True."

It's hard to say when you put it that way.

But there are some changes now that we're a party.

"Our party rank will be D-rank (provisional) since we're all D-rank explorers."

"(Provisional)? What's that about?"

"According to the party rank explanation on the association's website, parties registered online are given a provisional status until their explorer cards are updated at the counter."

"Ah, I see."

"Well, we don't have to go to the association just for the update. We can do it when we go to the dungeon."

I don't really want to go to the association just for the update. The subtle small print mentioning a 300 yen fee for card updates is a bit sneaky. Anyway, the discussion about the party is over.

---

After confirming that no other students were left in the classroom, we started talking about a certain matter.

"By the way, have you heard anything about those attackers since then?"

"No, we were only questioned at the office that time, and we haven't heard anything since."

"Me neither."

"I see... What happened to them? There's been a lot of coverage on TV."

We didn't know much about what happened to the two attackers after they were apprehended. The DP had said they might contact us later to take statements, but perhaps the attackers had confessed, so it wasn't necessary.

"I checked the criminal code out of curiosity. Their crime is classified as robbery with injury, which carries a sentence of life imprisonment or at least six years, with no chance of parole."

"One of them looked underage. What about him?"

"Yes, the Juvenile Law applies, but for robbery with injury, they are tried as adults in district court."

"Wow."

"Still, it's better than if the Shinohara group had died."

Hōji spoke in a matter-of-fact tone about what she had found out.

In the non-ordinary space of the dungeon, perhaps their senses were numbed. What they did is not acceptable in a law-based society.

However, the consequences of PK (player killing) in the real world are quite severe.

"But if that's the case, those criminals... might try to escape. The sentences might be heavier than they expected, and with the abilities of explorers, they could probably break out of a regular prison quite easily..."

Indeed, that's a possibility.

Yūji is right. High-level explorers could easily break through concrete walls with their bare hands, depending on the thickness. They could escape from prison quite easily if they wanted to. What kind of measures are in place for that?

"Apparently, there isn't a dedicated prison for explorers yet."

"Is that okay?"

"I don't know. But it's understandable. Building a new prison for explorers would take years. The dungeons have only been around for about a year, after all."

"True. In that case, they'll probably have to use existing facilities..."

It's a worrying situation.

If they target us specifically, it wouldn't be too hard to repel them, but if they target others, it could be difficult to handle.

"While it's not much of a comfort, apparently the number of escapees in Japan is only a few cases per year. Most inmates serve their sentences diligently."

"True, we don't often hear about prisoners escaping."

"Whether they choose not to escape or can't escape, I don't know, but most Japanese explorers are former civilians with no criminal records. I hope they choose not to escape even if they have the means."

Is it really safe to assume that?

Hōji's expression was clouded, as if she wasn't entirely confident in her own words.

Indeed, the people who started as ordinary citizens have been immersed in the brutal world of real dungeon exploration. It wouldn't be surprising if their personalities have changed.

I'm aware of that to some extent myself.

"Maybe they'll mix high-level DP members into the prison staff to deal with it. If there's a visible deterrent, those people might think twice."

Yūji, sensing the darkening mood between Hōji and me, tried to lighten the atmosphere with a light-hearted comment.

"True. If there are DP members nearby, explorers might behave."

"Right. They said they would increase the number of DP members for dungeon security, so there should be enough personnel to spare for the prisons."

"Maybe, but I hope there's no territorial dispute."

Yūji's concern is valid. The prisons are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, and it's unclear if the DP, who are police officers, can be assigned. Generally, the relationships between government ministries are not good. We don't know the actual situation, but we exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile wryly.

---

While we were talking in the classroom, a male teacher opened the door and called out to us.

"Hey, you guys. How long do you plan to stay in the classroom? I need to lock up, so get out quickly."

"Ah, yes."

Prompted by the teacher, we gathered our belongings and left the classroom.

Most of the students had already gone home, and the school building was unexpectedly quiet, with our footsteps echoing clearly.

"Today, no clubs are practicing, it seems."

"Right, tomorrow is the entrance ceremony. They wouldn't want their preparations to be ruined."

"True. By the way, Kusakabe, is Mika's entrance ceremony preparation done?"

"Of course. She's been unusually fidgety since this morning."

The high school that Mika and Sae were applying to is the same one we attend.

So, from tomorrow, they will be our juniors.

"She said she's going to the salon this morning, so she should be back soon."

"Salon?"

"She wants to change her image for her high school debut. I don't know how, though."

"I see."

We're looking forward to seeing how she changes.

"Kusakabe, make sure to compliment Mika, okay?"

"I know. I've thought of a few compliments to give her."

I listened to Hōji's advice.

If I fail to compliment her and she gets upset, it would ruin the entrance ceremony. I want Mika to start her high school life happily.

While changing shoes at the new shoe lockers, Yūji asked about our plans for the rest of the day.

"So, Daiki, you're taking a break from training today and tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, I have to spend some time with Mika today, and tomorrow we're having a family celebration for her entrance ceremony. Please tell Kura no Sō that I won't be able to make it."

I had already informed him during the previous training session, but I asked Yūji to pass on the message. Etiquette is important in everything.

"Got it. What about Hōji?"

"I'll join the training."

"Same time as usual, then."

"Right."

Yūji and Hōji decided on the training time. From the outside, it might look like a date, but that's just a misinterpretation, right?

With that thought, we left the school, which was now empty of students.

---

Chapter 5 begins.

The party system is now fully implemented.

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