Chapter 70

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---

After finishing our shower and changing, we stood by the window, holding the insulated bag containing the drop items, waiting for our turn to process the cash-in at the counter. The wait was only about 30 minutes longer than usual, but the number of people waiting was significantly higher.

"There are 12 groups ahead of us. After 6 PM, the number of explorer parties coming out of the dungeon increases dramatically..."

I pinched the ticket with my fingers and grumbled about having to wait twice as long as usual. Even though it's only about 30 minutes, I'm a bit tired and would prefer to go home sooner.

"Well, there's no point in complaining. Let's wait patiently."

"Yeah, we don't have any other plans after this, right?"

"Yeah, but..."

I took out my smartphone from my pocket and sent an email to my family, letting them know I would be home late.

I don't think it's necessary, but it's just a precaution. If I don't contact them and don't come home at the expected time, my family might start to worry and cause a commotion.

"Sending an email?"

"Yeah. Just in case, I don't want them to think I've gone missing in the dungeon."

"Got it... I'll send one too."

"Me too."

We sat in the waiting room and spent time writing unnecessarily long emails to our families. Even so, 10 minutes was the limit.

After finishing the emails, with no other way to pass the time, I looked around the waiting room. There were many student groups, but there were also many groups of new graduates, who seemed a bit different in atmosphere.

"There are a lot of working groups..."

"Hmm, now that you mention it, yeah."

"Maybe they're here to earn extra money during the Golden Week with their friends from school?"

"Earn extra money... Do they not have enough salary?"

I thought for a moment that it was unlikely, but in today's job market with many non-regular employees, it's not entirely wrong. If you have the skills, you can earn a good amount as an explorer in a short time.

"Number 63, Hiramura Food Procurement Department. Your appraisal is complete. Please proceed to window 7."

A party name that sounded like a company name was called out. However, I hadn't heard of Hiramura Food before. As I was thinking this, three young men and an older man standing a bit away from us got up.

"Procurement Department... Does that mean a food company is actively exploring the dungeon as a company?"

"Seems so. I've heard that most of the dungeon ingredients go to major food companies and wholesalers, so they might have created a dedicated department for procurement."

"Right. The wholesaler that supplies our store said they would limit the purchase amount for a while because the procurement volume isn't that high."

I nodded slightly while following them with my eyes as they walked to the counter.

"I see... But they're taking a pretty high-risk approach, aren't they?"

"Yeah. As a department of an existing company, hiring explorers is risky in many ways."

"Right. I heard on a TV show that large companies are creating subsidiaries or related companies specifically for dungeon exploration."

I've seen that TV show too.

"Right... If a company-affiliated explorer is injured or killed in the dungeon, it's treated as a workplace accident, right? It can lead to labor inspections, increased workers' compensation insurance premiums, and reputational damage..."

"Also, the insurance rates change, increasing the company's burden."

Yusuke seems to have seen it too.

However, only companies of a certain size can establish such specialized subsidiaries; it's difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises.

"Well, it's not really our business to comment on a company's decision after they've thoroughly considered it."

"Yeah, but..."

"True."

It's not our place to comment on a company's policy that they've decided after careful consideration. Currently, there are two main paths for civilian explorers: independent business owners like us or being employed by a company that hires explorers. Incidentally, day labor registration companies that students often use don't seem to be sending workers to the dungeon, where the risk of injury is extremely high, so there are no job advertisements for such positions yet.

Therefore, many students register as independent business owners.

---

After waiting for about 20 more minutes, it was finally our turn.

"Number 78, please proceed to the reception counter."

"...Phew. Finally."

"Yeah."

"Let's go."

We picked up our bags, stood up from our seats, and headed to the counter.

"Thank you for waiting. Are you here for the appraisal of drop items?"

"Yes."

"Please present your explorer cards."

We submitted our explorer cards for verification.

"Thank you. The verification is complete. Please submit the drop items for appraisal."

"Here you go."

I handed over the insulated bag to the counter.

"Thank you. We will keep it for you. Please wait a moment while we complete the appraisal."

"Thank you."

After handing over the insulated bag, we returned to our seats in the waiting room.

"Phew... By the way, Shizuka, what are you going to do with the skinning knife?"

"Skinning knife? What do you mean?"

"Well, you got a new, better skinning knife this time. Are you going to sell the old bronze knife to the guild?"

"Oh, I see. I plan to sell it once the new knife is in my hands."

Shizuka answered lightly.

"Even though it's second-hand, it's a magic item, so I think we can get a decent price for it. Depending on the selling price, I might be able to pay off my debt."

"Huh? Shizuka, you still have a lot of debt?"

"I have about 300,000 yen left."

We've been focusing on exploring deeper levels recently, so we should have obtained some rare items and Minotaur meat... But Shizuka has been buying Orc materials with the money from selling items.

"Good luck. I hope it sells for a good price."

"Yes. If it sells for one-fifth of the previous appraisal price, I can pay off my debt in one go."

I see. Well, I doubt it will sell for one-fifth, but...

After our conversation, Yusuke asked me a question.

"Hey, Daisuke."

"What?"

"What about the potion bottle? Are you going to keep it or sell it?"

"Potion bottle..."

Yusuke deliberately used a vague term, but he meant the advanced healing potion. Considering the pros and cons of keeping a guild-certified advanced healing potion...

"I think I'll keep it."

There are indeed some disadvantages, but the benefits outweigh them in my opinion. Having even one certified advanced healing potion can give us more options for using the others stored in our spatial storage.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Considering the possibility of something like what happened to the Shinohara group happening again, I think it's better to have a certified potion, even with the disadvantages. Even if we don't use it in the dungeon, it can be useful in daily life if something happens to a family member. It's like having insurance."

These days, there are many unexpected dangers, like traffic accidents. Having a certified advanced healing potion that can be used openly is a great help. If we get injured in the dungeon, we can use the ones we keep hidden in our spatial storage, but not outside.

"Yeah, that's true."

"Indeed. There's always a chance we might need it for family members. Traffic accidents are reported on TV almost every day..."

"Better safe than sorry. It's just a small insurance."

Both of them nodded in agreement with my decision to keep the advanced healing potion. I was a bit relieved, as I thought they might oppose it due to the disadvantages.

"Number 78, Team NES. Your appraisal is complete. Please proceed to window 7."

"Huh? That was quick."

"We aimed to explore deeper this time, so we didn't have many items, and the appraisal was faster."

"Maybe."

We stood up and approached the counter.

"Thank you for waiting. Here is the appraisal statement. Some of the items are magic items, so they will be sent to headquarters for appraisal, and the appraisal notice will be sent to you."

We listened to the receptionist's explanation and reviewed the appraisal statement. As expected, the healing potion, skinning knife, and red ruby pass were designated for transfer and appraisal.

"The appraisal notice will be sent to you by mail within a week. Please confirm and proceed with the pickup or purchase. ...Do you know the procedure?"

"Yes. I've done it before, so I'm fine."

"Thank you. How would you like to proceed with the purchase of the appraised items? If you want to pick up any items, please let us know."

I looked at Yusuke and Shizuka for their opinions. They shook their heads slightly, indicating they didn't want to pick up any items. We focused on exploring deeper this time, so there weren't any particularly notable items.

"We don't have any specific items to pick up, so please purchase all of them."

"Understood. How would you like to receive the payment? Should it be transferred to one account?"

"Please divide it into three and transfer it to each of our accounts."

"Understood. Please sign these documents."

The receptionist handed us the purchase agreement, the receipt for the magic items, and the transfer documents. We reviewed and signed each document.

"Thank you. We will process the transfer. Please wait a moment. Here is your empty insulated bag."

"Thank you."

It's been a while since I got an empty insulated bag back. Usually, it contained some meat. After submitting the documents, the transfer was completed in about a minute.

"Here is the transfer statement. Is there anything else you need?"

"Actually, can I ask a question?"

"Sure, what is it?"

As I received the statement, Shizuka started asking the receptionist a question. Probably about the old skinning knife.

"Does the guild buy back magic items that explorers have already picked up?"

"Yes, we do. As long as we can verify the transaction information, we can buy them back."

"Really?"

"Yes. However, since it will be a second-hand transaction, the price will be lower than the original appraisal price when you brought it back from the dungeon."

So there's a second-hand market for magic items. Makes sense, since once used, they become second-hand.

"Understood."

"Do you have any items you want to sell?"

"No, not now. I was just curious..."

"Got it. Is there anything else?"

"Not really."

"Thank you for your visit today."

"Thank you."

We bowed slightly and left the reception counter.

---

Outside the prefab building, I stretched my arms above my head.

"Finally, it's over."

"Yeah."

"Tomorrow is school... I wish we could have a break during the Golden Week."

"Well, it's technically a weekday on the calendar."

"Yeah, but... sigh."

I sighed involuntarily. It's a long holiday, but it's a bit disappointing.

"Come on, Daisuke. If you go to school tomorrow and the day after, you'll have five consecutive days off. That's not bad."

"True. Besides, even if tomorrow was a holiday, we wouldn't come here, right?"

"True."

We decided to explore the dungeon during the first half of the Golden Week and spend the second half with our families. Since becoming explorers, we've been coming to the dungeon on Sundays.

As we walked to the bus stop, we discussed our plans for the second half of the Golden Week.

"What are you planning to do during the Golden Week, Yusuke?"

"Me? Nothing special. How about you, Daisuke?"

"I don't have any travel plans with my family. Probably just accompanying Mika shopping."

"Haha, that sounds tough."

Yusuke chuckled at my answer. Thanks to the level-up effect, carrying things isn't a problem, but it can be mentally exhausting.

"What about you, Shizuka?"

"I plan to help out at the store. It's a busy time during the Golden Week."

"Ah, I see."

Shizuka answered with a bright voice and smile. It seems her family relations are going well, thanks to the persuasion efforts a while back.

"Ah, the bus is here."

We saw the bus enter the bus stop just as we arrived. We hadn't used this bus before, but the timing was perfect.

"Let's go home, then?"

"Sure."

"Okay."

We boarded the bus and headed home.

---

The first half of the Golden Week is over, and I'll spend the second half with my family.

I'll keep the healing potion for emergencies.