Chapter 75

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---

For a moment, silence spread between us.

Is it just my imagination, or does the BGM playing in the store sound unusually loud?

The two of them say nothing and just stare at my face. I close my eyes, take a deep breath to compose myself, and then speak to them.

"Um... can I ask for the reason first?"

First, I want to know why they came to such a conclusion. Whether to reject or accept, I need to start from there.

After exchanging a glance, Mika begins to explain.

"The reason we decided to take the Explorer Exam is because of an issue that arose during our first year of school."

"An issue during the first year?"

"Yeah. Actually, there's a student in our class who obtained the Explorer qualification in April."

"Really? But you can only take the Explorer Exam at the age of 16, right? Most students are 15 when they start high school."

In April, many students are too young to take the Explorer Exam due to the age restriction. When the dungeon was opened to the public last year, only about two-thirds of our class met the age requirement.

The delay of six months in the opening was, in a way, fortunate for our generation.

"Yeah. There are only three students in our class born in April, so it's not a large number overall... but there's one student who repeated a grade, and he's encouraging those who meet the age requirement to become Explorers."

"Encouraging..."

This is starting to sound fishy.

From what I've heard, it reminds me of someone.

"That person apparently got too involved in dungeon exploration last year and failed his classes, leading to a repeat. His original party members moved on to the next grade, and the party was dissolved."

"Without a party, you can't enter the dungeon, so he's trying to gather new party members."

Getting too involved in dungeon exploration and repeating a grade... did he get a high-value drop early on?

It's like a gambling beginner getting lucky and then getting hooked, the first step towards gambling addiction. Either way, he's a nuisance.

"Right now, the students being recruited are those who were already interested in the dungeon, but there are also students who want to focus on club activities and have no interest in becoming Explorers, which is causing trouble, right?"

"...Yeah."

I remember that starting this year, the rule was added that Explorer experience holders are not allowed to participate in national competitions like the Inter-High, as reported on TV and in newspapers. There were also movements against such regulations, but the conclusion was that the difference in basic abilities between Explorers and non-Explorers makes the competition unfeasible. So, for students who want to enjoy their youth in sports clubs, becoming an Explorer means giving up the chance to participate in competitions.

There are also movements to create special competition categories for Explorer experience holders, but it's said that it will take a few years to establish the rules.

"But that repeat student doesn't care about other people's situations and keeps persistently recruiting them."

"...It seems he's not concerned about the formality of gathering party members. Is there some kind of time constraint?"

Or is it withdrawal symptoms?

"Who knows? ...I don't know that much..."

Sachiko tilts her head at my question.

"But if you don't want to, it's better to say no clearly, right?"

"That's true, but the fact that he's an Explorer is the problem."

"Problem?"

"Yeah. During the physical fitness test in early April, he showed an incredible performance in front of everyone, like in a sports competition we watched with you before."

"At first, everyone was impressed, but considering his personality, we worry when that strength might be directed at us..."

Sachiko looks down and sighs.

In other words, everyone was intimidated by his abilities and created an atmosphere where they couldn't point out his actions.

Thinking about it, when we became Explorers, multiple classmates did so at once, so we didn't have such issues. If a single student with exceptional physical abilities and a difficult personality shows off their strength, people either admire or fear them.

The students who were recruited either admired him or were too afraid to say no.

"...I see. But what does that have to do with you two deciding to become Explorers?"

"Um..."

"I'm one of the students born in April."

"Sachiko?"

"Yes. My birthday is on April 30th. The repeat student is absent during the Golden Week school days, so he hasn't recruited me yet... but since we're in the same class, he will eventually find out and recruit me."

Sachiko looks displeased, perhaps remembering the repeat student's recruitment tactics.

So, the students who were recruited as party members are absent on school days? Is that okay?

"If Sachiko doesn't tell her birthday, she won't be recruited, right?"

"That's true, but I mentioned it in a conversation with a classmate before, so I think it will eventually leak."

"One of the students who was recruited was sitting near me during that conversation..."

"Ah..."

Sachiko averts her gaze awkwardly, and Mika looks uncomfortable. ...Mika too? Silence spreads between us again.

As we remain silent, a waiter brings our order.

"Thank you for waiting. ...Is everything in order? Please enjoy your time."

"Ah, thank you."

I thank the waiter and look at the two of them.

The cake set and blended coffee we ordered are placed in front of us.

---

After taking a sip of coffee and catching my breath, I prompt them to continue.

"So, how many people has that repeat student gathered so far?"

"He's recruiting from each class, so probably around 10 to 20 people."

"It's a significant group among the first-year students. With his Explorer abilities and financial resources, he has considerable influence."

"Exactly. No one can beat him by force, so no one challenges him, and he has quite a few followers."

The two of them tell me about the commotion happening among the first-year students while eating their cheesecake.

I've never heard of such a group among the first-year students before...

"I might just be out of the loop, but I haven't heard of such a group among the second-year students."

As I frown at the repeat student's actions and mention the situation in the second year, the two of them look at each other and nod in agreement.

"It's only been a month since the new school year started, so he doesn't have influence across grades yet."

"Or he might be avoiding conflicts with other grades. No matter how influential he is among the first-year students, he can't compare to the second and third-year Explorers."

"Right, no matter how strong and wealthy he is, his group can't compare to the second and third-year Explorer parties."

...Indeed, they might be right.

Comparing the group formed by the repeat student to the second and third-year Explorer parties, the latter would be overwhelmingly stronger. The group formed by the repeat student might have more members, but the quality difference is significant. If the repeat student's group were to challenge the second and third-year parties, the latter could easily handle them.

As I listen to their conversation and drink my coffee, I gather my thoughts.

"But still, his influence among the first-year students is significant."

"Yeah. As time goes on, more people will join, and his influence will grow even more..."

"Right now, the group is mostly boys, but will girls join in the future?"

"Probably, if they become the majority."

Hmm.

In other words, a large-scale guild-like group led by the repeat student is forming among the first-year students, and Mika and Sachiko might get involved.

"I see, I understand the situation. It's quite a tricky one."

"Yeah. It would be fine if only those who want to join did, but he's forcing recruitment..."

"Right. Honestly, it's nothing but a nuisance."

Hearing my thoughts, the two of them sigh deeply and look tired.

As time goes on, the organization will grow larger and more influential... It's a troublesome situation.

"Right now, it's still small, so it's not hard to refuse, but in half a year, it will be difficult to keep refusing."

"That's why we decided to become Explorers before getting caught up in their group."

The two of them express their intention to take the Explorer Exam again.

Indeed, if that's the reason, it's not unreasonable for them to want to become Explorers.

But...

"Do you really need to become Explorers just the two of you? Wouldn't it be better to join the group? The experience points and rewards might be less, but the safety in dungeon exploration would be higher with more people?"

Assuming proper coordination, even a group of beginner Explorers exploring in groups of 10 should be safe from injuries. If they want to become Explorers, it's not a bad deal to accept some disadvantages...

"No. If they were a proper group, we might consider it, but..."

"I also refuse."

The two of them firmly reject my suggestion with displeased expressions.

"If you're this opposed, is there a specific reason?"

"Yeah... I wish I could say, but it's still just rumors."

"Yes. The only clear thing so far is that there are a lot of injuries and bad behavior."

"Injuries are common in exploration, but bad behavior?"

"Unexcused absences and tardiness are frequent. And there are rumors of drinking and smoking."

"There's no evidence yet, so the school hasn't said anything."

Typical behavior, I guess. Since they have money from being Explorers, they probably use various connections to obtain alcohol and cigarettes. Still, unexcused absences and frequent tardiness... and he's already repeated a grade?

"I've also heard various bad rumors about them."

"We definitely don't want to enter the dungeon with people who have such rumors."

"From the videos of the dungeon you showed me, I want to trust someone enough to have their back. I can't trust them."

...Zero trust. What kind of rumors are spreading to lose so much trust?

I narrow my eyes and observe their faces. The expressions they show are filled with disgust. To reject so firmly must mean something significant.

"I see. If that's the case, I can't force you. I understand why you want to become Explorers."

"Yeah!"

"Right!"

They nod strongly in response to my words. It seems that joining the repeat student's group is not an option for them.

---

After finishing my coffee, I ask them.

"I understand why you want to become Explorers, but have you talked to your parents or guardians about this?"

"No, not yet."

"I haven't either. I wanted to talk to you first before talking to my parents."

"I see."

As minors, you need your parents' consent to take the Explorer Exam. What did you want to talk to me about before that?

"So, after this long introduction... what's the issue you want to discuss?"

"Ah, yeah. We want to know what we need to start as Explorers."

"After deciding to take the Explorer Exam, Mika and I researched online, but there are many opinions and it's confusing."

"So, we thought we'd ask a nearby Explorer, you..."

"I see."

Indeed, the necessary items vary greatly depending on the Explorer's combat style. It's understandable that the opinions are diverse and messy.

However, there are a few common items that are always needed.

"Of course, you need an Explorer Card. The minimum essentials are... weapons, armor, food, and a light source. And..."

I count off the items on my fingers. The two of them listen intently and quickly type notes into their smartphones.

After listing most of the necessary items, I clap my hands and remember an important item.

"Oh, right. I forgot an important item."

"? Important item?"

"What's the important item?"

They look up from their phones, tilting their heads and looking at me.

I lean forward slightly and beckon them to come closer, whispering the name of the item.

"It's a bit embarrassing to say out loud, but it's essential."

They look slightly puzzled at my introduction.

"The important item is... diapers."

"Huh?"

"What?"

They look taken aback by my unexpected answer.

---

There's usually one or two repeat students in a grade, and they form a group with the idea of "go with the flow."

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