Chapter 67

The day after clearing the Demon Wolf Dungeon.

During breakfast, Hua spoke up.

"Hey, Onii-chan, are you free this weekend?"

I, who usually delve into dungeons solo, can freely decide my schedule, so I nodded.

"Yeah, I should be able to make it free."

"That's great, then I can relax. Make sure to wear something comfortable to move in, okay!"

"?, Alright, got it."

Am I going to end up carrying shopping bags again, like last time?

Well, maybe it's nice to have a day like this once in a while.

But as I was thinking that—

A few days later, I found myself in a dungeon.

"Why!?"

"Whoa! You scared me, Onii-chan! Don't shout so suddenly!"

In response to my reaction, Hua, who was standing next to me, scolded me.

No, no, no, no, it's only natural to react this way.

Hua and I had come to the E-Rank [Jufuku Dungeon].

Like the Shion Dungeon, it's a low-difficulty dungeon suitable for beginners.

Incidentally, it's one of the dungeons I had previously entered with the aim of clearing it.

"Hua, why are we in a dungeon?"

"Huh? Didn't I explain?"

"No, you didn't."

"Oh, I see, I see, sorry! Actually—"

After that preamble, Hua began to explain the circumstances.

After listening to Hua's story, I finally understood the situation.

However, to understand this, one needs to know about the current state of dungeons in the world.

Currently, except for special circumstances, only those 18 years or older are allowed to enter dungeons.

This is because the inside of a dungeon is always fraught with the danger of death, and one must kill monsters with their own hands.

It's prohibited until one reaches an age with sufficient judgment, hence the rule.

In Japan, those who turn 18 and wish to become adventurers must take individual training sessions provided by the Adventurer's Guild to obtain a qualification.

Only after that can they finally enter a dungeon.

However, this time, what Hua told me was different from the usual practice.

"So, from this year, in addition to taking the training individually, the Adventurer's Guild is also recruiting volunteers through schools?"

"Yeah, something like that. At my school, they said that those who have turned 18 and want to become adventurers should apply."

Indeed, Hua is currently a third-year high school student.

Moreover, being born in April, she has already had her birthday, so she is fully qualified.

That's why she responded to this recruitment.

"Still, I'm a bit surprised that they're recruiting through schools now."

"It was different when you were Onii-chan's age, right?"

"Yeah, I had to go individually. That's why I finally got my qualification after graduating, being a late April baby."

There's a reason I'm surprised.

In the past, there was a bill that almost passed, which would have forced everyone 18 and older to enter dungeons to obtain status as part of a national project.

This was because top-tier adventurers boast combat power comparable to weapons, and the government wanted as many citizens as possible to become adventurers.

However, since only about 50% of people can obtain status, it would create a gap.

Additionally, forcing people to kill monsters—biological killers—was considered inhumane, so the bill did not pass.

Adventurers should only become one by their own will.

Well, there are rumors that some countries are still forcing it.

Knowing this background, I was surprised that they are now recruiting through schools.

It means they are actively encouraging people to become adventurers.

At this point, I recalled my original question.

"I understand that much, but why was I called? And why did we suddenly come to a dungeon?"

"Well, those who participate through the school have already received a simple training session and a provisional qualification. Today, with the guidance of the Adventurer's Guild, we're actually going into a dungeon. For those who are nervous about their first dungeon, they can bring a known adventurer."

"I see."

So that's why I was called.

"But if you had told me earlier, I would have been in trouble. What if I had just cleared a dungeon and was in the middle of a cooldown period within a week?"

"Cooldown...?"

Hua looked as if she had never heard of it.

Did she really take the training?

"Anyway, let's put that aside! The people participating this time are gathering over there, so let's hurry, Onii-chan!"

"Alright, alright, I got it."

Hua grabbed my hand and started pulling me along.

I sighed softly and followed her.

After clearing the tenth dungeon, it's a straight path to the end of Chapter 2, so there will be a few episodes featuring characters other than Rin at this timing.

Please wait a little longer for the rapid level-up!