In this Second Chance at Life, where I can see skills as clear as day, everything feels like a breeze. And to make it even better, I’m spending my days joyfully with my First Love. - Chapter 45

The five experimental vocational training schools in Japan include special classes for students with particularly promising professions or skills. Among these students, those with roles deemed especially useful for dungeon exploration and combat—ranging from first-year middle school to third-year high school—were sent into a relatively safe dungeon as part of their training.

“Hm. A Hobbit Rabbit with strength comparable to the vanguard of the special class…”

Hobbit Rabbits were widely regarded as one of the weakest monsters. While they could injure someone careless enough to underestimate them, their physical abilities were equivalent to those of a first-year middle schooler. Any student with decent profession bonuses could easily overpower them.

The fact that such a weak monster could be strengthened to match the front-line fighters of the special class was astonishing.

It made one wonder—if higher-level dungeon monsters like goblins or orcs (particularly those around level 15) were similarly enhanced, just how powerful could they become?

“And how many creatures can be enhanced like that?”

“We’re not sure. But it’s naïve to assume it’s just one.”

The report also described an “intimidation” skill that rendered 15 armed police officers unconscious simultaneously.

As expected of the world’s first skill user, Yasushi Sashima’s abilities were extraordinary even from the limited information available.

“Hmm… The strategist and ninja performed above expectations. But what about this ‘witch’? She froze an entire hectare of training ground in an instant? And cast a single healing spell that lasted until the very end of the exploration? Are there really magic users capable of both offense and healing?”

Magic users were already rare.

Among them, those who could use healing magic were even rarer. And a healing spell that lasted for three hours? That was unheard of.

“Yes, but Kobayashi Ichika only used healing magic once during the exploration. While she and Yasushi Sashima seemed notably relaxed, it’s clear she’s still holding back considerable power.”

“So their full strength is still unknown. This dungeon wasn’t enough to measure their abilities. Based on the report, their power appears to rival that of the JSDF’s elite forces…”

No, driving armed police officers into unconsciousness and freezing an entire hectare of land far surpasses what even elite forces could achieve.

“Perhaps we should consider asking for their assistance with one of the dungeons we’ve been struggling to explore.”

“The one we’re struggling with? But… they’re just middle schoolers!”

“Middle schoolers. That assumption led to 15 police officers fainting. In this new era of dungeons and skills, age, gender, and physical size are irrelevant. Based on the report, they’re undeniably strong. And considering the challenges we’re facing, we could use any help we can get—even theirs.”

“But… they didn’t seem particularly motivated during this training.”

That was the issue. According to the report, Yasushi and Ichika spent most of the exploration flirting.

Their confidence—or perhaps complacency—stemmed from overwhelming power, which was not an ideal tendency.

“Even so, it’s worth asking. If they perform as expected, it could lead to significant progress.”

The official leaned back in thought before continuing, “Let’s start by offering 1 million yen each to Yasushi Sashima and Kobayashi Ichika for the dungeon exploration.”

“Middle schoolers… 2 million yen?”

Paying 1 million yen per person—2 million yen in total—for a single job, and to middle schoolers no less, was unheard of.

“Deploying a small platoon, the minimum unit for dungeon exploration, costs at least 10 million yen—and often yields no results. If they succeed, this could significantly reduce costs. Depending on the outcome, we might even consider raising their compensation. Do not underestimate Yasushi Sashima as just a child.”

Defense Minister Nobuhiro Sato had been wary of Yasushi ever since hearing that voice. At the same time, he was determined to bring him into the fold.

Spending money was a small price to pay.

The worst-case scenario would be Yasushi working for a foreign nation or participating in war. His extraordinary summons, the ability to incapacitate armed police with a glare, and his other powers could destabilize national defense if wielded by another country.

It was imperative to offer Yasushi whatever he desired—whether it was wealth, honor, or women.

If necessary, this could start as a pilot project funded from personal finances before securing public funding. It was an investment in the future.

Yasushi and Ichika, who had approached the dungeon exploration with minimal effort, were completely unaware that events were rapidly unfolding behind the scenes.

About two weeks had passed since the dull dungeon exploration training. Nothing noteworthy had happened since then. As usual, I skipped all my gym and exploration classes, heading home early to either spend time with Ichika or focus on combat training.

Nothing had changed—it was the same ordinary, peaceful daily life.

“…A dungeon exploration request? For us?”

“Yep. It seems to be a personal request from the Minister of Defense.”

One day, Ichika pulled out a document, saying it had been handed to her by one of the teachers.

I see. A request to explore a dungeon that the JSDF hadn’t been able to fully investigate yet.

…We had gone out of our way to downplay our abilities during the last training session—holding back so much that it couldn’t have been clearer—but they still sent us a request like this?

Well, I suppose it makes sense. After all, I did mention to Sumida-san that I’d encountered a dungeon boss before, and my “intimidation” skill had knocked out 15 armed police officers. Not to mention Ichika had frozen an entire area solid. They probably put two and two together.

In any case, neither Ichika nor I have ever displayed even a millionth of our full potential outside, so I suppose it was inevitable that our strength would be noticed.

“Wait, the reward is 1 million yen!? And not just for me—for both me and Ichika! That’s pretty great, don’t you think?”

“1 million yen… That’s impressive,” Ichika agreed.

1 million yen is about the same as the prize money for a quiz show.

The dungeon is located in Saitama Prefecture—about a 15-second run from here. If it’s just me and Ichika, we could probably clear even a Kanhebi-class dungeon in about an hour.

If the JSDF officers accompany us, it might take five hours for a dungeon at the level of the first one I explored.

At an effective rate of 200,000 yen per hour, it’s not a bad deal.

“Hey, Ichika, since we’ve been asked, why don’t we take the request? It seems like a good opportunity.”

There’s no real danger for either of us, given that our stats are in the quadrillions or higher. Besides, we’ve already revealed some of our strength through intimidation and freezing magic. At this point, it might be better to contribute a little and present ourselves in a positive light rather than hiding everything.

Plus, 1 million yen each. I can’t think of a reason to say no.

“I agree!” Ichika said with a smile.

With her agreement, we decided to accept the request.

When we informed the teacher of our decision, apparently they were overjoyed—almost to an extreme degree. Well, many of the teachers here have ties to the Ministry of Defense, so a personal request from the Minister must have put them under a lot of pressure.

I couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for them.