Ordinary Person × Modern Dungeon × Summer Vacation Life = Rise to Success!? 〜A Private Dungeon Was Made at the Remains of a Secret Base From Childhood〜 - Episode 12: A Message from My Old Workplace, and the Cross Counter ①

Episode 12: A Message from My Old Workplace, and the Cross Counter ①

The next day. I came to the Explorer Association counter to exchange two days’ worth of magic stones for money.

I took the magic stones out of my bag and handed them to Yamada-san at the counter. She then gave me an instruction sheet in return. She told me to link my Explorer Card with my bank account.

“It really is more convenient that way, huh?”

“It’s more than just convenient… Well, I’ll explain later.”

Saying that, Yamada-san poured the magic stones I brought into a machine behind the counter that looked like a scale.

However, only the magic stones from the Golden Giant Dung Beetle and the three Iwakageuo (the fish I caught with Otama-chan yesterday) were placed on something like a tray with a cushion. They were taken to the back of the office area.

“Hm…?”

Maybe there’s a separate machine?

Anyway, I linked my explorer information and bank account using my smartphone.

After a while, Yamada-san from the Explorer Association came back holding an A4-sized piece of paper.

“First, please take a look at this.”

“Estimated appraisal… 698,000 yen!?”

On it was a number I’d never seen before.

That’s like four months’ worth of my previous monthly salary (including overtime).

“This is…?”

“This is the estimated buyback price of the magic stones you brought today. However, it’s not final.”

“What do you mean…?”

“For magic stones above a certain size, the Explorer Association auctions them widely and determines the purchase price. The magic stones you brought, Natsume-san, are nearly perfect spheres and very practical. So they might sell for a higher price than this estimate.”

“For real…?”

This is just two days’ worth of results.

What was all that time I spent getting scolded by my boss and bowing to clients for…?

“By the way, the small magic stones — in the explorer industry, we call them ‘tama-jari’ — are priced by measuring their contained magic content mechanically. The ones you brought today are worth about 35,000 yen.”

“Whoa…”

Even without the rare ones, it’s still a decent amount.

“It seems like the quality of each magic stone is improving compared to last time. This one here is about the same size as the ones we bought for 40 yen before. But this time the appraisal value is 43 yen. Has something changed inside the dungeon?”

“Hmm… Well, sunflowers started blooming, and the river water level changed… Oh, now that you mention it…”

I told her that I caught the Golden Giant Dung Beetle and got the skill [Enhanced Item Drop].

Yamada-san thought for a moment and then said,

“I’m not very familiar with it, but I’ve never heard of that kind of skill. Still, thanks to it, maybe the magic stones are being created with less loss in magic content…”

“Hmm…”

I kinda understood, kinda didn’t, but it was helpful.

People like Yamada-san, who have general dungeon exploration experience, might be able to figure out things about that private dungeon.

“…Well, in any case, please wait a little for the payment for this batch. We’ll proceed after the auction. Also, this counter doesn’t keep much cash. So thank you for your cooperation.”

Saying that, Yamada-san bowed.

“Got it. By the way, is Omoigawa-san here today?”

“Omoigawa-san is out on an investigation today. Did you need something from her?”

“Yeah, actually, a few of the larger magic stones I brought today were thanks to her help. If they sell well, I thought I might treat her to a meal.”

“Is that so, hehe.”

Yamada-san smiled happily.

“I think Omoigawa-san will be pleased too. In that case, I have a big responsibility now. If we don’t sell them above market price, she might hold a grudge against me.”

“…? No, I don’t think it’s that serious though…?”

Well, saying “Leave it to me,” Yamada-san handed me the estimate again.

☆★☆

“698,000 yen, huh…”

Back at home, I grinned as I looked at the paper from the Association.

I’ll probably have to use part of it for living expenses at home. But I’ll still have some money left to spend freely.

What should I buy…

It’s a bit scary, but I want to try operating as a normal explorer at least once. So maybe I’ll get some equipment ready…

While I was floating in that dream-like mood—

*Ping!*

My phone chimed.

“Maybe it’s a message from Otama-chan?”

Excited, I unlocked the screen.

“Ugh…”

Iyata: How’ve you been?

It was a message from my ex-coworker, Iyata.

We didn’t talk privately when I worked there.

I couldn’t guess the intention. So I hesitated to tap anything to avoid marking it as “read”. Then, another message arrived.

Iyata: Where are the panels and plush toys we use for the spring event again?

“Seriously…?”

Don’t ask a retired employee.

Not just Iyata, the people at my old company never did any of the boring tasks that didn’t benefit their evaluations.

I was always the one forced to handle everything.

I did let them know where the supplies were though……

I could’ve blocked the account without replying. But thanks to the estimated appraisal from the Explorer Association, I was in a good mood.

So I decided to just answer honestly.

Koichi: They’re not in the sales warehouse, they’re in the other warehouse with the office supplies.

Man, what a pain.

A little later, another LINK message came from Iyata.

*Ping!*

Iyata: Thanks.

*Ping!*

(Image)

He even sent a picture of the plush toy for no reason.

Also, the plush toy isn’t even in the center of the photo.

What is centered is a certificate of commendation and an envelope labeled “Cash Reward”.

When I ignored it out of annoyance, more messages came from Iyata.

Iyata: My bad, didn’t mean to include that.

Iyata: Got the President’s Award again this year for top sales performance.

Iyata: Got 30,000 yen as a bonus prize. Wonder what to eat with it. Might skip expensive yakiniku — getting too old for it lol

Iyata: You should hurry up and find a job where you can shine too. I’m sure even you can find a place where you’re needed lol

Ugh…

Not only did he ask a retired guy work-related questions, now he’s flexing on me too.

What a lowly human being.

Come to think of it, he bragged about the President’s Award last year too.

At the time, I thought, “I never want to be like this guy.” But I also felt envious of the praise and the 30,000 yen — I remember crying alone with mixed emotions.

“I really started questioning what it means to be a working adult…”

But this time.

I looked at the estimate in my hand.

—698,000 yen.

“…He was the one who started this.”

It might be a bit tasteless, but I took a photo of the estimate with my phone.

Then, I sent the image to Iyada through the LINK chat.

“Wonder if he’ll believe it…”