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 13: A Message from My Old Workplace, and the Cross Counter ②

Episode 13: A Message from My Old Workplace, and the Cross Counter ②

After I sent the image that said “Natsume Koichi – Expected Magic Stone Buyback Amount: 698,000 yen,”

I decided to tell Iyata about my current situation.

Koichi: I became an explorer after quitting the company. That photo just now is my income from the last two days – yesterday and the day before.

Koichi: I never thought I’d earn four months’ worth of salary in just two days, lol.

Even as I typed it, I couldn’t believe it.

All thanks to the private dungeon.

*Ping!* A notification sound rang again.

Iyata: That’s obviously a lie. There’s no way someone like you could make it as an explorer.

Iyata: You couldn’t even fit in at our company. You’d be useless no matter what you do, lol.

…What a truly trashy human being.

A company where someone like him was valued—I was right to quit.

Koichi: I thought the same thing too, lol.

Koichi: But I guess my natural skills and the environment matched up just right. And it looks like things will go well.

Koichi: I’m even growing at a surprising speed. I might be able to clear an annual income of 10 million yen in my first year.

*Ping!*

Iyata: Huh? There’s no way you’re worth 2.5 times my annual income.

Iyata: Don’t joke around so much.

“Haha…”

Well, it’s fine if he doesn’t believe me.

It *is* 698,000 yen in just two days.

Even I can’t really believe it.

If I keep this up, I’ll surpass his annual income in no time.

Koichi: Anyway, since I became an explorer, I can’t receive unemployment insurance anymore.

Koichi: I have to tell HR I don’t need the separation slip. You could tell them for me, but you seem busy. So I’ll leave it.

Iyata: Huh??? Are you serious???

Koichi: Oh, you’ll tell them? Thanks.

Iyata: You seriously became an explorer???

Koichi: Like I’ve been saying the whole time, right?

The Explorer Association should contact HR about pension stuff too.

Koichi: Quitting that job was the right move. Maybe I’ll celebrate with some high-end BBQ.

A short pause, then *ping!*

Iyata: Huh? Explorer? That’s nothing good.

Iyata: You’re risking your life fighting monsters just to make money? Desperate, lol.

Iyata: I wouldn’t want to copy that.

“Huh…?”

The tone’s changed…

Seems like he believes me now.

Well, I’m done with my business, but I’ll humor him a bit longer.

Koichi: I can’t say the details, but I’m diving into a safe dungeon. It’s safe enough that I can go in wearing just a T-shirt.

Koichi: Honestly, being told to “work till morning even if it kills you” over there was harder.

Koichi: You’re getting terrible results in your health checkups at your age too, right? You should really get a proper medical exam.

By the way, in my previous company, they let you get health checkups. But if you took time off for detailed tests, you got scolded.

What a shitty environment.

Well, most employees thought that was normal.

Iyata: I don’t need that crap. Work is supposed to be life-or-death, you know.

Iyata: It’s because you lack that spirit that you’re a loser.

Iyata: If you’re frustrated, try winning the company President’s Award or something.

“Huh…?”

Now he’s contradicting himself and full of typos.

I finally understand how people felt when they replied “Your face is red” on old internet forums.

He’s mad because someone he thought was beneath him is now talking down to him.

I felt a little better.

That’s enough.

I never really had anything to say to him in the first place.

Time to wrap this up.

Koichi: Oh, it’s already 11.

Koichi: I’m heading to lunch now, then off to the dungeon. It’s a bit late, but it’s the start of my workday.

Koichi: Do your best to win the company President’s Award again next year. Take good care of your 30,000 yen.

Koichi: Later.

I put my smartphone on the desk and started preparing my explorer gear.

*Ping!*

Iyata: Hey wait

Iyata: I’m more com… competent than you

Iyata: Don’t get cocky just because you got a little money

Iyata: You’ve never even gotten the President’s Award

Iyata: I’ll do it too, just watch me

Iyata: Being an explorer isn’t some big deal

Iyata: I’m not jealous at all

Iyata: If *you* can do it, I can do it too

Iyata: Don’t look down on me

Iyata: Are you listening? Hey

Iyata: Hey!!! —!!!!!

Messages from Iyata kept coming through LINK. But I decided not to reply.

“How pathetic…”

Seriously, can’t he even just wish someone well when they’re starting something new?

What a lousy human being.

Come to think of it, the old company was full of people like that.

“…All that over 30,000 yen and a certificate. I should never have felt inferior over something like that.”

Now that I’ve quit that job, I understand.

Just because someone is successful within one company, doesn’t mean they’re an exceptional human being.

When your environment changes. And so does the definition of “talent”.

“Iyata… he probably really is incompetent.”

I started feeling a little sorry for him.

When I think about it, I’m gathering magic stones. I’m contributing to this country’s energy situation and the emerging dungeon-related industries.

And what about Iyata?

He’s scamming customers for money and pushing the complaints onto other departments.

Between me and Iyata, who’s more helpful to society?

“…There’s no comparison.”

And the most important thing is—these days are just really fun.

Back then, I had the dead eyes of a fish. I was living with my emotions shut down.

If someone told me to go back to those days now, 

I couldn’t take it.

It’s not about the income.

It’s more like—I feel alive.

Like I remembered something important I had forgotten.

I can’t explain it well, but it’s a happiness that money can’t buy.

“…Well, whatever.”

Talking with Iyata made me feel like my pure feelings were dirtied.

Let’s head to the private dungeon and overwrite that.

“What’s waiting for me today, I wonder?”

Maybe I’ll look for a new insect or something.

Feeling excited, I put on my shoes.

(Meanwhile)

================

New Explorers’ Q&A Thread Part 258

1: Anonymous Explorer

This is a Q&A thread for people who want to become explorers or have just started.

Before asking questions, be sure to read FAQs in >>2–5 and follow the template.

※※ NOTE ※※

Veteran explorers, please remember your own early days and answer kindly.

.

.

.

367: Anonymous Explorer

Tell me how to earn 700,000 yen right after becoming an explorer.

368: Anonymous Explorer

> > 367

There isn’t one.

*End*

Production & Copyright

━━━━━

ⓃⓉⓀ

369: Anonymous Explorer

> > 367

Start by getting help here:

[Multiple Debt Counseling Line]

[https://gov-help.••••••••](https://gov-help.••••••••)

370: Anonymous Explorer

> > 367

Ask using the template:

【Age】

【Gender】

【Exploration Experience】

【Status】

【Skill】

【What you want advice about】

*Please write your status and skills in a way that doesn’t reveal personal identity.*

375: Anonymous Explorer

So annoying. Feels like a government office.

【Age】25

【Gender】Male

【Exploration Experience】None

【Status】Attack 5, others are 3 or more

【Skill】Sleep Resistance

【What I want advice about】Tell me how to earn 700,000 yen fast.

376: Anonymous Explorer

What, is this a troll?

377: Anonymous Explorer

Thread’s over.

378: Anonymous Explorer

> > 375

Here’s a serious answer:

With your stats, you couldn’t earn even 1,000 yen, let alone 700,000.

First, find a dungeon near where you live that accepts low-status people like you.

There aren’t any in the 23 wards (central Tokyo), just so you know.

379: Anonymous Explorer

With your stats, you’d be better off doing forex or crypto.

Aiming too high will ruin you.

380: Anonymous Explorer

I was wrong to ask you losers.

Don’t look down on me.

I’ll make it big, just you wait.

381: Anonymous Explorer

> > 380

Don’t get all red-faced.

Staying calm is an essential skill for explorers.