The Unremarkable Man Who Fell Into The Dungeon's Pit Survives By Acquiring A Plain But Useful Skill, and Through Persistent Effort While Enduring The Absurdity, He Gradually Rises to Success - Episode 3

Since the appearance of the dungeon, the bus quietly made its way through the streets of Shibuya, where there were hardly any ordinary people due to the gradually increasing concentration of magical elements, and arrived at the front of the Shibuya Dungeon reception.

Even though it’s called a reception area, it’s just a few temporary tents lined up in a vast parking lot, making it hard to believe it’s a resource collection project managed by the government. But that’s because of the magical essence.

Materials near the dungeon are quickly corroded by magical essence and soon decay.

To prevent that, it is necessary to use materials treated with anti-magic processing for construction, but that is very expensive.

In the safe Shibuya Dungeon, which only goes down to the third basement level, has no monsters spawning, and lacks rare materials, there’s no need for anything more than a temporary tent (though it’s still expensive).

“Hurry up and get down. You’re in the way.”

“Ouch…”

While Kanazaki lightly kicked him in the rear, Shogo got off the bus.

The mana concentration around the reception area is double the usual level that ordinary people can live without issues. Although the bus body is treated to resist mana, its durability decreases over time, so shorter exposure times are preferable.

Given that background, although the method is indeed problematic, there is no fault in urging Shogo, who is hesitating to get off.

“Good-for-nothing”

Kanazaki kicked Shogo’s butt again, harder than before, to match his words.

Shogo remained silent and kept his head down even after being kicked.

If I show a sulky face, thinking about whose fault it is that my steps have become heavy, I know that even worse treatment awaits me.

Even though they thought so, without showing any signs of concern for Shogo, who couldn’t fully accept it, Kanzaki and the others proceeded to the reception.

As the bus emitted a loud exhaust sound, Shogo took a deep breath and lined up behind his colleagues at the reception.

“Nakamura is weeding again today. Don’t get in the way.”

The mocking tone of my colleague’s voice coming from above as I look down. I endure in silence.

“This is Dungeon Resource Development Co., Ltd., Procurement Section 3. Please register your visit. Yes, nine people, and then—”

At the sound of Kanzaki efficiently completing the reception duties on behalf of the group, Shogo glanced ahead. Kanzaki was chatting happily with a retired former hunter who was in charge of the reception duties.

“Let’s go.”

Kanzaki, who had completed the check-in, gave the order.

Our destination is the center of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which is further ahead from the reception.

There is a large hole, twenty meters in diameter, that has opened up, gaping wide and slanting downwards towards Center Street.

What lies ahead is the Shibuya Dungeon, commonly known as the “Great Void,” which has had zero fatalities in the past ten years, making it a highly regarded dungeon.

The reason it is considered excellent is that no dangerous monsters appear at all.

Inside the vast cavern, plants called “light moss” that emit light are densely growing on the ceilings of each floor, ensuring a reasonable level of visibility, and the simple terrain makes it impossible to get lost.

It is customary for workers in the Kanto region to safely accumulate magical energy in their bodies here to acquire skills and take a step towards becoming hunters.

The expressions of the members of the Procurement Section 3, who possess a magical aptitude with an occurrence rate of about one in a thousand and are on the path to becoming hunters, were uniformly bright, showing no attempt to hide their ambition and greed.

Their expressions were completely different from Shogo, who walked silently with his back hunched.

◆

Upon arriving at the harvesting site, Shogo was diligently working.

Towards the dungeon grass that resembles the appearance of the rice family, I am bringing it closer to the WD (Watch Device) on my wrist.

Judgment: C.

After confirming the voice that indicates the quality, Shogo pulled out the dungeon grass.

“This is just right.”

The procurement list registered in WD that no one else is likely to have seen. Quality C dungeon grass is used for industrial purposes, while quality B is used as a catalyst material necessary for magic resistance processing.

All of them are useful to society, but the members of the department only target and collect the small absolute number of quality A (mainly for medical purposes).

Despite being disproven by data, it is still firmly believed.

Shogo, who placed great importance on data, once had the courage to express his opinion on data collection.

Around the time I started to grasp the trends in the growth and quality of Dungeon Grass, about six months after joining the company.

If we selectively harvest items of quality B and C to some extent, we should be able to obtain more of quality A. In fact, the area I am in charge of has seen a 10% increase in the proportion of quality A. It seems like a detour, but it’s actually a shortcut. Let’s follow the device.

And, summoning all his courage, Shogo pleaded.

However, the result was strong backlash, followed by alienation.

The fact that Shogo’s lack of growth was revealed during the regular check-up the day after I voiced my opinion also worsened the situation.

Incompetent, useless. They are envious of our growth despite their own stagnation, so they try to hinder us. They must have known about their stagnation long before, right? Lazy people who only enjoy the benefits——

It was the same in high school. The feeling of alienation after they found out I had mana resistance. Why you of all people? You just got lucky without any effort—

“Next is this way.”

Shaking his head as if to dispel the mixed memories that flashed back, Shogo resumed gathering dungeon grass.

◆

“This is the last of today’s work; the rest will be overtime, I guess.”

In an area dotted with rocks slightly larger than a person, Shogo wiped the sweat that had beaded on his forehead with the back of his hand.

Shogo doesn’t realize that talking to himself has become a habit.

The designated stay time is almost up; from here on, it will be overtime.

My colleagues are leaving one after another, and I can’t see any workers from other companies either.

Alone in the spacious cave.

Lonely but calming. With an indescribable feeling, Shogo continued gathering dungeon grass, and the two hours of overtime passed by smoothly.

Today was supposed to be just another ordinary day at work.

◆

Shogo noticed it when he finished packing up, slung his backpack filled with dungeon herbs over his shoulder, and started walking.

In the direction of her downcast gaze, something unfamiliar came into view.

“Huh?”

The area in the B section of the third basement level that I have visited many times. There, a fist-sized black hole has opened in the ground, asserting its presence.

Shogo squinted and stared intently at the black hole.

There shouldn’t have been anything like this in this area. A report is necessary.

No matter how trivial the matter, if there is any anomaly, it will be immediately reported via the WD (Watch Device). In the department, only Shogo diligently adheres to this work regulation.

Gently tapping the WD, Shogo shifted his gaze away from the hole to make his report.

I accidentally took it off.

The hole widened as if waiting for it, and in an instant, it swallowed Shogo whole.

“Wh…!?”

A sense of floating and fear.

“—————!”

I can’t breathe, and I can’t open my eyes.

All I can tell is that the pressure of the air hitting my skin is increasing, and my falling speed is accelerating.

Death. Death. Death. No matter how hard I struggle, at this rate, I will die.

Memories from childhood, my mother’s smile. My father’s funeral. Friends who became distant after my magic resistance was discovered. A favorite song that healed me as if to comfort me. Solo camping that I recently became interested in, the latest movie that made my heart race—these are the fleeting images that pass through my mind.

This is the end.

Shogo’s heart is becoming stained with despair.

However, in just one second, it turns into a glimmer of hope.

The air pressure has weakened. My eyes slightly open.

And the pressure keeps decreasing, doesn’t it?

It felt as if I were sinking in water, with the decrease in falling speed. And a faint light breaking through the darkness.

From the slightly opened eyes, the place where it falls is black and blue.

Water.

And, like a diving competition, Shogo fortunately landed feet first.

“……! —-! ……! Gah—-! Puhah!!”

I sank to quite a deep place, but desperately paddled and surfaced.

I swim desperately as I am, and somehow manage to reach a place where I can stand.

“Hah, hah, hah…”

Shogo lifted his gaze from the water that reached up to his knees.

It’s a bit dark, but the visibility isn’t bad. On the rock ceiling high above, there is the hole through which I fell—

“Closed!?”

The large black hole that had been wide open gradually shrank in diameter with a hissing sound and eventually disappeared.

I can’t go back. No, I can’t even reach that height in the first place, so there’s no way I can go.

“Eh… Ah…”

Even though I was saved, I ended up losing my way home.

Shogo was quite shocked by that and stood there with his mouth agape in disbelief.

Only the faint sound of Shogo’s breathing and the water dripping from his clothes echoed.