Seeker 56

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Chapter 56. Dumpling Shop Meeting

After the 1st day of exploring the 6th floor, we were having dinner.

We entered a chain restaurant famous for its dumplings and occupied one of the tables for a meeting.

In front of the dumplings, fried rice, bean-curd soup, and other dishes lined up one after another, I crossed my arms in front of my seat and assumed the role of chairman.

"So we will begin today's meeting. Does anyone have an agenda item?"

I say this and look at Kodachi-san and Yuzuki in turn.

Then the junior doggie raised his hand with a jerk.

"Yes, Chairman Musou. I have a proposal."

"Seeker Yuzuki, please speak."

"Yes. I would like to propose that we raise our daily wages. Even though the party is making more money than before, I don't think 10,000 yen a day for a long time is a good deal. We demand a wage increase for our workers."

"I see. That's something to consider.

Yuzuki, one of the Seekers working at our party, proposed a wage increase.

Since the party is making a lot of money, she thinks it would be good to raise our daily wage to more than 10,000 yen.

I think this is certainly a reasonable argument.

The daily wage of 10,000 yen is about the same as a full-time job at a part-time job paying 1,000 yen per hour, with the difference in taxes and other factors.

While a single person could live on that, it would not be a sufficient salary to lead a comfortable life.

Kodachi-san also nodded at Yuzuki's suggestion.

"Indeed, it may be time to consider increasing our daily wage. And things have changed from a week ago when strengthening equipment was an urgent issue."

By the way, I've told Kodachi-san to stay from drinking beer.

One glass is enough, and I must not allow her to drink to have a decent conversation.

"Yeah, I agree with you. But I can't just put all our exploration income into the daily wage."

"That's right. We're going to continue to move to the lower floors, so we need to strengthen our equipment.

Raising wages is a worker's right.

However, we must also consider future party management and be aware of investments for business growth.

Then, Kodachi-san, who was showing a thoughtful gesture, suggested one idea.

"Well, how about this? Today's party income was about 180,000 yen, considering various factors. How about making 10% of that day's income into a daily wage to pay us?"

"Hmmm. So with today's income, that would mean that three of us would get paid 18,000 yen a day?"

"Yes. If it is ever less than 10,000 yen, then we will pay 10,000 yen."

"I see... That's a good idea. Today's income is more than 2000 yen per hour according to simple calculations..."

Kodachi-san's proposal seemed like a nice balance.

I can see further wage increases as we move to the lower floors, which would motivate me to keep going.

In the end, there were no major objections to Kodachi-san's proposal, and that method was adopted for the time being for the daily wage issue.

Of the party's income, 30% would go to seekers' personnel expenses.

The party income was to be used to pay for the labor costs of seekers.

Incidentally, at the part-time job I used to work at (a major restaurant chain), labor costs seemed to be about 30% of the restaurant's sales.

In general, I hear there are many industries in which healthy corporate management is not possible unless the sales are three times as much as the wages received by the workers.

I'm not sure if Kodachi-san was aware of this and decided on 30% of the party's income, but it was interesting that it was oddly in line with what I had in mind.

That concludes topic number 2.

Topic number 2 was raised by Kodachi-san.

"Well, I'm talking about the [Item box]. I think we've been talking about this for a while..."

"Ah, you're talking about the capacity being in jeopardy."

"Yes, yes. So far we haven't missed anything, but today two of you took the [Treasure Chest Drop x2], right? So I thought it might be time to put it on the topic again."

"I see. We left it out. Yuzuki or I should have taken [Item Box] first."

Topic number 2 was about [Item Box] capacity.

So far in our party, Kodachi-san is the only one who has acquired the [Item Box] skill.

Yuzuki and I have it on the list of our available skills, but neither of us has acquired it yet.

The [Item Box]'s capacity is limited to 30 units.

The capacity of potions such as HP potions is limited to 1 unit per item.

Weapons and armor vary in size depending on the item, but one unit is usually equivalent to several units.

For items other than dungeon items, the number of units seems to be determined by weight and volume.

For example, Kodachi-san said, "I think each boxed lunch or snack is one unit".

However, when sweets are packed in a bag, what used to be one unit for one piece becomes one unit for multiple pieces of sweets, and we observe other mysterious behavior.

It's important to note that the [Item Box] also has a capacity, which may run out soon.

Still, "when entering a dungeon" is not a problem.

I can make do with what I have in her [Item Box], and we haven't run out of space.

The problem is the number of items that come out of the treasure chest during dungeon exploration, partly due to luck, and we can't control it.

Even if an item comes out of the treasure chest, if we cannot take it home because there isn't enough space in the [Item Box], I'll have no choice but to throw something away and go home.

Or we'll be forced to take it home by hand, which is a very troublesome situation.

"I understand. Then I guess I'll take it, at the next level up."

"Oh, but we also have a large number of skill points right now. After the [Magic Power Up (+6)], the next one hasn't appeared yet.

"I feel the same way. I'm at [Spear Attack Power Up (+12)]. Well, when the time comes, we'll discuss it again and decide."

"Yeah, that's right. We'll take one or the other for now."

So, topic number 2 is done.

Incidentally, as topic number 3, I confirmed the will of the entire party.

It's about the [Dungeon Fairy] on the 7th floor.

Will we try to do what the girl told us to do or not?

There is a possibility of some return, but since it is a completely unknown event, there is no guarantee that any risks will not be waiting for us.

The three of us discussed it, and the conclusion was unanimous: "Try it out".

There were many reasons, but I think the deciding factor was curiosity.

In other words, "Because we want to try it out".

We seekers may be a race of people who live in our pace.

And that was the end of today's meeting.

I tell Kodachi-san to release her forbidden rules.

"Okay then, Kodachi-san, that's fine."

"Yay!" - "Clerk, I'll have a fresh one, please!"

"Just one drink, please."

"I know."

"... You're already holding the reins, senpai."

After that, Kodachi-san finished her draft beer with relish.

As expected, she got drunk after just one drink and got involved with Yuzuki and me.

Still, I thought it was okay since I was not too drunk to go home, and Kodachi-san seemed to be having a good time.

I should add that I was very happy when Kodachi-san hugged me when she was drunk.

It seems she thinks I am a cuddle pillow or something, just like Yuzuki.

But still, this girl seems to lose her guard when she drinks.