Test
Survival
"Oh, we've been waiting for you. Oh, Egetsu-san? You've lost quite a bit of weight, haven't you?"
"Well, yes, I've slimmed down for the New Year... But it's something common for bodybuilders, you know."
"I see. That must be tough. Well then, please, this way to the private room..."
As soon as we arrived at the Sanada Pharmaceuticals building, Tadokoro-san, our contact person, greeted us. Nina-san had made the appointment confirmation call in advance. She's really capable, that Nina-san.
"Tadokoro-san, I look forward to working with you again this year... (bow)"
Upon entering the private room and before sitting face to face, Nana-san politely exchanged New Year's greetings with Mr. Tadokoro, prompting me to quickly bow my head too. So this is the timing for New Year's greetings. Ah, but it would be strange to do it after sitting down. I see, as expected.
"No, no, the pleasure is ours. And, the materials you bring us are of such high quality that the research department is asking for more. Thank you for delivering them faster than we expected."
Oh, I see. Tadokoro-san's treatment of us seems more polite than when we first met, and now I understand why.
"As promised, we've brought the same amount as last time. It's 50kg, please accept it."
In line with Nina-san's words, I placed the cooler box on the table.
I'm fine with this weight, but the buckles holding the nylon belt were creaking as if they were about to break. If I hadn't switched to carrying it like this on the way here, it would have definitely broken.
"(Snap...) Oh, this is great...! Thank you very much. So, can we discuss the next matter now? Can we ask for your help again?"
Apologizing with a hint of regret, Mr. Tadokoro, wearing glasses, spoke.
"Thank you. That's not a problem. But do you really need our assistance again?"
It's my stored-up trash, so it's a blessing for us. But Nina-san seemed curious and asked Tadokoro-san about the reason.
"(Well, I hope this stays between us... Actually, our company has also succeeded in developing a healing potion...)"
"Oh, congratulations!"
"Wow, that's amazing. Does that mean your stock price is soaring!"
"(Ah... well, I don't think so. We were actually forbidden by the government to announce it...)"
""Huh...!?""
"(And also, just between us... It's at Tounogi Pharmaceuticals. Actually, several of our staff members have gone missing...)"
""Huh...!?""
"(Oh dear... I wonder which country is behind this... We haven't been informed at all, but, well, because of such circumstances... I hope you won't mention this matter to anyone...)"
Wait...? Did we just casually get told an unbelievable secret??
Glancing at Nina-san sitting next to me, her smiley expression remained frozen. I thought so.
"(Tadokoro-san. Is... isn't it risky to tell us such things?)"
"(Well, that's the thing, it seems even the contractors coming in and out of Tounogi's place are being targeted...)"
I see, so that's why he informed us that there's a corresponding danger for us too. Tadokoro-san is a good person.
"(Currently, our company has been ordered by the government to produce as many healing potions as possible. The aggressive acquisitions from overseas targeting Tounogi are being covertly intervened by the government.)"
Ah, so that's why Tounogi Pharmaceuticals' stock price soared like that. Gently looking at Nina-san's profile, her cheeks slightly relaxed. Yeah, I knew it. She's been buying Tounogi Pharmaceuticals' stocks.
"(So... please, lend us your assistance again at our company)"
With a deep bow, Tadokoro-san said so.
"He's quite different from us, who came here in such high spirits expecting to make 4 million yen in sales♪... He seems to give off a rather tragic impression... He's just an ordinary salaryman, and the current situation must be something he never expected to get involved in..."
So while we share the recognition of being [dragged into something unbelievable], we still left the Sanada Pharmaceuticals building with the promise to deliver again soon.
"Kaah! Kaah!"
""(Zaaaa...!) ""
""........""
In a small park in the heart of the city in the afternoon, crows perched on trees cawed, and the cold wind stirred up dust.
Sitting on a bench in a corner of the park, warming our hands with bottled tea bought from a vending machine, Nana-san and I silently gazed at the scenery.
"This is quite a mess we've gotten ourselves into, huh..."
"Yeah... this is a bit unexpected..."
"Kaah! Kaah!"
"What should we do?"
"Well... let's become stronger..."
I'm unemployed, unable to earn money by selling magic stones because the Dungeon Shop has closed. Amidst that situation, a business opportunity that came from reaching out as a last resort. The profit is substantial, and for me, whose annual income was just around 3 million yen during my salaryman days, it's incredibly attractive.
To abandon such a business opportunity I've finally obtained would be too wasteful.
"I wonder if it'll really be okay..."
"Well... speaking of risks, if you drive a car, there's a risk of accidents. But if it's necessary and convenient, people will use it. Investments, fire, it's all the same."
"Kaah! Kaah!"
"..."
"So we can't really say it'll be okay. After all, now is the time of '[Goblins attacking convenience stores].' Regardless of what kind of life we lived before, the risk has definitely increased significantly. In that case, instead of becoming stronger to face any risk encountered, isn't that the only thing we can do?"
In whatever form, money is necessary to live. And so is the strength to survive.
So, we, who could freely access the Dungeon, can be considered quite fortunate.
""(Zap! Clang... Thud! Brrrrraaaagh!)""
Thinking the crows had been unusually noisy since earlier, it seemed they were getting targeted by a beast rat as two got tangled and fell from the tall tree.
"Gyuchii!!"
"Ahou! Ahouu!"
Living, ultimately, is a struggle for survival.
Whether it's clean or dirty, appearances are secondary. That applies to conflicts between great nations, as well as the battle between the crows in the city and the beast rat that emerged from the dungeon, unfolding right in front of us.
"That's true... Rather than becoming stronger, there's nothing else we can do..."
As Nina-san murmured, her beautiful eyes were directed towards the scene where the crows and beast rat, covered in dirt and blood, fought fiercely for their survival.
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