Dungeon's Final Boss: Banished by My Boss, the Goddess, to Earth—So I'll Continue My Past Life - 18

Chapter 18: Negotiation

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The car came to a stop at the Ministry of Dungeons. The driver had been replaced midway by someone who had no choice but to recover, just enough to drive again. Even though his complexion was still pale, he was still a safer driver than Samejima-san.

“It’s not a fancy restaurant, huh?”

I felt a little disappointed. When it came to secret meetings with politicians and government officials, wasn’t a high-end restaurant the standard? I wanted to experience it at least once. Though I might not need a second time.

“Considering the risk, holding this meeting in a high-end restaurant might be a bit too much.”

Minister Niitaka said with a strained smile.

“If we can confirm we’re going to have a friendly relationship from this meeting onward, then perhaps we can dine together in a high-end restaurant in the future.”

 a friendly relationship, then perhaps in the future.”

“That would be nice.”

I replied, hoping Minister Niitaka would keep his promise. This was my second time at the Ministry of Dungeons. I was led not into an office or conference room but into a gymnasium adjacent to the main government building.

“This is a training facility for the awakened individuals affiliated with the Ministry.”

Minister Niitaka explained.

The ones who had entered were me, Minister Niitaka, and Samejima-san. The driver had been stopped by Samejima-san earlier.

“If something happens, this is the best place to handle it.”

“……”

Minister Niitaka seemed composed, but Samejima-san was already in full combat mode. It wouldn’t have been surprising if she lunged at me at any moment.

“So, will you tell us your story?”

“If that’s what you wish.”

Since I had no choice, I explained everything that had happened so far. 

Jiro Hasegawa, an ordinary company employee, had likely died one day in the bath after work. When he came to, he had become a dungeon monster. As a dungeon monster, he repeatedly fought against dungeon challengers in battles of life and death. Eventually, he rose to the position of the last boss, guarding the deepest part of the dungeon. After a hundred years of protecting that dungeon, the goddess who created it dismissed him from his position and, under the pretense of a reassignment, exiled him. And then, to his shock, he found himself back on Earth. Even more surprising, no time had passed since the day he originally died.

“That’s why I decided to continue living as Jiro Hasegawa and enjoy my life. Do you believe me?”

“……”

“……”

“You both look like you can’t believe a word of it.”

“Well, it’s just so outlandish…”

“You were expecting me to believe it?”

“Uh… Which part is unbelievable?”

“Everything except the part where you claim to be a monster.”

“Everything except the part where you claim to be a monster?”

“How cruel.”

I could only let out a dry chuckle at their reactions.

“Still, at least I can see that you have an understanding of Earth’s common sense. The dungeon convenience stores… Those were your doing?”

“Yes.”

“You know how to use a smartphone, and you understand how money works. But there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

“What is it?”

They said I knew how money works, so they also knew I had been using the dungeon convenience store to get money.

“If you need magic stones, why don’t you just go into a dungeon yourself?”

“Ah, that’s because if I defeat a monster, no magic stone appears and I also can’t mine the magic stone veins in the dungeon. The only way for me to obtain them is through intermediaries.”

“So that’s how it is…”

“Yes.”

I had said everything I was willing to share. If they believed that I was a dungeon monster, there were probably many other things they’d want to ask. But for now, I had finished explaining my background.

“Actually, we still have more questions-”

“Before that, I’d like to ask… What do you plan to do with me?”

That was the real reason I came here. Until that matter was settled, providing any more information would just make me a fool.

“I have no intention of being treated as a test subject or a specimen. What I want is for you to recognize me as Jiro Hasegawa. That’s all.”

Of course, if they tried anything else, I’d fight back with everything I had.

“…Understood. However, I have one condition.”

“And what would that be?”

“We will officially recognize you as an awakened individual, but in return, could you assist Samejima-kun with her work?”

“Minister!?”

“It’s not that I’m dissatisfied with your abilities. However, the fact remains that you are overworked.”

“That may be true, but…”

Silencing Samejima-san, Minister Niitaka turned to face me.

“You’re aware that some dungeons in certain areas are immediately cleared and removed, correct?”

“Yes, I helped her with that before.”

“That was at Sakuradamon, wasn’t it? Areas close to the Imperial Palace and Nagatacho, as well as airports, railways, bullet trains, highways, roads, and other locations where having a dungeon nearby is undesirable—all of these are dungeons we aim to clear and remove as soon as they appear. If we don’t, we would have to redo the entire transportation network every time a dungeon manifests.”

“That makes sense.”

“However, this is where the problem lies. While it’s said that newly spawned dungeons aren’t overly difficult, the only ones capable of immediately clearing them are S-rank awakened individuals and in Japan, there are only four of them.”

“If I recall correctly…”

I searched my memory for something I had once looked up on my phone. The S-rank awakened individuals in Japan were…

Rinko Samejima.

Makoto Mori.

Tougo Shimazu.

Youki Nijou.

Those four.

“The fortunate thing is that their areas of operation don’t overlap. Well, we did make some adjustments on our end, but thanks to that, the four of them can cover all of Japan. That said, Samejima-kun’s coverage area is vast—Kanto, Tohoku, and Hokkaido. I’ve been wanting to do something about that.”

“I see. That sounds exhausting.”

It must be tough to handle all the dungeons in that massive region alone.

“The other S-rank awakened individuals aren’t public officials, so we had to negotiate extensively to get them to take on this role.”

“So, in my case, the benefit would be that you turn a blind eye to my existence?”

“That, and official recognition as an awakened individual. Along with tacit approval of your main business in the dungeon.”

So they’re willing to overlook the dungeon convenience store.

“Not a bad deal.”

“You think so?”

“Wait a moment!”

Just as it seemed the discussion was about to be settled, Samejima-san interrupted.

“Before that, I can’t accept this without first seeing his abilities for myself.”

She drew a sword from her item box and pointed it at me.

“Please, show me your strength.”

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