Chapter 22: Branch Manager Iwata

We decided to temporarily suspend our exploration of the Garden of the Gods and head to the Dungeon Association instead.

This latest exploration made one thing crystal clear—something unusual is happening in the dungeon.

If these anomalies are also occurring in dungeons nationwide, it could lead to catastrophic incidents, with entire parties facing annihilation.

We need to report this immediately.

I drove us toward the Okutama branch office. For some reason, Karen-san and Shion were squabbling over who would sit in the passenger seat. To settle the matter, we let Kanade take the spot instead.

Kanade turned out to be a fantastic navigator, giving clear and concise directions. I already knew the route, but her thoughtfulness warmed my heart.

“Oh my, everyone. What brings you here today? I thought you were scheduled to dive into a dungeon,” Minase Karen-san greeted us warmly as we entered the association.

“Well, actually…”

I quickly explained the anomalies we had observed in the dungeon to Minase-san, who was, as usual, stationed at the reception desk. It seemed that there were no energy drinks on her desk today—a rare sight.

“Abnormal monsters, you say?”

We were escorted to the usual meeting room, where we gave a detailed account of the events.

“Yes, and these monsters were clearly on a completely different strength level compared to the others.”

“They were far from normal in both appearance and power,” Karen-san added.

“I see…” Minase-san nodded, diligently taking notes. The last time, our report was based on my hunches, but this time, the abnormalities were undeniable.

“Understood. I’ll compile an updated investigation report, incorporating this and your previous findings.”

“Thank you. We’re relying on you.”

Click.

Just as we wrapped up our report, the meeting room door was flung open without a hint of courtesy.

“Hey, Minase, what are you doing here?”

The man who entered was a stocky figure with glasses. He appeared to be in his forties, wearing a crumpled suit that had clearly seen better days.

“Branch Manager Iwata… would it kill you to knock first?”

“Hmph. This is my branch. I don’t need to take orders from you,” he scoffed dismissively.

The man, Iwata, as Minase-san had addressed him, let his eyes roam over us with an invasive gaze. Kanade visibly cringed at his rudeness.

After blatantly ogling Karen-san, Shion, and Kanade, he let out a disdainful snort.

…Ugh, definitely not my favorite kind of person.

“What is this gathering about? Hosting some kind of mixer with young women?”

“These individuals are explorers. I was receiving their report about the dungeon.”

“Explorers? These people?”

Iwata’s gaze shifted back to us, filled with disdain and condescension. He looked us over as though appraising merchandise, his eyes brimming with unwelcome judgment, making everyone in the room increasingly uncomfortable.

“Hey, you over there.”

“Are you talking to me?”

“Who else would I be talking to? … What’s your rank?”

“I’m a C-rank, but—”

“C-rank!? At your age!? Pu-kuku…”

The man suppressed his laughter, his stomach jiggling with the effort. Then, turning to Karen-san and the others, he opened his mouth again.

“Such fine women like you are wasted on trash like this C-rank guy. You’d be better off with someone like me, don’t you think? Oh, right, there’s a drinking party tonight. How about it? Wanna join me? Hmm?”

What the hell is this guy? There’s a limit to how rude someone can be.

I could ignore his insults aimed at me, but if he’s going to direct his malice at Karen-san and the others, that’s another story.

While Shion and Karen-san seemed completely unbothered, Kanade looked down, seemingly frightened. His remarks were outright sexual harassment, not to mention his condescending attitude toward Minase-san.

And seriously, could he stop ogling Shion and Kanade like that?

“I don’t know who you think you are, Branch Manager or whatever, but could you stop interfering with our discussion?”

“Huh? What did you just say?”

“I said you’re in the way. Could you leave?”

I let out a subtle hint of killing intent.

The effect was immediate—Iwata’s face turned pale, and he started trembling violently.

“Ugh…! W-who do you think you are?! I could ban you from this branch if I wanted to!”

“Feel free to try.”

“…W-well! I’ll let it slide just this once because of my magnanimous heart!”

Leaving those parting words, Iwata waddled out of the room, his belly bouncing with every step.

“…I’m so sorry about that, everyone,” Minase-san said, bowing her head.

“Please don’t apologize, Minase-san. None of this is your fault.”

“Who was that rude man?”

“He was such a weirdo! But seriously, how can someone working for the Dungeon Association not even recognize Karen-san?”

“I found him a bit scary…”

I was a little surprised that Karen-san didn’t say anything back. She’s usually quick to snap at people like that.

She probably held back for Minase-san’s sake. A mature response, no doubt.

“That man is a newly appointed branch manager. Apparently, he’s the heir of a company that has invested heavily in the Dungeon Association.”

So, a nepotistic parachute hire, huh?

This sort of thing seems to happen a lot these days, especially with all the scandals involving the Dungeon Association lately.

“Minase-san, that must be tough for you…”

“Well, it’s part of the job.”

“Elena, don’t hesitate to consult me if you ever need help,” Karen-san said with a warm smile.

“Fufu, thank you, Nee-san. I’ll take you up on that if I really can’t handle it anymore.”

◇

“Damn it! Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!! What the hell is with that guy!?”

In the branch manager’s office at the Okutama branch, Iwata slammed his desk repeatedly in frustration.

“A mere C-rank dares to look down on me…! Do they even know who I am?!”

Gnashing his teeth and biting his nails, Iwata fumed.

In front of him was a report—the one Minase had just submitted, detailing the dungeon anomalies.

“Hmph… I just came up with something brilliant…”

Iwata grinned maliciously as he glanced at the report. Then, with an exaggerated motion, he tore it apart.

“Kukuku… This’ll ruin that guy for good, huh?”

Dungeon reports are a legal obligation for explorers. Failing to submit them could result in losing their explorer qualifications.

Iwata intended to destroy the report and pin the blame entirely on me.

His imagination ran wild, picturing my downfall in vivid detail.

However, just outside the branch manager’s office, Minase Elena had been listening.

(…I had a bad feeling and came back, but seriously…)

She sighed inwardly. Elena hadn’t trusted Iwata from the moment he arrived at the branch.

Not only did he constantly leer at her and the other staff, but he also showed no interest in learning the job. Worse, he regularly ignored critical reports.

(…I’ll just bypass the branch manager and send the report directly to headquarters.)

Relieved that she had made a backup copy, Elena left the area quietly.

From inside the office, Iwata’s sinister laughter echoed loudly, reverberating down the hall.