Thou Shalt Not Have Hope in Modern Dungeons - Chapter 3: Otherworldly Person from the Home Improvement Store

Well, even if I’m told that I’m now a dungeon manager, I’m a complete amateur. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.

However, fortunately, there is support from the government. The steps on what to do next were clearly laid out.

First, I took a basic course on management. I learned the essentials of what to do and what not to do. At this time, I received a thick manual titled “Private Dungeon Management Techniques.” It is a comprehensive collection of know-how for ordinary people to manage dungeons.

It is the crystallization of the blood, sweat, and tears of the Japanese nation. Moreover, a new edition is released every year. It is distributed for free to dungeon managers. The desperate feeling is transparent and frightening… However, even if I have such thoughts, I can’t move forward, so I will set them aside.

Next, prepare the equipment. But it’s not about swords, spears, bows, or magic. Those might be needed someday, but not now.

So, I headed to the large home improvement store in the city. Among the various household items, there was a booth for dungeon management equipment.

“…It’s magnificent.”

The background music in the store is loud, so muttering to myself isn’t bothersome. In front of my gaze, there are various pieces of equipment that look like general tools but are actually different. There are many types, and some of the equipment can’t be recognized at a glance.

As I was wondering where the equipment I learned about in the course was, I was called from behind.

“Are you looking for dungeon equipment, customer?”

What I saw when I turned around was a beautiful woman enveloped in an otherworldly aura. Even her hair color was anything but ordinary. It was probably black, but in the right light, it appeared purple.

The outfit is not typical Western clothing. It resembles a flowing, fortune-teller-like garment from the Middle East or South Asia. It is loose-fitting, but I can still tell that she has good style.

Her beauty is also not that of a Japanese person. It is hard to pinpoint where exactly it comes from, but nonetheless, it enhances her otherness and sense of being special.

She was a woman who was quite out of place in a home improvement store.

“Yes. I came to buy a trap for management purposes.”

“I see. Do you have a license?”

“Here’s my provisional license.”

When I showed her what I had in my pocket, she nodded.

“That’s fine. Please present it again at the register when you make your purchase… Now then, since it’s a management license, is the item you want the trap?”

“Yeah. I’m a complete novice, so fighting monsters is just… no way.”

“That’s correct. In a freshly opened dungeon where no thinning has been done, you can’t fight properly. You’ll be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Now, over here.”

What I was looking for was right nearby. The first thing that caught my eye was a green sheet, one meter by one meter. The surface had something like Velcro on it. And at the edge of the sheet, there was a hole reinforced with metal.

“This is a moss ball capture sheet. You can install it on the ground or wall using this hook.”

What was shown was a metal stake. It has a hook that can be hooked into the hole of the sheet.

“The moss balls that touch the surface of the sheet will get stuck and unable to move. You can catch several with one sheet, so please peel it off once you’ve caught a certain number. They might struggle a bit, but it shouldn’t be a problem for an adult male.”

“So, if I dry the moss balls that got caught here…”

Next to the shelf displaying the sheets, there was an electric heater. A large notice read, “For dungeon use, not a heating appliance.”

“Yes. A moss ball that has lost its moisture will die. If you clean up the powdered moss ball, the sheet can be reused. It is a very useful item for thinning out the first layer.”

“I see.”

I had read through “Private Dungeon Management Techniques” and was somewhat familiar with it, but seeing it firsthand brings about a different impression. In other words, I feel relieved that I might actually be able to do this.

“The dried moss ball powder can be collected at the Dungeon Management Division, City Hall. It’s 300 yen for a 40-liter garbage bag. You might have some thoughts about the price, but it’s a decision made by the government.”

“Yeah, well. It’s not something to complain to the staff about.”

I forced a wry smile. I couldn’t properly express the look on her face. Was it worry, or bitterness?

“…The trash bags are near the register, so please get them there. As for the other miscellaneous items, we have a signboard here, so please check it.”

“Ah, that helps.”

I have some work gloves that I used when I moved. According to that book, even on the first level, sturdy shoes are recommended. I’m looking for a place to buy safety shoes.

As I was doing that, the store clerk leaned in a little closer. I couldn’t help but feel my heart race. It might be the first time in my life that a beautiful woman has come this close to me. I’ve never had a girlfriend, after all.

“By the way, customer, do you know how the powder from the kokedama is used?”

“I think I read in a book about fertilizer for livestock feed.”

Due to the disruption in imports from overseas, it seems that prices in that area have skyrocketed. I can’t rely on overseas imports anymore and have no choice but to produce domestically.

“On the surface, that’s true, and it is indeed used that way. However, the most common use is mixing it into fertilizers for general crops.”

“Wasn’t that banned? I think they haven’t confirmed whether there are any health risks or something like that yet.”

“That’s right. However, crops grow as if by magic. Therefore, it seems that the agricultural cooperatives are turning a blind eye to increasing Japan’s current food self-sufficiency rate.”

“Wow…”

The background music in the store was just the right amount of loud. I ended up overhearing quite an illegal conversation.

“Apparently, some dairy farmers mix it into the feed for their livestock. The animals seem to grow up healthy and strong.”

“Is that not a problem?”

“At the point where you’re talking about dungeon monsters, it’s a bit late to say that.”

Well, that’s true. There are many delicious things in the dungeon. Coupled with the food situation, they are available in general circulation. If I say it’s too late now, then it is.

“By the way, customer. The home gardening section is over there.”

“Yes.”

“Starting a dungeon management business might be quite challenging at first. It’s better to have more colors. Oh, I recommend placing it in a location out of the reach of the city hall staff.”

“Thank you very much…”

And then, I was completely led on. Well, to be honest, my financial situation is quite tough. Most of my savings were wiped out when I bought the house. Even my retirement fund isn’t much.

Vegetables are expensive. If I can make up for that even a little with a home garden, that’s the best thing. Illegal? I’m not bothering anyone. If I get caught for some minor details, I’ll just say I didn’t know.

Alright, I steeled myself and was about to express my gratitude again, but before I knew it, the staff member had disappeared.

“…Is that a person from another world? I’ve never seen one before.”

People who appeared around the same time dungeons started to emerge. I’ve heard rumors that they greatly assisted in navigating the initial chaos… but the government and television haven’t said anything. The internet is the main medium of information.

Therefore, the truth of the matter is uncertain. However, there are many eyewitness reports. Additionally, the speed at which various governments incorporated the regulation of “magic” into their laws was unusually fast.

The mysterious powers gained by people active in the dungeon. Everyone thought it would take considerable time to understand them. However, countries dealt with it in no time, at an obviously absurd speed.

That gives the existence of otherworlders a sense of reality… Well, to be honest, I personally don’t care.

No, wait, that’s not it. If she were as beautiful as that store clerk, I’d be more than happy. This is my true feeling right now. It was a feast for the eyes. Her breasts were quite big. Wonderful.

“…There’s no point in being dazed.”

Giving up on finding her nowhere to be seen, I returned to my shopping.