Thou Shalt Not Have Hope in Modern Dungeons

Descend to the first floor of the dungeon. Step down from the world of common sense. A stone corridor is rarely seen in Japan. We bring our world into it.

What I took out were the moss ball capture sheet and metal stakes. Additionally, a hammer. First, I need to find a suitable spot. The wall near the entrance is recommended, according to “Private Dungeon Management Techniques,” so I’ll follow that advice.

There are gaps between the stones in the dungeon walls. They don’t fit tightly together. I take aim and drive in a stake. The sound of metal echoes underground. Neither the moss balls nor any other monsters come near.

Well, if there were such dangers, this technique wouldn’t even be introduced in the first place. Thinking about that, I continue with the work. I drive in about four stakes and attach the sheet to them.

Similar tasks should be added in two more slightly distant locations. It seems that if they are too close, it’s not good, and if they are too far from the entrance, the work efficiency decreases.

Since it’s over, I return to the surface. When I go outside, I can still feel the difference from the dungeon. It’s not about humidity or temperature or anything like that. It’s a sense that something deeper, perhaps even more profound, is being oppressed.

I hear that there are quite a few people who awaken to spiritual powers in dungeons. In fact, it’s not surprising at all, considering they might even awaken to mysterious powers or even magic.

I… don’t think so. Right now, I’m focused on what’s in front of me.

“Next up… this way.”

Take the large electric heater out of the cardboard box. Since various bits of trash will come out, gather them all together. Additionally, prepare a drying rack for the moss ball capture sheet. By hanging it on this, I can dry the moss balls using the heat from the heater.

Well, the moss ball that is still caught is still alive. It seems to thrash around quite a bit. So, there is a note saying that if I just hook it onto a rack, it will thrash around and fall over. Therefore, I will also secure this to the ground.

Here, there are ten years of wisdom since the dungeon appeared. The place to secure the rack is outdoors. It will deteriorate if exposed to rain and wind, and there is a risk of it being stolen in areas with poor security.

So, the fixtures and racks can be removed individually. Once I’m done using them, I can store the racks in a warehouse or indoors. That’s great, but I still have to install the fixtures into the ground.

This time, the sound of the hammer will echo through the neighborhood. Well, since there’s no one living around, it’s nice not to have to worry about causing any trouble. Normally, I’d have to think about burglars and illegal residents, but if it’s near a dungeon, that’s not a concern either.

The aversion to dungeons has permeated quite a bit over the past ten years. So much so that as soon as I mentioned I had to become a caretaker, I was cut off from my family.

“Alright, this should do.”

Taking a breather after finishing the work. Confirmed that the rack can be secured without any issues. Also prepared an extension cord to move the heater outdoors.

“The trap… There’s no way it would have caught anything in such a short time, right?”

Muttering to myself, I decided to check just in case. Since it’s only about 30 minutes, it’s not a big deal if I don’t find anything. However, it would be a problem if there were absolutely no prospects. After all, I have already made an initial investment. If I can’t earn any income from the dungeon, I might end up having to rely on welfare.

Recently, it seems that the bar keeps getting higher. Will I even be able to pass the evaluation? How much can the dungeon manager borrow? Such bad imaginations keep growing.

Well, it was completely unfounded.

“Whoaーーーーー!?”

The seat was densely packed with moss balls. I wanted to say, “Why did I all gather there again?” The seat and the fittings were rattling. This is not good. At this rate, the new seat and equipment will be damaged.

“Hmph!”

With a burst of determination, I fold the sheet, hug it tightly, and restrain it. Oh, it struggles. It struggles fiercely. If I’m not careful, it might escape. I hurry up the stairs just like that.

I’m glad I left the rack installed. In this state, I can’t reach anything. I can’t ask someone else to do it either. I set up the sheet. The moss ball is bouncing around, but the fittings aren’t coming off. So far, so good.

I pull out the heater and turn it on. Immediately, hot air starts blowing out. It’s hot enough that it would be a bit dangerous if I were to stand directly in front of it. The large warning label indicating danger isn’t just for show.

“Oh, it’s working, it’s working.”

I can see the moss ball, which had been lively and wriggling, weakening in the hot wind. As expected of ten years of wisdom. It is indeed effective.

“…I can’t keep doing this.”

I grab a new sheet and head back into the dungeon. I attach the sheet at the previously designated point and go to check another trap.

“Looks like I’m on a roll… Is there something on the sheet? No, there wasn’t any indication of that, right?”

A large number of moss balls also hit the second sheet. I quickly peeled them off and headed to the ground.

“…No good. This is really going to take a toll on my body.”

My arms are worn out from trying to tame the unruly moss balls. My knees are giving out from going up and down the stairs. My back is strained from various tasks. For someone like me who hasn’t exercised, this work is grueling. Even though it’s early spring, I’m starting to sweat.

I place the second one on the rack. The first moss ball has hardly moved at all… It smells somewhat. Probably because the moisture in the moss ball has dried up. At least it doesn’t smell burnt, so that’s a relief.

“I just need a little break… no, that’s not good. The third one looks bad too. Ah, damn it! Why did I reset the trap? Now my break is getting further away!”

It’s too late now. I can’t afford to have my traps destroyed. In the end, I had to retrieve the third one and the place where I reinstalled it one after another. By the time I finished, my body was already shaking.

However! The work is not yet finished. I have to peel the dried moss balls off the sheet. I take the hot sheet off the rack. The moss balls are dried up and don’t move an inch.

As a test, I lightly poke it with a brush. It easily turns to powder. According to “Private Dungeon Management Techniques,” dried moss balls die. Even if moisture is reintroduced, they apparently do not come back to life. This is reliable information based on thorough experimentation.

A dry moss ball crumbles into powder like this. I pack this into garbage bags. The tool used for this task is a handheld brush, similar to the large brush used for cleaning car tires.

I brush the sheet that has cooled moderately. Most of it comes off easily, but fine powder remains. With some effort, I could remove it all. How much should I really go through with this? …After some thought, I conclude that it’s okay not to remove everything meticulously.

To be honest, I’m short on time and effort. The second sheet is already completely dry. I could peel it off and let it cool, but if I leave it, the wind will blow the powder away. That’s a waste of money. Not good.

So, I’ll prioritize work speed and proceed. Once it’s decided, the rest is routine work. Before long, I was able to put all the moss ball powder into the garbage bag.

Stretching, I loosen my body which has been exhausted from the unfamiliar task. And then, suddenly, I realize a certain fact and feel despair.

“After all this… only 300 yen?”

The work done so far, about one hour. The result is just one plastic bag. An hourly wage of 300 yen. This is far below the minimum wage. Considering the costs, it would be even lower.

If I set the traps, I’ll catch the moss balls right away. If I increase the number of traps, I can collect more. However, transporting, drying, and bagging them inevitably takes time and effort. And it also adds to physical fatigue.

If I get used to it, I should be able to save some time. They say that if I’m involved with dungeons, I can even gain physical abilities beyond those of an average person. But how long will it take to get there? My savings are dwindling even more due to equipment investments. Will I be able to make ends meet until then?

My legs go weak from the clammy anxiety. I hang my head and sit down on the porch. Minutes pass just like that.

“…Let’s work.”

It’s not that I’ve overcome despair and found motivation… It’s just that the overwhelming sense of despair and frustration doesn’t allow me to keep resting. If I move, I can earn money. If I have money, I can live.

Future prospects and such. I’m good at working without thinking about them. I was always like that during my company employee days. I’ll just do the same this time. I took a seat and headed down to the dungeon.