“Everyone, thank you for coming at such a busy time. Our regular meeting will now begin.”
Miki signaled the start.
The branch manager meetings were now called regular meetings. Since the topics of discussion tended to be the beginner dungeon and ‘his’ activities, Miki just sort of took on the role of leading the meetings.
Firstly, the branch managers had a lot to deal with, like the adventurers moving from their normal locations due to the fever on the fourth floor. This meant coordination between branches was deepened and rules were set, easing that burden. Almost a month had passed since the start of that uproar, but they were now easily dealing with it.
But then what they feared happened, stampedes. This would usually throw the world into a great panic and confusion, but… thanks to his efforts, this mess was settled when it started in this country.
“Before we get into today’s topic, we should check the situation around the world. Sakuya.”
‘Yes, Miki. Among the ten undiscovered dungeons, six stampedes happened in underwater dungeons. They were quelled with no issues, and the dungeons have been located.’
‘Ooh!’
‘The remaining four have also been located. They are in a lake, underground lake, salt lake, and caldera lake. There are no signs of a stampede coming from them. The locations are unusual, and we were focused on the sea, so if the stampedes did not occur, they would have escaped even our eyes. But they were found quickly thanks to the artifact provided by that boy.’
‘Ooh…!’
‘It really is great that it didn’t lead to a disaster.’
‘That is also all thanks to his contribution…’
‘I didn’t expect there to be one in our waters… I shuddered when I saw the footage.’
‘When did he become that strong? And I feel like Aki is also incredibly strong…’
‘They hunted many rare monsters compared to regular adventurers. Reports say they offer much more experience than regular monsters. But… this growth rate is still incredible, even considering they had the opportunity to fight such strong enemies.’
As they shared their joy, a branch manager account that had been inactive for a long time joined the meeting.
‘Good evening!’
“Ooh, Aki? You haven’t been here in a while.”
‘It’s rare for Aki to join us. What brings you here today?’
‘Well, I heard you were going to talk about him…’
‘I will talk about that.’
Said Zenjirou, the head of the Saotome family and chief of the main office of the first division of the dungeon association in Japan.
‘Shouta Amachi. He collects a large amount of magic stones on a daily basis, and contributes to the association. As he grew, he put rare skills up for auction, stimulated the market with the beginner dungeon, and made information about rare monsters public as he unveiled secrets from every floor. He also suppressed the stampede spreading over the Pacific. These accomplishments cannot be contained in A+ rank.’
Everyone gulped, knowing what Zenjirou was implying.
‘I contacted other main office chiefs, and recommended a promotion. I judge that his talents are worthy of the S rank position. Thankfully, the global alliance approved it immediately. Therefore, on a set date, he will be promoted to S rank. Please handle the promotion ceremony, Miki.’
“Yes! Thank you, chief!”
‘Ooh, the fifth S rank in our country!’
‘How joyous.’
‘Thank you grandpa! I’ll tell him right away!!’
The sound of Aki leaving the room was picked up by the microphone.
“Ah, Aki! Geez… We’re not done yet.”
‘Fufu. She was always like this.’
‘So, when is the promotion ceremony? I would like to congratulate him once the date is set.’
‘Yes. Let us congratulate him.’
‘The press will come rushing if we announce it. The footage of the stampede repression means the world’s eyes are on him. It was hidden through editing, but everyone is curious about his face. Isn’t it time to reveal it to the public?’
‘Come to think of it, the footage in the video only showed his back. Is that all right, Miki?’
“Thank you everyone. I do not think showing his face would be a problem, but he hasn’t come to the association ever since he got back from his trip… Although I can confirm he is doing well because I visited.”
“I see. The last time I checked, he had the makings of a dungeon addict… Was he moved by those kids?”
“It was bad for a while, but ever since his petrification, it has quieted down. I think this amount of interest is ideal.”
‘A warrior needs rest.’
‘Well, Miki also wants to see her grandchildren soon, right? Fufu.’
“Wait, Fuuko!?”
‘Hahaha, so Miki, have you reported everything for today?’
Youko brought the conversation back on topic after a close to ten minute digression.
“Ahem! There is one more thing. We received a report from a manager of the message board. The fever on the fourth floor will probably end in three days, and adventurers called for me. For us, the end of the fever is a weight off our shoulders, but to them, it’s the end of a profitable time. Because of that, they want him to take down the boss of the fourth floor again, and offer skills or items as a compensation.”
‘Hou… Interesting.’
‘Multiple adventurers presenting a request to just one. This sort of cooperation is unexpected, but welcome.’
“I was thinking we could also get involved. Of course, in a different way than them.
‘Like a reverse version of our requests.’
The branch managers’ eyes shined.
If it went well, they could have footage of the rare monsters in their dungeons. Or even prevent stampedes or create fevers.
‘So whoever among us attracts his attention the best might receive the same benefits as the beginner dungeon.’
‘A scramble.’
‘Eeh? Isn’t this all about tackling major problems together!?’
‘Youko, that is of course part of it, but we just solved a big problem. I want to prioritize investigating rare monsters now.’
‘Ah… Then I think I’ll pass… Any more rare monsters would be a problem.’
“But I heard that Youko’s dungeon is the most promising after ours. After all, the first floor is done, and the second floor is not far from it.”
‘Eeh!? Really!?’
That day, a heated war of words raged on until late at night.
Youko prayed, Miki looked troubled, and Sakuya had a knowing smile on her face.
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