321 苦労も終われば、また経験になる
「カハハハハハ! いやぁ、戦った戦った」
やはり体を動かすのは気持ちいいなとカラカラとした笑いのみが俺の口からこぼれ出る。
服や鎧は砂埃にまみれ、おそらく顔も似たようなものだろう。
竜たちとの戦闘はそれほど激しいものだったと言える。
しかし、それでも体を動かしたあとの爽快感とそこに混ざるように感じるほどよい疲労具合というのはなんとも心地よい。
それを感じれば仕事をやったという達成感も得ることもできる。
そしてずっしりとした重みは感じないものの、その見た目に反して大量に収納した内包物もあれば言うことなしだ。
思わずパンパンと魔法鞄を叩いてしまうのは成果の確認か、それとも別の感情か。
「そうは思わないかお前ら?」
「「「「.........」」」」」
そして上機嫌な俺は同意を求めるように後ろを振り返れば、死屍累々と言うように疲れ切った新人たちが各々好きな姿勢で倒れている。
ドヨンとした雰囲気で各自様々な姿勢で座り込んでいる。
その姿は俺のハイテンションとは正反対で思わず思えるか!と突っ込まれたようにも感じた。
それも仕方ない。
あのドラゴンの群れを勇んで挑み撃退したまでは良かった。
が、あそこのダンジョンは倒す速度が遅いと次から次へと我先に敵が姿を現すダンジョン。
新人には少し?厳しい環境だった。
「あ~、少しやりすぎたか?」
「No、絶対少しじゃないネ」
「お、アメリア回復したか?」
連戦に次ぐ連戦で新人たちの体力は振り絞ってさらにもう一滴たりともでないという状況まで振り絞られた。
気力が尽きそうな段階まで追い込まれ、ダンジョンから脱出した途端に気が抜けたのか、安堵のため息とともにどんどん膝をつき限界だと体で示した新人たち。
さすがに入り口付近は邪魔だから移動させたが、参加した全員が疲労困憊、よく武器も捨てずに帰ってきたなと感心した。
そのなかで比較的体力もあり、経験も積んでいるアメリアは少し疲れた程度で済み腰に手をあてて俺の言葉を指摘するくらいには精神的余裕もあった。
指摘した内容は俺自身心にもない言葉で、少しどころではないという自覚もあるので苦笑し頬を掻き誤魔化すほかない。
「もう、普段の私たちのペースでやったら新人さんたちだと大変なんだヨ次郎さん」
「いや、な。思ったよりも頑張るからつい、な?」
やりすぎだと注意する年下の仲間についつい言い訳をしてしまうが自分で言っておいてなんだが苦しい。
初々しく頑張る新人たちの姿を見て、つい頑張れと応援したくなるのが人情なのだ。
教官たちが俺たちを鍛えるときにやりすぎてしまう感覚なのかと思う。
「つい、じゃないですよ。次郎さん、教官たちの影響受けすぎじゃないですか?」
「ハハハハハ! 否定できない!」
「笑ってごまかしても開き直ってもダメだヨ!」
そんなことを思っていれば終いにはもう一人の仲間にも注意される始末。
しかし、言い訳もさせてほしい。
だけど、想像以上にイシャンやベニーたちが頑張るから、限界を見極めたくなり、もう少し、あともう少しと先延ばしにし、もうちょっといけるとかというタイミングで少し戦う際に加減し敵を倒すスピード下げた結果がこれだ。
いやはや、一歩間違えれば大惨事だった。
「でも、次郎さんのすごいところは一人もケガさせてないところなんだよネ」
しかし、言い訳させてもらえるのなら俺は手加減はしたが、手は抜いていない。
新人たちへのサポートは万全にしたつもりだ。
危険だと思う敵は速攻で倒したし、サポートもカバーも忘れない。
場合によっては攻撃の間に入って庇いもした。
だからこそ程よくはないがギリギリを攻めて彼らを鍛え上げた実感はある。
「た、田中さん。一つ質問が」
「お、なんだイシャン」
そう声高々に言いたいが、それは俺のエゴだ。
実際体力的にはギリギリを攻めすぎた部分は多々ある。
それを自覚しているので大人しく年下に説教をもらっている最中、疲れている体にムチ打って立ち上がったイシャンは、挙手し俺に質問を飛ばしてくる。
勤勉だなと思いつつも、彼の質問に答える。
「いつも、こんなに大変なんですか?」
そしてこの惨状を体験すれば気になって質問してしまうことは確かだ。
表情は変わっていないが瞳は揺れ、不安だという雰囲気を隠せていない。
「俺たちのって話なら答えはノーだな。今日のやつと比べるならむしろ少ないほうだがな。なぁ?」
「う~ん、慣れてしまっているから変な感じもするけど.........Yes、普段よりも少ないネ」
「準備運動よりは多いですけど、長いと半日以上入ってますからね僕たち」
俺だけの言葉なら俺がおかしいという一言ですまされるが、イシャンよりも年下のアメリアと勝が言うと俺の言葉にも信憑性は増す。
力を持ち有頂天になっている部分は研修中に矯正されているが、それでも実力をつけたという自覚と自信はあったはず。
アメリアと勝の言葉はその自信を揺らがせるには十分な言葉だった。
「ただまぁ、新人としてというのならあの戦闘量はあり得んな」
しかし、この話は俺とイシャンでは前提条件が違う。
「もともと竜王のダンジョンは新人が出向くような場所じゃない。他のダンジョンも殺意が高いが、竜王のダンジョンは頭一つ飛びぬけている」
俺たちは曲がりなりにも一年ダンジョンテスターを勤め上げ鍛え上げてきた。
対してイシャンたちは今日初めてダンジョンに挑んだのだ。
新人と経験者、求められる水準の差は歴然だ。
彼らが求められる水準はもっと低くても大丈夫なはずだ。
事実、俺が最初に挑んだ機王のダンジョン。
ソロとはいえ、あそこまでの群れを相手にすることはなかった。
数的劣勢をカバーするために立ち回りを気にしていたのもあるだろうが、今日一日の戦闘量で当時の一週間分は戦っただろう。
「お前らは立派だよ。戦い抜いてしっかりと自分の足で帰ってきた。昔の俺ならまず無理な結果をお前らは成し遂げた。自信を持て」
「.........はい!」
その成果を称賛すれば疲れていた新人たちの表情に笑みが灯る。
イシャンも小さくガッツポーズを取り喜びを表す。
頑張った分だけ褒められるという当たり前のことだ。
「まぁ、次は各自実力を加味してのダンジョン攻略をしてくれないと困るがな。次は俺たちはいないしな」
ただ、今回での成果を次も同じようにできるとは思わないように釘だけは刺しておく。
はい!と元気よく返事が返ってくるのでそこら辺はあまり心配しなくていいだろう。
「帰ったら楽しみにしてろ? きっとステータスがえらいことになってるからな」
そして、今回の引率だけでおそらくイシャンたちは他の新人たちよりも頭一つ抜けた成長をしただろう。
これがパワーレベリングととられるかもしれないが、それでもいい。
今日の成果は間違いなく彼らの成果だ。
その成果を生かすも殺すも今後の彼ら次第だ。
そんな期待を込めておくのはいいが、彼らからすればステータスよりもこっちのほうが重要かもしれない。
「それと今日手に入ったモンスターの素材を換金した報酬も期待していいぞ。この人数で分配だが、それなりの素材が手に入ったからな少なくない金額が渡せると思うぞ」
「報酬!?」
そして経験と一緒に戦果も期待してくれと言うともう一人、くたくたに疲れた体にムチ打って我張りとその体を起こす人物がいる。
片桐だ。
よくその軽装で生き残ったと思ったが、その執念は正直すごいと思った。
我流なのかそれとも短い研修期間で磨き上げたのか、才能もあったのだろうが竜と格闘戦を繰り広げていたのは彼女と朱亞だけ。
もちろん他のテスターと連携してだが、何体か竜を仕留めていた。
「おう、報酬だ」
夢幻ではなかろうなと目を輝かせる彼女に向け現実だと言ってやれば。
「弟たちよ姉さんはやったぞ。今日は一杯旨いものを食わせてやるからね!」
「今夜は夢にまで見た焼き肉だぁ!!」
ああ、何があったかは聞かないでおこう。
焼き肉でここまで喜べるのは稀だと思うとだけ心の中で言っておこう。
今回の収入は俺たち含めて割り勘だ。
なので約二十人で頭割りになる。
他のダンジョンなら雀の涙程度、良くて外食一回分程度の収入だ。
しかし、今回狩ったのは現在高騰中の竜だ。
大物も仕留めてある。
概算になるが、彼女の手元には日本紙幣のなかで一番高い奴が二十枚行くか行かないか程度の収入となる。
そのすべてを焼き肉にするとなるとどんな場所に行くのだろうか?と口をはさむのも野暮だろう。
とりあえず、肉に夢馳せる彼女含め達成感に浸らせたいところだが、その夢に浸らせるにはまだ早い。
最後の最後にしっかりと現実に向き合ってもらおう。
「さぁて、お前ら安心して喜んでいるところ悪いがアメがあればムチもあるってのが社会人だ。今日のダンジョンテストの報告書を各自作成し改善案をまとめ一週間以内に俺に提出な。ギリギリまで粘って書くのもいいが再提出が怖い奴は早めに出しておけよ」
報告書?とブリキ人形のようにギギギと軋ませるような音を立てるように俺を見る新人たちの顔には信じられないと言っているように見えた。
俺たち引率の仕事はダンジョンに入って戦いをサポートして報告書の書き方を学ばせる。
ここまでが俺たちのお仕事。
え、っと現実を受け入れられないような表情を向けてくる新人に向けて俺はいい笑顔でサムズアップし。
「さぁ、今日はしっかり休んで、明日もしっかり仕事しような」
しっかりと次の仕事の指示を出す。
昔、聞いたことあるだろう?
遠足は帰るまでが遠足だって。
それなら社会人にもこんな常識があるんだ。
仕事はやるべきことをやって報告し終えるまでが仕事だって。
それが人のやることかと言われるかもしれないが、あいにくとこれがうちの会社の仕事なのだ。
ダンジョンに挑み攻略、攻略できた箇所を攻略者側から見て改善、攻略できないようにするための報告書を作成。
この繰り返しだ。
給与の良さも福利厚生もしっかりしている会社ではあるが、入社したての頃は自分で自分の首を絞めてるんだよなこれと苦笑を漏らしたものだ。
「あの、報酬は?」
「ああ、それについては安心しろ、この後馴染みの店で精算の仕方教えるから。その時に渡す」
「ああ! お肉は夢じゃなかった! これで私は戦える!!」
疲れ果てて、仕事のことは考えたくはないだろうが成果がその場でもらえるというのなら話は別だろう。
片桐の喜び方に触発され、現実と向き合いつつも周囲の空気も明るくなり始める。
少し休んで疲れが抜けたことも大きいだろう。
いくらもらえるだろうかと話し合う新人たちに向けて手を叩き立つように言う。
「おし、それじゃ全員ついてきてくれ」
夕日に向けてダッシュというわけではないが、新人たちを引き連れてメモリアの店に移動。
その日は珍しく店内は賑わい、そして新人たちはメモリアが出した買い取り額に驚く。
ここまでが今日の一通りのやり取りだった。
茶封筒に入れられ厚みを持った成果を受け取るたびに歓喜する新人たちにメモリアと一緒に笑う。
片桐の時に限って言うのなら、笑うではなく呆れてしまったが仕方ない。
まさか滝のごとく涙を流して泣くとは思わなかった。
せめてアドバイスで少しはいい装備を整えておけよと言ったが果たしてどこまで成果があるのやら。
そしてこの場で解散し、メモリアの店を後にして今日は俺達も仕事終了と行きたいところなのだが。
「さてと、俺たちも行くか」
「はい」
「OK!」
生憎と引率である俺たちはもうひと仕事ある。
仕事の締めには報告が欠かせない。
俺たちも今日の引率を報告すべく他のテスターたちが集まる会議室に向かうのであった。
今日の一言
苦労を乗り越えると自然と逞しくなる。
330 321 When The Hard Work Is Over, It Becomes An Experience Again
"Kahahahahahaha! Oh no, I fought, I fought.
After all, it feels good to move my body, and only a paralyzed laugh comes out of my mouth.
My clothes and armor are caked in dust and my face is probably similar.
I'd say the battle with the dragons was that intense.
But still, the exhilaration after moving your body and the moderate fatigue mixed in with it is quite pleasant.
You can feel it and get a sense of accomplishment for your work.
And although it doesn't feel bulky, it's not as heavy as it looks, but there's no need to mention the large amount of contents it contains.
Is it a confirmation of your accomplishment or another emotion that makes you slam your bag.
Don't you think so, guys?
[[[[.........] ] ] ] ] 
Then, in a good mood, I turn around to ask for consent and see the exhausted newcomers lying in their favorite postures, each of them in a variety of postures, as if to say the corpses are dead.
They are sitting in various postures in a droning atmosphere.
Can you believe that this figure is the opposite of my high tension! And felt as if I was being prodded.
That's understandable.
You were lucky that you were brave enough to fight off that horde of dragons.
But that dungeon was a dungeon where if you didn't kill them fast enough, they'd just show up one after the other.
A little rookie for you? It was a tough environment.
"Oh, was that a little too much?
No, definitely not a little bit.
"Oh, Amelia recovered?
In battle after battle, the physical strength of the newcomers has been exhausted to the point that not a drop of energy is left in their bodies.
The newcomers, driven to the point of running out of energy, seemed to lose their minds as soon as they escaped the dungeon, and with a sigh of relief, they fell to their knees more and more to show with their bodies that they were at their limit.
As expected, we moved them out of the way near the entrance, but everyone who participated was exhausted, and I was impressed that they came back without dropping their weapons.
Amelia, who is relatively strong and experienced, was only a little tired and had the mental capacity to point out my words with her hands on her hips.
It's not just the words I pointed out, but also the words I didn't have in mind, and I'm aware that it's more than a little, so I can't help but laugh and scratch my cheek.
It's hard to keep up with our usual pace, Yojiro.
"No, you know. I just work harder than I thought I would, you know?
You can't help but make excuses for your younger colleagues who warn you that you're taking it too far, but it's painful to say so yourself.
When you see the newcomers working hard for the first time, you can't help but cheer them up and encourage them to do their best.
I wonder if it's a feeling that the instructors overdo it when they train us.
I'm not complaining. Jiro, aren't you being influenced too much by the instructors?
"Hahahahahaha! It's undeniable!
"You can't laugh it off, but you can't laugh it off!
If you think about it, eventually the other guy will warn you.
But I need an excuse.
But Ishan, Benny, and the others were working harder than I expected, and I wanted to find out what my limits were, so I postponed it a bit longer, and when I thought I was almost there, I slowed down a bit when I was fighting, and this is what I got.
Well, one wrong move could have been a disaster.
But Jiro-san's great thing is that no one was injured.
But if I may be excused, I was soft on them, but I didn't cut corners.
I made sure the newcomers were well supported.
I killed the enemy as fast as I could when I thought it was dangerous, and I provided support and cover.
Occasionally, I've stepped in between the attacks and covered for them.
That's why I feel that I've trained them, not so well, but at the edge.
Hey, Mr. Tanaka. One question.
"Oh, what an Ishan.
I'd like to say that out loud, but that's my ego.
In fact, I was physically on the edge too much.
I'm aware of this, so while I'm quietly receiving a lecture from the younger man, Ishan stands up and asks me a question, raising his hand to whip my tired body.
He is diligent, but I answer his questions.
Is it always this hard for you?
And I'm sure the devastation will make you curious to ask questions.
His expression hasn't changed, but his eyes are shaking and he can't hide his uneasy mood.
"If you're talking about us, the answer is no. Compared to today's guy, it's not much. Huh?
Hmmm, I'm used to it, so it's kind of weird. ......... Yes, less than usual.
It's more than a prep session, but it's more than half a day long, for us.
If it's just me, I'll just say I'm crazy, but when Amelia and Katsu, who are younger than Ishan, say it, my words will have more credibility.
The part of you that has power and is elated has been corrected during the training, but you still have the awareness and confidence that you have gained power.
Amelia and Katsu's words were enough to shake that confidence.
It's just that, as a rookie, that amount of fighting is unbelievable.
But the premise of this story is different for me and Ishan.
''To begin with, the Dragon King's dungeon is not a place where a rookie would go. Other dungeons have high killing intent, but the Dragon King's dungeon is a cut above the rest.
We've been working for a year as dungeon testers, forging our way through the dungeons in some strange way.
In contrast, today is the first time Ishan and his friends have taken on a dungeon.
There's a big difference between the newcomers and the experienced ones.
They should be okay with a lower standard.
In fact, the first Kirou dungeon I ever went into.
Even though I went solo, I never faced that large a crowd.
It may be that they were worried about standing around to cover their numerical inferiority, but the amount of fighting today would have been enough for a week at that time.
"You guys are great. You fought through it and came back on your feet. You've done something I never would have done back then. Be confident.
"......... yes!
Praise for their achievements brings a smile to the tired faces of the newcomers.
Ishaan too, with a small fist pose, expressing his joy.
It's a natural thing to be praised for your hard work.
"Well, next time you'll have to take your skills into account. Next time we won't be here.
Just don't think that you can do the same thing this time around as well as the next, that's for sure.
Yes, sir! You don't have to worry too much about that part, because he replied cheerfully, "I'll have fun when I get home?
"Have fun when you get home, okay? I'm sure your status is in trouble.
And just by pulling this one, Ishan and his friends have probably grown a head above the other newcomers.
This might be taken as power leveling, but that's okay.
Today's achievement is definitely their achievement.
It's up to them to make the most of it or kill it in the future.
It's nice to have that expectation, but this may be more important to them than their status.
Also, you can expect to be rewarded with the materials from today's monster. With the number of people here, and the materials we've got, I think we can give you a fair amount of money.
"Reward!
And expect results along with experience, and there's another person who will whip your weary body up and help you up.
It's Katagiri.
I was surprised that you survived so lightly, but I was honestly impressed by your persistence.
Maybe it was her own style or she had honed it during her short training period, or maybe she had talent, but she and Zhu Ya were the only ones who were able to fight the dragon.
Of course it was in conjunction with other testers, but they killed several dragons.
''Oh, here's your reward.''
I'm sure she's not dreaming, and you tell her it's real.
"Brothers, you made it. We'll have a good meal for you today!
I've dreamed of grilled meat tonight!
Oh, let's not ask what happened.
Let's just say in our hearts that the barbecue rarely brings us this much joy.
We split the money this time.
So it's about twenty people.
In any other dungeon, it's about a drop in the bucket, or at best, enough for a meal out.
But this time we hunted a booming dragon.
I also killed a big game.
She has about twenty of the most expensive Japanese bills on hand.
What kind of place would they go to if they were to roast all of it? And it's not fair to interrupt.
For now, we want to let her and her dreams of meat soak in the sense of accomplishment, but it's too early to let her indulge in her dreams.
Let's have her face the reality at the very end.
Now, I'm sorry for the relief, but when there's candy, there's whips. Each of you will write up a report on today's dungeon test and submit it to me within one week with your suggestions for improvement. You can write until the last minute, but if you're afraid to resubmit it, submit it as soon as possible.
Report? And the looks on the faces of the newcomers who looked at me like I was making a squeaking sound like a tin doll seemed to say, "I can't believe it.
Our job as leaders is to go into the dungeon and support them in their battles and help them learn how to write their reports.
This is our job so far.
I gave a good smile and thumbs up to the newcomer who gave me a look that was hard to accept reality.
Well, get a good night's rest and work hard tomorrow.
Give firm instructions for your next job.
You've heard that a long time ago, right?
A field trip is a field trip to get home.
Then working people also have this common sense.
Work is work until you do what you have to do and report back.
You might say that's not what people do...but unfortunately this is our job.
The dungeons are challenged and conquered, and the parts that have been conquered are improved from the conqueror's point of view, and a report is prepared to prevent the conquering of the dungeons.
This is a repetitive process.
Although the salary and benefits are good, I used to laugh when I just joined the company, thinking that I was strangling myself.
What's the pay?
Oh, don't worry about that, I'll show you how to pay up at your favorite place afterwards. You'll get it then.
"Ah! Meat wasn't a dream! Now I can fight!
You're exhausted and don't want to think about your work, but you'd rather not think about it unless you can get the results on the spot.
Inspired by Katagiri's joyful attitude, the air around you begins to lighten while you face reality.
You've rested a bit, and you're relieved of your fatigue.
You clap your hands to the newcomers who are discussing how much you'll be paid.
Okay, then, everyone follow me.
It's not exactly a dash for the sunset, but it does move to Memoria's store with the newcomers in tow.
The store was unusually crowded that day, and the newcomers were surprised at the amount of money they got from Memoria.
This was just the beginning of today's exchange.
I laugh with Memoria as the newcomers rejoice each time they receive the thick fruits of their labor in a brown envelope.
If only Katagiri was involved, I was not laughing, but rather was taken aback, but it was inevitable.
I didn't expect you to cry like a waterfall.
At the very least, I advised him to get a little better equipment, but I don't know how much success he'll have.
We'd like to disperse here and leave Memoria's store, but we're done with our work for the day.
Well, shall we go too?
"Yes.
"OK!
Unfortunately, as the leader, we have more work to do.
To close out the work, there must be a report.
We headed to the conference room where other testers were gathering to report on the day's work.
Word of the Day
Overcome hardship and become naturally resilient.
Entering a Company From Another World!?
異世界からの企業進出！？転職からの成り上がり録『祝1億PV突破！！』　
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/entering-a-company-from-another-world/
Action Adventure Comedy Ecchi Fantasy Harem Romance Shounen
Adapted to Manga Angels Average-looking Protagonist Beautiful Female Lead Childcare Demon Lord Demons Dungeons Elves Fallen Angels Fantasy World Game Elements Human-Nonhuman Relationship Level System Male Protagonist Modern Day Monsters Older Love Interests Polygamy Pregnancy R-15 Summoned Hero Transported to Another World Vampires Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n1881dn/
七士七海