Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: Government Work
I had publicly declared that I possessed an Item Box, so the possibility of being targeted had emerged.
If it were just yakuza, that would be one thing, but what if the armies or special forces of various countries came after me?
Since I had established direct contact with the current Prime Minister, I asked him about it, and he did not deny it.
According to the Prime Minister, it involves both surveillance and protection, but...
If I stay with them, the girls might be put in danger.
I spoke to them, appointed Kirara as the guild's sub-leader, and decided to move solo.
It was good that the veteran adventurer Kirara joined the guild.
Now, I can entrust the girls to her.
When I woke up in the morning, I checked the video I had uploaded yesterday.
It seemed my channel had become quite famous, as the view count had suddenly skyrocketed.
Is this a newly discovered lower floor?
The traps are still alive. That's insane!
A hanging ceiling?!
The ceiling disappeared? What is this?
Isn't that an Item Box?
Did the owner of this channel publicly declare they have an Item Box?
It seems the topic is centering around the Item Box.
Wow! I've never seen a Mimic before!
Mimics in manga and anime are comical, but the real thing is gross!
Many people were seeing a Mimic for the first time, and my video seemed to be well-received.
A Minotaur?!
Didn't "Mino" monsters only appear on the 6th floor?
It seems newly discovered floors have Minotaurs.
Huh?! A stone wall?! Where did that come from?!
It must be an Item Box.
That's a bit too cheat-like, isn't it?
I also think the Item Box is cheat-like.
The channel's subscriber count was soaring.
The view count had suddenly exceeded 1 million, so income would increase too.
As expected, incorporation is urgently necessary.
While preparing breakfast, I contacted my accountant.
I wanted to be introduced to a judicial scrivener I knew.
"Good morning~"
Kirara, who had no eyebrows and was scratching her belly, also came over, so we all ate together.
Today it was bread and instant soup.
It was simple, but delicious.
My phone rang; it was a call from the accountant.
It seemed he had a acquaintance who was a judicial scrivener in the Special District.
He gave me the contact information.
"As I said yesterday, I am going to establish a company, so I will be busy with procedures. Please go to the dungeon with Kirara as the center."
"Leave it to me."
Kirara was full of energy, but Sana remained silent.
"Sana, what's wrong?"
"If I become as strong as Daisuke-san, I can go with you, right?"
"Well, that's true, but... I don't want to drag you into dangerous things. Your grandfather asked me to look after his granddaughter..."
"My grandfather has nothing to do with this!"
I think he does, though.
"Sana-chan, you shouldn't push yourself. That is the most dangerous thing."
"Y-yes..."
"As expected, an experienced person knows best."
She herself must have had such experiences.
"Shut up!"
"Hug hug!"
Ignoring our conversation, Mio was stuffing her face with bread.
"Mio-chan, how is school?"
"It's fun!"
"I see~ That's good."
"I want to graduate from middle school soon and become an adventurer!"
"Oh, is that so?"
As an old man, I have mixed feelings.
In surveys of "dream jobs" for children, adventurers are ranking high.
I don't want to recommend such a dangerous job...
Well, if you hit the jackpot, it's huge, and there's a chance to become famous.
In the past, video streamers were a popular profession, so one could say it has just changed to adventurers.
After breakfast, I decided to go to the judicial scrivener's office that had been recommended.
It seemed the accountant had already contacted them.
"I will buy a computer at Haneda and study hard!"
"Oh, Sana is really motivated~"
"What about Kirara and Ren?"
"Then, let's go earn some money together, you two."
"U-um."
Having two magicians really throws off the balance, doesn't it?
I think so, but Ren can also use Healing, and her level has gone up.
It might be possible to hire a temporary front-line fighter.
"Actually, I'm a bit worried too."
Just as I was about to leave, Kirara said something like that.
"Worried? Are you thinking about retiring soon?"
"That's not it..."
It seemed she was worried about the site she was running herself.
"Oh, the vain site of a successful adventurer?"
"That's not how you put it!"
"But that's exactly what it is, right?"
"Ugh..."
Despite calling herself a successful adventurer, she hasn't achieved much success.
Taking on debt just to maintain appearances is putting the cart before the horse.
"Stop that and focus solely on being an adventurer. Since you're a veteran, why not make a site where you advise young adventurers?"
"Right... that's what I'm thinking."
"Why don't you just stream with your bare face and no eyebrows?"
"Eh?!"
"I think that would make you more approachable."
"That's impossible..."
"I don't think so."
Wouldn't people trust you more if you showed everything, with no hidden sides?
I think so, though showing one's face has downsides, but Kirara has already shown her makeup face.
"Ugh~"
She was worried.
I don't think there's anything to worry about.
She gets older every day and can't be an influencer forever.
She needs to prioritize practical benefits over looks.
Well, I'm not exactly a great person myself to talk about others.
After finishing my meal, I decided to go out.
I had to go to the judicial scrivener's office.
I was given the location by the accountant, so I walked through the Special District using navigation.
So the person who publicly declared they have an Item Box is Niwa-san, isn't it?
A message like that came from the accountant.
"Yes... It's quite difficult. I think I will also be doing government work, so please take care of me then."
Eh?! Government-related?!
"I don't know what kind of work will come, but the Prime Minister said it would happen."
Eh?! The Prime Minister? Who is the Prime Minister?
"The current Prime Minister of Japan."
Eeeh?!
"I cannot say too many details, so please understand."
The message went silent, but a reply came after a while.
Understood.
Well, even if you suddenly say "Prime Minister" and such, it's hard to believe immediately.
Using navigation, I found the judicial scrivener's office.
It was a concrete building with an exterior staircase.
The exterior walls were messy, giving a strong impression of a hastily built structure.
In the Special District, building codes don't really apply, after all.
Sometimes they keep adding extensions, causing collapse accidents.
Still, it's interesting.
This state of "anything goes" is fun.
The proof is that this place has become a tourist spot.
Surprisingly, the security is also good.
Even if an 803 office building is built, high-level adventurers can do nothing against it.
Well, those adventurers sometimes turn into thugs.
According to the Prime Minister, there are special forces who can use magic, so if things get too bad, they will be deployed.
I went up the stairs and entered the office.
There was a counter right in front, and a female clerk was there, so I spoke to her.
"I am Niwa, recommended by the accountant."
"Oh, yes! We are expecting you. Please come this way."
I was led to a simple reception room, and soon tea and the judicial scrivener arrived.
The accountant was also a woman, and this one was a woman in a suit.
She tied her long hair back and wore glasses.
"Good morning."
We exchanged greetings and I received a business card.
"What is your business today?"
"I would like to register a company."
"Excuse me, but are you an adventurer?"
"Yes, that's right. Are many adventurers incorporated?"
"For the top rankers, yes. Many have side incomes from releasing e-books, photo albums, or holding concerts."
"Oh, I see."
Now that I think about it, the top ranker women had released photo albums.
Strong and beautiful—of course they would be popular.
The cost is about double compared to before the dungeons appeared.
It's unavoidable due to inflation.
We exchanged accounts, and the articles of incorporation required for registration would be sent via message later.
Phew, as earnings increase, troublesome things increase.
"Um..."
"What is it?"
"The person who publicly declared they have an Item Box, as seen in Dungeon News... could it be..."
"Yes, it's me."
"As I thought..."
"Really, it's quite troublesome."
"..."
What is it?
The lady is looking at me...
She isn't plotting anything, is she?
Anyway, since the business was finished, I went outside.
"I need the company's articles of incorporation and the company seal."
Company seals are now all electronic seals.
If I submit the types to the government office, the seal will be issued the next day.
From then on, days continued where I created the articles of incorporation for company registration and dived into the dungeon solo.
Company registration was completed, and the electronic seal was made.
This makes me a director-president, but life doesn't change.
Money is coming in, but I'm not living lavishly.
Kirara seems to be quitting being an influencer.
As I suggested, she started streaming with her bare face, giving lectures for novice adventurers.
Whether it's for popularity, she streams in thin clothing...
BBA, don't push yourself lol
I can do it!
Good, do more
Somehow, hardcore fans have gathered and are cheering her on.
Even though Kirara is grumbling, she seems surprisingly happy.
As she streamed, novice adventurers who admired her gathered around.
Kirara led these groups.
Some were just there to gawk, but she was a veteran and not weak enough to be discouraged by such things.
It seems there are talented kids, so she is considering scouting them.
If she has the interest, I could create another guild and support her.
Originally, I intended to go solo anyway.
Sana said she would catch up to me, but my high level was also a lucky acquisition.
Becoming high-level through legitimate means seems quite difficult.
While doing such things, about a week passed.
When I went outside, I received a message—from the weapon shop.
It seemed the missiles I ordered were finished.
I headed to receive them immediately.
I entered the weapon shop where many weapons were lined up at the entrance.
"I am Niwa, who ordered missile-like throwing weapons."
"We have been waiting for you."
An old man brought the missiles from the back.
They were not cheap ones made of pipes, but carved out, so they were shiny.
Well, since they are throwing weapons, such a fine item isn't really necessary.
I feel it's a bit wasteful, but I might encounter strong enemies that cheap items can't handle.
Six of them used super-hard tungsten for the cores.
The other two were depleted uranium rounds.
I vaguely remember reading that depleted uranium rounds self-combust upon impact, but is that true?
Will I ever face monsters that require such items?
It's better not to use them, but...
"Thank you. It's exactly what I expected."
"Are you facing monsters that use such weapons?"
"No, no, I usually use cheap items, but this is for emergencies."
I can't just throw away weapons that cost 100,000 yen each, but I heard battleship main gun shells cost 6 million yen.
Real missiles cost hundreds of millions of yen per shot.
Powerful weapons are expensive.
Well, normally people use weapons dropped from dungeons with special effects.
Even a catapult like the one I use should be able to increase power with attack-up buff magic or items.
I'll wait for such items to drop.
Speaking of which, I'm wearing the ring that dropped when I defeated the Mimic, and I feel my overall speed has increased.
I took the ordered weapons and left the shop.
I took out my smartphone and Googled.
"Can buffs be stacked...?"
According to the search results, magic stacking isn't possible, but item + magic seems possible.
This makes it feel even more like a game.
How long will humanity have to endure such a ridiculous situation...?
Could it be forever from now on?
Feeling somewhat depressed, a message came in.
It was from the Prime Minister.
I would like to have a meeting regarding work.
It has finally come.
Government work.
Is it a profitable deal?
If I have patriotism, I won't accept it for pocket change, absolutely not.
"Sure. How will we hold the meeting? Is it a video conference?"
We will use the hologram you used before. I have already contacted the government office.
Understood.
It might be faster to talk directly.
That wasn't exactly direct, though...
I went to the government office in the Special District as instructed.
I went to the usual lady's desk.
"Hi~ I think you received a message..."
"Oh, yes! This way!"
The lady's handling here has improved quite a bit.
At first, she treated me like a pervert targeting girls.
I went up the stairs and was led to the same empty room as before.
When I sat in the chair in the middle of the room, the windows turned pitch black, cutting off the light.
Just in case, I turned on my smartphone's recording switch.
Just like before, the Prime Minister appeared, sitting in a chair opposite me.
As always, I think this is quite amazing technology.
I thought so, but today's lineup was the Prime Minister and one other person.
He had black hair, but he was probably dyed—an old man who looked familiar, as if I had seen him somewhere.
I think he was one of the ministers constituting the current cabinet.
I don't really look closely at politicians' faces.
Well, I know the Prime Minister because he is always on the news.
"Good morning."
Good morning.
"You said it was work, but what kind of work is it?"
It is transport work utilizing your Item Box.
Well, that's what I expected.
If you put anything in an Item Box, you can carry it without weight.
If it can be stored, heavy machinery is unnecessary, and it can be taken anywhere.
"The fact that you are asking me specifically means it's definitely not ordinary, right?"
You are quick to understand.
From him came the story of the nuclear power plant accident that caused massive damage during the great earthquake in the past.
"Oh~ I understand. You want me to use my Item Box for waste disposal, right?"
That's right. Currently, we are disposing of waste in the dungeon on a small scale, but cars and trucks cannot be used there, so we have to rely on manual labor.
"So, you want to stuff it all into my Item Box and dump it into the dungeon at once?"
Exactly.
The problem is not that simple.
"First of all, what about the radiation problem? Uranium and plutonium are immobilized, but cesium and strontium remain, right?"
That is fine.
It has been confirmed through national experiments and research that adventurers have resistance to radiation.
Even if genes are damaged by radiation, they seem to be repaired immediately.
As levels rise, natural healing power also increases.
They are truly superhumans.
"Hmm, by the way... if this is a national project with a budget, how much would it be?"
Let's see... about 500 billion yen...
At the time of the accident, the national budget assumed for disposal was on the scale of 20 trillion yen.
Well, this time it's just about carrying water and dumping it...
If we were to clear the whole area, it would probably cost tens of trillions of yen.
"So... if I can really solve it, would it be okay if I got 1/10... about 50 billion yen?"
Hey, hey...
The expression of the old man next to him also hardened.
"This waste disposal project of 500 billion yen, which has an unknown end date, might be finished in a flash. Isn't 50 billion not a small amount?"
Hmm...
The Prime Minister crossed his arms and thought.
"How many years have passed since the nuclear power plant accident? It's been over 30 years. Nothing has been solved yet. But it might disappear completely. If it can be done for 50 billion, I think it's a great deal."
...
The old man next to the Prime Minister had a face like he had chewed bitter paste.
"Well, maybe the big shots are sulking because they can't get kickbacks if I do the work."
You! That is disrespectful!
The old man next to me stood up and pointed at me.
"I didn't mean you specifically. As I told you before, please ensure my patriotism does not waver."
You brat! Do you intend to threaten the government!?
"No, no. I am not threatening. If there is a place that values my ability higher, it is natural to choose that one, right? For example, the United States seems to be willing to pay a high price."
Hey, hey, that's a problem.
The Prime Minister really seemed troubled, but I didn't care.
"I think it's a choice between taking vested interests or becoming a minister who solved a national crisis that couldn't be solved for over 30 years."
...Please interrupt for a moment and let us consult.
Understood.
The hologram disappeared.
It was pitch black.
The Prime Minister seemed to want to ask me, but the old man next to him looked troublesome.
It's probably about money and privileges rather than honor.
National budgets are still being poured into nuclear power plant accident disposal.
In short, it has become money.
If it is solved, that money disappears.
"Would you like some coffee?"
While I was deep in thought, a voice came from the darkness.
It was the lady's voice.
"Thank you, I will have some."
The door opened, and only that part floated white.
After a few minutes, the door opened again, and the scent of coffee drifted in.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
"...R-really, do you intend to take 50 billion yen?"
We were talking in the dark.
"Of course. I cannot accept pocket change for doing dangerous work."
"But if you go against the government..."
"If it gets dangerous, I will run into the dungeon. Only high-level adventurers can follow me into the depths."
"...Niwa-san, what is your level?"
"Well, it's decent."
According to the Prime Minister, there were special forces for fighting high-level adventurers, but could they dive into the dungeon?
While talking with the lady, the hologram rose again.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
"No, no, there are certainly many entanglements, haha."
Grrr...
"I apologize. I have seen the face of that big shot on the news, though I'm not sure..."
This is the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
"Weren't nuclear power plants under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry?"
Technically, it's the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, but the parent organization is the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
"Oh, I see. It's a topic not really related to an ordinary old man, haha."
And so... the matter is settled.
"What happens?"
I cannot guarantee the exact amount, but I think a similar amount can be arranged.
"Well, if they go back on their word, I just won't accept it next time."
You brat! Don't get too cocky!
"Yes, yes, I apologize."
Grrr...
Well, I have recorded the statement on my smartphone.
As I said before, if they go back on their word, I will just run around and refuse next time.
"Young people are actively voting these days, and money politics are no longer trendy, you know?"
Politicians without motivation will immediately face recall movements, and information spreads instantly on the net.
The government's effort to cut expenses by focusing on the net has backfired.
Well, listening to the people's opinions too much is not good either.
No country has succeeded with populism.
But I want them to do politics that the people can accept.
Detailed arrangements were made to meet directly on a later date.
I have reached a level where I can talk one-on-one with the Prime Minister.
The hologram ended.
"Phew... It seems like more trouble is coming. I intended to earn money quickly and return to the countryside."
"Where is your hometown?"
"The Testing Northern Land."
"It seems popular these days because you don't have to worry about food."
"Well, the number of settlers has increased compared to the past."
Young people have all disappeared, leaving only the elderly, but young people are increasing again.
It is a happy thing, but it is not that simple.
Farming is hard labor, after all.
After the meeting, I left the government office.
The Prime Minister is probably arranging things now.
Since one privilege is being destroyed, many people will not be satisfied unless something else is prepared to replace it.
They are politicians because there are benefits to being politicians.
If they realize they can't suck sweet juice, no one would become a politician.
On the contrary, as long as they do the job, it's fine if they suck a little bit.
I decided to wait for contact from the Prime Minister.