Otherworld Company Chapter 109.1: Sharing Hardships and Joys, It’s Important, But…

Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Has Girlfriends

Girlfriend(s): Suela Handelberg & Memoria Tris

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee)

Magical Aptitude: Nine (Quasi Demon King Class)

“I did it again.” (Jiro)

I think in my heart, I gave myself up to the tension, gathered the group with glue and momentum, and fulfilled this conclusion.

“Well, it’s okay.” (Jiro)

I look back behind me, consoling myself in my mind that even though what I did maybe a mistake, it was a harmless action.

The cheers still kept on coming.

It was more like the excitement they felt as soon as they accepted the reality that we had defeated the earth dragon, and they could not stop.

Thanks to this, the gate that had been closed after the slaying of the Earth Dragons is now open, but no one is running toward it.

They were praising each other’s good fight, pointing at the corpse of the Earth Dragons and laughing with each other.

There was no calculation there, and the smiles of those who had faced this challenge and achieved it overflowed.

That much was good. In my opinion, it was a perfect development.

Oh, it was good up to that point.

“Oh! Big brother is here!!” (Tester)

Who are you calling big brother?

My master is a demon yakuza that even yakuza would run away from, but I don’t intend to create dignity in that direction, nor am I aware of it.

However, I don’t have the energy to deny it.

The gangster-like tester shouted, and the gazes gathered around me.

“……” (Jiro)

The look in his eyes is not one of disgust, but of pure respect.

The testers who were supposed to be hostile until just a few days ago are now looking at me with a glimmer of respect.

And it wasn’t just one person, but all the testers except for my party members and Hizumi.

The gazes of the testers toward a “hero” who had accomplished the feat of defeating the earth dragon.

It gives me an indescribable, itchy sensation.

However, it can be said that the act of denying it is the act of not being able to read the atmosphere.

“…Don’t you guys have to run? In case you haven’t noticed, the competition format is a race, right?” (Jiro)

I endure such a feeling and open up a question as a way to divert the conversation.

Already because of that earth dragon, the form of gathering all the testers has already been completed, and there is a difference in the consumption of physical strength and magic power.

Thanks to this, the race has become a shell of the plan, but that doesn’t mean it was skipped.

The supervisor’s objective was fulfilled in the previous round.

Then, perhaps, the schedule is set to continue as planned from here on out.

And as I explained at the beginning, there will be a reward if you finish at the top.

“””””””Oh!”””””” (Testers)

That’s why I wondered why the guys in front of me were so happy and relaxed.

Apparently, the impact of the earth dragon had made them forget that this race even existed.

That fact spread quickly.

““““……”””” (Testers)

The people who had just laughed and hugged each other’s shoulders quickly and quietly moved away from each other.

And then there are those who gently turn their ankles to hide, and those who begin to knead their magic to restore the remaining magic.

They began to adjust their physical condition in a wide variety of ways.

Ten seconds later.

“”””Thank you for your help!!”””” (Testers)

They all bow in unison.

“”””Get out of the way!!!”””” (Testers)

““““You’re in the way!!”””” (Testers)

That was the trigger.

Yesterday’s friend is today’s enemy.

Neighbors who just a moment ago were laughing hand in hand became rivals in an instant.

The backs of these people, energized with magic power and sprinkling dust as if they were rushing to the gate, run out en masse.

“They’ve gotten so disciplined, huh?” (Jiro)

They had been bickering with each other, but maybe it was just a bad first impression and they weren’t so bad at heart.

I thought I might be a little too stubborn, and next time I see them, I’ll be a little softer with them.

I reached into my breast pocket and pulled out my favorite brand that always brings me good luck.

Kaido and the others have ridden off, and I’m the only one left here, free from the stares I’ve been getting from the others, and I’ve started to relax and smoke on the spot.

There was no need for me to win the race at all.

There is no prize or reward for first place.

I am a helper in this race, so to speak.

I was only sent in to assist the testers when they were in trouble.

If that’s the case, I should be working to solve other problems, but I guess that’s all in the hands of the supervisors.

Ironically, what I had to do had already been done in the battle earlier.

I caught a glimpse of Kanzaki having a friendly conversation with another party member.

I guess it means that as long as there is a chance, the problem will be solved.

So, I can say that I’m now free.

If I stayed here, I would encounter additional monsters, and I would have to fight them in succession.

I would like to avoid that, but I can afford to have at least one cigarette.

“Telepathy, who is it? Yes, this is Jiro.” (Jiro)

“Jiro are you okay?” (Kaley)

“Huh? Kaley? What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with the event?” (Jiro)

I thought so, and as I put a cigarette in my mouth, the sensation of a telepathic call echoed in my head.

I answered without hesitation, as is my custom, and found that the person on the other end of the line was, to my surprise, Kaley.

She is in the position of doing the live commentary now.

So, it is strange to receive a telepathic message from her, since she’s supposed to be busy.

Is there some kind of emergency trouble?

Gently, I lit a cigarette with a growing sense of urgency.

“No, the event is going well. The first battle has got the audience excited, and the race is going well, thanks to the testers who are all consuming magic power to win the race. But that’s not the problem. …It is something else.” (Jiro)

Trouble outside of the event?

Unfortunately, or fortunately, Minami and Kaido, who are most likely to cause trouble, I just saw them off.

I can catch up if I want to, but what actually happened?

“Suela collapsed.” (Kaley)

“Huh?” (Jiro)

The cigarette falls out of my mouth, but I don’t have time to worry about that.

Suela collapsed?

She was in such good health when I saw her this morning, right?

No, I’m sure she just got sick, stay calm.

That’s what I try to tell myself, but my body is more honest.

Even when I try to convince myself that I’m fine, I get chills like I’ve had a pillar of ice put in my back under my shirt.

“What happened! What about Suela!?” (Jiro)

My impatience naturally spread to my actions, and my tone of voice naturally became impassioned.

I understand that it’s no use shouting at Kaley, but I can’t stay calm.

“Calm down! I just found out about it and I don’t know the details, but I heard it’s not life-threatening. I don’t know the details, but it seems she’s going to be okay. I only found out because Memoria called me.” (Kaley)

“Memoria?” (Jiro)

“Memoria” is mentioned, and a sense of relief wells up inside me that she is with Suela, and I regain a little bit of composure.

With even the slightest bit of calmness returned, I naturally thought of what I should do next.

“…Kaley, I need to get out of here.” (Jiro)

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