Otherworld Company Chapter 174.1: Responsibility And Determination May Not Be Something We Consciously Acquire.

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　The indescribable feeling of tiredness combined with a sense of freedom at the end of the workday, a feeling of being both tired and not tired, may be felt differently by different people, but for me, it has recently become a pleasant sensation.

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll go up first.” (Jiro)

“Yeah, thank you for your hard work.” (Kaido)

“Great work.” (Masaru)

　With such a feeling, today’s work is over.

　I was able to finish the dungeon today after defeating the main boss on the first floor, which was a good break in terms of work content and also just in time.

　We decided that it was time to break up the work, so we decided to leave the sale of the loot for tomorrow.

　Then it was time for everyone to go about their own business.

　After the dungeon attack, I took a quick shower, changed into my casual clothes, and quickly left the party room.

　Hearing Kaido and Masaru’s voices behind me, I continue on my way with light steps.

　I head toward the underground facility, not toward home, exchanging greetings with colleagues I pass from time to time.

　It is already evening, and Himiku is probably preparing dinner at this time of the day.

　However, I told Suela and the others that I had a few errands to run this time and would not be having dinner with them.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” (Jiro)

“Oy, you’re late!!” (Kio)

“Kakakaka, it’s unusual to receive an invitation from you.” (Fusio)

　Who is the person I am considering for my errand?

　It would be no exaggeration to say that the two instructors are familiar faces, as they usually kidnap or get me involved in parties and have me drink with them.

　However, I hadn’t planned on running into him on the street like this.

　I had made reservations for them at a restaurant in the underground facility and told them the name of the restaurant, but since they were standing in front of the entrance of the underground facility, it attracted a lot of attention.

　Well, I was prepared for some commotion when these two were there.

　So, without getting upset, I greeted them normally, led them away, and entered a private room of a bar in a slightly elevated corner of the underground facility with them.

“Fuwaahh! It’s delicious!” (Kio)

“Don’t you know any other phrase?” (Kio)

“Delicious is delicious!! That’s it!!” (Kio)

　Without even having time to hear the word “cheers,” Instructor Kio orders a drink as soon as he arrives at the restaurant and empties his cup in no time at all.

　He really is an ogre that can be described as hotblooded.

　Seeing this, instructor Fusio looks aghast, but says it is a usual thing, and drinks his glass of wine, savoring it.

　I think this gesture is elegant despite the fact that we are seated in a bar.

　The two of them order their drinks, and while smiling at the waiters who come to take their orders, I take a sip of the beer I’ve ordered.

“So? I hear you have something you want to talk to us about. What is it?” (Kio)

“Of course, but it’s a funny thing for you to call us without telling us what you want to discuss.” (Fusio)

　I didn’t rush my drink, but I already drank two or three drinks, and when my throat was finally free, Instructor Kio asked me about the reason for summoning the two of them this time.

　In fact, as instructor Fusio had said, I had told him in advance that I had something I wanted to discuss with him, but I had not given him the details of what I wanted to discuss.

　I had not given them the details of what I wanted to discuss, but I knew that they would have guessed what I wanted to discuss with them at this time.

“About the tournament.” (Jiro)

“Oh?” (Kio)

“Hm?” (Fusio)

　I put my mug down and told them what I was planning, they didn’t stop drinking, but to signal that they were interested, the two of them kept urging me on with their gazes.

“Since I am going to do this, I am going to aim for a win.” (Jiro)

“Of course.” (Kio)

“Naturally.” (Fusio)

　I have no intention of spouting weak remarks in front of these two men.

　I’m going to express my feelings from my guts about what I want to accomplish, while also revealing the part of me that feels uneasy.

“So? You didn’t just call us to declare such an obvious thing.” (Kio)

“Indeed, it is obvious that you have no intention of losing, so there is no need to reiterate it.” (Fusio)

　It’s honestly helpful to have the place set up so that it’s easy to let out that part of my insecurities.

“Yeah, rather than setting up a table to say something like that now, it would be more polite to just say that you feel like drinking so let’s have a drink.” (Kio)

　I cut to the chase with a wry smile at the instructors who joke and tell me with their eyes that it’s still okay.

“It may be a delusion based on my ability if I were to win the championship and receive the rank of general… what kind of a general I should be.” (Jiro)

“Ah, I get it, well, the possibility is not zero.” (Kio)

“Kakakaka, of course. There is no absolute in this world. If you grasp the possibility, you will be our equal. What a strange fate. And is it any wonder that you take the rank of general so seriously?” (Fusio)

　From the perspective of the two of them, the probability is no more than a statistical anomaly.

　I was aware that I was talking about calculations that I did not take, but although the two of them laughed, they did not make fun of me and listened carefully.

　This year’s competition was a battle to determine the holder of the rank “General”.

　By some strange coincidence, I was entered into the tournament.

　At first, I was upset, then puzzled, and finally, I was able to accept and take a chance.

　However, with a higher position comes more responsibility.

　I wondered if I could take on that responsibility, or if I would be worthy of the position.

“I thought I was moving up too quickly, and the meaning of the responsibility of being a general and my preparedness for it are blurry. So, for reference, I would like to hear the stories of the instructors when you became Generals.” (Jiro)

“The story of when we became generals, huh?” (Kio)

“Well, I never thought I would be talking about nostalgic stories.” (Fusio)

　I had no idea that I would ever become such a person, but in order to embody my ideals as much as possible, I came here to ask the current generals in front of me what it was like to be a general.

　I guess these two probably know what I’m thinking.

　The point is that I am worried.

　I wondered if I would be able to bear the weight of responsibility that might be placed on my back.

　I wanted to ask if I had that much strength.

　My thoughts were only about winning, but after I won, thoughts that were unnecessary at this time of the year got mixed up in my thoughts.

　It is outrageous to think about what happens after you win before you win.

　But that did not mean that I could abandon these thoughts.

　Winning this battle meant becoming an executive in the Demon King Army, and the responsibility of that seat was probably heavier than I had imagined.

“Hmm, I guess I’ll become the general. I was killing with the general, and when I realized it, I became a general.” (Kio)

“Eh?” (Jiro)

“Kakakaka, Jiro. It might be a little difficult to use this guy as a reference, but I don’t know if my story will be of any use either. After all, we are birds of a feather.” (Fusio)

　If I know what kind of general I want to be, if I know what my goal is, I will know the direction in which I should strive.

　I had prepared this drinking session in the hope that it would at least give me a chance to get motivated mentally, but instead of getting demotivated, I was blasted to a bad start.

“The current general used to be a small faction. He was a candidate for the Demon King, but it was said that his chances of becoming one were slim to none, you know?” (Kio)

“Indeed, if you ask me how I felt when someone like that asked me to be his subordinate, it was so much fun that I can still remember it.” (Fusio)