Otherworld Company Chapter 17.1: Unexpected Is Something That Is Not Expected and Is Not Something That Is Expected, Right?

Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Single – No Girlfriend

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee) + Recruiter

Magical Aptitude: Eight (General Class)

　All of a sudden, I have a habit of scratching the back of my head when I’m troubled or worried.

　It’s a completely unconscious habit of mine, though I’m sure it’s partly to improve my concentration and partly for a change of pace.

“Senior, what are you worried about?” (Kaido)

“I’m going to look at the status of those two and decide on a party strategy for the future…” (Jiro)

“Is that their status?” (Kaido)

“Oh, this is personal information. Don’t let it leak outside.” (Jiro)

　A few days after the interview, I had successfully welcomed my new colleagues into my life, and eventually, I was able to establish a relationship with both of them to the point where I could call them by their first names.

　I’ve told them they can call me whatever they want, so I’ll look forward to seeing what they call me.

　Then I pushed Kaido’s face away from my tablet, which had information on the two people in question, and tilted it so that we could look at the screen together.

　Masaru Tokorozawa – 16 years old　　

　Occupation: Student

　Magical Aptitude: Five (Second Lieutenant Class)

　Job Title: Undecided

　Status

　Strength 11　　　　

　Durability 9　　　　

　Agility 9

　Endurance 15

　Dexterity 20　　　

　Knowledge 48　　　

　Intuition 1　　　

　Luck 9 　　　

　Magic 22 　　　

　When compared to the average physical ability status of adult males who have not been enhanced by magic crests, the average potential status such as knowledge varies, but his status is considerably higher than the average.

“Oh, it’s higher than my initial status.” (Kaido)

“Especially for knowledge.” (Jiro)

“Ugh.” (Kaido)

　His status was rather more suited to physicality, and he has the status of a support class.

　In fact, his preferred job title is also a support-type job title.

　It’s really a reasonable choice.

　But there are always dark clouds.

“… I wish this wasn’t the reason for his choice.” (Jiro)

“…sorry.” (Kaido)

　I slide my finger to view the reason for his choice.

　His reason for choosing,

　“Minami will definitely cause problems, so I decided that this position was the most suitable for supporting her, and I will also volunteer to assist everyone.” (Masaru)

　This is the gist after omitting the rest.

“…Is he really a high school student?” (Jiro)

“…I’m not confident that I can write something this serious.” (Kaido)

　The first sentence may be a personal matter, but the rest of the reasons could be written on a resume if the content were changed to suit a well-known company.

　I’ve always thought he was mature, but when you put it in writing, it becomes so clear.

　I thought he was a serious and honest boy, but I had no idea how he could have reached this level at his age, as I am from a third-rate university.

“Well, Masaru should be as he wishes. We need a healer.” (Jiro)

“That’s right, can you also leave the accounting to him?” (Kaido)

“Don’t make him do your work.” (Jiro)

　I thought it was a good idea, but I decided not to leave the accounting to a part-time worker.

　It’s a little difficult to use the boy, but if he fits the mold, he’ll be fine.

　The problem is the darkness that lies behind the …… dark clouds.

“I didn’t expect this.” (Jiro)

“Woah.” (Kaido)

　Shiretoko Minami – 18 years old　　

　Occupation: Student

　Magical Aptitude: Seven (Deputy-General Class)

　Job Title: Undecided

　Status

　Strength 2　　　　

　Durability 1　　　　

　Agility 2

　Endurance 1

　Dexterity 6　　　

　Knowledge 98　　　

　Intuition 8　　　

　Luck 7 　　　

　Magic 112 　　　

　I can’t see any future party tactics because of this.

“She’s a complete fixer-upper.” (Jiro)

　Her status should have been strengthened by the Magic Crest, but her status was too low and unbalanced, and I had no choice but to voice it so when I saw it.

　And I can’t think of how to operate with this fixer-upper.

　It’s a problem I have no experience with.

“What and how does this happen?” (Kaido)

　Kaido’s words are exactly what I want to be answered.

　There is a limit to the lack of exercise one could have.

　When asked to look at her status and think about how to use her, I can only think of a fixed turret that only shoots powerful magic.

　In a dungeon where you are supposed to run and jump around, it is nothing but a flaw.

“I suppose she has potential, though.” (Jiro)

“I guess there no choice but to become Sergeant Ha*tman?” (Kaido) [T/N: Sergeant Hartman is a character in the movie Full Metal Jacket (1987). He’s the trash-talking drill sergeant. He’s very iconic. You can ask Google-sensei if you don’t know about him.]

　Somehow it will be in the future, not now.

　To put it simply, Magical Aptitude is the potential amount of improvement in status due to the affinity to magical power.

　The higher the Magical Aptitude, the greater the amount of increase in status when training in a space teeming with magical power.

　Therefore, the magical aptitude of seven is a number that affects her future.

　And it is true that there is a simple aspect of the total amount of magic power capacity, in the case of the reverse it is confirmed that it cannot be used unless it is trained, so high Magical Aptitude is a complete treasure trove.

“…They don’t have the time since they work part-time.” (Jiro)

　Kaido’s proposal may be overkill, but there may be a method.

　Since they have magical power, we should thoroughly train their physical strength.

　However, unlike us, they are just part-time workers and students at the same time, and it is difficult for them to concentrate and train at some point when they are bound by their studies.

“Kaido, can you come up with a position that suits her after looking at her status?” (Jiro)

“…a desk jockey?” (Kaido)

　I thought of Minami in a suit sitting in front of the computer for a moment, saying, “that I did”. However, I quickly erased it from my mind because it was just uncomfortable.

　My first impression of her was that she did not fit the image of a serious worker.

“You’re moving away from the dungeon.” (Jiro)

　Kaido’s answer was a bit of a cop-out, but the reality was that her status wasn’t really suited for combat.

　She’s very positive and motivated, and even though she tried to get a part-time job five days a week, Masaru stopped her and set her workdays to three days a week, or four if possible.

“ I’ll have to change my working style to something more flexible and do some work on the conference room.” (Jiro)

“We don’t have to work overtime, do we?” (Kaido)

“When we can choose the working hours, the word ‘overtime’ disappears, so if we act as a group, these disadvantageous consequences will surely appear.” (Jiro)

　At least Saturdays and Sundays will be gone.

　For the two of them, as students, weekends are limited free time.

　It is not unusual for them to work part-time.

　Those who have the guts will use the early morning and late-night slots to secure their days off, but as expected, I don’t want to attack the dungeon early in the morning or late at night.

“I’ll have to rearrange my schedule.” (Jiro)

“You wouldn’t push yourself too hard, right?” (Kaido)

“You want to take over?” (Jiro)

“I’m rooting for you Senior!” (Kaido)

“That’s a nice, smooth switch.” (Jiro)

　Then, if we incorporate part-time work shifts, you’ll naturally need to adjust the time of day that you’ll be working together to take on the dungeon.

　At least I won’t be able to rest on Saturdays for a while.

“The two of them will be training for a while, but… Kaido, you’ll be going into the dungeon to get used to the actual battle.” (Jiro)

“Am I finally free from that hell!?” (Kaido)

“I don’t deny that it was hell, but you’ll appreciate it later, you know?” (Jiro)

　I’m not going to go into too much detail here, because I’m sure that someone who hasn’t experienced it will not understand half of what I’m saying.

　In order to prepare, I need to make a list of things.

　Then I suddenly realized.