Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Has Girlfriends

Girlfriend(s): Suela Handelberg & Memoria Tris

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee)

Magical Aptitude: Eight (General Class)

“I’m going on a business trip… to the Otherworld?” (Jiro)

“From my point of view, we’re just visiting my home after a long time.” (Evia)

Certainly, the Demon King’s army existed in Ithar quite a few thousand years ago. It would definitely be rude to ask a woman how old she is, and I’m not crazy enough to bet my life on that.

“I know you’re asking me to do this because it’s possible, but what about safety?” (Jiro)

“If I am grading you for asking the right or wrong question, I still give you a deduction in courage, but I’ll take it as a prudent question in this case.” (Evia)

Her evaluation is still strict. I’m told that I’m going on a business trip and the destination is another world, and my brain capacity is about to overflow, but I want my superior to praise me for managing to hold my own.

Well, since it’s the supervisor, she may have noticed.

A light tap on the desk and a map of the continents, different from that of the earth, is magically projected on it.

It is often said that the three-dimensional images seen in science fiction, the ultimate technological display, are not much different from magic.

“Though, I have been reminded of the importance of information transmission, collection, and evaluation since I came here. To attack without knowing anything and overconfident in one’s own strength is not only third-rate but also the act of a fool.” (Evia)

It was as if she meant that I lacked knowledge about the organization when she said that, also the Demon King’s Army was not like what I thought.

As a matter of course, they have not adopted a system to collect information by just throwing resources like the former Japanese army. It is a distant suggestion that I should know at least that much.

“Naturally, the installation of transfer gates for information gathering, outposts, and information channels are all managed in secret. This information is confidential. This information is disclosed to you because you are now in a position to deal with it. We don’t mind it to a certain extent, but if you leak it, you know what would happen, don’t you?” (Evia)

I silently nod.

Unlike the secret information that Japanese businessmen manage, the supervisors manage the secrets in the preparation for war, even though they use the terms “Tester” and “Dungeon Attack”.

If the sovereignty of the state and the country is at stake, this level of secrecy of information is a natural expectation.

I nodded my head in agreement with the trust that would also serve as a proving ground.

Words would not be necessary here.

The decision was correct.

The supervisor proceeded with the explanation, spilling a word or two, not knowing if there is a point to it or none.

“Your temporary cover and position over there will be as one of the guards of the merchant corps. If you don’t want to risk your own neck, don’t be too chivalrous. The common sense over there is far removed from the common sense here. Your job is to learn by watching and listening. Do only what is needed.” (Evia)

I could tell without her saying it and she was trying to nail it to my head, telling me not to do anything I shouldn’t do.

“How long is the assignment?” (Jiro)

“The traffic is not as good in Ithar as it is here. I’d say about three months, but you should be aware that there is a possibility that it could be longer.” (Evia)

“That’s quite long.” (Jiro)

“That’s how long it will take. Don’t worry, you will get it back by the time the second batch of hiring starts.” (Evia)

If it is only for administrative purposes and to make common-sense adjustments, this business trip may be more like a short-term study abroad program.

However, I don’t quite understand why I am being sent on a business trip at this time.

Three months is probably longer than I thought.

I can’t deny the fact that it was a rush operation, although I have been thoroughly re-trained.

My role is to act as the training wheels.

My role is to support the bicycle until they can ride it on their own, but now, I am starting to ride the bike but I don’t have to wear a training wheel.

My ride is not as stable as expected

There are still plenty of things I can be taught and given advice on.

Is my growth the only reason to push this?

That reason may be a factor, but it cannot be said to be the only factor in the decision.

I have to broaden my perspective and not focus on myself.

The Supervisor’s point of view would be that of someone in the military brass and organizational management, not an individual point of view.

Then, what should be considered

“Is there a grace period for the other testers?” (Jiro)

“Yes.” (Evia)

If my prediction is wrong, I’ll just look like an idiot and they’ll correct me.

The supervisor’s gaze, which tells you to continue while anticipating something there, is not tinged with rejection.

“The gap between me and the other testers in terms of combat ability and experience has widened too much, and you’re trying to widen that gap, not fill it, am I right?” (Jiro)

“Why do you think so?” (Evia)

“I would like you to correct me if I am being presumptuous, but it is the difference in mindset between me and the other testers who are employed by this company. They are only Japanese day laborers. They are standing in the twilight of their lives, ready to return to their daily routine at any time. On the other hand, I am facing the twilight of my life, not in the twilight of my personal life, but on this side of the company, dawn.” (Jiro)

I already have an image in my mind of the path I will take with Suela.

I can’t say that I have no regrets about Japan there, but I have reached a level where I can discard such feelings.

I am trying to set myself up in this world, which is extraordinary from the point of view of my daily life in Japan.

“From Japan’s side, I am standing and facing the dusk.” (Jiro)

In other words, I’m a hybrid of common sense.

I am trying to have both common sense in Japan and common sense in the otherworld.

For other testers, it is like I’m trying to enter the world through a looking glass, from their Japanese common sense.

And I am neither tainted by nor repelled by the common sense of the otherworld.

I will toast with both worlds.

“You needed that, right? Someone in the middle management position that stands at the boundary between the two worlds. I just happened to have the aptitude for it.” (Jiro)

If you asked me how many testers talk to goblins, I’d say a few.

I would guess definitely not double digits.

Most testers avoid the goblin race because they see them as barbaric, dim-witted, and filthy, and they don’t even want them in their line of sight.

To them, I must seem insane to speak of them as colleagues.

However, even among the Japanese, there are people who are barbaric, dim-witted, and filthy.

There may be differences in understanding, but for me, it makes no sense to look only at the herd and not the individual.

I understand that it is quite difficult to hold that value, but I am not convinced.

I thought for a moment that if that were the case, I would not talk with dark elves and succubus, even though they look similar to humans.

Well, there are exceptions, such as Minami and Kaido, who shop with a hard-working orc carrying a shopping basket, or a goblin foreman who comforts his broken heart with sake, so I’ve decided to accept that they are just that kind of person.

“What do you think?” (Jiro)

“Fifty points.” (Evia)

“So, I failed?” (Jiro)

“You barely passed.” (Evia)

In the end, I shrug my shoulders and chuckled.

The serious atmosphere has always made me uncomfortable.

The answer was based on the fact that I was thinking about it to the limit of what my head could do in a serious situation, The result was just short of a red mark. However, it was a satisfactory answer.

“Originally, the difference is in perception between us and you, and that was raised as a concern. One of the characteristic examples of a hero is his aversion to killing. From my point of view, killing is evil, but it is not unnecessary. However, if you look for it, you will find that there are many people among us who have similar views. On the contrary, among the heroes, there are some who, though rare, has no aversion to killing.” (Evia)

I would like to say that they must just be lunatics, but I guess it is a personality that would be welcomed over there.

“The first grace period you mentioned, that wasn’t a mistake, but it wasn’t the right one either. It’s for their promotion. It’s the last time I can give them to see how much of an advantage they can have over the second batch of trainees coming in, how much they can elevate their position.” (Evia)

She is smiling that evil smile again, saying that the term “grace period” is correct in that sense.

Well, she is a beautiful woman, so that smile looks good on her.

If I had not fallen in love with Suela, I might have fallen in love with her smile.

I see. So, it’s her own kind of carrot.

The experience of joining the company earlier is definitely better.

However, I wonder how many of them would notice the stick hidden behind the carrot.

If they sit on that grace time, a sermon accepting no excuses awaits them.

No, I wish she would just give a sermon.

I’m sure that the first thing that will happen is a sermon with some application of physics.

“I see, I’ll keep it in mind.” (Jiro)

“Keep that in mind. And I don’t intend to get away with such a half-hearted attempt at middle management aptitude. That’s where you lose the most points. You’re forgetting how to be ambitious.” (Evia)

“…” (Jiro)

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