Otherworld Company Chapter 9.3: The Scariest Part of the Job is Getting Used to It, Don’t You Think?

“Oh no.” (Jiro)

I was too late.

The only thing I could do was cover my face.

“*cough*, *cough*, I was caught off guard.” (Jiro)

The sound of the explosion was followed by the feeling of my body being hit, and finally the cool, chilly sensation.

I was in so much pain that I couldn’t move.

I didn’t hit my head, but instead, I felt numbness in my arms and legs, a burning pain all over my body, and bruises all over my body that prevented me from doing anything else.

“Did that actually self-destruct?” (Jiro)

I grumbled as I tried to drown out the pain, but secretly I knew I was being totally irrational.

It’s a strategy reserved for non-living golem creatures.

They are inorganic soldiers that have been driven to a state where they are no longer useful in battle, and since they have no emotions, they can blow themselves up without hesitation.

It was a method of fighting that could only be used by the Blood type, which leaves its body behind.

“Is the explosion source the magic stone?” (Jiro)

I could feel the heat, but it was different from gunpowder, and the shock of the feeling similar to the explosion magic used by Instructor Fusio was enough to give me a general idea of the cause.

“I haven’t been this battered since my training.” (Jiro)

It’s a good thing there are no abnormalities in my bones, but if someone were to ask me if I could move right away, I’d say no.

And even after analyzing the current situation, my body can’t move without suffering from pain.

For the time being, I get up, ignoring the soreness and aching in my arms and legs, but eventually, I’m forced to sit up, leaning against my bent backpack.

“The potion is lost.” (Jiro)

The potion, a liquid in a glass container, was in its own case, but it was all broken and useless.

“Ugh, the ointment is broken too.” (Jiro)

When the instant cure was ruined, I checked the other one, but sadly, the ointment in the thick glass bottle was also broken in half.

I was grateful that there was still something I could use.

“I wonder if the potion-stained bandage will work on the wound?” (Jiro)

I frowned at the discolored bandage I took out afterward, which was dripping with the potion, but it was better than nothing, and I had no choice but to use it.

I silently applied the ointment to my body, feeling even more depressed as the numbers in my head showed that I was completely in the red due to the destruction of all my medical supplies.

My body was sticky from the ointment, but by the time I finished applying the ointment to all but the hard-to-reach areas and wrapped the bandages around my body, the pain had subsided to the point where I could move.

If I view it from another angle, you will have an impression that it was truly a fantasy medicine.

As I stood up to remove my weight from the backpack I was leaning on, I could feel that I could move.

I was relieved to find that at least I didn’t feel like my bones were broken.

Plus.

“I’m relieved that you are mostly unharmed and not completely destroyed. Well, if I had lost two million yen in an explosion of that magnitude, I would have gone to the store for a smack-down.” (Jiro)

I walked slowly and picked up the Mineral Tree that had been blown away in the other direction, I was able to see a beautiful blade, which is the opposite of how I am at the moment.

I was relieved to see that this was not one of those rare cases when someone sells you a defective product.

As expected, I had no confidence that I would be able to escape from a combat situation alone, unarmed, and empty-handed.

“Well, next time.” (Jiro)

Once my weapon was back, I had to move while there was still time.

I didn’t find the doll that exploded, and instead, I saw everything scattered around.

“The only thing that had a chance of being bought at a higher price was the Blood type, which blew itself up, and the Wood Golem’s magic stone was only a little bigger than a puppet, well, no matter how you look at it, it’s not profitable.” (Jiro)

The leather pouches that I picked up after enduring my aching body were as clean as a bag of jewels at first glance, but in terms of value, they were not much different from an assortment of marbles.

At the very least, today’s harvest would not be enough to cover the damage to my backpack.

“Now, the question is whether to go forward or back.” (Jiro)

I’m not sure I’m ready for that, though I can move around thanks to the medicine.

Fortunately, the map was not destroyed and has a safe way back, so I can go home without any problems, but I have to at least prepare for two hours of traveling.

It was on the condition that I was in good physical condition and had minimal fighting.

I heard that there was an escape device at the entrance if I proceeded to the next level, but from here on out, it was unknown territory, and if it took me longer than ten minutes, thirty minutes, or even longer than the way back, it would be a complete disaster.

It would have been a different story if I had been a little more prepared for that self-destruction.

“I’m not sure if I’m wasting my time worrying about what just happened, or if I should just move on before the others get here.” (Jiro)

I understood that my thoughts were starting to stagnate.

It’s like when you make a mistake at work and you regret it by imagining if you should have done that at that time.

There’s nothing more useless than doing that while you’re working and getting your work done late.

What I need to think about now is the future, and I need to make quick judgments and take action in the current dangerous situation.

If I had a companion, I could consult with him and decide.

“If you don’t have any, this is the way to decide.” (Jiro)

I put the Mineral Tree upright on the floor and gently removed my hand so as not to shake it from side to side.

Luck will decide where it would fall.

“This Mineral Tree, it’s pretty tough.” (Jiro)

If I couldn’t decide, I left it to heaven, and as a result, the Mineral Tree fell in the direction of where I would be heading to.

“Isn’t it better to fail from doing something than to fail without trying?” (Jiro)

I feel something will happen, but the spirit of trying is important, and just hope it goes in a positive direction.

From here on, I no longer have any recovery items, and if I am lucky, the exit is close.

If it goes wrong, it will take me longer.

Still, I should not regret it even if I have to reflect on my mistakes.

“… I wonder if I should stop smoking, it feels like a bad omen.” (Jiro)

I reached for a cigarette to calm my exhausted mind, but I had to take a puff and let it self-destruct, I don’t know what will come out this time.

I decided to keep quiet and move on.

The magic tool that holds my weapon in place is not broken, so I can move around easily, but my body seems to be more injured than I thought and I can’t move as much as I would like to.

“So this is what’s there.” (Jiro)

The straight road leading from the square where I fought the Blood type. The road is wide and looks like it’s heading to something special.

“Did I just raise a death flag?” (Jiro) [T/N: *Facepalm*]

As expected, the road ahead was an open area that seemed to indicate there was something there.

It was bigger than the place where we had just fought and seemed more suitable for a group of people to wait.

But to my delight, I could see a staircase leading upwards.

“If I had to guess, I’d say that was the mid-boss and this is the floor boss?” (Jiro)

When I crossed the gap between this passage and the square, the space would be sealed, the background music would change, and the battle would begin, just like in RPGs.

Of course.

“If that happens, you can’t run away.” (Jiro)

You can’t select the escape command during the event battle.

If that happens, I’m not sure if I have a chance of winning, but to be honest, I can only say it’s unlikely.

If it’s the same enemy as before, I might still have a chance, but I’m definitely outnumbered, and more importantly, if it’s an unknown enemy, the advantage of having the information will be lost.

If that happened, my chances of winning would be even worse.

“What should I do?” (Jiro)

I turned around and looked behind me, contemplating whether to return.

“There’s no other way out.” (Jiro)

But maybe I shouldn’t have looked, I should have just walked right in.

There are more golems as if to emphasize that they have been revived and strengthened, and the thought of having to go through them to get back makes me feel like a total fool.

“The boss of the front gate and the army at the path behind me isn’t in the least bit funny.” (Jiro)

If I were a hero, I would have easily defeated them all by myself, but I’m an ex-salaryman.

I’m not sure I’m going to wake up to such a convenient ability.

There’s only one thing I can do,

“I can’t help it, it’s time to go.” (Jiro)

The only thing I can do is to be positive and face it.

Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Single – No Girlfriend – Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee)

Magical Aptitude: Eight (General Class)

Job Title: Warrior

Status

Strength 54 → Strength 87

Durability 83 → Durability 117

Agility 33 → Agility 52

Endurance 55 (-5) → Endurance 74 (-5)

Dexterity 41 → Dexterity 53

Knowledge 33 → Knowledge 36

Intuition 10 → Intuition 14

Luck 5 → Luck 5

Magic 50 → Magic 70

Condition

Nicotine Addiction

Lung contamination

Note for the Day

It’s important to get used to working, but when it comes to falling into a habit of enduring, it could really hurt.

I literally realized that preparations are truly important.