Magic Stones.
They have no fixed shape and emit a reddish-purple glow.
These special minerals appear when monsters in dungeons are defeated and have become an invaluable energy source in today's world.
Some even say that in the future, a single gram of a magic stone could power an entire metropolis for a day—such is the absurd potential of this substance.
Among the wealthy, some flaunt them as status symbols, valuing them more than diamonds.
At present, the largest recorded magic stone was about the size of an adult woman's fist.
The one discovered in Japan was purchased by the United States for 500 million dollars.
Even considering how rare magic stones were at the time, that was an exorbitant price.
And the one Snow just pulled out?
Just as big, if not bigger.
If something like that suddenly appeared, chaos was inevitable.
Especially here—the Dungeon Management Bureau.
A gathering of people who understood the value of magic stones better than anyone else.
---
Just five minutes later, we were escorted to a reception room.
For two young strangers barging in unannounced, this was beyond unusual.
A nervous female employee, trembling like a small animal, cautiously set down coffee (I genuinely felt bad for her) before quickly retreating.
Snow glared at the cup with visible disgust.
"Why is coffee so universally accepted?"
"No idea…"
"Orange juice is far superior."
Come to think of it, I did buy her some from a vending machine earlier.
Taste preferences aside, I'd probably prefer orange juice in this situation too.
As we fidgeted, waiting for the higher-up who was surely on their way, Snow nudged my shoulder.
"Yuuma, can we trust this Dungeon Management Bureau?"
"Depends on what you mean by 'trust.'"
If it's about social credibility, they're unimpeachable.
"If we disclose confidential information, how airtight is their secrecy? And how useful are they for dungeon diving?"
"No clue about the first part—I'm an outsider. But for the second? They're top-tier in Japan."
Many companies and organizations claim to specialize in dungeon conquests.
But the Bureau stands above them all in influence, reputation, and manpower.
Its founder was Japan's first dungeon conqueror , and it currently employs 23 Skill Holders.
In any other organization, even one Skill Holder would be a star attraction.
23? That's on a whole other level.
"You're really gung-ho about dungeon diving, Snow. Any reason?"
"Hmm, I wonder?"
"…Huh?"
"..."
"What's up?"
Snow was staring at me like I'd said something unexpected.
"You're not going to press for details?"
"Well, if you've got reasons you can't talk about it, right?"
"You're too nice…"
She gave me a deadpan look, as if exasperated.
Then—
*Knock, knock.*
At my "Come in," a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair entered.
Mid-30s, maybe? Sharp eyes, a neatly trimmed beard.
There was something familiar about him…
I hurriedly stood to greet him, but Snow stopped me with a hand.
The man, still standing, introduced himself in a dignified tone.
"I'm Yanagi Toshimitsu, head of the Dungeon Management Bureau. A pleasure."
"Wha—?!"
— Yanagi Toshimitsu.
The man shrouded in mystery, known only as a member of the first dungeon-clearing party.
Around 35 years old.
No wonder he looked familiar—he's a legend.
I've only ever seen photos, but I'm actually a fan.
Honestly, every young person in Japan probably idolizes him.
Never thought I'd meet him like this.
Given how little leaks about the Bureau's upper echelons, this was a shock.
"You're Minashiro Yuuma, correct?"
Yanagi's sharp gaze locked onto me.
Not hostile, but intense enough to make me flinch.
"…How do you know my name?"
"We cross-referenced data from your past test attempts here. Apologies for the intrusion, but we had to verify your credibility. I hope you understand."
"Oh, no, that's fine…"
Using records for identification? Standard procedure.
"However… we found no records on the young lady beside you. I was told she's the one carrying the magic stone."
Yanagi glanced at Snow, who crossed her legs with an air of arrogance.
"Snow White."
…Why does she sound so confrontational?
This isn't good.
Yanagi probed further.
"…A codename, perhaps?"
"Think what you want."
"I see. My apologies. Now, Minashiro-kun, Snow White-kun—you've brought an exceptionally large magic stone here. What do you intend to do with it? Or rather, what do you want us to do? Before that, we'd need to verify its authenticity."
Yanagi smiled, his earlier intensity gone as he took a seat.
Honestly, I had no idea what Snow's plan was either.
Before I could fumble for an answer, Snow suddenly extended her right hand.
A massive magic stone materialized in her palm.
…Wait, did that just appear out of thin air?
"Want to check if it's real?"
Faced with the stone, Yanagi fell silent for a moment, visibly overwhelmed, before shaking his head.
"…No need. The energy density is unmistakable. May I ask where you obtained this?"
"Apologize for your rudeness first."
Why is she picking a fight?!
This is terrifying.
Are we on the brink of a disaster here?
Snow, calm down!
Yanagi's eyebrow twitched.
"…Rudeness? I'm not sure what you mean."
"The moment we entered this building, you magically scanned us. You called out your top brass. Don't play dumb."
… Magical scanning?
What is she talking about?
But Yanagi seemed to recognize the accusation. His expression shifted dramatically—shock, then wariness as he stared at Snow.
"…Just who are you?"
Yanagi was clearly shaken, but I was completely lost.
The only thing I understood?
I shouldn't be here.
"Use your imagination."
"..."
Instead of anger, Yanagi studied Snow, as if trying to decipher her motives.
But Snow remained unfazed, even under his intense scrutiny.
Eventually, Yanagi bowed his head in concession.
"First, I apologize for the discourtesy you mentioned. It's true—we employ what you called a magical detection system. It measures the magical energy of anyone entering this building. Even those who've never entered a dungeon… in other words, those in an unawakened state."
Magical energy measurement…?
… I've never heard of this.
It's definitely not public knowledge.
I've taken tests here for years and researched extensively—I'd know.
And Yanagi just casually dropped the term "magical energy" like it was nothing.
I thought it was just Snow's jargon.
But this aligns with what she said earlier—about "awakening" upon entering a dungeon.
"If magical energy isn't common knowledge in this world, then the Bureau must know what it really is. "
"…Are you affiliated with an organization? Only a handful of top explorers should be aware of its existence."
"That's all I needed to hear. I had no intention of partnering with a group that doesn't understand magic."
Snow thumped the magic stone onto the table.
"I'll apologize for my attitude too. Consider this stone a peace offering. Though it's not just that."
"..."
Yanagi eyed the carelessly placed stone with suspicion.
A mineral worth billions , treated so casually.
He must've been stunned by her audacity.
And if her words were to be believed—
"You're offering this to us?"
"Not for free. There are three conditions. "
At this, Yanagi straightened in his seat.
"Conditions? Name them."
"First: Prepare a spacious residence for us. No surveillance. "
"…And if we do surveil you?"
Testing the waters, Yanagi received a blunt reply.
"I won't guarantee the safety of whoever's watching."
"…Noted."
"Won't guarantee their safety"…?
That's chilling.
But realistically, if Snow wanted to, she could kill a person or two without breaking a sweat.
Just like how she froze goblins and golems— no normal human could do that.
And with no evidence left behind…
"Second: Provide us with all the information we request. No omissions. "
"That… isn't something I can decide unilaterally."
Yanagi's expression soured.
This was probably the kind of demand he'd normally refuse on the spot.
"Take all the time you need to deliberate. Third: Hire Yuuma as a dungeon conqueror. "
"…Him, and not you?"
"I'm the spirit he summoned."
"...You look perfectly human to me."
Yanagi sounded genuinely baffled.
Yeah, no kidding.
She looks human to me too.
"If you seriously think I'm human, we might need to reconsider this arrangement. "
She thumbed in my direction as she said this.
…Am I an object now, Snow?
"..."
Yanagi stared at me intently.
But since I was just as clueless, I could only offer a vague smile in return.
"…Forgive me. To my eyes, you're both ordinary humans."
"Oh? Then here's a hint: magical energy. "
Magical energy?
I tilted my head.
Yanagi kept staring.
What even is this atmosphere?
"…Are you saying he's special because he lacks it?"
Huh?
I don't have magical energy?
But Snow said I had a ton.
"What are you talking about?"
Snow herself looked confused, furrowing her brows.
"It's obviously there. He has the most magical energy I've ever seen in a human. By a landslide. "
Yanagi studied my face again.
Not sure what's so interesting about it.
"…That's impossible. Our scanners registered an error. That only happens with individuals who possess zero magical energy—even in a dormant state. That's why he repeatedly failed the entrance exams."
"Eh…"
So that's why I kept failing?
Every result said "unsuitable," but I had no idea there was a hidden criterion.
I did wonder why I never passed despite meeting the stated requirements…
"I don't know what kind of device you're using, but no ordinary machine could measure the amount of magical energy Yuuma has."
"Our scanners detected immense energy from you. Even I can sense it. But Minashiro-kun has none. We don't rely solely on machines—"
Snow cut him off.
"Wrong. You just can't perceive it because there's too much. Maybe a side effect of this world's lack of magical saturation? Try expanding your sensing range."
"…I'm not particularly skilled at that, but—"
Yanagi closed his eyes, focusing.
Honestly, I was struggling to keep up.
Should I just stay quiet?
After a moment, sweat beaded on Yanagi's forehead.
His face had noticeably paled.
"—This can't be."
The way he looked at me now was like a man face-to-face with a freed tiger.
"What is this energy…? This young man truly…?"
"Exactly. He's beyond your ordinary metrics."
Yanagi's body began to tremble.
What the hell is happening?
"…Snow, what's going on?"
I whispered, only to get a curt reply.
"Just sit there and look pretty."
"…Yes, ma'am."
After a prolonged silence, Yanagi alternated between staring at me and Snow, his expression pained.
"…My apologies. It seems I was mistaken."
"Well, can't blame you. Yuuma's an outlier. "
They were talking about me, but I felt completely left out.
Maybe I should start sulking.
As I debated, Yanagi spoke again, visibly unsettled.
"…Give me three days. I'll have an answer by then."
Snow nodded, satisfied.
"Fine by me. One last thing: Securing us isn't just about combat strength. Remember that."
"…I'll keep it in mind."
And with that, our negotiations at the Dungeon Management Bureau came to a close.