NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20 - Big Corporations Are Amazing
“This is the building where Mr. Tanaka’s company is located…”
In the heart of Tokyo. An office district lined with headquarters of well-known companies.
I looked up at the towering building from below. The top was so high that it was out of sight. The company’s office is somewhere in this building. The business card mentioned the 30th to 35th floors.
“It feels like a completely different world from mine.”
Living with three people in a 10-tatami mat room. Looking around, the adults wearing suits and hurrying about clearly belonged to a world different from that of a poor high school student like me.
(Good thing I’m in my school uniform. If I were in casual clothes, I’d definitely stand out.)
I haven’t bought anything other than Uniqlo for casual wear in a long time, and even then, I haven’t bought anything recently. Rather than caring about fashion, I focus on nutrition. The nutrients you can get from bean sprouts are limited. More like almost nonexistent. Probably.
Then I opened the enormous door, which was automatic. It had no ominous designs, just transparent glass so clean you could see through it.
“Um, I have an appointment with Mr. Tanaka from Weapon Corporation…”
“May I have your name, please?”
“Oh, sorry. It’s Mikenju.”
“One moment, please… Yes, your appointment is confirmed. Please take this key card and use the elevator to the 30th floor.”
“Thank you very much!”
Holding the entry pass, I got into the elevator. Wait, isn’t this elevator bigger than my house?
The elevator was so large it looked like it could carry a car, and it ascended to the 30th floor. The ground looked small, and my ears popped a bit from the pressure difference.
And then I arrived on the 30th floor. In front of me was a reception desk with the same logo of an axe and a sword as on the business card, with a beautiful woman sitting there.
“Welcome to Weapon Corporation.”
“Excuse me, I’m Kenya Mikenju. I have an appointment with Mr. Tanaka…”
“Yes, I’ve been informed. Please follow me this way.”
The receptionist greeted me with a practiced smile, even though I was just a high school student. She guided me along. I saw people who looked like explorers like me in some of the rooms we passed by.
And then, perhaps to the president’s office? I was led to a particularly luxurious room, and the door opened on its own. It looked like a normal door, but it was automatic, or so I thought until someone came out from inside.
“Well, Issei, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
A nice middle-aged man with a stubble, looking nothing like someone who belonged in an office district, stepped out, cigarette in mouth. He was muscular, in his 30s, looking like a mercenary.
“T-Tendo Ryunosuke!?”
“Huh?”
His sharp gaze pierced through me. I shivered instantly, unable to stop sweating.
The world’s strongest explorer. His status was said to be unmatched even by modern armed forces. He could probably kill me in less than a second.
“Mr. Ryu, this is a no-smoking area.”
Hey, receptionist lady! You’ll get killed! Warning a man like a wild beast, yet as sharp as a naked blade… you must be fearless. Huh? Mr. Ryu? They seem to be on familiar terms.
“Tch! What a troublesome woman.”
Tendo put out the cigarette in his palm. That must be hot. Isn’t it? But what thick hands. These are the hands of a warrior, an explorer who has fought on the front lines for 20 years.
And Tendo left.
“I’ve known him since he was just starting out. I was a kid back then.”
“Oh, really.”
So even Tendo had a rookie phase. It’s only natural, but it’s hard to imagine from someone who feels like the embodiment of “THE Bro.”
“Hello, Kenya! Thank you for coming!”
Mr. Tanaka called out from inside. The room was amazing, just as you’d expect from a president’s office.
Inside, probably equipment, there were several pieces of gear that looked incredibly powerful, fitting for a company specializing in equipment.
If it were my own gear, I could see its details by focusing on it, but I can’t see the details of unknown equipment. Once I equip it, I can see it, though.
I sat down as Mr. Tanaka guided me.
“Now, Kenya, let’s talk about money.”
And so the negotiation began. On one side, a shrewd president with a booming business, on the other, just a high school student. It shouldn’t even be a contest, but…
“Oh! Before that, Kenya!”
“Yes?”
“Are you hungry?”