#1169 First Part-Time Job

The familiar duo of Horkosfon and Letasreit, summoned by Sensei, make their grand entrance.

“Mana Cannon: Unlock! Megido Ark Annihilation Barrage! Attack with Natto Bacteria!”
“Grrrrrrrraaahhh!!!”
“Bean Meteor!”
“Whaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!”

While Horkosfon unleashes a barrage of hundreds of Mana Cannons...
Letasreit follows up with a devastating ultimate annihilation spell, utterly crushing Typhon once again.

It’s one thing for Horkosfon, being an angel, to be so overpowering, but why is Letasreit just as overwhelming?

“Did you get it now? The world is vast. What you thought were impossible exceptions are just as common as rocks or trees, scattered everywhere. The mere fact that you didn’t realize that shows your lack of mental maturity.”
“Ughhhh… but I’m the oldest and strongest Proto-Geyser Dragon! How can I lose like this?!”
“New things are stronger than old ones. That’s what evolution is. Only when the old can use the advantages of starting first and have put in more effort, can they win against the new.”

Seriously, why are so many people here able to defeat Typhon?
She’s supposed to be the ultimate weapon against gods, right?

And the scariest part is that everyone involved is somehow connected to the farm.

Typhon, now back in her human form, is utterly crushed by this.

“That’s exactly why working under Lord Saint will do wonders for you. Knowledge and power are accumulated through experience. There’s nothing more effective for growth than accumulating unprecedented experiences.”
“Wait, does that mean if I work here, I’ll become the strongest in the world?!”
“At least, you’ll be stronger than you were yesterday.”

Sensei sure knows how to talk a lazy bum into action.
You’ve got to give it to him, being a seasoned educator and all.

“Allllll right! If that’s the case, leave it to me! I’ll manage a dungeon like a pro! Don’t underestimate the power of the Proto Geyser Dragon!!!”
“Ohh! Typhon’s making a comeback into society?! I’m so glad I consulted the people here at the farm!”

Alexander is moved to tears, like a parent witnessing their child finally turning their life around.

“Well, I don’t just want Typhon to manage a demo dungeon just to ‘rehabilitate’ her. Normally, dungeons form in areas with mana accumulation. In places where mana doesn’t naturally gather, we dragons have to pour in a ton of mana ourselves to artificially create them.”

Yeah.
You’ve told me this before.

“But these areas that don’t naturally accumulate mana are usually flat open plains, which causes mana to dissipate constantly, making it very hard to maintain. Sure, it’ll hold up for a little while, but if I create a dungeon in a far-off location, I’ll have to come back here often to recharge the mana.”

That sounds like a hassle...
Alexander already has a main dungeon to take care of, so having to travel back and forth sounds inconvenient.

“That’s why even for a demo dungeon, it needs a dedicated manager. And there’s no one more suited than Typhon. Most dragons can’t sustain a dungeon with just their own mana, but she is fully capable of that.”

So, Alexander must’ve chosen her on purpose, considering her potential.

Actually, only the Emperor Dragon, A.K.A the Geyser Dragon, can create a dungeon with their own mana.
So, it makes sense that someone like Typhon, being called the Proto-Emperor Dragon, can pull it off.

“Basically, getting Typhon to manage the demo dungeon will help her reintegrate into society and make her the perfect choice! It’s a win-win!!!”
“Okie-dokie, leave it to me!!!”

Both Alexander and Veil are pumped up.

“You think just sending mana to complete the dungeon is enough? No way! Maintaining it is just as crucial! That’s something this NEET doesn’t understand, so I, your dungeon management veteran, will teach her every little thing!”

Veil's always eager to take on the role of the senior.

Meanwhile, Sensei, Horkosfon, and Letasreit have already left once their job was done.

“Oh, you’re so dependable, sister! As expected from a diligent dragon who’s been well-taught by the Saint!”
“Hahaha! It’s nothing, really! Don’t worry, brother! I’ll train and guide this NEET into a dragon worthy of the public eye!!!”

Er, calling Typhon a NEET like that might actually stick...

“Fuhahahaha! Managing a dungeon is no problem for the Proto-Geyser Dragon Typhon! I’ll do it perfectly!”
“You idiot!!!”
“Gah!”

Veil's strike lands squarely in Typhon’s stomach.
Veil, no physical punishment, please!

“If you underestimate work, you’ll regret it! Work means responding to your employer’s demands, and in return, receiving wages! Responsibility arises the moment money changes hands!!!”

Hm...
That sounds like a perfectly reasonable point, but coming from Veil, it just feels... off.

“On top of that, the value of a dungeon depends on how useful it is for its guardian! You want to be evaluated for your work, don’t you? Then you have to give it your all!”
“R-Right! As the Proto-Geyser Dragon, I’ll prove myself to everyone! I’ll make this dungeon the biggest in the world and make everyone acknowledge my greatness!”

And so, the dungeon management simulation began...!
...No, wait.

This is still Alexander’s demo dungeon, remember?
So, keep things in moderation, all right?

“Now, the first thing you need to know about dungeon management is greeting! ‘Welcome!’ and ‘Thank you for visiting’—these are the bare minimum!!!”
“W-Welcome?!”

Things are already starting to go off track.

“Next, it’s important to create a good atmosphere inside the dungeon. You can’t expect customers to visit a place that’s unpleasant to be in! To make it inviting, you need cleanliness, brightness, and enough space for people to feel comfortable!”
“T-True, nobody wants to be in a dirty, dark, cramped place!”
“That’s right!”

Veil's points are valid and all, but...
Does any of this really apply to dungeon management?

"That's why dungeon cleaning is essential! The most efficient way is to let Scavenger Monsters roam around. They’ll eat up all the dirt and keep things moving on their own!”
“I-I see...!”
“But don’t think you can skip out on doing your part! At least once a week, you need to personally check the dungeon for any issues! Also, pay attention to the interior! Keep the lights on and ensure the corridors are wide enough for two parties to pass each other comfortably! If you slack off here, the visitors will hate you!”

I guess this actually does relate to dungeon management.
Did Veil really pay this much attention while running her own dungeon?

Her dungeon back in the farm has been steadily improving every time I go there, after all.
It’s only when I venture into other dungeons that I realize how much more inconvenient they can be!

“Hmm, this is actually really helpful.”

Even Alexander is listening intently?!

“The next thing to remember is product display and face-up! The adventurers who enter the dungeon come for the materials and monsters! That’s the reason they dive in! So, you can’t let that ever stop!”
“Ohh!”
“Once materials or monsters are collected or defeated, immediately put out new ones! Never say ‘We don’t have any more’! You can’t assume everyone will ask for the same thing! If you don’t have it, they’ll leave, and you’ll miss out on an opportunity! That’s a major mistake!!!”

Well, if it’s not there, then it’s not there…

“And don’t forget to display the materials and monsters clearly! Whenever you have free time, check the shelves and move things forward to make it more visible! That’s called ‘face-up’! Got it?”
“F-Face-flash?!”

This is starting to feel a lot like a convenience store job, but sure...

But honestly, Veil’s advice is spot on when it comes to running a dungeon properly.

So, this is what dungeon guardians do to welcome adventurers, huh…
...Wait, no way. That can’t be it.

From a dungeon guardian’s perspective, adventurers are just intruders.

They probably want to capture or deal with them as quickly as possible, not exactly greet them with a smile.

The fact that these guys are aiming to make their dungeons user-friendly...
Well, that’s just because they’re all so uniquely different from the norm.

...Though Sensei, the Lifeless King, might join them soon enough.

While I was lost in thought, Typhon, receiving her training, is beginning to shine with determination.

“Okay! Now that I’ve learned, managing a dungeon is nothing! Easy peasy! Watch me, I’ll make this the best dungeon in the world!!!”

Well, remember, it’s still just Alexander’s demo dungeon.

Dragons sure are prone to forgetting the point halfway through, huh?