Togakushi's Gloom

Resignation letters, when they pile up, can be identified by their sound before their weight.

The stack of papers Nagumo from Strategic Planning placed on the desk landed with the heavy thump of a dictionary.

"This week's resignation letters: twenty-six people. Half are instructors from the Training Wing and members of the research team. We've confirmed at least seven clans behind the poaching. ...Apparently, everyone signed before even hearing the terms."

Eight days had passed since the audio leak.

"As for the sponsors, two of the three who were 'confirming the facts' have notified us that they're terminating their contracts. The remaining one isn't expected to renew next time, either. The stock finally traded today, but—not at a figure I can report."

Togakushi Gen remained motionless, staring out the window.

"And one more matter." Nagumo's voice dropped slightly. "Did you see the Dungeon Agency's announcement this morning?"

'"Explorer Training Instructor" Qualification: Formal Review of System Design Officially Begins. Private-Sector Experts to Oversee Curriculum'

The supervisor's name had been withheld. Whether there was any point in withholding it was another matter. Retreat criteria. The habit of keeping records. How to teach without letting people die. No one in the industry was unaware anymore of where the theories underpinning the provisions had come from.

"...Chairman. At least give us a policy for handling the public-relations response."...