Birthday, the Jolonto Problem

Keya's POV:

I pushed myself up as if I'd been hit by a German suplex and returned to Nadia's side.

Shahzad, looking refreshed from his bath, settled himself on the sofa opposite us without any resistance.

"Nadia, would you like something to drink?"

"Sure. I think I'll have a coffee."

Even though she never normally drinks coffee, it was clearly some sort of signal.

"Is it okay if I finish what I was drinking?"

I swallowed my comment about how she'd probably just leave it anyway.

"Yes, that's fine."

Nadia took a small sip of the now-cold Americano.

"…"

(That looks terribly unappetizing… she really should have just made a new cup…)

"Well, that's quite a presentation."

(Don't bring rustic elegance into an Americano.)

Nadia immediately set her mug down.

---

"By the way, you're back surprisingly early this time. You usually don't come back for at least two weeks. Did something happen?"

"Did something happen? Well, it's… you know, that thing."

"That thing?"

"Well, today's your birthday, Nadia."

"Huh?"

In all the morning chaos, she had apparently completely forgotten.

"Oh, was that so? At this age, birthdays tend to feel pretty meaningless."

At this age, or rather, during her adolescence, she was just being her usual self. I remembered having that same detached attitude during my high school years.

"Oh, right... Anyway, I bought you a present."

"…Well, I suppose I can accept it. Might as well, since it's a special occasion."

"Thank you. Here, this is for you…"

Shahzad handed Nadia a small paper bag, looking apologetic.

"Sorry, I'm pretty broke, and I just don't really understand what girls like… I thought about it a lot."

Out of the paper bag emerged a small teddy bear.

(Really…)

It was clearly a cheap mass-produced toy. Honestly, as a gift for a high school-aged sister, it was… well…

(But she seems super happy!)

Though she was desperately trying to keep a poker face, her ears were turning red and her mouth was twitching into a smile. For Nadia, the fact that Shahzad had cut his camping trip short just to celebrate her birthday was more than enough.

(...She should just be happy about it… What's with this attitude lately…)

"…Thank you."

"Also, here's something else. Sorry for the random find."

Shahzad then produced a drawstring bag from his pocket—the famous one distributed by the Dungeon Authority.

"Go collect some nice gems and ores."

Inside were Rubies, Fairy stones, Flame-silk) crystals, Spirit crystals, Witch's tears, Energy stones, Demon ice gems, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera…

At retail prices, the total would be absurdly over a billion taka. Still, as a gift for a high school-aged sister, it was definitely the wrong choice.

[A/N: Currencies are all mentioned in BDT!]

"Ah, thanks, I guess."

It seemed Nadia preferred the stuffed toy.

Shahzad sighed in relief.

"Now then, where should I set up camp next?"

No sooner had we celebrated Nadia's birthday than he immediately turned back to camping. Truly, the only things on his mind were camping and his little sister.

"Aren't you moving your base? I quite liked Dhaka Central one." Keya pointed out.

"Well, it seems the locals there have started disliking me…"

"Oh, about that…"

I quickly changed the subject.

"Have you decided which dungeon you're going to explore next?"

"Not yet. Honestly, I'd really like to dive into one of the overseas dungeons after so long."

"There are just so many complications, aren't there?"

Dungeon-related laws differ dramatically from country to country. But one thing remains universal: no country is fond of foreigners exploring their own dungeons. The dungeon industry has now become so significant that it can even affect a nation's power, so no country is likely to welcome outsiders.

(After all, Shahzad's only goal is camping; he has no interest in the loot, so they might actually welcome him…)

It was frustrating not to be able to share that insight.

"But do dungeons really vary so much depending on the country?"

"They do. Every dungeon seems influenced by the area around its gate. Even within the same country there are regional differences. Dungeons in cities tend to be plain, almost lacking any quirks. But in the countryside, monsters often appear that are based on local folklore."

"In overseas dungeons, monsters unknown in Bangladesh show up frequently."

"Exactly."

"But creatures like Medusa or dragons aren't originally from Bangladesh, right?"

"That probably comes down to recognition. For example, take Jolonto."

"Ah, Jolonto."

Among dungeon researchers, this phenomenon is known as the Jolonto Problem. After it became a hot topic on social media, Jolonto suddenly gained widespread recognition. And then, in subsequent gate appearances, Jolonto began showing up inside dungeons—even though it had never been sighted before.

"Before and after Jolonto, things are referred to differently, aren't they?"

"It really depends on recognition."

"It's fascinating, really. That's the charm of dungeons."

As we were deep in our dungeon discussions, Nadia began fidgeting beside us.

I had tried to be inclusive in the conversation, but as soon as I directed water her way, she immediately straightened up.

"What do you think, Nadia?"

She probably wanted to join in the conversation, yet when spoken to, she returned to her usual indifferent state.

"Nothing in particular."