《Solo Dungeon Streamer-I Am Overpowered》


 Chapter 1: The Reluctant Explorer

    "Taking on a request in the middle of a weekday¡­ Ugh, what a pain in the butt."


    It''s been about 70 years since these fantasy-like dungeons started appearing all over the world. At least, that''s what they taught us in World History A, which focuses on modern times. Honestly, I don''t really get it. They should just make a separate ss called Dungeon History or something. Not that it matters to me since I barely pay attention in ss anyway.


    Apparently, it''s been about 70 years since humanity first started conquering dungeons. But for someone like me, who just explores dungeons to get by, it''s all irrelevant¡­ or at least, it should be. I might''ve learned something about it in a training seminar or whatever, but I was too shocked by how few people were actually paying attention to remember any of it.


    "Good job out there!"


    "Great work, as always!"


    "You''re amazing!"


    As I emerge from the dungeon back to the surface, I''m greeted by a swarm of overly polite Dungeon Association staff. They seem a bit tense, though. I mean,e on, I''m just a high school student. They could be a little more casual with me. But if I told them that, they''d probably just freak out and apologize, so whatever.


    I get it; they''re public servants. It''s part of the job.


    "EX-Rank Explorer, UNKNOWN, returning!"


    "¡­So embarrassing."


    "Right this way, please. The branch manager is expecting you."


    Ugh, it''s so cringy. I should really change my registered name. Why did I submit it nk two years ago? And why do they insist on calling me by my explorer name? I''d much prefer if they just used my real name.


    "Hey, hey! That was fast again, huh?"


    "I just like to get work done quickly."


    "We really appreciate it, Tsukasa Kisaragi."


    "¡­Thanks."


    As I enter the room, I''m greeted by a young man with a suspiciously friendly smile. He stands up immediately and offers me a handshake. I take it, but seriously, that forced business smile is more like a creepy stalker grin.


    "I knew you were the right person for the job. All the other reliable explorers were busy, and if I sent in someone mediocre and they failed, it''d be on me."


    "Yeah, sure. But calling a student out in the middle of a weekday like it''s no big deal¡­ Not cool, man."


    "Don''t worry about it. That''s why you''re enrolled in a private high school with a more flexible schedule, right?"


    "Actually, I got my explorer license after I started high school."


    Is this guy even listening to himself? At first, I thought he was just ttering me, but now it''s clear he''s just talking nonsense. And I''m not impressed. It''s basically like having a high schooler do an adult''s job. Even if I am an EX-rank explorer, there are limits, you know? I could sue this guy for exploiting me.


    No wonder they''re always short-staffed.


    Not thatining in my head is going to solve the staffing issue. And this guy is just another cog in the machine of the Dungeon Association, probably struggling in his own way. Not that I trust his sketchy smile, though.


    "I''ll make sure the payment is transferred to your ount, so rest easy."


    "Thanks."


    "Haha¡­ With that much money, you could probably buy whatever you want, huh?"


    "Maybe¡­ Yeah, I guess so."


    "You''re so humble."


    "If you think this is humble, you might want to see a doctor or visit thebor board."


    The Dungeon Association really thinks money solves everything. They should be questioning the fact that they''re making a high schooler work. Yeah, I agreed to it when I became EX-rank, but still.


    Ugh¡­ This is such a pain. I wish there was someone else who could take on my jobs, so I could just rx, go to school, and sleep soundly at home. Can''t a new EX-rank explorer just show up already?


    Since dungeons started appearing around the world, human life has supposedly changed drastically. Supposedly, because I was born after dungeons and society became intertwined, so I have no idea what life was like before.


    Dungeons are filled with resources essential for human survival. Whether it''s rare metals or exotic foods no one''s ever tasted, dungeons are a goldmine. But the main attraction is the magic stones you can get from defeating the monsters inside.


    Yeah¡­ Dungeons are full of monsters. These grotesque creatures that used to only exist in stories drop magic stones when you kill them¡ªor sometimes they don''t. Anyway, a few decades ago, some genius figured out how to use these stones for energy or something. I don''t really get the technical stuff.


    After that, countries around the world started pouring all their resources into conquering dungeons. At first, they couldn''t handle monsters that bullets didn''t even scratch, but eventually, kids started being born with something they called "magic power." Nobody knows why, but it turns out you can fight monsters if you have magic power.


    So naturally, governments started rounding up anyone who had it.


    It''s been decades since dungeons first appeared, but to be honest, the world''s kind of stagnated. The reason is simple: dungeon conquests have pretty much stalled. They say there are about 500 dungeons worldwide, but less than 20 have been cleared all the way to the final floor. That''s less than 4%.


    The reason for the slow progress is that there are fewer people trying to conquer dungeons. And by that, I mean there are fewer people aiming for the final floor, not just those going in to make a quick buck. Nowadays, those who try are seen as thrill-seeking fools or reckless idiots.


    I''ve rambled on, but the gist is that dungeons exist, and while there were some benefits to conquering them at first, now we don''t need to reach the final floor to solve the energy crisis or keep the economy running. So, there''s no demand for it anymore.


    It''s a tough world¡­ We finally solved the energy crisis, but now there''s no progress.


    "...Sigh."


    I let out a sigh as I look at the money in my bank ount. It''s not like I don''t have enough. I''ve got assets worth tens of times what a regr sryman makes in a lifetime. But I don''t have anything to spend it on, and honestly, I''d trade it all for a moreid-back life.


    I''m earning a lot, but I''m also spending it, trying to keep the economy moving. My ce is pretty high-end, and I own multiple properties andnd in Tokyo, Japan''s capital. I even bought a top-of-the-line PC just for fun and dine at fancy restaurants once a week. But the thing is, Japan''s economy is a joke. The more money you have, the more it just keeps piling up.


    Plus, since I regrly dive into dungeons, I make more than I spend. Even after taxes, I could easily live a life of luxury.


    "It''s not like having too much money is a problem, but this isn''t exactly a typical high schooler''s dilemma¡­"


    Even though I make good money in dungeons, I''ve always thought that a higher education couldn''t hurt, so I''m attending a private high school that''s better than average. But between school and all the requests I get from the Dungeon Association, I''m barely scraping by on attendance. The season when everyone''s talking about summer break is almost here, but I''m always working.


    If anything, I get more requests during the break.


    My homeroom teacher, who knows my situation, says I should just be a full-time explorer after graduation instead of going to college. Despite being a high schooler, I was already a socially awkward loner, and thanks to all the work, I can''t even make it to school half the time. I don''t have any friends, and of course, no girlfriend or anyone I''m interested in.


    I hardly go to school, so I don''t even know any girls my age.


    I''ve got money, but does that make me a winner or a loser in life? I can''t really tell.


    I don''t have any parents or a proper guardian, so I guess I could live however I want¡­ But I don''t even have the energy for that anymore. I''m starting to sound like a burned-out office worker, but I really miss the days when I could just explore dungeons without a care in the world.


    If only I''d made more of an effort to make friends or find a party when I first became an explorer¡­ Would I be living a more fun life now? Nah, no way¡­ A socially awkward loner like me couldn''t pull that off.


    Thinking about impossible things is stressing me out¡­ Maybe I''ll blow off some steam in a dungeon.


    The dungeon I chose to blow off steam in is the "Shibuya Dungeon," the closest one to both my house and school. Actually, I mostly operate around this dungeon.


    The Shibuya Dungeon is located in Tokyo, Japan''s capital. It''s a famous dungeon, both for its difficulty and for its convenient location, attracting a lot of challengers. Even with all those people diving in, though, it still hasn''t been fully cleared.


    The dungeon is an undergroundbyrinth right beneath Shibuya Station. People often wonder why it had to appear in a ce that''s already a maze to navigate. The dungeon entrance and the Dungeon Association''s branch office are located at the deepest part of Shibuya Station¡­ Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to build a dungeon under a dungeon?


    Not that anyone knows who or why these dungeons were created anyway. It''s an eternal mystery.


    "Today, I''m challenging the lower floors of the Shibuya Dungeon for the first time!"


    As I delve into the dungeon to blow off steam, I hear a loud voice echoing from a distance. Lately, I''ve been seeing people like this talking to themselves in dungeons¡­ What the heck are they doing? Talking to yourself in a dungeon just attracts monsters. It''s not like anything goodes from it.


    "They say the lower floors are uncharted territory, but I''ll be fine! There aren''t many people streaming from the lower floors of Shibuya Dungeon, so I know you''re all curious!"


    I catch the words about challenging the lower floors. Dungeons are categorized by their floors, and the areas explorers can ess are determined by their "Explorer Rank."


    The terminology varies by dungeon and country, but in Japan''s Shibuya Dungeon, the floors are divided as follows: Floors 1-10 are the Top Floors, 11-20 are the Upper Floors, 21-40 are the Mid Floors, 41-60 are the Lower Floors, and anything beyond Floor 61 is the Deep Floors. So right now, I''m standing at the boundary between the Mid Floors and the Lower Floors, which is Floor 40.


    "Alright, let''s go! You''re all witnesses to history in the making¡ªjust kidding!"


    While I''m thinking random thoughts, at my feet is a beast that looks like a wolf, yawningzily with its yellow fur swaying. Just like its master, this creature seems pretty rxed here at the bottom of the Mid Floors. It''s probably because we can easily handle the monsters in this area.


    Seriously, this wolf looks even more bored than I am. It was just fighting monsters a minute ago, and now it''s acting like it''s got nothing to do.


    "Ready to head back?"


    In response to my question, the wolf purrs and closes its eyes, but then it suddenly perks up, sensing something, and dashes straight towards the stairs leading to the Lower Floors.


    Honestly, I don''t think it''s cool for a shikigami to just run off without its master, but I''ve known this one the longest out of all my shikigami, so I guess it''s fine¡­ At this point, it''s basically like having a pet dog.


    "Guess I''ve got no choice¡­"


    Even so, I can''t just leave my shikigami unattended, so I start following it at a leisurely pace. It''s the middle of a weekday, so this is probably the time when there are the fewest people in the dungeon. Even if a yellow wolf is running around, it probably won''t draw much attention.


    I mean, there are way more monstrous-looking creatures in this dungeon, and beyond the Lower Floors, it''s basically a den of horrors. If someone catches a glimpse of my shikigami, no big deal. We''ll manage somehow.


    Little did I know that thisid-back attitude would lead to all sorts of troubleter on. But at that moment, as I yawned and walked, I had no way of predicting any of it.

 Chapter 2: Dungeon Streamer Asagao

    In recent years, the hottest trend in both dungeon exploration and everyday society has been dungeon streamers.


    Dungeon streamers are individuals who use magically powered cameras, designed to follow a specified target, to film and broadcast their adventures inside dungeons. Lately, these streamers have gained poprity by live streaming their dungeon exploits, simr to game streamers, showing real-time dungeon raids and battles.


    Though dungeons have be an integral part of human society, surprisingly few people actually know what goes on inside them. Sure, schools teach that dungeons provide valuable resources, but the reality is that entering one often means risking your life against deadly monsters. Even those with exceptional magical abilities can meet a quick end if they let their guard down.


    Not many are willing to take that chance.


    And that''s exactly why dungeon streaming became such a hit with the general public.


    Even though people learn about dungeons and their resources in school, no one truly knows the details because media outlets can''t just waltz in and film inside. Dungeon streamers, however, capture the gritty, dangerous reality of dungeons, including crucial strategy insights and intensebat footage. Naturally, the demand for this thrilling content has skyrocketed.


    Viewers, bored with their mundane lives, find an escape in the adrenaline-fueled streams.


    As soon as one person found sess, it was only a matter of time before hordes of others followed suit, seeking fame and fortune through ads and donations in the world of dungeon streaming.


    But as more and more people jumped into dungeon streaming, viewers became spread out. So, streamers started pushing the envelope, trying new things.


    Unlike with game streaming, where streamers might y niche games to stand out, dungeon streamers took a different route. They beganpeting to see who could delve the deepest into the dungeons. At first, most streams were from the top floors, but soon they ventured into the upper floors, mid floors, and eventually the lower floors.


    This ultimately led to a stagnation in dungeon streaming.


    The reason was simple:


    The monsters in the mid and lower floors were on apletely different level.


    One day, a popr streamer who had been fighting on the frontlines of the mid floors got cocky and ventured into the lower floors during a live stream¡ªonly to die in front of thousands of viewers. His overconfidence led to his demise as he was instantly reduced to a pile of meat by the more powerful monsters.


    Since that incident, dungeon streamers have been stuck on the mid floors.


    Initially, governments weed dungeon streaming with open arms, hoping it would lead to more resources entering the country. But after the incident where a popr streamer died in the lower floors, stricter regtions were imposed on dungeon exploration. This led to the creation of the "Explorer Rank" system, which dictates how deep one can venture into a dungeon.


    Years have passed since the introduction of the Explorer Rank, and dungeon streaming has continued to stagnate.


    Popr dungeon streamer "Asagao" had reached the bottom of the mid floors. For a dungeon streamer, this was the ultimate limit.


    Since the death of that popr streamer years ago, no one had dared to venture into the lower floors during a live stream. It was a matter of both rank and survival.


    "Alright, everyone¡­ I''ve finally been recognized as a C-Rank Explorer! So today, I''m going to challenge the forbidden territory for streamers¡­ I''m heading into the lower floors of the ''Shibuya Dungeon'' for the first time!"


    Chat:


    : Is she gonna be okay?


    : I''m kinda worried¡­


    : She''s been handling the mid floors just fine, though.


    : ¡ü You''re underestimating the dungeon, noob.


    : If it''s the Shibuya Dungeon''s lower floors, she might manage.


    : She''s got this.


    : If Asagao can''t do it, no streamer can! lol


    : The lower floors are seriously unknown territory.


    Asagao brushed a lock of her ck hair out of her face as she nced at the chatments scrolling by on her wrist-mounted device, separate from the magic stone camera that was filming her. Seeing the mix of concern and curiosity, she couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "They say the lower floors are uncharted territory, but I''ll be fine! Hardly anyone''s streamed from the lower floors of Shibuya Dungeon, so I know you''re all curious, right?"


    Chat:


    : Yeah, can''t deny that.


    : I''m curious!


    : I mean¡­ yeah, who wouldn''t be?


    Even though some viewers expressed concern, the allure of the lower floors was undeniable. Statistically speaking, more than half of all explorers never make it past the top floors, so the lower floors are like a distant dream.


    Asagao, with her extraordinary reflexes, easily kept up with the fast-flowing chat as she smiled at the screen.


    "See? You guys are curious too. So no backing out, okay?"


    Chat:


    : Okayyy¡­


    : I''m still worried, though.


    : Just don''t get hurt!


    : Even if you enter the lower floors, just retreat to the mid floors ASAP.


    "Alright then, let''s go! You''re all witnesses to history in the making¡ªjust kidding!"


    Chat:


    : Cute!


    : So adorable!


    : Too cute, I''m dead.


    : Is she not the cutest?


    Asagao, a current high school girl, had gained immense poprity thanks to her good looks and her unparalleled skills as an explorer. While other streamers needed teams to conquer the mid floors, she did it solo. Even among professional explorers, few could pull off such a feat.


    Chat:


    : But at this point, isn''t dungeon exploring more profitable than streaming?


    : No doubt about it.


    : If you''re risking your life, it better be worth it.


    Dungeon streamers rarely ventured past the mid floors, not only because of the increased danger but also because by that point, they could make afortable living. With the money they earned, there was little incentive to risk their lives in the lower floors. However, Asagao simply smiled at thements.


    "But where''s the fun in that?"


    Chat:


    : This girl''s got a dungeon addiction.


    : It''s like she''s hooked on it.


    : But I heard the number of explorers is decreasing.


    : Yeah, you''ve gotta reach the mid floors to cover your expenses.


    : Equipment is way too expensive.


    : But I don''t wanna die, though.


    : At that point, being a corporate ve seems better.


    Asagao knew from thements that she was one of the outliers. Risking your life just for money was the mark of a madman. As a result, modern people, with their focus on stability, tended to steer clear of bing dungeon explorers.


    But while modern society gravitated towards stability, the infrastructure that kept the country running relied heavily on magic stones for energy and products. This was why the government didn''t just allow but actually encouraged dungeon streaming, despite its dangers. They hoped it would inspire more people to consider bing dungeon explorers in the future.


    Asagao, however, was in the dungeons purely to satisfy her own curiosity. Her willingness to risk her life as a high school girl made her seem unhinged to most. But her viewers knew how much resolve and dedication she had put into her dungeon exploration, which was why they kepting back to support her¡ªeven when she was on the brink of death.


    "Kuh!"


    Chat:


    : Are you okay!?


    : This is bad.


    : Run, run!


    : Told you, the lower floors are no joke!


    : Is this the end for another popr streamer?


    : That''s what happens when you underestimate the dungeon.


    As Asagao descended the stairs from the mid floors to the lower floors, an area where almost no streamer dared to go, she started the stream with her usual upbeat demeanor. But as she ventured deeper, her confidence began to fade, and she spoke less and less.


    By the time she reached the first level of the lower floors, Floor 41, Asagao was already sensing the danger to her life. Her once-beautiful ck hair was matted with her own dark, red blood, and the special material of her ck robe was torn in several ces.


    The chat was moving faster than ever, filled with people genuinely concerned for her safety, rubberneckers looking for drama, and trolls who hade to mock the possibility of someone dying live on stream. But Asagao had no time to keep up with the chat.


    "¡­It''s not following me?"


    Chat:


    : Looks like it''s not.


    : You should head back to the mid floors!


    : Running back to the mid floors while being chased by a monster is bad etiquette, though.


    : But they say it''s okay if you''re in mortal danger.


    : They covered that in the explorer training.


    : Lol, dungeon noobs in the chat.


    : Just get out of there already!


    Confirming that there were no monsters nearby, Asagao nced at the chat before looking down at the broken spear she had relied on since she was a beginner.


    As a solo explorer, Asagao had no one to help her, no assistants, and no spare weapons.


    "Can I make it back to the mid floors with just magic?"


    Chat:


    : Take it slow and keep yourself safe.


    : Just try not to get into any more fights and stay low.


    : Use your ears, not your eyes, to detect enemies and move carefully.


    Reading the advice from what seemed to be veteran explorers in the chat, Asagao crouched low and started walking along the wall, trying to keep a low profile.


    Weak from blood loss and slightly unsteady on her feet, Asagao managed to find the stairs leading back to the mid floors, relying on her memory to avoid getting spotted by monsters.


    Chat:


    : Yes, let''s get out of here.


    : Hurry back to the top floors!


    : There might be people at the bottom of the mid floors!


    : Conserve your magic as much as possible.


    "¡­!"


    As soon as she spotted the stairs and let her guard down, Asagao suddenly sensed a presence behind her. She instinctively dove forward, not even thinking about how tond safely. As a searing pain shot through her back, she red back and saw a half-transparent skeleton knight standing there.


    Chat:


    : A monster!?


    : Run!


    : Is that a skeleton?


    : This is really bad!


    "Gah!"


    Asagao tried to gather the strength to run, but when she saw blood dripping from the skeleton''s sword, she realized that she had been shed across the back.


    She no longer had the stamina to run, nor the willpower to escape. Her magic reserves were nearly depleted, and the desperate fire spell she cast merely passed through the skeleton''s transparent body.


    "¡­Meeting a new monster in this situation¡­ I really have no luck."


    Chat:


    : Don''t give up!


    : She''s done for.


    : Came here from trending #1 ^^


    : Nooo!


    : Aaaahhh!


    The viewers could sense the impending doom in Asagao''s muttered words.


    The skeleton''s hollow eyes showed no emotion, only the intent to kill the human before it.


    Asagao, having resigned herself to her fate, pulled the floating camera closer with a self-deprecating smile.


    "I can''t stream something this gruesome, so I guess it''s time to end the stream¡­"


    Chat:


    : Don''t!


    : Run!


    : Someone go help her!


    : But no one can reach the lower floors¡­


    : Please survive!


    : No, no, no!


    "¡­Goodbye."


    As Asagao quietly whispered her farewell, her hand, weakened by exhaustion, failed to end the stream as it dropped limply to her side. As the cold sensation crept up from her extremities, she couldn''t help but smile.


    Just as the skeleton raised its sword, a crackling sound pierced the air, and a yellow wolf appeared, sting the skeleton into oblivion. Shocked, Asagao''s eyes widened as she watched the wolf with a symbol on its forehead lick her wounds and howl.


    "Where did you run off to¡­? Oh, there you are¡ªwait, is she dead? No¡­ she''s alive, right? You followed the scent of blood? You scared me, Raijuu."


    "Woof!"


    "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I''ll help her, so stop barking so much."


    Asagao''s consciousness faded away to the sound of a voice that seemed far too carefree for a ce as deadly as the lower floors.

 Chapter 3: Thread 1: Streaming Drama

    217: Anonymous Explorer


    Did she die?


    218: Anonymous Explorer


    LOL, the stream hasn''t even stopped.


    219: Anonymous Explorer


    Not exactly aughing matter, though¡­


    220: Anonymous Explorer


    Someone should go help her. She''ll definitely fall for you if you save her!


    221: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾220


    Like anyone''s going to the lower floors! You trying to get someone killed?!


    222: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾220


    This ce is full of idiots who think they''re the strongest explorers.


    223: Anonymous Explorer


    We''ve got some weirdos here, huh?


    224: Anonymous Explorer


    Of course, we do. A popr streamer''s on the brink of death, and it''s trending #1 on social media.


    225: Anonymous Explorer


    Looks like help arrived.


    226: Anonymous Explorer


    In the lower floors? Probably not another streamer, then.


    227: Anonymous Explorer


    Obviously not, lol.


    228: Anonymous Explorer


    I don''t care who it is, as long as they save Asagao!


    229: Anonymous Explorer


    Hopefully, she learned her lesson and stays out of the lower floors from now on.


    230: Anonymous Explorer


    The lower floors aren''t a joke. No way a streamer just ying around can clear them.


    231: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾230


    Oh look, a self-proimed dungeon expert.


    232: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾231


    Don''t feed the trolls. Just ignore them.


    233: Anonymous Explorer


    Are there really no streamers who can reach the lower floors?


    234: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾233


    Definitely none.


    235: Anonymous Explorer


    Whoever saved her looks like a monster, lol.


    I guess even monsters save people these days.


    236: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾233


    Asagao couldn''t do it, so it''s probably impossible.


    237: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾234


    £¾£¾236


    What about Kamishiro Rion?


    238: Anonymous Explorer


    Can we even call her a streamer?


    239: Anonymous Explorer


    She hasn''t streamed in over a year. Doesn''t really count as a streamer anymore.


    240: Anonymous Explorer


    EX-rank is a whole different level. And besides, she was just letting the footage run, not really streaming like Asagao.


    241: Anonymous Explorer


    Did they just say "Raijuu"?


    242: Anonymous Explorer


    Maybe it''s a monster someone tamed?


    243: Anonymous Explorer


    Did the hero of this thread just emerge?


    244: Anonymous Explorer


    Total BS. Get lost.


    245: Anonymous Explorer


    Everyone here is just a basement-dwelling NEET making their parents cry.


    246: Anonymous Explorer


    You can tame monsters? Never heard of that before.


    247: Anonymous Explorer


    No way a monster saved her. That''s gotta be a lie.


    248: Anonymous Explorer


    As long as someone saved Asagao, I don''t care who it is.


    249: Anonymous Explorer


    If it''s a guy, he''ll definitely act like her boyfriend.


    250: Anonymous Explorer


    No one would save her without ulterior motives.


    251: Anonymous Explorer


    And in the lower floors, no less?


    252: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾246


    I heard it''s possible if you have some insanely expensive specialized equipment or something.


    253: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s safe, so that''s all that matters.


    254: Anonymous Explorer


    If she''s not dead, then it''s not a broadcast disaster.


    255: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s still a total disaster, though.


    256: Anonymous Explorer


    Dungeon streaming is seriously dangerous.


    257: Anonymous Explorer


    Then don''t watch, idiot.


    258: Anonymous Explorer


    Looks like the guy doesn''t even know what a camera is, lol.


    259: Anonymous Explorer


    Is he a caveman?


    260: Anonymous Explorer


    That actually made meugh.


    261: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s inappropriate, but lol.


    262: Anonymous Explorer


    Doesn''t know what a camera is¡ªmust be some kind of mole person.


    263: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s probably some native who lives in the dungeon.


    264: Anonymous Explorer


    If he doesn''t know about cameras, then he''s definitely not a streamer.


    265: Anonymous Explorer


    I told you, no streamer makes it down to Floor 40 or beyond.


    266: Anonymous Explorer


    But Asagao''s down there.


    267: Anonymous Explorer


    Asagao''s an exception.


    268: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s insanely strong.


    269: Anonymous Explorer


    Whatever, I''m just here for the eye candy.


    270: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾269


    Get lost, trash.


    271: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol, more weirdos crawling out.


    272: Anonymous Explorer


    Is she really a high school girl?


    273: Anonymous Explorer


    Yeah.


    274: Anonymous Explorer


    Someone go stalk her; her info''s on the Explorer Association''s website, lol.


    275: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾274


    You''re disgusting.


    276: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾274


    Trash-tier behavior, lol.


    277: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾274


    You realize she''s the kind of girl who can solo mid-floor monsters? She''ll destroy you.


    278: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s just a girl, though.


    279: Anonymous Explorer


    A girl who can smash rocks with her bare hands isn''t just a girl.


    280: Anonymous Explorer


    Is she a gori?


    281: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s just how explorers are.


    282: Anonymous Explorer


    Reminds me of that meme from overseas where someone catches a bullet with their bare hands.


    283: Anonymous Explorer


    Looks like she''s safe, so I''m looking forward to tomorrow''s stream.


    284: Anonymous Explorer


    Did the ryona fans lose their minds?


    285: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾284


    Some guys on social media did.


    286: Anonymous Explorer


    They got med and deleted their ounts immediately.


    287: Anonymous Explorer


    Serves them right, lol.


    288: Anonymous Explorer


    As it should be.


    289: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾283


    Don''t expect her to stream the day after almost dying.


    290: Anonymous Explorer


    This could traumatize her, and she might quit dungeon streaming.


    291: Anonymous Explorer


    What happens if she does?


    292: Anonymous Explorer


    She might switch to game streaming.


    293: Anonymous Explorer


    No way I''d watch that.


    294: Anonymous Explorer


    The audience would be totally different, so yeah, makes sense.


    295: Anonymous Explorer


    People watching Asagao''s streams are just pretending they''re the ones conquering the dungeon.


    296: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s a creepy fanboy in here.


    297: Anonymous Explorer


    Some are probably hoping they have a chance with her.


    298: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s got big boobs and is hot. I figured some famous streamer would have already snatched her up.


    299: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s probably already taken.


    300: Anonymous Explorer


    She definitely has a boyfriend.


    301: Anonymous Explorer


    She probably surpassed that famous streamer ages ago.


    302: Anonymous Explorer


    Her skills are on a whole different level.


    303: Anonymous Explorer


    There aren''t many streamers who can even reach the mid floors of Shibuya Dungeon.


    304: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s on a different tier, for sure.


    305: Anonymous Explorer


    No wonder she''s so popr.


    306: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s got skills, which is why even international viewers love her.


    307: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s not just her face and boobs. Though, that''s why I watch her.


    308: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾307


    Gross.


    309: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾307


    An old man glued to the forum watching streams for boobs¡­ You''ve hit rock bottom.


    310: Anonymous Explorer


    Who''s worse, a thirsty old man or a fanboy throwing money at her?


    311: Anonymous Explorer


    The fanboys throwing money at her are also old men...


    312: Anonymous Explorer


    Just assume everyone online is an old man.


    313: Anonymous Explorer


    So, does that mean Asagao''s an old man too¡­?


    314: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾313


    Die.


    315: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾313


    You blind or something?


    316: Anonymous Explorer


    This has gotta be a fanboy getting mad.


    317: Anonymous Explorer


    Keep the fanboys out of this thread!

 Chapter 4: Loner

    Tsukasa Kisaragi suddenly remembered his role as a student, though only because he didn''t have any dungeon requests today. Usually, as an EX-Rank explorer, the requests kept him too busy to attend school regrly. It felt like ages since hest set foot in ss probably a week or so. Not that it made much difference.


    He had no friends, no club activities to pour his youth into, and definitely no sweet, romantic memories with a girlfriend. If anything, the dungeon was his lover. What a dry, uneventful youth.


    Since middle school, Tsukasa had nned to live as a dungeon explorer. He enrolled in a decent private high school using his inheritance and paid the rest of his tuition with money earned from the dungeon. But he skipped so much school that he now regretted not just opting for a correspondence school instead.


    As a third-year student, his grades were slightly above average, and his attendance was dismal, leading to poor report cards. However, his homeroom teacher didn''t seem too worried, likely because they knew Tsukasa was making money as a dungeon explorer. Though they probably had no idea he was earning in the billions.


    Lately, dungeon exploration had be quite popr among high school students. The government had beenmenting the decline in the number of explorers, but high schoolers were stepping up.


    The government wanted more full-time explorers to increase exports of magic stones, so the minimum age for an explorer license dropped from 20 to 18, and now you could get one as early as the spring after graduating from middle school.


    So why were high school students bing explorers? Simple: with a bit of effort, even reaching the top floors could earn more than a typical part-time job. That''s it. Tsukasa didn''t know for sure, but about half of his ssmates had explorer licenses.


    "Good morning!"


    "N-Nanami!?"


    "Are you okay!?"


    Tsukasa was lost in thought, reading a thick book in the corner of the ssroom, waiting for homeroom to start when the room suddenly became lively. He nced up from his book and saw the girl he had saved yesterday, smiling with a bandage wrapped around her head.


    "Someone kind helped me out."


    "We saw it on the stream!"


    "I told you it was too dangerous to go to the lower floors."


    "I''m sorry."


    Her name¡­ Asakawa Nanami, right? The girl he saved yesterday¡ªhe thought she looked familiar. Turns out she was his ssmate. But with a different outfit and hairstyle, it''s no wonder he didn''t recognize her. Not that he interacted much with his ssmates anyway.


    "But who was it that saved you during the stream?"


    "¡­Oh, right. The stream didn''t cut off, did it?"


    "You''re just now realizing that? The stream kept going until the Association staff cut it off at the entrance."


    "R-Really? I was too embarrassed to check the archive¡­ I only remember being saved by a¡­ wolf?"


    Looking around the ssroom, it was clear how popr Asakawa Nanami was. Before she arrived, everyone was chatting in small groups, but as soon as she walked in, they all gathered around her.


    She really was beautiful. Tall for a girl, with a perfect figure. As a dungeon explorer capable of soloing the lower floors, her body was toned, yet her chest was still quite prominent. Her glossy, ck hair, reminiscent of a traditional Japanese beauty, was stunning. Even as an awkward loner with no chance, Tsukasa couldn''t help but admire her.


    He had a thing for legs, so yeah, he liked her. But it wasn''t like he wanted to date her or anything¡ªjust thought she was cute, that''s all. Yeah, sounds like ame excuse, better stop.


    "Yeah¡­ I was really worried watching the stream. I was thinking about going to help you, Asakawa-san."


    "T-Thank you¡­"


    Some shy-looking guy went up to talk to her. Why do guys like him always get all the attention? It''s practically discrimination against introverts. But guys like him usually work hard behind the scenes to be popr, exuding confidence that naturally attracts girls. Just being nice or sincere isn''t enough. Not that Tsukasa considered himself either.


    Still, judging by everyone''s reactions, this guy must be pretty popr, but Asakawa''s response seemed lukewarm.


    "You should''ve asked me for help. I would''ve gone to the lower floors with you."


    "But it was my stream¡­ I wanted to try it alone."


    "I could''ve been your bodyguard. There are only two C-Rank explorers in our ss, so you can rely on me more."


    Wow.


    Even though Tsukasa was EX-Rank, he didn''t usually speak up, but a high school senior being a C-Rank explorer was impressive. The guy was good-looking, tall, probably smart, and had the skills to back it up. Tsukasa was honestly jealous.


    Then again, Tsukasa didn''te to school often enough to remember everyone''s names.


    "You''re so cool, Shunsuke! We need to raise our explorer ranks too!"


    "It''s all about hard work. Being an explorer isn''t just about talent, it''s about effort."


    Is this guy actually nice?


    Tsukasa wasn''t sure since he barely came to school. Even when he did, he often left early or spent his time waiting for the day to end while reading a book.


    And if he remembered correctly, the guy''s name was Kurihara Shunsuke¡­ or something like that. Not entirely sure.


    "Hm?"


    Wait, he''s looking this way.


    "Oh? You''re here today? You usually don''t show up."


    "Huh? Who''s that loner?"


    "Isn''t he the guy who''s always absent? That shut-in kid?"


    Ouch. That stings. They just bluntly said what I''m insecure about. This is why I don''t like gyaru.


    "Everyone''s gathered and chatting, so why don''t you join us?"


    "N-No, it''s okay¡­"


    Would they get mad if I said I wasn''t interested? Please, teacher, get here soon¡­ This is torture.


    "You''re always reading in the corner like that, no wonder you''re such a loner."


    "Uh¡­ Can I have my book back?"


    For some reason, she took his book. Honestly, it''s not that interesting¡­ It''s just aprehensive guide to Japanese yokai.


    "Pfft¡­ Are you reading a book for kids? Grow up already."


    "Hahaha! Yokai, seriously?"


    "What a total nerd."


    I might cry. Maybe if I apologize, they''ll give it back. I don''t want them to ruin it¡­ I should just apologize.


    "I-I''m sorry. Can I please have it back?"


    "Huh? I''m just reading it a bit, what''s the big deal?"


    "It''s¡­ it''s fine, but¡­"


    "Oh, it''s fine? You''re such a pushover!"


    "Such a wimp."


    Feels like the whole ss is making fun of me. Am I the only awkward introvert in this ss?


    ncing around, it seemed like everyone wasughing at him. Apparently, Tsukasa had somehow ended up in a ss full of extroverts.


    Damn. As an introvert, the only way I can think to get my book back is to grovel. Maybe a bow?


    "You should probably give it back. The teacher will be here any minute."


    "Oh, right¡­ Sorry, loner-kun."


    Wow, they gave it back without ruining it. Just when I thought he was a jerk, he shows a decent side. It''s this constant back-and-forth that probably makes girls fall for him. Noted.


    But Asakawa-san, who came to his rescue, looked more like a goddess to him. Though she was tilting her head, looking confused.


    "Such a quiet, pure magic aura¡­ I''ve never seen anything like it¡­"


    She''s mumbling something, but can she say it louder? If it''s an insult, I might just cry and go home early, so please make sure I hear it.


    Sigh¡­ I finally came to school, and now I''ve got to deal with this hassle. Guess I''ll blow off some steam in the dungeon after school¡­ Wait, I go there every day. What kind of fool am I, willingly walking the path of a corporate ve?

 Chapter 5: Between Class and Chaos

    "Sigh¡­"


    Going back to school after such a long time is mentally exhausting. In a dungeon, I only feel physical fatigue, but the mental strain here is way worse. Sure, there are dungeon explorers who deal with much more intense mental stress than this school life, especially when they''re constantly on high alert. But I''m just using shikigami to handle everything, so it''s not the same for me.


    Comining about school being tough is just my personal issue, so whatever.


    "Hey, loner, heading home right after school?"


    "¡­Uh, is that a problem?"


    I''ve been talking to older people so muchtely that I automatically use politenguage. Not that I''m making excuses, but I''d really prefer if they didn''t talk to me. Politeness is a useful tool that even introverts can use to have a halfway decent conversation.


    I get why my presence might be annoying, given how many days I''ve missed¡ªenough to be held back under normal circumstances. But all my absences are excused because of requests from the Explorer Association, so give me a break. I''m catching up on sses through extra lessons, after all.


    "Don''t bully him too much."


    "I''m just talking to him, right?"


    "R-Right?"


    Honestly, I can''t tell the difference between bullying and talking. Did they seriously call me "loner" without intending to bully me?


    They probably just found someone new to mess with in their friend group. Sigh¡­ Why didn''t I just go to a correspondence school?


    "So, I wanted to ask¡ªdo you have an explorer license?"


    "Y-Yeah, I do."


    "Really? That''s good."


    What''s good?


    Does having an explorer license earn me brownie points with this guy?


    "I''m a C-Rank explorer, and I can''t stand people who don''t have a license. They''re just too weak."


    "O-Oh, really?"


    "Of course. I''m sure you get it too, right? The license exam is ridiculously easy."


    "Well¡­ yeah, it is."


    Honestly, it is pretty easy. I think the government wants as many explorers as possible, so they''ve made the license exam quite essible. There''s an academic test, but it''s just for reference and doesn''t affect getting the license. Plus, they provide a lot of support for G-Rank explorers in the top floors.


    "Exactly! So if someone doesn''t have a license, it just means they''re weak."


    The test isn''t hard, and they offer extensive training, so it''s easy to pass and get support afterward. The license can even go on your resume, which is why a lot of college students get it. But the people who don''t have one probably don''t have enough magic power to be explorers in the first ce.


    Ever since dungeons appeared in the world, kids have been born with magic power in their bodies, but the amount varies by person. You can train and increase your innate magic, but there''s always a limit¡ªan inherent talent gap. Without enough magic power, being an explorer is a deadly profession.


    So, the government had to make the tough call to prevent people with low magic power from even attempting to get a license.


    "Discriminating against people with low magic power isn''t right."


    "Huh? What''s wrong with calling trash what it is¡ªtrash with no talent?"


    This is exactly the kind of person people were worried about. But when ites to infrastructure and life-or-death matters, maybe it was inevitable. Still, personally, I don''t like people who look down on others like this.


    "Are we done here?"


    "Yeah, we''re good. Oh, if you''re ever about to die in the top floors, I might save you. Maybe!"


    "Hahaha!"


    It''s a sickening thought, but being a C-Rank explorer in high school means this guy is extremely talented. When someone has a clear indicator that they''re better than their peers, it''s no surprise they act like that.


    "Heading home now?"


    "Asakawa-san¡­"


    Just as I was leaving the ssroom, feeling irritated, Asakawa, who was chatting with some other girls in the hallway, called out to me. Being noticed by the ss idol might put me on the radar of the other guys.


    "Hehe¡­ Everyone''s gone to their clubs, so no one''s around."


    Sheughed when she saw me ncing around nervously.


    This high school prides itself on bncing academics and extracurricrs, so unless you have a valid reason, you''re required to join a club. But since I work as an explorer, I''m exempt. Back in my first year, I was in the Home Economics Club, though.


    "So, if you''re not heading to a club, does that mean you''re an explorer?"


    "Huh?"


    "I got exempted from club activities because I''m working hard as an explorer, too."


    "O-Oh, really?"


    Makes sense. If she was in the lower floors, she''s at least C-Rank or higher. She''s also exempt from club activities because she''s an explorer.


    "It''s the Shibuya Dungeon, right? It''s the closest one around here."


    "Y-Yeah, that''s right."


    "I see¡­ We might have crossed paths there!"


    Well, we actually met yesterday. You just weren''t conscious at the time.


    I usually take requests all over the Kanto region, and when I dive into the Shibuya Dungeon on my own, I head straight to the deep floors, so we probably haven''t crossed paths. Just your imagination.


    "Well, take care!"


    "Uh, yeah."


    But she seems like a really nice person. She even helped me out this morning. Definitely a good person. I might be falling for her.


    Since I rarely get the chance to explore dungeons for personal reasons, I thought I''d go deeper today. But as luck would have it, I felt my work phone vibrating in my bag.


    "¡­Hello?"


    "Hello, Tsukasa-kun?"


    The voice on the other end belonged to a woman who was quite high up in the Explorer Association¡ªa sort of personal liaison for me.


    "I''m sorry to bother you the day after yesterday, but could you head to the 40th floor of the Shibuya Dungeon?"


    "Right now?"


    "As soon as possible. Is school over?"


    "Yeah, it is."


    Great, I''m already feeling a sighing on. If it''s the 40th floor, couldn''t they send a B-Rank or A-Rank explorer instead?


    "There''s been a report of multiple Frost Wyverns appearing near the 40th floor."


    "¡­Understood."


    Frost Wyverns, huh¡­ Guess I''m the only one who can handle that. Frost Wyverns are among the strongest monsters in the lower floors. If there are multiple of them, sending a B-Rank explorer would be a death sentence. They''d need to send a party of at least five A-Ranks, so it''s easier to just send me, an EX-Rank, to take care of it.


    "Thank you. I''m sorry¡­ I know it''s a lot to ask of a high schooler."


    "No, it''s my job."


    "¡­You''re still a high schooler, though. Don''t you want to enjoy your youth more?"


    "Not really, no."


    "You''re so dried up¡­ Maybe it''s because of all the requests, but you only get one youth, so you should try falling in love, too!"


    "Are you my aunt or something? I''m hanging up now."


    Geez¡­ It''s not that I don''t appreciate the concern, but I epted this when I became EX-Rank. I''ll probably regret it when I''m in myte 20s, but for now, I''m still a kid, so I''ll just keep using that as an excuse.


    The dungeon I was going to explore for personal reasons just became part of a job, so it''s not a big deal. But there''s a huge difference in motivation between going into a dungeon by choice and doing it out of obligation.


    No point inining to myself. I''ll just head home, change, and get going.

 Chapter 6: Dungeon Dive

    When I was about to dive into the dungeon for personal reasons, as usual, the Explorer Association sent me a request, so I ended up going into the dungeon anyway. I''m Tsukasa Kisaragi. My registered explorer name is "UNKNOWN," nice to meet you.


    By the way, the reason my registered name is "UNKNOWN" is because I left the name field nk when I got my explorer license right after starting high school in April. What was I thinking?


    Normally, if you leave it nk, they just use your real name, but the staff member at the time took it upon themselves to write "UNKNOWN." I''m embarrassed and want to change it, but everyone in the Association calls me by that name now, so I can''t really change it.


    "Hey."


    "You got here quickly, UNKNOWN-san."


    "Well¡­ I just changed clothes aftering home from school."


    Even though the Shibuya Dungeon is at the far end of the station, it feels really close since Imute by train.


    "About the request¡­"


    "I heard it''s Frost Wyverns."


    "Y-Yes. Two or more Frost Wyverns were spotted on the 42nd floor."


    "That''s rare¡­ You don''t usually see Frost Wyverns, even on the 60th floor or beyond."


    Frost Wyverns are technically lower-floor monsters, but you''re more likely to encounter them in the deeper floors. They''re already rare, even in the deep floors.


    As the name suggests, Frost Wyverns are medium-sized dragons, and in terms of strength, a B-Rank explorer might barely be able to defeat one solo. They can manipte ice freely, and their bodies are so cold that you can''t touch them without freezing. I wonder how they survive with such a low body temperature, but it''s a fact, so there''s no point in questioning it.


    "Alright, I''ll head out right away."


    "P-Please be careful."


    As I entered the dungeon, I noticed that the top floors were, as usual, filled with an even mix of monsters and explorers. The Shibuya Dungeon probably has the highest number of challengers in Japan, with half of the explorer poption concentrated in the top floors, making it crowded with people.


    I don''t like to summon my shikigami in crowded areas like the top floors since they could easily be mistaken for monsters. So, I stick to using just a katana until I reach the middle floors.


    "Gyah!"


    As I descended the stairs, a ck-colored goblin came running at me, swinging something that looked like a machete.


    In games, goblins often appear as the weakest enemies, but seeing one in person, my only reaction is that it''s surprisingly gross. The sight of it waving a machete around with bloodshot eyes is genuinely scary. But since explorers'' physical abilities are on apletely different level from regr people, I can kill a goblin with just a casual swing of my katana.


    "Gyii!?"


    The goblin''s small body, only about half my height, was sliced clean in two. Since this katana is forged from materials I obtained in the deep floors, cutting a goblin in half is a breeze.


    Usually, a few more goblins would attack, but with so many people in the dungeon today, most of the goblins have probably already been hunted down. Poor weakest species.


    The goblin''s body turned to ash and disappeared. For some reason, monsters in dungeons turn to ash and vanish when defeated. Depending on the monster, some parts remain, but all that''s left of a goblin is a magic crystal, a mana stone.


    "Goblin mana stones are this small?"


    It''s been a while since Ist cut down a goblin, so I was surprised by how small the mana stone was. Since mana stones are a valuable national resource, the government buys them by weight. The price per gram fluctuates depending on supply, but collecting a ton of small goblin mana stones wouldn''t provide enough ie to live on.


    Honestly, if all you do is hunt goblins in the top floors, you''d be better off working a regr part-time job. It''s safer too.


    But if you''re skilled enough to hunt goblins consistently, you''d probably be an F-Rank explorer and be able to venture into the top floors, where you could earn a decent ie.


    "Hah!"


    "It''s heading your way!"


    "Three goblins iing!"


    As I walked through the top floors, I noticed a lot of teenagers around my age. For many high school students, fighting goblins in groups is probably the best they can manage. They say magic power strengthens the more you use it, after all.


    In reality, some people''s magic power increases rapidly, while others'' grows steadily over time. There are even stories of people who couldn''t qualify for an explorer license in high school because of low magic power butter surpassed C-Rank magic levels by their thirties. But that doesn''t mean high schoolers brimming with talent won''t continue to grow, either.


    In the top floors, goblins are the mostmon enemy, but near the 10th floor, which borders the top and upper floors, other monsters start to appear. You''ll encounter creatures like Steel Ants¡ªgiant ants about 40 centimeters long. Though smaller than goblins, they have incredibly hard shells.


    However, they''re not particrly dangerous; their jaws aren''t very strong, so they can only draw a little blood. They also spit formic acid, but it just irritates the skin. At least, for explorers with a certain level of magic power.


    Basically, the more magic power you have, the harder your body bes. The exact mechanics are unclear, but explorers who dive into the lower floors can even control this hardness. They''re just wrapping their bodies in magic power, though.


    "Oh, ants."


    While walking through the 10th floor, I spotted two Steel Ants ahead. They hadn''t noticed me yet, but with their senses, they would probably detect me if I got within 10 meters. For me, though, 10 meters is a distance I can cover in less than a tenth of a second.


    While ordinary weapons can''t cut through the Steel Ants'' shells, my beloved katana slices through them like tofu. It doesn''t have a name, by the way.


    Despite their hard shells, Steel Ants aren''t worth much since only the chest part remains after they''re defeated, and even that sells for next to nothing. I tossed the mana stones and shells into the bag I brought and continued toward the middle floors.


    Since there are still many inexperienced explorers in the top floors, it''s best not to hunt too many monsters here. If I wanted to, I could wipe out all the monsters on this floor within minutes. But to do that, I''d need to summon my shikigami.

 Chapter 7: Unexpected Encounter

    I quickly passed through the upper floors and arrived at the entrance to the middle floors, the 21st level. From here on, it''s a world where, without a certain level of strength, you could easily meet your end. Still, with a D-rank explorer license, you''re allowed in, so anyone with some talent should be able to manage.


    The upper floors feel like typical dungeon caves, but from the middle floors onward, the environment changes drastically. Levels 21 to 30 are covered in dense forests.


    The forest is thick with trees, the kind of ce you''d expect forest-dwelling monsters to live. The ceiling is covered with a special moss that glows for 12 hours and then "sleeps" for 12 hours, making it feel as bright as daylight. Interestingly, the timing of the light doesn''t match the actual sun¡ªat 5 AM, it suddenly bes as bright as noon, and by 5 PM, it plunges into the darkness of night.


    "Alright, Raij¨±."


    The forest is so dense that visibility is limited, making it easy for monsters to ambush you if you''re not careful. But for me, this is actually an advantage because it makes it harder for other explorers to spot me, making it easier to summon my shikigami.


    When I call Raij¨±''s name, a yellow wolf appears from a magic circle¡ªmy trustypanion who''s always by my side. As soon as it''s summoned, Raij¨± sniffs the air, alert and scanning the surroundings before turning its gaze to me.


    "What''s up?"


    "Woof..."


    Raij¨± moves with a rxed gait, seeming calm, but if a monster shows up, it''ll strike with lightning speed¡ªa reliable shikigami indeed.


    I created my shikigami based on the yokai encyclopedia I read at school, and honestly, it seems to have picked up on my personality in a subtle way.


    "Alright, today''s mission is on the 40th floor."


    As I start walking, Raij¨± follows, trotting along with its fur slightly bristling with static electricity. I''m not sure how it works, but Raij¨± can detect nearby monsters by charging its fur with electricity. Plus, its lightning attacks are precisely controlled, so I don''t have to worry about getting hit even if I''m swinging my sword around. Pretty handy.


    After walking through the forest for a while, a rat bigger than the Steel Ants from the upper floors appears.


    "That''s¡­ a Giant Rat."


    This creature, aptly named Giant Rat, doesn''t even get a chance to react before there''s a sharp crack of electricity in the air¡ªRaij¨± has already taken off its head.


    The Raij¨± is said to be a mythical creature born from lightning that split a giant tree. Riding on clouds and moving at the speed of lightning, it''s too fast for human eyes to track.


    "Good job."


    After swiftly dealing with the Giant Rat, Raij¨± rxes its fur and lets out a yawn. To Raij¨±, a middle-floor Giant Rat isn''t even a threat. Even if dozens of them showed up, Raij¨± would wipe them out with ease¡ªthat''s how powerful it is.


    As I continue walking through the middle floors, my bag starts to feel pretty heavy.


    I''ve heard that overseas they''re working on bags enchanted with magic to have incrediblyrge interiors, but they haven''t figured out how to make them practical yet. With regr technology, you can wait for advancements, but with magic, it all depends on finding the right materials. It could be developed tomorrow, or we might be waiting a hundred years.


    There''s no point in wishing for what I don''t have, so I rely on my usual solution for carrying my load.


    "Kasha."


    A ming cart appears from a magic circle and stops in front of me. Kasha is a yokai said to drag sinners'' souls to hell, but I''ve repurposed its cart to carry my bags full of magic stones. Honestly, I wonder if I''m using it the right way, but Kasha doesn''t seem to mind, and it organizes everything neatly for me.


    Being a shikigami, it''s strong enough to give me peace of mind, and best of all, I can summon and dismiss it at will.


    I take an empty bag from the Kasha that I had stored there earlier, and the demon pulling the cart nods in satisfaction before disappearing into particles. I have no idea how, but whenever I summon Kasha again, it always has my stored magic stones with it. Yet, if Raij¨± gets injured, dismissing and resummoning it heals the wounds. It''s a mystery.


    No point in dwelling on things that have no clear answer, so I continue deeper into the middle floors with Raij¨± in tow.


    Past the 30th floor, the forest gives way to a cavern filled with water. It''s like an undergroundke, with water that glows faintly, adding a mystical touch to the otherwise dim surroundings. But there are monsters in the water, so getting too close isn''t wise.


    Not that I have to worry about that.


    Raij¨± is strong enough to handle even the monsters in the deep floors. This means that once I summon Raij¨±, I can pretty much just stroll along, yawning, as it takes care of everything until we reach the deeper floors. But since today''s mission is on the 40th floor, honestly, it''s not all that exciting.


    Yeah, it''s not exciting. The reason I dive into dungeons isn''t just for the money; it''s because I enjoy the act of exploring. But after three years of delving into this dungeon, I''ve memorized every inch of the upper, middle, and lower floors of the Shibuya Dungeon. Unless the dungeon''s structure changes drastically, it''s just not that interesting anymore.


    The thrill of explorationes from the unknown, from discovering new depths.


    With these trivial thoughts running through my mind, and with Raij¨± handling all the monsters, I reach the 40th floor in no time. As you descend, the dungeon floors getrger, but if you take the shortest route from stairway to stairway, it doesn''t take that long¡­ I think. Maybe it''s just because Raij¨± is annihting everything in its path.


    "Huh? Someone''s already here."


    I heard there were multiple Frost Wyverns a bit below the 40th floor, but it doesn''t seem like a warning has been issued. Well, the dungeon authorities probably keep track of anyone heading to the lower floors. If this were happening in the upper floors, the Explorer Association would post detailed information on their website and issue evacuation warnings.


    But since it''s the lower floors, they probably think it''s fine. Still, they really should issue a warning¡­ It''s not like they can excuse a death by saying they were busy afterward.


    I turn my gaze toward where I sense someone''s presence, and I instantly regret it.


    "Today, I''m definitely going to conquer the lower floors! I''m doing it out of sheer determination!"


    Standing there was Asakawa-san, the same person I saw in this exact spot yesterday.


    Why is she back here the day after nearly dying? Is she crazy?

 Chapter 8: Duel With the Wyvern!?

    For Asakawa Nanami, the dungeon was a ce to prove herself.


    Until she became a high school student, Asakawa Nanami had her entire life dictated by her parents. To her, the dungeon was the one ce where she could express her true self. She started dungeon streaming simply because she wanted to be sure of her own existence.


    Asakawa Nanami was recognized for her skill as an explorer and gained many fans, but to her, the poprity she achieved as a streamer was always of less importance.


    "Today, I''m definitely going to conquer the lower floors! I''m doing it out of sheer determination!"


    Chat:


    : Ehh¡­


    : She''s going to die this time.


    : You shouldn''t push yourself.


    : Let''s just eat the crab we found on the upper floors.


    : Seriously, stop going to the lower floors.


    "It''s not impossible. I''m going to conquer the lower floors!"


    Chat:


    : She''s stubborn.


    : Well, it''s her responsibility if she dies, so whatever.


    : If she dies, I won''t have anyone to donate to anymore.


    : Just donate to charity instead.


    : Seriously, don''t do it.


    Asakawa Nanami, known as the popr streamer Asagao, tightened her grip on her beloved spear. Even though she considered the evaluation of her streaming career secondary, she didn''t intend to dismiss it entirely. However, she felt that her viewers were implying that her abilities were only valid up to the middle floors, and she was desperate to prove them wrong.


    Chat:


    : She almost died on the lower floors even though she''s C-rank. Isn''t the association at fault?


    : The association''s criteria are so unclear.


    : Asagao-chan can do it!


    : No way.


    : Do your best!


    : You might die, so just stop.


    "Even if it means risking my life, I''m still going."


    Chat:


    : Dungeon lunatic.


    : This is typical Asagao-chan.


    : Here we go.


    : The lower floors aren''t a joke.


    : The death rate on the lower floors is insane, seriously, stop.


    No matter what Asakawa Nanami said, the viewers, who were just watching from behind their screens, didn''t change. And simrly, no matter what the viewers said, Nanami had no intention of changing her mind.


    "Alright, I''m going!"


    Chat:


    : Ignoring everything, huh?


    : Well, yeah.


    : She''s more curious than anything.


    : That''s so Asagao-chan lol.


    : Lol


    : She''s dead lol


    Ignoring thements on purpose, Nanami headed toward the stairs leading to the lower floors. But as soon as she did, she instinctively sensed danger and took arge step back.


    Chat:


    : Oh?


    : Did she get scared?


    : Let''s just go back.


    : It''s impossible.


    : What''s going on?


    : ?


    The viewers were making casualments, unable to sense the tension that Nanami was feeling. Meanwhile, Nanami, now too focused to even nce at thements, readied her spear and kept her eyes fixed on the stairs.


    "Something¡­ ising!"


    As Nanami spoke, the stairs leading to the lower floors began to freeze over, and from below emerged a wyvern d in sharp icicles covering its white body. The overwhelming pressure from the creature made Nanami flinch for a moment, but she quickly regained her resolve and tightened her grip on her spear.


    Chat:


    : This is bad.


    : Run!


    : You can''t win against that!


    : I''ve never seen a monster like this before!


    : Did a lower-floor monstere up?


    : She''s dead, she''s dead!


    "It''s fast!"


    Nanami instantly realized the vast difference in power between herself and the Frost Wyvern standing before her. The thought of running briefly crossed her mind, but the moment the Frost Wyvern turned its gaze toward her and began to move, that option vanished.


    The Frost Wyvern was flying low at a speed that didn''t match itsrge frame, aiming straight for Nanami. Knowing full well that even if she ran with all her might, it would catch up to her, Nanami was left with only two options: fight and win, or fight and die.


    "Damn it! I-It''s freezing everything!"


    Chat:


    : It''s hell.


    : Can anyone actually beat this thing?


    : It''s over.


    : Is she really going to die this time?


    : If you''re here to make jokes, leave!


    : Please, just run!


    As the Frost Wyvern flew low, exhaling a breath of subzero air, the 40th floor, which had resembled an undergroundke, quickly transformed into an icy cavern. Desperately dodging the Frost Wyvern''s frigid breath as it spread across the ground, Nanami gathered her strength and leaped high into the air, thrusting her spear into the wyvern''s head as it passed beneath her.


    "It pierced!"


    Feeling the spearhead prate the hard scales and tear into the flesh of the Frost Wyvern''s head, Nanami was confident she could win if her weapon couldnd a blow. However, the blood that should have spurted out froze instantly, and the spear lodged in the wyvern''s head became stuck in the ice, impossible to pull out.


    "Damn it!"


    Before Nanami could even fully register her mistake, the Frost Wyvern thrashed its head, throwing Nanami off, and opened its mouth, forming a magic circle.


    "M-Magic?"


    Most of the monsters up to the middle floors relied on their physical abilities or special traits to attack. It was bing a widely epted notion among dungeon explorers that only certain humanoid monsters could use magic. But that was only true for the middle floors.


    Chat:


    : Huh?


    : Did she die?


    : This is hell.


    : It''s on a different level.


    : This has to be a joke.


    Frost Wyverns possess high intelligence and can use the magic stored within their bodies. In addition to breathing subzero air, this Frost Wyvern used its magic circle tounch a series of deadly ice spikes.


    As the spikes hit the ground, they exploded, freezing the surroundings with incredible force. Whether they were earnest supporters or casual onlookers, all the viewers watching the stream were left speechless. At the same time, they began to truly fear the monsters that roamed the lower floors.


    "Hah, hah¡­"


    Chat:


    : !?


    : She''s alive!


    : It''s a miracle!


    "Ngh¡­ Hah¡­"


    Nanami, who had managed to block the exploding ice spikes by casting multipleyers of fire magic, was left panting from the massive drain on her magic reserves. Although she had defended herself with fire, the disparity in power between her and the Frost Wyvern was evident, and parts of her body were covered in frost.


    "Damn it!"


    Chat:


    : Run, quickly!


    : There''s no way she can escape now.


    : Just do something!


    : This is bad.


    : This is really bad.


    The Frost Wyvern, realizing it hadn''t finished Nanami off, began conjuring more ice spikes from its magic circle. Nanami was shocked at how easily the monster could cast such powerful spells that could kill a person instantly. And she realized, this was the power of monsters from the lower floors.


    As the ice spikes flew toward her, Nanami used all her strength to dodge them while keeping her eyes on the spear still lodged in the wyvern''s head. Right now, there was only one way she could win.


    "Okay¡­ Here we go!"


    Summoning all her courage, Nanami sprinted toward the Frost Wyvern, which was continuously casting its freezing magic. Thements section was exploding with warnings that she wasmitting suicide, but Nanami wasn''t aware of them as she charged toward the wyvern. Naturally, the closer she got to the wyvern, the harder it became to dodge the ice spikes as they reached her faster.


    But with miraculous reflexes, Nanami dodged the ice spikes by a hair''s breadth and cast a slicing spell.


    "Too shallow!?"


    Even with multipleyers of magic powerful enough to slice most middle-floor monsters in half, the Frost Wyvern''s body only suffered a few shallow cuts. However, the unexpected counterattack caused the wyvern to flinch slightly, and Nanami seized the opportunity to reach her spear.


    "Take this!"


    Ignoring the searing pain of the cold against her skin as she touched the spear, Nanami cast a fire spell and threw her entire weight onto the spear, driving it deeper into the wyvern''s head. Instead of pulling it out, she decided it would be more effective to push it further in.


    The Frost Wyvern, attempting to shake Nanami off its head, convulsed violently as the spear drove into its brain. It then copsed, spewing a fountain of blood, and began to disintegrate into ash as it died.


    "Ah!"


    Exhausted, Nanami was thrown to the ground as the Frost Wyvern copsed, unable to even brace herself for the impact. But as she watched the wyvern''s body turn to ash and disappear, she smiled.


    "I¡­ won?"


    Chat:


    : Whoooaaaaaaa!!!


    : Best. Stream. Ever.


    : Asagao is the strongest!


    : This is insane!


    : Streamers are the strongest after all!


    Thement section exploded at a speed never seen before as viewers watched the streamer Asagao, who had been on the brink of death, take down a Frost Wyvern. The number of concurrent viewers had reached unprecedented heights, and Nanami, lying on her back, exhaled a deep breath.


    "I guess¡­ I can''t go to the lower floors today¡­"


    Chat:


    : She''s still thinking about going lol.


    : But she beat something that strong, so she should be fine now.


    : Yeah, totally.


    : Is she getting stronger during the battle!?


    : Lol


    "I''m starting to worry if I''ll even be able to handle the lower floors."


    Chat:


    : There''s no way there are multiple monsters like that down there.


    : It was probably just a strong one that wandered up.


    : Yesterday''s skeleton looked weaker anyway.


    : She could definitely beat that skeleton now.


    : Asagao is the strongest! Asagao is the strongest!


    Nanami agreed with thements that flooded in, expressing endless curiosity about the lower floors now that she had defeated an unknown threat. She assumed that if there were multiple enemies as strong as the Frost Wyvern, explorers would be wiped out in no time. That''s what she thought.


    As the Frost Wyvern''s defeat brought back the usual atmosphere in thement section, three more Frost Wyverns, each evenrger than the one she had just fought, slowly ascended the stairs from the lower floors.


    "Huh?"


    Chat:


    : Huh?


    : What?


    : It''s over.


    : Wait, what?


    These three Frost Wyverns, each about twice the size of the one Nanami had just killed, slowly made their way up the stairs from the lower floors. For Nanami and her viewers, who only knew the middle floors, this was an introduction to apletely unknown world.


    The dungeon, with all its threats, was baring its fangs at Nanami.

 Chapter 9: Rescuing Asakawa-san

    Oh no.


    I was so focused on watching Asakawa-san fight the Frost Wyvern that I thought it would be bad manners as an explorer to intervene and steal the kill. But before I knew it, she had already defeated it.


    Asakawa-san, thinking she was safe, was lying on the ground, but there were supposed to be multiple Frost Wyverns. As I had suspected earlier, the one she was fighting was smaller than usual. The size difference was pretty obvious. And just as I was thinking that, a familiar-sized Frost Wyvern emerged from the stairs.


    "Raij¨±, go!"


    Among the shikigami I can summon, Raij¨± is the fastest, excluding some special ones. Even though there are several dozen meters between Asakawa-san, who''s about to be attacked, and the wyverns, Raij¨± can close that distance in the blink of an eye.


    "Kyahh!"


    With a sound like a thunderp, Raij¨± instantly closed the distance and kicked the nearest Frost Wyvern in the face.


    My job was to summon shikigami that could take down the Frost Wyverns as I approached.


    "Mezuki, Gozuki,e forth."


    From the magic circle appeared two oni¡ªone with a horse''s head and one with a bull''s head. Each standing over two meters tall, the oni gripped theirrge axes and charged at the Frost Wyverns.


    In Buddhism, Gozuki and Mezuki are said to be enforcers of hell, punishing the souls of those whomitted sins in life. Though technically not yokai, they are often treated as such in Japan.


    "A-Are those monsters?!"


    "Are you alright?"


    "Eep!?"


    Asakawa-san probably had no idea what was happening right in front of her, but I needed to get her to safety.


    The Frost Wyverns seemed startled by the sudden appearance of Gozuki, Mezuki, and Raij¨±, but in that moment of hesitation, Gozuki decapitated one of them. Among the shikigami I summon, Gozuki and Mezuki are among the strongest in raw power, so they won''t lose to the likes of a Frost Wyvern.


    "Who... are you?"


    "Hold on tight."


    Her body was frozen all over, and if she moved too much, it could lead to more than just bleeding. We would have to thaw her out slowly and carefully. But first, we needed to get out of the Frost Wyvern''s range.


    "An ice spike ising this way!"


    "It''s fine."


    Something like that can be easily blocked with magic.


    I cast a fire spell, and the ice spike heading our way evaporated into steam. With the wyvern''s attention now diverted, Mezuki split its body in two. Now there was only one left, and before I knew it, Gozuki had pinned it down while Raij¨± tore into its head, finishing it off.


    "Alright, all done. Let''s start the healing."


    "W-Wait a minute... I need to wrap my head around this."


    "? I''ll continue the treatment."


    There shouldn''t be anything to process here. The Frost Wyverns appeared, your life was in danger, but now you''re safe¡ªthat''s it.


    "Onmoraki."


    To help thaw out her frozen body, I summoned Onmoraki. ording to legend, Onmoraki is born from the unofficiated spirits of the dead and is said to breathe blue mes. The Onmoraki I created, based on this lore, breathes fire. Maybe because of that, it has a warm body temperature, making it ideal for thawing the ice.


    "Don''t move. Kasha."


    I summoned Kasha, my usual pack mule, and retrieved some healing ointment from the bag it carried. This ointment, found in the dungeon, works fast but drains a lot of stamina¡ªso it''s a bit risky.


    "Thanks, Gozuki, Mezuki."


    After receiving the magic stones and fangs from the Frost Wyverns, I dismissed Gozuki and Mezuki and handed the items to Kasha.


    I ignored Asakawa-san, who was likely still in shock, and focused on treating her injuries. As Onmoraki''s warmth melted the ice, I applied the ointment to the wounds. This ointment can be used in everyday life, but applying two doses will make you drowsy due to the intense drain on stamina. That''s the one downside.


    "Um... Kisaragi-kun?"


    "Huh? You know me?"


    "We''re ssmates, remember?"


    Oh, right. But this is the first time I''ve actually had a proper conversation with Asakawa-san, even though we''ve been in the same ss.


    "You got here really fast after school, didn''t you?"


    "Huh? Well... I didn''t even change out of my uniform?"


    "Oh, you''re right."


    I did change, but Asakawa-san came here in her uniform. Is she addicted to dungeons or something?


    "Kisaragi-kun, I didn''t know you coulde this far into the dungeon."


    "Yeah, Ie here often."


    Though, I usually just pass through and head straight for the deeper levels.


    As we made small talk while I treated her wounds, Raij¨± approached us. It seemed there were no more monsters nearby.


    "Your wounds are treated... You should head back now."


    "Thank you... I''ll do that."


    The conversation felt awkward. It''s understandable for me since I''m a socially awkward introvert, but I''m not sure why Asakawa-san isn''t her usual self either.


    "W-Wait!"


    "Yes?"


    As I was about to dismiss Onmoraki, Kasha, and Raij¨± and head back to make my report, she suddenly called out to me.


    "U-Um... those creatures from earlier... what were they?"


    "Oh, uh... can we talk about it some other time?"


    For some reason, I''m not keen on exining this to others. Maybe it''s because I''m an introvert.


    "Kirin."


    Not wanting to stick around while Asakawa-san searched for more words, I summoned Kirin and mounted it. Kirin, with the head of a dragon, the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, and the hooves of a horse, is a mystical creature, though technically a divine beast rather than a yokai¡ªbut that''s irrelevant.


    "Wait!"


    Asakawa-san called out again, but Kirin, following my orders, sped off, ignoring her. Though not as fast as Raij¨±, Kirin is still incredibly fast, and in no time, it carried me from the middle floors up to the upper floors and finally to the entrance of Shibuya Dungeon.


    "Y-You''re back already? That was fast!"


    "Huh? You mean Kirin?"


    "No, I mean... you''re back so soon."


    "Am I?"


    I thought I took my time on the way in, so I didn''t think it was that fast.


    "Ah, always so reliable."


    "Are you really grateful?"


    I handed over the Frost Wyvern''s magic stones and fangs to the branch manager, who greeted me with his usual suspicious smile.


    "Your shikigami skills are always impressive."


    "Just for summoning shikigami?"


    "I tried it myself recently, but I couldn''t manage it at all."


    He''sughing to himself, but I just want to get this over with and go home.


    I''ve already exined to him that shikigami techniques require a specific innate magic affinity, which hecks, so I don''t know why he hasn''t given up yet.


    "So, three magic stones... Were there three Frost Wyverns?"


    "There were four."


    "What happened to the other one?"


    "Another explorer took it."


    The branch manager squinted at me. What now?


    "A Frost Wyvern, huh?"


    "Is something wrong?"


    "No, I was just wondering if there were any other explorers in Shibuya Dungeon today who could take down a Frost Wyvern."


    "Why are you asking me?"


    "Are you really just a high school student? You should take some time to enjoy life, you know?"


    That''s annoying. How would I know... I haven''t had any free time. I came straight to the dungeon after school today.


    "We confirmed that one Frost Wyvern was defeated."


    "Huh? A stream?"


    He suddenly showed me aputer screen... Sure enough, there''s Asakawa-san and the Frost Wyvern.


    "It''s called dungeon streaming. It''s been popr among young people for the past few years."


    "Oh... Is that so?"


    "You don''t seem interested."


    Because I''m not.


    "Anyway, it seems your face and abilities have been exposed to the world."


    "Is that so?"


    "...I guess you weren''t really hiding it, were you?"


    Well, I left the name field nk, gotbeled as "UNKNOWN," and never bothered to register my personal information, so I''ve never had any trouble with it. It doesn''t really matter to me.


    "Anyway, thanks forpleting the request. The reward will be deposited, so don''t worry about that."


    More money piling up.


    Maybe I should have some expensive weapons or armor custom-made.

 Chapter 10: Thread 2: Rising Tensions

    655: Anonymous Explorer


    Wanna talk about Asagao-chan attempting the lower floors again, despite everything?


    656: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s what this thread is about, after all.


    657: Anonymous Explorer


    Honestly, how strong is that weird wyvern anyway?


    658: Anonymous Explorer


    Dunno.


    659: Anonymous Explorer


    Come on, aren''t all thread participants S-rank explorers?


    660: Anonymous Explorer


    No way.


    661: Anonymous Explorer


    Only the NEETs are.


    662: Anonymous Explorer


    That was probably a Frost Wyvern.


    663: Anonymous Explorer


    Is the knowledgeable guy here?


    664: Anonymous Explorer


    Nope, I have no idea.


    665: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾664


    Totally useless.


    666: Anonymous Explorer


    If you don''t know, don''t talk.


    667: Anonymous Explorer


    A Frost Wyvern sounds strong. (small-brainedment)


    668: Anonymous Explorer


    How would I know about lower-floor monsters?


    669: Anonymous Explorer


    I think I saw something like that on TV when an S-rank explorer was talking.


    670: Anonymous Explorer


    Oh, I feel like I''ve seen it before.


    671: Anonymous Explorer


    You guys actually watch TV?


    672: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾669


    I think I''ve heard about it too. Some rare monster from the lower floors or something.


    673: Anonymous Explorer


    No one''s talking about Asagao-chan''s ssmate Kisaragi-kun.


    674: Anonymous Explorer


    Who cares about a guy?


    675: Anonymous Explorer


    The hardcore fans on social media are losing their minds. [Image]


    676: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾675


    Gross.


    677: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾675


    Falling in love with a high school girl, seriously creepy.


    678: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾674


    Looks like one of them is here.


    679: Anonymous Explorer


    This is a thread to talk about Asagao.


    680: Anonymous Explorer


    He was in Asagao''s stream, you know.


    681: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾675


    Fanboys going crazy, lol.


    682: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾679


    Are you one of those fanboys?


    683: Anonymous Explorer


    Honestly, I didn''t know there were explorers that strong.


    684: Anonymous Explorer


    Since she was saved by her ssmate, they must be doing it already.


    685: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾684


    Die.


    686: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾684


    I''ll kill you, you piece of trash.


    687: Anonymous Explorer


    I''ve never seen an explorer that strong.


    688: Anonymous Explorer


    I can''t find any info on Kisaragi-kun, a third-year high school student at C-rank, on the Explorer Association''s website. He''s probably an explorer who''s hiding his personal information.


    689: Anonymous Explorer


    Then let''s try to guess which registered name he''s using.


    690: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾688


    No way he''s just C-rank with that strength.


    691: Anonymous Explorer


    But are there any high school students above C-rank?


    692: Anonymous Explorer


    None among those who''ve registered their personal info.


    693: Anonymous Explorer


    There are a few dozen at C-rank.


    694: Anonymous Explorer


    But none at B-rank.


    695: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s one at A-rank, though.


    696: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾695


    Isn''t that person a girl?


    697: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾695


    Let''s not talk about the Dungeon Princess.


    698: Anonymous Explorer


    I don''t care about personal info, but what were those creatures?


    699: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s using them, obviously.


    700: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s the only exnation.


    701: Anonymous Explorer


    But using monsters requires special items, and you can''t just summon and dismiss them like that.


    702: Anonymous Explorer


    What even is an Onmoraki? That''s not a monster.


    703: Anonymous Explorer


    Onmoraki is a yokai born from the spirits of the dead who weren''t given a proper burial. In other words, it''s a fictional creature!


    704: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾703


    You sound like a yokai expert.


    705: Anonymous Explorer


    Yokai?


    706: Anonymous Explorer


    This is so confusing, lol.


    707: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s probably "Shikigami Jutsu."


    708: Anonymous Explorer


    I want to summon a cool monster too, so I can crush everything while just standing back with my arms crossed.


    709: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾707


    What is Shikigami Jutsu?


    710: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾707


    Details, please.


    711: Anonymous Explorer


    I don''t know much, but¡­


    712: Anonymous Explorer


    Just say something.


    713: Anonymous Explorer


    Rx. You probably know more than anyone else here.


    714: Anonymous Explorer


    Talk about Asagao-chan.


    715: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾714


    This happened in Asagao''s stream.


    716: Anonymous Explorer


    So it''s not off-topic.


    717: Anonymous Explorer


    Here''s a brief summary:


    Shikigami are creatures created and controlled by your own magic. The strength of the created creature depends on the amount of magic power the user has. Once created, they can be summoned repeatedly. To create one, you need to have a detailed understanding of the creature.


    That''s about it.


    718: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾717


    Nice.


    719: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾717


    You know more than I thought.


    720: Anonymous Explorer


    I''ve never even heard of that kind of magic.


    721: Anonymous Explorer


    It exists, so believe it.


    722: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾717


    If the power of the shikigami depends on the user''s magic, does that mean Kisaragi-kun is ridiculously strong?


    723: Anonymous Explorer


    I want to try Shikigami Jutsu too.


    724: Anonymous Explorer


    So cool. I''m jealous.


    725: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾722


    That''s right. The shikigami only has a fraction of the user''s power. But the traits of the shikigami vary.


    £¾£¾723


    Apparently, you need to have a natural talent for it.


    726: Anonymous Explorer


    Really? That sucks.


    727: Anonymous Explorer


    Then it''s definitely something else.


    728: Anonymous Explorer


    No way someone can create such powerful shikigami, lol.


    729: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾725


    If this is true, Kisaragi-kun (hypothetically) could solo a Frost Wyvern.


    730: Anonymous Explorer


    No way...


    731: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s too much of a stretch.


    732: Anonymous Explorer


    Here we go with another tall tale.


    733: Anonymous Explorer


    Why am I being called a liar here?


    734: Anonymous Explorer


    If it''s true, then Kisaragi-kun is a monster, lol.


    735: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t that super inconvenient to use?


    736: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾735


    It is. And since it''s a natural talent, nobody else can use it.


    737: Anonymous Explorer


    Then it can''t be that.


    738: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s no way those buffed-up ox and horse guys were shikigami. Be serious.


    739: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t it crazy that Asagao-chan soloed a Frost Wyvern?


    740: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s just in insane.


    741: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s definitely going viral.


    742: Anonymous Explorer


    Shikigami-kun is going viral too.


    743: Anonymous Explorer


    His name is Kisaragi-kun, by the way.


    744: Anonymous Explorer


    I don''t care about some guy.


    745: Anonymous Explorer


    You''re still here?


    746: Anonymous Explorer


    Asagao-chan''s hardcore fans who obsess over her purity are hopeless. Asagao-chan is probably getting along just fine with Kisaragi-kun.


    747: Anonymous Explorer


    Die die die die die die die die die die die die die die die die die die.


    748: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾747


    Lol.


    749: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾747


    Lol.


    750: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾747


    What are you, a kid?


    751: Anonymous Explorer


    I want to be a top explorer and get all the girls.


    752: Anonymous Explorer


    Be an explorer, get rich, and the girls wille to you.


    753: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾752


    That''s harsh.


    754: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾753


    Make enough money, and you can donate it all.


    755: Anonymous Explorer


    I''m gonna be an explorer and use the money to donate!


    756: Anonymous Explorer


    What an idiot.


    757: Anonymous Explorer


    You''ll probably die in the dungeon.

 Chapter 11: A Risky Promise

    I sighed as I looked at my bankbook, which kept growing even as I spent money. I know it''s not something I should be doing at school, but I recently bought a condo. I figured it was pointless to keep umting money without spending any, so I paid for it all at once and handed it over to a real estate agent...


    But yesterday''s reward and the money from the Frost Wyvern''s magic stone brought in a lot of cash again.


    I understand that the magic stone from a Frost Wyvern is valuable enough to generate a lot of electricity, but it''s not the kind of money a student should be handling. At first, I had a lot of distant rtives I''d never heard of suddenly appear, but now, that kind of thing doesn''t happen anymore.


    "Huh?"


    Wait a minute. If I made this much money from one Frost Wyvern magic stone, doesn''t that mean Asakawa-san, who got one too, made a lot of money?


    I should probably introduce her to a trustworthy tax ountant next time. She''d probably appreciate that more than just being taken care of in some other way.


    By the way, I feel like I''m getting a lot of stares from my ssmates today... I wonder why. I heard something about my face being shown on some dungeon stream... Maybe that''s why. But is Asakawa-san really that famous?


    "Oh, good morning."


    "...Huh? Me?"


    I was about to put away my bankbook and take out a book to read, thinking there was no point in worrying about it, when someone spoke to me from the side. I didn''t expect anyone to suddenly talk to me at school, so I turned my head, surprised, and saw the person at the center of all this attention.


    A ssmate with jet-ck hair and equally dark, captivating eyes. It was Asakawa-san, the girl I saved yesterday whilepleting an assignment.


    "Thanks for yesterday."


    "Oh, uh... yeah..."


    Nope, this isn''t working.


    Don''t expect a vocabryrge enough to hold a conversation with the ss''s Madonna from a socially awkward, introverted loner. Even if I did have the words, they wouldn''te out of my mouth.


    "You''re Kisaragi-kun, right? I thought so."


    "M-Maybe you''ve got the wrong person?"


    Why am I trying to deny it? This is pathetic.


    "That''s not true. The Kisaragi-kun I met at school yesterday and the one I met in the dungeon had the same magic power."


    "M-Magic power?"


    "Yeah! It''s really serene and beautiful. The word ''quiet'' suits it perfectly."


    Serene magic power, huh... Even if you say that, most people don''t notice individuality in magic power. I''ve heard that some people with exceptionally good vision or a special constitution that makes them sensitive to magic can identify individuals by their magic power, but could it be that Asakawa-san is one of those people?


    "Well, I have a lot I want to talk about, so can we meet after school?"


    "Huh? Oh, um... I think that''s okay."


    I was told by thedy who handles my assignments that I could take a break since I''ve been taking consecutive requests, so it should be fine.


    But more importantly, why is that handsome guy ring at me just because Asakawa-san is talking to me? Are they dating or something? He''s giving me a look that says he doesn''t like seeing his girlfriend talking to some unknown guy.


    "Alright, let''s meet in front of Shibuya Station!"


    "Y-Yeah."


    But of course, as a socially awkward introverted loner, I couldn''t possibly refuse the words of a sparkling, popr girl. Too bad... Someone, please help.


    Asakawa-san didn''t seem to notice and just left the ssroom. This means I''m definitely going to get harassed by that handsome guy.


    "Hey, loser, don''t get cocky."


    "Eek!"


    Yep, I''m being harassed.


    He''s ring at me with a clearly furious expression, looking like he''s one step away from punching me. Didn''t he say it was fine as long as I had an explorer''s license?


    "What did you do to get Asakawa-san to talk to you? Are you trying to hit on her? Know your ce."


    "I-I''m not trying to hit on her."


    "What?"


    "S-Sorry."


    Damn it. I reflexively apologized. I can speak normally to people I''m used to, but why am I such a socially awkward loner in situations like this? I wish I had bettermunication skills rather than dungeon exploration skills!


    "Tch! If I see you talking to Asakawa-san again, I''m gonna beat the crap out of you."


    "I-I''m sorry."


    "Someone like you doesn''t deserve to be talking to her. You understand what it means to be punched by a C-rank, don''t you?"


    Um... It''d probably hurt?


    No, that''s not it. So, does he mean... I might die?


    Well, I don''t know what kind of magic this handsome guy uses, so I can''t say for sure, but if it''s just physical attacks, I don''t feel like I''d lose at all. I guess he''s warning me that he might do something unpredictable. I should just nod my head to be safe.


    Looking somewhat satisfied, the handsome guy walked away from me. I don''t get it. But his friends were still ring at me. Wow, Asakawa-san is really popr, huh?


    Not wanting to get harassed any more, I bolted out of the ssroom the moment all the sses were over. Of course, I held back my full strength, knowing that if I put all my power into it, I''d shatter the floor tiles with my magic. It''s not something I like to brag about, but even without magic, I''m pretty physically strong, so I managed to escape school without being harassed by the handsome guy.


    I managed to get out of school, but I still have that promise to meet Asakawa-san afterward... I''m not really feeling it, but I made the promise, so I have to keep it. As a socially awkward introvert, I''m terrible at saying no.


    I''ll stop by the condo I own near Shibuya Station. I have a spare change of clothes and dungeon gear there, so I can just walk from there to the station. I originally bought the ce to spend money and for its convenience to the Shibuya Dungeon, so it should be perfect.


    That said, what could Asakawa-san want to talk to me about? It''s probably about the dungeon, isn''t it? I saved her because she was in danger, but it''s the second time... Plus, I told her I''d exin the shikigamiter, so I really can''t refuse.


    Well, whatever. It''ll be what it''ll be... It''s not like I have anything to hide, so we''ll just talk, and then we''ll part ways. After that... Since it''s a day off, maybe I''ll skip the dungeon. I mostly go to the dungeon for work or to relieve stress...


    I can handle going to the dungeon every day, but if I spend all my time working and then go to the dungeon for fun too, I''ll lose my mind.

 Chapter 12: A Cafe Date!??

    "Sorry to keep you waiting! I hope I didn''t make you wait too long."


    "No... I wasn''t really waiting, anyway."


    It kind of feels... like we''re a couple on a date. If I keep thinking like this, I''ll probably get punched by that handsome guy. I need to restrain myself.


    "You know, you can just talk normally?"


    "P-Please, spare me, Asakawa-san."


    "You can call me Nanami if you want."


    "Eek."


    I made the same sound as when I was threatened by that handsome guy. It seems like the fear of getting too close to Asakawa-san and the fear of being attacked by that handsome guy are on the same level for me. Well, getting too close to Asakawa-san will probably lead to getting beaten up by that handsome guy, so I guess it''s the same thing.


    "Well, whatever. Shall we go?"


    "Y-Yes."


    It looks like she gave up on that idea. If it were the staff at the Shibuya Dungeon, I could talk normally because I''m familiar with them... but I can''t talk face-to-face with people at school. I know it''s usually the opposite, but as a dungeon recluse, this makes sense for me.


    Since we met in front of Shibuya Station, I thought she might take me to some trendy ce where popr people hang out, but we ended up going to a caf¨¦ right in front of the station''s underground dungeon.


    This caf¨¦ is one I often use, where many dungeon explorers hang out. Regr customers hardly evere here. It''s practically an explorer-only ce, so the prices are quite high. Well, considering they use high-quality beans for the coffee, it''s no surprise, but they also have private rooms. Even though it''s a caf¨¦.


    "It''s my first timeing to this caf¨¦."


    "R-Really?"


    "Yeah? I mean, the money I earn goes toward tuition, food, living expenses... all sorts of things."


    "S-So you live alone, huh?"


    "Yeah."


    That''s kind of surprising. I always thought that someone as polite as her would definitely be living at home somewhere near Tokyo, but it turns out Asakawa-san lives alone.


    "My dad insisted on choosing a ce with top-notch security since I''m a high school girl living alone... but it''s still expensive, you know?"


    "Well... yeah, that makes sense."


    I own a few condos myself, so I kind of get it, but not really. I mean, I only buy high-security, expensive condos. But I do know the general market rate for rent and such, so I understand how much a secure ce costs. Lately,nd prices are higher for ces near dungeons than for those near stations.


    "Phew... It was hot outside."


    "...Yeah."


    "Hehe... Haha! You''re nervous, aren''t you?"


    "Sorry."


    Well, it is July, but I didn''t say that out loud. And I ended up apologizing reflexively. Myck ofmunication skills is really making me want to cry.


    Asakawa-san isughing it off, but a normal person would probably not want to talk to someone who just keeps apologizing. Well... if she said that after inviting me out, I''d be so shocked I''d probably skip school.


    "There aren''t many people our age who are seriously doing dungeon exploration, so I guess I got a bit excited."


    "...What about that handsome guy?"


    "Huh? Who?"


    "Um... the guy in our ss with brown hair."


    "Oh, Kurihara-kun?"


    Yeah, that''s right, Kurihara-kun.


    He''s a C-rank explorer like Asakawa-san, so I figured he''d be someone she could talk to. Has he been erased from her mind or something?


    "Well... Kurihara-kun is, how do I put it...plicated?"


    "C-Complicated..."


    "Sorry. I was trying to be polite... I''m not reallyfortable around him."


    Poor handsome guy.


    "Being an explorer is dangerous, so not many people want to do it."


    "But there are a lot of people with the qualification, right?"


    "They only have it for the sake of having it, or they just stick to the upper floors. There aren''t many people who go as deep as the middle floors, like you and me."


    Well... that''s true. It''s a qualification you can put on your resume, so a lot of people get it even if they''ve never actually gone into a dungeon. Still, the government is probably just happy to have more qualified explorers. They keep track of how many people are actively exploring since the qualification needs to be renewed annually.


    About half the people in our ss have the explorer qualification, but most only go into dungeons as a side job. The only ones seriously doing it are probably just me, Asakawa-san, and that handsome guy who''s supposedly C-rank.


    "That''s why ssmates who are active explorers are really valuable. Can we exchange contact information?"


    "...Sure."


    "What''s with the hesitation?"


    Sheughed at me again. But, wow, her smile is really cute.


    No, it''s just that as an introverted loner, I get all awkward when someone asks to exchange contact information. And she''s way too close to me, psychologically speaking, just because we''re both explorers. If she keeps this up, it''s easy for someone like me to fall for her, so she really should stop.


    "You seem a bit awkward in conversation, but you can respond normally. So why are you always alone in the ssroom?"


    "...That''s a no-go topic for introverted loners."


    "Huh? Really?"


    "It is."


    "Got it."


    Wait, she actually understood that? I said it, but I couldn''t even convince myself with that exnation, so why does it make sense to her?


    "Sorry to keep you waiting."


    Just as I was struggling with my conversation with Asakawa-san, our drinks arrived. It seems she ordered tea, but I''m still a coffee person, no matter what. I do like tea, but if I had to choose, it''d be coffee.


    Whether or not I add sugar and milk depends on the beans, but I generally prefer it ck. That''s my favorite.


    "..."


    "Is something wrong?"


    "No, it''s just... you ordered something pretty expensive."


    Well, coffee can be so expensive that you can''t afford to think about the price. But it''s not like I drink it just because it''s expensive.


    "I''ll... pay for it."


    "Huh? But I''m making pretty good money too, you know?"


    "You mentioned tuition and stuff earlier."


    "But we go to the same school, right?"


    She''s got a point... But I can''t exactly tell her that I''ve been sighing at the growing numbers in my bank ount, so what should I do?


    "Well... if you answer my questions, I''ll let you pay for it."


    "...I don''t really see how that benefits me."


    "You''re right! S-Sorry."


    "No, it''s fine... I''ll pay. And I''ll answer your questions."


    I mean, the whole reason we''re here at this caf¨¦ is for me to answer her questions. Paying for the drinks and answering questions are separate issues.


    "T-Thank you... So, here''s my first question."


    "Go ahead."


    "It was you, Kisaragi-kun, who saved me yesterday and the day before, right?"


    So that''s what she wanted to talk about. But didn''t she already have a pretty good idea? She seemed confident when we talked in ss.


    Well, there''s nothing to hide, so I''ll just tell her everything.

 Chapter 13: A Surprising Revelation!

    "There''s no mistake."


    "..."


    Huh? Why does she look so surprised? Didn''t she ask because she was sure?


    "It''s just... you admitted it so easily that it caught me off guard."


    "I mean, it''s not like I''m hiding anything."


    It''s not that I''m intentionally hiding anything. It''s just that exining or registering things can be a hassle, so I haven''t really put any information out there, but I''m still a normal explorer.


    It''s just that exining things is a hassle, so if I''m asked a question, I''ll answer it. Even the branch manager knows my real name and about my shikigami, though I haven''t mentioned my trump card because he never asked.


    "I see... so you''re not hiding anything."


    "Huh?"


    "It''s nothing."


    She seemed to have an idea about something... What could it be?


    "Can I ask the next question?"


    "Go ahead."


    Since I''m not hiding anything, it doesn''t bother me if she asks a lot of questions. Besides, after being saved by something unknown twice, I can understand why she''d be curious.


    "Those... things you''re controlling, what are they?"


    "You mean the shikigami? They''re creatures I created, so they''re not monsters."


    "Really!?"


    They''re not monsters, so they don''t have magic stones, and when they die, they don''t turn to ash. Because of their appearance, they can be mistaken for monsters, so I usually don''t summon them in public ces, but it was an emergency when I saved Asakawa-san.


    "S-Shikigami, huh... Like an onmyoji?"


    "No, I''m not an onmyoji..."


    "Can''t you use spells or something?"


    "I can use magic."


    "I can use magic too."


    It''s just that creating and controlling creatures is called shikigami-jutsu, but I''m not an onmyoji, and I can use magic just like anyone else. Well, since my physical abilities are better than most people''s, I usually prefer closebat with a sword rather than using magic.


    "I see... so that''s a type of magic?"


    "Yes, since they''re created with magic power."


    The convenient thing about shikigami-jutsu is that once you create a creature, you can summon and dismiss it freely. You have to imagine it in detail to be able to use it, and its strength changes depending on how much magic power you put into it. If you create it properly, you can even give it a sense of self. My Raiju yawns like a big dog because I''ve given it self-awareness.


    "Does that mean I could use it too!? It''d be so cute to have a dog for my streams!"


    "Wait a second."


    "Huh?"


    I mustered up the courage to touch Asakawa-san''s hand. Wow... it''s so smooth. Are all girls like this? No, that''s not the point.


    "Hmm... if you work really hard, it might be possible?"


    "W-What do you mean?"


    "Shikigami-jutsu requires innate talent."


    By touching someone''s body, you can sense their magic power. This ismon knowledge, but I was checking whether Asakawa-san''s magic power was suitable for shikigami-jutsu. That being said, there''s no clear standard, so it''s just a maybe.


    It''s about the quality of the magic power. Without the right innate talent, you can''t master shikigami-jutsu. It operates on principles entirely different from ordinary magic.


    "Innate talent, huh."


    "Yes. You wouldn''t be able to use it as freely as I can."


    "I see... that''s a shame."


    She must have been really hoping she could use it. She looks really disappointed.


    "''Raiju.''"


    "Huh?"


    I channeled my magic and summoned Raiju. This time, though, it''s much smaller than usual¡ªabout palm-sized. The little Raiju, summoned with a pop, looked up at me as if to say, "Why did you summon me so small?" But in this size, it''s not scary at all.


    "C-Cute!"


    "I guess I had the talent for shikigami-jutsu... so I can summon them like this whenever I want."


    "That''s amazing!"


    "T-Thank you."


    This is bad. I''m not used to being praised, so I''m starting to feel embarrassed. When the staff at the branch praises me, it usually just goes in one ear and out the other, but beingplimented face-to-face by a girl like this makes me blush. If a beautiful girl smiles at you and says you''re amazing, of course, you''d be happy! Maybe I''m not as emotionally drained as I thought!


    "Raiju-chan is so cute."


    "...Don''t make that face."


    Is this what they call doting on something? Asakawa-san is stroking and prodding the little Raiju, her eyes sparkling, but every time she does, Raiju looks at me with a face full of displeasure.


    "Guess I have no choice."


    "Oh..."


    Raiju seemed really ufortable, so I dismissed it. Asakawa-san looked a bit disappointed, but when she saw my face, she seemed to remember that we were in the middle of a conversation and shook her head, clearing her throat.


    "S-So, next question."


    "Ah, okay."


    She''s pretending that didn''t happen.


    "You came to rescue me on the 41st floor, so are you C-rank?"


    "I wasn''t really there to rescue you... but let''s just go with that."


    At that time, Raiju was just following the scent of blood down to the lower floors. I had no idea Asakawa-san was on the brink of death.


    "My explorer rank... isn''t C, though."


    "Wait, you went to the lower floors without being C-rank!?"


    She''s got the wrong idea.


    "Asakawa-san, you''re C-rank, right?"


    "That''s right. I just recently reached C-rank, so I thought I''d try the lower floors, but I failed twice."


    So she streams, huh.


    Still, it must have taken a lot of effort to reach C-rank as a high school student... That''s pretty impressive. I''ve never bothered to rank up past E, so I can''t even imagine how hard it must be to reach C.


    "This is my explorer card."


    "...Didn''t they tell you during the training not to show your explorer card to others carelessly?"


    "Huh? But you''re fine, right, Kisaragi-kun?"


    Where does that confidencee from?


    The explorer card contains a lot of important information. It has your address, explorer ID, birthdate, and other details, so it''s basically a form of identification. You''re not supposed to show it carelessly.


    Should I take this as a sign that she trusts me, or is she just being careless? Definitely thetter.


    "Sigh... fine."


    I took out my explorer card from my wallet and ced it on the table. It has personal information that I haven''t registered with the Explorer Association, so I really shouldn''t be showing it, but since she showed hers, it feels wrong not to show mine.


    "Hmm... what? EX?"


    "Uh... yeah."


    "Like, that EX?"


    "Is there another one?"


    She looks incredibly shocked.


    Come to think of it, this is the first time I''ve shown my explorer card to anyone since bing EX. Maybe that''s why she''s so surprised.


    I guess it makes sense, there are only four EX-rank explorers in Japan... I should have been more careful about showing it.

 Chapter 14: Why Did She Suddenly Ask Me?

    "Your explorer registration name is ''UNKNOWN''... Are you the unidentified EX explorer?"


    "Huh, I didn''t know I was being called that."


    "Yeah! You''re the only EX-rank explorer in Japan whose identity was unknown!"


    Now that she mentions it, the other three have openly shared their personal information. I don''t really know much about how I''m perceived by the public since the only other explorers I know are the other three EX-ranks, but I never thought I was seen that way.


    "...Why don''t you ever say, ''I''m an EX-rank explorer!''?"


    Is she referring to when I was getting harassed by that pretty boy? Well, Asakawa-san seems kind, so I can understand why she might want to say something like that after seeing me get hassled.


    "I''m just not that interested in explorer ranks... so I don''t usually tell people."


    "Then why do you still dive into dungeons? Your rank can''t go any higher."


    "...For fun and profit? Also, it''s my job?"


    At first, I enjoyed diving into dungeons because the deeper I went, the more money I made. But then work started piling up, and the money kept increasing even though I had no time to spend it. It got tiresome.


    "I see... Alright, then I won''t tell anyone."


    "Are you sure? I don''t mind if people know... Wouldn''t it boost your streaming numbers?"


    "Oh, so you knew I was a streamer."


    "I only found out yesterday."


    "I see."


    She''s giving me a look like she thinks I''m not interested, which I guess is urate. It''s not that I''m uninterested¡ªI just haven''t gotten to the point where I could be interested.


    "So why is your explorer name ''UNKNOWN''? It''s not because you wanted to keep it a secret, right?"


    "...When I registered, I thought I''d just use my real name, but I identally left the field nk, and they filled it in with that."


    "Really... Haha!"


    "Please don''tugh."


    "I can''t help it... Haha!"


    Damn it. It really does feel like a cringeworthy moment from my past. I never managed to change it, so it''s just been left as is. Now that I''ve gained recognition as the EX-rank explorer ''UNKNOWN,'' it''s toote to change it.


    "I see... Well, I''m d I got to learn more about you, Kisaragi-kun. And, I know it''ste, but thank you for saving my life twice."


    "...It was just a coincidence."


    "Even so, I''m grateful."


    Ah... She''s a good person. She has a normal level of dislike for people and a normal ability to show gratitude. She''s a human with a genuine humanity who can care for others, which is rare among explorers who dive into dungeons where lives are at stake.


    "I see... So when the association''s website says, ''EX-UNKNOWN resolved it,'' it''s because you were the one who handled it."


    "Ah..."


    She''s probably referring to the notices the Explorer Association puts out when a lower-floor-ss monster appears on the upper or middle floors, and they need to regte the dungeon. I guess it''s true that out of all the EX-rank explorers, I''m the one who lives closest to the Shibuya Dungeon, so my namees up often.


    Last month, when I dealt with some weird crocodile-like creature on the upper floors, I saw the branch manager typing the information into theputer.


    "...Hmm."


    "Huh?"


    Asakawa-san started humming in thought while sipping her drink through a straw. Does she still have more questions? I don''t mind answering whatever she asks¡ªit''s not like I''ll die from it.


    "Hey, do you have any interest in dungeon streaming?"


    "Dungeon streaming..."


    Is that what her streaming is called? I don''t really know how you stream inside a dungeon, but I understand now that she''s doing some kind of dungeon exploration as a broadcast.


    "I''m not really sure what dungeon streaming is, to be honest."


    "You said you just found out yesterday... Did you mean my stream or dungeon streaming in general? Are you not up to date with online stuff?"


    "Well... I do use social media."


    I mostly just follow the official ounts of the games I y, so I''m not really up to date with general trends.


    "Even though you''re EX-rank?"


    "Does that have anything to do with it?"


    I''ve only been an EX-rank explorer for about two years, so it''s not like I know everything. I''m knowledgeable about dungeons, though.


    "If you''re interested, I was hoping you could help me."


    "..."


    For now, I decide to look up dungeon streaming on my phone since I don''t really understand it. As an introvert, I''m quite skilled at pulling out my phone in front of others. It''s also a surefire way to get people to dislike me.


    A quick search shows that dungeon streaming primarily focuses on showing dungeon exploration, but that''s not all. There are streamers affiliated withpanies and others who do it independently.


    "Are you affiliated with apany?"


    "I''m not. I started out just posting something like a dungeon exploration diary."


    I see. If she''s an independent streamer, then she could team up with me for a dungeon exploration stream. That makes sense. More importantly, Asakawa-san wants to go to the lower floors but has been struggling to make progress. She probably wants my help since I seem strong.


    "But you told the pretty boy that you wanted to do it on your own, didn''t you?"


    "That was just an excuse to turn him down."


    Sorry, pretty boy.


    "Alright. I don''t mind helping."


    "Really!?"


    "Whoa!?"


    I was startled. Please don''t suddenly stand up and grab my hand like that. You''ll make me fall for you.


    But seriously, if she''s the one who asked me for help, why is she so surprised that I agreed? Did she not really want me toe, or did she just think I''d refuse? Definitely thetter.


    "Thank you, Kisaragi-kun!"


    "Y-You''re wee..."


    That said, our conversation has made me curious about something. It''s not something I need to know immediately, but I feel like it''s important to ask before we start working together.


    "Asakawa-san, I think you''re quite sessful as a dungeon streamer."


    "...Well, yeah. I can''t exactly say I''m not, even if I wanted to."


    "You seem to have a lot of viewers, and I assume you get a significant amount of donations, right?"


    "Yeah."


    "So why risk your life to stream a lower-floor exploration?"


    I understand that as a streamer, you need to try new things to prevent viewer numbers from dropping due to stagnation. But is it worth risking your life for that? For example, couldn''t you try exploring the Nagoya Dungeon, which probably has fewer streamers, or the Kamakura Dungeon? I feel like I need to ask this before I can fully support her.


    "I''m challenging the lower floors because I''m an explorer. There''s no other reason."


    "...I see. That makes sense."


    Ah... I see she has a bit of a reckless side as well. I guess she''s a C-rank for a reason.

 Chapter 15: Suddenly a Dungeon Streamer?

    "Today, I''ll be testing some magic in the mid-levels of Shibuya Dungeon!"


    Asakawa-san''s dungeon streaming had piqued my interest, and after agreeing to help her, I figured it would be wise to familiarize myself with her content. So, I sat down for dinner and started watching her archived streams.


    Herbat style was impressive, as I had seen during her fight with the Frost Wyvern. She uses a spear while simultaneously casting multipleyers of magic, simr to a magic knight in games, but with an unusual level of expertise.


    ''Here''s a bit of my magic!''


    "Her ability to cast multiple spells at once is astounding."


    Watching the stream, I realized that Asakawa-san relies heavily on her ability to cast numerous spells simultaneously, which was beyond my expectations. I''m not bad at magic myself, but casting 20 or 30 spells at once would take me considerable time. Yet, she''s doing it effortlessly, like it''s second nature. This is undoubtedly a rare talent.


    I tried casting multiple small light spells at once, but six was my limit. Attempting to cast more resulted in unstable forms or fluctuating output.


    "Wow, with talent like that, no wonder she''s a C-rank. Actually, that''s pretty incredible."


    It''s clear that Asakawa-san is doing something remarkable, probably more than she realizes.


    "¡­Amazing."


    Moreover, her poprity as a streamer is off the charts. The real-time rey feature shows so manyments flowing in that they''re impossible to keep up with, and there are several viewers donating tens of thousands of yen.


    The amount of money isn''t the issue. Frankly, amounts in the hundreds of thousands are easy to earn even on the lower floors, but from what I can see, she''s one of the top streamers, no question.


    "Sigh¡­"


    Did I really say I''d help with someone like this? I hope I don''t get attacked by her fans or anything. Not that getting stabbed with a kitchen knife would kill me, but still.


    "I''m like Urashima Taro."


    I became a dungeon explorer right after entering high school, and it seems that in the meantime, dungeon streaming has be a huge trend. It looks like people from overseas are also doing it, and seeing dungeons abroad that I''ve never visited does get me excited. Though, I stopped watching because I couldn''t understand what they were saying.


    "I really am like Urashima Taro¡ªgoing into a dungeon, only toe out and find the world haspletely changed."


    Let me be clear. It looks like a lot of fun.


    Most streamers, from what I can see, don''t seem capable of handling even the mid-levels of a dungeon, but even so, watching them enjoy exploring dungeons reminds me of my earlier days, and I can''t help but feel a bit envious.


    "Huh?"


    As I returned to watching Asakawa-san''s stream archive, a message notification popped up on my phone. Usually, the only messages I get are promotional ones from shopping sites, but this time, the notification was from "Asakawa Nanami."


    "¡­"


    I hesitated a little before unlocking my phone and checking the message.


    [Thank you again for saving me.]


    [Looking forward to working with you!]


    "¡­How do I respond to this?"


    I''m not used to messaging apps. The only contacts in my phone are work-rted, and I don''t really have any proper friends. Sending a stiff, business-like reply feels wrong¡­ I''m at a loss.


    [You''re wee.]


    "Am I socially awkward even in text?"


    I ended up criticizing the message I sent myself. Streaming seems fun, but if I don''t fix this social awkwardness, I don''t think I''ll be able to help properly. Maybe I should just rescue her when she''s in danger and then stay off-camera the rest of the time?


    [You seem nervous, don''t you?]


    "She noticed. How does she know?"


    [Will you be at school tomorrow?]


    [If you are, let''s have a strategy meeting after ss!]


    [It''s a promise!]


    "Wait, these messages areing too fast."


    I couldn''t even reply before the next message arrived. Do all girls type this fast?


    [What are you doing now?]


    "The topic just changed¡­"


    But I can easily respond to this.


    [I was watching your stream, Asakawa-san.]


    "Okay, sent."


    I don''t know why, but that feels like an aplishment. Even though it''s not really an aplishment.


    [That''s kind of embarrassing.]


    [But aren''t you a streamer?]


    [That''s not the point.]


    "I don''t get it. Other ssmates said they watch her streams too, so why is she embarrassed that I''m watching? Am I being tested or something?"


    [You''ll understand if you try streaming yourself, Kisaragi-kun.]


    "Why is she using my first name?"


    I don''t think I''m that close with Asakawa-san¡­ Or is it just that the bar for friendship is way too high for a socially awkward introvert like me?


    "Streaming, huh¡­"


    After doing some research, I found out there are automatic cameras powered by magic stones. These cameras detect the subject''s magic and automatically track them, which is quite an impressive feat of technology. Naturally, they''re more expensive than regr recording equipment by at least an order of magnitude. I realized that dungeon streamers really do invest a lot in their craft.


    [What kind of camera do you use, Asakawa-san?]


    [I''m using the most expensive and durable one now.]


    [I used a cheaper one before, though.]


    "Well, of course. If she''s going to the mid-levels, it makes sense."


    I did some research and found out that her camera costs in the seven figures. I''m impressed that a high schooler would decide to buy something like that. I guess it just shows how much demand there is for dungeon streaming.


    "Sigh¡­ Maybe I should buy one too."


    I''m starting to get interested in dungeon streaming. Even if I don''t end up doing it myself, having a camera to record the dungeon would be useful. Especially when exploring uncharted floors, it would be handy to review the footageter.


    The camera I''d need should be highly durable and have a long battery life. After all, reaching the lower levels takes time, and exploring them isn''t a quick task. Some floors are so vast that I''ve even had to camp overnight. Of course, I could just turn the camera off until I reach the lower levels.

 Chapter 16: Info For Info

    "Good morning, Tsukasa-kun!"


    "...Good morning."


    As I was walking from the station to school, checking out various recording devices on my phone, I sensed Asakawa-san approaching from behind. It startled me a bit when she suddenly greeted me, but since I noticed her beforehand, it wasn''t too shocking... Well, except for the fact that it''s kind of creepy to notice someone''s presence like that.


    Everyone around us, dressed in the same school uniform, was giving us surprised looks, likely because Asakawa-san had greeted me. However, she didn''t seem to care, and I was too busy looking at cameras on my phone to pay much attention.


    "Oh, are you looking at cameras? They''re expensive!"


    "Well, the one you''re using is expensive too."


    "I saved up and worked hard to buy it. But... Tsukasa-kun, are you really thinking of buying that one all at once?"


    I am, actually. After all, I have more than enough money, so I might as well go all out and get the best. Of course, I''m not just looking at the price, if I''m going to start dungeon streaming for real, I need something high-performance. I can''t afford to hearints like "It''s impossible to film deep floors with this."


    "Are you getting interested in dungeon streaming?"


    "Yes. I need a high-performance camera to capture footage in the deep floors... What''s wrong?"


    "Huh, deep floors?"


    Why is she so surprised? If I''m going to film something, wouldn''t the deep floors be the most valuable footage?


    "If you really do it, it''ll be a big deal, you know?"


    "Huh? I don''t really get it... Are there no explorers streaming footage from the deep floors?"


    "Almost none, actually."


    Really? While the deep floors are generally essible to A-rank explorers, with most saying it''s for S-rank only, I assumed there''d at least be some streamers.


    "Only one person has ever streamed from the deep floors."


    "One person?"


    "Yeah. It''s considered a legendary stream, watched worldwide, and the archive has over a hundred million views."


    She''s exining this with such a serious expression. But I''ve seen S-rank explorers talk about the deep floors on TV, showing photos and such... Well, they probably had to prepare thoroughly before going there.


    "And that one person is an EX-rank."


    "Oh, the ''Disaster of the Dungeon,'' right?"


    "...What did you say?"


    "Huh? If it''s an EX-rank who streams, it must be her, right?"


    I was surprised. Please don''t shout like that...., it''s startling.


    "All the EX-rank explorers know each other. We even have each other''s contact info."


    "Oh, I see... I didn''t expect the ''Magical Princess'' to have such a nickname."


    "That''s another name she''s called by."


    Well, I guess they wouldn''t use "Disaster of the Dungeon" on TV. It''s nice that she has a cleaner nickname... though I still hold a grudge for the time she tried to pick a fight with me.


    We continued our casual conversation while walking into the school and eventually made it to ss. It suddenly hit me¡ªI''m usually so bad at talking, but somehow I managed to have a normal conversation with Asakawa-san. Maybe I''m getting used to her?


    "So, Tsukasa-kun¡ª"


    "Huh?"


    Wait, did the atmosphere just freeze over? Did Asakawa-san use some kind of freezing magic when she walked into the ssroom with me? The entire ss is dead silent.


    "Hey, nerd. I told you not to get cocky."


    "S-Sorry?"


    Of course, it wasn''t Asakawa-san who froze the ssroom, it was the presence of the ss''s resident "handsome guy," ring daggers at me as he walked over.


    "You said you understood what it means to get hit by a C-rank, right? So, you''re okay with getting punched now?"


    "I-I''m sorry... um, Kuribayashi-kun?"


    Oh no, he looks even angrier now. Did I mess up his name?


    "I''m gonna kill you!"


    "Wait, no! Don''t, Kuribayashi-kun!"


    "Oh, Kurihara-kun! Sorry about that."


    "What!?"


    "Tsukasa-kun, don''t provoke him!"


    "Did you just call him Tsukasa-kun!?"


    At this point, I''m not even sure who''s provoking who anymore.


    Kurihara-kun seemed ready to throw a punch, and the rest of the ss was pale with fear. Maybe Kurihara-kun is the type of explorer who relies on physical strength? If that''s the case, he might actually kill someone if he hits them too hard.


    "What''s all thismotion about!?"


    "Tch!"


    Just as I was caught between Asakawa-san and Kurihara-kun, not knowing what to do, our homeroom teacher arrived.


    "You, nerd. Meet me on the roof after school."


    "Uh, the roof is off-limits¡ª"


    "If you don''t show up, I''ll kill you."


    Yikes. He''s not listening to anything I say.


    But... I''ve already promised to meet with Asakawa-san after school. If I tell him that, he''ll definitely get even angrier. How can I get out of this...?


    I spent the rest of the day trying to figure out an excuse to get out of the rooftop meeting, but nothing came to mind. When the final bell rang, I still had no solution, and Kurihara-kun gave me a look that said, "You know what''sing."


    But Asakawa-san didn''t seem to care at all.


    "Let''s go have our strategy meeting, as promised!"


    "Huh?"


    "What?"


    Neither Kurihara-kun nor I could react in time before Asakawa-san grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the ssroom. Kurihara-kun ran out into the hallway, ring at me, but it''s not like I had a choice here.


    We ended up in an empty ssroom.


    "The teacher said we could use this room during club hours if it was free."


    "How did you manage that?"


    "I told him it was for dungeon research!"


    Well, it''s not exactly a lie...


    "What''s the n for our strategy meeting?"


    "Hehe... First, I want you to teach me everything about conquering the lower floors!"


    Armed with a notebook and pen, Asakawa-san grinned at me. Well, I guess the fastest way to tackle a dungeon is to get advice from someone experienced... but does that really count as a strategy meeting?


    "And I''ll teach you all about dungeon streaming, Tsukasa-kun!"


    "Please do."


    This is important. I''m not sure if I''ll actually start streaming, but it''s good to know the ins and outs. Considering she''s one of the top streamers, getting information from her is invaluable. And if all I have to do in exchange is share my knowledge of the lower floors, that''s a fair trade.

 Chapter 17: First Friend

    "Alright, let''s figure out how I can be effective on the lower floors!"


    "...That''s not something we can figure out at school, right?"


    "Y-You think so?"


    "Well, there are bigger issues to address first."


    Whether or not Asakawa-san can handle the lower floors ultimately depends on her ability to fight. It would be faster if we could watch her fight monsters in the dungeon, but having a theoretical discussion about it in a ssroom isn''t going to be very helpful.


    To be honest, before we even discuss whether she can handle the lower floors, I think shecks sufficient knowledge about them.


    The dungeon up to the middle floors is, frankly, like a paradise. Once you defeat the monsters, environmental factors pose almost no threat, and the monsters themselves are usually easy to kill with repeated attacks. But the lower floors are apletely different story.


    "I''m sure you''ve experienced this, but from the 41st floor onward, it''s like a dimly lit maze of caves."


    "Tsukasa-kun, you don''t have to be so formal, you know?"


    "...That translucent skeleton knight you nearly died to is a highly troublesome monster that avoids all attacks except for specific ones."


    Asakawa-san said something, but I ignored her entirely.


    When Raiju first went to help her, she was about to be killed by a translucent skeleton knight, the Skeleton Lord, a monster that nullifies all but certain attacks.


    "That initial surprise-killer skeleton''s astral body requires a strong magical attack to be properly hit. Basically, this initial surprise-killer skeleton just uses magic to thin and extend its body, so you just need to grasp it correctly."


    "...I don''t get it."


    "With your magical sense, I think you''ll be able to grasp it easily."


    Frankly, when ites to sensing magic, Asakawa-san is far superior to me. I don''t have any way of perceiving magic like she does.


    "So there are lots of those down there?"


    "That initial surprise-killer skeleton is the strongest monster around the 41st floor, so you''ll be fine."


    "Are you sure about that?"


    "It''s not a problem."


    There are also frogs that keep regenerating unless you destroy their heads, but that''s something you''ll have to learn through experience.


    "Anyway, the key to survival in the lower floors is information."


    "But since no one''s really streaming dungeon exploration, there''s not much information avable, right?"


    "...That''s true."


    Maybe that''s why exploration beyond the lower floors hasn''t progressed much. The Shibuya Dungeon is rtively well-explored, with progress up to the 74th floor, but in ces like the Nagoya Dungeon, with its unique environment, exploration has barely reached the 40th floor.


    I don''t necessarily want the dungeons to be more crowded, but if it would reduce casualties, it''s worth considering. Maybe I should talk to the guild leader about it.


    "I really think you should start streaming your lower-floor explorations, Tsukasa-kun. That might give others the motivation to push forward too."


    "...Well, that''s true."


    "In that case, I''ll teach you everything about streaming. You can learn a lot while being my assistant... Is that okay?"


    Two birds with one stone, I guess.


    I can learn about streaming from Asakawa-san while giving her advice on the lower floors. That way, we both get closer to our goals.


    "Alright. But... I can''t do it tomorrow."


    "Why not?"


    "Well, EX-rank has its responsibilities."


    Oh, right. I have ns to visit the association with Grandma tomorrow.


    "Okay, so tomorrow''s a free day then."


    "Yes. I''ll still be at school, though."


    "That''s good. I''m d you''ve been able toe to school recently."


    "...Yeah, I guess."


    Honestly, I don''t have many fond memories of school. Lately, Kurihara-kun has been giving me a hard time, and ever since I started hanging out with Asakawa-san, the stares from my ssmates have been hard to ignore. Those who watch dungeon streams are beginning to realize that I''m the mysterious "Kisaragi-kun" who saved Asakawa-san.


    Even so, for Asakawa-san, school is probably a ce she cherishes above all else.


    "Still... we''re graduating in half a year."


    "That''s thinking ahead."


    "Time flies by, you know? I wish I had met you sooner, Tsukasa-kun."


    "...I''m happy to hear that."


    From her perspective, I''m probably just a useful ally for dungeon streaming. But maybe she also feels like she could have made more progress if we had met earlier.


    "You''re really interesting as both an explorer and a friend, so I wish we could have be friends sooner."


    "...Wait, we''re friends!?"


    "Weren''t we!?"


    I''m more surprised than you are! I mean, I''ve never really had any friends, even before high school, and bing an explorer only made it harder. I was convinced I''d live my life alone, so suddenly having a female friend is shocking. Do friends just form naturally like this...?


    "Friends... friends..."


    "Is it that strange?"


    "This is my first... friend."


    "Really!?"


    Well, someone like Asakawa-san, who''s liked by everyone, probably has lots of friends, but I never thought I''d have any friends, let alone a pretty and cute one. Life really is full of surprises.


    "I see... Your first friend. In that case, we should do more friend-like things together."


    "But I''m someone who only has dungeons and work as friends."


    "Sounds like you already have friends."


    "They''re not people."


    Talking with Asakawa-san doesn''t tire me out. I''m clearly talking more than usual, but I don''t feel exhausted when I''m with her. Maybe it''s because she''s a friend. The other EX-rank explorers aren''t really friends, so maybe that''s why it feels different.


    "Hehe, then let''s hang out somewhere other than the dungeon next time."


    "I''ll do my best."


    "You don''t have to try so hard. We''re friends, right?"


    Sheughed at me again, but it wasn''t in a mean way... It was more of a warm, genuineugh. Even though I''ve never had a friend before, I can tell she''s enjoying our time together. It''s strange, but I feel a little happy too.


    "Hehe."


    "Oh, Tsukasa-kun, you smiled too."


    Asakawa-san''s smile as she said that is something I probably won''t forget for a while.

 Chapter 18: Ex Rank Meeting

    The day after I had the strategy meeting with Asakawa-san, Kurihara-kun didn''t bother me at school. Well, that''s because Kurihara-kun didn''te to school at all. Since he''s also an explorer, there might be various reasons for his absence... But considering his usual behavior, he seems like a pretty lousy person, so it''s probably just him skipping school.


    Not that I''m in a position to talk, given how often I miss school for official reasons.


    After casually chatting with Asakawa-san throughout the school day and then heading home, I changed into morefortable clothes and made my way to Shibuya Station. I had received a text from Grandma saying she''d be waiting in a car to pick me up.


    "Grandma, long time no see."


    As expected, when I got into the fancy-looking car at Shibuya Station, Grandma was already waiting inside.


    "I''ve told you before... I don''t remember raising such an impudent grandchild."


    "You''re my grandma, after all. It''s just how I talk to you."


    "Good grief... Stop using titles that are both respectful and disrespectful at the same time."


    Grandma, who was waiting in the car, is my benefactor and mentor. She turned 67 this year, I believe. Her hair has turnedpletely white, but she still stands tall with no signs of age-rted stooping, exuding an impressive aura. To be honest, I''ve often thought I want to grow up to be as cool as she is.


    "Driver, let''s get going."


    "Y-Yes, ma''am!"


    "...Is this driver new?"


    This car belongs to the Explorer Association, and the driver is one of their staff, but considering how nervous he seems in response to Grandma, he''s probably new.


    "Grandma''s not that scary, so there''s no need to be so tense."


    "S-She''s not... scary... right?"


    "Stop chatting and get moving already."


    "Yes, ma''am!"


    Seriously... Grandma always speaks so harshly. She''ll probably offer him some treatster out of concern, so she could just start off being nice. That said, since Grandma has been active since the dawn of the dungeons, I can somewhat understand why her words are so stern.


    As we drove, I nced over at Grandma and noticed she was already dozing off. She''s a busy person who''s always in high demand, so I can''t me her. Even though I admire her and want to be as cool as she is, I certainly don''t want to be the kind of adult who can fall asleep in a car like this.


    As I fiddled with my phone, the car soon came to a stop. The door was gently opened from the outside, and I stepped out to find that we had arrived at the headquarters of the Explorer Association.


    "Get out quickly."


    "Oh, you''re awake."


    For some reason, she let out a deep sigh.


    As Grandma urged me, I got out of the car and followed the Association staff member.


    The Association is run directly by the government. Its official name is the Japan Dungeon Exploration Association under the Ministry of Dungeon Affairs... In other words, it''s an organization under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Dungeon Affairs. That''s why they have such a grand and well-funded headquarters.


    "This way, please."


    I was led to arge conference room. Today, a meeting was to be held with several representatives of S-rank explorers and all the EX-rank explorers. By the way, the reason Grandma and I came together is that she was the one who wrote the rmendation for me to be an EX-rank explorer.


    "...Finally here, huh? UNKNOWN."


    The stern-looking man sitting at the very back of the conference room, right in front of the screen, raised his gaze and directed it at me. He''s Ryunosuke Shishijima, the president of the Japan Dungeon Exploration Association. I''ve always thought his name was a bit much with all the "lion" and "dragon" imagery, but at least his first name isn''t "dragon," so I guess it''s fine...


    No, it''s not really important.


    "I got here as fast as I could after school."


    "My apologies for the rush. Truly, I appreciate it... Especially since the Magic Princess won''t be joining us today."


    "Oh, haha..."


    The Dungeon Cmity, as she''s often called, is a free spirit who never keeps time or shows up to meetings.


    "Now that the three EX-rank explorers have arrived, we can begin the meeting."


    As Shishijima said this, he projected something onto the screen behind him and stepped aside.


    "First, I''d like to thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here. Especially the three EX-rank explorers... Ryosuke Aizawa, Kaede Jinguuji, and UNKNOWN."


    I nced over at Grandma Jinguuji-san who lookedpletely disinterested with her eyes half-closed. I then turned my gaze to Aizawa-san, who looked like a tired sryman-like old man sitting across from me,and he gave me a wry smile.


    It''s been a while since I''ve seen multiple EX-rank explorers gathered like this. We don''t hold these meetings regrly, and I''ve missed several due to other assignments.


    "The topic of today''s discussion is dungeon streaming."


    When Shishijima-san said that and projected the materials onto the screen, my mind went nk for a moment. Why would the Association gather Japan''s top explorers to talk about dungeon streaming? I couldn''t understand it. To me, dungeon streaming was just entertainment.


    "In recent years, dungeon streaming aimed at generating ad revenue on video tforms has be popr. The government sees this as a positive trend, as it doesn''t vite anyws and has contributed to a rise in new explorers, which had been on the decline."


    Well, I guess it makes sense... If dungeon streaming bes popr, more people might be inspired to be explorers. And if they can make a living from it, even more people would be motivated.


    "However, there are also streamers who, distracted by their broadcasts, lose focus or engage in dangerous activities to boost their viewer counts."


    I think I saw something like that on TV.


    "This time, I want to hear your opinions on the future of dungeon streaming."


    Are you really asking us? The people here don''t even stream dungeons. I think you''re asking the wrong people.


    "Shishijima."


    "...What is it?"


    "Aren''t you asking the wrong people? I know absolutely nothing about dungeon streaming."


    She said it... Grandma, you didn''t have to be so blunt. Now Shishijima-san lookspletely baffled!

 Chapter 19: Rules

    Grandma had already frozen the entire meeting room, or rather, Shishijima-san with her words, and I was left wondering what to do. Should I step in and help?


    "Well, I''ve recently... started thinking about trying dungeon streaming."


    "Oh, really?"


    Shishijima-san''s face clearly showed his relief. If only Grandma would show a little more consideration, Shishijima-san wouldn''t have to suffer so much... but then again, she''s always been like this since I first met her a few years ago.


    "So, UNKNOWN... Kisaragi-kun, you''re thinking of starting dungeon streaming?"


    "Well, it''s more like I''ve just gotten interested in it and am still in the preparation stage."


    "It''s rare for you to show interest in something. I thought your life revolved around dungeons, food, games, and sleep."


    "Even if it''s true, please don''t say it out loud."


    It might be true, but some truths can hurt when spoken!


    "We''ve observed the dangerous behaviors associated with dungeon streaming. Personally... I think regting it might be one solution."


    "That wouldn''t work. While dungeons are technically national assets, we don''t have the means to fully monitor everything that happens inside. Besides, imposing regtions now would only provoke bacsh and could result in a decline in the number of new explorers, which has just started to rise."


    I understand what Aizawa-san is trying to say. Although dungeon streaming can be made safer with high-performance cameras that allow automatic recording, the momentary distractions from checkingments or adjusting settings could prove fatal.


    It''s aplex issue. Considering Aizawa-san''s position as the head of the Explorer Union, it''s understandable that he might lean towards regtion.


    "What about other countries?"


    "Among the leading nations, the United States and Australia were the first to establishws regarding dungeon streaming. The U.S. has opted for a fully permissive stance, while Australia has some restrictions but generally allows it."


    "So, we can''t be the only ones imposing regtions."


    Countries with a high number of dungeons are considered leading nations, and Australia, which quickly boosted its national power thanks to dungeons, is indeed proactive when ites to dungeon-rted matters. The U.S., often called thend of freedom, remains fully supportive. As for the other leading nations like the U.K., Germany, and France...


    well, they''re unlikely to impose strict regtions either. If Japan were to regte dungeon streaming alone, it could potentially cause an outflow of explorers to other countries.


    "The issue isn''t with dungeon streaming itself, but with the dangerous behaviors that apany it. Perhaps it''s a matter of insufficient awareness?"


    "Kisaragi-kun is right. We won''t regte dungeon streaming itself, but dangerous actions must be addressed. We should hold mandatory training sessions for all explorers to raise awareness."


    Dungeon streaming has made dungeons more essible, which has attracted more people, but it might also have dulled the sense of danger. Most of the viewers and streamers don''t even make it past the middle floors, so it''s crucial to instill a proper sense of caution. This isn''t really about dungeon streaming itself.


    "So, the official stance of the Association is that there''s no issue with dungeon streaming?"


    "Exactly. Kisaragi-kun, feel free to stream without any concerns."


    "Thank you."


    I still think they''re consulting the wrong group, but it''s reassuring to get direct approval from the Association. Once Asakawa-san is trained enough to handle the lower floors, I might start streaming the deeper levels myself. It''s a bit of an opportunistic way to put it, but with no one else streaming the lower levels of Shibuya Dungeon, it''s like sitting on a treasure trove.


    "Streaming, huh... I''m not interested in poprity, but if it helps with public rtions, it might be a good idea. Why not have the Association hire official streamers?"


    "Even though we operate with some degree of freedom, we''re still a government agency, so that''s not possible."


    "Typical rigid thinking¡ªvery Japanese."


    That guy... I think he''s an S-rank explorer. Rumor has it that he''s been to the deeper floors several times with his party, and he''s somewhat known among the general public as well.


    "If you''re going to start streaming, I might make a guest appearance. I could say I''m your mentor."


    "I don''t remember learning much from you to be honest."


    "You ungrateful brat, after I taught you shikigami summoning."


    Sure, Grandma knows a lot and is knowledgeable, but I hardly remember being taught anything directly. Most of the time, she''d just hand me a book from the house and tell me to read it. Plus, she only got into it when she was younger but gave up because she didn''t have the talent for it.


    "Well then, I suppose that wraps up today''s meeting. As usual, the minutes will be sent to everyone. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out anytime."


    For S-rank and higher explorers, who tend to be quite busy, meetings are always kept short. Today''s meeting was no more than thirty minutes.


    Now that the meeting''s over, I should go check out cameras for streaming. I''d better look for some high-end ones in stores since I''m still a beginner.


    "Kisaragi-kun, if you''re looking for a camera, try this store."


    "Huh?"


    As I was about to leave the meeting room, Aizawa-san suddenly spoke to me.


    "I don''t stream myself, but I use some pretty good cameras for recording inside dungeons. I rmend this one."


    "Oh, thank you!"


    This guy really is kind.


    The Explorer Association is a government organization, while the Explorer Union is a group of explorers. It''s sort of like abor union.


    The Union was apparently formed after the government treated explorers like ves to collect dungeon resources, leading to a lot of casualties in a short time. The Union now serves to protect explorers.


    Since Aizawa-san is the head of the Union and an EX-rank explorer, it makes sense that he''d use high-end cameras for dungeon recording. Though, from what I hear, he''s basically a corporate ve, constantly buried in paperwork, which makes him the kind of adult I don''t want to be.


    With the store''s address Aizawa-san gave me in hand, I quickly left the meeting room.

 Chapter 20: Unexpected Turn Of Events

    After visiting the store that Aizawa-san rmended and purchasing a seven-figure magic stone camera, I felt in unusually high spirits as I headed to school. Recently, there haven''t been any high-priority missions, so as a student with an EX rank, I''ve had more time to attend school. I wonder if the receptionistdy at the association is somehow handling things for me.


    I should bring her a gift sometime.


    "Good morning, Tsukasa-kun!"


    "Good morning, Asakawa-san."


    "...You''re in a good mood."


    Asakawa-san seemed surprised, but it wasn''t really a big deal.


    It''s been a long time since I''ve started something new, and it reminded me of the excitement I felt when I first became an explorer. I need to help Asakawa-san while also testing out my streaming equipment.


    "Hey."


    "Huh?"


    As I sat down, thinking about the days ahead, suddenly the handsome guy came over. I don''t think I''ve done anything today to warrant this, but why is he ring at me?


    "I told you to stay after school yesterday, didn''t I?"


    "Well, shouldn''t you be saying that to Asakawa-san instead?"


    "What!?"


    Suddenly, he grabbed me by the cor. It feels like his violent tendencies are increasing day by day. It''s almost like he''s been influenced by some kind of monster.


    The other ssmates seemed shocked that he grabbed me so suddenly, but most of them averted their eyes, likely out of fear of the handsome guy.


    "Make sure you stay after school today. I''m going to crush you."


    "I-I understand."


    "You''d better. If you try to run, I''ll hunt you down and kill you!"


    "V-Violence isn''t good!"


    Asakawa-san stepped in between us. While I personally appreciate her help, it might be a bad move considering the situation. The handsome guy clearly has a thing for Asakawa-san and can''t stand the idea of some introverted nobody like me getting close to her. Right now, he''s ignoring Asakawa-san''s words and is just ring at me, grinding his teeth.


    "I won''t let you get away with this."


    "Wait, Kurihara-kun!"


    "It''s okay, Asakawa-san."


    Well, it''ll all work out somehow.


    After sses ended, I was called to the teacher''s office. Asakawa-san had already left with a quick "See you tomorrow."


    "It''s almost time for the final exams, so I''ve gathered summaries and key points from the lessons you missed."


    "I''m really sorry. Thank you so much."


    "Don''t worry about it. After all, you''re a busy explorer!"


    The teacher seemed oddly fixated on emphasizing how busy I was as an explorer. I wonder if they just don''t like students who don''t attend school regrly. Well, from a homeroom teacher''s perspective, there''s no reason to like it. Honestly, considering all this, I wish I had just transferred to a correspondence school.


    Feeling tired after being lectured for about 30 minutes, I decided to head home, only to find a message on my work phone in my locker.


    [You didn''t answer your phone, so I assume you''re in ss. Please return the call as soon as possible.]


    The message was sent a little while ago, so if I call back now, they should still pick up. Without hesitation, I dialed the number.


    "Hello?"


    "Hello. What''s going on?"


    "Sorry to call during ss."


    "That''s okay."


    As always, the familiar woman answered, bute to think of it, I''ve never actually called her by name. I''ve always just referred to her as "thedy," and I never thought it was necessary. But since I might be bothering her more often once I start streaming, maybe I should start using her name.


    "There''s a magical anomaly detected in the upper levels of Shibuya Dungeon."


    "...What''s the scale?"


    "+9."


    Devices installed in the dungeon can detect fluctuations in the dungeon''s magical energy, and when these readings deviate significantly, it''s called a magical anomaly. The readings range from 0 in normal conditions, with a maximum of +10 or a minimum of -10 in extreme cases.


    Several issues can arise from a magical anomaly, but when the reading is high, it usually signals the appearance of monsters far stronger than those appropriate for that floor. An anomaly of +9 means a situation that requires multiple S-rank explorers or even an EX rank, indicating the potential emergence of a high-level monster from the deeper levels in the upper floors.


    If such a creature appeared in the upper levels, it would be a massacre.


    "Have evacuation orders been issued?"


    "They''re being frantically carried out as we speak."


    "What about the other EX ranks?"


    "Jinguji Kaede and Aizawa Ryosuke are both in Sapporo right now, so..."


    "No need to continue. I assume she''s unreachable as usual."


    "You know her well."


    Thest one is a total free spirit, so I figured as much. A few months ago, she suddenly announced, "I''m off to study abroad in the U.S.!" and left Japan without a word since.


    "I''m heading there immediately."


    "Thank you, Tsukasa-kun. I''m really sorry to rely on you so much, but..."


    "It''s fine. Leave it to me, Shinano-san."


    After abruptly ending the call, I dashed out of school. My ssmates stared as I ran, but I didn''t have time to worry about that. I vaguely remember having some after-school ns, but the mission takes priority.


    I arrived at Shibuya Dungeon as fast as I could, without even changing clothes, and saw that the branch chief''s usualid-back demeanor was nowhere to be seen.


    "d you could make it."


    "What''s the situation?"


    "There''s still only the anomaly, but no physical manifestations yet. Some explorers in the middle floors haven''t returned, and there are still those in the upper floors who haven''t made it back either."


    Even though they''re being contacted, it''s not always possible to return immediately from a dungeon. If they''re being attacked by monsters or are surrounded, it''s not like they can just drop everything and leave. Even when trying to evacuate smoothly, the monsters don''t care about our circumstances and could easily attack.


    It wasn''t exactly the fastest I''ve ever moved, given that I had to wait until after school, deal with some time in the staff room, and then take the train, but at least the monsters hadn''t appeared yet.


    As I was thinking about all this, another message came through on my personal phone.


    [There''s an evacuation order in Shibuya Dungeon, right?]


    "...No way."


    A bad feeling crept over me as I read Asakawa-san''s message. I quickly activated her stream from my smartwatch, and sure enough, the words "Live Streaming" were disyed on the screen.


    "Someone stuck in the middle floors is streaming during an evacuation?"


    The branch chief, too, looked at my device with a grim expression. I had seen Asakawa-san dash out of the ssroom as soon as school ended, but how did I not foresee this happening?


    It can''t be helped. I''ll have to go save her, along with the other explorers who haven''t evacuated yet.

 Chapter 21: Boney Onslaught

    [Should I cut the stream?]


    [It''s easier to locate you if you keep it on, so please leave it running.]


    [If possible, could you gather any explorers nearby?]


    [Got it!]


    As I rode on the back of my summoned Kirin, I checked the list of explorers currently inside Shibuya Dungeon. Most of the explorers who haven''t evacuated yet seem to be in the middle floors, which means they might encounter the cause of the magical anomaly.


    Asakawa-san''s stream continued, but I ignored it for now since I was using it to keep track of her current location. Based on the data, there doesn''t seem to be any explorers in Shibuya Dungeon right now who are more capable than Asakawa-san. So, the n is for her to assist the explorers from below, while I take care of things from above. That way, we can finish this quickly.


    I spotted some explorers battling monsters in the upper floors, so I summoned Raij¨± and scattered the monsters. The explorers, surprised, turned their attention to me.


    "Are you all okay?"


    "Hey, that was my kill!"


    "A full evacuation order has been issued for the entire Shibuya Dungeon."


    "What!?"


    Looks like they didn''t know. Well, if their phones were off, they wouldn''t have received the alert.


    Under normal circumstances, stealing another explorer''s kill would be considered bad manners, but this is an emergency, so it can''t be helped. First, I need to get these four¡ªtwo men and two women¡ªout of here. However, telling them to return to the upper floors when there''s a magical anomaly detected there would be more dangerous.


    "Follow me. It''s too dangerous to return to the upper floors with a magical anomaly detected there."


    "W-Where are we going?"


    "We''re heading to the middle floors. There should be other explorers who haven''t managed to escape yet."


    Judging by their appearance, these explorers are still unfamiliar with the upper floors, so they might feel uneasy about heading to the middle floors. But there''s no time to worry about that.


    "''Gozu'' and ''Mezu,'' protect these people."


    With Gozu and Mezu, who could even overwhelm a Frost Wyvern, these explorers should be safe. I''ll keep moving forward and clearing the path, just to be sure.


    ''Please remain calm. An evacuation order has been issued for Shibuya Dungeon.''


    : Asagao-chan is helping with the evacuation.


    : But isn''t the middle floor dangerous?


    : The problem seems to be in the upper floors.


    : The middle floors might actually be safer.


    ''Right now, an explorer I know is working on resolving the situation, so please stay together and move carefully!''


    : I wonder who this "explorer" is.


    : Have they ever coborated before?


    : Nope.


    : Probably just a real-life acquaintance.


    Asakawa-san seems to be guiding people well, using the stream to help with the evacuation.


    I gathered more explorers in the upper floors and had Gozu and Mezu protect them as we moved into the middle floors.


    Within a few minutes, we had gathered all the explorers left behind in the upper and middle floors. All that''s left is to meet up with Asakawa-san, escort everyone to the upper floors, and our mission will beplete.


    "Oh, Tsukasa-kun!"


    "...Looks like we''ve got everyone?"


    At the highest level of the middle floors, the 21st floor, I met up with Asakawa-san and confirmed that all the people she had gathered matched the names on the list. Time to head back to the upper floors.


    : Is that Kisaragi-kun again?


    : So, he''s the "acquaintance"?


    : Yay, Kisaragi-kun, are you watching?


    "...Annoying."


    Oops, my true feelings slipped out. This is whyizens are... their jokes can be too much. I don''t dislike the banter itself, but it gets annoying when you''re the one being teased.


    "Uh, should I cut the stream?"


    "Yes, please. We don''t need to track your location anymore..."


    Since we''ve gathered everyone, there''s no need for me to monitor Asakawa-san''s stream anymore. Once we escort these people back to the upper floors, I''ll be the only one left in Shibuya Dungeon.


    Just as I was thinking that, a loud crash echoed, and the stairs leading to the upper floors were smashed to pieces.


    "...What should we do?"


    "Stay back."


    Everyone was stunned by the destruction of the only way back, but I had already sensed the murderous intenting from the upper floor. It seems the monster in question appeared at the worst possible moment. Destroying the stairs immediately upon arrival... I have to admit, that''s clever.


    Emerging from the dust cloud, glowing red eyes pierced through the gloom. It was a skeletal knight d in an borate, military-like armor, dragging a heavily ornamented greatsword. It looked like an even stronger version of the skeleton Asakawa-san had nearly been killed by in the lower floors.


    "I''ve never seen this monster before."


    "I-Is it going to be okay?"


    Oh, right. Asakawa-san has special eyesight that allows her to see magical energy. She must be shivering at the sight of the malevolent magic radiating from that skeleton. As for me, the presence of such a strong enemy made me smile for the first time in a while.


    "''Hashihime.''"


    I summoned the yokai Hashihime, a figure from Kyoto folklore. I recreated her as a shikigami with my own interpretation: the goddess who protects bridges.


    Hashihime doesn''t have exceptionalbat abilities, but she can create a powerful barrier that prevents anyone from crossing a designated point. This is an ability I gave her during her creation.


    "Don''t let anyone pass behind me."


    Simultaneously, the skeleton knight, moving with a speed unimaginable for its heavy armor, charged towards us. The greatsword it had been dragging was now raised, poised to strike, ready to tear through the forested area of the middle floors. But I''m not weak enough to be hit by a mere fast attack.


    "''¨­mukade.''"


    I summoned ¨­mukade, a giant centipede evenrger than the skeleton knight, which stood about two meters tall. But the centipede was easily deflected by sheer brute force. Even though ¨­mukade''s charge could crush monsters in the lower floors, it looks like this opponent is strong enough to resist it.


    "Saying that a skeleton has brute strength might sound strange, but that''s some serious power... In that case, I''ll counter with my own bones."


    A direct power struggle might not be in my favor, but I didn''t spend all my time in the corner of the ssroom reading books on myths and yokai for nothing. Shikigami techniques are a wonderful form of magic, boasting infinite variations if mastered.


    "''Gashadokuro.''"


    The yokai Gashadokuro, said to be born from the spirits of the dead, appeared as a giant skeleton, just like the one before me. However, my Gashadokuro growsrger the more magic I pour into it. It''s the opposite of when I summoned Raij¨± as a small figure, but this technique is surprisingly tricky.


    "Crush it!"


    Gashadokuro, now over ten meters tall, responded to mymand by mming its massive hand down onto the dungeon floor.

 Chapter 22: EX-Rank Power Unleashed

    The powerful strike from the shikigami "Gashadokuro," summoned by Tsukasa Kisaragi, caused a tremor so intense that the other explorers standing on the same floor could barely stay on their feet.


    Even though this was the 21st floor of the dungeon, Asakawa Nanami, who had been watching the battle from a distance, found herself contemting in a form of denial whether the tremor might have reached the surface.


    : Isn''t this way too insane?


    : Is this really just one person''s power?


    Asagao''s dungeon stream had not been cut. It wasn''t intentional; she had simply missed the opportunity to stop it. Faced with the overwhelming monster that suddenly descended from the upper floors, everyone except Tsukasa, the EX-rank explorer, was paralyzed by their instincts, which told them that any wrong move could mean death. Their bodies understood this truth even before their minds did.


    "...Tsukasa-kun."


    All Nanami could do was whisper his name like a prayer as she watched the battle between two monsters for the first time. The skeletal knight, a terrifying monster, emerged from the dust cloud at a speed that only emphasized how powerless Nanami truly was.


    "Tch!"


    Realizing in an instant that Gashadokuro''s attack speed wouldn''t be fast enough, Tsukasa dispelled the shikigami, wrapped his body in magical energy, and began to move. The skeleton knight moved at a speed that was impossible for Nanami or the other rescued explorers to track with their eyes.


    Yet Tsukasa deflected the massive sword with the back of his hand and delivered a kick to the exposed torso of the skeleton knight.


    "Gyuuki."


    As the skeleton knight was mmed into the dungeon floor, a monstrous being resembling an ogre with bull horns was summoned above it. Unlike Gozu, who wielded a weapon, Gyuuki grabbed the fleeing skeleton knight''s head and smashed it back into the ground.


    With a sound like grinding bones, the skeleton knight''s body sank into the earth, and Gyuuki followed up with a powerful punch, while Tsukasa shattered its arm with a well-ced kick.


    Nanami could only watch in stunned silence. Everything she had done as an explorer in the middle floors now seemed like child''s ypared to the reality unfolding before her eyes.


    : Infinite firepower, seriously?


    : Isn''t it unfair that he''s also personally strong?


    : Asagao-chan, shouldn''t you just run?


    : This is getting intense.


    : The viewer count is skyrocketing, lol.


    : This is turning into a legendary stream, lol.


    : Apparently, UNKNOWN is the one resolving the Shibuya Dungeon''s crisis.


    A randomment caught Nanami''s eye, making her realize that Tsukasa Kisaragi''s identity as UNKNOWN had been exposed. Panicking, she hurriedly cut the stream and immediately regretted it. Although Tsukasa had said he didn''t mind if people knew, Nanami understood that once unknown information became known, it could causeplications.


    While Nanami worried about this, Tsukasa raised his palm towards the skeleton knight that had started to flee again. With a surge of magical energy that made the air tremble, a beam of light shot from Tsukasa''s hand, piercing the skeleton knight''s torso in the blink of an eye.


    "Ah."


    With a copsing sound, the skeleton knight fell to its knees, only to be grabbed by Gyuuki and thrown into the air.


    "Kama-itachi."


    As a weasel-like creature appeared on Tsukasa''s shoulder andshed its tail, the airborne skeleton knight was sliced into pieces. Tsukasa then mercilessly crushed the skull that rolled to his feet. As the skull shattered, the scattered bones of the skeleton knight turned to ash and vanished, leaving behind only arge magic stone at Tsukasa''s feet.


    "Phew."


    Gyuuki, Kama-itachi, and Hashihime disappeared, leaving only Gozu and Mezu standing guard over Nanami and the others. Despite the intense battle and the repeated summoning of shikigami, Tsukasa showed no signs of exhaustion. Watching this, Nanami felt a chill of fear run through her.


    To Nanami, Tsukasa Kisaragi was a lifesaver and a new explorer friend she had made at school. But now, she was forced to recognize that the person standing before her was none other than the EX-rank "UNKNOWN," one of Japan''s highestbat assets.


    "Are you hurt?"


    "...N-No."


    Nanami wasn''t the only one frozen in fear; the other rescued explorers were also paralyzed, their eyes filled with iprehension as they stared at the overwhelming power they had just witnessed. Tsukasa, the one who should have been the focus of their gazes, showed no signs of being affected by their reactions.


    Just this behavior alone made Nanami understand why Tsukasa kept his distance from others.


    "Th-Thank you, Tsukasa-kun!"


    "...You''re wee?"


    When Tsukasa heard his name and the words of gratitude, he appeared momentarily puzzled before giving a small, wry smile and tilting his head.


    Nanami could sense the void left in Tsukasa by the loneliness he carried as an explorer and a person. That was why she silently vowed to herself that, no matter what, she would remain his friend.


    "Well, let''s head back. The upper and top floors are safe now."


    "But the stairs are broken, right?"


    "I''ll figure something out."


    Tsukasa smiled as he took out his phone and, with practiced ease, started a call.


    "Hello, I''ve finished here... No, it wasn''t that fast. By the way, the stairs connecting the 21st and 20th floors have copsed. How long will it take to repair them?"


    Repairing a copsed dungeon isn''t something humans can do. The dungeons, whose origins and existence remain a mystery, function as if they were alive, creating monsters and automatically repairing themselves. However, since a total copse of the stairs is rare, even Tsukasa couldn''t estimate how long the repair might take.


    "You don''t know? Then I''ll just make my own path."


    Watching Tsukasa''s back as he talked on the phone, Nanami steeled herself with a newfound resolve. If she wanted to ensure that Tsukasa Kisaragi was never alone, she needed to be stronger.


    Nanami was a smart person. She understood that wishing for what she couldn''t have was pointless, and she realized that she wouldn''t be able to manipte shikigami like Tsukasa. So what should she aim for? In her mind, the image of Tsukasa casting an overwhelming spell during the battle with the skeleton knight was burned into her memory.


    That was the level she needed to reach, she thought to herself with a nod.


    "Hey, Tsukasa-kun...?"


    "Hmm?"


    While Nanami was deep in thought, Tsukasa had finished his call and was now cing his hand on the ground, creating a massive magic circle. When he noticed Nanami calling his name, he turned around, revealing the sight of the ground rising and forming a series of rock stairs. Nanami was at a loss for words.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "...The road ahead is long."


    Seeing the difference between herself and an EX-rank yet again, Nanami could only let out a deep sigh.

 Chapter 23: UNKNOWN Revealed

    "Man, that was a lifesaver."


    To be honest, I felt like I got roped into a pretty troublesome task. I didn''t mind running around to save my first-ever friend, but right now, I''m really annoyed by the branch chief''sid-back attitude. It''s tempting to punch him.


    "Still, a magic anomaly of +9 brings out monsters like that, huh?"


    "You didn''t know?"


    "I didn''t. I knew you guys had to deal with some nasty stuff out there, but I''d never actually seen one of those monsters caught on camera."


    I see. Dungeon streaming could be used to capture footage like that¡­ Not that I''m particrly interested in taking on that role myself.


    "I just updated the Association''s homepage with the news that ''EX-UNKNOWN has resolved the issue.'' But writing that¡­ it does mean the Association is officially recognizing Kisaragi Tsukasa as UNKNOWN."


    "I don''t mind."


    I have no intention of officially registering my personal information, but I''m not particrly concerned if people find out I''m an EX-ranked explorer. Maybe I''ll get some long-lost rtives popping up out of nowhere, but they can be ignored.


    "I see¡­ Well, good work as always. I''ll deposit the payment into your usual ount."


    "Yeah¡­ thanks."


    "By the way, your cute girlfriend is waiting for you at the entrance."


    "We''re just friends."


    How rude. Asakawa-san can choose who she wants to date.


    As I was muttering this to myself, grumbling about the chief''s assumption, I spotted Asakawa-san leaning against the wall, staring at her phone with a pale face.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "Ts-Tsukasa-kun¡­ because of me, everyone found out!"


    She showed me her phone screen, where "UNKNOWN" was trending at the top of social media. Even my name, Kisaragi Tsukasa, and Asagao''s name were trending, causing quite a stir online.


    "I''ve been bombarded with messages from friends¡­ and now everyone at school knows¡­ What should I do?"


    "It''s fine. The teachers already knew."


    "That''s not the issue here!"


    Even if my ssmates find out, it won''t change my daily life. It''s not like being a super-powerful secret EX-rank explorer is going to suddenly make me popr or cure my social awkwardness. Nothing''s going to change.


    At least, that''s what I thought¡­


    "Hey, isn''t that¡­"


    "He''s the EX-rank, right?"


    "So that''s why he''s been missing school so much. Makes sense now."


    "Yeah, with that much time off, anyone else would have been held back."


    They''re really gossiping about me!


    I mean, it''s natural to talk about someone when they''re suddenly the center of attention.


    "Good morning, Kisaragi-kun!"


    "Morning. You''re here again today, huh?"


    "We''re friends, right?"


    "Ha¡­ haha¡­"


    For some reason, I suddenly gained a bunch of new friends, both guys and girls. I could swear I saw money signs in a few of their eyes, like they were my long-lost rtivesing out of the woodwork.


    Since Asakawa-san hadn''t arrived yet, I was left sitting at the edge of the ssroom, feeling like I was on pins and needles with everyone''s eyes on me.


    "I always thought you were kinda cool."


    "I always knew you were a good person."


    "And you''re really good-looking, too."


    Don''t underestimate the eavesdropping abilities of an introvert. I can hear everything. And by the way, I also remember you calling me creepy just yesterday!


    "Good morning, Tsukasa-kun."


    "Good morning¡­"


    "This is rough, huh?"


    Finally, my savior, Asakawa-san, showed up and spoke to me with a wry smile. With her arrival, at least half of the gazes shifted to her, easing my burden a bit. I started wondering why a mission didn''te up today, sparing me from school, but then I thought about how kind Asakawa-san is¡­ Is she the embodiment of all the world''s goodness?


    "Good morning, Nanami!"


    "G-Good morning!"


    "Were you okay yesterday? I watched the stream, and I was really worried about you."


    "Thanks. But I''m fine, thanks to someone helping me."


    Asakawa-san was chatting with a friend of hers who had just arrived. Even as they talked, her friend kept ncing at me. Introverts might be overly self-conscious, but they''re especially sensitive to being stared at, so I''m sure it''s not just my imagination.


    "Um¡­"


    "¡­Yes?"


    Just as I was thinking about how annoying this was, she spoke to me directly.


    "I also have an explorer''s license. Do you think I can make it?"


    "¡­Well, I''m not sure."


    That''s¡­ not really something I can answer.


    I don''t really understand what she means by "make it," but from a personal perspective, I think anyone who has a license and puts in the effort can probably reach the lower floors. But I don''t think that''s the kind of answer she''s looking for.


    "Akari, you''re making Tsukasa-kun ufortable."


    "Oh,e on, just a little chat. I''m Akari Nonohara. Nice to meet you."


    "Yoroshiku, onegaishimasu."


    "Heh¡­ so formal."


    Asakawa-san, please stopughing and help me out here.


    "By the way, I''d ignore those people who suddenly say they''ve always thought you were cool."


    "I know that."


    "Good. You''re more interesting than I thought, Kisaragi-kun."


    I''ll keep Nonohara-san''s advice in mind. I''m well aware that anyone who says things like that is likely trouble. Don''t underestimate introverted geeks¡ªwe may be bad at receiving affection, but we''re experts at detecting when ites with ulterior motives.


    My immediate response earned me augh from both Nonohara-san and Asakawa-san.


    "Hey."


    As we were chatting, the atmosphere shifted as Ikemen-kun stormed over, kicking a desk loudly.


    "I told you not to get cocky!"


    He kicked the desk again. It''s not right to treat school property like that. Ikemen-kun, you''re an explorer, you should know better than to break the desk into pieces.


    "Today, I''m gonna kill you."


    Wait, did he just threaten me? Should I call the cops?

 Chapter 24: Showdown

    Why has ite to this? I have no idea.


    "Die."


    Right now, I''m standing in the upper floors of the Shibuya Dungeon, with Ikemen-kun brimming with murderous intent in front of me. Even though he threatened me with death before ss, he didn''t do anything afterward, so I thought it was all talk. But when I entered the dungeon as promised with Asakawa-san, he ambushed me.


    Explorers are generally prohibited from using magic outside of dungeons, as it can lead to charges of assault or attempted murder. And while intentionally trying to kill someone in a dungeon is obviously a crime, there are no surveince cameras here, and if you use shy magic, it''s hard to distinguish it from monster damage.


    It''s said that some people have actually used dungeons tomit murder. However, since every entry and exit is logged by showing your Explorer card, anyone with a personal grudge can be easily caught. So, I think the stories about dungeon murders are probably just rumors.


    "You should probably just run and report this."


    "Yeah, I''ll call it in right away."


    Despite the chaos, there are police officers who are qualified explorers, and they handle these kinds of cases inside dungeons. They''re part of a police force made up of people who have explorer licenses and a certain level of skill, and they respond to reports of incidents within the dungeon.


    "Uh¡­ what was the number to report a dungeon incident again?"


    "Wasn''t it 220 or something?"


    "I''ll kill you!"


    Whoa, just as I was about to make the call, he suddenly rushed at me with a punch.


    I hadn''t noticed, but there were two girls and two boys, part of Ikemen-kun''s entourage, standing around. If they get caught doing this, they could get expelled or even arrested. Why would they stick by him in such a situation?


    I pushed Asakawa-san back and caught Ikemen-kun''s fist, twisting his arm behind him.


    "Gah!?"


    "Calm down, Kuri¡­hara-kun."


    "I''ll kill you."


    I got your name right this time!


    He started iling his other arm, so I grabbed that one too and pinned him to the ground of the dungeon. His face was bright red with anger.


    "Die!"


    Lightning crackled from Ikemen-kun''s hand, so I let go and backed away. A punch could still be dismissed as fooling around, but using magic crosses the line into a serious incident. I''ll respond ordingly.


    He startedughing and activating his magic, causing his body to crackle with electricity. Is he powering up his physical abilities or something?


    "If it weren''t for you, I would''ve been the top at school!"


    "Being the best explorer doesn''t make you the best at school."


    "Shut up!"


    Scary. His movements are a bit faster now, but to me, who was born with enhanced reflexes due to my magic power, he still looks slow. I pride myself on being able to track supersonic speeds with my eyes. Andpared to my grandma, who''s much faster, this is nothing.


    I dodged his reckless punch and carefully struck him in the side to avoid breaking any bones. He went flying into a wall, but I''m pretty sure he''s just bruised, nothing serious.


    "Why¡­ why can''t I¡­"


    "What?"


    "You¡­ you''re just a tool-using weakling¡­"


    Where''s he getting that from? But at least he''s realized the difference in our abilities after just one hit. That''s the mark of someone who''s reached C-rank¡ªthey understand when they''re outmatched.


    By the way, while Shikigami magic is powerful and versatile, I''m actually better at fighting with my own body. More specifically, I''m good at fighting alongside the Shikigami I summon. I don''t really enjoy standing back and watching the battle from afar.


    "What are you doing, Shunsuke?"


    "¡­Are you recording this?"


    "N-no, this is just¡­"


    One of Ikemen-kun''s male entourage members was pointing his phone at us, and when I asked, he stammered. Judging by his reaction¡­ probably a live stream?


    If it is a live stream, that''s a bit of a hassle¡­ I don''t want any unnecessary trouble since I''m an EX-rank explorer. I don''t want to be seen as someone who bullies weaker people.


    "Eep!"


    When I shifted my gaze from Ikemen-kun to his friend, the guy panicked and backed away. I wasn''t even ring that hard.


    "S-screw this¡­ I''m not done with you¡­ I''ll never ept this!"


    "Do you understand the difference between us now?"


    He seems to grasp the difference, yet he''s still trying to fight. If this goes on, I''m really going to end up breaking a few bones.


    "Hey, Tsukasa-kun."


    "What is it?"


    "Can''t you restrain him somehow?"


    Restrain¡­ does she mean with magic or a Shikigami?


    "I''m good at killing, but I''m really bad at capturing people alive. I''m not skilled with that kind of delicate work."


    "¡­I''ll do it then."


    "I''m sorry."


    I''m really sorry. Because I''ve had so little interaction with people, I''m not used to this kind of thing. I''ve never needed to capture a monster alive, and it''s easier to just fight alongside my Shikigami. I''ve never learned how to use those kinds of stalling spells. I probably could if I studied from scratch, though.


    "Aaaaaargh!"


    The crackling from Ikemen-kun''s body intensified as he charged at me again, even faster than before. But I can still easily keep up by enhancing my physical abilities with magic.


    I tripped him, grabbed his neck, and flung him into the dungeon wall. He made a sound like a crushed frog and slumped against the wall.


    "¡­My hand feels tingly."


    "Well, you did grab lightning with your bare hands."


    "My clothes are insted, so it''s fine."


    When I touched his neck, I realized Ikemen-kun''s crackling was his magic power converted into electricity. He''s probably using it to forcibly enhance his physical abilities, which exins the speed boost.


    My outfit isn''t as heavy as the armor most explorers wear, but it''s made from materials obtained from deep-dungeon monsters, so it''s insted and fire-resistant. I''m fine, but producing that much electricity must be taxing on Ikemen-kun.


    "So, how long are you nning to keep filming?"


    "Eek!"


    When I red at him, he tried to run, so I summoned Hashihime to block the passage. He immediately copsed on the spot. Now, I guess we just wait for the police to arrive.

 Chapter 25: Stream Training

    "Sorry for dragging you into this."


    "It''s okay... It''s partly my fault too."


    After dealing with the police and their questioning, we were let go fairly quickly thanks to the live stream that had captured the whole incident. Originally, I had nned to train Asakawa-san today, but since it was already gettingte, we decided to postpone it for another day.


    Even though Asakawa-san might have been the initial reason Kurihara-kun started picking on me, I think the real cause was my repeated refusal to meet him afterward. Skipping those meetings, even if I had valid reasons like being called away by Asakawa-san or dealing with the dungeon emergency, wasn''t something I should just brush off.


    "So, um... Is everything okay with the stream?"


    "Huh? Oh... Well, it''s already out there, so I guess it doesn''t really matter anymore."


    After appearing in a few of Asakawa-san''s streams and the recent one filmed by Kurihara-kun''s group, my face, name, and school uniform are probably all public now, but I don''t really see that as a problem. I''m probably one of the few famous explorers who''s managed to keep their identity a secret for this long.


    "But now that everything''s out in the open, I guess there''s an upside, I can stream without worrying about hiding anything."


    "That''s a positive way to look at it."


    "If I don''t stay positive, I''d never stop feeling down."


    Dwelling on the negatives won''t solve anything, and I decided on the day I became an explorer to stop wallowing in such thoughts. For better or worse, bing an explorer changed me from just a gloomy loner.


    "So, let''s practice your streaming tomorrow and continue my training!"


    "...If no urgent workes up, that is."


    "I know, I know!"


    I sighed, thinking how I''ve gotten involved in so many thingstely. But honestly, since meeting Asakawa-san and bing friends, I''ve found exploring dungeons to be a lot more fun, even with all the extra trouble.


    As promised, the day after the incident, we started with some streaming practice and Asakawa-san''s training. While she called it after school, I''d been on a mission since morning, heading to Kofu Dungeon and finishing up beforeing back to Shibuya Dungeon. So, it wasn''t really "after school" for me.


    We''re currently in the upper floors, setting up the camera for the streaming practice.


    "You bought a pretty expensive one."


    "An EX-rank I know rmended it to me. He said it''s great for recording."


    "Huh... Since there are only four EX-rankers, including you, it''s a three-choice quiz to figure out who that was."


    True. I guess it''s her way of saying there''s no point in dodging the truth.


    As expected from a streamer, she could tell just by looking that the camera was expensive. I, on the other hand, couldn''t tell the difference, so I just asked the store clerk for a camera suitable for dungeon use, regardless of the price. The clerk''s surprised face when I said that and then paid with a card was amusing.


    "Well, anyway... Yourbat style involves supporting from the rear with Shikigami, right?"


    "In the lower floors, I tend to fight more directly. Sometimes it''s faster to act than to think."


    "I see... Then, instead of tracking you closely, it might be better to capture you from a bit of a distance."


    I''m not sure how good the tracking is, but even if it could keep up with me moving at supersonic speeds, the footage would likely be a blur.


    "Alright, that should do it. Now, let''s set it up online... and there, it''s live now."


    "People can watch it already?"


    "Nope, it''s still set to private, so only you and I can see it."


    Oh, I see... I didn''t know there was such an option.


    As aplete beginner, I barely understand half of what Asakawa-san is exining, but I need to make sure I remember everything.


    "Okay, just fight as you normally would!"


    "Alright. ''Kasha.''"


    Since I''d normally obliterate the upper-floor monsters by summoning a Shikigami, I''ll just handle this myself. I summon Kasha and draw the sword from the cart. I didn''t think I''d need it today, so I had stored it away.


    "It''s Goblins."


    Just as Asakawa-san said, there are about ten Goblins up ahead. Unlike the ck-skinned, machete-wielding Goblins in the top floors, these have red, dark skin and carry various weapons like swords and spears. They''re considered a higher-ranking species of Goblin. While their official name is just "Red Goblin," explorers often refer to them as Hobgoblins, like in video games.


    "Screech!"


    "Well then..."


    The Hobgoblin at the front noticed us, but at this distance, it''s well within my reach. Before they can even prepare for battle, I take down three with a single swing, and as I continue the motion, I slice the remaining seven in half.


    "How''s that?"


    "...Maybe I should have pulled back a bit more for a wider shot?"


    Asakawa-san raised her head from her phone, where she was checking the camera settings, and gave me a wry smile. If pulling back is better, it means the footage didn''te out great. I''ll have to review my own recordingter.


    "Even if they''re Hobgoblins, you took them down in a second..."


    "Once you get used to it, it''s easy. Their movements are sluggish... Weren''t you using a spear, Asakawa-san?"


    If she''s using a spear, it should be even easier for her to handle Hobgoblins. Plus, with her ability to cast ten spells simultaneously, she could probably wipe them out in an instant.


    "Now that we''ve done the fine-tuning, let''s move to the mid-level floors."


    "O-okay... Watching you earlier, I''m starting to get nervous about this training."


    "Huh? Don''t worry... Everyone goes through it."


    "That''s not reassuring at all!"


    Haha, well, if you want to reach the lower floors, you need the right mindset and preparation. I''ve reviewed your past streams during my downtime, so I''m aware of your critical weaknesses, Asakawa-san, and I''ve crafted a solid training n. We might be the same age, but in this case, you''ll be my disciple.


    "First, I want to assess what you can currently handle, so let''s start with a Wyvern."


    "Wait, what?"


    "Let''s see how you do in a one-on-one fight against a Wyvern."


    Since Asakawa-san can already take down a Frost Wyvern, she should be able to handle a Wyvern without too much trouble, even if it''s considered the strongest in the mid-level floors.


    Asakawa-san froze up, but I''m sure she''s just excited.

 Chapter 26: The Price of Power

    "Yeah, I guess I''mcking in firepower."


    "That''s... true, isn''t it?"


    Asakawa-san had recently been promoted to C-rank, meaning the association deemed her strong enough to face off against the midyer''s strongest creature, the Wyvern, one-on-one. I had her fight one to test her abilities, and while she did manage to defeat it on her own, there were a few close calls. She''s definitely strong enough to be a C-rank, but she could use more firepower.


    "I could tell from watching your streams that while you can cast a lot of spells, each one doesn''t pack much of a punch."


    "I''ve been hearing that ever since I became an explorer."


    I figured as much. Asakawa-san has an incredible talent for casting multiple spells simultaneously, something I could never do. But the power of each spell iscking. When your spells are weak, you have to rely on quantity over quality, which drains your magic energy quickly and makes it hard to sustain a long battle. And in dungeon exploration, being unable to endure a long fight can be fatal.


    "First, we need to increase your overall magic capacity."


    "Can you really increase that?"


    "You can."


    It''smonly believed that you can''t increase your magic capacity much, but the truth is, it''s possible to grow it through training. Even people who are deemed unsuitable for dungeon diving could probably be capable with enough effort.


    "That kind of training sounds pretty tough, right?"


    "It is, but maybe you could stream it while you do it?"


    "Streaming magic training would be so boring, though."


    "Huh?"


    Magic training is boring?


    "Wait a minute. Are you talking about that magic training where you constantly release magic while exercising?"


    "Yeah, that''s what I meant."


    "That doesn''t help much."


    "What!?"


    I''ve seen that method rmended online, but it barely increases your magic capacity. I doubt anyone''s felt a noticeable difference from it. Magic isn''t like muscles¡ªyou can''t just build it up with a few workouts.


    "So... you know a better way?"


    "Yes, and I used to do it quite regrly."


    "Teach me!"


    "Of course."


    That''s why we''re here in the dungeon together, after all.


    "The method is simple. You have to survive life-or-death battles."


    "...What?"


    "Keep fighting opponents stronger than you, over and over."


    "Are you a battle maniac?"


    That''s a bit harsh. But it''s true that the top explorers all became strong this way. The lower and deeper floors of dungeons are like hell, where surviving means constantly brushing with death, and it''s through these experiences that they grow stronger.


    I believe the massive gap between the top-tier explorers and everyone else isn''t just about talent but also the number of times they''ve faced death. The strong push deeper into the dungeons, seeking greater challenges, while the weaker ones stay at safer levels, afraid of dying.


    "If you want to break through the limits of being human and make it to the lower floors, you''ll need to push yourself."


    "...I''m starting to get a better sense of just what kind of ce I''m aiming for."


    "Don''t worry. I''ll be there with you!"


    Leveling up faster by fighting stronger opponents¡ªjust like in games. Game logic wins again.


    "So, I''ll be streaming while you''re training!"


    Given Asakawa-san''s current level of skill, the monsters from the lower floors should be a good fit for her training. I''ll keep a Thunder Beast on standby, ready to intervene if things get too dangerous. Asakawa-san''s smile looks a bit strained, but I''ll just ignore that for now.


    As I reviewed the archive of yesterday''s private stream at school, a few girls approached my desk. Naturally, I didn''t recognize them at all. I wondered what they wanted.


    "Are you okay after what happened the other day?"


    "The other day... Oh, you mean with Kurihara-kun?"


    "Yeah, that''s right. That stream''s been spreading like crazy online."


    "Really?"


    This is the first I''ve heard of it. I figured it had been streamed, but I assumed it was just shared within the ss group or something. I didn''t expect it to go viral online. Though, now that I think about it, someone from the group probably would''ve uploaded it anyway.


    "But still, you''re really strong, aren''t you?"


    "Kisaragi-kun, you were so cool!"


    "Uh... thanks?"


    Why the sudden change? People who probably didn''t even know my name until now are suddenly striking up a conversation with me. It''s a bit overwhelming.


    "Good morning, Tsukasa-kun!"


    "Good morning, Asakawa-san."


    "Oh, good morning, Nanami!"


    Asakawa-san greeted me cheerfully as she walked in, followed closely by Nonohara-san, who seemed to have rushed over. Asakawa-san noticed the group of girls around me and tilted her head in confusion. Honestly, I feel just as confused.


    "You were almost in serious trouble with Kurihara-kun, weren''t you?"


    "I never really liked him anyway."


    Oh,e on. These same people were probably gushing over how handsome Kurihara-kun was not too long ago.


    Speaking of Kurihara-kun, it seems he hasn''t shown up to school since yesterday. I was in Kofu yesterday, so I had no idea he was absent, but it''s probably because of what happened the other day.


    "Are you in the ss group chat?"


    "No, I''m not."


    "Let me add you! We should exchange contacts."


    "Oh, okay."


    They''reing on strong. Is this what Grandma meant when she said being an explorer would make you popr? I''ve always thought she was just teasing me, but maybe she was right all along... Sorry for doubting you, Grandma.


    After exchanging contacts with one girl, others quickly followed, and soon I had a bunch of new contacts, both guys and girls. I never imagined I''d suddenly have so many ssmates in my contacts, especially since until now, I only had people rted to dungeon work.


    "Oh, is that yesterday''s footage?"


    "Yeah. Looking at it now, I''m d I bought a good camera."


    Asakawa-san leaned in close to peek at my phone, and I felt my heart skip a beat. The way she tucked her shiny ck hair behind her ear made her look so mature.


    "Haha... I look good in this footage, don''t I?"


    "Y-Yeah, you do."


    Well, since half the reason we went into the dungeon yesterday was for her training, it''s good that the footage turned out well.


    "Now that you''ve got this set up, we can coborate on streams anytime, both with my stream and your own."


    "P-Please go easy on me."


    For some reason, it felt like her smile didn''t reach her eyes... I wonder why.

 Chapter 27: Thread 3: The Rise of Kisaragi

    502: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s wild how we''ve already reached thread 5 when there was nothing a few days ago, lol.


    503: Anonymous Explorer


    Probably the hottest explorer right now.


    Unknown poster


    Wouldn''t know, though.


    504: Anonymous Explorer


    Turns out, he''s an actual monster.


    505: Anonymous Explorer


    Is it okay to consider him human?


    506: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s a high schooler, you know.


    507: Anonymous Explorer


    Saw some so-called influencer Rank A going off on social media about him.


    508: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s just his usual thing.


    509: Anonymous Explorer


    Yeah, typical meltdown.


    510: Anonymous Explorer


    Losing it whenever someone stronger appears is the cringiest thing ever.


    511: Anonymous Explorer


    Who was the idiot that said he''s only strong because of his Shikigami?


    That was a lie.


    512: Anonymous Explorer


    The Shikigami are strong because he''s a monster, right?


    513: Anonymous Explorer


    With that kind of strength and infinite Shikigami, he''s basically a cheat.


    514: Anonymous Explorer


    Nerf him.


    515: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi Tsukasa makes it four EX explorers now.


    516: Anonymous Explorer


    Jinguji Kaede: Monster


    Aizawa Ryosuke: Monster


    Kamishiro Rion: Monster


    Kisaragi Tsukasa: Monster ¡ûNEW?


    517: Anonymous Explorer


    EX = Monster, as usual.


    518: Anonymous Explorer


    They''re EX because they''re monsters.


    519: Anonymous Explorer


    EX stands for "exceptional," so they''re not even human.


    520: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t it insane that he''s still in high school?


    521: Anonymous Explorer


    It''d be insane even if he weren''t in high school.


    522: Anonymous Explorer


    But howe nobody knew about him until now?


    523: Anonymous Explorer


    Aren''t there any explorers here?


    524: Anonymous Explorer


    I go to the Naha Dungeon, so Tokyo''s irrelevant to me.


    525: Anonymous Explorer


    Kobe Dungeon regr here; never heard of him.


    526: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾524


    So there are explorers here, huh?


    527: Anonymous Explorer


    I''m a midyer explorer in the Shibuya Dungeon, but I''ve never heard of him.


    528: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s an EX, so he''s probably always in the lower or deepyers. You''d hardly ever run into him.


    529: Anonymous Explorer


    True.


    530: Anonymous Explorer


    When the website says, "UNKNOWN has resolved the issue," they''re talking about him, right?


    Then he''s probably zipping all over the Kanto region pretty often.


    531: Anonymous Explorer


    Even though he''s in high school, he''s a corporate ve.


    532: Anonymous Explorer


    What a depressing world.


    533: Anonymous Explorer


    Especially here, where it''s full of NEETs.


    534: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾533


    There are some explorers here too...


    535: Anonymous Explorer


    If you can''t reach the midyers, you''re just a part-timer.


    536: Anonymous Explorer


    What''s the deepyer like, I wonder?


    537: Anonymous Explorer


    Since S-rankers and A-rankers don''t stream, it''s a total mystery.


    538: Anonymous Explorer


    They don''t need to stream, but they could at least record and post the footage.


    539: Anonymous Explorer


    We barely know anything about the loweryers either.


    540: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s someone overseas who streams loweryers, though.


    541: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾538


    Since no one else is doing it, they probably feel awkward being the first.


    542: Anonymous Explorer


    Maybe their cameras just get destroyed.


    543: Anonymous Explorer


    There are some photos from the deepyers online, though.


    544: Anonymous Explorer


    But it''s just photos.


    545: Anonymous Explorer


    And those are from the California Dungeon, right?


    546: Anonymous Explorer


    The one near San Francisco, the sea dungeon.


    547: Anonymous Explorer


    They call it the California Dungeon, but isn''t it basically in Oand?


    548: Anonymous Explorer


    I don''t care about America.


    549: Anonymous Explorer


    Is the Shibuya Dungeon dangerous on a global scale?


    550: Anonymous Explorer


    Apparently, it''s easy up to the midyers.


    551: Anonymous Explorer


    But the difficulty spikes once you hit the loweryers. I nearly died, so I''m never going back.


    552: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾551


    So you''re at least Rank C, huh?


    553: Anonymous Explorer


    Turns out Asagao-chan is his ssmate, lol.


    554: Anonymous Explorer


    Well, yeah.


    555: Anonymous Explorer


    Asagao stans are losing it.


    556: Anonymous Explorer


    Only the die-hard fans are freaking out.


    557: Anonymous Explorer


    They''re on a first-name basis now!


    558: Anonymous Explorer


    LOL


    559: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾557


    Stop it, lol.


    560: Anonymous Explorer


    They call him top-tier, and now I finally understand why.


    561: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s hrious how he''s moving too fast to be seen, even with recorded footage.


    562: Anonymous Explorer


    Someone bring a hyper-slow-motion camera.


    563: Anonymous Explorer


    So that''s what it''s like at the top of the explorer world... I''ll just stick to grinding in the upperyers.


    564: Anonymous Explorer


    Go deeper.


    565: Anonymous Explorer


    I''m going to get an explorer''s license.


    Then I''ll be EX.


    566: Anonymous Explorer


    You should probably rethink that.


    567: Anonymous Explorer


    Do you really think you could ever reach that level?


    568: Anonymous Explorer


    Good luck being the fifth EX.


    569: Anonymous Explorer


    All those fake UNKNOWN ounts were a joke.


    570: Anonymous Explorer


    Of course they were.


    571: Anonymous Explorer


    No one believed them to begin with.


    572: Anonymous Explorer


    Has anyone found his social media ount yet?


    573: Anonymous Explorer


    Not yet.


    574: Anonymous Explorer


    Maybe he doesn''t have one.


    575: Anonymous Explorer


    He didn''t seem too tech-savvy.


    576: Anonymous Explorer


    We''ll know when he registers his details.


    577: Anonymous Explorer


    There are already tons of fake ounts, though.


    578: Anonymous Explorer


    The moment his name got out, everyone updated their profiles to say "I''m Kisaragi Tsukasa" or "I''m a high schooler," lol.


    579: Anonymous Explorer


    What about checking the follow list of the other EX ounts?


    580: Anonymous Explorer


    Jinguji Kaede doesn''t even do social media. She''s said so.


    581: Anonymous Explorer


    Aizawa Ryosuke has one, but...


    It''s just work announcements for the explorer union.


    582: Anonymous Explorer


    A corporate ve on social media, lol.


    583: Anonymous Explorer


    EX sryman hits different.


    584: Anonymous Explorer


    Kamishiro Rion is pretty active online.


    She posted some pics from a Major League game the other day.


    585: Anonymous Explorer


    What is she doing, lol?


    586: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾584


    Is she just free to do whatever?


    587: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾584


    Forget that, she should be streaming Shibuya Dungeon''s deepyer.


    588: Anonymous Explorer


    That was some deepyer somewhere, right?


    589: Anonymous Explorer


    Nobody''s been able to pinpoint which dungeon''s deepyer it was.


    590: Anonymous Explorer


    So where was it, really?


    591: Anonymous Explorer


    Best guess is somewhere in Australia.


    592: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s too broad.


    593: Anonymous Explorer


    Yep, she''s definitely doing whatever she wants.


    594: Anonymous Explorer


    Not a single mention of anyone foolish enough to challenge UNKNOWN.


    595: Anonymous Explorer


    That was all talked out yesterday.


    596: Anonymous Explorer


    A lot of explorers with big egos out there.


    597: Anonymous Explorer


    Yeah, there are some who think they''re special just because they''re explorers.


    598: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾596


    He''s in high school, right?


    I''d have a big head too.


    599: Anonymous Explorer


    I get it.


    600: Anonymous Explorer


    If I were a high schooler who could use magic and fight in dungeons, I''d be cocky too.


    601: Anonymous Explorer


    The only mistake was picking a fight with the wrong person.


    602: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s for sure.


    603: Anonymous Explorer


    If you challenge an EX, that''s how it ends.


    604: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s lucky he didn''t get seriously hurt.


    605: Anonymous Explorer


    He''d be dead if that happened.


    606: Anonymous Explorer


    Think I found his ount.


    607: Anonymous Explorer


    Didn''t even use Shikigami, lol.


    608: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾606


    Is this for real?


    609: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾606


    Says he ns to stream; is that legit?


    610: Anonymous Explorer


    Only following official game ounts and the union, lol.


    611: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s us.


    612: Anonymous Explorer


    What''s he going to stream?


    613: Anonymous Explorer


    Stream the deepyer exploration!


    614: Anonymous Explorer


    If he actually does it, it''s going to be huge.


    615: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s no one else streaming deepyer content except for Kamishiro Rion.


    616: Anonymous Explorer


    Is it fair to call that silent stream of hers a deepyer walkthrough?


    617: Anonymous Explorer


    And she only did it once.


    618: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s a bit of a wildcard.


    619: Anonymous Explorer


    Whatever, I''m hyped. I already followed.


    620: Anonymous Explorer


    He updated his SNS, saying he''ll be helping Asagao-chan for a while, so his streams will just be her training sessions.


    621: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s actually super valuable in its own way.


    622: Anonymous Explorer


    Asagao should stream it too.


    623: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s basically a cob.


    624: Anonymous Explorer


    Starting out with zero followers and locking in a cob is hrious.


    625: Anonymous Explorer


    So Asagao-chan is finally doing an offline cob with a guy? For real?


    626: Anonymous Explorer


    Not fair. I want Kisaragi-kun to train me too.


    627: Anonymous Explorer


    Wait, that''s what you''re focused on?


    628: Anonymous Explorer


    The die-hard fans are going to flip.


    629: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾627


    Look, no matter how cute she is, if it''s between a girl streamer and an EX, who are you going to choose?


    630: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾629


    EX, obviously.


    631: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾629


    Japan''s full of beautiful women, but there are only four EXs.


    632: Anonymous Explorer


    So the ultimate dream is to get trained by a beautiful EX like Kamishiro Rion?


    633: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s never going to happen.


    634: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun isn''t going to do it either.


    635: Anonymous Explorer


    The person closest to making it happen is that one corporate ve.


    636: Anonymous Explorer


    If you make it to Rank B, the sryman will let you join his party.


    It''s part of his junior mentoring or something.


    637: Anonymous Explorer


    Corporate ve is really living up to his name.


    638: Anonymous Explorer


    Man, I wish someone would just do a crazy stream.


    Everything''s so stale these days.


    639: Anonymous Explorer


    One Japanese explorer streaming anything from below the loweryers would be enough to dominate.


    640: Anonymous Explorer


    Hoping for big things from Kisaragi-kun.


    641: Anonymous Explorer


    With how valuable the magic stones from the loweryers are, they probably don''t need the money from streaming.


    642: Anonymous Explorer


    So Kisaragi-kun''s doing this as a hobby?


    643: Anonymous Explorer


    Probably. EXs must be rolling in cash.


    644: Anonymous Explorer


    High schooler and rich? He must be drowning in girls.


    I''m officially a hater now.


    645: Anonymous Explorer


    That was fast.


    646: Anonymous Explorer


    No one''s calling him UNKNOWN anymore; everyone''s calling him Kisaragi-kun, lol.


    647: Anonymous Explorer


    Yeah, UNKNOWN sounds kind of cringey now.


    648: Anonymous Explorer


    Stop it. Maybe Kisaragi-kun thought it was cool.


    649: Anonymous Explorer


    He is a high schooler, after all.

 Chapter 28: Training for the Lower Floors

    "Maybe it''s time to try streaming for real?"


    As I sat down after a fight with a lower-level monster, adjusting the camera, Asakawa-san suggested this. Honestly, even if she said that, the only thing I could stream would be her training sessions, and I don''t have much to talk about or do on a stream.


    "Wouldn''t it be better if you streamed, Asakawa-san? Fighting lower-level monsters should get you plenty of views."


    "...It feels weird to stream with you helping me out so much."


    "Does that bother you?"


    "A little bit," she said with a smile, cradling her spear with care. Even though she asked me for help with her streaming, it seems like she doesn''t want to rely on me too much.


    So far, I haven''t actually stepped in to assist her directly. I''ve only been giving her tips about monsters and strategies for each floor.


    She''s steadily getting stronger. Although the training to increase her magical power doesn''t show rapid results, it''s probably the most effective method she''s ever tried. After all, she''s been working hard withoutining.


    "Another one''sing," I pointed out.


    "...I''ve been fighting so many lower-level monsterstely that my sense of money is starting to get warped."


    "Don''t worry, it won''t get that warped," I said with a chuckle. The truth is, no matter how much you earn, if you''re just average, money will always feel the same.


    From the depths of the tunnel, a hulking ogre with reddish-brown skin lumbered into view. The monster, simply named "Ogre," was all about high durability and strong attacks. It moved slowly, but its attacks were deadly enough to put your life at risk with one hit.


    "This one might be a tough match for you, Asakawa-san."


    "I''ll ovee it!" she said with determination.


    She''s got guts... As expected of someone who almost died in a dungeon one day, only to return the next. That kind of mental fortitude is something ordinary people can''t even fathom, but I guess it''s par for the course for those who venture deep into dungeons. I used to be like that too, fighting my way into the deepyers, on the brink of death more times than I could count.


    I checked that the stream was running and focused on recording Asakawa-san''s battle with the ogre. Since it''s a high-durability monster she struggles with, this footage could be usefulter for reviewing and improving her tactics.


    "Is this even working?" she asked as her magic attack seemed to bounce off the ogre''s thick skin.


    "Well, in games, an attack that doesn''t cause visible damage isn''t effective. You can think of it that way in real life too."


    "Then it''s not working!"


    "UGHHHHHH!"


    Reacting to the ogre''s roar and the sound of its club mming down, several other monsters began converging on us. I was nning to stay out of it unless things got dangerous, but it would be better if Asakawa-san could focus solely on the ogre. I guess I''ll take care of the other monsters.


    "''Gyuuki''."


    I summoned Gyuuki, which immediately bolted in the opposite direction, away from where Asakawa-san was fighting the ogre. One of the weaknesses of Shikigami is that they have some autonomy in how they move, but they have limitations. Specifically, if they get too far¡ªlike an entire dungeon floor away¡ªthey''ll automatically disappear.


    As long as I stay on this floor, Gyuuki should be fine handling the other monsters.


    Watching Asakawa-san''s fight, I could see how much effort she''s put into her training. Her ability to simultaneously cast multiple spells is a talent, but she''s also closely observing the ogre''s movements, predicting its actions based on subtle cues, and avoiding fatal hits. It looks easy, but you need to have survived numerous close calls to develop that kind of skill.


    "Take this!" she cried out, unleashing a fire spell aimed at the ogre''s exposed eye.


    The ogre roared in pain, copsing as Asakawa-san drove her spear into its neck, putting her full weight behind it. At that point, the fight was essentially over. However, she didn''t stop there. She pulled out her spear and repeatedly shot fire bullets into the wound. Ruthless, but that''s what you need to do. You can''t afford to rx until the monster disappears; that''s basic dungeon survival.


    "Phew... I did it!"


    "Good job. With that, I think you can handle the monsters in this area."


    "...I thought I''d almost die a lot more."


    "If you want that..."


    "No thanks."


    Well, if there''s no rush, this pace is fine. Constantly fighting opponents just a little stronger than you is the best way to grow.


    Gyuuki returned with several magic stones clutched in its hands, having dealt with the other monsters. Among them was one that looked like the ogre''s, but I decided not to mention it to Asakawa-san.


    "Let''s head back for today."


    "What? I can keep going!"


    "You''re running low on magic, aren''t you?"


    Despite the initial protest, she fell silent, which confirmed my suspicion. Since she''s already fought several monsters besides the ogre, I figured she was close to her limit.


    "Listen, it''s important to get close to the edge and fight with your magic nearly depleted to push your limits."


    "Then let''s keep going!"


    "But if you die, it''s all over."


    Sure, I''m here to make sure Asakawa-san doesn''t die in the loweryers, but that''s to handle unexpected situations. I can''t help if she knowingly walks into a fight she can''t win.


    "There''s no need to rush. As an explorer, you''ve still got a long way ahead of you."


    In reality, she''s only been an explorer for two years, and she''s already a C-rank, which is extraordinary. But I doubt my words will get through to her. Being the same age as me, yet seeing me as an EX, probably makes her feel more pressured. There aren''t many high schoolers who are as powerful as her. In fact, being C-rank at her age is already incredible, but I know she''sparing herself to me.


    I wish I could reassure her more if only I were at her level so that we could have had friendlypetition.

 Chapter 29: Takayama Dungeon Mystery

    "Today, I''m going to hunt monsters in the mid-tier like a big boy!"


    : Finally learned your lesson?


    : How long did that take? A few days?


    : d you backed off before getting yourself killed.


    : I was hoping to see some lower-tier action, though.


    : If even Asagao-chan can''t do it, nobody can.


    Due to a manpower shortage today, I ended up getting dispatched all the way to Gifu. Specifically, I was headed to Hida, Takayama City, known for its delicious beef. My mission was to explore the "Takayama Dungeon," located in the mountains. Normally, since I''m a high school student, I''m assigned to handle areas in the Kanto region, but today''s situation was dire enough to pull me in.


    Takayama City is crucial for Japan''s food self-sufficiency. It used to be just a tourist spot, but now it''s a booming ce with arge poption. The infrastructure is as developed as any regional hub, and it''s really easy to get here from Tokyo or Aichi Prefecture.


    The reason Takayama City has be so important in terms of food production lies in the Takayama Dungeon. It''s the only dungeon in Japan that has beenpletely cleared to the bottom.


    : I''ve been getting better at fighting lower-tier monsterstely... but I still don''t have the courage to stream it live.


    : Aww...


    : Show us!


    : You''d freak out if you saw it.


    : Streaming with a guy? Expect bacsh.


    : Isn''t it already a bit of a scandal?


    : She''s not even selling herself as an idol...


    Currently, I''m watching Asakawa-san''s stream from the backseat of a car as I travel to Takayama Dungeon. It''s a holiday, so she''s been diving since this morning. She''s probably feeling the pressure to get stronger. Her fans must be pleased with the increased streaming frequency, though.


    "We''ve arrived."


    "Already?"


    "Yes, it didn''t take long."


    The driver, an agent from the Explorers Association, had taken me to the dungeon surprisingly quickly. I had expected traffic, but it seems we managed to avoid any dys.


    As I got out of the car, I saw the massive structure halfway up the mountain¡ªthe entrance to Takayama Dungeon. Around the dungeon entrance were numerous shops trying to attract touristsing to explore the dungeon.


    "How about we grab some lunch here on the way back?"


    "Are we going to finish that quickly?"


    "Don''t worry, we will."


    The agent looked at me in astonishment. Being from a regional office, he might not be familiar with my capabilities, unlike those at the Tokyo headquarters. He probably doesn''t know how fast I can get things done. If traffic stays light, I''ll be back in Tokyo before evening.


    I showed my Explorer ID at the entrance of the Takayama Dungeon, and the receptionist seemed surprised. But I made it inside without any issues.


    The problem that arose in Takayama Dungeon today is one that urs irregrly but inevitably. It''s at the 57th floor, the lowest level of the dungeon. Takayama Dungeon is rtively smallpared to others like Shibuya Dungeon, with only 57 floors. Globally, it''s considered a small dungeon.


    As I descended, I couldn''t help but notice that I''ve be somewhat of a known figure.


    : Isn''t that...?


    : That''s UNKNOWN, right?


    : Seriously? Something''s going on at Takayama Dungeon?


    I''m definitely more recognizable now.


    But I needed to focus on resolving the issue in the Takayama Dungeon.


    I summoned Kirin and rode it through the dungeon. There''s no point wasting time on minor monsters. It''s a holiday, so the dungeon is crowded, which means the number of monsters in the upper floors should be rtively low.


    Takayama Dungeon is always busy, but the crowd differs on weekdays and weekends. During the week, it''s mostly people who are here for work. That''s because everything harvested from the dungeon is food-rted.


    This dungeon is categorized as a "Food Dungeon," wheremon ingredients as well as rare ones that can only be found in dungeons are harvested. In Japan, Osaka Dungeon, Takayama Dungeon, and Sapporo Dungeon fall into this category.


    Of course, these dungeons alone aren''t enough to sustain the food supply, so regr agriculture still exists. Dungeon-grown food can be so expensive that it bes unaffordable for most people, sold at market prices.


    Takayama Dungeon is considered safe among food dungeons and is often rmended for beginners. The fact that it''s fully cleared adds a level offort. Speaking of which, the legend who cleared this dungeon is none other than Kaede Jinguuji, the first-ever EX-ranked explorer. Thanks to her achievement, she remains one of the most recognized explorers in Japan, even overseas.


    "Made it... good job, Kirin."


    Even with Kirin taking the shortest route, it still took some time to get from the first to the 57th floor. It didn''t take an hour, but moving through the dungeon nonstop can get a bit tedious. At least I had Asakawa-san''s stream to keep me entertained.


    The 57th floor, the lowest level of Takayama Dungeon, is vastly different from the maze-like upper floors. It''s a huge, open space with a strange, mechanical-looking white floor. The circryout of the area feels somewhat eerie. Monsters rarely appear here, and even those on the 56th floor seem hesitant to descend.


    As for why I''m here in this deste area... The 57th floor is notorious for asionally spawning a powerful monster.


    "It''s here."


    The ground rumbled as a massive crab-like creature burst through the floor. Its enormous size and tough exterior made it a formidable opponent. The 57th floor''s boss monster, this giant crab, is a recurring problem. Even though it''s been defeated multiple times, it always returns.


    With a muddy, dull color and a look reminiscent of a snow crab, this creaturecks the bright red shell you''d expect. The earthy tones give it an unsettling appearance.


    "Well, time to take you down."


    ording to the Association, this monster must be eliminated whenever it appears. The reason? Simply put, we don''t fully understand the dungeon''s mechanics, and leaving it unchecked could lead to unforeseen consequences.


    But here''s the thing¡ªthis crab is incredibly delicious. As a "Food Dungeon" boss monster, it''s a delicacy. I''ve been looking forward to this mission just for the chance to taste it. The market price for this crab is astronomical, but I get to enjoy it as part of the job.


    You can''t underestimate a teenage boy''s appetite!

 Chapter 30: Crab Conqueror

    "Whoa, that was close."


    I had my sword ready to finish it off quickly, but the moment the crab saw me, it spit out a high-pressure stream of water. The pressure was so intense that it could easily slice through steel, leaving the floor split wide open. Still, the crab''s movements were predictable, so I wasn''t too concerned.


    This monster, while appearing on the 57th floor, is just as strong as the creatures found in the deeperyers of the Shibuya Dungeon. Plus, its sheer size makes it a bit tricky to deal with.


    "Raijuu."


    This crab is incredibly resistant to physical attacks, but it''s vulnerable to magic. Instead of relying on brute force, I''ll have Raijuu assist with lightning.


    As soon as Raijuu was summoned, it dashed off at a speed that left sound behind. The crab had no way to keep up with it. In fact, it seemed to give up on trying to react, relying on its sturdy shell to protect itself.


    "Time to use the magic I developed during my chunibyo phase. Take this!"


    I feel a bit embarrassed admitting that, but it''s the truth. Since the crab''s shell is almost impervious to regr attacks, instead of shing it directly, I''ll infuse my sword with magic and unleash a magical sh. Basically, it''s a flying magical sh.


    The crab must have realized its prized shell had taken some damage because it raised its ws and tried to intimidate me, showing its side as it quickly advanced and swung its massive w down at me. Of course, it''s not that easy to hit me.


    The crab seemed ready for a follow-up attack, but Raijuu, who was zipping around, struck one of the crab''s legs, causing it to stumble and wildly il its ws. Well, if it gets flipped onto its back, it''s game over for the crab.


    "Inmou-rokki."


    I sent Inmou-rokki flying from behind to breathe fire on the crab. After all, you''ve got to cook a crab before you can eat it. Real snow crabs are usually soaked in clean water to remove any mud before cooking, but I doubt this one has any mud inside, right? Anyway, I''m not the one who''ll be cooking it, so it''s fine.


    Despite losing its bnce due to Raijuu and being roasted by Inmou-rokki, the crab still fought back by spewing more water. It''s a pain when it starts firing those high-pressure water cutters in all directions, so I should finish this soon. First, I''ll target the leg that Raijuu damaged with a flying sh to deepen the cut, then I''ll strike down with my sword to sever it.


    "Gashadokuro."


    The crab wasn''t too fazed by losing a leg, but it''s currently feeling the danger to its life and is thrashing around. So, I''ll have Gashadokuro pin it down.


    I summoned Gashadokuro at a sizeparable to the crab''s, and it grabbed the crab''s ws, preventing them from opening, just like how you''d handle a crab before cooking it. I didn''t specificallymand it to do that, but this skeleton creature is surprisingly smart, despite having no brain.


    With its ws restrained, being roasted by fire, and pinned down by Gashadokuro, the crab''s belly was wide open, so I stabbed it with my sword. The remaining five legs tried to strike back, but Raijuu deflected them all.


    I channeled magic into the sword, causing a controlled explosion inside the crab''s body. If the explosion is too strong, the crab would scatter into pieces, ruining the meat, so I kept it to a moderate level¡ªjust enough to ensure its death. After some final thrashes, it went still.


    "Mission aplished... Now, how do I get this thing back?"


    For some reason, probably because it''s a boss monster, the crab doesn''t disintegrate into ashes like other monsters, leaving its massive carcass behind. This makes it edible, but also a hassle to transport. Dragging this huge thing back isn''t ideal, but chopping it into pieces to carry is even worse.


    "Well, let''s just drag it back."


    Deciding not to overthink it, I dismissed Inmou-rokki, Gashadokuro, and Raijuu, and summoned Gyuuki to haul the crab. I''ll keep Tsuchigumo on guard in case we get ambushed on the way back.


    "Tsuchigumo."


    A massive spider, several meters tall, emerged from the shadows. The Tsuchigumo was named after a derogatory term used for those who defied the ancient Japanese imperial court, but I reimagined it into a yokai that spreads diseases. In this case, I''ve simplified that into a poison that causes severe bleeding.


    Originally described as having the face of a demon, the body of a tiger, and the limbs of a spider, this yokai was tooplex for me to visualize, so I just made it a giant spider instead. If it''s hard to imagine, I can''t summon it.


    "Keep us safe."


    I could have gone with Gozu or Mezu for the guard duty, but the twisted paths of Takayama Dungeon make Tsuchigumo''s less direct attack style more suitable. Not that it really matters who does it.


    "Whoa!"


    "What the hell is that?!"


    As I headed back, I started encountering explorers around the mid-tier floors. None of them failed to be startled by the sight of a massive crab being dragged by Gyuuki, escorted by Tsuchigumo.


    "Is that... a crab?"


    "Is that UNKNOWN?"


    "No way, is that the real one?"


    Yes, it''s the real deal. I''ve be quite famous without realizing it. Maybe I should start being more cautious when heading to Shibuya Dungeon or even just taking the train to school. It would be a pain, but I guess I''ll have to. On the bright side, it means I can start my streaming career without worrying about causing any more of a fuss. Time to think positively, I guess.


    "I think it''s time for a lunch break..."


    : Watching this is exhausting.


    : Asagao-chan, the endurance beast.


    : This is basically a dungeon endurance stream.


    : Thement section is just people passing out.


    : A few hours of gaming, sure, but a few hours of dungeon streaming? Insane.


    : I''m out.


    Feeling tired of walking, I decided to ride Kirin while keeping an eye on Asakawa-san''s stream, just as she was about to take a lunch break. Even though she called it a break, she kept the stream going as she nibbled on what looked like a sandwich, all while staying alert in the dungeon. You could just exit the dungeon or cut the stream, but no, she''s a full-on dungeon fanatic.


    "Well, since I''m eating and have some time, let''s do a Q&A."


    : A girl having a Q&A session while eating in the mid-tiers of a dungeon.


    : Reminds me of those British soldiers having tea during battle.


    : This is too much; I can''t even think of questions.


    : What are you eating?


    "Just a convenience store sandwich. Picked it up at Shibuya Station."


    : Lmao.


    : For some reason, that''s hrious.


    : What about the lower tiers?


    : Is Kisaragi-kun not there?


    : Chilling in the mid-tiers, like a boss?


    "The lower tiers are on hold for now. As for Tsukasa-kun... I think he said he was at Takayama Dungeon?"


    : Takayama Dungeon?


    : Why go all the way out there?


    : For food, obviously.


    : Traveling that far just for food is dumb.


    : When''s Tsukasa-kun''s stream starting?


    : What''s the n for the afternoon?


    : Are you going to college after high school?


    "He''s there for a mission, you know? Being EX is tough. As for his stream... probablyter this month? For the afternoon, I''ll keep exploring the mid-tiers... As for after graduation...


    I''m not sure yet."


    She''s streaming so casually. Should I be impressed that she''s be confident enough to be this rxed in the mid-tiers, or should I admire her dedication as a streamer? Well, given that she can handle multiple wyverns at once, Asakawa-san should be fine now.


    Meanwhile, just watching her eat lunch makes me hungry too. I should hurry and deliver this crab to the Association so I can grab a nice, slightly expensive lunch with the agent who drove me here. That sounds like a n.


    And maybe, just maybe, after this mission, I''ll take a break and check out some of the local delicacies. High-end cuisine isn''t something I indulge in often, but after handling a mission like this, I think I''ve earned it. I mean, how often do I get to handle a giant crab and then feast on gourmet food? Not often enough, that''s for sure.


    As I finally make it to the Association, the crab still dragging behind me, I can''t help but think about what''s next. Will I finally get around to starting my own stream, as everyone seems to be expecting? Will I be able to keep up with the increasing demands of being an EX-ranked explorer while maintaining some semnce of a normal life? Who knows.


    But one thing is certain: today, I''m going to enjoy a well-deserved meal. And maybe, just maybe, I''ll figure out where this crazy life of mine is headed next.


    But for now, all I can focus on is the delicious meal that''s waiting for me after this. And honestly? That''s more than enough.

 Chapter 31: New Challenges

    After dropping off the crab at the Takayama Dungeon Association, I arranged for part of the meat to be sent via courier. The rest would likely end up in high-end restaurants soon enough.


    When I offered to treat the driver who had been waiting outside the dungeon to a nice lunch, he politely declined, saying it was too much. So, I dragged him to a ramen shop against his will. Takayama ramen is known for its chicken broth and curly noodles, but the standout feature for me is the delicious chashu. Hida beef really is something special.


    I prefer these small, family-run shops to more expensive, high-end ces.


    When it came time to pay, I quickly settled the bill with my digital wallet, leaving the driver looking a bit embarrassed. But considering I''ve probably earned more in a year than most people do in a lifetime, I don''t think it''s unreasonable for me to cover lunch.


    The driver probably felt awkward about a high schooler treating him, but I can''t let someone who''s already overworked and tired do any more for me.


    "...Thank you very much," he said.


    I chuckled softly. "Really, it''s no big deal."


    As the car moved along, the driver thanked me again, which made me smile. The Explorer Association, being a government agency, is typically staffed by elite public servants. However, the workload and responsibilities seem to turn most of them into worn-out, overworked drones. Given that, there''s no way I could demand VIP treatment just because I''m an EX-Rank Explorer.


    Treating the guy to a meal was the least I could do.


    ''¡­Isn''t today''s stream kind of boring?''


    : Long hours of dominating mid-tier monsters, and now you''reining?


    : She''s totally lost her sense of scale.


    : Have you even watched any other dungeon streams?


    : Asagao-chan, unwittingly the strongest.


    : Just being in the mid-tiers is impressive, you know?


    On-screen, Asakawa-san continued battling mid-tier monsters, as relentless as ever. Sure, I''d advised her that the best way to increase her mana capacity was to keep fighting, but I didn''t expect her to take it this far. She''s surprisingly dedicated.


    From what I could see, she was trying to conserve mana as much as possible, but even with a lunch break, she''d been fighting for hours now. She had to be getting tired by this point. If it looked like she was really overextending, I''d send her a message or give her a call.


    ''I think I can keep going a bit longer, so let''s keep at it.''


    : Yikes.


    : When did she turn into such a beast?


    : She''s always been a beast.


    : This is Kisaragi-kun''s influence.


    : So, she''s been "corrupted" by a man?


    : Unforgivable.


    : LOL


    : Asagao-chan''s body has been trained by Kisaragi-kun to crave battle.


    : Is this the start of an NTR story or a new game announcement?


    : So, Kisaragi-kun was a seasoned mercenary all along.


    Seeing my name pop up in thement section during Asakawa-san''s stream gave me an idea of why my official SNS ount, which I''d set up recently, was getting flooded with angry messages. These were likely from hardcore fans who couldn''t stand the idea of me, a real-life connection to Asakawa-san, existing. Not that I''m going to stop associating with her because of that.


    ''Oh, some orcs areing. Three of them¡­ I want to finish this in a minute.''


    : What are you aiming for?


    : The deep tiers, obviously.


    : Don''t skip the lower tiers!


    : EX-tier, duh.


    : So, she''s aiming to transcend humanity.


    : Even if Asagao-chan bes a superhuman, I''ll still support her.


    : She''s already not quite human, to be fair.


    : Finishing three orcs in a minute is just ridiculous.


    Asakawa-san didn''t even nce at thements as she sprinted forward at a speed that blurred the camera. She drove her spear through the first orc''s neck, then shot beams from her fingertips to pierce the second orc''s skull. All of this happened in about five seconds. However, since orcs don''t die just from having their necks pierced, only the middle one was taken out.


    The two remaining orcs quickly tried to retaliate, raising their clubs, but Asakawa-san moved too fast for the camera to keep up. She summoned a barrage of magical fangs that tore the first orc to shreds, then fired five beams from her fingers to finish off thest one.


    ''How was that?''


    : Uh¡­


    : How are we supposed to react?


    : Amazing.


    : Insane.


    : Ridiculous.


    : Well, that''s our monster for you.


    : Asagao-chan, you''re so cool!


    : The time¡­ 41 seconds!


    : She''s gone to a ce we can''t reach.


    Watching that, it''s clear that Asakawa-san has been working not only on increasing her mana but also on improving the potency of her magic. Honestly, given how quickly she''s developing new spells, her magical talent far surpasses mine.


    ''I''ve been developing new magic, partly inspired by Tsukasa-kun''s techniques. I hadn''t used them earlier since the monsters weren''t tough enough to warrant it, but wow, the mana cost is high.''


    : That¡­ was a beam, right?


    : Definitely a beam.


    : It was clearly a beam.


    : Can a beam even be considered magic?


    ''I''m justpressing lightning magic and shooting it out.''


    : "Just"pressing lightning magic, she says.


    : I''ve been utterly defeated by the concept of magicpression.


    : Completely beyond myprehension.


    : Yep, explorers are from another dimension.


    : Cute.


    : So cool, Asagao-chan!


    : For a second, I thought Asagao-chan had turned into a robot.


    She hasn''t mentioned it on stream, but it seems like Asakawa-san has significantly improved her ability to enhance her physical speed with mana. The camera can''t keep up with her movements yet, probably because she hasn''t fine-tuned the settings. If she''s already moving this fast, it won''t be long before she surpasses even the legendary speed of my grandmother, who''s known as the fastest explorer.


    I still can''t beat my grandmother in terms of speed.


    Given how she''s dominating mid-tier monsters while casually chatting on her stream, I think she''s more than capable of handling the lower tiers on her own now. I should send her a message.


    [Watching your stream. You''re doing great.]


    [Honestly, I think you''re ready for the lower tiers.]


    Alright, I think I''ll take a nap until we get back to Tokyo.


    ''Oh, I just got a message. Hold on a sec.''


    : Is it from a guy?


    : Or a girl?


    : Probably a friend.


    : It''s me.


    : I''m betting on Kisaragi-kun.


    : Maybe it''s the Association?


    : It''s me, I swear.


    : Kisaragi-kun is the most likely.


    : Didn''t she say he was at Takayama Dungeon?


    [Thanks!]


    [Is your job done, Tsukasa-kun?]


    [Knowing you''re watching makes me a bit nervous, haha.]


    [I was thinking of trying something challenging, but¡­]


    [I kind of want to go with you.]


    [Is that selfish?]


    [Let me know when you''re back in Tokyo!]


    Wow, she replied fast. She''s typing out messages on her phone right there in the stream.


    ''Since I got a message, I guess I''ll keep going a bit longer!''


    : Go for it!


    : Keep it up!


    : I''m going to take a nap, though.


    : It''s almost evening, though.


    : I should get back to work.


    : Don''t watch streams during work hours!


    : Is she getting ready to challenge the lower tiers?


    Yeah, I''m too curious now. I guess I''ll stay up and keep watching the stream.

 Chapter 32: First Steps into Streaming

    "Good morning, Kisaragi-kun!"


    "Morning! You were working over the weekend too, right?"


    "G-Good morning..."


    "You went all the way to Takayama, didn''t you? Got any stories to share?"


    "Um¡­ the ramen was delicious?"


    After spending Saturday at the Takayama Dungeon andzily passing Sunday at home, I returned to school on Monday, only to be bombarded by ssmates, both boys and girls, all eager to chat. Thankfully, no one directly messaged me, but still, the sudden attention was overwhelming.


    Ever since that incident with the popr guy and his entourage, I''ve be the center of attention, which is pretty inconvenient. Even on the train to school, I could hear people whispering about me, my heightened explorer senses picking up every word.


    "Good morning, Tsukasa-kun."


    "Asakawa-san¡­ Good morning."


    "You look like you''ve been saved by the bell or something."


    Asakawa-sanughed softly, but to me, she really was a lifesaver. My ssmates, who I can''t even match faces to names, kept talking to me non-stop, and it was wearing me down. Some people even talked to me thinking I was someone else entirely. I have no idea how far the rumors have spread, but it''s all be a bit much.


    "By the way, about the other day¡­"


    "The other day? Oh, you mean about going to the lower floors?"


    "Yeah, I''ve been thinking¡­ maybe I should try challenging it if I get the chance."


    Wait¡­ Is this an invitation? The way Nonohara-san, who''s standing next to her, is grinning makes me think this is definitely an invite to go to the dungeon together.


    Setting aside the fact that this is an invitation from a girl, Asakawa-san already has the strength that surpasses what you''d expect from a Rank C explorer. She''s definitely ready to explore the lower floors.


    "So, I was thinking¡­ why don''t we do a big stream together?"


    "A big stream? What do you mean?"


    "I mean, let''s stream my challenge of the lower floors together!"


    That''s¡­ a pretty risky idea.


    I get what she''s saying. Even though I haven''t streamed even once, my channel''s subscribers have been steadily growing for some reason, and now Asakawa-san is suggesting we do a simultaneous stream¡ªbasically a coboration¡ªon her Asagao channel and mine.


    There are two major benefits to this cob. The first is that by partnering with the popr streamer Asagao, I can instantly raise the profile of my channel. The second is that I can learn the ropes of streaming from Asakawa-san during my first stream. But even with these big benefits, there are some significant drawbacks that make me hesitant.


    "Wouldn''t that be a burden on you, Asakawa-san?"


    "It''s fine! I''m not really selling myself as an idol or anything, so I don''t think it''ll cause too much bacsh."


    She knows this as well as I do¡ªshe has some devoted fans who have a bit of a crush on her, and that could be a problem for both of us. When passionate fans feel betrayed, they can turn into vocal critics.


    Another potential downside is that if my first stream is a cob with Asagao, people might think that''s the kind of content my channel is focused on, but that''s something time would eventually sort out.


    "Alright, let''s do it."


    "Really? Honestly, I thought you''d turn me down."


    "Even with the potential downsides, I''m more interested in seeing you challenge the lower floors up close."


    "...That''s kind of embarrassing."


    Why is she embarrassed? Wanting to see a friend in action doesn''t seem strange to me. Sure, it might feel a bit awkward, but hey, this is my first stream too, so we''re in the same boat.


    "Hey, Nanami. I think¡­ Kisaragi-kun is totally oblivious."


    "Yeah¡­ I know."


    "Good luck!"


    "Thanks."


    "...?"


    I have no idea what''s going on, but Nonohara-san is giving Asakawa-san some kind of pep talk. Is this about tackling the lower floors? If so, why did they bring up my name?


    We got to ss, and without much more conversation, the first period began. Asakawa-san looked like she wanted to say something, but maybe she''s still trying to find the right moment. I''m not great at understanding how to navigate friendships, so I decided to wait until she was ready.


    "In Japan, we have four explorers with the EX rank who handle extraordinary dungeon-rted incidents¡­"


    When Dungeon History ss began, I noticed that more people than usual were ncing my way, especially given the topic. Even the teacher kept sneaking looks at me. Hey, teacher, maybe you should focus on the lesson?


    "Ahem! So, in the United States, there are about six EX-ranked explorers, but they often face a shortage of personnel due to the vast size of the country and the number of dungeons."


    Yeah, well, Japan''s not much better off with its high dungeon density, but okay.


    "Hey, Kisaragi-kun, do you know the American EX-rank explorers?"


    "...I''ve met them once or twice."


    "Wow, so you''re really connected, huh?"


    I wouldn''t exactly say that. And what''s with people just casually chatting with me during ss? Is this what normal students do? I wouldn''t know¡ªI''ve never had friends before.


    The World Dungeon Association Organization (WDAO), a United Nations body, brings together EX-ranked explorers from all over the world, not just America, so I''ve met them all at least once. Though WDAO''s work is highly confidential due to the sensitive nature of dungeon-rted matters, so our meetings are never reported in the news.


    "Teacher, isn''t Kisaragi-kun an EX too?"


    "...There''s a lot I''d like to ask, but please save personal questions for after ss."


    Seriously, teacher?


    Finally, it was the end of the school day. After that first period of Dungeon History, where even the teacher kept asking me questions, I was mentally drained. The rest of the day''s sses seemed to drag on forever. I guess the Dungeon History teacher, being a part-timer, was personally curious about dungeon matters.


    "Good work today¡­ Did you get any jobs?"


    "...Nothing''se through."


    I checked my work phone, which I had stashed in my locker, but there were no messages. So, as we discussed this morning, it looks like we''re heading to Shibuya Dungeon to do a dual stream.


    While I''m used to diving into dungeons and solving problems, talking in front of people is a whole different challenge¡­ But I''ve got to do it. I''m genuinely curious about how this will go.


    "Alright! Let''s meet at Shibuya Dungeon right away!"


    "Got it."


    As a streamer, I''m finally taking my first step forward.

 Chapter 33: A Ride Through the Lower Floors

    Currently, I''m Kisaragi Tsukasa, preparing the camera on the first floor of the Shibuya Dungeon. Asakawa-san invited me to join her for a live stream, and I''m getting ready, but... I''m incredibly nervous. I guess if I were preparing and streaming alone, I wouldn''t be this nervous, but doing it together with Asakawa-san, a popr streamer, is really getting to me.


    "I''m starting now... Hi everyone, it''s Asagao! Today, I''m streaming from the uppermost level!"


    Asagao ch


    : Hey, hey


    : Hi, Asagao-chan!


    : Is this after school? Good luck!


    : Asagao-chan''s stream is on!


    : It''s here!


    : You look cute as always!


    With a smooth and natural movement, Asakawa-san started her stream, nodding while looking at thements.


    "Today, as announced earlier, we have a special guest."


    Asagao ch


    : It''s a guy, huh


    : Oh, I see


    : Yay, Kisaragi-kun!


    : He''s not on camera


    : Where is he?


    : I didn''t think Asagao-chan would do a cob


    : It''s a guy, huh


    I nced at thements, but... is this really okay? I feel like I''m being seen as the enemy just for being a guy... What should I do?


    "Are you ready, Tsukasa-kun?"


    "I-I think so... probably."


    "Haha, you seem nervous."


    Asagao ch


    : Everyone''s nervous on their first stream, don''t worry about it


    : I''m curious about Kisaragi-kun too, so I''ll watch both streams


    : Hurry up, let''s go!


    : EX''s first stream is gonna be intense, huh


    : Good luck!


    I took a deep breath... Okay, enough with the hesitation. Let''s start the stream and help Asakawa-san with her training. She told me to just be myself during the stream!


    When I pressed the camera button, a countdown appeared. As soon as it hit zero, the stream started, and Asakawa-san nodded in satisfaction.


    "Hello, this is Kisaragi Tsukasa. Um... Asagao-san invited me to start streaming, so... I guess that''s the intro? Whatever. Nice to meet you."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa ch


    : Hey there, UNKNOWN-kun


    : Yo, UNKNOWN


    : It''s UNKNOWN lol


    : Good luck, UNKNOWN


    "Could you not make fun of my old username? It''s a bit of a sore spot."


    Why am I getting roasted here?


    Kisaragi Tsukasa ch


    : Sorry, man


    : Yeah, ''Kisaragi'' is definitely the right kanji


    : Was there ever any doubt?


    : I didn''t know that


    : So, Kisaragi Tsukasa is written like that, huh


    : Got it


    I used my real name "Kisaragi Tsukasa" as the channel name, so it looks like a lot of people are just confirming the kanji. I guess it makes sense since I hadn''t registered it anywhere before.


    "So today, we''re doing a joint stream down to the lower floors!"


    Asagao ch


    : What the heck is he saying?


    : Did he just casually drop something insane?


    : Whoa, lol


    : You''re gonna die!?!


    : Are you still going for it?


    : She hasn''t given up yet?


    "Don''t worry, Tsukasa-kun will save me if things get dangerous."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa ch


    : That''s a lot of responsibility


    : Starting with a bang, huh?


    : Good luck!


    : EX''s job isn''t easy


    : That''s not what an EX is supposed to do...


    "We''re friends. I''ll protect her... but only if it gets really dangerous."


    Of course, protecting a friend isn''t something I''d hesitate to do. But this is supposed to be Asakawa-san''s training, so my role is just to watch over her from the back and only step in if things get truly dangerous.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa ch


    : Yep, that''s the EX personality for you


    : Tough love, huh?


    : This training is wild


    "We''re only going to the 42nd floor, though."


    "What?!"


    "You''re not ready to go to the 50th floor yet; it''s not just about strength. You need knowledge to survive below the lower floors."


    "Okay... if you say so, we''ll stop at the 42nd floor today, right?"


    Asagao ch


    : Nice one, Kisaragi-kun


    : Keep her grounded, good job


    : He''s a good guy


    : The runaway train finally got brakes


    : She finally has a sensible friend...


    "Why is everyone so mean?!"


    I''m not exactly her brakes... Well, whatever.


    "Alright, let''s head down to the lower floors. ''Kirin''!"


    When I summoned Kirin, the creature I always ride on, Asakawa-san''s eyes sparkled as she began petting its fur.


    "Such a beautiful coat! It''s so cute!"


    Asagao ch


    : So, this is the famous Shikigami?


    : Those eyes are adorable


    : I imagined Kirin would look more fierce


    : I only know about Kirin the beer


    : A giraffe?


    : Kirin is a guardian beast from China


    "Hurry up and get on."


    "Okay!"


    "Hold the camera in your hand."


    Why does she look a bit dissatisfied? I thought she could pet it as much as she wanted once she''s on... Maybe that''s not what she wanted.


    Once I confirmed that Asakawa-san was mounted on Kirin, I patted Kirin''s neck, signaling it to start running, albeit at a slightly slower pace than usual. Even so, it won''t take long to reach the lower floors.


    "It''s so fast!"


    "This is slower than usual."


    "This is slow!?"


    Asagao ch


    : I feel sick


    : Terrifying


    : Isn''t this too fast?


    : So, this is how UNKNOWNpletes his tasks so quickly


    : The camera can''t even keep up, so that''s why he said to hold it


    Kisaragi Tsukasa ch


    : Oh wow


    : I''m used to seeing the upper floors go by like this


    : I''m used to the mid-levels too


    : A lot of dungeon explorers are watching Kisaragi-kun''s channel


    : Looks like a bunch of mid-level explorers are interested in watching this?


    : Today it''s just down to the lower floors, but this guy can go all the way to the depths, right?


    Looking at it like this, you can really see the difference in the audience demographics.


    I''m guessing that a lot of the people on Asakawa-san''s channel are more general viewers who aren''t as familiar with dungeons, drawn in by her poprity and curiosity about the dungeon interiors. Plus, her appearance, of course.


    On the other hand, judging by thements on my stream, it seems like there are more people who are into the technical side of dungeons, discussing mid-level stuff. My audience probably consists of explorers who are interested in the lower and deeper levels.


    "Tsukasa-kun... you can look at your phone at this speed?"


    "I''m used to it."


    "I... see."


    When I head down to the deeper floors, it takes quite a bit of time, so I usually have Raiju apany me while I move even faster. During that time, I get bored, so I y games or something. Right now, I''m just keeping an eye on thements as they scroll by.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa ch


    : If you''re bored, take questions


    : Is this a Q&A now?


    : What''s the difference?


    : Did you enjoy Takayama Dungeon?


    : What did you eat in Takayama?


    Looks like the viewers are bored too, so I''ll answer some questions.


    "Takayama Dungeon was pretty much what I expected. It was a bit refreshing to see a different crowd tackling the dungeon on a weekend. I treated the driver to some Takayama ramen because he looked pretty worn out. I wanted to take him to a more expensive ce, but I figured he might decline."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa ch


    : Fair enough


    : I''d be hesitant to let a high schooler treat me to something expensive


    : Age matters, man


    : Takayama ramen is good stuff


    : I like the curly noodles


    : Now I want to visit Takayama


    : It''s easier to get there by the new train, but you drove?


    There''s indeed a train that connects Sapporo to Kagoshima.


    It was built to pass through Sapporo Dungeon, Sendai Dungeon, Shibuya Dungeon, Takayama Dungeon, Nagoya Dungeon, Osaka Dungeon, Hiroshima Dungeon, Fukuoka Dungeon, and Kagoshima Dungeon.


    "We had a stop to make in Shizuoka, so we took a car and spent quite a bit of time on the road."


    I hate to say it, but being an EX is a busy life.


    Seeing thement sections on both Asakawa-san''s and my stream buzz just from talking about Takayama Dungeon, I realize that everyone''s really used to seeing Shibuya Dungeon all the time.

 Chapter 34: Facing the Unknown

    "Takayama Dungeon is basically all about food, right?"


    "Well¡­ yeah, pretty much."


    As a student, Asakawa-san doesn''t have much reason to explore dungeons outside of the Shibuya Dungeon, which is conveniently close to her home. Honestly, even if you''re not a student, not many people have much connection to dungeons outside their immediate area. I noticed a fewments in the chat from viewers asking about different dungeons, so it seems like there''s interest in hearing about them.


    "What''s the weirdest dungeon you''ve been to?"


    "¡­?"


    I''m not really sure what she means by "weird," but I''ll y along.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Weird as in what?


    : The environment or something?


    : Shibuya Dungeon is pretty standard, so maybe she means something like that?


    "If you mean the environment¡­ then probably the Nagoya Dungeon."


    "Really?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Isn''t Nagoya Dungeon just another dungeon?


    : Oh, I''ve heard about that one¡­


    : Isn''t that the one where you can mine rare metals?


    : You''ll get it when you see it for yourself.


    : I live in Nagoya. The environment in that dungeon is so harsh I gave up on bing an explorer.


    Asagao Ch


    : Rare metals? For real?


    : That sounds like a goldmine dungeon!


    : The government should fully explore that dungeon.


    : They can''t, that''s the problem¡­


    : There''s no way to clear that dungeon, it''s too tough.


    : Just send in the EX-rankers, they''ll handle it.


    "A lot of people don''t seem to know about it."


    "Is it really that bad?"


    "You can find out for yourself if you do a bit of research."


    I thought the harsh environment of Nagoya Dungeon wasmon knowledge, but apparently, not everyone''s aware of it.


    Of course, I''ve been to Nagoya Dungeon myself. When I reached the middleyers, all I could think about was how much I wanted to go home.


    "We''re almost there."


    "Already?"


    "Yup, just about."


    I''ve been keeping track of every stair we''ve descended, so I know exactly which floor we''re on. Right now, Kirin is racing through the 39th floor.


    "Here we are, the stairs to the 41st floor."


    "Wow¡­ looking at these stairs reminds me of how I almost died here."


    Asagao Ch


    : Asagao-chan''s trauma spot.


    : If you''re traumatized, you wouldn''te this far down again.


    : This brings back memories of that legendary stream.


    : Better turn back before another dragon shows up.


    : Maybe we should just head back now.


    Come on, she''s been down to the lower floors with me plenty of times since that incident. Granted, I''ve never let her ride Kirin until now, but we''ve visited for training several times off-stream.


    "And now, the real part of the stream begins."


    "Just another training session¡­ or maybe not. I''ll be using the high-powered spells I''ve been working on, so I''ll give it my all!"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Go for it!


    : You got this!


    : This feels way too casual.


    : Kisaragi doesn''t seem tense at all about heading to the lower floors.


    : Well, he''s EX-rank, after all.


    What do people think being EX-rank means? I''m still human; I get scared too. I can''t even watch horror movies.


    Think about it like this: even if a ce is considered scary by others, if you''re used to walking through it every day on your way to school, you don''t get scared every time you pass by. The lower floors are just a route I take to reach the deeper levels of the dungeon. That''s all.


    "The 41st floor doesn''t have too many tough monsters, so it''s better to train on the 42nd floor."


    "¡­Are you saying that to the viewers?"


    "Yes. I think sharing information about the lower floors would be helpful for them."


    "Hmm¡­ there''s a disconnect in how dangerous this ce is perceived."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : I mean, most of us don''t go to the lower floors just to train.


    : Are you giving a tour of a suicide spot?


    : Definitely andmark¡­


    : Training on the lower floors is just ridiculous.


    : Don''t treat the lower floors like a grinding spot in a video game.


    "It''s not me who''s grinding for levels here."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : That''s not the point.


    : What¡­


    : This guy is seriously out of touch.


    : Well, he''s EX-rank, so¡­


    Why does it feel like there''s a lot of misinformation about EX-rank explorers?


    "Enemy ahead!"


    "Hmm?"


    As soon as we stepped onto the lower floor, a dog with two heads came into view down the corridor. With three heads, it''d be a Cerberus, but with two, it''s probably an Orthrus.


    Seeing that Orthrus made me think¡ªmaybe I should start summoning monsters from mythology, not just Japanese yokai. I''d need to study more to fill in the gaps in my knowledge, but it''s something to consider.


    "Is there any strategy for dealing with that dog?"


    "This is my first time seeing it."


    "Oh¡­ wait, what?"


    "Yeah, same here."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Lol, seriously?


    : You don''t know either?


    : What''s going on here?


    : So much for strategy tips¡­


    : You''ve got to be kidding me.


    I don''t know everything about the lower floors. Compared to the deeper floors, my knowledge is limited. Sure, I know the environment and the routes downward, but new monsters pop up from time to time, even in the upper floors. It''s pointless to try memorizing everything.


    "O-Okay¡­ I''ll handle this somehow."


    Asagao Ch


    : You better!


    : Protect her!


    : You''re the one who should be dealing with new enemies!


    : Be careful, Asagao-chan!


    As soon as Orthrus noticed us, it charged. Up close, it''s surprisingly big, though not quite asrge as an ogre. Despite its bulk, it moved sluggishly, with fire flickering in both of its mouths.


    Still, with Asakawa-san''s ability to sense magical energy, she''ll be able to react to whatever it tries. I''m not too worried.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : I tuned in to watch Kisaragi, though¡­


    : Well, it''s the lower floors, so¡­


    : It''s his first stream, cut him some ck.


    : I guess it can''t be helped.


    Asagao Ch


    : She''s gotten way stronger sincest time.


    : Must be the influence of that guy.


    : That sounds kinda sketchy.


    : Hard to believe she almost died down here before.


    : The camera can''t keep up with her movements¡ªshe''s too fast!


    Asakawa-san blocked Orthrus''s initial fire attack with severalyers of magical shields before firing apressed lightning beam from her fingertips. She told me it takes a lot of concentration topress the magic, so she can only deploy up to five at once, which is a downside. I never even thought ofpressing magic like that.


    Orthrus took the beam head-on, but its skin seemed incredibly tough¡ªonly a few scorch marks were left.


    "This might be tougher than I thought."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : You''re just watching, but shouldn''t you step in?


    : Are you gonna help?


    : Nah, not yet.


    : He''ll step in when it''s time.


    "It doesn''t help anyone if I''m too overprotective¡­ oops."


    A stray fireball almost hit me.


    Honestly, that Orthrus doesn''t seem like the kind of monster that should be appearing on the uppermost lower floors. Still, Asakawa-san should be able to handle it. If she can take it down confidently, she''s beyond Rank C already.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : I underestimated her¡ªAsagao-chan is legit monster ss.


    : The basic moves of both of them are so fast it''s hard to follow.


    : That dog is way tougher than it looks.


    : Well, it''s the lower floors.


    : Asagao-chan can use magic while wielding a spear and still move at that speed?


    "That dog¡ªif I had to name it, I''d call it Orthrus¡ªseems a bit slow. It''s definitely strong, but I think a well-ced strike to a vital spot should take it down."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Um, that''s easier said than done.


    : Where exactly is its vital spot?


    : Too fast¡­


    : "A well-ced strike" (Yeah, right).


    : Where exactly is the vital spot?


    "¡­The heart?"


    Actually, where is it? If it were me, I''d aim to decapitate the two heads right off the bat. Sure, it''s risky to get that close, but the reward is worth it. And if you''re not in real danger, isn''t that risk worth taking?

 Chapter 35: Balancing Battle and Banter

    "Whoa, it''s spitting fire everywhere¡­"


    Asakawa-san is trying to pierce through Orthrus''s tough skin while maintaining her defensive spells. I can''t quite make out what she''s saying through the sounds of battle, but from what I''ve picked up from the stream''s audio, she seems a bit disappointed that the spell she developed specifically to pierce through Ogre hide didn''t work.


    "¡­Something''sing."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : That''s not just "something."


    : Isn''t that a half-transparent skeleton?


    : Didn''t Asagao-chan nearly die to that thing before?


    : Don''t just brush it off as "something."


    "This is basic strategy info, but I''ve already shared this with Asakawa-san¡­ That half-transparent skeleton is only a threat the first time you encounter it. It''s not actually that dangerous."


    The monster is notorious for being a first-time killer on the 41st and 42nd floors, but honestly, the Orthrus that Asakawa-san is fighting is way stronger.


    "That skeleton is in an astral form, meaning its magical energy is spread thin. A direct hit with a spell that''s powerful enough will take it down. Like this."


    I casually toss a fireball its way. The fireball, just strong enough to hit and destroy the astral skeleton, does its job perfectly, blowing the skeleton to pieces. That''s pretty much what you get in the lower floors.


    "See?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Uh¡­


    : That was kinda intense.


    : "See?" Seriously?


    : You''re just casually breaking the game.


    : That was crazy.


    : A first-time killer is still dangerous to most people!


    : You''re nuts, man.


    There''s a flood of somewhat rudements. But really, Asakawa-san could probably do this too. The lightning beam she used on Orthrus would be more than enough to take it down.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Is this the lower-floor stream we were all waiting for?


    : Is it though?


    : Definitely not.


    : We wanted to see some real struggles.


    : You can''t expect that from an EX-rank.


    : Yeah, that''s asking too much.


    "Hey, I''m still just a normal human being, you know?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Sure, sure.


    : If you say so.


    : Human?


    : Real humans can''t run at subsonic speeds, dude.


    You could train up and run at subsonic speeds too if you tried.


    "Still, it looks like you''re having a real tough battle there."


    Orthrus is definitely a tough opponent, but I thought Asakawa-san could handle it¡­ Maybe I underestimated the challenge. Though, it might just be a bad matchup for her.


    "Want me to take over?"


    "Do you think I''d actually say yes to that?"


    "Keep up the good work."


    Asakawa-san, tumbling toward me after taking a hit, gave the expected response when I offered to step in. But facing a tough opponent like that is how she''ll grow, so I''ll just focus on clearing out the smaller threats that mighte her way.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Is she really okay?


    : It does seem like she''s pushing through.


    : I was watching Asagao''s stream, but I switched over here because I couldn''t keep up with her speed.


    : She''s moving so fast, it''s hard to keep up.


    : Maybe she needs a better camera setup.


    : Asagao-chan¡­ you''re really leveling up.


    "If her camera can''t keep up with the speed, maybe it''s time to invest in a new one?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Didn''t Asagao-chan''s camera cost a fortune?


    : Yeah, it was crazy expensive.


    : You''re suggesting something even pricier?


    "A good camera is a streamer''s lifeline."


    That said, even technology has its limits. You can''t just keep throwing money at it to infinitely improve performance.


    "Whoops."


    While responding to the viewers''ments, I noticed a burst of fire heading my way. It''s probably a stray shot that Asakawa-san deflected. I casually deflected it with a bit of magical energy on my bare hand.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Did he just swat away the fireball that Asagao-chan was struggling to block with her bare hand?


    : Must be my imagination¡­


    : This is terrifying.


    : Why don''t you just solo the whole thing?


    : This is straight-up scary.


    : EX-rankers are nightmare fuel.


    : If this is the lower floors, how bad are the deeper levels?


    : You should know by now¡­


    "The deeper floors¡­ well, let''s just say ''hellish'' is an appropriate description."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : What does that even mean?


    : I''m looking forward to it now.


    : Rion Kamishiro''s stream definitely felt like it was from hell.


    : The environments there are all kinds of messed up.


    It makes sense that viewers are curious about the deeper floors. I''ve explored a decent number of dungeons, and I''ve seen quite a few deep floors, but I still can''t find any consistent patterns. The deeper levels of the Shibuya Dungeon, in particr, are full of mysteries.


    "The deep floors in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, are what I''d call a fascinating kind of hell."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Fascinating hell? What even is that?


    : That sounds like an oxymoron.


    : Wait, where is Northern Territory again?


    : It''s in Australia.


    : Alice Springs is definitely in Australia.


    : Australia, thend of dungeons.


    : Japan''s a dungeonnd too, technically.


    : I know nothing about overseas dungeons, so this is intriguing.


    I''d like to stream from an overseas dungeon someday. Thanks to WDAO (World Dungeon Association Organization), getting permission to explore overseas dungeons is just a matter of getting the right paperwork. Of course, any materials you find have to go through the proper channels if you want to take them out of the country, but you can always sell them locally.


    "Streaming from overseas dungeons could be fun. There are lots of interesting spots. Mumbai in Maharashtra, India, has a pretty wild one. Personally, I''d rmend the dungeon in Houston, Texas."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Oh, wow.


    : Getting all talkative, huh?


    : ssic nerd move¡ªtalking too fast when excited.


    : I don''t want to hear a dungeon otaku ramble about overseas dungeons.


    : LOL


    : I kind of want to see these ces¡­


    "If you''re worried about safety, America''s a good bet. Oh, and by the way, I''m talking about the deep floors in all these ces."


    India isn''t all that dangerous, butpared to Japan, there are more things to be cautious about. America''s probably a better choice for first-timers. Thanks to the influence of explorers, even the gun culture there is calming down a bit.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Yikes.


    : I wanted to go, but now I''m rethinking it.


    : The deep floors? No way.


    : I''m out!


    : Don''t you need an international explorer rank to ess foreign dungeons anyway?


    "Don''t worry. Japan is a signatory to WDAO, so as long as you follow the process, you can explore overseas dungeons."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Haven''t heard about WDAO in a while.


    : Are they actually doing anything?


    : They keep everything so secret; it''s hard to know.


    : You probably know all the inside info since you''re EX-rank.


    Of course, I do. I know way more than I can talk about.


    "Oh, Orthrus is dead."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : LOL


    : At least pretend to care.


    : Stop getting so wrapped up in conversation.


    : Kisaragi''s stream is more interesting than I expected.


    : Chatting casually like a friend while being an EX-rank streamer.


    : This is so different from anything else.


    : Pay attention to Asagao-chan!


    "¡­My bad."


    "You''re apologizing already?"


    Asakawa-san, who''s approaching after taking down Orthrus, is smiling, but I can tell she''s a bit annoyed. I was supposed to be keeping an eye on her, but I got too wrapped up in the stream chat.


    "Well, I''m d you''re enjoying the stream, but I don''t appreciate being ignored while I''m fighting my hardest."


    "I really am sorry."


    I''ve never had many friends, so chatting with viewers who actually respond to what I''m saying is a lot more fun than I expected¡­ but that''s no excuse.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Is she your girlfriend?


    : The ssic "boyfriend too absorbed in his game" situation.


    : Could this be¡­ something more?


    : licks finger Yep, that''s the taste of romance!


    : Stop it, some folks in Asagao''s chat are losing their minds.


    : LMAO


    : Ah, young love.


    "Th-That''s not it!"


    Asakawa-san is flusteredly waving her hands at the camera. Should I do the same? No, that''d be too embarrassing. This is definitely one of those moments where I''d get teased relentlessly.

 Chapter 36: Surprises and Monsters

    After that, Asakawa-san continued fighting for quite some time while I answered questions and engaged in trivial chit-chat, and eventually, the stream came to an end. In hindsight, considering the number of viewers that tuned in, I''d say it was a sessful first stream.


    "Thanks for today."


    "¡­Why so suddenly?"


    "Oh, it''s nothing, just the usual."


    By "the usual," she probably means me tagging along for her training. If that''s the case, then it''s no problem at all. After all, in exchange, Asakawa-san has been teaching me how to stream, including what to avoid doing during a stream. Personally, I think this specialized knowledge is as valuable as the information I have about the deeperyers of the dungeon.


    "So, what are you nning to do after graduation, Tsukasa-kun?"


    "I''ve already decided."


    "What!? That''s fast!"


    After today''s stream, I felt like I had a clear vision of my future. To be honest, before this, I thought I''d just spend my days diving into dungeons, but I''ve found something I truly want to do.


    "Maybe something like continuing to explore dungeons as an EX-rank explorer?"


    "I''m going to start my own streamingpany and be the CEO!"


    "¡­What?"


    "If you''re still frencing by then, I''ll definitely invite you to join!"


    There don''t seem to be manyrgepanies that employ streamers, especially those specializing in dungeon streaming. Most dungeon streamers are independent, and it seems like virtual streamers ying games are moremon. In other words, starting apany focused on dungeon streaming might be a great opportunity.


    "Haha¡­ You''re such an interesting person, Tsukasa-kun!"


    "Hey, that''s a bit¡­ hurtful¡­"


    "No, I think it''s great! If you''ve found a dream, you should definitely chase it!"


    Laughing, Asakawa-san started running off. I was staring at her retreating back when she suddenly turned around.


    "Make sure youe and get me when you do!"


    "¡­Sure."


    Don''t say things like that¡­ like a princess. But if starting apany to bring her on board is part of that, then maybe that''s not so bad.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : So yeah, I''m nning to start apany specializing in dungeon streaming in the future.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Wait, what?


    : What do you mean by that?


    : Does this guy even listen to himself?


    : This is new¡­


    The next day, while streaming solo in the lower floors, I mentioned my newly formed dream as more people tuned in than I expected, and I got a somewhat surprised reaction.


    "I''ve got plenty of money, so starting thepany itself isn''t an issue, but I want to run it in the ck, you know?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Did he just casually drop that he''s rich?


    : Well, he is EX-rank¡­


    : He must be making bank.


    : I wonder how much those deepyer magic stones go for.


    : Even the strong ones in the loweryers are worth as much as a month''s sry for a regr worker, I heard.


    : Whoa.


    The chat seems to be going off on a tangent about money, but I''d rather not discuss finances. Although, I guess I did bring it up first with thepany talk¡­


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : CEO and streamer at the same time, huh?


    : Sounds good.


    : That actually sounds fun.


    : Will Asagao-chan join?


    : Based on what he said, probably.


    : CEO dating one of thepany''s streamers¡­ can I make a fanfic out of this?


    : Please don''t.


    "Well, let''s save that topic for January¡­ We''re about to hit the deeperyers."


    We''re currently on the 60th floor of Shibuya Dungeon. ording to my viewers, the only other person who''s streamed past this point is that troublemaker, Rion Kamishiro. Since it''s the golden hour on a weekday evening, the viewer count is pretty high.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Finally¡­


    : This is going to be legendary.


    : Every stream he does is legendary.


    : The lower floors are already legendary.


    : What kind of hellhole is the deepyer?


    : He called the one in Australia a "fun hell," right?


    : What about Shibuya?


    "It''s just a in old hell."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : It''s hell.


    Of course, it is. What were they expecting in the deepyers of a dungeon? Even so, I think this ce is still way better than the Nagoya Dungeon.


    "Alright, here we go. The 61st floor is basically a giantke."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Huh?


    : What does that even mean?


    : Why''d he say something so weird?


    : That makes no sense.


    It''s exactly what it sounds like. The 61st floor is a vast, shallowke that reflects the light from the crystals on the ceiling, making it sparkle like the famous Uyuni Salt t. There''s no other way to describe it.


    As I descend the stairs and step onto the 61st floor, I''m greeted by ake that stretches out, reflecting the crystal''s light in a dazzling disy. Honestly, it''s a breathtakingly beautiful ce.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Seriously?


    : This should be a World Heritage site.


    : Except it''s not.


    : I''m going to be a dungeon explorer now.


    : Remember, this is the deepyer.


    : You need to be at least A-rank to enter, so good luck with that.


    : Still, I''d love to see it.


    : "Hell"? Nah, this is paradise.


    : They must''ve been lying about it being hell.


    "¡­There''s something here."


    Some viewers are calling this ce paradise, but that''s because they''re not actually here. Honestly, I have the strength to handle the enemies on this floor without any real trouble, but that doesn''t mean it''s not a hassle.


    From the moment I set foot in the water, I could feel the hostility emanating from somewhere below. The chat continues to marvel at the beauty, but I know something is getting closer.


    "Oh, here we go!"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : !?


    : What is that?


    : I''ve changed my mind; I''m not bing an explorer.


    : I''m going back to the upper floors.


    : Yikes¡­


    : My brain just shut down.


    As the water ripples, a massive, worm-like creature with a mouth but no eyes bursts out from below. If it were just the size of a regr worm, it wouldn''t be so bad, but this thing is enormous. Eyeballing it, I''d say it''s around 20 meters long. And that''s just one there are probably a few more lurking below.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Gross.


    : Nope, nope, nope.


    : I can''t with this.


    : That''s disgusting.


    : Too much.


    : This is nasty.


    : Gross!


    The creature tries to chomp down on me, but I sidestep it just in time. It lets out a bizarre, unearthly screech as it turns and charges at me again, moving at an unnervingly fast pace for something with no limbs.


    "''Kama-itachi.''"


    Like I said before, I''m more than capable of handling this level of enemy. The worm speeds towards me, but a quick sh from Kama-itachi cuts it cleanly in half, and its bisected body sails past me.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Strong.


    : He just one-shotted a deepyer monster, seriously?


    : I''m starting to grasp just how powerful EX-rank really is.


    : We''re getting this content for free?


    : We should be paying for this.


    : LOL


    : Is it really okay to show this deepyer content for free?


    The chat''s going off about something, but I haven''t figured out the mization and donation features yet, so that''ll have to wait. I''ll ask Asakawa-san to teach me after school sometime soon.


    For now, I''ve got to deal with the other worms hiding below.


    "Huh?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Wait, what?


    : Something''s not right.


    : There''s a shark fin cutting through the water.


    : This dungeon just has everything, doesn''t it?


    : How are worms and sharks swimming in ankle-deep water?


    That''s what I''ve been wondering. How are these massive creatures swimming around in water that barely covers my ankles? You''d think that with these giant beasts moving around, I''d be sinking into a bottomless pit, but here I am, still standing.


    Lost in thought, I almost get hit by another wormunching itself at me, but I slice off its head with Kama-itachi. Just then, a shark-like creature bites the worm in half.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Did that monster just eat another monster?


    : Can that even happen?


    : It''s the circle of life, I guess.


    : They''re monsters, though.


    : I guess that''s just how it works in the deepyers (LOL).


    Actually, that''s correct. For some reason, in the deepyers, monsters do sometimes eat each other. This phenomenon isn''t unique to Shibuya Dungeon; it''s observed worldwide. Some say that this predatory behavior might be why these monsters are so strong.


    Anyway, the problem now is that the shark about as big as a megalodon but with frog-like legs jutting out from its body is ring at me.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Kinda cute.


    : It''s got little legs.


    : Like a giant tadpole, but not cute.


    : That size isn''t cute at all.


    : How big is it?


    : How long was that worm, anyway?


    "The worm was about 20 meters long."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : So this thing''s like 30 meters, then.


    : Whoa¡­


    : That''s massive.


    Just walking around, this thing makes the ground shake.


    "I really don''t like this shark."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Is it strong?


    : Is this the part where the EX finally struggles?


    : The deepyers are no joke, huh?


    : Yeah, this ce is seriously dangerous.


    I just really hate this shark. It''s not about whether it''s strong or weak, big or small none of that matters.


    "I tried making shark fin soup out of one of these before, but it tasted awful."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Who cares?


    : Be serious.


    : What?


    : You''ve got to be kidding.


    : Why did you even think that was a good idea?


    : This guy''s nuts.


    That''s harsh. It seems like the viewers aren''t exactly on my side.


    Since it''s inedible, there''s no point in preserving its form. I''m going to take it down without holding back.

 Chapter 37: Volcanic Tortoise

    "Man, that shark and those worms were tough opponents."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Tough opponents (instant kill)


    : Tough opponents (sliced into three)


    : What do you mean by "tough"?


    : Can''tprehend.


    : LOL


    : The concept of "tough" is breaking.


    : Even the deepyer seems easy for him!


    : Someone''s losing it here.


    Since they''re disgusting and inedible, I had Kama-itachi slice them into three, but in hindsight, maybe I should''ve taken my anger out on them more.


    That aside, I''ve noticed more Englishments mixed in with the usual ones. Could it be that I have a decent number of overseas viewers? I can read English well enough, but speaking it is another matter, and I don''t have the reading speed to keep up with Englishments in a fast-moving chat.


    "Do you think I should put ''Shibuya Dungeon Deep Layer'' in English in the stream title for the overseas viewers?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : If you do that, more people will definitely join.


    : But the chat might get flooded with Englishments.


    : Can you even read English, Kisaragi?


    "I can read it to some extent¡­ By the way, it seems like everyone is sticking with calling me Kisaragi-kun."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Well, it''s easier to say.


    : Easier than Tsukasa-kun.


    : Better than UNKNOWN, right?


    : Kisaragi-kun sounds more friendly.


    : Go, Kisaragi-kun!


    : Is this a ssmate?


    Hmm, if the viewers prefer it that way, I guess it''s fine. But it feels a bit underwhelming¡­ maybe that''s just the remnants of my ch¨±niby¨­ phase talking.


    "Anyway, let''s push further to the 65th floor as a test run."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : That''s not a number you should be reaching as a "test run."


    : Even the 41st floor is insane, to be honest.


    : My brain''s breaking.


    : Now I can''t be satisfied with anything less than deepyer streams!


    If there''s this much demand, other deepyer explorers should probably stream too. But they likely hate revealing their cards to others, like how gaming pros refuse to show their setups. It''s the same kind of thing.


    The 61st floor, which is like an endless expanse of shallow water resembling the Uyuni Salt ts, mainly features aquatic creatures. You have monsters like the worms and sharks from earlier, or this strange lizard-like creature that just popped up in front of me.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : What is that?


    : Looks like a smander.


    : Smander (but it''s clearly 10 meters long).


    : Do smanders have four eyes?


    : Of course not.


    : That''s a really gross color.


    : It''s funny how the viewers are slowly getting used to this.


    The strange creature that popped out from below does indeed have a rather disgusting color, as the viewers pointed out. Specifically, it''s a mix of fluorescent green and pink, abination that''s visually harsh.


    "In the natural world, creatures with such striking colors often have poison, right?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Creatures with poison don''t usually get that big.


    : True.


    : Fluorescent colors usually mean poison.


    : It''s a warning color to make others stay away.


    "This guy''s definitely poisonous."


    This smander-looking creature, which I''ve encountered before, suddenly released poisonst time, causing me a lot of trouble.


    As the huge smander shakes, it releases a yellow gas that spreads around its body. Just one breath of this gas is enough to make you dizzy, pretty nasty stuff.


    "''Karasu Tengu.''"


    Since the gas was spreading, I summoned Karasu Tengu to manipte the wind and blow the poison away.


    The Karasu Tengu, which I created to specialize in wind maniption, whips up a strong wind with its bird-like wings, clearing away the gas. Once the area is clear, Kama-itachi dives in and slices the smander into pieces. Since I consider lizard-like creatures to be quite resilient, I made sure to have it dismembered thoroughly.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : A short-lived life.


    : Poor smander-kun.


    : The poison''s gone already.


    : Tengu is so cool.


    : I want to be a summoner too.


    : Is there anything this guy can''t do?


    : He''s got it all, doesn''t he?


    The chat''s getting excited, but honestly, if they''re impressed by the 61st floor, I''m not sure what to say. For those who regrly dive into the deepyers, the 61st floor is a rtively safe area with few troublesome enemies.


    In the end, I reached the 65th floor without any issues, just like usual. Unlike the loweryers, the environment in the deepyers changes frequently. The shallowke environment only extends to the 62nd floor; from the 63rd floor onward, it changes to¡­ a volcanic zone.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : It''s hell.


    : We''ve been saying it''s hell from the start.


    : But I didn''t think it''d be this bad.


    : Didn''t expect it to be literally hell.


    : I''m sweating just watching.


    : Dungeons are terrifying.


    "It''s definitely hot down here."


    By the time you reach the 65th floor, the sheer size of the floor bes overwhelming. The volcanic zone from the 63rd to 65th floors makes it feel evenrger, despite the narrow paths. With moltenva spewing everywhere, calling this ce hell isn''t far off.


    "I came down here as a test, but how''s everyone feeling?"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Honestly¡­ I''m full.


    : It was fun, though?


    : Hmm, maybe there''s a slight disconnect in understanding here?


    "That''s just how explorers are."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Don''t lump us in with you.


    : Yikes.


    : Don''t think everyone''s like this guy.


    : Of course not.


    : If there were more people like him, all the dungeons would''ve been cleared by now.


    Still, it''s especially hot today on the 65th floor. Whenever that''s the case, it usually means that guy is around¡­


    "There it is."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : What is it?


    : I don''t see anything.


    : What''s up with your eyesight?


    : I won''t be surprised no matter what shows up now.


    The mountain in front of me¡­ moved.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Huh?


    : What?


    : What?


    : Who said they wouldn''t be surprised?


    : This makes no sense.


    : This is hell.


    A mountain-like monster, resembling a tortoise with a volcano on its back, is lumbering toward me. I described it as "lumbering," but it''s baring its fangs and spewingva from the volcano on its back as it approaches.


    "It''s massive¡­ My neck hurts just looking up at it."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch


    : Why are youughing?


    : Don''t just brush it off as a neck ache.


    : So this is what the deepyers are like.


    : No wonder no one wants to film down here.


    : Hmm¡­


    : Maybe you should run?


    "Since that''s the target for today, I won''t be running."


    Originally, I didn''t have a specific target in mind, but if I leave this volcanic tortoise alone, it''ll eventually end up as a task for me or my grandma to take down. Might as well take care of it now while I''m here.


    The tortoise, which is several tens of meters in size, makes the already sweltering 65th floor feel even more like hell, so it''s better to deal with it quickly.


    "Alright¡­"


    This tortoise won''t go down with half-hearted firepower, and if I let my guard down, it could easily incinerate me. Even though it''s appearing on the 65th floor, it''s clearly an 80th-floor-ss monster. I''ll need to give it my all to take it down.


    Looks like it''s time to get serious again.

 Chapter 38: Shikigami Powers Unleashed

    "Fuu¡­ ''Gashadokuro.''"


    The volcanic tortoise already recognizes me as an enemy, so it''s best to start the attack quickly.


    "''Raiju,'' ''Ushi-oni.''"


    I pour magic into Gashadokuro, summoning itrger than usual, while having Raiju and Ushi-oni attack. Gashadokuro is about 20 meters tall this time, but the volcanic tortoise is more than twice its size. Clearly, regr shikigami alone won''t have enough firepower to take down a tortoise of this size head-on.


    When the firepower seems insufficient, the standard practice is for me to unleash a powerful spell myself.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : A shikigami festival, huh?


    : The apocalypse has begun.


    : I heard if Kisaragi loses, the world ends.


    : It''s actually not that far-fetched, which is the problem.


    : By the way, have you ever beaten this tortoise before?


    : Isn''t the deepyer just too terrifying?


    "I have. This tortoise is quite strong, but it''s not immortal."


    Asakawa-san''s method ofpressing lightning magic and releasing it like a beam is an intriguing way to enhance power. Since I usually rely on shikigami in battle, I never thought of such an application of magic. The theory behindpression is simple enough: condense the magic and release it all at once with the resulting force. Even I can¡­ do it.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : He just fired a beam!


    : He''s definitely a robot.


    : Japan''s artificial weapon, I see.


    : This is insane.


    Thepressed lightning beam I fired was indeed powerful¡ªit shaved off a corner of the volcanic tortoise''s shell. But the control is difficult, and I missed. On top of that, the excessivepression made the magic incredibly inefficient. For someone like Asakawa-san, who''s trying to increase her magical reserves, this might be just the right amount of strain.


    "Gashadokuro is struggling¡­ I guess I''ll have to double the magic I pour in if I want it to push back."


    The volcanic tortoise is formidable, as expected of an 80th-floor-ss enemy. Raiju and Ushi-oni won''t be enough to take it down¡ªin fact, if I leave them like this, they''ll all lose. I could try supporting them with another well-aimed beam, but there''s a quicker way to handle this. Sure, I''ll be revealing my hand to the whole world, but it doesn''t really matter.


    I dismiss Gashadokuro, Raiju, and Ushi-oni, then gather magic in my hands for a new summoning.


    "''Kijin.''"


    I''m summoning my trump card in shikigami magic. This is the strongest shikigami I possess, the one thatmands the Twelve Heavenly Generals.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : A woman just appeared!?


    : Did it¡­ speak!?


    : Shikigami can talk!?


    : Is this human transmutation¡­?


    : Is there anything this guy can''t do?


    With augh, Kijin, who emerges with her long ck hair flowing, speaks to me, making me smile wryly. It''s true that it''s been a while since I summoned Kijin¡ªor the Twelve Heavenly Generals¡ªbut I didn''t expect to see her smile in this scorching volcanic area.


    "''Shall we proceed?''"


    "I''m counting on you¡­ ''Byakko.''"


    I summon Byakko, one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals. Known as one of the Four Symbols in Japan, Byakko is the guardian beast of the west, associated with the element of metal in the Five Elements theory.


    Kijin is a shikigami who can do almost anything, essentially acting as my assistant when I summon the Twelve Heavenly Generals. She''s a reliable beauty, but sometimes she likes to tease me¡­ which can be a bit much.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Byakko!


    : The Four Symbols!


    : That''s a god!


    : Isn''t this too strong?


    : We could probably just let her handle everything, couldn''t we?


    My fastest regr shikigami is Raiju, but among the Twelve Heavenly Generals, Byakko is faster. Byakko, who''srge enough for me to ride, doesn''t need instructions from me to know what to do. In the blink of an eye, Byakko disappears and rushes toward the volcanic tortoise.


    "''I''ll support you.''"


    One of Kijin''s special abilities allows her to strengthen the shikigami I summon. For instance, even if Byakko''s strength alone isn''t enough to deal a fatal blow to the volcanic tortoise, with Kijin''s enhancement¡­ it''s like applying a buff in a game.


    "¡­That''s pretty shy."


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Huh?


    : This is getting ridiculous.


    : Is this a kaiju battle?


    : The winner will just be our next enemy.


    : Byakko isn''t an enemy, right?


    Byakko creates metallic des from the ground with magic, and thanks to Kijin''s enhancement, the des pierce through the volcanic tortoise''s shell with ease. Pinned by the massive des emerging from all directions, the volcanic tortoise can''t resist as Byakko bites into its throat.


    "''Now, why don''t you try that spell from earlier?''"


    "¡­I''ll leave the control to you."


    "''That''s why I''m here.''"


    Without Kijin''s prompt, I startpressing lightning magic, disregarding control. I focus solely on power, not caring where the beam might go, but that''s where Kijines in to manage it.


    The target, the volcanic tortoise, is already pinned down and has lost interest in me, spitting out molten rocks in a desperate attempt to fight Byakko. So all I need to do is aim and fire.


    "''¡­Well done, as expected.''"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : Huh?


    : One-shot, LOL.


    : That''s not something a human should be firing.


    : Apologize to Asagao-chan!


    : EX-rankers are just busted, I swear.


    : LOL.


    : Poor volcanic tortoise.


    : Just subscribed to your channel.


    : Stream every day!


    "Even though the recoil from the shot hurt my shoulder¡­ thements here are so harsh¡­"


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : If you can fire beams, you''re not gonna die from recoil.


    : You did this to yourself.


    : Don''t steal Asagao-chan''s technique and turn it into a stronger version!


    : Do another cob with Asagao!


    : There are unrtedments popping up here.


    : You''re trending number one on social media.


    Well, I didn''t expect the beam to pierce through the volcanic tortoise and then disintegrate it entirely. Byakko is ring at me like she almost got caught in the st, but for now, I''ll consider it a win.


    Still, my shoulder hurts. It''s like shooting a gun one-handed without thinking about the recoil.


    "Oh, thank you for getting me to the top trend!"


    That said, I''m still happy to be trending. It''s not like I crave attention, but it feels good as a human to be recognized by others.


    "''Hehe¡­ finally, your greatness has been revealed to the world¡­ from now on¡ª''"


    "Okay, you can go back now."


    "''Ah, how heartless¡­''"


    Kijin is incredibly useful, but once she starts talking, she doesn''t stop, so I quickly dismissed her.


    Kisaragi Tsukasa Ch:


    : How should I feel about a shikigami that simps for its summoner?


    : That was just us, wasn''t it?


    : We were beautiful and simping.


    : That''s what I''d look like if I became a cute girl who simps for my idol.


    "¡­Please don''t makements that make it harder to summon Kijin next time."


    Sigh¡­ It''s been a while since I summoned her, but it''s just as exhausting mentally as I remembered. Maybe next time, I''ll just stick to summoning Byakko alone.

 Chapter 39: Thread 4: The EX-Rank Phenomenon

    211: Anonymous Explorer


    The guy who made all other dungeon streamers obsolete.


    212: Anonymous Explorer


    No one else can match going into the lower floors, so it''s understandable.


    213: Anonymous Explorer


    We only need this guy as a dungeon streamer now.


    214: Anonymous Explorer


    But there are people who watch dungeon streams just to see the girls, you know!?


    215: Anonymous Explorer


    In reality, he''s left most dungeon streamers in the dust.


    216: Anonymous Explorer


    First, he cobs with the famous streamer Asagao in the lower floors.


    Second, he streams solo from the deep floors.


    No other streamer can keep up, LOL.


    217: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾216


    The low-tier streamers are probably sulking on social media now.


    218: Anonymous Explorer


    When a famous person appears, they just sulk about it, anyway.


    219: Anonymous Explorer


    Really¡­


    220: Anonymous Explorer


    Why did they think they could beat an EX-rank?


    221: Anonymous Explorer


    The deep floors were more of a hell than I imagined.


    222: Anonymous Explorer


    For streamers, numbers are everything.


    They''re sulking because a neer overtook them in the rankings.


    223: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾221


    After seeing that, of course everyone would be satisfied with just the safe middle or lower floors.


    224: Anonymous Explorer


    The middle floors are safe?


    225: Anonymous Explorer


    Your sense of danger is totally messed up.


    226: Anonymous Explorer


    EX-rank is what''s messed up.


    227: Anonymous Explorer


    I was admiring the beautifulke, and then suddenly it turned into a volcanic area¡ªmade meugh.


    228: Anonymous Explorer


    The environmental changes are so drastic, you''ll catch a cold.


    229: Anonymous Explorer


    You might actually catch one, so stop it.


    230: Anonymous Explorer


    The temperature difference must be insane.


    231: Anonymous Explorer


    The temperature difference between Kisaragi-kun and the viewers is also insane.


    232: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾231


    Isn''t that just because Kisaragi-kun is weird?


    233: Anonymous Explorer


    If he''s hanging out in the deep floors all the time...


    234: Anonymous Explorer


    No wonder he''s lost his mind.


    235: Anonymous Explorer


    Your mind would definitely break.


    236: Anonymous Explorer


    Do you think this will make more people want to be explorers?


    At least, I''ve given up.


    237: Anonymous Explorer


    I think I''ll just stick to the upper floors.


    238: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾237


    You probably don''t even have an explorer license.


    239: Anonymous Explorer


    If the deep floors of Shibuya Dungeon are like that, what about the others?


    240: Anonymous Explorer


    Shibuya Dungeon hasn''t even been fully conquered yet.


    241: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾238


    Are you picking a fight?


    242: Anonymous Explorer


    But the volcanic turtle that appeared in the stream looked incredibly strong.


    243: Anonymous Explorer


    He called it a rare monster.


    244: Anonymous Explorer


    It seems like there aren''t many monsters of that level, though.


    245: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾241


    Oh? Are you getting mad because he told the truth?£Þ£Þ


    246: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾245


    Die.


    247: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾245


    £¾£¾246


    Don''t start a fight here.


    248: Anonymous Explorer


    I''ll ban you.


    249: Anonymous Explorer


    I wonder how much a deep-floor magic stone would sell for.


    250: Anonymous Explorer


    I wouldn''t want to go to a ce like that even for a billion yen.


    251: Anonymous Explorer


    Exactly.


    252: Anonymous Explorer


    Being an explorer isn''t a job for humans.


    253: Anonymous Explorer


    True that.


    254: Anonymous Explorer


    The middle floors aren''t so bad, though.


    255: Anonymous Explorer


    There are probably only a handful of people in the world who can explore the deep floors.


    256: Anonymous Explorer


    Even overseas, there are hardly any lower-floor streams.


    257: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun was also talking about deep floors overseas.


    258: Anonymous Explorer


    WDAO is a secretive organization, but I guess they''re doing their job.


    259: Anonymous Explorer


    Well, dungeons are full of state secrets.


    260: Anonymous Explorer


    True that.


    261: Anonymous Explorer


    I want him to stream from overseas dungeons too.


    262: Anonymous Explorer


    But I really want him to conquer Shibuya Dungeon first.


    263: Anonymous Explorer


    Was that a shikigami he used to defeat the volcanic turtle?


    264: Anonymous Explorer


    If he conquers Shibuya Dungeon, he''ll get the Order of Cultural Merit.


    265: Anonymous Explorer


    The Order of Cultural Merit is just for boosting government approval ratings.


    266: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾263


    It was a shikigami.


    267: Anonymous Explorer


    What''s the point of getting the Order of Cultural Merit?


    268: Anonymous Explorer


    Shikigami can talk like that?


    269: Anonymous Explorer


    Since he creates them himself, it''s basically like ying with dolls.


    270: Anonymous Explorer


    Who knows?


    271: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾263


    He mentioned "Kijin" and "Byakko," so it''s probably the Twelve Heavenly Generals.


    272: Anonymous Explorer


    What''s that?


    273: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t that an Onmyoji thing?


    274: Anonymous Explorer


    Like the shikigami Abe no Seimei controlled?


    275: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾272


    In simple terms, it''s an upgraded shikigami¡ªbasically a group of gods.


    276: Anonymous Explorer


    Did he really summon gods?


    277: Anonymous Explorer


    Are there even gods?


    278: Anonymous Explorer


    With dungeons around, does that even surprise you anymore?


    279: Anonymous Explorer


    A lot of people seem confused, but Onmyoji were more like fortune-tellers than mages.


    They were popr in the Heian period and were basically called Onmyoji.


    The Twelve Heavenly Generalse from a type of divination called "Rikujin Shin-ka," which divides directions into 12 and assigns important gods or divine beasts to each direction.


    Also, the Twelve Heavenly Generals and the Twelve Divine Generals are different.


    The Twelve Heavenly Generals are from Rikujin Shin-ka, originating in China, while the Twelve Divine Generals are from Buddhism, originating in India.


    280: Anonymous Explorer


    I see¡­


    281: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾279


    We''ve got an expert here.


    282: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾279


    So helpful.


    283: Anonymous Explorer


    So, what does that mean?


    284: Anonymous Explorer


    (Confused Cat meme)


    285: Anonymous Explorer


    Kijin is the leader of the Twelve Heavenly Generals, so it''s probably the strongest one.


    286: Anonymous Explorer


    I don''t really get it.


    287: Anonymous Explorer


    I just know that Kisaragi-kun is amazing.


    288: Anonymous Explorer


    Yeah, this is definitely EX-level stuff.


    289: Anonymous Explorer


    Some might recognize Kijin as Tianyi Shen.


    290: Anonymous Explorer


    Is that really true?


    291: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾289


    I have no idea what that is.


    292: Anonymous Explorer


    Stop droppingplicated terms suddenly.


    293: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun¡ª


    Commands gods¡ª


    Strong.


    294: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾293


    This.


    295: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾293


    So clear and simple.


    296: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾293


    Finally, a summary even we short-attention-span people can understand.


    297: Anonymous Explorer


    Is it really that helpful?


    298: Anonymous Explorer


    You guys don''t understand anything, do you?


    299: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    300: Anonymous Explorer


    Just knowing he''s "strong" is enough.


    301: Anonymous Explorer


    Yep, that''s good enough.


    302: Anonymous Explorer


    Man, this thread is full of idiots.


    303: Anonymous Explorer


    Why not just summon a bunch of yokai and have a Hyakki Yagyo instead of using the Twelve Heavenly Generals?


    304: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi Tsukasa = Leader of Hyakki Yagyo theory.


    305: Anonymous Explorer


    I''m against this new theory.


    306: Anonymous Explorer


    Was there even a theory before this¡­?


    307: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾304


    You''re banned from the academicmunity.


    308: Anonymous Explorer


    He was exploring the deep floors of Shibuya Dungeon, so what''s next?


    309: Anonymous Explorer


    Obviously, going beyond the 65th floor.


    310: Anonymous Explorer


    Another trip through hell, huh?


    311: Anonymous Explorer


    Just watching is fine by me.


    312: Anonymous Explorer


    When you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.


    313: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾312


    Good morning, Nietzsche.


    314: Anonymous Explorer


    Calling a historical figure "Good morning" is hrious.


    315: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s gotta be sphemy, right?


    316: Anonymous Explorer


    In this case, "He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby be a monster" is more relevant.


    317: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾316


    He''s already a monster, so it''s fine.


    318: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s really not fine, though¡­


    319: Anonymous Explorer


    Nietzsche was talking about mental stuff, though.


    320: Anonymous Explorer


    Don''t mess around with Beyond Good and Evil.


    321: Anonymous Explorer


    When you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss gazes back at you.


    322: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾321


    Just staring at it, huh.


    323: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾321


    Double take, huh?


    324: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun said he might start streaming requests from the Explorer Association too, lol. [Image]


    325: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾324


    That''s not funny, though?


    326: Anonymous Explorer


    What¡­?


    327: Anonymous Explorer


    Is there anything he won''t stream?


    328: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾324


    So he''s gonna show us not just deep floors but also dungeon anomalies?


    329: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s basically the PR for the Explorer Association at this point.


    330: Anonymous Explorer


    Soon he''ll start posting etiquette guides or something.


    331: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾330


    I''d actually want to see that.


    332: Anonymous Explorer


    "When summoning shikigami, please be mindful of your surroundings."


    333: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾332


    That only applies to you, lol.


    334: Anonymous Explorer


    Stop teaching useless etiquette, lol.


    335: Anonymous Explorer


    I wonder if he''ll cob with other dungeon streamers.


    336: Anonymous Explorer


    But there are so few middle-floor streamers.


    337: Anonymous Explorer


    They''d just drag him down, lol.


    338: Anonymous Explorer


    Forget that, just show more of the deep floors.


    339: Anonymous Explorer


    He should team up with Kamishiro Rion in an American dungeon!


    340: Anonymous Explorer


    America would be destroyed.


    341: Anonymous Explorer


    Go to Antarctica.


    342: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s this idea that it''s okay to destroy the Antarctica Dungeon.


    343: Anonymous Explorer


    But the Antarctic Treaty says it''s off-limits.


    344: Anonymous Explorer


    Getting to Antarctica alone is already a huge challenge.


    345: Anonymous Explorer


    Is this guy even thinking?


    346: Anonymous Explorer


    Probably not.


    347: Anonymous Explorer


    I don''t think he really thinks much at all.


    348: Anonymous Explorer


    He probably just started streaming because he was bored.


    349: Anonymous Explorer


    He said it''s because it''s trendy.


    350: Anonymous Explorer


    Such a bandwagoner, lol.


    351: Anonymous Explorer


    Bandwagoner (EX).


    352: Anonymous Explorer


    He might be a bandwagoner with streaming, but he''s not with dungeons.


    353: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    354: Anonymous Explorer


    EX-rankers are all weirdos.


    355: Anonymous Explorer


    Of course.


    356: Anonymous Explorer


    He said himself that you have to be crazy to be a dungeon explorer.


    357: Anonymous Explorer


    Stop saying unnecessary things.


    358: Anonymous Explorer


    That only applies to those going beyond the lower floors.


    359: Anonymous Explorer


    The upper floors are like a part-time job.


    360: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s no real danger involved.


    361: Anonymous Explorer


    I wish he''de down to Okinawa where I am. I want to be in the stream.


    362: Anonymous Explorer


    Do it yourself, baldy.


    363: Anonymous Explorer


    We should have an off-site meeting when he announces his next stream.


    364: Anonymous Explorer


    Shibuya Dungeon is fine with me.


    365: Anonymous Explorer


    Kofu Dungeon is fine too.


    366: Anonymous Explorer


    Nagoya Dungeon is fine too.


    367: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾366


    There''s no way I''m going to Nagoya Dungeon.


    368: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾366


    Stop casually throwing in something so harsh.


    369: Anonymous Explorer


    Nagoya gets treated so badly, lol.


    370: Anonymous Explorer


    Why so much hate for Nagoya¡­?


    371: Anonymous Explorer


    Go look it up.

 Chapter 40: Summer Break Dilemmas

    "..."


    "What''s wrong? You look so gloomy."


    "...I''ve been thinking that despite rarelying to school because of dungeons, it''s already the summer break of my third year in high school."


    "Ah¡­"


    In the ssroom that had emptied out, I found myself lost in thought, but the time had already passed 1 PM. Today was the closing ceremony for the first semester of our third year. We gathered in the gym, where the principal gave an unnecessarily long speech¡­ and then everything wrapped up before noon. Everyone felt the start of summer vacation and dispersed at once.


    Watching them enjoy their youthful days, I couldn''t help but feel a little hollow, like I was just a corporate drone in the dungeon.


    "Buttely, you''ve beening to school quite often, right?"


    "...Maybe because I''ve made some friends."


    "You mean me? That makes me happy."


    When she gives me that pure smile, it makes me feel weak, so please stop.


    In reality, I never missed school except for public absences, but there were times when I went on overnight dungeon expeditions to Kyushu simply because I didn''t feel like going to school. It was a way to skip ss. Well, even if public absences are counted as attendance, it doesn''t mean I''m exempt from regr exams, so I still had to study hard.


    Lately, since I''ve made a friend in Asakawa-san, I''ve been trying to go to school as much as possible. Because of that, Shinano-san teased me by saying, "Kisaragi-kun finally has a youth!"


    "Speaking of summer break¡­"


    "Do you want to go somewhere!?"


    "...What about studying for entrance exams?"


    For a third-year high school student, summer means either studying for exams or finishing thest of your club activities. The fact that she''s asking about going out makes me think Asakawa-san is really an extrovert. For someone like me who eitherzes around under the air conditioner or dives into dungeons, such a thought process is unimaginable.


    "Entrance exams, huh¡­"


    When you bring up studying for entrance exams to a third-year high school girl, it usually doesn''t put them in a good mood, but Asakawa-san seems more pensive than upset.


    "You see, I''m a bit conflicted¡­"


    "Conflicted? About your choice of university?"


    "Well, not exactly. I''m wondering if I should go to university or just continue as a dungeon streamer."


    It''s a tough choice, no doubt.


    For someone like me, who already has a solid standing as an EX-rank explorer, there''s no need to go to university at all. The fact that I probably wouldn''t be able to attend regrly, like in high school, is another reason.


    Asakawa-san could likely make a living as an explorer and streamer if she continues as she is. However, the issue is how her parents feel about it. Being a streamer is one thing, but living as an explorer who risks their life is something an ordinary person would consider insane.


    "My parents are supportive, saying I should live the life I want¡­ but I still can''t decide."


    "It''s a major life decision. It''s understandable."


    Well, I never had parents from the start, so it was irrelevant for me, but Asakawa-san isn''t in the same situation.


    "Hey¡­ do you know any explorers who''ve continued even into old age?"


    "My grandma¡­ Jinguji Kaede-san is one."


    "Oh¡­ Japan''s strongest?"


    Now that she mentions it, that nickname does ring a bell. I only remembered her as the fastest explorer.


    "She''s 67 years old this year."


    "Really!? I thought she was younger."


    "Maybe it''s because she''s been an explorer, but she still stands tall and looks quite impressive."


    "Yeah. She''s probably a role model for many women."


    And to think her husband is just a regr person. Can you believe someone could marry such an extraordinary woman and still be considered an ordinary person? Even at 67, she''s strong enough to spar with me head-on.


    "Well, her fighting style ispletely different from yours, but¡­ she''s strong."


    "I wonder if I could be like that?"


    "Who knows."


    People born in recent years tend to have a higher potential for magical power. It''s not a hypothesis but a fact. Yet, even in this age, Jinguji Kaede exists as someone whose strength far surpasses recent explorers, like a glitch in the world.


    Well, there are always people who are like glitches, regardless of the era. I''m somewhat aware that I''m one of those people. I know my strength isn''t something I''ve gained through effort but rather a natural talent.


    "That was kind of a strange conversation, huh?"


    "Was it? Isn''t this the kind of conversation close friends have?"


    Whether the topics are specific or vague might depend on the person, but at least for me, I think friends should be able to talk about their future without hesitation.


    "Friends, huh."


    Asakawa-san muttered the word "friends" as if she were savoring it, looking somewhat lonely. Seeing that expression made me want to think deeply about it, but knowing I''m not very perceptive when ites to people''s feelings, I figured it''s best not to say anything foolish.


    "¡­As I mentioned before, I''m thinking of starting a streamingpany."


    "Oh¡­ the one where you''lle to get me?"


    "Y-Yes¡­ but doesn''t that phrase create some misunderstandings?"


    "It''s fine!"


    No, it''s not fine at all.


    "So, I was thinking of making it a dungeon streamingpany¡­ but maybe it would be better to ept other types of streamers too."


    "Why''s that?"


    "Well¡­ I did some research online, and it turns out there aren''t that many dungeon streamers."


    "Oh, you didn''t know?"


    I had no idea.


    I just assumed that since Asakawa-san was doing it, everyone else was too, but I was surprised to find out how few people actually do it. Well, there are a few, but it seems like streams of the top floors or upper floors have be unpopr recently, and they''re struggling.


    "Not everyone can stream from the lower or deep floors like you, Kisaragi-kun¡­ so in that sense, you might be monopolizing the audience."


    "..."


    I can''t deny it.


    "And you''re okay with that?"


    "Are you?"


    Let it go.


    "I really want you to join mypany."


    "You mentioned that before."


    "¡­I know it''s a selfish request, but would you consider not going to university and working for me instead?"


    "¡­Is this a proposal?"


    I-I know asking someone to work for you sounds like a proposal, but that''s not what I meant!


    Why is Asakawa-san blushing? If you''re the one teasing, you shouldn''t be embarrassed!


    "W-Well, I wouldn''t mind if it means I get to work with you."


    "With me?"


    "Yes."


    Well, I''m trying to recruit someone close to me, so I can''t really say anything, but is it okay to work for someone just because they''re the boss?


    "Because we''re friends, right?"


    "¡­Yes, Asakawa-san is my friend."


    "I see."


    Why!?


    Why does she seem a little upset when I agree that we''re friends!?


    "It''s okay. I''ll slowly help you be more aware of these thingster."


    "M-More aware¡­ of emotions?"


    "Everything, really."


    Uh¡­ is this what they call a woman''s heart? I have no idea how to understand it.

 Chapter 41: Crab Hotpot and Casual Q&A

    "¡­So, it''s time for a strategy meeting."


    : He''s getting used to streaming, huh?


    : This is only his third time.


    : What do you mean "so"?


    : This guy is always so abrupt.


    : Do whatever you want.


    Today, instead of a dungeon stream, I''m streaming from home as a new challenge. Since my n to hire only dungeon streamers fell through, I thought I might as well consider hiring virtual streamers too. So, I''m thinking of trying out some game streaming in the future.


    "Remember how I mentioned wanting to start apany to manage dungeon streamers?"


    : Did you?


    : I don''t remember.


    : Did he say that?


    : No clue.


    : I think he mentioned it before diving into the deep floors.


    : Ah, yeah¡­ maybe?


    "You guys are so nonchnt."


    : You''re one to talk.


    : You''re thest person who should say that.


    : Kisaragi-kun, really?


    : The master of unnned actions is speaking?


    I''ve realized what my viewers think of me. Fine, if you want to pick a fight, I''ll take you on, you jerks.


    "So¡­ I recently found out that there are actually very few people who specialize in dungeon streaming."


    : Yeah.


    : We knew that.


    : Wait, you didn''t know?


    : Seriously?


    : I knew it¡­ No nning, huh?


    "That''s why I''m thinking of recruiting people who aren''t just dungeon streamers. Well, I haven''t started thepany yet."


    The reality is that there are far fewer dungeon streamers than I imagined. I thought it was more popr because I heard it was trending, but even those who do it aren''t specializing in dungeon streaming. Most are just hanging around the upper or top floors.


    "I think more people who can go to the lower floors should stream."


    : Like you.


    : Go to the deep floors.


    : Fancy room.


    : That TV is huge.


    : Living in such a luxurious ce but still unnned, huh?


    : He''s rich enough to get by without nning.


    "Does the decor of my room even matter?"


    Why are they so interested in my private life?


    "If you''re so curious, I might as well do a cooking stream with the crab I caught in the Takayama Dungeon."


    : That actually sounds interesting, so go ahead.


    : You caught a crab?


    : Is it tasty?


    : Do a cooking stream.


    : Let''s have a cooking and chat stream.


    : Cooking stream it is.


    Fine, now I''m really going to do a crab cooking stream because I''m pissed off.


    Don''t underestimate me. I''m about to cook a crab so luxurious that most people couldn''t afford it in their lifetime, and I won''t even tell you the price.


    : Isn''t that crab the kind that only ends up in high-end restaurants?


    : I think I saw something about Takayama Dungeon crab on TV.


    : Yeah, it made the news when it hit the market recently.


    "¡­"


    : He''s gone quiet, lol.


    : Silence means confirmation.


    : It''s a market price, huh?


    : What''s it worth, in billions?


    "I caught it myself, so it''s free."


    No matter what anyone says, the crab I''m about to eat is free because I caught it myself and just took a leg or two. So, of course, it''s free.


    : Stop trying to push the "free" angle.


    : Free (because he caught it himself).


    : Producer''s direct sale stream.


    : "I caught this myself" (Kisaragi Tsukasa).


    : Producer''s direct sale, lol.


    : Lol.


    : Can I have some too?


    : I''ll resell it.


    "I''ll be eating crab while answering questions, so think of something to ask."


    I''ve given up. This distance between me and the viewers is probably just right¡­ because they''re having fun messing around in thement section anyway.


    Personally, I think crab tastes best when you keep it simple, like in a crab hotpot. And the best way to finish it off is with rice porridge. A bit of cooking sake, mirin, soy sauce, and Japanese dashi with a ssh of ponzu make for a perfect vor. Add some tofu and cabbage, and you''re done.


    The difference is that this isn''t just any crab hotpot; the crab is so high-end that it''s unbelievably delicious on its own.


    "Ah¡­ eating crab hotpot in an air-conditioned room in summer feels like a luxury."


    : Now I''m hungry.


    : Don''t stream this in the evening.


    : Damn, now I want crab.


    : Snow crab is in season in winter.


    : But red snow crab is good even in summer.


    "You guys can go enjoy some of the moremon crab."


    : This guy just started roasting us.


    : Showing his true colors.


    : Stop teasing us with food.


    : Don''t you care about the srymen working overtime?


    : Food teasing during the rush hourmute, lol, savage.


    Oh, now I can just picture my viewers clenching their teeth, ring at me with resentment after they were enjoying teasing me earlier.


    "So, have you thought of any questions? I''m taking them now."


    : Is the crab tasty?


    : How tasty is the crab?


    : How much is the crab?


    : Just how good is that crab?


    "I''m not taking any crab-rted questions."


    : Huh?


    : That''s the main question!


    : Answer the crab questions!


    : What kind of question filter is that?


    : I''m not answering anything about the crab.


    If you''re that curious, pay for a high-end restaurant meal yourself or catch your own crab in the Takayama Dungeon.


    : Are you dating Asagao-chan?


    : How far have you gone in Shibuya Dungeon?


    : Any dungeons abroad you''d never visit again?


    : Show us your Shikigami.


    : Isn''t dungeon exploring just torture?


    : What do you think of Japan?


    : What''s your rank in school?


    "Alright, I''ll answer them one by one¡­ Am I dating Asagao-san? No, I''m not."


    : She''s already put her personal info out there, so calling her Asakawa-san is fine.


    : She doesn''t seem to care.


    : Everyone knows her real name anyway.


    "Still, I''m being cautious."


    Why is everyone so curious about my rtionship with Asakawa-san? To me, she''s just a regr friend, but I guess on the inte, if a guy and a girl are seen walking together, people assume they''re a couple. I get it¡­ as an introvert myself, I think the same when I see guys and girls walking together.


    "Next, Shibuya Dungeon? Hmm¡­ let''s see¡­ I think I got to around the 82nd floorst year."


    : Huh?


    : Didn''t they officially say the highest reached floor was 75?


    : Oh?


    : You''ve done it now.


    "Wait, really? Was it?"


    Crap, I didn''t bother reporting it because it''s a hassle. I haven''t gone to the bottom without reporting, but I''m pretty sure there are a few dungeons where I''ve gone lower than the officially reported highest floor.


    "Next question¡­ dungeons abroad I''d never visit again¡­ Greend has one, so probably there?"


    : Where?


    : Greend, lol.


    : That''s more remote than I expected.


    : Why?


    "It''s cold. Even inside the dungeon."


    : Oh¡­


    : What ame reason.


    : Cold reduces your physical abilities.


    : Do you really have to go to such remote ces?


    : Must be tough being EX.


    "No, I went for fun."


    Actually, it''s my dream to visit all the dungeons in the world.


    By the way, Greend isn''t a country but an autonomous territory of Denmark, so to visit the Greend Dungeon, you need permission from both Denmark and Greend.


    "Next¡­ show us your Shikigami? Nope. Moving on¡­ Japan? Ah¡­ still a country that''s slow to react to everything."


    : Just a t-out "no" and moving on, lol.


    : He just refused, lol.


    : Why the slight negativity towards Japan?


    : Because he''s a ve to the country.


    : Show us the Shikigami.


    : Should an EX really be speaking negatively about the country?


    "Alright, next¡­ school rank? Uh¡­"


    I think I have it in one of my files¡­ how did I do again?


    "Out of 514 students¡­ I ranked 124th. My average score across the five subjects was around 72."


    : Not bad¡­ but not great either.


    : That''s pretty good.


    : Wow, I was 450th out of 500 back in the day.


    : I''m smarter than you.


    : I''m still in school and averaging 84 across five subjects.


    : Hmm, average.


    "Above average is good enough for me."


    I was never particrly good at studying, so just being above average means I''m doing fine. Let''s just leave it at that.

 Chapter 42: Honorary One of Us

    "So, about that¡­ I''ve been learning a bit more about dungeon streamingtely, but what do regr streamers even do?"


    : Hold on, I''m still savoring the crab.


    : High school boys sure can eat a lot.


    : Just watching made me full.


    : I eat like that too. By the way, I''m 36.


    : Hello, fatty.


    : Fatty checking in.


    : I can''t eat that much anymore.


    "All you guys want to talk about is crab, huh?"


    You must really like crab¡­ Well, I like it too.


    "High school boys don''t eat a lot just because they''re growing. Explorers consume a lot of magic power, so it naturally increases their appetite. Other explorers should understand this."


    : Yeah, I get it.


    : I thought my appetite was dropping in my 20s, but when I started exploring, it came back.


    : So magic power burns calories?


    : Apparently, though no one fully understands it.


    : Is the explorer diet going to be a trend?


    : No way.


    : You can only burn that many calories in the mid to lower floors.


    "You can easily lose weight by fighting non-stop for a few hours in the upper floors too."


    : That''s just because you''re moving around so much!


    : Isn''t it more about fearing for your life?


    : You''d lose weight even without burning magic power.


    Doesn''t seem like it''ll catch on.


    As an EX explorer, I wish more people would be explorers, but it looks like the explorer diet won''t be popr.


    "So, what do regr streamers do?"


    : This guy doesn''t give up.


    : Persistent, huh?


    : No idea.


    : I only watch dungeon streams.


    : Virtual streamers, maybe?


    : Probably gaming?


    Virtual streamers¡­ I suppose starting out as a virtual streamer has a lot of advantages these days.


    "I''ve never watched a virtual stream, so should I check one out?"


    : Switching to a reaction stream, lol.


    : From strategy meeting to cooking, now to video watching.


    : Is there anything he won''t do?


    : He can handle both the lower and deep floors.


    : He''ll do anything, huh?


    I''ve learned from my two previous streams that I can ignore 90% of what the viewers say. These people are here for entertainment, so you don''t get many serious answers. That''s not necessarily bad, but if you want serious responses, it''s better to ask on social media.


    "Do you guys know any famous virtual streamers?"


    : Nope.


    : I don''t watch them.


    : Maybe Torimomo Sasami?


    "¡­What kind of delicious-sounding name is that?"


    Pick ane¡ªare you thigh meat or breast meat?


    : You just ate some way better crab, didn''t you?


    : Hurry up and watch a clip.


    : A thigh meat stream?


    : I like thigh meat.


    "The fans are called ''Thigh Meat''? So, it really is meat!"


    : She''s a bird-themed virtual streamer.


    : She''s a bird.


    "So, it''s meat!"


    : Stop saying that.


    : Torimomo Sasami, now being called meat by a newbie dungeon streamer.


    : Can''t help it.


    : Even her viewers call her meat.


    Now I''m curious¡­ A streamer who even her viewers call "meat"?


    "Should I just watch a clip from one of her chat streams?"


    : Her chat content ispletely different from yours.


    : Wise elder!?


    : Who''s that?


    : Your chat streams are all about crab or dungeons.


    : Not many streams talk about dungeons.


    ''I really love dungeons! I wanted to be an explorer, you know.''


    "¡­Are there a lot of people like this?"


    : I think there are.


    : That''s me.


    : I wanted to be one too.


    : Being an explorer ranks second in elementary school boys'' dream jobs.


    : What''s number one?


    : Doctor.


    : The harsh reality.


    Honestly, I''ve always thought that dungeon exploring isn''t a popr career at all. Most people quit after just dipping their toes into the upper floors. Whether it''s ack of talent or fear for their lives, the reasons vary, but the people who stick with it are pretty unusual.


    ''But Ipletelyck the talent to use magic, so it''s really funny that I couldn''t even get an explorer''s license and had to give up.''


    "Talent, huh."


    : Oof.


    : I cried.


    : This stream made me tear up.


    : Kind of a downer.


    "Saying ''talent can be ovee with hard work'' might sound a bit arrogant."


    : That''s what people with minimum talent say.


    : Well, those who are considered talented are usually building on top of that with hard work.


    : It''s hard to understand, but geniuses work way harder than average people.


    : But it''s still about talent.


    : Isn''t your magic talent-based too, Kisaragi-kun?


    "Yeah, true. My Shikigami techniques are talent-based magic, so I''m definitely relying on my natural talent."


    No need to sugarcoat it. I have talent, and that''s why I can use Shikigami techniques and became EX. I can''t lie and say that talent doesn''t matter.


    : But you''ve had a lot of close calls, right?


    : Geniuses and average people will never understand each other.


    : It''s a job wherecking talent could get you killed.


    : But you''re sacrificing yourself for the infrastructure, so thanks for that.


    ''But you know, there''s that UNKNOWN everyone''s been talking abouttely? Someone like that is really inspiring, you know?''


    "¡­"


    : Oh, is he going to ignore that?


    : That''s a pretty recent stream.


    : This was before Kisaragi-kun started streaming.


    : How do you actually get stronger?


    "I spent every spare moment in dungeons since my first year of high school¡­ because I didn''t have any friends."


    : Oh.


    : Oh.


    : We''re¡­


    : We''re the same.


    : I''m starting to feel a connection here.


    : Are you the type to sit in the corner of the ssroom reading?


    "And what''s wrong with reading? Yeah, I''m just an introverted, socially awkward loner."


    : He''s our beacon of hope.


    : Does this mean we can be EX too?


    : I''m starting to feel hopeful.


    : We¡­


    : But he''s better looking than us.


    : So, he''s not really like us.


    : Traitor!


    "Could you not just randomly decide I''m yourrade and then call me a traitor?"


    My looks are pretty average. Not too good, not too bad¡­ at least that''s the one part of my appearance I''m confident about. I''m not as muscr as you''d think.


    : How tall are you?


    : Being an explorer probably keeps you in shape.


    : Yeah, he''s not like us after all.


    : He''s got a beautiful friend like Asagao-chan, so he''s not one of us.


    : Damn.


    : I guess it alles down to money in the end.


    : Let''s just make him an honorary member of us.


    "I''m around 170¡­ maybe 171 or 172 centimeters."


    : Average.


    : Average.


    : Are you mocking me for being under 170?


    : Oh? I''m 158, I''ll just watch from below.


    : A height inferiorityplex parade, lol.


    "I don''t know what to say. I haven''t grown much since I started high school."


    : Hitting 170 in middle school is like being a hero.


    : It''s not that big a deal.


    : You think?


    What was this stream supposed to be about again¡­? I''m still watching Torimomo Sasami''s stream, but it seems like thement section has lost interest. I appreciate that they''re focusing on me, but since I''m showing a pro''s stream, they should watch that instead.


    In the end, after watching a few more clips and chatting about random things, the stream wrapped up. I didn''t get to do the strategy meeting I initially nned, but I feel like I''ve gotten better at connecting with the viewers, so I think that''s a good sign.


    Even if they''ve given me the ridiculously unttering title of "Honorary One of Us," if it means I''m getting along with the viewers¡­ well, I guess that''s okay. If I did a stream about introverted, socially awkward experiences, I bet they''d rte.

 Chapter 43: Hachioji Dungeon

    Having started my activities as a streamer, I just finished my third stream yesterday.


    In the first stream, I coborated with the famous streamer Asakawa-san to show the lower floors, and in the second, I revealed some of the deep floors that almost no one knows about. For the third stream, I decided to try somethingpletely different, a chat stream which turned out to be surprisingly popr.


    To be honest, I didn''t really care whether my numbers grew or not, but after interacting with viewers as a streamer, I found it more enjoyable than expected... and now I want to engage with more people.


    "And so¡­ I''m thinking of increasing the frequency of my streams."


    "¡­Do whatever you like, I guess?"


    Asakawa-san seems a bit taken aback, maybe even a little exasperated, as she realizes just how into streaming I''ve gotten.


    Though school is on summer break, I still meet with Asakawa-san regrly in cafes like this one since I''m her mentor. That said, this is actually our first meetup since the break started, as it hasn''t even been a week.


    "Recently, you''ve been bouncing between the mid and lower floors for training, right?"


    "You¡­ you sure know a lot."


    "I watch your streams regrly, after all."


    Since I''ve taken on the role of Asakawa-san''s mentor, I make sure to keep an eye on how she''s doing by watching her streams. This is something I''ve learned from my own experience of being left to fend for myself by my grandmother.


    "Are you going to stream today too?"


    "I''m¡­ still deciding."


    "But you said you''d increase the frequency¡­"


    "Well, I have work today."


    Apparently, there''s been a persistent magical anomaly detected since yesterday with no clear source, so I''ve been called in as an EX to investigate. It could take until tomorrow or even longer.


    "I''m heading to the Hachioji Dungeon."


    "Hachioji, huh¡­ I don''t think I''ve ever been there."


    "Really? It''s not that dangerous, so I rmend it."


    "When you rmend something, Tsu¡­"


    Wait, she doesn''t trust me?


    Is she still holding a grudge because I rmended the lower floors of the Shibuya Dungeon, saying they weren''t that dangerous?


    "What''s the Hachioji Dungeon like?"


    "It''s a dungeon with no real appeal."


    "¡­Huh?"


    "It''s not particrly dangerous, nor does it produce any valuable resources. It''s perpetually empty, making it a great ce to train without being noticed."


    I think it''s a dungeon not worth visiting unless you have a specific job there. There''s really nothing of value there. Even the number of monsters is low, making it a poor source for magic stones. Honestly, it''s just a featureless ce. Sorry to anyone who lives in Hachioji, but the Hachioji Dungeon is seriouslycking in value.


    "Still, it''s curious that no one has ever made it to the lowest level."


    "¡­Maybe that''s just because there are so few people."


    "Well, that''s part of it."


    To delve a bit deeper¡­ maybe no one is truly interested in fully exploring the dungeon. The value of magic stones obtained from the mid floors is enough for afortable life, so most people don''t bother pushing forward. Even in the deep floors of the Shibuya Dungeon, only EX explorers like me and a few S-rank explorers seriously aim to conquer them.


    Most A-rank explorers are content with the lower and mid floors.


    Dungeons, which once wereplete mysteries to humanity, are bing something familiar. It''s easy to me capitalism for this, but it''s a rather troubling situation.


    What if¡­ just what if we continue to leave dungeons unconquered? What will happen to the monsters that continue to umte in the deep floors? If the theory that deep-floor monsters be stronger by preying on each other holds true¡­ what if one of these endlessly powerful monsters emerges on the surface? Can we really guarantee that won''t happen?


    "Ugh¡­ it''s depressing."


    "Wh-what''s wrong all of a sudden?"


    "It''s nothing."


    This has nothing to do with Asakawa-san right now.


    Despite all my criticism, the Hachioji Dungeon is actually one of the dungeons I''d rmend for beginners.


    "So, what floor are you dealing with?"


    "They say it''s in the mid floors, but the exact location is unclear."


    "Okay. Let me know if you find out more¡­ I''ll be holed up there for about three days, even if nothing happens."


    "Th-three days!?"


    The number of people entering the dungeon is low, and the number of monsters appearing is about half that of the Shibuya Dungeon. Their strength is also questionable, making it hard to even call it the mid floors. The environment is simple, with well-paved roads and few obstacles blocking the view. Looking at it, I sometimes think dungeons might just be supernatural beings'' way of killing time.


    "Kochin."


    I spread out the sleeping bag I brought and lie down on the floor of the 30th level, the midpoint of the mid floors.


    The Shikigami I summoned is Kochin, one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals. It''s a transparent snake with a body of magic power, possessing no physical form. Kochin is a special snake responsible for guarding the capital, but the Kochin I summon from the Twelve Heavenly Generals is a particrly powerful Shikigami specializing in barrier techniques.


    As long as Kochin is summoned, no monsters can approach the area near where I''m lying down in my sleeping bag. While Kochin has no offensive abilities, its barrier techniques are so powerful that they more than make up for it.


    The ongoing magical anomaly in the Hachioji Dungeon isn''t something new. When magical anomalies ur, something unusual usually happens, but the timing is never clear. That''s why I end up having to spend a lot of time like this.


    The magical anomaly detected in the Hachioji Dungeon this time was measured at -7. When the magical anomaly''s value increases, it usually indicates the appearance of monsters stronger than those appropriate for the level. However, when the value decreases, it typically means¡­ a mass outbreak of monsters.


    While this is still a hypothesis, it''s generally believed that magic circtes within the dungeon, condensing into magic stones that serve as the core for monsters. ording to this theory, a higher magic value would produce stronger monsters, while a lower magic value would result in a greater number of monsters.


    There''s also spection that the circting magic is absorbed from dead monsters or from the magic released by people who enter the dungeon, but this isn''t certain. If the previous theory is correct, though, then collecting magic stones would gradually reduce the dungeon''s magic power.


    "¡­Hmm?"


    While lost in thought, I noticed that within just a few hours, a considerable number of monsters had gathered outside the barrier created by Kochin. While this is amon sight in the Shibuya Dungeon, it''s rare in the Hachioji Dungeon. The fact that there are so many monsters here must mean this really is a magical anomaly.


    Just as I was thinking that, my phone rang.


    ''The dungeon''s magic level is rapidly decreasing!''


    "¡­It''s about to start, isn''t it?"


    ''Please be careful!''


    If the magic level is dropping, it means arge number of monsters have been spawned somewhere. Even if there are a hundred or five hundred monsters in the mid floors of the Hachioji Dungeon, it doesn''t make much difference to me.


    "Raiju."


    I''ll crush them with overwhelming speed.

 Chapter 44: Collab With a Vtuber?

    When a mass outbreak of monsters urs, the first to be noticed are always the fastest ones. If all the monsters were born in the same ce at the same time, it''s only natural that the fastest ones would arrive first. Not that it makes much difference, though.


    Apparently, the Association''s prediction was right on target. The mass outbreak this time seems to have happened in the lower section of the middle floors. In other words, the monsters will conveniently stop right where I''m lying down, fiddling with my smartphone on the 30th floor. If it had been on the 25th floor instead, I''d be running all over the ce.


    That would''ve been a huge hassle, so I hope the Association improves its uracy or increases its personnel.


    The first monsters to charge up the stairs were several types of dog-like creatures. As expected, regardless of size, dog-type monsters are always fast. Just to be safe, I summoned "Hashihime" to block the stairs leading to the 29th floor, and I''ll take care of all the monsters on the 30th floor. Not that any of the monsters will escape in this perfectly t area of the Hachioji Dungeon.


    "Komainu."


    Raij¨± had already rushed forward, swiftly annihting the oing monsters, but with moreing from behind, it wouldn''t have enough hands¡ªwell, paws¡ªto handle them all.


    I summoned Komainu, a pair of guardian beasts often seen at shrines and temples. The Komainu I summon, however, are not the cute, small statues seen at shrines, but rather massive beasts the size of tigers.


    "I''ll leave the ones Raij¨± misses to you."


    With that simplemand, the pair of Komainu moved in perfect sync, ready to act.


    That reminds me¡ªsome time ago, I was browsing a forum where people were talking about me, and someone suggested that if I summoned enough monsters, I could create a literal "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons." Normally, I don''t summon that many because there aren''t enough monsters to warrant it.


    If I encounter an enemy that my usual two or three familiars can''t handle, I''ll just summon one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals. But still... that idea stuck with me.


    "Onmoraki. Nue."


    With this, I''d summoned Hashihime, Raij¨±, Komainu, Onmoraki, and Nue. Quite a number of them, yet I still had plenty of magic power left. I had Onmoraki handle any flying monsters, while Nue didn''t need specific orders¡ªjust like Raij¨±, it would act as a sort of free-roaming attacker.


    No matter how weak the monsters are, a mass outbreak can overwhelm an explorer if they don''t have enough resources. But for someone like me, who can endlessly summon reinforcements,pleting the Association''s request is a breeze. Basically, I just leave everything to my shikigami, and there''s nothing for me to do... which means I''m bored.


    Since I''m bored, I might as well watch something on my phone. As I''m still learning about being a streamer, all my free time has been dedicated to watching other streams.


    "Hmm... is this Tori Momo Sasami? Streaming live thiste at night... I guess she does this full-time."


    Well, for a popr streamer belonging to a big agency like her, it makes sense that this would be her full-time job. Either way, since I''ve got nothing else to do, I''ll watch for a bit.


    By the way, I had thought about streaming this magic anomaly event, but I figured a stream of my shikigami simply wiping out monsters on the middle floors wouldn''t be entertaining at all. Maybe I''ll just take a picture and post it on social media instead.


    "Tonight''s ate-night chat stream... Good work today, everyone."


    : Momo-niku''s here!


    : I''m craving fried chicken now.


    : Don''t eat fried chicken thiste at night.


    : You''ll gain weight.


    : So watching Momo-niku streamste at night makes you gain weight.


    : Q.E.D... we''ve proven it.


    "Please don''t gain weight from watching my stream!"


    This kind of casual distance between the streamer and audience seems to work well.


    As expected from a popr streamer, there''s a lot to learn. I should take a page from her book and find a way to get more people interested... and expose them to the hellish reality of the deep floors.


    "So, what should we talk about tonight?"


    : Talk about Kisaragi-kun.


    : That game you mentioned.


    : Did you go to the new gameunch event?


    : Say something about the deep floors of the dungeon.


    : Is it toote to aim for bing a dungeon explorer?


    : Kisaragi-kun was watching your clips the other day.


    : Let''s talk dungeons.


    "You all really love dungeons, huh? Wait, what!? Kisaragi-kun was watching my clips!?"


    : Yeah, for real.


    : He watched them after eating crab.


    : He was having a crab hotpot.


    : Right after the crab hotpot stream.


    : He was mostly just chatting while watching, though.


    "I saw the crab hotpot clips on social media... but I didn''t know he watched my clips after that. It feels kind of nice, like being noticed by a celebrity, doesn''t it?"


    Noticed by a celebrity?


    Is "being noticed" a phrase used for anyone other than children?


    : Kisaragi''s streams feel pretty close and personal, like he knows us.


    : Well, he is a newbie streamer.


    : When he heard your name, he said it sounded delicious¡ªlike food.


    "I won''t deny it. When my manager first told me, ''Your character is Tori Momo Sasami,'' I thought the same thing¡ªmake up your mind, am I chicken thighs or tenderloins?"


    : Rtable.


    : Decide already!


    : Is chicken thigh from bird-people delicious?


    : Probably.


    : Definitely delicious.


    : Kisaragi said that anyone could be an explorer if they''re willing to nearly die over and over.


    "Don''t do that¡ªyou''ll literally die. Okay, tonight''s chat theme will be dungeon-rted, especially about streaming dungeons."


    : Has to be Asagao-chan.


    : Asagao, hands down.


    : Kisaragi gets more viewers, though.


    : A lot of international fans.


    : He''s got a huge overseas fanbase.


    "Asagao-chan is cute, strong, and young... she''s dazzling, right? Kisaragi-kun''s global poprity is impressive... well, no one else streams from the deep floors, so it''s no wonder."


    She knows more about dungeons than I thought. From her earlier stream clips, it seemed like she just admired dungeon explorers, but maybe she''s been doing more research because she hasn''t fully given up on the idea.


    "Still... nobody expected the deep floors to be such hell."


    : Most of the pictures we''ve seen were just dim caves.


    : There aren''t many clear photos of the deep floors.


    : First time seeing the Shibuya Dungeon''s deep floors like that.


    : I''ve seen photos of deep floors in overseas textbooks, though.


    : When theke suddenly turned into a volcano, that was wild.


    "It wasn''t aughing matter, but Kisaragi-kun wasn''t exaggerating when he called it hell."


    : Watching it makes me question why anyone would ever attempt it.


    : It''s enough to make me give up.


    : Kisaragi''s strength is on a whole other level.


    : I only knew EX-rank was strong, but now I really get it.


    : There are three others as strong as him? Unreal.


    Seeing people talk about me in real time is kind of embarrassing. I don''t usually look myself up online, but hearing their opinions like this makes me feel awkward.


    "Wouldn''t it be cool to do a chat cob with Kisaragi-kun someday? Even just a voice chat, to ask him all kinds of things?"


    : I think it''d be great.


    : He''s not with apany, so it''s possible.


    : But he''s a guy.


    : Yeah, but still a guy.


    : Do a cob with Kamishiro Rion instead.


    : Honestly, I just want to hear more about the deep floors.


    : Who cares if it''s a guy, we just want dungeon stories.


    They''re saying all sorts of things, but I''d be worried about what people might say if I cobed with a popr corporate-affiliated virtual streamer. Even if they''re not marketed as idols, people still get weird about male-female interactions.


    As for the suggestion to cob with Kamishiro Rion¡ªlet me give you some advice: don''t. That guy is impossible to have a coherent conversation with.

 Chapter 45: Kisaragi Tsukasa and Kamishiro Rion

    "The whole debate about who UNKNOWN really was, and nobody expected him to be a high schooler, right?"


    : Yeah, totally.


    : Some people spected, but it got dismissed as impossible.


    : When he first appeared a year ago, there was talk about him being a high schooler.


    : I never thought he''d actually be a teenager.


    : Talent really is a thing, huh?


    : At that age, carrying the weight of a whole nation on his shoulders.


    "Must be tough... although there are EXs like Kamishiro-chan, who just wander around doing whatever they want."


    : That''s just how it is.


    : Free spirit.


    : She doesn''t have the EX mindset, so it can''t be helped.


    : She posted another pic from a baseball game the other day.


    : She really loves baseball, huh?


    Kamishiro Rion... Maybe I should follow her on social media. We''re not exactly strangers, after all. We have a weird friendship, built on beating each other up in battle. She reaches out to me sometimes, so I guess we''re close.


    Still, this is what virtual streamer chats are like. I thought thement section would be more hyped, like an idol concert, but maybe this is just Tori Momo Sasami''s style. Or maybe all virtual streamers do this? Do the ones selling an idol image even do chat streams?


    "When I watch Kisaragi-kun''s streams, it kind of makes me want to be an explorer again."


    : Same here.


    : He''s so cool.


    : I totally get the admiration.


    : If you''re a guy, aim to be the strongest.


    : Watching him makes me want to be an explorer too.


    : He''s like a hero.


    "So I got curious and checked my magic power level for the first time in a while... and it had actually increased a bit! It really shows how important daily training is."


    : Magic power is like muscle.


    : If you don''t train every day, it won''t change.


    : That''s why explorers get stronger magic over time.


    : Do a training stream!


    : Are you nning to be an explorer?


    "Who knows? Streaming keeps me pretty busy."


    I don''t know how old Tori Momo Sasami is, but it''s impressive that she''s been training consistently enough to see a visible increase in her magic power. Thement section isn''t making a big deal out of it, but if you want to increase your magic power without crazy dungeon training, you''d need to exercise like you''re running a marathon every day.


    That shows just how passionate she is about dungeons.


    Grrr...


    "Huh? Oh, sorry."


    I had gotten so absorbed in the stream that I didn''t notice Raij¨± hade back. Right, I was supposed to be handling the magic anomaly in Hachioji Dungeon. Raij¨±''s returned, but it seems like there are still monsters left. Either there were more than I thought, or it hasn''t been that long. Probably thetter.


    "Guess I should help out a little too."


    I could''ve left everything to my shikigami, but watching the stream and hearing someone admire dungeon explorers made me feel like I needed to step up my game. If these streams can inspire more people to be explorers, that would be great.


    "Good work out there."


    "I''ve cleared everything out. It should be fine now."


    The monster cleanup was quick once I jumped in. The monsters in Hachioji Dungeon aren''t particrly strong, and this was just the middle floors, so there was never any real threat. Now my mind was upied with thoughts of Tori Momo Sasami''s stream and my own future ns. I should start preparing tounch thepany soon.


    School''s on summer break, and once August ends, they''ll probably start talking about future ns in September. Can I just put "CEO" on the form?


    "Tsu-kun! It''s been a while!"


    ...Why is she here?


    Maybe it''s my fault for being distracted while walking, but I could feel my face tense up when this brown-haired woman suddenly hugged me.


    "I''ve told you to stop calling me Tsu-kun."


    "But Tsu-kun is Tsu-kun, right?"


    She calls me Tsu-kun because of my name, Tsukasa. I might have been guilty of giving others random nicknames too, but being called Tsu-kun feels a bit like being given a nickname I didn''t ask for.


    "Why are you in Japan, Kamishiro Rion?"


    "Eh, I got bored of America!"


    Can I hit her?


    Arguing at the entrance to the Hachioji Dungeon didn''t seem appropriate, so I ended up taking the train with her to Shibuya. But even during the ride, Kamishiro kept up her relentless chatter. She asked if I had a girlfriend, whether it was true I started dungeon streaming, thanked me for following her on social media, and gave unsolicited advice about dating as a high schooler. It was infuriating.


    Now that I''ve gained some recognition, and Kamishiro is way more famous than me, it wasn''t long before people on the train started to notice us.


    "Isn''t that Kamishiro Rion?"


    "Who''s next to her?"


    "That''s Kisaragi Tsukasa! The EX known as UNKNOWN!"


    "Wait, so there are two EXs here!?"


    "No way, that''s insane!"


    "I''m gonna go get an autograph."


    "Me too."


    "I want a handshake."


    "Wow, Tsu-kun, you''re famous now too! You''re okay with autographs and handshakes, right?"


    "I''m not an idol. I''m not doing that."


    "Aw, you''re still so serious."


    "You''re just way too carefree."


    "She''s thezy older sister, and he''s the responsible younger brother."


    "They totally look like siblings."


    "Yeah, the little brother gets dragged around by the big sister."


    I''m nobody''s little brother. I might be pretending not to hear, but I hear everything. I''d rather die than be the younger brother of this chaotic woman.


    "Hey, is Asakawa-chan your girlfriend?"


    "No, she''s a friend."


    "A friend? Tsu-kun made a friend!"


    "I''ll hit you."


    "I''m just so happy for you... I really am!"


    God, she''s annoying... I''m starting to understand what it feels like to have an obnoxious older sibling.


    "So, anything newtely?"


    "Just tired from the constant understaffing."


    "Same old, huh... I wonder why the Japanese government isn''t doing more."


    "If it were that easy, it wouldn''t be a problem. Besides, it''s not like the government can just ask people to take on a job where they risk their lives."


    "But they had no problem sending people to war to die."


    "Different times."


    Thanks to dungeons, the world hasn''t seen any major wars in the past hundred years, just minor skirmishes here and there. The existence of explorers has probably upset the bnce of power between nations, which is why WDAO was created in the first ce.


    "If high school Tsu-kun is working this hard, I guess I need to step up as your older sister."


    "Aren''t you still in university?"


    "Huh? I dropped out. Got bored."


    "Can I please hit you? Maybe it''ll fix some of that stupidity?"


    "That''s so mean!"


    The real problem is your brain, not me.

 Chapter 46: Kamishiro Crashes My Dungeon Stream

    "The day after running into Kamishiro Rion, I was getting ready for a regr stream in Shibuya Dungeon when, for some reason, Kamishiro was waiting for me, eager to jump in."


    "Why are you here?"


    "I wanted to be in Tsu-kun''s stream!"


    "...That''s fine, I guess, but hasn''t the Association said anything to you?"


    "Theyin every day."


    "Sigh..."


    Well, of course, they''d have something to say. She''s an EX who suddenly said she was going to study abroad in America and took off. Anyone could''ve guessed that the Association wouldn''t just ignore that. She must have been reprimanded, but apparently, she hasn''t learned her lesson. Probably the only one who could seriously scold her would be my grandma.


    "So, let''s start the stream!"


    As she turned back to smile at me, she sted away some lower-level monsters with small fireballs. Kamishiro Rion''s magic power is as absurd as ever.


    "Uh... I was nning to just stream some regr deep-floor content today..."


    : Morning!


    : Thanks for streaming so early.


    : Loving the summer morning grind.


    : What do you mean by ''regr''?


    : Streaming deep floors isn''t exactly ''normal.''


    They''re saying all kinds of things, but I''ll just ignore most of it. For me, deep-floor dives are normal, but streaming is still a challenge.


    "So yeah, I was nning to stream regrly, but... well..."


    : Oh? What''s up?


    : Why so hesitant?


    : The introvert side is showing.


    : He''s back to being one of us.


    : One of us.


    : Truly, one of us.


    "So... an unexpected guest is joining today, and, uh... I''m really not a fan of this person."


    "What? Tsu-kun, are you saying you don''t like me?"


    "That''s exactly what I''m saying."


    : What!?


    : Who is it?


    : I don''t see anyone on screen.


    : Who''s Tsu-kun?


    : It''s a girl!


    : Another girl cob?


    : You''re betraying us.


    : We can''t let this stand.


    Before I could introduce her, Kamishiro popped onto the screen, smiling straight at the camera.


    "Hey, everyone! It''s me, dungeon explorer idol Kamishiro Rion!"


    : What!?


    : This stream just became legendary.


    : Two EXs on screen is too much information.


    : This is the real deal.


    : She''s done streams before, right? (I think)


    : She was missing, wasn''t she? Wasn''t she in America?


    "Hmm, how do I check thements again?"


    "Please just be quiet."


    "Wow, harsh!"


    : LOL


    : LOL


    : I think we get the rtionship now.


    : This is too funny.


    : Was his silence during deep-floor streams just to hide how hot his cob partner was?


    : Nah, he was just beingzy.


    : If she can''t even checkments, why is she streaming?


    I''m probably going to catch some k for this, but the stream is blowing up even more than when I coborated with Asagao. Despite it being early morning¡ªlikely during work hours for a lot of people¡ªthe viewer count is massive. Well, Kamishiro is famous worldwide, so it makes sense.


    "I can''t believe Tsu-kun has friends, and even his viewers are so friendly... I''m so happy for you!"


    "I don''t remember you raising me."


    If anything, I remember cleaning up after her messes.


    : Are they siblings?


    : LOL


    : This is a mess.


    : Can this stream even keep going like this?


    "Can it keep going? Well, this staircase leads to the 68th floor."


    : Wait, what?


    : You''re already on the deep floors?


    : LOL


    : Just casually strolling to the deep floors.


    : Don''t y around on the way to the deep floors!


    Hey, I''m not the one messing around here. It''s Kamishiro. She''s always prioritizing her feelings over everything else, acting on impulse without any forethought.


    "So this many viewers show up for a deep-floor stream, huh? I had no idea."


    "You''ve streamed deep floors before, haven''t you? Oh, never mind."


    "Huh? Why?"


    : Fair enough.


    : She didn''t even interact withments back then.


    : Yeah, it was a one-off stream that ended in silence.


    : We never even knew what floor she got to.


    "What floor was that again?"


    "You''re so sloppy."


    "You already know, don''t you?"


    "I do, but still."


    That''s not the point. Just because you know something doesn''t mean you should be this sloppy about it.


    : What even is this ce?


    : A desert, obviously.


    : What?


    : Descended the stairs, and it''s a desert now.


    : LOL


    : Makes no sense.


    "Uh... this is the 68th floor."


    "It''s always so hot here..."


    "I''m nning to go up to the 75th floor today."


    "Why such a specific number?"


    "Apparently, it''s the official highest floor reached."


    "But I made it to the 80th floorst year."


    : What!?


    : Stop casually surpassing official records.


    : EXs should report how far they go.


    : There''s no way to verify without proof, so these self-reports mean nothing.


    : Isn''t that why he''s streaming?


    "I don''t care about breaking records, but it''s been years since anyone''s pushed past the 75th floor, so I figured I should."


    "Huh, neat."


    : Show some interest!


    : Maybe EXs are why the official records haven''t been updated.


    : True, that tracks.


    : This stream is hrious in how out of touch it is.


    The 75th-floor record was set years ago by an S-rank party. I was nning on tackling it solo, but Kamishiro just tagged along. Given the massive viewer turnout, though, maybe it''s not such a bad thing she came along.


    "This desert area is pretty long... let''s move quickly."


    "Why not use Kirin?"


    "No way. What''s the point of a live stream if we just zip through the desert on Kirin?"


    That would be just like every other expedition. There''s nothing entertaining about that for viewers.


    "Huh, okay."


    "It''s thatck of awareness that makes you the ''Dungeon Destroyer.''"


    "How is that even rted?"


    : Kisaragi''s being even more sarcastic than usual, lol.


    : Must be really bad.


    : He did say she''s a free spirit.


    : She definitely fits the description.


    "Hey, there''s a Sand Fish!"


    "Yep, it''sing this way."


    Despite the name, Sand Fish refers to schools of fish that swim through the sand. But each fish is asrge as a person, making them a serious threat. What''s worse, Sand Fish always move inrge groups, ranging from 50 to over 100 at a time.


    "How many are there?"


    "Let''s see... looks like about 150?"


    "Wow..."


    : Don''t just say ''wow'' like it''s nothing.


    : 150 is insane.


    : That''s a nightmare (angry).


    : It''s the deep floors. What do you expect?


    : Desert zones are terrifying.


    : Isn''t this super dangerous?


    "I''ll just wipe them out, then."


    Original content from M-VL-emp,yr


    With a smile, Kamishiro started drawing a massive magic circle, not bothering to consider her surroundings. She specializes in advanced, high-powered magic that nobody else can handle, and her spells are iparable to mine.


    The sand dunes, along with the entire school of Sand Fish, were obliterated in a single, reckless strike, sending a huge cloud of sand into the air. With this level of destruction, I doubt there''s anything left alive.


    : Yeah, she''s an EX after all.


    : It''s just the way things are.


    : Honestly, I''m speechless.


    : So this is what an EX is like.


    : I wanted to believe Kisaragi was the weird one.


    : But nope.


    : Monsters really do attract monsters.


    : Birds of a feather flock together.


    Judging from thements, everyone seems to think I''m just as bad as Kamishiro. My magic is way cuterpared to hers, though. They should realize that after seeing this.

 Chapter 47: Deep Floor Chaos

    "Even though it''s called a dungeon''s deep floors, not every dungeon''s environment changes so frequently. On a global scale, Shibuya Dungeon is quite peculiar, constantly shifting its environments.


    On the other hand, the Greend Dungeon I mentioned in a previous stream is an example of one where the environment doesn''t change at all, it''s a frozen cave from the top floor all the way down to the deep floors."


    The desert area of Shibuya Dungeon starts at the 68th floor and continues all the way to the 74th floor, just one level below the officially recognized highest floor. There are no obstacles, no artificial structures, just a wide expanse of desert. It''s the kind of ce that wears you down simply by walking, and if you''re thinking about the return journey, it''s a pretty unfair dungeon for explorers.


    Well, only for normal explorers.


    "Uh... aren''t you going to say anything?"


    "About... walking in the desert?"


    : Exin this, please.


    : Something clearly isn''t right.


    : Typical EX behavior¡­


    : Do your job.


    : You''re out of touch, Kisaragi.


    : Get it together, man.


    "It''s just a silent desert walk stream. Please enjoy the ambient sounds of the desert and the asional monster fight."


    : That''s not the issue here.


    : That''s technically correct, but still wrong.


    : No. Just no.


    : What is this guy doing?


    : Is this even a valid stream?


    I don''t get what they''reining about. Didn''t everyone say they wanted to see the deep floors? So now I''m walking through the desert, showing it off, while Kamishiro casually blows away any monsters that approach us with magic. What''s the problem?


    Kamishiro and I are walking with umbres in the desert, so I don''t really understand why the viewers are making such a fuss.


    : Why is it raining in the desert?


    : Why are you guys holding umbres?


    : Are these two serious?


    : They''ve lost it.


    : Our "honorary fellow" doesn''t have anymon sense.


    : In a way, they truly are honorary members of our club.


    "Rain? I''m making it rain, obviously."


    I nce back at the silver-haired, dark-eyed beauty walking behind me.


    ''Master, you could''ve exined that earlier.''


    "Was it necessary?"


    The beauty behind me is Tenk¨±, one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals, a shikigami with the ability to control the weather. Since the desert is hot, I had her summon rain to keep things cool. I didn''t think it needed an exnation.


    "...It was hot, so I made it rain."


    "Yeah, that''s right."


    : That''s not the point here!


    : It shouldn''t be raining in the first ce!


    : The fact that you can just summon rain is the issue!


    : Where did those umbres evene from?


    : Casually controlling the weather like it''s no big deal.


    : Typical EX behavior. (N-th time)


    "Is this really something to make a big deal about?"


    "I don''t think so. It was hot, so you made it rain. If it''s raining, the desert''s not so bad."


    : The problem is that you can make it rain!


    : This level of absurdity¡­


    : I give up.


    : It''s impossible for monsters to understand human problems.


    I''m not using some over-the-top advanced magic to summon the rain. I''m just having a shikigami do it for me. Can''t they at least ept that much? I mean, if they startining about this, wait until they see the real battles with the deep-floor monsters¡ªthat''s where things really get insane.


    "Huh?"


    "Hm?"


    While tilting my head as I read thements, Kamishiro''s voice caught my attention. I looked up to see a giant scorpion with a shiny metallic sheen crawling toward us.


    : What the!?


    : Gross.


    : Where did that evene from?


    : Isn''t that thing huge?


    : This is way too dangerous!


    "It must''ve been slowly creeping up on us. This scorpion can reflect light and camouge itself with its surroundings."


    "Really?"


    "...How do you not know that?"


    "I''ve never really cared."


    Ugh, my head hurts.


    Kamishiro has explored deep floors in countless dungeons, yet she''spletely clueless about the monsters. Her approach has always been to just blow up any monsters she encounters with overwhelming magic¡ªno real strategy, just brute force.


    : Show some interest in the monsters.


    : The fact that it can camouge at that size is terrifying.


    : Why did it stop camouging?


    : That scorpion is scary as hell.


    : It looks massive and tough.


    "Maybe the rain made it stop camouging? After all, it never rains in the desert, so..."


    : Don''t say that when you''re the one making it rain!


    : It''s literally raining right now!


    : How about putting the umbre away before making that point?


    : Zero self-awareness, lol.


    : ssic Kisaragi.


    : We''vee to understand this.


    : Kisaragi is casually reckless.


    "It''sing."


    Of course, monsters don''t care about ourmentary. Whether we''re checkingments or holding umbres, once they spot us, they attack.


    This scorpion... I doubt it''s been officially named, considering how few people have encountered it. While it uses its massive size for brute force attacks, it isn''t venomous, so it''s not particrly dangerous.


    As the scorpion charged toward us, Kamishiro fired a fire-based spell at it, like a methrower rather than a beam. But the scorpion kept advancing despite the mes, closing the gap.


    : This is insane.


    : This is wild.


    : The chat is too calm, lol.


    : But there''s no way they''ll lose.


    : True, it''s only the 74th floor.


    "...It looks like its joints are pretty tough."


    "Then maybe you should think a little before attacking¡ª"


    "¡ªMore firepower, then!"


    Without listening to a word I said, Kamishiro unleashed one of her signature high-powered spells without hesitation. The magic instantly froze the desert floor, and the rain we''d summoned turned into hail. I manipted the wind to send the hail crashing into the scorpion''s body.


    With the ground frozen solid, the scorpion seemed to recognize us as a legitimate threat and stopped charging headlong at us. Instead, it maintained a cautious distance, sizing us up.


    "Can you handle it?"


    "You''re just leaving it to me?"


    "Well, I could do it if you want."


    : Do they not feel threatened at all?


    : Ugh, this is frustrating.


    Thank you for reading on m v le_mpyr


    : They''re too rxed.


    : Isn''t this scorpion pretty strong?


    "If youpress your magic, you should be able to pierce through it."


    "...Compressed magic."


    Asagao had developed a technique for that, but I wonder if Kamishiro can use it too.


    "It''s something they''ve been researching in America. The idea ofpressing magic has been around for a long time, but apparently, there haven''t been many people with the talent to actually do it."


    "Asagao can do it."


    "Really? I''d love to meet her sometime."


    With a smile, Kamishiro beganpressing her typically overpowering magic. Normally, her spells are strong enough to cause a dungeon copse with ease, but now she was shrinking it down to an unbelievable size.


    "This is wind magic."


    Kamishiro-san''s wind magic was released from his hand along with a sound that tore through the air, and the invisible de easily sliced ??through the scorpion''s metallic shell as if it was butter.

 Chapter 48: When Dragons Fly and Rains Fall

    "Even though they''re called dungeon floors, not all dungeons change environments often. Shibuya Dungeon stands out globally for constantly shifting, while something like the Greend Dungeon stays frozen from top to bottom with no changes.


    The desert area in Shibuya Dungeon starts at the 68th floor and stretches to the 74th. It''s just an endless, open desert with nothing in sight¡ªno structures, no obstacles. The kind of ce that saps your stamina just by walking. A nightmare for regr explorers, especially considering the trip back."


    "Uh¡­ aren''t you going to say anything?"


    "About walking through the desert?"


    : Seriously, exin this.


    : Something clearly isn''t right here.


    : This is why EXs are in their own world...


    : Do your job properly.


    : You''vepletely lost touch, Kisaragi.


    : Get a grip, man.


    "This is just a silent desert walk stream. For a while, please enjoy the ambient sounds of the desert and the asional battle with monsters."


    : No, that''s not what we''re asking for!


    : Technically true but still wrong.


    : Nope. Just nope.


    : What is this guy even doing?


    : How is this a valid stream?


    I don''t get what they''reining about. Didn''t everyone say they wanted to see the deep floors? Now that I''m walking through the desert, showing it off while Kamishiro casually sts monsters with magic, isn''t this exactly what they wanted?


    Kamishiro and I walk through the desert with umbres overhead, and I genuinely don''t understand why the viewers are making such a fuss.


    : Why is it raining in the desert?


    : Why are you holding umbres?


    : Are these two even serious?


    : Have theypletely lost it?


    : "Honorary one of us," yet stillckingmon sense.


    : In some twisted way, they really are our honorary members.


    "Rain? I''m making it rain, obviously."


    I nce behind me at the silver-haired, dark-eyed beauty following us.


    ''Master, I think you''re being a bit unclear.''


    "Am I?"


    The beauty behind me is Tenk¨±, one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals, a shikigami who controls the weather. Since the desert is hot, I asked her to summon rain to cool things down. I didn''t think it needed much exnation.


    "...It was hot, so I had her make it rain."


    "Yeah, that''s right."


    : That''s not the issue!


    : The fact that you can just summon rain is what''s strange!


    : You guys are casually summoning weather now?


    : Where did you even get those umbres?


    : Casually controlling the weather, I see.


    : And this is why EXs are... (n-th time)


    "Is this really something to make a fuss about?"


    "I don''t think so. It was hot, so you made it rain. If it''s raining, the desert''s not so bad."


    : The problem isn''t just the rain!


    : This level of absurdity¡­


    : I give up.


    : Asking these monsters to understand human logic is impossible.


    I''m not using some ridiculously advanced magic to summon the rain, I''m just having a shikigami do it for me. They should just ept that as normal. If they startining about this, wait until they see the real battles with the deep-floor monsters, that''s where things get truly insane.


    "Huh?"


    "Hm?"


    While reading thements and tilting my head, Kamishiro''s voice made me look up. In front of us was a massive scorpion, its metallic body gleaming as it slowly approached.


    : What the!?


    : That''s disgusting.


    : Where did thate from?


    : Isn''t that way too big?


    : That thing is terrifying!


    "It must have been slowly creeping up on us. This scorpion can reflect light to blend in with its surroundings."


    "Really?"


    "...How do you not know this?"


    "I never really cared."


    Sigh... my head hurts.


    This person has explored countless deep floors in various dungeons, yet she''s totally clueless about monsters. She probably just blows everything up with magic as soon as she sees it, without caring about details.


    : Take this seriously!


    : How does something that huge camouge?


    : Why did it stop camouging?


    : This scorpion is terrifying.


    : It looks insanely tough.


    "Maybe it stopped camouging because it started raining. After all, it probably didn''t expect rain in a desert, though I''m not entirely sure."


    : You''re the one making it rain, genius!


    : It''s literally raining right now.


    : Take down that umbre before you start talking about rain.


    : Absolutely no self-awareness, lol.


    : Typical Kisaragi.


    : We''vee to understand him.


    : Kisaragi is just recklessly casual.


    "It''sing."


    Naturally, the monster doesn''t care about ourmentary. Whether we''re readingments or holding umbres, once it spots us, it attacks.


    This scorpion... it probably hasn''t been officially named yet, given how few people have encountered it. It relies on brute force with its massive body, but it isn''t venomous, so there''s not much to worry about.


    As the scorpion charged, Kamishiro unleashed a fire spell. Instead of a beam, it was more like a methrower, but the scorpion pressed on, undeterred, closing the gap between us.


    : That''s amazing.


    : It''s so dangerous, though.


    : The viewers are way too calm, lol.


    : They can''t possibly lose, right?


    : I mean, it''s only the 74th floor.


    "...Its joints seem pretty tough."


    "Then maybe think before attacking¡ª"


    "¡ªMore firepower, got it!"


    Without listening to a word I said, Kamishiro, being herself, unleashed one of her signature high-powered spells. The magic instantly froze the desert floor, and the rain turned into hail. I used wind to direct the hail towards the scorpion, bombarding its body.


    With the ground frozen, the scorpion seemed to recognize us as a legitimate threat. Instead of charging headlong, it stopped and began to assess the situation from a distance.


    "Can you handle this?"


    "You''re just leaving it to me?"


    "Well, I could handle it if you want."


    : Do they not feel any danger at all?


    : Um¡­


    : Where''s the tension?


    : They''re way too rxed.


    : Is that scorpion really strong, though?


    "If youpress your magic, you can probably pierce through it."


    "...Compressed magic, huh?"


    Asagao had mastered that technique, but I wonder if Kamishiro can do it too.


    "It''s something they''ve been researching in America. Compressing magic has always been thought of, but not many people had the talent to pull it off."


    "Asagao can do it, though."


    "Really? I''d love to meet her."


    With a smile, Kamishiro beganpressing her typically overwhelming magic. Normally, her spells are powerful enough to copse dungeons, but now she was shrinking them down to an incredible degree.


    "This is wind magic."


    Thepressed wind magic shot out of her hand with a sound like tearing air. An invisible de sliced through the scorpion''s metallic exoskeleton with ease.


    "¡­Your magic is just as impressive as always. In terms of sheer power."


    "Why do you sound like there''s something more behind that?"


    "Because there is."


    : I was too stunned to evenment.


    : These EXs aren''t human, are they?


    : Maybe they''re actual gods?


    : My theory is they''re robots developed for dungeon exploration.


    : If they were robots, they wouldn''t be sneaking off to America.


    "That''s rude. To call a stunning beauty like me a robot? Clearly, this audience needs to get outside more often."


    : Forbidden words.


    : Excuse me?


    : Did she just say what I think she did?


    : This means war.


    : You can''t just say that!


    : That crosses a line. Low-rating pressed.


    "Please, don''t say things that are going to get my stream downvoted."


    "Huh? Why?"


    What a carefree person. Telling introverts with social anxiety to "get outside more" is basically the forbidden card. Say that, and all you''ll get is an enraged introvert sobbing into their pillow at night. I doubt someone as naturally extroverted as Kamishiro could ever understand that introverts are delicate creatures.


    : Kisaragi, our hero!


    : The conscience of the EXs.


    : Isn''t the real conscience of the EXs that sryman?


    : You mean the workaholic.


    : Still, Kisaragi is one of us.


    : Truly, an "honorary one of us."


    : The way he defends introverts is masterful.


    : We see you, Kisaragi.


    "¡­Go outside."


    : Betrayed!


    : Traitor!


    : I''ll downvote this!


    : How could you!


    : Kisaragi''s no longer one of us!


    : We''re stripping you of your "honorary one of us" title.


    I don''t need that disgraceful title, so go ahead and strip it away. While I am an introvert, I''m not a shut-in who never leaves the house, so calling me "honorary one of us" is just insulting.


    "Oh, I can see it now... the stairs leading to the 75th floor."


    : So this is the limit of human exploration.


    : The limit (officially recorded).


    : The limit (but totally a lie).


    : The limit (with questionable ims).


    : Everything''s way too vague.


    : This is hrious.


    : The viewers are bing paranoid, lol.


    : Too funny.


    "If the 75th floor is the limit, that means they couldn''t beat ''it,'' right?"


    "Yeah, definitely. That means it''s that thing."


    "There''s no real strategy for beating it, after all."


    : What''s "it" supposed to be?


    : Could you please stop with the vague pronouns?


    : We need details!


    : ssic EXs, speaking in half-finished thoughts.


    : Hurry up already.


    Thement section was getting impatient, but they''ll figure it out once we step inside. There''s no point in exining something that''ll be obvious soon, and Kamishiro seems to share that sentiment, ignoring thements as she happily skips down the stairs.


    "Who''s fighting it?"


    "¡­Which one of us would you prefer?"


    : They''re not fighting together?


    : Are they some kind of battle tribe?


    : Is this some 1v1 ritual? These people are savages.


    : EXs are wild.


    : EXs'' reputation keeps taking hits.


    : Asagao is the only one among them who seems normal.


    : Terrifying.


    "Then you should handle it, Kamishiro."


    "If I just jump into the fight, they''ll say I''m a battle freak! But fine, I''ll do it!"


    "You will, right?"


    : She actually is a battle freak.


    : So it''s true.


    : Terrifying.


    : Dungeon explorers really are just savages.


    : Explorers = brutal people confirmed.


    : Asagao was a breath of fresh air (nostalgic sigh).


    Calling explorers brutal or savages is what the more radical anti-dungeon exploration folks rant about on the inte. These are the same people who spread conspiracy theories, honestly. Kids nowadays learn about dungeons in school, so they''re better informed. High schoolers even get detailed history lessons on them. Even middle schoolers know how deeply dungeons impact the economy.


    While I chatted idly with thements, we eventually reached the 75th floor.


    "We''re here."


    "And it''s already waiting."


    : It''s... very t.


    : Looks like the Hachioji Dungeon.


    : It''s not paved, but the ground ispletely t.


    : So, the deep floors have areas like this, too?


    : Maybe this is a rest point?


    : Did the rank S party make it here and then turn back for a break?


    The viewers don''t seem to realize it yet, but we''ve already been spotted. The killing intent is practically palpable, and it won''t be long before it shows itself.


    Just as I was thinking that, the ground trembled, raising clouds of dust. A massive dragon with an impressive mustache emerged from the yellow-brown earth and soared into the sky. I have no idea how it flies, but its four sharp-wed legs paddle through the air as if swimming through the dungeon''s atmosphere.


    "¡­Still as leisurely as ever."


    "Well, I''ll just sit back and watch."


    : Wait, what?


    : You need to exin things!


    : Who said this was a rest area!?


    : There''s no safety in the deep floors, is there?


    : Seriously, this is deep floor territory!


    : Humans have no business being here.


    Hmm... now that I think about it, even regr dungeon explorers might not be able toprehend a giant dragon emerging from the ground and flying around. When you dive into the deep floors, this kind of thing bes routine. The monsters in the deep floors are leagues beyond what you find in the lower levels¡ªthey''re practically otherworldly.


    People often say there''s a stark difference between the middle and lower floors, but in reality, the gap between the lower and deep floors is on a whole different scale. Monsters on the lower floors are still somewhat biological; you can make sense of their movements. But down here, it''s like dealing with creatures straight out of fantasy.


    "That''s a dragon, isn''t it? Like the ones from Chinese mythology."


    : Yeah, no kidding!


    : You don''t need to be a genius to figure that out!


    : That''s some serious small talk.


    : Introvert energying in strong.


    : ssic awkward introvert.


    "¡­It''s a monster that swims through the air using its magic. As some of you might''ve guessed from the way it emerged from the ground, it can also manipte the earth with magic. It''s a pain to deal with because it attacks from a distance, manipting the ground under your feet. The best strategy is to hit it with overwhelming firepower from afar."


    : He''s upset and talking fast now.


    : Nerdy, rapid-fire exnation iing.


    : I still don''t get it.


    : Just go with the flow.


    : This is beyondprehension.


    : Magic that lets you swim through the air? What?


    I''m not mad, okay? I was just a little irritated and thought I''d mess with the viewers a bit.


    And for those who can''t understand what it means to "swim through the air with magic"...


    "Magic is pretty versatile, so you can do almost anything you set your mind to. Like flying through the air, for example."


    "Wait for meee!"


    : Uh, what?


    : Wait, hold on.


    : What is going on?


    : What!?


    : This makes no sense.


    : I''m lost.


    : Absolutely no way.


    Wait, doesn''t every explorer do this?

 Chapter 49: Two EXs Tear Through the Deep Floors!

    Flying using magic isn''tmon sense.


    I''ve learned that now.


    : He''s really flying, and it''s funny.


    : Actually, it''s not even funny.


    : LOL


    : What?


    : This is scary.


    The viewers seem to be in disbelief, but Kamishiro and the ochre-colored dragon have already started their free-form aerial battle, paying no mind to thements.


    The dragon, just as it looks, spits fire from its mouth while fending off Kamishiro, who''s chasing it. However, Kamishiro''s superior magic control allows her to fly faster than the dragon.


    "Got you!"


    Kamishiro jumps onto the dragon''s back and conjures an enormous amount of magic, unleashing it without hesitation. Normally, you''d gather magic slowly, building its power, but she bypasses that entire process with raw talent. Isn''t that kind of unfair?


    : GIANT MONSTER BATTLE!


    : I can only let out a dryugh.


    : Hmm.


    : Which one''s the real monster here?


    : Kamishiro Rion, obviously.


    : Aplete beast.


    : She''s supposed to be a college student, but wow.


    : If you still think she''s a normal college girl, you need to see an eye doctor.


    : Go see a psychiatrist instead.


    "Whoa... She''s going all out."


    Even among EXs, Kamishiro is considered a problem child, but her strength is undeniable. No matter where she is, she fights with explosive, shy magic. On upper and middle floors, this habit of hers often leads to dungeons copsing, but down here in the deep floors¡ªwhere each level is massive¡ªit''s not an issue at all.


    "Haha! Can''t catch me!"


    The dragon, having survived the first attack, flies further upward in an attempt to escape, while Kamishiro gleefully gives chase. Normally, it''s the monsters that chase humans, but this... This woman is definitely part of some battle-hungry tribe, just as the viewers are saying.


    "Oh no."


    : What happened?


    : Did something go wrong?


    : Hey, are you alright?


    : Did an emergency just happen?


    : If something goes wrong in the deep floors, aren''t we done for?


    The dragon''s escape to the sky, and the fact that it survived even Kamishiro''s massive magic attack, can only mean one thing: she''s going to hit it with something even stronger. And that means... she might end up bringing down the ceiling of the deep floor.


    "Kamishiro-san?"


    "Take this!"


    "''K¨­chin!''"


    Nope, she has no clue what''s going on.


    I quickly summon K¨­chin and set up a barrier around myself. If anything falls from above, I''ll be fine.


    My worries were justified.


    "Yaaah!"


    The superpressed, high-powered magic Kamishiro unleashed not only vaporized the dragon mid-flight, but it also punched a hole through the 75th floor ceiling, straight into the 74th floor above. And the 74th floor... is the desert zone.


    "Oh."


    : Hey.


    : They''re buried in sand!


    : Did she just destroy the ceiling?


    : This is what EXs do?


    : If this happened on the 1st floor, Shibuya Station would copse.


    : Don''t even joke about that.


    : They''re dead, right?


    : No way they''re dead.


    Despite being buried under a massive amount of sand, the viewers aren''t worried at all. Honestly, neither am I¡ªthere''s no way someone like Kamishiro would die from something like this. I''ll just leave her be.


    "Well, I guess we cleared the 75th floor easily. What should we do now?"


    : Hmm.


    : If you''ve got two EXs, sure, why not.


    : You might as well stream all the way to the bottom floor, lol.


    : This is going to be a historic moment¡ªthe highest floor cleared live on stream (lol).


    : What a touching finale.


    : You did it, Honorary One of Us.


    : A long and arduous journey has finallye to an end.


    Hey,e on, that''s harsh. From what I''ve researched, dungeon explorers take pride in reaching their highest floor. Although, I''ve never heard of EXs caring about such things. My grandma, for instance, couldn''t care less.


    "Whew... that was heavy!"


    "Oh, she''s back."


    Kamishiro bursts out from under the sand, scattering it everywhere as she emerges. It''s like something straight out of a movie, but since it''s her own doing, I don''t feel anything.


    "Ugh... why did this have to happen?"


    "Maybe because you keep carelessly sting magic everywhere? You don''t even consider the power of your own spells, do you?"


    "Yup!"


    Don''t answer that so cheerfully.


    : Is this really okay?


    : Should someone with such poor judgment really have EX status?


    : As long as she doesn''t do this in Japanese dungeons, it''s fine.


    : You realize this is Shibuya Dungeon, right?


    : She''s doing this in a Japanese dungeon, so it''s a problem.


    : Power gets you privileges.


    "But seriously, isn''t it tiring to think about all those little details every time you use magic?"


    "No, it''s not tiring. It''s normal."


    "Hey, viewers, you guys just fire off magic without thinking too, right?"


    : Nope, absolutely not.


    : What if you hit someone?


    : I can''t even cast spells with that kind of power.


    : I have no idea what you''re talking about.


    : I''m not an explorer, so I don''t know.


    : I''m not that reckless.


    "...Traitors!"


    "You''re just stating facts."


    Is this woman an idiot?


    How does someone live so carefreely... yet still manage to dive into the deep floors like it''s nothing?


    "Humph! Let''s head down to the 76th floor!"


    "I thought we were done at the 75th floor?"


    "It''d be boring to stop at the highest recorded floor! Since we''ve got two EXs, let''s just see how far we can go!"


    "...At this rate, we might end up reaching the bottom floor."


    : Do it.


    : Conquer the dungeon.


    : Make this a legendary stream.


    : For once, I agree with Kamishiro.


    : Shock the world by clearing Shibuya Dungeon.


    : You can do it, Honorary One of Us.


    : We believe in you, Honorary One of Us.


    "Can you stop trying to make that nickname stick? I really don''t like it."


    "Haha, that''s hrious!"


    "I''m about to smack you."


    Ugh, she''s so annoying.


    It''s one thing when the viewers say it, but when Kamishiro says it, it irritates me more. Maybe it''s because she''s such a carefree, lighthearted person who doesn''t seem to think before she speaks.


    : Calm down, Kisaragi.


    : Be cool, Kisaragi.


    : If you hit her, she''ll die.


    : She''s an EX too, so she won''t die.


    : If these two monsters fight, the surface might be affected...


    : LOL.


    "Haah... fine. Let''s go as far as we can. I''ve still got plenty of energy left anyway."


    "Great! Let''s make this a ''Conquering New Floors'' stream!"


    "...Well, I guess there''s nopetition."


    : If there werepetition, I''d be terrified.


    : Yeah, no one else could pull this off.


    : If someone could rival EXs, they''d just be one themselves.


    : This stream is legendary.


    : Every one of his streams is legendary at this point.


    : That''s the EX standard.


    : You''re probably scaring off other dungeon streamers with your antics.


    If people stop dungeon streaming just because I''m streaming the deep floors, then they weren''t that serious to begin with.


    Besides, I''m just doing my own thing. I don''t owe anyone anything.


    Kamishiro, walking ahead of me, likely cares even less about what other people think.

 Chapter 50: A Slime and Speed Showdown!

    "Which floor are we on now?"


    "...80, I think?"


    : It''s 81.


    : Pay attention.


    : Too careless.


    : What''s with these people?


    : This is terrifying.


    Honestly, after diving this deep, it bes hard to keep track of what floor you''re on. From floor 76 onward, the strength of the monsters doesn''t change much, and the dungeon turns into this endless, dark cave-like environment.


    The monsters that appear also start getting more grotesque, and there are some truly annoying ones.


    "Another slime, huh?"


    "Sigh..."


    One of the most troublesome creatures is the slime. This gtinous blob can''t be harmed by slicing, stabbing, or crushing. The only way to deal damage is by striking its core with pure magic. But the real problem? It''s huge. We''re talking a good 10 meters in size, easily blocking the dungeon''s passageways, so ignoring it isn''t an option.


    "Hyaa!"


    "''Kijin.''"


    ''Understood.''


    : Whoa...


    : They''ve been doing this for a while now.


    : Are they seriously going to the bottom floor?


    : It seems possible at this point.


    : I''m exhausted from this endurance stream.


    : How many hours have they been at it?


    : Still going strong, huh?


    "Oh, it exploded and tried to escape!"


    "Chase it."


    ''As youmand!''


    After Kamishiro hit it with her magic, the slime seemed to sense imminent death and exploded in all directions to protect its core. But Kijin wasn''t one to let it go. With a burst of magic, the smaller, fleeing slimes were crushed, ending the battle.


    To be honest, we could probably make it to the bottom floor if we kept pushing... but something about that doesn''t sit right with me. I''d rather prepare properly before attempting a full dungeon dive. But, since we''vee this far, I might as well go a bit deeper.


    "Still... this is getting kind of boring."


    "Please don''t say that."


    "Ehh?"


    This woman really gets bored too easily. I mean, she dropped out of university just because she got bored, after all. It''s like she constantly defies understanding.


    Granted, the dungeon''s environment hasn''t changed in a while, and the monsters haven''t exactly been exciting... but seasoned explorers don''t get bored this easily.


    : Too free-spirited.


    : But her personality matches what we''ve seen on social media, so it checks out.


    : Is this what they call "urate characterization"?


    : No, that''s probably not it.


    : LOL.


    : Kisaragi, just drag her along and keep going.


    : Maybe it''s time to head back?


    : Either way works for me.


    : If it''s dangerous, you should head back.


    "It''s not dangerous, really... I''m used to exploring unknown floors, so there''s not much of a sense of urgency."


    : You''re insane too.


    : Always keep a sense of danger, man.


    : Don''t counter crazy with more crazy.


    : What''s with these EX people?


    : Y''all are nuts.


    "They''re talking about you, you know?"


    "Ignore them."


    The viewers''ments can be ignored¡ªnothing bades from that. Honestly, it''s best to just ignore most of what they say and only engage when you''re really bored.


    While bantering with the viewers, we soon discovered the stairs leading to the next floor. If I remember correctly, the 82nd floor is the deepest I''ve ever reached... maybe? I''m not even sure anymore.


    "What''s the final floor, I wonder?"


    "If we''vee this far, I hope it''s the 100th. That''d be pretty exciting."


    "Right? It''d be like a dream! Anyway, let''s keep going!"


    "Aren''t you the same person who just suggested we head back?"


    : LOL.


    : This free spirit.


    : Stop making decisions on a whim.


    : Is this what deep-floor explorers are like?


    : This is actually terrifying.


    : What do you people even fear at this point?


    : Uh...


    : The viewers are lost.


    : Are all EX people like this? Japan''s top fighters are scary.


    It feels like a bunch of wild misunderstandings are spreading online at light speed. Should I try to set the record straight? ...Nah, forget it. People were already saying whatever they wanted before I even started streaming. No point worrying about it now.


    Kamishiro, of course, couldn''t care less about any of that. She''s already sprinting full-speed down the stairs to the 82nd floor. By the way, she''s using magic-enhanced body strengthening to run at full speed, but I can catch up easily since I''m even faster. The camera, though? It probably won''t keep up, so I''ll have to carry it.


    : This is making me dizzy.


    : Too fast.


    : This isn''t human speed.


    : Ugh.


    : People are passing out in real time.


    : Streaming this kind of speed with your body is insane.


    : This is too much.


    : I can''t even look at the screen.


    : I''m confident I''ll puke if I keep watching.


    "Arrived! Thement section is hrious¡ªeveryone''s down for the count!"


    "Maybe work on strengthening your inner ear a bit?"


    I don''t n on moving this fast for stream content very often, bute on, people need to toughen up a bit.


    : Don''t kid around.


    : I can''t even look at my phone in the car without getting sick!


    : I throw up if I just turn around in a car.


    : That was basically the speed of a roller coaster, right?


    : You guys ran faster than some amusement park rides, and you think it''s fine?


    "Ignore it!"


    "Monsters are here."


    ''Leave it to me.''


    Descending the stairs, we encountered a demon-like monster with four arms. Kijin, who had been following behind me, leapt forward and snapped its neck with a single kick.


    : Uh...


    : Too strong, LOL.


    : Do we even need anyone else?


    : This guy is supposedly a support role, right?


    : Kijin can do it all, huh?


    : This guy acts all nerdy, and yet...


    : What''s so special about Kisaragi?


    ''Did I just hear that?''


    : Oh no, you idiot.


    : Uh-oh.


    : You pressed the wrong button.


    ''Master''s greatness surpasses that of the universe itself. His heart is vast and kind, and even when I deliberately mess up, he says it''s fine. He even goes out of his way to tolerate scum like you all.''


    : Who you calling scum?


    : I mean, she''s not wrong.


    : We''re being convicted for stating facts.


    : This is nder.


    : Being used of factually describing things is a serious crime.


    : You could get executed for that.


    "Kijin, back to your house."


    ''Please, Master! I beg you, anything but that!''


    "Stop clinging to me, geez!"


    She''s incredibly beautiful, but I wish she wouldn''t get so close. I''m starting to feel bad.


    : Hmm... why does the "Honorary One of Us" get all the girls?


    : This is uneptable.


    : Should we revoke his title?


    : But if we keep him as "one of us," our status rises by association, right?


    : No, it doesn''t.


    : LOL.


    "Haha! Your dynamic with your shikigami is as funny as ever!"


    ''As if you have any room to talk, wanderer. You''re the one causing Master the most stress. Ugh, how irritating.''


    "Huh? This Kijin is still as annoying as ever!"


    ''You''re one to talk.''


    "Isn''t this a case of ''pot calling the kettle ck''?"


    : Is this mutual dislike?


    : Stop the catfight.


    : Kisaragi, this is your chance to say, "Don''t fight over me!"


    : In reality, Kamishiro gets punched, and Kijin goes to her "house."


    : LOL.


    Sigh... I don''t think any of my streams have ever gone ording to n. Maybe I should start pre-nning everything in more detail... I found myself staring off into the distance, lost in thought.

 Chapter 51: Starting a Flame War

    Eventually, after continuing through the dungeon with Kijin and Kamishiro-san wreaking havoc, we made it down to the 85th floor. Even though we''re ten floors below the previous highest reached level, nothing too extraordinary has happened so far. I''m starting to wonder if we should keep going.


    : You probably don''t care, but the inte is absolutely blowing up over this.


    : Knew it.


    : Of course it is.


    : Can''t you see the viewer count?


    : Even foreignments are rolling in.


    : This is the ce for the ultimate event.


    : This stream is the event.


    : The dungeonmunity is in aplete uproar.


    : The Explorers'' forum is going crazy right now.


    "¡­No monsters around, huh?"


    "Feels kinda boring."


    So apparently, things are going wild on the surface, but down here on the 85th floor, we''re just strolling along. Sure, I''m aware that what we''re doing might be groundbreaking¡ªpotentially pushing for thepletion of Shibuya Dungeon¡ªbut as an explorer, I just want to enjoy the exploration. Besides, I doubt Kamishiro-san is thinking about any of this at all.


    : What''s the n now?


    : The streamer himself doesn''t seem to care, lmao.


    : The disinterest is too real.


    : Trantors, keep up the good work.


    : I saw someone say in English, "What''s up with these insane explorers?"


    : True.


    : Pretty much the same in Japanese.


    : Seems right.


    : What exactly are you satisfied with here?


    Calling us "insane explorers" is a bit harsh¡­ But to be fair, I am an officially signed EX-ranked explorer with WDAO. I''m pretty sure the EX explorers in America are just as reckless as we are.


    : He''s actively avoiding thements, I swear.


    : This guy''s just straight-up ignoring us.


    : Let''s have a Q&A session!


    : Good idea.


    : Yeah, they''re bored. Let''s chat.


    : Even the viewers are losing it now.


    : Always were.


    : Yeah, that''s just how it is.


    "Q&A? Sure, why not."


    At this point, might as well go for it. Bring on the questions.


    : What''s the temperature on the 85th floor?


    : What do you think about Kamishiro Rion?


    : Are you really the strongest?


    : Do you like your Shikigami?


    : How does it feel to be Japan''s top streamer?


    : You''re global, dude.


    : Do you get girls?


    : No way. We''re talking about us here, right?


    : Right, no chance. We''re the us.


    "I''ll ignore the nderousments, thank you. Who said I''m part of ''us''?"


    "Haha! It''s true, Tsuu-kun''s position, power, and wealth are worlds apart from you guys."


    "I will hit you."


    : Huh?


    : Is this the one time we agree with Tsuu-kun?


    : Can''t believe it, but I''m angry too.


    : Yeah, that''s too far.


    : Don''t provoke us, pretty girl!


    : Okay, but also insult us more, pls.


    Why does she always casually poke at the viewers like this? Take that back to your own channel. If this earns me a flood of downvotes, how will she make it up to me?


    "Anyway, let''s answer something... The temperature here on the 85th floor is about¡­ 25¡ãC. Prettyfortable if you''re moving around."


    "I could go for something cooler, but that''s probably asking too much, huh?"


    "It''s a dungeon."


    Still, the consistent climate of this dark, monotonous cave is a blessing. It can get way worse in other dungeons, trust me.


    "As for Kamishiro-san¡­ she''s too much of a free spirit. We don''t really get along. She just wanders around aimlessly, never epts any requests despite being a Japanese EX, and¡­ yeah, I can''t deal with it."


    "What? That''s harsh! What about, like, personally?"


    "I really don''t like her. She''s pushy, constantly butting in like some nosy aunt. She''s almost the worst."


    "This is cruel!"


    Of course, it is. We met because she picked a fight with me out of nowhere, and I beat her to a pulp. That''s how this all started.


    : This sounds like pure dislike, lol.


    : Wow¡­


    : This is straight-up resentment, huh?


    : Yeah, their personalities seem to sh.


    : Makes sense.


    : I''d feel the same.


    : I''d hate her too.


    : d we''re only watching her through a screen.


    "Next¡­ strongest? I don''t think so, but whatever. I like my Shikigami, though. I wouldn''t summon them if I didn''t."


    : And once again, Kijin deres herself the ''main wife.''


    "Ah, Kijin doesn''t count."


    : Betrayed again!


    : Same reaction every time, lmao.


    : Shikigami with personalities is the best part of this.


    : You could honestly just stream the Shikigami interacting.


    : A Shikigami-only stream would be fresh.


    "And about getting girls... Frankly speaking, it''s not really about whether I get girls or not. I barely meet any women, to begin with."


    : Oh.


    : Ah, yeah.


    : Forgot. He''s a loner.


    : The dungeon nerd.


    : Yeah, no girls in a dungeon.


    : Dude, you''re not gonna find a girlfriend in there.


    : Go to a mixer.


    : High schoolers don''t do mixers!


    : Also, no drinking at 18!


    : Did someone say ''mixer''? Lol.


    "No, I''m not that desperate... but, honestly, is getting married something I should do?"


    : In this era of low birthrates, absolutely.


    : Fix the declining poption, my dude.


    : You''ve got money, man.


    : Marriage isn''t just about money, though.


    : Yeah, women aren''t lining up for cash.


    : The ones who do are only after cash.


    : We are us for a reason.


    That''s harsh... But there''s some truth there. People say if you don''t have any romantic experiences by the time you''re in high school, it gets much harder once you''re an adult. Is that true?


    I feel sessful as an explorer, but my life experience iscking. I bet the viewers are more knowledgeable in this area.


    "¡­But, my viewers are probably shut-ins, so¡­"


    : Ah.


    : He just said it.


    : It''s war now.


    : This is gonna blow up.


    : You''vemitted an unforgivable sin.


    : Fact-checker says: It''s true, though.


    : We''re gonna post this everywhere.


    : Bing an anti-fan now.


    : Starting a me war.


    Sure, I know I shouldn''t have said it, but it''s still true. And I''m the type to stir things up a little. Let''s be honest¡ªI''m not here to be some polite streamer. It''s part of the fun.


    Anyway, let''s stop at the 86th floor. I don''t want to go all the way to the bottom with Kamishiro-san pushing us, without proper preparations.

 Chapter 52: Summoning the Sea God!

    "Finally... we''ve arrived at the 86th floor of Shibuya Dungeon."


    "¡­It''s so bright."


    After trudging through a dark cave for so long, I started thinking the whole dungeon would be caves all the way to the bottom. But suddenly, we stepped out onto a beach that looks like the perfect spot for extroverts to hang out. I don''t remember getting this far before, so it feels like we''ve really pushed past the previous highest reached floor.


    A blue ocean, white sandy beach¡­ the bright, beaming sun (or rather, glowing magic stones), and a ce that just screams that no introvert would evere near it. I''m definitely not an extrovert, so this bright summer beach-like ce is not my vibe at all.


    "Hmm... doesn''t it look like a popr tourist spot?"


    "Yes, it does. I''ve seen the term ''crystal-clear emerald sea'' before, but this is my first time actually seeing it."


    : Is this paradise?


    : Did we just die and go to heaven?


    : Hell looped around and became heaven?


    : Even if it looped around, that''s still the afterlife.


    : No doubt.


    : Let''s go swimming!


    : Let''s make this a tourist spot for Japan!


    : (It''s the 86th floor of a dungeon¡­)


    : Yeah, we knew that.


    Even with this stunning view that could rival any domestic vacation spot, it''s still the 86th floor of Shibuya Dungeon. Proof of that lies in the massive creature approaching from beyond the horizon.


    "What''s that?"


    "Isn''t that a slime?"


    "But... we''re at the ocean."


    : It''s gotta be the ocean.


    : The ocean is the enemy now?


    : What the¡­?


    : I don''t get it.


    Yeah, I don''t get it either. Why do I have to look out at this beautiful ocean only to see what is essentially a sea monster the size of a small building? It''s like a slime, but as big as a sea giant, and it''s heading straight for us.


    : Summon a sea monster of your own!


    : Do it!


    : Sea monster showdown!


    : Go for it!


    : The viewers are hyped, lol.


    : Show us EX power!


    "Haa¡­"


    "Can''t you just take it out in one shot?"


    "Are you really going for it?"


    "Watch me!"


    Kamishiro-san is reckless but not overconfident. If she''s charging in, it means she believes she can do it. So, I''ll focus on doing what I can. After all, even I have never seen a monster of that size before.


    "Kijin."


    ''Yes, I already know what you need, Master.''


    "Then, take control."


    ''Leave it to me.''


    The Shikigami I summon are mostly based on traditional folklore or stories that I imagine, creating them from scratch. They exist through my interpretation, and when summoned, theye to life as new beings. In essence, if I imagine it in great detail, I could even create a character from a video game.


    It''s an extremely versatile magic, but ites with some limitations. I can''t create something greater than myself, and the Shikigami will only act in ways I can imagine them acting. However, that only applies to regr Shikigami.


    "Purify and cleanse, protect under divine will, bless with abundant fortune."


    Reciting a brief prayer isn''t really necessary, but as someone who believes in the existence of gods, it feels wrong not to. The regr Shikigami are bound by my imagination, but the Twelve Heavenly Generals are different. They are divine vessels I create through Shikigami techniques, allowing the spirits of gods to descend into them.


    So, when Kijin refers to me as her ''master,'' it''s because the entity within her decides to do so, not because of my will. That''s why the Twelve Heavenly Generals aren''t truly my Shikigami. It''s more like a summoning technique that brings down divine spirits.


    In short, what I''m trying to say is¡­ Shikigami techniques can be pushed to summon pretty insane things if you know what you''re doing.


    "Owatatsumi-no-Kami."


    I imagined the grand embodiment of the sea itself. A being that sometimes heals life with the nurturing sea and sometimes mercilessly sweeps everything away, a mixture of love and fear. And then, I summon something into it, much like the Twelve Heavenly Generals.


    This is the first time I''ve ever summoned a real god. I feel a significant amount of my magical energy being drained, but with Kijin''s help controlling the flow, I manage to keep it from spiraling out of control.


    "Take that!"


    : Wait, Kamishiro''s magic looks like a pea shooter now.


    : Pea shooter (piercing attack).


    : A pea shooter doesn''t cut through a 30-meter tidal wave, guys.


    : Let''s not nitpick.


    : Is it even working?


    : I can''t tell.


    : No idea what''s happening.


    Kamishiro-san''spressed magic is powerful, but the opponent is too big to know if it''s having any effect. Like normal slimes, this one probably has a core somewhere, and hitting anything else won''t matter much.


    Well, if we can''t see the core, we''ll just keep hitting it until we find it.


    "Ugh!"


    : Uh, what?


    : What''s Tsuu-kun doing?


    : Wait¡­ did he just summon a sea god?


    : I heard him mutter Owatatsumi earlier¡­


    : Did he summon a god?


    : Is this real?


    : Huh?


    ''Master, this won''t hold for long!''


    "I know¡­ it''s my first time."


    ''Does that really matter!?''


    Of course it does. I remember the first time I summoned one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals¡ªKijin, to be specific¡ªand I only managed to maintain it for a few seconds before all my magical energy was drained. The same applies here. Summoning Owatatsumi-no-Kami will take a lot of practice before I can control it properly.


    "This is a primordial god¡­ It''s tougher than the first time with the Heavenly Generals, so brace yourself."


    ''Understood! For you, Master, I will endure until the end!''


    : ¡­


    : You just summoned something way worse than the sea monster.


    : I''m speechless.


    : The chat just went dead silent, lol.


    : First, a 30-meter sea monster shows up, and the EX attacks aren''t doing anything, but then the other EX summons a literal sea god bigger than the monster?


    : I don''t even¡­ what?


    : Is this the deep levels of the dungeon?


    This is the first time I''ve ever gone this far too!


    The summoned Owatatsumi-no-Kami isn''t resisting my control, thankfully. Maybe it''s because of the prayer? It seems willing to follow my will until the enemy is defeated. That said, being a god of the sea, it''s better to request thanmand.


    "This ends now!"


    You don''t need to speakmands aloud to control a Shikigami. As long as I focus on the target in my mind and wish for it, the sea god will move.


    The slime, sensing our presence, begins to swell up, preparing tounch a massive water attack. But with a simple gesture of its left hand, Owatatsumi-no-Kami makes the creature swell and then explode.


    : Wait, it''s over?


    : Did¡­ did it just end?


    : Oh god.


    : Gods are terrifying.


    : EX explorers can summon gods?


    : Does this mean they can destroy the world?


    : Yep, probably.


    : Humanity''s fate is in their hands.


    That''s harsh. Owatatsumi-no-Kami just moved one hand, and I lost a significant amount of magical energy to make that happen. I''m no superhuman. And anyway, I''m not going any further!


    We''re heading back now!


    Stream''s over!

 Chapter 53: Thread 5: Beyond Human Limits

    37: Anonymous Explorer


    The thread''s moving way too fast!


    38: Anonymous Explorer


    It can''t be helped.


    39: Anonymous Explorer


    We''ve burned through like 20 threads just for this morning''s stream, right?


    40: Anonymous Explorer


    Reason for ending the exploration: "Just kind of got tired."


    Record: 86th floor.


    41: Anonymous Explorer


    Wait¡­ seriously?


    42: Anonymous Explorer


    EX-rank explorers can do anything, huh?


    43: Anonymous Explorer


    Here''s what we learned this time:


    ¨C Kamishiro Rion is a beautiful but disappointing person.


    ¨C Kamishiro Rion and Kisaragi-kun are like a messy older sister and her long-suffering younger brother.


    ¨C Kisaragi-kun can make it rain whenever he feels like it.


    ¨C Magicpression is being researched in America.


    ¨C The boss of the 75th floor is some kind of weird dragon.


    ¨C Explorers can fly (??????)


    ¨C Kisaragi-kun can summon gods (?????????)


    ¨C The 86th floor is a beach.


    44: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾43


    Too much information!


    45: Anonymous Explorer


    It doesn''t make any sense.


    46: Anonymous Explorer


    Even watching the stream left me confused.


    47: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾43


    ¨C Explorers can fly (??????)


    ?????????


    48: Anonymous Explorer


    No, they can''t.


    49: Anonymous Explorer


    But Kamishiro Rion was flying!


    50: Anonymous Explorer


    Don''t try to apply logic to EX-ranks. That''s the takeaway from this thread.


    51: Anonymous Explorer


    True.


    52: Anonymous Explorer


    What''s happening¡­?


    53: Anonymous Explorer


    I was at work and missed the stream, but I can tell it was chaotic.


    54: Anonymous Explorer


    Trust me, even if you watched it, it still didn''t make sense.


    55: Anonymous Explorer


    Here''s what viewers learned today:


    ¨C Kisaragi-kun is amazing.


    ¨C Kamishiro Rion is amazing.


    56: Anonymous Explorer


    Yeah, that''s pretty urate.


    57: Anonymous Explorer


    ¨C Kamishiro Rion is an idiot.


    ¨C Kisaragi-kun is a little odd.


    58: Anonymous Explorer


    You''d know Kamishiro Rion is an idiot if you''ve followed her on social media.


    59: Anonymous Explorer


    Is she really that bad?


    60: Anonymous Explorer


    She mostly just posts pictures, though.


    61: Anonymous Explorer


    So many brain-breaking moments today.


    62: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t Asagao-chan just too good for him?


    63: Anonymous Explorer


    No one in the country is on Asagao''s level except for three other people.


    64: Anonymous Explorer


    So, EX Reiman isn''t as ridiculous as I thought?


    65: Anonymous Explorer


    Even Jinguji Kaede managed to solo the Takayama Dungeon to the bottom.


    66: Anonymous Explorer


    EX-ranks are just built differently¡­


    67: Anonymous Explorer


    Wait, really?


    68: Anonymous Explorer


    Wasn''t she part of a party? I''m confused.


    69: Anonymous Explorer


    Jinguji Kaede is known as the fastest explorer, right?


    70: Anonymous Explorer


    But how urate is that im?


    71: Anonymous Explorer


    I''m gonna suggest on social media that they cob with Jinguji Kaede next!


    72: Anonymous Explorer


    At this point, I want to see all the EX explorers.


    73: Anonymous Explorer


    The dungeon world is in chaos after today''s stream.


    74: Anonymous Explorer


    No surprise there.


    75: Anonymous Explorer


    I expected as much.


    76: Anonymous Explorer


    Dungeon researchers on social media are losing their minds.


    77: Anonymous Explorer


    Well, it is the deep floors.


    78: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s no wonder people are freaking out after so much new information was revealed at once.


    79: Anonymous Explorer


    Image


    80: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾79


    Lol.


    81: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾79


    Stopughing at them.


    82: Anonymous Explorer


    Poor guy¡­


    83: Anonymous Explorer


    I can''t see the image right now, bad connection. Can someone exin?


    84: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾79


    That''s just sad.


    85: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾83


    The official Explorer Association ount posted an update about the new record set in the Shibuya Dungeon, then immediately followed up with a sigh.


    86: Anonymous Explorer


    EX-ranks, man¡­


    87: Anonymous Explorer


    Maybe we shouldn''t let EX-ranks meet each other.


    88: Anonymous Explorer


    We need to keep them separated and under control.


    89: Anonymous Explorer


    Can we even control monsters like that?


    90: Anonymous Explorer


    They can fly, remember?


    91: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾90


    Just thinking about it makes meugh.


    92: Anonymous Explorer


    This whole situation is a mess.


    93: Anonymous Explorer


    Everything is just chaos now.


    94: Anonymous Explorer


    The Dungeon boards, the Kamishiro Rion fan forums, the researchers, the Explorer Association, and the dungeon streamingmunity¡­


    They''re all losing their minds.


    95: Anonymous Explorer


    What have you done, Kisaragi-kun?


    96: Anonymous Explorer


    This is basically a coup.


    97: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s practically an overthrow of the government.


    98: Anonymous Explorer


    We might get an official press conference from the government at this rate.


    99: Anonymous Explorer


    The Dungeon Ministry is definitely going to hold a press conference.


    100: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s been years since we had a new record for the highest floor reached¡­ And the exploration ended because "he got tired."


    101: Anonymous Explorer


    I feel like I''m losing my mind.


    102: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s always been insane, so don''t worry.


    103: Anonymous Explorer


    How can anyone be calm after this?


    104: Anonymous Explorer


    The archived stream is blowing up with views.


    105: Anonymous Explorer


    What are we even supposed to do now?


    106: Anonymous Explorer


    What''s Kisaragi-kun''s next stream going to be like?


    107: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s no point in predicting it.


    108: Anonymous Explorer


    He could probably get a million views just by rolling a pencil.


    109: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s always a mess, and yet I can''t stop watching.


    110: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun just became my favorite streamer.


    111: Anonymous Explorer


    Does he have a lot of female fans?


    112: Anonymous Explorer


    Maybe not?


    113: Anonymous Explorer


    I bet he''s got a lot of female explorer fans, though.


    114: Anonymous Explorer


    Definitely.


    115: Anonymous Explorer


    Most of his viewers are probably explorers in general.


    116: Anonymous Explorer


    His audience seems pretty young.


    117: Anonymous Explorer


    The government should treat Kisaragi-kun with more care.


    118: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s already an anti-thread about Kisaragi-kun.


    [Explorer]UNKNOWN Anti-thread[Kisaragi Tsukasa]


    119: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾118


    Lol.


    120: Anonymous Explorer


    Not surprised.


    121: Anonymous Explorer


    Once you get an anti-thread, you know you''ve made it big.


    122: Anonymous Explorer


    His channel just hit a million subs too.


    123: Anonymous Explorer


    Wait, seriously?


    124: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s way too fast, lol.


    125: Anonymous Explorer


    Both the anti-thread and the subs count are exploding, huh?


    126: Anonymous Explorer


    I''m dying ofughter.


    127: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s an EX explorer, streaming, and now he''s got a ton of haters.


    128: Anonymous Explorer


    The anti-thread is moving fast with angryments, lol.


    129: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s full of jealous posts, and it''s hrious.


    130: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾129


    Don''t call it jealousy or they''ll get mad.


    131: Anonymous Explorer


    I''ve seen the hatements on social media too. He''s been getting a lot of ktely.


    132: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s because he''s cobing with Asagao-chan and showing off his absurd strength.


    133: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s like he''s one of us, but with insane powers, so people are picking on him.


    134: Anonymous Explorer


    If he were more serious, maybe he wouldn''t get so much hate¡­


    135: Anonymous Explorer


    If he were serious, he wouldn''t be streaming at all.


    136: Anonymous Explorer


    The anti-thread people will never beat him, though.


    137: Anonymous Explorer


    Jealousy is real, huh?


    138: Anonymous Explorer


    All the wrong types of people are gathering in that anti-thread, lol.


    139: Anonymous Explorer


    So much happened in just one day.


    140: Anonymous Explorer


    ¨C 20 threads burned through in a few hours.


    ¨C His stream hit #1 trending worldwide.


    ¨C An anti-thread got created.


    ¨C Jealous trolls invaded.


    ¨C Social media is blowing up with replies.


    141: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾140


    This plus the list from earlier¡­ It''s all insane.


    142: Anonymous Explorer


    This is just too much, lol.


    143: Anonymous Explorer


    I bet we''ll start seeing a ton of "deep floor analysis" videos soon based on Kisaragi-kun''s stream.


    144: Anonymous Explorer


    Fake analysis videos are always fun.


    145: Anonymous Explorer


    I love those deep-dive videos.


    146: Anonymous Explorer


    Do you think Kisaragi-kun will respond to the anti-thread?


    147: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s too busy for that, I bet.


    148: Anonymous Explorer


    The anti-threaders are just ying by themselves.


    149: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t that always the case?


    150: Anonymous Explorer


    Ah..


    151: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾149


    True that.


    152: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    153: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s probably too busy to care about his haters.


    154: Anonymous Explorer


    Do you think he''ll add a donation feature?


    155: Anonymous Explorer


    There aren''t even any ads on his streams.


    156: Anonymous Explorer


    He should at least enable ads, right?


    157: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s probably already swimming in money, though.


    158: Anonymous Explorer


    So jealous.


    159: Anonymous Explorer


    By the way, his next stream is apparently going to be a "Dungeon Basics" ss.


    Image


    160: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾159


    Wait, seriously¡­ you''re doing this now?


    161: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s probably a contract stream for the Association, lol.


    162: Anonymous Explorer


    What even are "dungeon basics"?


    163: Anonymous Explorer


    "Almost dying makes you stronger," or something?


    164: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾163


    Stop with the fake "basics," lol.


    165: Anonymous Explorer


    "Use magic, and your enemies will die."


    166: Anonymous Explorer


    "Don''t rely too much on your Shikigami."


    167: Anonymous Explorer


    Doesn''t sound useful at all, lol.


    168: Anonymous Explorer


    Why is everything so weird in this thread?


    169: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s his fault, honestly.


    170: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾168


    Hasn''t it always been like this?


    171: Anonymous Explorer


    Yeah, pretty much.


    172: Anonymous Explorer


    I''m going to start checking out the anti-thread as a new hobby, lol.


    173: Anonymous Explorer


    Sounds fun.


    174: Anonymous Explorer


    Both Kisaragi-kun and the people in this thread are having a st.


    175: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s having such a huge impact on society as an EX-ranked explorer.


    176: Anonymous Explorer


    Amazing (in the simplest terms).


    177: Anonymous Explorer


    He''spletely changed the way people view dungeon streams.


    178: Anonymous Explorer


    EX-rank is just on a whole other level, huh (brain malfunctioning).


    179: Anonymous Explorer


    Maybe upper-floor streams will be more popr now that people are over the deep floors¡­ Nah, probably not.


    180: Anonymous Explorer


    No chance.


    181: Anonymous Explorer


    Upper-floor streamers should switch to gaming streams instead.


    182: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾181


    Someone already quit dungeon streaming because of him, so don''t rub it in.


    183: Anonymous Explorer


    Wait, really? Lol.


    184: Anonymous Explorer


    How many dungeon streamers has Kisaragi-kun indirectly forced to retire?


    185: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s probably crushed the spirits of a lot of explorers too.


    186: Anonymous Explorer


    And he''s just out here streaming with the best of intentions!


    187: Anonymous Explorer


    Monsters like him just don''t understand how humans think, huh?


    188: Anonymous Explorer


    Ugh¡­


    189: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾312: Anonymous Explorer


    "When you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."


    190: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾189


    Lol.


    191: Anonymous Explorer


    I can''t deny it anymore. He really is a monster.


    192: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾189


    We all thought Kisaragi-kun was human back then¡­


    193: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾189


    Ah, the days when we still believed Kisaragi-kun was just a regr human.


    194: Anonymous Explorer


    Well¡­ looks like he''s graduated from being human, lol.


    195: Anonymous Explorer


    I used to want to be an explorer, but I don''t want to stop being human!


    196: Anonymous Explorer


    Don''t worry, it''s not that easy to quit being human.


    197: Anonymous Explorer


    Only EX-ranked people stop being human.


    198: Anonymous Explorer


    EX Reiman is suddenly the victim of baseless usations, lol.


    199: Anonymous Explorer


    Is it really baseless, though?


    200: Anonymous Explorer


    At this point, I''m starting to believe EX Reiman is also an EX-rank in the truest sense.


    201: Anonymous Explorer


    I won''t believe it until I see it with my own eyes.


    202: Anonymous Explorer


    I used to think EX Reiman was just a corporate drone.


    203: Anonymous Explorer


    Jinguji Kaede and Kamishiro Rion are both monsters, so it''s no use.


    204: Anonymous Explorer


    Is there any way they aren''t monsters?


    205: Anonymous Explorer


    They''re definitely scary people.


    206: Anonymous Explorer


    I fully expect EX Reiman to be just as insane!


    207: Anonymous Explorer


    At this point, it''d be scarier if they were normal.


    208: Anonymous Explorer


    They''re EX-ranks. Of course they''re not normal.


    209: Anonymous Explorer


    A few weeks ago, I would''ve denied this, but after seeing Kamishiro Rion and Kisaragi-kun¡­ Yeah, it''s obvious now.


    210: Anonymous Explorer


    I thought they were just slightly above human, but they''re full-blown monsters now. Their only human trait is their appearance.


    211: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾210


    That''s brutal, lol.

 Chapter 54: Thread 6: The High-Stakes World of Dungeon Streamers and Taxesxes

    560: Anonymous Explorer


    What a crazy day it''s been.


    561: Anonymous Explorer


    Man, it''s just unfair.


    562: Anonymous Explorer


    So it''s true that EX-rank explorers are just unfair by nature.


    563: Anonymous Explorer


    No one could''ve predicted it would be this bad.


    564: Anonymous Explorer


    Really? (I don''t fully understand what happened.)


    565: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾564


    EX-rank explorers Kamishiro Rion and Kisaragi Tsukasa (UNKNOWN) just casually streamed themselves clearing past the 75th floor, which was the highest reached floor in Shibuya Dungeon, and made it all the way to the 86th floor.


    They ended the stream because, apparently, they were "just kind of tired."


    566: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾565


    That''s just pure unfairness wrapped in a package.


    567: Anonymous Explorer


    Meanwhile, other explorers are risking their lives out there¡­


    568: Anonymous Explorer


    Honestly, I was underestimating the EX-ranks.


    569: Anonymous Explorer


    I''d lose all my confidence watching that.


    570: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾569


    Justpare yourself to other humans, not monsters. Don''tpete with them.


    571: Anonymous Explorer


    Well, even the magic stones from the upper floors are contributing to infrastructure, so don''t feel too bad.


    572: Anonymous Explorer


    But deep-floor magic stones are way more efficient, so who even needs those upper-floor scraps?


    573: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾572


    Then you go and explore the deep floors yourself.


    574: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾572


    Go on, you try it.


    575: Anonymous Explorer


    Another dungeon newbie who''s never been inside, huh?


    576: Anonymous Explorer


    Dungeon newbies are around all year long.


    577: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s just the downside of dungeon streaming being so popr now.


    578: Anonymous Explorer


    But, apparently, more young people are aspiring to be explorers because of dungeon streams.


    579: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s probably a plus for the country overall.


    580: Anonymous Explorer


    We always get guys like 572 popping up on these boards, though.


    581: Anonymous Explorer


    They''ve been here since the start.


    582: Anonymous Explorer


    Whether it''s dungeon-rted or not, trash will always show up.


    583: Anonymous Explorer


    Today''s profits:


    Solo:


    £«20,000


    £­12,000


    Image


    I went to the mid-levels of Shibuya Dungeon, so I made some decent money, but I got injured and had to spend on treatment.


    584: Anonymous Explorer


    Explorers in general are full of dungeon newbies.


    585: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾583


    Nice. You still made a solid profit.


    586: Anonymous Explorer


    Even with some injuries, making +8,000 in a day makes me think pushing into the mid-levels is worth it.


    587: Anonymous Explorer


    Honestly, if you can make 15,000 without getting hurt in the upper levels, that''s pretty good too.


    588: Anonymous Explorer


    So if you make +8,000 daily, that''s +240,000 a month? After factoring in the tax on magic stones, how much do you actually take home?


    589: Anonymous Explorer


    Probably around 150k after everything.


    590: Anonymous Explorer


    You still have equipment costs to consider, though.


    591: Anonymous Explorer


    Considering all that, I guess I need to work a bit harder.


    592: Anonymous Explorer


    Here''s my earnings report:


    Solo:


    £«70,000


    £­20,000


    Image


    593: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾592


    That''s a lot!


    594: Anonymous Explorer


    If you''re making +50,000 a day, that''s 1.5 million a month. You''re basically rich.


    595: Anonymous Explorer


    How did you do it?


    596: Anonymous Explorer


    I followed the advice Asagao-chan gave during Kisaragi-kun''s stream and went to the lower levels.


    597: Anonymous Explorer


    Whoa.


    598: Anonymous Explorer


    (Wait, you can just go to the lower levels like that?)


    599: Anonymous Explorer


    Nice.


    600: Anonymous Explorer


    (That''s honestly really impressive.)


    601: Anonymous Explorer


    So the stuff they were saying in the stream was actually helpful?


    602: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾592


    Are you rank C?


    603: Anonymous Explorer


    Maybe I should push myself more.


    604: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾602


    Yeah, I just got promoted to C, but I rewatched Kisaragi-kun''s stream to memorize the monster behaviors and traits to watch out for. It helped a lot, though I still nearly died.


    605: Anonymous Explorer


    Rank C? That''s elite.


    606: Anonymous Explorer


    Straight-up impressive.


    607: Anonymous Explorer


    We need a mid-level exploration guide stream.


    608: Anonymous Explorer


    Give us tips on what to watch out for in the mid-levels.


    609: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun''s poprity is about to skyrocket again.


    610: Anonymous Explorer


    I''m going to subscribe to his channel.


    611: Anonymous Explorer


    I used to be a hater, but I''m a fan now. I need more dungeon info.


    612: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol, haters getting won over by money.


    613: Anonymous Explorer


    I mean, you need money to survive.


    614: Anonymous Explorer


    I hadn''t gone to the lower levels since almost dying thest time, but after watching that stream, I thought I could do it, so I pushed through. I avoided the super dangerous monsters and just stuck to ones I could handle. Even though I didn''t collect many magic stones, the ones I did get were bought for crazy high prices.


    615: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾614


    Thanks for the info.


    616: Anonymous Explorer


    That much of a difference, huh?


    617: Anonymous Explorer


    Apparently, the energy efficiency of magic stones from the lower levels is totally different.


    618: Anonymous Explorer


    I think I read something about that in a research paper.


    619: Anonymous Explorer


    Is the Kisaragi-kun craze about to hit?


    620: Anonymous Explorer


    Hasn''t it already?


    621: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s great that EX-rankers are giving out this kind of information.


    622: Anonymous Explorer


    Why don''t the rank S explorers evere out like this?


    623: Anonymous Explorer


    At the end of the day, it''s all about hoarding resources.


    624: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s like hardcore gamers who never share their gear setups. Same idea.


    625: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾624


    That''s such a selfish attitude.


    626: Anonymous Explorer


    Exactly.


    627: Anonymous Explorer


    On the other hand, why does Kisaragi-kun so freely share all this info?


    628: Anonymous Explorer


    Because he doesn''t care.


    629: Anonymous Explorer


    He probably doesn''t see the value in keeping it secret.


    630: Anonymous Explorer


    Rank S explorers are so petty.


    631: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s true.


    632: Anonymous Explorer


    Which is why they never make any real progress.


    633: Anonymous Explorer


    But it''s the same in every country, isn''t it?


    634: Anonymous Explorer


    The more skilled someone is, the less they''re interested in helping others. Kisaragi-kun just transcends all of that.


    635: Anonymous Explorer


    Seriously? I''m unfollowing all the rank S explorers on social media and following Kisaragi-kun instead.


    636: Anonymous Explorer


    He doesn''t post much information on social media, though.


    637: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun''s social media is just a daily life diary.


    638: Anonymous Explorer


    I''d still want to see that.


    639: Anonymous Explorer


    Apparently, he''s trying to imitate Kamishiro Rion''s style.


    640: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾639


    So he really is like her little brother?


    641: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun is going to do a "Dungeon Basics" ss soon, so make sure to watch.


    Image


    642: Anonymous Explorer


    Wait, are you one of Kisaragi-kun''s followers?


    643: Anonymous Explorer


    Of course (he made me 50k in one day, after all).


    644: Anonymous Explorer


    Can''t argue with that.


    645: Anonymous Explorer


    If it''s making real money, there''s nothing toin about.


    646: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾641


    Is it free? If I watch that, can I start making 50k a day too?


    647: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾646


    That''s not gonna happen.


    648: Anonymous Explorer


    If you don''t have an explorer license yet, you should go get it now.


    649: Anonymous Explorer


    We''re in the Great Explorer Era.


    650: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun mentioned a while back that it''s one of his EX duties to increase the number of explorers.


    651: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾650


    Looks like it''s working, huh?


    652: Anonymous Explorer


    So far, it''s just people who already had licenses pushing deeper into the dungeon.


    653: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s more than enough progress.


    654: Anonymous Explorer


    If the people stuck in the upper floors move to the mid-levels, that''s a big help for the country.


    655: Anonymous Explorer


    We''ll be exporting more magic stones abroad, so it''ll raise everyone''s standard of living here too.


    656: Anonymous Explorer


    If we had 100 Kisaragi-kuns, the country would be swimming in cash, maybe even get tax cuts.


    657: Anonymous Explorer


    If there were 100 of him, we''d be conquered first.


    658: Anonymous Explorer


    Not gonna lie, that seems entirely possible.


    659: Anonymous Explorer


    Too strong, lol.


    660: Anonymous Explorer


    Now I''m curious about what the other EX-rankers are like.


    661: Anonymous Explorer


    EX Reiman and the strongest granny?


    662: Anonymous Explorer


    The name "EX Reiman" alone makes meugh, stop it.


    663: Anonymous Explorer


    How much did they earn from that stream, I wonder?


    664: Anonymous Explorer


    They obliterated every monster they met.


    665: Anonymous Explorer


    The size of those magic stones was ridiculous too.


    666: Anonymous Explorer


    The tiny pebble-sized magic stones we get just seem pathetic now.


    667: Anonymous Explorer


    Seeing fist-sized magic stones had meughing.


    668: Anonymous Explorer


    In an hour, I made 70,000 by selectively fighting weaker enemies in the lower floors. Considering how different the deep floors seempared to the lower floors, I bet they made millions from that stream alone.


    669: Anonymous Explorer


    Whoa.


    670: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s insane.


    671: Anonymous Explorer


    Apparently, Kisaragi-kun is always buying expensive stuff.


    672: Anonymous Explorer


    Living the luxurious life.


    673: Anonymous Explorer


    Kamishiro Rion also gives off the impression of someone who''s into high-end brands.


    674: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun apparently spends a lot of money just to keep the economy going since he has so much of it.


    675: Anonymous Explorer


    Man, he''s still in high school¡­


    676: Anonymous Explorer


    Meanwhile, older men are just hoarding wealth and trying to make more of it.


    677: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s boosting personal consumption rates on his own, lol.


    678: Anonymous Explorer


    The man single-handedly raising Japan''s economic stats.


    679: Anonymous Explorer


    The only reason Japan''s economy is doing well is because of dungeons. We used to rely on imports for food and fuel, but now we''re getting everything from dungeons, and despite being such a small country, we have tons of dungeons and four EX-rankers!


    680: Anonymous Explorer


    Well, Kamishiro Rion''s a cker, though.


    681: Anonymous Explorer


    She needs to work harder.


    682: Anonymous Explorer


    Meanwhile, Russia and China don''t have many dungeons and are losing to even Australia, making things reallyplicated for them.


    683: Anonymous Explorer


    The UN is falling apart too.


    684: Anonymous Explorer


    I want to go swimming at the 86th floor of Shibuya Dungeon.


    685: Anonymous Explorer


    China couldn''t go to war because they were too scared of Jinguji Kaede. Poor them, really.


    686: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾684


    But the ocean there attacks you.


    687: Anonymous Explorer


    Stop trying to y around in the deep floors.


    688: Anonymous Explorer


    Just go to a normal beach.


    689: Anonymous Explorer


    I just got my explorer''s license! They said I have potential, but I''m pretty sure that''s just ttery!


    690: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾689


    Wee to hell.


    691: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾689


    Wee to heaven.


    692: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾690


    £¾£¾691


    Which is it?


    693: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s both heaven and hell.


    694: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s definitely a ce close to the afterlife.


    695: Anonymous Explorer


    You can make money, but you could easily lose your life.


    696: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾689


    If possible, try to join a party. Soloing is only for those confident in their abilities.


    697: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾689


    Always prioritize your life over money. You''ll die easily if you don''t.


    698: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾689


    Even if you have money, you won''t be able to spend it if you''re dead. Make sure your gear is in top shape and listen to advice from veteran explorers.


    699: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾696


    £¾£¾697


    £¾£¾698


    Thanks for the advice! I''ll watch Kisaragi-kun''s dungeon basics ss first before diving in. My goal is to make 10 million a year!


    700: Anonymous Explorer


    There are barely any explorers making 10 million a year, you know? Those earnings reports are just daily profit and loss¡ªequipment costs are a separate thing entirely.


    701: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾699


    It''s good to be motivated, but keep in mind that explorers are considered self-employed, so you''ll have to do your own taxes.


    702: Anonymous Explorer


    Transportation to the dungeon can be written off as a business expense, and as long as your gear isn''t super custom-made, you can deduct that too. If you get injured, you can probably deduct about half of your potion costs.


    That about covers it?


    703: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾702


    You forgot the explorer tax deductions.


    704: Anonymous Explorer


    Ask the Association about that.


    705: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾699


    https://©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤


    https://©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤


    https://©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤


    https://©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤


    Image


    Here''s a list of tax ountants Kisaragi-kun rmended. If you start making decent money, just hire one of these guys.


    706: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾705


    Thanks.


    707: Anonymous Explorer


    I wasn''t talking to you, but sure, whatever.


    708: Anonymous Explorer


    Doing taxes is a pain when you''re an explorer with a side job.


    709: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾708


    Don''t evade your taxes, okay?


    710: Anonymous Explorer


    There are actually a lot of explorers who identally evade taxes. It''s usually not intentional, they just don''t understand how to do their taxes properly.

 Chapter 55: Dungeon Basics: EX-Class Lecture!

    I''ve received an overwhelming number of interview requests. It''s probably because of yesterday''s deep-floor stream... but dealing with them is a hassle, so I wish Kamishiro-san could handle all of them.


    Both Kamishiro-san and I generally understand what we did, but we had no idea it would cause such a societal stir and be top news. I thought it would just hit some online news and cause a bit of chaos on message boards¡­ but when we got back to the Shibuya Dungeon entrance, the head of the Shibuya Dungeon branch was crouched over, holding his stomach like he was in pain.


    That, at least, made meugh.


    "So, you''re staying at a different ce this time?"


    "Because it was easier."


    The apartment near Shibuya Station that I usually use already had reporters swarming it, so I used magic to create an illusion and slip away. Specifically, I made it look like I was a different resident, so I could walk through the crowd of reporters. I own a few apartments in Tokyo, so I chose one not too far from Shibuya Station to meet with Asakawa-san.


    "I see... Personally, I''d rather ask about your rtionship with Kamishiro Rion, though?"


    "...Is there something you want me to say?"


    "Heh¡­ even though you recruited me first."


    "I didn''t recruit Kamishiro-san, though?"


    "That''s not what I meant! Ugh..."


    I really don''t understand women.


    Asakawa-san seems a little sulky, but she''s not seriously angry, so I think it''s okay to leave it alone for now. Not that I know any other way to handle it.


    "By the way, Asakawa-san, you''ve gotten a lot stronger."


    "...Can you stop watching the archive while I''m right in front of you?"


    "Why? It''s just for record-keeping. There''s nothing to be embarrassed about."


    She''s looking at me like she can''t believe it, but if it''s so embarrassing, why do dungeon streams in the first ce?


    "B-But more importantly... are you nning to stick with just dungeon exploration?"


    "No, I''ll be doing a variety of things. For now, the next stream will be a basic dungeon lecture, so I''m aiming to make it easy to understand for anyone watching."


    "I see. After that, let''s do a cob with me next."


    "Wait, what?"


    Did she just casually decide that without asking?


    "I want to announce that I''ll be one of the streamers under thepany you''re setting up."


    "Well, that might be necessary... Alright, I understand. After the basics lecture, we''ll do a cob with you."


    Speaking of cobs, I noticed a bunch of cob requests piling up in my SNS messages. Most of the "carry me through" type requests I''ve been ignoring¡­ but there are a few from streamers I''m interested in.


    "..."


    "Something on your mind?"


    "No, it''s nothing."


    Among the cob requests, one was from someone I''ve been particrly interested in. After watching Asakawa-san''s dungeon streams, I''ve been keeping an eye on a few other promising dungeon streamers, and one of them sent me a request. I don''t want to miss this opportunity, so I''ll respond and set up a cob for a date that works.


    "So, what''s the n for the next cob?"


    "I want to go to the lower floors of Hachioji Dungeon!"


    "...Well, okay."


    Maybe she got curious because I mentioned it earlier. Hachioji Dungeon doesn''t have much to do¡ªit''s a pretty t dungeon¡ªbut it might be good for training.


    "Anyway, let''s have lunch!"


    "Yeah, sounds good. I have some pretty nice ingredients."


    "Huh?"


    Why is Asakawa-san smiling but frozen in ce?


    "How much would those ingredients cost if you bought them?"


    "I don''t know? Depends on how the market auction goes."


    "Ahhhhhh!"


    So loud.


    A few days after the deep-floor stream with Kamishiro-san, I''vepleted a few requests as an EX explorer, and since I had some free time today, I''m at the top floor of Hachioji Dungeon. I wanted to go to Shibuya Dungeon, but since it''s summer vacation, the upper and top floors are way too crowded.


    Since there were too many people to hold the basics lecture there, I decided to do it at Hachioji Dungeon¡­ but I have a feeling this stream might get a little chaotic.


    "As nned, today I''ll be doing a basic dungeon lecture."


    : Been waiting for this.


    : Thanks!


    : I got my explorer license, but I didn''t know what to do next, so this is really helpful.


    : Hopefully, this will help more explorers get to the mid-level floors.


    : Well, that depends on talent.


    : Even just tips for the upper floors would be useful.


    "This stream is mainly for those working in the top or upper floors, or for people aspiring to be explorers. Today, we have a special guest here to help with the lecture."


    : Another guest, huh?


    : This guy barely does solo streams anymore.


    : Can''t be helped.


    : Who?


    : If it''s a dungeon lecture, it''s probably someone from the Association.


    : People were saying this is an Association project.


    "Our guest is EX Reiman, Aizawa Ryosuke."


    "So, is ''EX Reiman'' a popr nickname now? People keep calling me that on my SNS too."


    "I guess so? It''s probably because your social media is all business-rted."


    "So you know the reason¡­ Why didn''t you tell me sooner?"


    : !?


    : EX Reiman?!


    : Another EX guest, seriously?


    : This guy''s streams are bing legendary.


    : He is the legend, lol.


    : Lol, dungeon basics lecture (featuring two EX-rankers).


    : What¡­?


    Thement section is blowing up again. Honestly¡­ I did get the idea from how many viewers we had when Kamishiro-san joined as a surprise guest, but I didn''t expect Aizawa-san would actuallye. He''s a really busy guy.


    "Hello, viewers of Kisaragi Tsukasa ch. I''m Aizawa Ryosuke, EX-ranked explorer and the chairman of the Japanese Explorer''s Union. Since this is my first time doing a dungeon basics lecture, I''ll be appearing as a guest today."


    : His introduction really sounds like a sryman, lol.


    : As expected from the ex-sryman EX.


    : He quit thepany, but they still call him EX Reiman.


    : Poor guy.


    : He''s so cool, though.


    : Such an adult vibe.


    : Please take care of our clueless Kisaragi-kun.


    : Thank goodness.


    : With someone normal here, this lecture might actually be useful.


    Hey. I''ve been preparing all this stuff for today, and yet the viewers think I''m some wild idiot. I''m still better than Kamishiro-san, at least.


    "So, with the help of Aizawa-san, who usually assists explorers going into the lower and deep floors, today''s lecture will focus on the basics for the top and upper floors."


    "Looking forward to it."


    Man¡­ I''m d Aizawa-san is here for this stream. With him involved, it''s not likely to devolve into a mess, and the lecture will be a lot more coherent than if I were doing it solo. It actually feels like I''m doing my job as an EX explorer. I think I''ll start doing dungeon strategy lectures more regrly.

 Chapter 56: Dungeon Basics: Mastering Magic Control!

    "First, let''s start with what''s essential for dungeon exploration."


    Even though we just say "dungeon," they''re divided into top, upper, middle, lower, and deep floors. Additionally, each dungeon¡ªwhether it''s Shibuya, Hachioji, or Takayama¡ªhas different environments and monsters, so the way to approach them differs. Still, there are things that are universally important in every dungeon.


    "In my opinion, the essential skill for dungeon exploration is¡­ controlling the magic within your body."


    "Hmm. That''s an interesting way to start a basics lecture."


    "Well, it''s also the first thing I learned."


    : So what does that mean?


    : Sure, controlling magic is important, but...


    : Is this about learning to use magic?


    : What happens when you control your magic?


    : Starting with a tough topic, huh?


    "It''s simple. Even if you just get a general sense of the magic flowing through your body and move it freely, as long as you can do that, you won''t suffer major injuries from upper-floor monsters."


    "Well, that''s true. The most important thing in dungeon exploration is surviving."


    : Prioritize survival, huh.


    : How do you circte magic?


    : That depends on the person.


    : For me, it''s like rising from my stomach.


    : Isn''t that vomiting?


    : I imagine it flowing from my heart.


    : I thought it covered my body like a shield.


    Everyone''s image of magic differs. In my case, I imagine it flowing through my body like blood, and I can store it in specific ces or speed up its overall movement.


    "If you send a lot of magic into your arms, you can crush rocks, and even if a monster bites you, it won''t leave a mark. It''s said that many young people born with abundant magic do this unconsciously."


    : Young people are dungeon elites, huh.


    : Damn, I need to be an explorer now since I''m still young.


    : If you''re in your 30s, you''re no longer "young."


    : Lol.


    : Among explorers, you''re practically an old man.


    : That''s rough.


    : So, controlling magic flow is key.


    "As I mentioned in a previous stream, magic is a versatile force... If you get the hang of it, you can even walk in the air."


    I imagine a surface of magic under my feet, solidified like a staircase, and start walking in the air. The extent of this ability depends on the person''s imagination, but at the very least, it''s possible to fly, like Kamishiro-san does.


    "Impressive... I''ve never seen someone handle magic so naturally."


    "Huh? But Aizawa-san can do this too, right?"


    "I can, but not that smoothly."


    : Wait, you can do that too?


    : So, there was a theory behind that floating trick.


    : Floating?


    : That wasn''t floating, that was flying.


    : He wasn''t hovering; he was flying at high speed.


    "That''s just because Kamishiro-san is crazy. I can''t fly that fast."


    : But you can still fly!


    : I tried copying that trick in the dungeon the other day, but it didn''t work.


    : Of course you can''t fly, lol.


    : Dude''s casually talking while walking through the air.


    What are the viewers even thinking while watching this stream?


    Even Aizawa-san is walking in the air as if he''s climbing stairs, so it proves that anyone can do it if they try. My grandma helped me polish my magic control skills early on, and it''s been a huge help. The fact that I can cut through deep-floor monsters with an unnamed sword is all thanks to controlling my magic.


    "For starters, you should at least practice the technique of hardening your body with magic. By the way, magic control training can be done at home. Try it before bed, like meditating for 10 minutes."


    "They say that circting magic within your body improves health too, so even if you''re not aiming to be an explorer, it''s worth trying."


    : Oh, interesting.


    : If it''s good for your health, I might try it too.


    : You can do it at home?


    : I guess, since it''s all internal.


    : Seems easy.


    : I''ll give it a go since it sounds simple.


    : Is it hard for beginners?


    : Is it like muscle training?


    "Even if you''re not used to it, it''s not too hard. You''re just moving magic inside your body, after all."


    Just like how no one gets tired from blood circting in their veins, moving magic won''t wear out your body. It''s no more exhausting than taking a deep breath.


    "Once you can control your magic, just go beat up some upper-floor monsters, and you''ll be a full-fledged explorer."


    "Wait, hold on!"


    : Lol.


    : That escted quickly.


    : That was fast, huh.


    : As expected.


    : EX-rankers are all muscle brains.


    : Basic lecture (just a little).


    : Well, to be fair, it''s somewhat helpful.


    : Is that it, though?


    Is that all, they ask?


    Well, yeah¡ªif you have decent magic control, you can take down upper-floor monsters with ease. There''s no need for more strategy beyond that. After that, just keep diving into dungeons, save up some money, and buy a better weapon. The middle floors are a different story, though, so be careful!


    "Sorry, everyone... That''s just how Kisaragi-kun is."


    : We knew it.


    : EX Reiman has it tough.


    : He''s the only sensible EX-ranker.


    : Truly the "Light of the EX."


    : Reiman, we''re counting on you.


    : Don''t base an entire livestream around magic control.


    : This basics lecture is a lie, lol.


    : Saw thising a mile away.


    Ugh... what else is there to say? Like, "If an rm goes off, evacuate immediately"?


    "R-Right... so, next, let''s talk about monsters'' traits and weaknesses."


    "For upper-floor monsters, there are no weaknesses worth talking about."


    "Hmm... I think that''s just you, Kisaragi-kun."


    : This guy...


    : "Upper-floor monsters aren''t a threat" (self-centered thinking).


    : Is he okay?


    : Turns out he really is out of touch.


    : People do get injured on the upper floors, you know?


    : asionally, someone even dies charging in recklessly.


    : Born to be EX, huh.


    "Were there any monsters on the upper floors of Shibuya Dungeon you were cautious about? Maybe just the hard ants?"


    "People have almost died from being bitten by those Steel Ants, you know?"


    "Wait, really? From the bite that barely leaves a mark, like a bug bite?"


    When I came back from my first dungeon dive and showed my grandma the spot where I got bitten by a Steel Ant, she just told me to put some steroid ointment on it.


    : Lol.


    : Dude, you''re just too tough.


    : Those ants can also spit acid, you know?


    : They''re a pretty significant threat.


    : If you''re not used to it, Steel Ants are a real pain.


    "...I see."


    "T-That''s true... If you can control your magic, they''re not much of a threat."


    "No, it''s fine... You don''t need to sugarcoat it."


    Honestly, I thought it was just inte people exaggerating as usual, but... Now that I think about it, I do remember Shinano-san telling me to be careful of the Steel Ants¡­ I just can''t recall it clearly.


    But now I''ve learned. Steel Ants aren''t just hard¡ªthey''re pretty strong. I''ll make sure to actually look up monster info for the next lecture instead of relying on my impressions.

 Chapter 57: Dungeon Basics: EX Reiman’s Perfect Combat Demonstration

    : How did you think you could do a basics lecture with such ack ofmon sense?


    : The only good move you made was bringing in EX Reiman, right?


    : A basics lecture that ends with "control magic, then just punch stuff" is a joke, right?


    : It''s all over.


    : Do people who go to the middle floors really think like that?


    : Wouldn''t it have been better to bring in Asagao-chan instead?


    : Honestly, a lower-floor tutorial might''ve been more useful.


    "...Today is about the basics."


    : He''s determined to continue.


    : Gotta admit, his mental toughness is impressive.


    : Lol.


    : A basics lecture from an EX, surely useful...


    : Yeah, sure.


    : My stomach hurts fromughing.


    : Laughing too hard, man.


    Damn it... I was so determined to show a well-organized stream today, but I messed it up because Icked just a little bit ofmon sense.


    "They say your understanding of dungeons changes after your first exploration. Even I didn''t think Steel Ants were tough at first."


    : Oh,e on¡­


    : [Breaking news] EX Reiman was also a natural-born EX.


    : Guess that''s just how it is.


    : When you can handle the middle floors, you start wondering why you struggled with Steel Ants at all.


    : Humans evolve, after all.


    : So, he was out of the norm from the start.


    "On the flip side, monsters I used to find threatening on the middle floors are easy to deal with now. With enough effort, anyone can be a sessful dungeon explorer."


    "...But I don''t rmend going solo."


    In the end, dungeon exploration is like a gamble where you risk your life to make money. If you''re lucky, you''ll make a killing. If not¡­ you''ll die.


    That''s where having allieses in. Even if you have bad luck, teammates can save your life. You might not make money, but if you''re alive¡­ there''s always hope. Humans can bounce back from anything.


    : Says the guy who solos the deep floors?


    : Sure, the rewards are less when you split it among more people, but it also means lower medical bills, so it''s give and take.


    : I rmend going in a party.


    : I want to join a party too¡­ but I have no friends. ^^;


    : Hang in there, friendless brother.


    : Doesn''t the association support stuff like that?


    "They do rmend forming parties, and if you contact the association, you can probably meet explorers looking for members... But since you''re dealing with humans, there''s always the risk of conflicts. So, it''s best to explore with people you know well."


    "And that''s why nobody forms parties?"


    Don''t assume people like me and the viewers, who read books in the corner of the ssroom or got bullied, have friends to form a party with.


    Well... I wanted to form a party at first too, but it didn''t happen.


    : People you know?


    : Friends?


    : Oh no, the viewers are malfunctioning.


    : Most of Kisaragi-kun''s viewers are just like him.


    : I go exploring with five friends, though.


    : Having friends? That alone makes you a national treasure.


    : I thought friends were an urban legend.


    : Who are these "friends"?


    "Ah¡­ For people like that, it might be good to find someone online who shares your interests. Of course, be careful when meeting people from the inte..."


    Well, that''s apromise, I guess.


    I would''ve tried to make some real friends if my grandma hadn''t forced me to be her disciple and learn shikigami techniques, which quickly led me to be EX-ranked. So, I don''t really know much about that stuff.


    "Maybe I should talk about mindset for dungeon beginners¡­?"


    "Mindset? Like ''retreat before you die''?"


    "In the association, we teach people to retreat before they even start feeling exhausted. If you''re unsure about that line, you can ask the association to send a high-ranked explorer as support, but it might feel too safe."


    : That''s exactly it.


    : Having a support role with you makes it hard to stay on guard.


    : Somewhere in the back of your mind, you start thinking, "I won''t die anyway."


    : Yeah, I totally get that.


    : Quite a few explorers here, huh?


    : Of course.


    : Honestly, having someone carry you is like shaving years off your life.


    : It''s practically suicide.


    "I often get messages asking me to ''carry'' them, but I just ignore those. If you don''t have the will or the determination to survive, you shouldn''t be exploring dungeons."


    : As expected, he gets those kinds of requests.


    : Even C-rank streamers get requests for carries.


    : How''s that even fun?


    : There are people who want to get carried in games, right? It''s the same thing.


    : What''s so fun about that?


    : Real explorers find joy in the challenge.


    "Dungeon exploration is fun. Reaching an unknown floor, discovering new things¡ªit really feels like an adventure."


    : Except, most of us don''t reach unknown floors.


    : He''s talking about deep floors, isn''t he?


    : Yeah, no thanks.


    : I just enjoy wandering around dungeons.


    : Studying monster behavior is fun too.


    : You need that RPG-like sense of adventure to really enjoy it.


    : Exploring the unknown¡­ Wait, didn''t you already reach the highest floor?


    Wait¡­ isn''t that it?


    For me, 80% of the fun of dungeon exploration is reaching unknown floors. I was seriously excited when I reached the 86th floor of Shibuya Dungeon the other day.


    "It was fun when we reached the 86th floor, right?"


    : Yeah, I guess.


    : It was fun, but¡­


    : So that''s what you''re chasing?


    : I kinda get it now.


    : It definitely felt amazing.


    : Well, aside from the danger.


    : Yeah, there''s a thrill to reaching ces no one''s been before.


    : In that sense, that stream was a huge sess.


    : Even looking at the numbers, it was a big hit.


    Anyway, I want people who dive into dungeons to find joy beyond just making money. For me, it''s reaching unknown floors, which might be a high bar¡­ but you can also enjoy defeating monsters.


    "Aizawa-san, what did you enjoy about dungeon exploration when you were a beginner?"


    "...I''d hunt monsters while thinking about how much the magic stones would sell for."


    : Lol.


    : I mean, yeah, that''s fun.


    : The mindset of a struggling sryman.


    : He was still a sryman back then.


    : In a way, that''s the best motivation.


    : Money is important, after all.


    : Ah, the basics.


    : This really is a basics lecture.


    : Yeah¡­ Everyone dreams of making money when they first dive into dungeons.


    T-True... I think I originally wanted to make money too. Part of it was because explorers looked cool, but another part of me wanted money I could spend freely as a high schooler.


    "Now, I enjoy teaching newer explorers, which is why I don''t go down to the deep floors as much. I don''t even take on many of the association''s requests anymore, despite being EX-ranked."


    "Really? But you''re so strong, Aizawa-san."


    In terms of closebat alone, Aizawa-san is probably the strongest among the EX-rankers.


    Aizawa-san is someone who fights purely by the book, with a solid, reliable approach. Of course, the "basics" he sticks to are on an EX-level scale, though.


    I kinda want to see him fight again¡­ Maybe we should talk about how to deal with weaker monsters. Original content from M-VL-em|p,yr

 Chapter 58: Dungeon Basics: A True Explorers Approach

    "So, next is livebat."


    "I''m the one doing it, huh..."


    "Come on, it''s better this way. My fighting style isn''t exactly helpful for anyone to learn from."


    "Well, that''s true."


    : We knew it.


    : Kisaragi''s fighting style is useless as a reference, after all.


    : I still haven''t heard of anyone who''s managed to use shikigami techniques yet.


    : Doesn''t it require a lot of restrictions or something?


    : Shikigami techniques are pointless unless the user is strong themselves.


    : Can EX Reiman''s fighting style even be helpful?


    : Thanks to Kisaragi and Kamishiro Rion, everyone''s skeptical, lol.


    "I''ve heard my moves are fairly easy to follow, though..."


    "Well, we''ll find out by watching."


    There''s no doubt Aizawa-san''s movements serve as a good example for beginners. His fighting style is built on rock-solid fundamentals, so even I find it useful to watch. Hachioji Dungeon''s upper and top floors are perfectly t, so it''s easy to see everything. I can clearly spot the two dogsing toward us from a distance.


    "There are a lot of hound dogs that size in Hachioji Dungeon''s upper floors. They''re faster than the goblins in Shibuya Dungeon, but they''re more fragile, so once you get used to them, they''re pretty easy to deal with."


    : Dogs, huh?


    : But beast-type monsters are usually strong.


    : They''re fast, that''s for sure.


    : I''ve been to Hachioji Dungeon, and yeah, it was hard to keep up with their speed at first.


    : They''re not strong, but they''re annoying.


    : Personally, goblins are easier for me.


    As the hound dogs approach, Aizawa-san readies therge silver shield he had been carrying in his left hand and a simple, unadorned double-edged longsword in his right. This is Aizawa-san''s fighting style.


    For dungeon beginners, the rmended style is usually to swap out the longsword for a spear. Since spears have more reach, it generally gives you an advantage.


    The hound dogs charge in, but Aizawa-san calmly blocks the first one with his shield and precisely thrusts his longsword into the throat of the second. Even against monsters, if they have a biological form, you can figure out the vital points. The neck and eyes are usually good targets.


    "Ha!"


    With a swift motion, he withdraws the longsword from the first hound dog''s throat, blocks the second''s bite with his shield, and again pierces the throat with his sword. Just like that, the fight is over.


    "How was that?"


    : Solid and reliable.


    : That''s a side-job explorer for you.


    : Easy to understand.


    : He takes out one enemy at a time carefully, huh.


    : Maybe it''s safer to block and then attack?


    : That was actually more helpful than I thought.


    : A thousand times more useful than Kisaragi.


    Hey.


    Sure, if it were me, I''d have decapitated both hound dogs before they even attacked, but I wasn''t nning to show off that much during this basics lecture.


    "What I just did is possible in Hachioji Dungeon because it''s t and you can clearly see the two enemiesing. But in Shibuya Dungeon''s upper floors, where it''s more confined, you need to be constantly wary of ambushes. You''ll have to y it twice as carefully to stay safe."


    Being cautious of ambushes ismon sense in dungeon exploration. You never know where monsters wille from in a dungeon, and if you don''t stay vignt, you could die easily. It''s especially dangerous right after winning a fight.


    : Cool.


    : I want to try fighting with a shield and sword now.


    : But get a lighter shield than what Reiman uses¡ªit''s definitely heavy, lol.


    : True.


    : No injuries after getting bitten by a hound dog¡ªhe must have a good shield.


    "This shield? It''s made from the material of a super-hard golem found in the deep floors. The shield itself has magical properties that constantly disperse magic energy around it."


    "Hard golem? The one that appears in the deep floors of the Sapporo Dungeon?"


    "That''s the one. Kisaragi-kun, you really know your dungeons."


    "Only the deep floors, though."


    : Only the deep floors?


    : What does that even mean, lol.


    : If you know the deep floors, surely you know the upper floors too, right?


    : This guy just skips the basics.


    : Did he tame a kirin or something?


    : I wouldn''t be surprised.


    "...Anyway, let''s not focus on me."


    I can''t exactly admit I usually use way more underhanded methods. I only go through dungeons properly when it''s a vague request from the association. If I have business in the deep floors, I''ll take shortcuts. Lately, though, I''ve been sticking to more straightforward methods, especially during streams or when apanying Asakawa-san.


    "Oh, looks like more hound dogs areing."


    "That''s rare. I thought in Hachioji Dungeon there''d be a few minutes of downtime after each fight."


    "It depends on the day."


    Yeah, dungeons fluctuate in terms of magical energy concentration, which affects monster spawn rates. The association gives rough estimates, but they''re only urate about 60% of the time, so I wouldn''t rely too much on them.


    : Today''s forecast for Hachioji Dungeon said it''d be a heavy monster day.


    : Looks like they were right!


    : Finally, the forecast was on point.


    : They''re right more often than not, to be fair.


    : What do you think the association''s forecast is, a weather report?


    : Feels like an unreliable weather forecast to me.


    : I almost died because I didn''t believe it once¡ªtrust me, take it seriously.


    : Lol.


    : Can''t believe you survived.


    This time there are four hound dogs. Seems like today really is one of those heavy monster days... I did clear a bunch of them during a recent job, but I guess the numbers are back up.


    "With four of them, I''ll have to change my approach a bit."


    "I''ll be watching from the back."


    "Thanks."


    With four enemies, his previous strategy of just blocking and counterattacking wouldn''t work as well. I barely know anything about using shields, so I''m curious to see how Aizawa-san will handle this more cautiously.


    "Arrow."


    As the four hound dogs close in, Aizawa-san casually shoots a low-power magic arrow from his fingers. It''s a simple spell, just enough to disrupt one of the hound dogs, creating a gap between it and the other three.


    "Hah!"


    As I watched, Aizawa-san blocked the bite of the first hound dog with his shield, then thrust the shield forward, mming it into the dog''s face and knocking it back. While the hound dog tumbled away, two more charged in, but Aizawa-san deftly cut both of their legs as he retreated.


    The fourth dog, still separated by the arrow, rushed in on its own and was swiftly blocked and countered with a fatal blow.


    : Impressive.


    : Wow.


    : Smooth moves.


    "Arrow!"


    Without missing a beat, Aizawa-san fired another magic arrow at the hound dog that had been knocked back by the shield, then quickly approached the two with cut legs and dispatched them by shing their throats. Thest dog was finished off soon after.


    "How about that? Even weak magic can be used as a distraction, and it''s a basic strategy that works even in the deep floors. I did it all myself this time, but if you were in a party, this approach would be even easier."


    : Super basic, yet super clean.


    : This proves you can be EX just by mastering the fundamentals.


    : A true explorer''s approach.


    : So cool.


    : A more "proper" explorer than Kisaragi-kun.


    : Loving this.


    : I''m officially an EX Reiman fan now.


    : Can Reiman start streaming too?


    : Other EXs should learn from this.


    Why am I getting roasted?


    Aizawa-san does way crazier stuff when he''s fighting in the deep floors!


    I''m going to drag him into the deep floors on stream next time. Then people will start talking about him the same way they talk about me and Kamishiro-san. At least when I first saw Aizawa-san fight as an EX, I thought he was inhuman.

 Chapter 59: The Realities of Being an Explorer: The Struggle for Survival and Pay

    "We still need to collect the magic stones."


    "¡­How much is a hound dog''s magic stone worth?"


    "Let''s see¡­ with this size and purity, it''s about 500 yen, I''d say."


    "Eh?"


    That''s cheap. Are top-floor monsters usually this low? Does that mean you need to kill 20 of them to make 10,000 yen?


    : Sounds about right.


    Discover hidden tales at m vl-em-py-r


    : A bit more than goblins, I guess?


    : That''s pocket money for a kid.


    : For a side job, it''s still a life-threatening one.


    : Not so much on the top floors, though.


    : Even though hound dogs are a hassle, they''re only worth slightly more than goblins?


    "¡­Could it be that the reason we don''t see more explorers is because of these prices?"


    "That''s probably it. The guild''s been asking for higher buyback prices, but not much has changed."


    "It''s a tough world¡­ No wonder there aren''t more mid-floor explorers."


    "Exactly."


    Even though the government paying more would probably be the most effective way to increase the number of explorers, Japan tends to hate the idea of spreading money around domestically. Especially now, when Japan has solidified its position as a dungeon superpower.


    The country is making money, and the people are getting a bit wealthier, but the improvement in the economy is just numbers¡ªpeople don''t really feel it, like they said on TV.


    : If the government paid more¡­


    : If they''re exporting magic stones, they should pay more for them.


    : Totally.


    : They''re buying cheap from their own people and selling high abroad, huh?


    : It''s not funny.


    : But if they increase the price too much, more people will die.


    : That''s just the excuse they use to keep prices down.


    : In the end, it''s Japan itself that''s the real enemy, huh?


    : Somebody destroy the National Diet Dungeon already.


    What the heck is the National Diet Dungeon?


    Well, I get it. There''s definitely dissatisfaction with the governmenttely¡­ Explorers ranked B or higher often get jobs from the guild, but a lot of them refuse. I might feel a sense of duty as an EX, but when you''re underpaid for magic stones for so long, and then suddenly they''re willing to pay once you''ve proven yourself, I understand why people are bitter.


    "Kisaragi, how far did you climb the ranks again?"


    "Me? I went from E to EX."


    : Huh?


    : Did he just p an X on his E-rank and call it EX?


    : Isn''t EX something you get after S-rank?


    : So EX isn''t just a natural progression from the lower ranks?


    : Seriously?


    : That seems unfair, but¡­ I guess he''s ridiculously strong, so it makes sense.


    "Right, you were rmended by Jinguuji, weren''t you?"


    "Yeah, that''s right."


    : Huh, so EX is a rmendation system.


    : What about Aizawa?


    : I always thought EX was something you achieved by ranking up normally.


    : Didn''t know that.


    I guess not many people know about this¡­ It''s treated likemon knowledge among higher-ranked explorers.


    "There are two ways to be an EX-ranked explorer: either the Explorers Guild deems you exceptional, or you''re directly rmended by someone who is EX-rank. Jinguuji-san and I were promoted from S-rank by the guild."


    "I was rmended by my grandma¡­ Jinguuji Kaede-san, when I was still E-rank. Kamishiro-san, I think, was promoted from A by the guild."


    Suddenly being told to be her apprentice, forced into dungeon diving, and then mastering shikigami techniques¡­ When she said, "You''re EX now," with a satisfied look on her face, I had no idea what was going on.


    Now, I use my EX privileges left and right without hesitation, but back then, I didn''t know what to do with this sudden status. Aizawa-san was the one who taught me most of the basics of being an explorer. So, while I''m grateful to my grandma, I really respect Aizawa-san. Kamishiro-san, I trust because we''ve fought side by side, but respect¡­ not so much.


    : I dream of bing EX, but I''m just not strong enough.


    : Honestly, if you''re thinking about bing an explorer, you''d be better off getting a part-time job somewhere.


    : Hmm¡­ maybe.


    : If you''re just going to stick to the top floors, a part-time job is probably better.


    : Seriously, normal work is better.


    : Explorers don''t make much money.


    "As long as people say explorers don''t make money, the numbers won''t increase."


    "That''s probably why so many people start streaming or blogging."


    Because just being an explorer isn''t enough to live off of, people are trying to make extra ie through ads and other sources.


    "The government does offer explorers special tax breaks and other incentives, but¡­ it''s not enough, is it?"


    "I guess it can''t be helped¡­ Being self-employed is just like that."


    This conversation is turning from a basics lecture into a rant about the struggles of being an explorer. I should get it back on track.


    "To summarize the basics: magic control, working in a party, aiming for one-on-one fights, being cautious of ambushes¡­ and, above all, prioritizing your life, right?"


    "Yeah. If you can do those things, you should be able to manage on the upper floors. As for mid-floor strategies¡­ we can save that for another time."


    "Let''s do this again."


    "That might be a good idea. The guild is concerned about the number of explorers, after all."


    : Nice.


    : That was fun in its own way.


    : Bring EX Reiman back next time.


    : Kisaragi''s streams are always interesting because he gets so many unique guests.


    : I wasn''t sure at first, but there was a lot of useful info.


    : I might actually try bing an explorer.


    "Alright, let''s wrap up the stream. Everyone, take care of yourselves, and enjoy your dungeon explorations."


    "Good work, everyone."


    After the sign-off, I''ll just post on social media: "Next stream date is undecided, but (semi-forcibly) I''ll be cobing with Asagao-san next time." It probably won''t be long before the next one, though.


    "Thank you for today, Aizawa-san."


    "No problem. I thought it''d be interesting since you invited me. Even Kamishiro-san seemed to enjoy the stream."


    "You think so?"


    "Yeah¡­ but I do have some thoughts about not reporting yourtest dungeon record and casually streaming the highest-floor run."


    I get it. Not reporting it was my fault. And casually streaming it¡­ well, that''s probably on both me and Kamishiro-san.


    "But I''m d to see you''re still going strong as an explorer."


    "¡­Uh, I am EX-ranked, you know."


    "Everyone''s just worried about you because you''re still a high school kid."


    The world might see me as an EX, but Aizawa-san looks at me like I''m his nephew. And Grandma acts like a grandparent even though she says a lot of tough things. I guess in the explorer world, they see me as the youngest kid or something?

 Chapter 60 : Thread 7: Dungeons, Dogs, and Underwater Nightmares

    597: Anonymous Explorer


    Good job watching live!


    598: Anonymous Explorer


    Good job!


    599: Anonymous Explorer


    Good job.


    Man, that was fun today too.


    600: Anonymous Explorer


    Was this board always this peaceful?


    601: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s pretty peaceful during the live streams.


    602: Anonymous Explorer


    Why though?


    Isn''t it usually the opposite?


    603: Anonymous Explorer


    EX Reiman was truly an EX.


    604: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾602


    No idea, man.


    605: Anonymous Explorer


    Reiman was really cool.


    606: Anonymous Explorer


    Reiman gave off that traditional vibe, which was quite likeable.


    607: Anonymous Explorer


    Fighting with a sword and shield gave him a knightly vibe, but I don''t think I could fight that smoothly.


    608: Anonymous Explorer


    Reiman''s steady style is probably meant for team-basedbat.


    609: Anonymous Explorer


    He kept saying that teams are the way to go.


    610: Anonymous Explorer


    As the guild leader, he probably values the safety of explorers first and foremost.


    You could earn more by taking risks, but¡­


    611: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾610


    Yeah, but if you die, it''s game over.


    612: Anonymous Explorer


    Is it okay if we keep calling him Reiman¡­? We''ve all pretty much agreed on it now.


    613: Anonymous Explorer


    When it gets confusing, just add EX to it, like EX Reiman.


    614: Anonymous Explorer


    Poor Aizawa-san, being called Reiman even though he quit his sryman job.


    615: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun said it himself, though. It''s because his social media is just work-rted updates.


    616: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾615


    That part had me rolling.


    617: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾615


    "It''s because your social media is all work updates."


    "Did you know that was the reason all along? Why didn''t you tell me sooner?"


    That had me in stitches.


    618: Anonymous Explorer


    The dynamic of a nephew who knows but doesn''t tell, and a confused uncle¡ªit''s hrious.


    619: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾617


    I haven''t even seen the archive yet, but I''m alreadyughing.


    620: Anonymous Explorer


    Now we know Kisaragi-kun''s rtionships with each EX:


    Jinguuji Kaede (Grandmother)


    Kamishiro Rion (Older sister)


    Aizawa Ryousuke (Uncle)


    621: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾620


    It''s like they''re family.


    622: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾620


    They''re pretty close, huh?


    623: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    624: Anonymous Explorer


    No friends, but he''s got family.


    625: Anonymous Explorer


    Even Kisaragi-kun has at least some rtives, huh?


    626: Anonymous Explorer


    Are you guys confusing him with some kind of divine child?


    627: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾624


    Stating the obvious, huh?


    628: Anonymous Explorer


    How exactly do you control mana?


    629: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾628


    That''s basic stuff, man.


    630: Anonymous Explorer


    I can''t do it if I can''t do it!


    631: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾628


    You know that feeling when you use magic, and mana flows? That''s it.


    632: Anonymous Explorer


    Is it true that channeling mana makes your body harder? I''m gonna try it.


    633: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾631


    Do you really feel something like that?


    634: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾633


    You must be a dungeon noob.


    635: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾633


    If you''ve been in a dungeon, used magic, and still can''t feel it, then you''re talentless. Quit being an explorer.


    636: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s too harsh, lol.


    637: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾635


    Huh?


    I''ll kill you, you f***ing loser.


    638: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾632


    It''s less about hardness and more like you create a thinyer of mana around your body. That''s how I picture it.


    639: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾638


    How you imagine the flow of mana is up to the individual.


    For me, it feels like sweat oozing out of my body.


    640: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾639


    Doesn''t that feel super gross?


    641: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾640


    Yeah, it does.


    642: Anonymous Explorer


    Oh, so it does, huh?


    643: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    644: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun said it feels like it''s inside his body.


    645: Anonymous Explorer


    Basically, it should be stored inside your body.


    646: Anonymous Explorer


    I looked it up online, and it said to breathe slowly and focus on the inside of your body. I''m gonna give it a try.


    647: Anonymous Explorer


    Kisaragi-kun tried to end the whole basics lecture with just mana control, but if you can master that, you can totally dominate the upper floors.


    648: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾628


    When you''re on the verge of dying in a dungeon, you naturally start doing it.


    Source: Me.


    649: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾648


    Wait¡­ what?


    650: Anonymous Explorer


    How to increase mana: Fight to the death with monsters.


    How to master mana control: Nearly get killed by monsters.


    Explorers are definitely a warrior race, huh?


    651: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾650


    You can''t survive without fighting, so yeah.


    652: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾648


    I had a simr experience. I could already control mana, but when I got cocky and went to the lower floors, I almost died. After that, my mana control got way better. The guild even praised me for it.


    653: Anonymous Explorer


    Aren''t you breaking your human limits?


    654: Anonymous Explorer


    So, conclusion: nearly dying is the solution, right?


    655: Anonymous Explorer


    No, that''s not right.


    656: Anonymous Explorer


    Stop giving life-or-death answers.


    657: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    658: Anonymous Explorer


    When you''re on the verge of death, you get a surge of strength, right? After experiencing that, your mana doesn''t go back to normal. So, it''s like you''re always in that heightened state.


    659: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾658


    How about not getting to the verge of death in the first ce?


    660: Anonymous Explorer


    You''ve definitely surpassed human limits at that point.


    661: Anonymous Explorer


    Fighting makes you stronger, and almost dying makes you much stronger. We really are a warrior race!


    662: Anonymous Explorer


    Stop it, stop it.


    People will start calling all explorers a warrior race.


    663: Anonymous Explorer


    But hey, we''re all living off the magic stones those warriors bring back, aren''t we?


    664: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s true, but still¡­


    665: Anonymous Explorer


    [Image]


    666: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    667: Anonymous Explorer


    What the heck¡­


    668: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾665


    £¾£¾"Next stream''s date is undecided, but (semi-forced) I''ll be cobing with Asagao-san."


    This guy is always doing cob streams.


    669: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾(semi-forced)


    Why do you let yourself get pushed around?


    670: Anonymous Explorer


    Even though he''s EX¡­ doesn''t he feel ashamed?


    671: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s EX, super strong, and can summon gods, but at his core, he''s just an awkward nerd like the rest of us.


    He''s weak against pushy women.


    672: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾671


    So, EX means he''s one of us?


    673: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾672


    Lol.


    674: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾672


    Lol.


    675: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾672


    That''s great, let''s call him EX "one of us" from now on.


    676: Anonymous Explorer


    He''s graduated from "honorary nerd" to something even better.


    677: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾672


    He''s matching with EX Reiman now, too.


    678: Anonymous Explorer


    So, what about Kamishiro Rion?


    679: Anonymous Explorer


    A menace.


    680: Anonymous Explorer


    A walking disaster.


    681: Anonymous Explorer


    A tyrant.


    682: Anonymous Explorer


    A natural disaster.


    683: Anonymous Explorer


    So far, not a singlepliment like "beautiful" or anything.


    684: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    685: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s just how it is.


    686: Anonymous Explorer


    Her sunny social media presence and that disaster energy are quite the contrast.


    687: Anonymous Explorer


    Now we all understand why Kisaragi-kun calls her a walking disaster in dungeons.


    688: Anonymous Explorer


    Asagao-chan really doesn''t give up, huh?


    689: Anonymous Explorer


    She replied to him on social media right away. Iughed so hard.


    690: Anonymous Explorer


    She''s a hardcore Kisaragi-kun fan, huh?


    691: Anonymous Explorer


    She even imed to be his top disciple the other day.


    692: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾691


    I saw the anti-thread go wild because of that.


    693: Anonymous Explorer


    Nobody needs an anti-thread about this chaotic ce.


    694: Anonymous Explorer


    That anti-thread is so chaotic, I actually like it.


    695: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s a mess with unicorns and trolls, so gross.


    696: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s really fun to just watch, though.


    697: Anonymous Explorer


    I thought I''d just check it out casually, but it was so crazy I ended upughing my head off.


    698: Anonymous Explorer


    I was more focused on how empty the Hachioji Dungeon was than the content of the basics lecture.


    699: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t the Hachioji Dungeon always like that?


    700: Anonymous Explorer


    Have you ever been to the Hachioji Dungeon?


    You should go at least once.


    You won''t meet anyone at all.


    701: Anonymous Explorer


    In a way, it''s a dungeon that''s kind to introverts.


    702: Anonymous Explorer


    Kind to introverts (but you only make about half the money you do in Shibuya Dungeon).


    703: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol.


    No wonder no one goes.


    704: Anonymous Explorer


    Even though the magic stones are cheap, on top of that, there are fewer monsters, so no one wants to go.


    705: Anonymous Explorer


    There''s a theory that no one explores the lower floors because it''s just not profitable.


    706: Anonymous Explorer


    I saw Kisaragi-kun on social media saying, "Since no one''s at the Hachioji Dungeon, maybe I''ll fully conquer it next time."


    Apparently, he''s only gone down to the 45th floor.


    707: Anonymous Explorer


    That''s rare for Kisaragi-kun.


    708: Anonymous Explorer


    He must''ve been really bored.


    709: Anonymous Explorer


    Well, the scenery never changes from the top floor to the bottom, so it''s probably mind-numbing.


    710: Anonymous Explorer


    Seriously, that ce can mess with your head. You lose track of which floor you''re on. The only thing that tells you where you are is the sign put up by the Explorer''s Guild at eachyer transition¡ªother than that, everything looks the same.


    711: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t that like a never-ending hell?


    712: Anonymous Explorer


    Pretty much.


    713: Anonymous Explorer


    No way I''m going there.


    714: Anonymous Explorer


    I don''t want to step on an obviousndmine.


    715: Anonymous Explorer


    Well, unless it''s somewhere like the Shibuya Dungeon or Takayama Dungeon, where you''re guaranteed to make money, the fewer people there are.


    716: Anonymous Explorer


    Have we talked about one of the most deserted dungeons in the country yet¡ªNagoya Dungeon?


    717: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾716


    Go away.


    718: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾716


    Seriously,e back when the Nagoya Dungeon is even remotely explorable.


    719: Anonymous Explorer


    I have no idea about the Nagoya Dungeon at all.


    I''m confused.


    720: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾719


    It''s a super valuable dungeon that produces rare metals and stuff.


    You should go at least once.


    721: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾720


    Stop trying to throw someone into hell so casually.


    722: Anonymous Explorer


    Huh?


    Can someone exin, please?


    723: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾722


    From the 11th floor down, everything''s underwater.


    724: Anonymous Explorer


    £ßÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈËÈË£ß


    £¾ Everything''s underwater from the 11th floor £¼


    £þY^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y£þ


    725: Anonymous Explorer


    £¾£¾723


    Is that for real?


    726: Anonymous Explorer


    Yep, for real.


    727: Anonymous Explorer


    How are you supposed to explore that?


    728: Anonymous Explorer


    You can''t. That''s why it''s a problem.


    729: Anonymous Explorer


    Somebody drain the water already!


    730: Anonymous Explorer


    Not gonna happen!


    731: Anonymous Explorer


    Let''s have Kisaragi-kun do something about it.


    He''s EX, so he should be able to handle it, right? (Leaving it to him entirely.)


    732: Anonymous Explorer


    Let''s send him a reply on social media and ask him!


    733: Anonymous Explorer


    "Please conquer the Nagoya Dungeon."


    734: Anonymous Explorer


    Has Kisaragi-kun ever even been to the Nagoya Dungeon?


    735: Anonymous Explorer


    Isn''t the official stance basically that the Nagoya Dungeon might as well not even exist?


    736: Anonymous Explorer


    As someone living in Aichi Prefecture, I can confirm the Nagoya Dungeon is so bad that I just go to Takayama Dungeon instead.


    737: Anonymous Explorer


    You''re just sneaking off to Takayama, huh?


    738: Anonymous Explorer


    What are we going to do if he says, "The depths of the Nagoya Dungeon are hell too"?


    739: Anonymous Explorer


    Considering everything from the 11th floor down is submerged, how would that even work?


    740: Anonymous Explorer


    I''d still want to see it.


    741: Anonymous Explorer


    It''s Kisaragi-kun, so he could probably figure out how to breathe underwater, right? (Random assumption)


    742: Anonymous Explorer


    What do you even think EX explorers are?


    743: Anonymous Explorer


    Monsters.


    744: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol, honestly, you''re not wrong.


    745: Anonymous Explorer


    Now that the basics lecture has made it easy for us to handle the upper floors, you all better get to the 20th floor of Nagoya Dungeon.


    746: Anonymous Explorer


    The basics lecture didn''t include underwater breathing¡­ Sorry!


    747: Anonymous Explorer


    Lol. Seaweed jokes for days.

 Chapter 61: Dreaming of Global Dungeons

    "Nagoya Dungeon?"


    For some reason, my social media is flooded with replies like, "Have you been to the Nagoya Dungeon?"... It''s probably something from a forum or discussion where my name came up.


    Nagoya Dungeon, huh? That''s the one that''s submerged from the staircase between the 10th and 11th floors, and it''s said to be impossible for humans to conquer. It''s easy for people to say things like "Go explore it" or "Have you been there?" without knowing the reality.


    "''I''ve only been down to the 34th floor,'' and send."


    Alright, it''s time to head out. I promised to go shopping with Asakawa today, so I should probably leave the house soon. It seems like the media is still hanging around my apartment near Shibuya Station, so I''ll continuemuting to the dungeon from this other ce for a while.


    Still, why are we going shopping together when we already nned to do a cob stream at Hachioji Dungeon? Asakawa has tons of friends. She could go shopping with someone who''s more fashion-conscious instead of a guy who''s constantly exploring dungeons. But since I''m going out with a woman, I should at least make sure I''m presentable.


    Normally, I just run errands in my casual wear because I can''t be bothered, but this is different.


    "So, my friends are all busy studying for exams... I can''t make ns with anyone."


    "Well, you are a high school senior in the middle of exam season."


    "Yeah... Somehow, just doing whatever I want every day makes me feel a little guilty."


    "I don''t think you need to feel guilty. You''re putting your life on the line as an explorer, after all."


    We started off just casually chatting while walking, but it''s summer. It''s getting close to the Obon holiday, and with the heatwave, it became impossible to hold a conversation. So we ended up at a caf¨¦ near Shibuya Dungeon, as usual. I noticed a few media people near the dungeon, but we managed to blend in with the crowd and not get noticed.


    It seems the reason Asakawa invited me shopping is because her friends are too busy with exams. Honestly, I''d forgotten about it, but as a high school senior, this summer break is the peak season for exam prep. People going to cram schools are probably studying hard, and many others are switching from club activities to full-time studying.


    "So, I wanted to go shopping today, but... I also want to hear more dungeon stories."


    "Dungeon stories? I can only talk about the deeper levels, though."


    "That''s what''s so valuable! You''re the only person I know who can go that deep."


    "Isn''t it abnormal to know someone like that?"


    I don''t know if I''m the best person to say this, but... even S-rank explorers are rare.


    Now, even though she wants to hear dungeon stories... is there anything worth talking about? I could just tell her to watch my archive of Shibuya Dungeon streams for that. There''s no deep level in Takayama Dungeon, so maybe Sapporo Dungeon?


    "I''m personally curious about that Australian dungeon you mentioned before!"


    "...Oh, you mean the Alice Springs Dungeon?"


    Alice Springs is a town located in Northern Territory, near the center of the Australian continent. It used to have a poption of less than 30,000, but thanks to the dungeon, it''s be more popted. The climate is typically Australian, with July being the coldest month and January the hottest. They have clear distinctions between summer and winter.


    "That dungeon has a unique terrain, so it''s pretty famous in the explorermunity. It''s also popr with foreign streamers."


    "What''s it like?"


    Oh... Asakawa''s really into exploring dungeons now. Normally, if you start talking about Alice Springs Dungeon, most people would just respond with, "Oh, interesting." But she''s listening with her eyes lit up.


    "The main feature is that the dungeon is structured like a maze."


    "A maze?"


    "Yeah. From the topyer, it''s already set up like a web, with only one path leading down to the next floor. Monsters spawn along that path. And that structure continues all the way to the deeper levels."


    "Wow... There are so many different kinds of dungeons. I''ve only been to the regr ones, so I had no idea."


    She probably thinks of the Shibuya Dungeon as a "regr" dungeon, with its constantly changing terrain. But a dungeon withndscapes as varied as Shibuya''s is pretty rare. At least, that''s true for the deeper floors. The upper and middle levels are standard fare.


    "Wouldn''t it be fun to explore a maze?"


    "The issue is that there are so many corners, so you''re constantly at risk of a monster ambush. It''s considered one of the tougher dungeons."


    "Oh, right. But once you memorize the right path through the maze, it should be easy, right?"


    "That''s the thing¡ªthis dungeon is special. Theyout of the maze changes periodically. So each time it does, local explorers have to go back in and solve the maze all over again."


    The constantly changing structure of Alice Springs Dungeon is a unique feature not found in other dungeons. When the maze changes, the Australian Explorers'' Association sends in many explorers to find the correct path to the lower levels. Some explorers even sell maps of the correct path at high prices. It''s impressive theye up with these ideas.


    "But Australia, huh... I heard the country wasn''t that developed before the dungeon appeared."


    "That''s kind of a misleading way to put it... But yeah,pared to other developed nations at the time, they were a bit behind."


    Previously, Australia''s developed cities were all on the coast. The central areas were gued by desertification and extreme heat. Now, though, they don''t need massive power nts because magic stones can generate electricity, and ces like Alice Springs can survive without needing to transport those stones.


    It''s like a local production and consumption model, which is how Alice Springs has managed to thrive.


    "Man, that sounds so cool... I want to explore dungeons all over the world someday." Stay immersed with m-vl-em-py-r


    "Is that your dream?"


    "Yeah. I''m really getting into dungeon exploration."


    I''m d to hear that.


    She''se a long way from when she was stuck at the entrance of the lower floors. Having more explorers who are passionate like this can only be good for Japan.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!