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 become 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 me laugh.
"So, you're staying at a different place 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 relationship 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."
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"...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 place?
"B-But more importantly... are you planning 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 collab 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 the company you're setting up."
"Well, that might be necessary... Alright, I understand. After the basics lecture, we'll do a collab with you."
Speaking of collabs, I noticed a bunch of collab 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 collab requests, one was from someone I've been particularly 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 collab for a date that works.
"So, what's the plan for the next collab?"
"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—it's a pretty flat dungeon—but 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 place?
"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've completed 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 planned, 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 become 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 popular nickname now? People keep calling me that on my SNS too."
"I guess so? It's probably because your social media is all business-related."
"So you know the reason… Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
: !?
: EX Reiman?!
: Another EX guest, seriously?
: This guy's streams are becoming legendary.
: He is the legend, lol.
: Lol, dungeon basics lecture (featuring two EX-rankers).
: What…?
The comment 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 actually come. 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 salaryman, lol.
: As expected from the ex-salaryman EX.
: He quit the company, 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 glad 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 regularly.