Chapter 80: Silent Strikes in the Depths
[...]
[Say something already.]
[...What floor are we on right now?] .net
[40.]
: Delivering the silent stream experience
: Can't be helped
: This run is mainly about going beyond the 76th floor, right?
: I heard the elite A and S ranks are handling it up to around the 60th floor
: They're saving their energy
: They're seriously here to clear this, huh
Well, the country really is aiming to clear this dungeon for real, and they've brought a big group to make sure the EXs don't get too worn out before we hit the deeper floors. But honestly, just standing around and watching the fights is starting to get boring.
: The chat's calming down a bit too
: The media's still saying a lot
: But the media isn't actually in the dungeon, right?
: Are they watching Kisaragi's stream?
: Dunno
: Maybe there's someone with a camera in the A and S ranks?
The media's definitely trying to get their scoop on this large-scale dungeon clearance, pulling all sorts of strings. But no matter what, there's no way reporters can get into the deeper layers. I thought it'd be fine if they used my stream footage for their broadcasts, but… there are a few issues with that. Mostly, me and the chat bickering during the stream.
Honestly, it's not like my stream is the most proper or well-behaved. Broadcasting that live on TV would probably be a bit much.
[So, I guess we'll just keep going like this… How about we kill time with some chat?]
: Ah, it's the usual
: He's starting again
: Wait, isn't this supposed to be a dungeon run?
: Don't worry, this is normal
: We're already in the lower floors though…
: New viewers are probably confused as hell
: Kisaragi, come on...
[Wait, so no chat? I can just walk in silence while ignoring the camera, if that's what you all want.]
: Sorry, chat time, please
: I'd actually like some dungeon explanation
: Summer vacation's ending soon, did you finish your homework?
: Feels like the usual banter, haha
: He's still the same Kisaragi even with more viewers
: Lol
: Is that a compliment?
: It's definitely not
I'm not exactly trying to be some highbrow dungeon streamer. My goal is to provide a stream that doesn't bother anyone and is fun for everyone. So if I want to kill time with random chat while we walk, it's not hurting anyone… well, maybe the A and S rank fighters up ahead might not love it, but hey, I'm bored.
[So, about the Sapporo Dungeon… Where should I start explaining?]
[It's cold, and there's a lot of golem-like enemies.]
[Compared to Shibuya Dungeon, each floor isn't that wide, I guess?]
[Hey… Kanna, Aizawa, don't just randomly jump into the chat. You startled me.]
: Surprised
: Three EXs casually showing up on screen, lol
: There's no way other streamers can compete with this
: The sheer power is overwhelming
: Power card: "EX friends"
: Ban this broken card
: More EX collabs, please!
: Make up your mind!
: Lol
: Even the chat's divided on this, haha
: Don't worry about it, Kisaragi
Even the chat's freaking out with the sudden appearance of two EXs. Well, at least the regulars seem to be enjoying it, so that's fine.
While we kept up the random chat and walked around for a bit longer, we finally reached the 60th floor. The elite fighters leading us weren't showing much fatigue and were keeping an eye on our surroundings. The Sapporo Dungeon, unlike the Shibuya Dungeon, doesn't have floors with dramatically different environments.
From the 1st floor to the deepest observed, the 76th floor, all of the floors are dimly lit ice caverns.
The floors are smaller than those in the Shibuya Dungeon, but they're much more maze-like and visibility is always poor. Plus, the enemies here are golem-like non-organic creatures, making them harder to detect, so ambushes are a lot more common.
[So, from here on out, it's our turn to take over, right?]
[No, not yet. We'll take over after we hit the floors past 77.]
[Man… honestly, I'm getting kinda bored.]
[Don't whine about it. You can handle this bit of walking.]
[But, c'mon, it's been all walking and no fighting up to the 60th floor…]
: True, though
: You've been chatting the whole time
: Not a single fight so far
: I wanna see an EX fight
: I'm new here; can we get some flashy combat?
: Didn't the S ranks up ahead already have a pretty intense fight?
: Yeah, they did
: People here are getting too used to this
: The new folks just said they're first-timers
[Well… if it's for the sake of the mission, I guess I can suck it up a bit.]
[You're so serious, Tsu-kun.]
[Don't call me Tsu-kun.]
: Lol
: Honestly, just keep going, we're good
: You never know what might happen
: Weren't you surprised by that unexpected fight in Shibuya Dungeon?
[Oh, you mean that slime?]
[Was that really a slime? It was basically an ocean.]
: The ocean slime, right?
: More like a sea monster
: Kisaragi, summon a sea monster instead
: Same difference
: Lol
: Nobody's seen it, so nobody knows
Exactly. Since I was the first one to discover it in the deepest part of Shibuya Dungeon, I get to name it. So it's a slime. It had a core, and nothing worked on it except hitting the core. That's a slime, period.
: Looks like they're fighting some golems
: They're taking their time with just three golems, huh
: Well, it is three golems
: Aren't they supposed to disperse magic?
: The bane of mages, lol
[Hm?]
Just as I stepped into the 60th floor while glancing at the comments, five giant golems appeared from a side passage. The elite fighters up ahead didn't notice since they were a bit further ahead and busy fighting their own group of golems.
The moment I noticed them, Aizawa, Kanna, and Grandma (Jinguji) did too.
[Too slow.]
As usual, Grandma moved first, obliterating the head of the golem in front with a single kick. Normally, these golems are a mage's worst enemy since they can disperse magic. But Grandma's on a different level.
Before the remaining golems could react, Aizawa and I both moved. Aizawa sliced one in half with a sword infused with so much magic it had changed color, and I stepped over its body, cutting another one cleanly in two.
[Take this!]
Kanna followed up by firing a compressed beam of flame that vaporized the two unscathed golems along with the three damaged ones.
[I see… even a golem that disperses magic can't withstand magic that's been compressed to that degree. So that shield isn't all-powerful after all.]
[Well, if Aizawa reinforced it with her own magic, it probably would have deflected it.]
[Pick up the magic stones, idiot daughter. Don't just throw magic around and skip the cleanup.]
[Okaaay.]
: Are we the ones who are wrong here?
: I blinked, and the five golems were gone
: The elite fighters were struggling with just three
: This is EX, huh…
: This game has become too overpowered
: I'm not laughing
: Well, at least the new viewers are satisfied now, right? (nervous laughter)
: They'd better be, lol
: I can't even laugh at this
Don't worry. When it comes to golems like that, we can take them down no problem.