Solo Dungeon Streamer-I Am Overpowered

"So, as announced earlier, today's collab stream is with Tsukasa Kisaragi!"

"Nice to meet you all… By the way, I've also started streaming on my side."

"Oh, really? I'll keep an eye on both streams."

I don't think they need to watch my stream too, though... Still, I can't believe I've gotten to the point where I'm collaborating with a popular virtual streamer. At first, I was just casually interested, but well, I'm having fun, so I guess it's fine.

: Wow, the comments on their stream are going wild.

: Well, of course they are.

: Even the comments here are kind of chaotic, lol.

: Aren't you going to file a disclosure request for the defamation?

: Too much hassle, probably.

: Isn't this just going to escalate?

: No one can actually touch an EX explorer, so it's only online, right?

The comments here are also getting pretty noisy, but I guess that's to be expected when it comes to virtual streamers. Some people just can't tolerate the idea of them collaborating with a guy. Well, it doesn't matter to me, though.

"Today, I'm just a regular person, so I'll be asking all sorts of questions!"

"It's about dungeons, right? I'm not sure how well I can answer, but I'll do my best."

Up until now, I've only ever talked about dungeons with people who have at least some experience with them. This is the first time I'll be discussing dungeons with someone who's never entered one. I hope I can explain things well enough… I've prepared answers to possible questions in advance, so hopefully, my social awkwardness won't kick in… I think.

: Do your best, socially awkward guy.

: He's like your typical introvert who can speak decently when it's work-related.

: Same, I'm an introverted loner with no friends, but I can talk during work.

: Why is that? I don't really get it either.

: Work and private life are separate, that's why.

: It's not that he can't talk, it's just that Kisaragi doesn't take that first step.

: He's probably just afraid of getting too close to others.

Stop analyzing my introversion and social awkwardness in the comments. Sure, I can talk when it's work-related, but when it comes to personal stuff, all I can do is nod with a fake smile. Don't make fun of me for that.

"First of all, congrats on conquering the Sapporo Dungeon!"

"Oh, thank you… But I feel like it was really Aizawa-san who did most of it."

"That's not true! You provided precise support with your shikigami! It was even broadcast live on TV; the entire nation was on the edge of their seats watching!"

"…Really?"

I had no idea. I was in the Sapporo Dungeon at the time, and I never bothered looking up news about myself afterward.

: Hey.

: Play along.

: Well, he wouldn't know, he was the one in the dungeon.

: Lol.

: Aren't you interested at all?

: Read the room, man.

"Well, you were in the dungeon at the time, so you wouldn't know, right? But seriously, it was incredible! People like me who are interested in dungeons were all watching."

"Is that so…? That's kind of embarrassing."

"Haha! I felt the same when I saw myself featured on TV as a virtual streamer. It was a bit embarrassing."

: I guess that's how it feels.

: Only famous people get to experience that.

: Kisaragi seems like he's becoming a big name too.

: Is he, though? With all his social awkwardness?

: Leave him alone.

"Here's a question. I'm curious about the atmosphere of the deep layers. What's it like there, from your perspective?"

"The deep layers, huh? Let's see… When I first went down there, I felt like my skin was always tingling with tension. It's a completely different world from the lower layers, and it feels like your life is constantly in danger… I think anyone going for the first time would feel like their heart is going to stop, so make sure to be careful."

: Yeah, no one's going there, lol.

: Who are you even talking to?

: Hardly anyone goes to the deep layers, man.

: Only S-rank and EX explorers even go there, right?

: Even A-rank explorers avoid the deep layers like the plague.

: EX explorers probably don't even feel the tension anymore.

: He's talking about his first time there, so it doesn't count anymore.

Sure, I've gotten used to it now, but when I first went to the deep layers, I was genuinely terrified. My grandma came with me, but she wouldn't help me at all, so I had to fight the monsters in the deep layers on my own. Back then, I couldn't even use the Twelve Celestial Generals like I can now, so I really thought I was going to die.

I noticed Sasami Torimomo's avatar fidgeting and looking down—judging by the sounds, she's probably taking notes on what I'm saying. Was there anything worth writing down?

"Could you tell us about the deep layers of the Sapporo Dungeon?"

"The Sapporo Dungeon? Well… honestly, it was a hassle."

"A hassle?"

"Yes. The corridors are narrow, it's dim and hard to see far ahead… and to top it off, golems that scatter magical energy appear quite frequently, so it's a pain."

"I see… Is it because of that magical scattering property that so many explorers are hindered?"

"I think so. It's tough dealing with strong enemies when magic, which could give you a chance at a comeback, doesn't work well. That said, even fragments of those golems fetch a decent price."

The ability to scatter magic is actually a rare trait seen only in the golems of the Sapporo Dungeon. I don't know what it's used for, but they're even exported overseas and fetch high prices domestically too. Though, that only applies to the higher-purity golems from the deep layers.

"Money… um, I've heard that deep-layer explorers make a ridiculous amount of money…"

"…Is it okay to talk about this? Well, let's just say, yeah, they make a ridiculous amount."

"I knew it!?"

"It's hard to say how much exactly, since it depends on the type and number of monsters defeated, the quality of the monster materials… But let's just say most S-rank and higher explorers earn more than the top professional baseball players."

"That's… in the billions, isn't it?"

"No comment."

: Lol.

: Seriously?

: They're making bank.

: Even more than I imagined. .net

: Man, I wanna be an explorer now.

: And on top of that, don't they get tax cuts?

: Which is better, non-taxable income for politicians or tax cuts for explorers?

: At least explorers still pay taxes, unlike politicians.

For top-tier explorers like me who take on requests from the Association and explore deep layers, it's possible to earn more in a month than a professional baseball player's annual salary. But let's keep that a secret. Whenever you start making big money, people always have something to say about it.