Chapter 3, Today’s Login Bonus Has Arrived

Translator: Lizz

 

The next day, I do all sorts of things to look for a new job, like going to the Public Employment Security Office and signing up for job search websites.

 

But since it’s spring, not many companies are hiring. I mean, some are, but the black company vibe is intense.

 

The companies posting jobs are pretty much all the ones that show up in online gossip for bad reputations.

 

“Ugh… I probably won’t last even if I join one.”

 

I glare at my laptop and let out a quiet sigh. Rumors online tend to be weirdly accurate – my friend who recently quit using a resignation service said the same.

 

I didn’t even need a service like that; the President himself fired me. And then they counted it as voluntary resignation.

 

“Ahh! Damn it—, I need to hurry or I won’t be able to pay rent.”

 

If this keeps up, I’ll fall behind on payments. Not being able to pay rent is seriously rough; thinking that, I lie down and mess up my hair, and then I hear a strange electronic sound.

 

“Hm?”

 

Curious, I look up and see the goggles I left on the bookshelf glowing.

 

<Today’s login bonus has arrived.>

 

“Login bonus?”

 

Now that I think about it, it’s been giving off a weird light since morning, but I’ve been busy so I ignored it.

 

Wait, do modern streaming devices actually deliver login bonuses?

 

…Huh?

 

“Come to think of it, I didn’t really pay attention yesterday, but what exactly is a login bonus?”

 

I often hear about login bonuses in mobile games, but that’s just within the game, and this goggles don’t come with any games.

 

Maybe it’s something like a discount coupon?

 

<Here is the Day 1 login bonus.>

 

Right after that line, a golden light appears near the ceiling of the room. Then, something falls onto the table.

 

“…Huh…”

 

I’m stunned. No matter how you look at it, what just fell down is a sword. Silver grip, black sheath. The kind used by dungeon explorers.

 

“…What is this?”

 

<It is a steel sword.>

 

“Why did it fall down like that?”

 

<It is a login bonus.>

 

“Wha—whaaat?”

 

I mean, you say it’s a login bonus, but I need more of an explanation. This is just a supernatural event.

 

When I pick it up, it feels properly heavy. Pulling the sword from its sheath reveals a blade glowing white.

 

Yeah, this is definitely real.

 

“Uh, does that mean a sword arrives every day?”

 

<The first month’s login bonuses include a variety of benefits besides swords.>

 

“For example?”

 

<There are shields, armor, items useful in a dungeon, special summoning cards, exclusive dungeon tickets, evolution items. In addition, a daily gacha ticket is also delivered.”

 

Once again, the ceiling glows. Surprised, I look up to see a white, playing card-sized ticket fall down.

 

“So this is the gacha ticket? How do I use it?”

 

<If you give me instructions, it can be used at any time.>

 

“What do I get if I use it?”

 

<A summoning card.>

 

I sort of understand what summoning cards are. Explorers used them during broadcasts, and Ai, who I once accompanied, used them too.

 

<A summoning card is something explorers can carry up to five of into a dungeon. Depending on the monster depicted on the card, various effects activate.>

 

“Whoa! Getting a card sounds kinda awesome. So can I do it now?”

 

<Understood. Performing the summoning gacha.>

 

Then, the area near the ceiling begins to glow again.

 

“Wh-whoa!”

 

But this time, the spectacle is something else – it’s beyond just light. My rundown, six-tatami apartment suddenly transforms into a fantastical space wrapped in stars.

 

From above and below, sparkling bolts of lightning shoot forth. When they meet in the middle, one card drops onto the low table.

 

“Whoa!?”

 

I’m so surprised by the sudden spectacle that I fall down. I have no idea what’s going on.

 

<Kagetora-sama, are you all right?>

 

“I-I think I’m okay…”

 

Before I know it, my surroundings return to my usual home. My heart’s pounding, but I somehow manage to sit up.

 

The card sitting on the round table has a monster illustration on the front, while the back is covered in indecipherable characters. It looks like a collection of hieroglyphs.

 

“This is just a common monster, huh.”

 

<You got an R: Goblin (club).>

 

The goblin’s striking a cool pose for some reason. Its face even looks kinda sharp and serious.

 

<A summoning card can be used only once during a dungeon dive. After use, it cannot be used again until you exit and re-enter the dungeon.>

 

“I see. But everyone seems to have these cards, right? Do people usually buy them?”

 

<They can be found in treasure chests inside dungeons. Alternatively, they may drop when specific monsters are defeated, or can be acquired through gacha tickets.>

 

I see. So there are actually a bunch of ways to get them. I didn’t even know this kind of gacha existed.

 

<Useful items for dungeon exploration will continue to be delivered daily starting tomorrow. Would you like to try a dungeon crawl for practice?>

 

“A dungeon crawl, huh… might be good for blowing off stress.”

 

Dungeon streaming. These days, it’s the hottest, most lucrative dream-like activity in the streaming scene. But over the past month, I’ve seen plenty of people who haven’t had any success.

 

Seeing that, it’s clear that only a handful actually make a living off streaming alone. There are real risks to life, and my impression of it has become one of a relentlessly tough world.

 

So for me, it’s just a way to blow off steam. I’ve never considered turning it into a proper career.

 

“No interviews tomorrow or anything, so maybe I’ll dive in for a change of pace. If it’s just the lower levels, I should be fine solo…”

 

<There is no problem. I will provide full support, so please rest assured.>

 

“Seriously? Thanks. I’m counting on you.”

 

I did buy the goggles and everything, so I might as well try it once.

 

With that light-hearted mindset, I end up starting my first dungeon stream as a solo explorer.