Chapter 16, Your Channel Reached One Million Subscribers Today

Translator: Lizz

  

The day after I came home drunk. My head hurts a little as I ride the bus to a certain place.

 

While I’m on my way, I get a chat message from Aoi, whom I met recently, so we exchange a few lines.

 

Aoi: Good morning! About the Guild, we’ve decided to invite Kagetora-san soon!

: Seriously? Thanks!

Aoi: Not at all! We’re the ones who should be thanking you for all your help. I’ll message you again once the date is set.

: Got it!

 

She seems in high spirits somehow. She even sends me one of those mascot-style stickers at the end.

 

Chats with Rena are nothing like this. She usually sends short texts like ‘Come to XX’ and that’s it.

 

As I’m having such thoughts while bouncing along on the bus, it seems like I have reached my destination, so I get off.

 

After walking for about an hour, I arrive at a bridge by a lake. Here, I activate my goggles.

 

“Good morning! This is the right place, right? I didn’t mess up the location, did I?”

 

<Good morning. Yes, you’re in the right spot. Please use the dungeon key now.>

 

“Like this?”

 

Actually, today I’m supposed to challenge a dungeon where I can get all sorts of special items. But for some reason, the dungeon’s located at a remote lake, so I’ve come quite a long way to get here.

 

According to Miria, I’m close to hitting the level cap for my explorer rarity. That means I need to collect certain items to raise my rank.

 

Following Miria’s instructions, I hold up this rather huge item called the dungeon key to the sky.

 

“Huh? Nothing’s happening?”

 

For a while, nothing changes. Here I am, standing on a quiet bridge over a lake, holding a comically oversized key in the air. I must look totally nuts.

 

“W-Whoa!?”

 

But then, it happens. A sudden shake – feels like an earthquake! And just like that, the entrance to the dungeon bursts up from the lake’s surface. I’m freaking out.

 

“…Eh, it really appeared.”

 

<Yes. It really did.>

 

“Alright, let’s do this!”

 

Fired up, I step into the dungeon entrance. What lies beyond is a staircase so long I can’t see the bottom. For now, I decide to head down.

 

“Hope this is okay… Can I actually make it back?”

 

<There won’t be any issues. By the way, would you like to start streaming?>

 

“Oh yeah, streaming. I mean, I doubt anyone will tune in today either, but sure, might as well.”

 

Honestly, it’s hard to stay motivated when I know no one’s watching, but maybe there’s still some benefit to it.

 

<Then starting the stream in… three… two… one… Stream started.>

 

“Good morning, everyone! Today I’m taking on the exclusive dungeon ‘Cave of Evolution’ that AI Miria told me about. Wish me luck!”

 

Okay, intro and explanation done!

 

The comment section was supposed to stay empty from start to finish…

 

But almost immediately after starting, something feels off on the goggle screen. Feels like comments are flooding in like a storm.

 

“Huh? Miria, did something go wrong with the stream?”

 

<No errors detected.>

 

“There’s a crazy amount of comments coming in though.”

 

<Yes.>

 

“Wait, my concurrent viewers just surpassed ten thousand.”

 

<Yes.>

 

“W-Wait a minute. Isn’t that weird?”

 

<There’s nothing unusual. Kagetora-sama’s channel has successfully attracted a large number of viewers.>

 

Attracted a large number of viewers? Is that something that just happens out of nowhere?

 

While my head is spinning with questions, the comment section doesn’t slow down; it speeds up.

 

: Good morning

: Mornin’!

: So this is the streamer people were talking about

: Thanks for helping Aoi-chan

: Is this the right guy?

: Where are you right now?

: What’s a special dungeon?

: Hey there

: Good morning!

: Nice to meet you

: Uwhoaaaaaa!

: Wait, the streaming gear isn’t a drone?

: Starting the stream while heading deeper down is a fresh idea

: First time catching this live

: Super excited

: Hitting one million subscribers in a few days is wild

: Never seen a stream begin this suddenly

: Mornin’

 

“W-Whoa!? What the heck is going on, there are so many comments! Miria, what’s happening!?”

 

I’m in a mild panic. I didn’t expect anything like this. The upper-right corner of my goggle screen is total chaos!

 

<Kagetora-sama’s channel, also known as Kage Channel, reached one million subscribers today. This is likely due to your recent rescue of a well-known explorer, which led to your account being identified. A wave of curious users appears to have gathered.>

 

“That famous explorer, do you mean Aoi-chan?”

 

<Yes. It seems she’s a popular streamer with a large following, both domestically and overseas.>

 

“I… I had no idea. Seriously?”

 

<Seriously. Congratulations.>

 

I’m beyond surprised – more like stunned – and I have no idea what to say.

 

While I’m still wondering what to do, I suddenly realize I’ve finished descending the stairs and reached the open space of the dungeon.