Chapter 17, Huh? I’m That Strong?

Translator: Lizz

  

“Ah, aaaah! Aah! Um, good morning, everyone! Today I’m exploring a place called the Evolution Cave or something like that, that AI Miria told me about.”

 

Anyway, I try to say something. I’m so insanely flustered, I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.

 

: Chill lol

: So panicked lol

: Anyone would freak out when the concurrent viewers suddenly hit ten thousand

: You got this-

: Thanks for saving Aoi-chan

: Hang in there

: Total beginner vibes overflowing

: Cheering you on

: Go for it

: Evolution Cave??

: So beginner-like, it’s cute

: The dungeon you’re trying is pure mystery, lol

 

Since the comment section reacts even to small things, I get super nervous because I’m not used to this.

 

Calm down, just calm down. Deep breaths, deep breaths.

 

<Monster appearing ahead.>

 

“Hm? monster?”

 

Right then, AI Miria alerts me that a monster has appeared. But hold on. We’re inside a dungeon, yeah, but there are tons of trees, and I don’t see any monsters?

 

“That’s weird. From what I can see, there aren’t any monsters around.”

 

<A Devil Tree has appeared.>

 

“Huh? Aaaah!?”

 

While I’m walking between the trees thinking I can’t find anything, suddenly one of the trees in front of me rises up!

 

Eyes and a mouth suddenly appear, and it starts lumbering toward me. I panic and try to back away, but its feet move faster than I expected.

 

No, since it’s a tree monster, maybe it’s roots rather than feet? Just I’m thinking about stuff that doesn’t matter, when Miria’s calm voice speaks up.

 

<Battle axe is effective.>

 

“Oh, got it! A-alright!”

 

Today I’ve got this strong-looking axe I earned from a mission reward. I grab it from my back and close the distance fast.

 

“UOOOOHHHH!”

 

Then I slash hard from the side. I imagine it like a lumberjack’s strike, and looks like it works, because the tree monster gets chopped down and rolls onto the ground.

 

After that, the monster vanishes with a hissing sound, and a bundle of wood and a ton of different apples fall out.

 

<Evolution materials acquired. Storing in the box.>

 

“Thanks! So this is all evolution material?”

 

I don’t really get it since it’s my first time, but I guess these kinds of items are important.

 

Now that I think about it, I should explain this to everyone in the chat too. It’s not like I’ve got zero viewers anymore – I really need to stay connected.

 

Whoa… wait, the chat’s way more lively than I expected.

 

“Today I’m planning to finish things up by gathering as many evolution materials as I can. Not sure, but I wonder if this dungeon’s like a typical one with upper and middle levels?”

 

<This dungeon is different from standard ones. It only has Underground 1 and Underground 2 floors. Once all monsters are defeated or a full day passes, the dungeon disappears.>

 

“Whoa! That’s a pretty weird dungeon!”

 

So there are dungeons that disappear when you clear all the monsters?

 

While we’re going back and forth, I notice the chat’s getting even more hyped.

 

: Whoa! You took down the Devil Tree in one hit?

: Box?

: Eh, wasn’t that thing super tough?

: You did it so casually, but one-shotting it is insane!

: Uwaaaaahhh

: Didn’t the item suddenly disappear or something?

: Seems like he’s totally unaware of it, but this guy’s strong

: I love Miria-chan’s voice

: Wait, I’ve never heard of a dungeon like that

: Miriaaaaaa—

: That box earlier was way too mysterious lol

: Also, I’ve never even heard of evolution items?

: What is this

: Kage Channel is too strong lol

: Hold up, I don’t recognize half these words

: Even rankers sometimes struggle with Devil Trees

: It’s been completely glossed over, but what is Evolution Cave??

: I’m totally lost, this is all new info

: So chill, yet clearly super powerful

: Miria-chan, explain please

: Too many mystery terms and viewer count is skyrocketing lol

: This is gonna blow up later

: Need some background info, please!

 

“Huh? I’m that strong? I mean, Miria, everyone’s saying they don’t know about evolution items or exclusive dungeons.”

 

So I’m not the only one who doesn’t know, huh. I keep walking through the dungeon, and it kind of feels like I’m in a dim forest.

 

<No, Kagetora-sama, you’re average. The dungeon is fairly standard. This channel likely has beginner viewers as well. More importantly, congratulations – your concurrent viewers just reached fifty thousand.>

 

“Huh?”

 

I glance at the number in the top-right corner of my goggles, and sure enough, it’s over fifty thousand.

 

: Nah nah nah!

: This is definitely not standard lol

: The AI’s voice is so cute

: Getting labeled a beginner by an AI in front of 50k viewers

: This smells fishy

: Yeah, totally standard

: Now that you mention it, maybe I’ve heard of it… (distant gaze)

: Congrats on reaching 50k!

: Whoa!? Already at 50k concurrent viewers!?

: The AI voice is a mystery in itself

: Eeeek!

: Amazing—

: Getting to 50k viewers in just a few minutes is wild these days

: You’re definitely hitting the trending list

: This AI’s knowledge is kinda sus lol

: Whether it keeps growing depends on the content

: You got this!

: Woooooo!

: If the AI says so, then it must be true! But hey, AI, what are you anyway?

: I love this exchange

: LOL!

 

The chat is totally incomprehensible. I can’t tell what’s what anymore. And I’m almost at sixty thousand viewers? Just a moment ago, everyone was freaking out at hitting ten thousand.

 

“N-n-no way… this is nuts. Say what you like, but that jump’s way too fast.”

 

I’m on the verge of hyperventilating. Just thinking about fifty thousand people seeing me is terrifying.

 

Well, at least it’s a goggle stream, so my face isn’t actually on screen. That helps a little.

 

<Monster has appeared.>

 

“Huh? Where?”

 

<You’re surrounded. Stay calm and defeat them one at a time.>

 

“I’m surrounded?”

 

<Yes.>

 

Right after Miria’s alert, the trees around me suddenly rise up all at once.

 

“Uwaaaaaaaaah!?”

 

How many are there? While basically playing tag with the Devil Trees, I take them down one by one.