Chapter 5

"Wow... It's become such a big topic..."

The day after the streaming incident.

I woke up in my usual office chair and muttered to myself while looking at social media and online news.

The headlines of the online news read:

"A Mysterious Explorer Appears, Soloing the Deep Layers!?"

"Corporate Sword Saint Solos S-Rank Monster Tyrant Dragon"

"First Stream Reaches 100 Million Concurrent Viewers. Will They Apply for a Guinness World Record?"

"Black Dog Guild Possibly Violating Explorer Labor Standards"

"Experts Discuss Whether the Viral Video Is Fabricated"

And on social media:

"That guy is so strong! Why wasn't he a topic before?"

"Black Dog Guild was hiding something like that. No wonder they get so much government work."

"That guy seems like a corporate slave... His eyes looked dead..."

"Too many people are falling for it lol. People who can't tell lies from the truth shouldn't use the internet lol."

"He looked so cool! Does anyone have his contact info!?"

"I want to scout him for our guild. Who should I contact...?"

"Why doesn't he leave the Black Dog Guild? He could definitely get better treatment elsewhere."

Everywhere, the topic was about me. This must be what they call "going viral," right? I've been so busy with work that I'm not familiar with such things. I need advice from someone who's good with the internet.

"Sure, I might be the only crazy guy who solo dives into the deep layers... but is it really that big of a deal?"

I tilted my head.

Indeed, I've only been solo diving recently, so I don't know the levels of other explorers very well.

I started diving as soon as the dungeons appeared in the world, so I thought I was pretty strong... but is it really that big of a deal?

"Hmm, maybe it's because I look like a dull salaryman? I'm wearing a suit, and I look like a regular salaryman. I have huge bags under my eyes, and I don't look like an explorer at all."

So that's why everyone is making a fuss over the contrast.

Just as I came to this conclusion, my smartphone vibrated.

"Whoa!?"

I jumped up in surprise and instinctively stuck to the ceiling.

After what happened yesterday, I'm still terrified of my phone's vibration. I won't forget that experience of being bombarded with notifications anytime soon...

Even though I've already disconnected from DTube, the same thing shouldn't happen again.

"What is it this time? Hmm, what? Oh?"

I climbed down from the ceiling and checked my phone. It read "Incoming Call from Manabu Adachi."

Adachi is one of my few friends. We used to hang out a lot, but we haven't met in a long time. To be honest, I had almost forgotten about his existence due to my busy schedule.

He must be calling about yesterday's incident. Honestly, I don't really want to talk about it, but Adachi is the only one I can confide in.

After a moment of hesitation, I pressed the call icon.

"Hello..."

"Tanaka! I saw it! Hahaha! It was hilarious! So, how do you feel right now!?"

"I'm hanging up."

I abruptly ended the call.

Well, I might as well get ready for work. Just as I thought that and placed my phone back on the desk, the ringtone sounded again. I sighed and picked up my phone again.

"What now?"

"Sorry, sorry! I won't tease you anymore, so please don't hang up... hehe..."

"Do you want me to hang up again?"

I said threateningly, and Adachi started apologizing profusely to avoid being hung up on.

Honestly, he hasn't changed a bit.

"Alright, I won't hang up. You're such a pain."

Honestly, I need Adachi's advice right now. It wouldn't be convenient for me if the call were to end.

Adachi is a good conversationalist with a wide social circle. Plus, I remember he's quite knowledgeable about social media. He should be able to come up with a solution.

After thanking me for not hanging up, Adachi quickly got to the point.

"I saw the video. You're still as strong as ever. Maybe even stronger than before?"

"Flattery aside, what do you think I should do?"

"What do you think you should do? Tell me that first."

I was stumped by Adachi's question.

Hmm, right...

"I want to delete all the videos that are out there."

"Haha, that's impossible."

Adachi laughed at my request. That's harsh.

"The number of your one-man army clips isn't just 100 or 200. They've already spread overseas. 'There's a real SAMURAI in Japan!'... That's what they're saying. I checked, and it's already been translated into five languages. You need to give up on that."

"...It's come to that, huh?"

I thought it might be possible if it was just in Japan, but overseas too?

Now that I think about it, there were comments from overseas during the stream...

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