Chapter 9

The inside of the cave is dim. However, due to the faint light, I can still see.

Why is there light when there’s no source? I think it’s best not to think about it.

The more the dungeon’s mystique defies the laws of physics, the more it bothers me. And I’m a humanities major, too.

"Hmm, I wonder how far this goes. It’s a resting spot, but they don’t seem to want us to rest."

Comments:

- That’s true.

- You’ve slept enough already.

- With such a long path, it seems like there must be a reason.

- This feels like the pattern where there’s a wolf waiting at the cave’s exit.

- Shut up, Flag Raiser.

Do people who set flags really want to kill me this much?

I feel a strange determination from them, like they’re absolutely going to make it happen.

Words have power, so please stop, really.

"By the way, it’s evening now, right? I lost track of time after oversleeping..."

The custom dungeon smartphone showed 5:46 PM. I’m a little hungry, but I can’t eat due to the tension.

Yeah, but my throat is dry, and I don’t want to get heatstroke, so maybe I’ll buy some water.

"I’ll buy water with the money you all gave me for my funeral."

Comments:

- You’re holding a grudge, aren’t you?

- That’s mean.

- You remembered that, huh? (laughs)

- Just joking.

"I’m not holding a grudge at all. I’ll take what I can get and use it effectively. But I won’t forgive anyone who tries to profit from it."

It’s not that I’m angry because the listeners gave up on my survival.

It’s just that they never gave me any useful information, so I’ve given up on them.

Comments:

- Congratulations! 2 million views in an hour!

- Were you the one who edited and uploaded that heavily subtitled and effect-laden clip...?

- You really are making money, huh? (laughs)

"Really? Oh, put a portion of the profit in my account. By the way, why are you trying to spread it in multiple directions? There’s no demand for my clips, right?"

You don’t need to look back at the past since it’s being broadcast on terrestrial TV.

My digital tattoo is being etched into me constantly, right now. Always.

Every action I take could become a black history, which is a huge debuff. This world is tough to live in!

Comments:

- You’re trying to jump on the profit bandwagon, huh? (laughs)

- What percentage is fine? (laughs)

- There’s a huge demand.

- It’s a live stream, so if you miss it, it’s over.

- You can’t even record it, so think about it.

- There’s definitely a demand. Are you an idiot?

"Why am I being blamed!? It’s the listeners who are weird for laughing at someone’s life and death while eating popcorn!!"

Comments:

- That’s just how the world is.

- Times change...

"What a terrible era this has become!"

I don’t like this new era.

Muttering complaints, I walk through the cave.

The dimness and strange warmth would make me tremble with fear if I were alone. But thanks to the conversation with the listeners, the fear of death and everything else is easing.

Even though I’m in a pinch right now, the listeners are supporting me warmly... warmly... warmly... and mocking me.

These listeners are really no good.

"Ah, I’m back to life."

Comments:

- That line sounds unusually heavy to me.

- The correct term is ‘survived,’ right...

- It’s a strange feeling.

- Like watching a child grow up.

- Feeling growth without doing anything to help is, to put it mildly, creepy. (laughs)

- Oh, how harsh.

While I was chugging water, such exchanges were taking place. I think it’s creepy too.

I think it’s amazing that I’m not giving up.

"Huh? I can see something."

While continuing to walk, I noticed a red light ahead.

The warmth turned into a scorching heat, like being burned by the ground on a hot summer day.

"Hot! It’s as hot as concrete in the middle of summer!"

It’s not unbearable.

It’s about the temperature of a sauna after splashing water and waving a towel around.

Comments:

- Great analogy.

- To convey information so clearly without regard for your own safety, you’re a model streamer.

- ↑ Probably just a spontaneous reaction. (laughs)

- The fact that such words come out spontaneously shows your talent as a streamer.

- Your talent is blooming in a bad way.

"Shut up! Your sarcasm is too much! Anyway! There’s something ahead, so I’ll keep going! If it’s dangerous, I’ll escape immediately!"

It’s hot... really hot, but it doesn’t get any hotter beyond a certain temperature.

It feels like it’s over 40°C, which is the apparent limit, but if this is all I have to deal with as I approach the magma, it’s enough.

"It’s hot, but better than being burned by wolves!"

Comments:

- That’s a dark joke.

- Yeah, it is. (laughs)

- You had to say it yourself? (laughs)

- No, (laughs)

Sometimes you have to say things out loud to get through them!

In my case, just letting my thoughts flow freely helps with stress relief. It’s cheap, but effective.

"Hey? Could this be...?"

Turning the corner, I saw a dead-end wall and a pool of magma.

To put it simply, there’s a large, circular room with a pool of magma, and beyond that, the path is blocked by a wall.

And!

Right in front of it, there’s a luxurious, ornate box!

"Is this...? Is this hope!?"

Comments:

- Oh, oh, oh!

- Treasure chest! ! ! ! !

- You’ve got it!

- There’s still hope!

- <ARAGAMI> Hmm... Isn’t this a bit too convenient?

- We can do it!

- Open it, open it!

- Open it!

- OPEN IT!

- Check for traps first!

"Identification doesn’t work on inanimate objects. Box-type monsters, which mimic ‘boxes,’ can’t be identified. You need a trap detection or x-ray skill to be useful... I heard this from a senior explorer before my new recruit training."

Thinking about how underappreciated identification is, I cried into my pillow.

Comments:

- So, you have no choice but to open it.

- Go for it!

- Do it!

As <ARAGAMI> said, it does seem a bit too convenient. Is this really going to happen here?

Still, I wanted to cling to the hope dangled in front of me.

Despite the miserable dungeon life, there must be hope.

This treasure chest must be a gift from the gods!

"Okay, everyone! I’m going to open it!!"

I approached the treasure chest, which was placed with a grand flourish, my chest swelling with excitement.

The ornate decorations made me expect something valuable inside.

Comments:

- Oh!

- Go for it!

- Open it!

Encouraged by the silent cheers of the listeners,

And when I finally reached out to open the treasure chest—

—

—my right hand vanished with a sickening sound.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! IT HURTS SO MUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH