arc2 · 099-ch99

Chapter 99: Aiming for the 30th Floor, Part 1

The next morning, I woke up bright and early. I mean, it's not every day you get to attempt the world's first-ever live stream from inside a dungeon. I was so pumped up that my eyes just popped open on their own.

I finished breakfast in a hurry and headed back to my room to get ready for the live stream. Well, "ready" was a bit of an overstatement—there wasn't really that much to prepare at this point.

The plan was to have Hayate send the footage to my PC, which was connected to the Dungeon Agency, and stream the video in real time. The one bummer was that I couldn't send my own screen's feed back to the dungeon. So unfortunately, they'd have to make do with audio only.

Oh, and I'd asked Himehana to tell the team about my Storage skill. So this time, I'd be carrying all their luggage. By the way, I haven't told them about the attribute enchantment on Asahi yet. I'm hoping to surprise them with it, like a hidden trick up my sleeve.

After fidgeting around for a few dozen minutes, it was finally about time. I activated Asahi and took off from Yamamoto Electronics. Oh right—yesterday, the president and the others had made a whole bunch of capsules for Asahi's auxiliary units. Those were safely stored in Hayate. I should do some image training now so I'm ready to use them when things get tight.

While Asahi was making its way to the Tokyo Skyscraper Dungeon, I got a call from Arihara-san.

"Hello, is this Soramine-san? I look forward to working with you today."

Even the normally composed Arihara-san sounded a little keyed up. Guess even the higher-ups at the Dungeon Agency get nervous about the world's first dungeon live stream.

I confirmed today's schedule over the phone while pushing Asahi to top speed. Gotta say, 250 km/h is no joke—we arrived at the Tokyo Skyscraper Dungeon in no time.

I immediately summoned Hayate and routed the footage it captured through my PC to the Dungeon Agency.

On my PC screen, I could see what Hayate was seeing, and on their end, they could see Hayate's feed. Watching this live stream today were the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Dungeon Affairs, Arihara-san, and—get this—even the Prime Minister himself.

Oh man, I'd been trying not to think about it, but now that it hit me, my social anxiety was about to kick in for the first time in ages from the sheer pressure. Thank goodness this wasn't face-to-face.

Hayate spotted the Hyakka Ryouran members waiting in front of the dungeon entrance. I moved Hayate and Asahi over toward Himehana, who was waving at us. Just then, I heard a short "Ohh" of breath from the Dungeon Agency side. As expected of Himehana—her beauty was apparently enough to make even Japan's top officials go slack-jawed.

"Thank you for having us today."

When Hayate arrived in front of Hyakka Ryouran, their leader Toomi-san stepped forward and greeted us. Now that's what I call a proper adult response. Quite the contrast to Himehana, who was still waving at the camera without any sign of stopping.

"I'm Arihara from the Dungeon Agency. Thank you as well for today."

It seemed Arihara-san would be speaking on our behalf. However, since our video feed couldn't reach Hyakka Ryouran, it would be audio only.

"All right, I'll go ahead and store everyone's luggage."

Since I hadn't been hiding the Storage skill anyway, carrying their bags was my job this time. I stored the four backpacks containing meals and potions into Hayate's Storage.

"Whoa, Himehana told me about it, but you really can store stuff!"

Toomi-san let out an adorable little gasp of surprise at the sight.

"I want that drone."

Whoa—Kurokage-san seemed mighty curious about my Hayate too.

"Having you carry our luggage is a real lifesaver."

Akatsuki-san, who had less stamina than the other members, probably appreciated the Storage benefit the most. After all, since she didn't move around much during combat, she usually ended up carrying more of the team's stuff.

"Heh heh, pretty amazing, right?"

And then there was Himehana, puffing out her chest and acting all smug for some reason. This isn't your accomplishment, you know...

After both sides finished their greetings, Hyakka Ryouran finally stepped into the dungeon. I followed after them, my nerves on edge. And as we passed through the dungeon entrance, I could hear someone—maybe everyone—gulp audibly.

(Ohh, it's working! Success!)

My Hayate was flawlessly broadcasting Himehana and the others making their way through the dungeon in real time.

"Wonderful! Is this the capability of SS-dono's drone!?"

A loud voice rang out from someone at the Dungeon Agency. Who was that? The Prime Minister?

"All right, I'll transfer us to the 20th floor now."

The Hyakka Ryouran members stepped onto transfer stones one by one, heading to the 20th floor. Hayate followed last, using a transfer stone to jump to the 20th floor as well.

"Hoh, this drone can use transfer stones too. Just as the rumors said."

Every time I did something, the VIPs reacted. Man, I really hope this doesn't keep up the entire time...

Meanwhile, the Hyakka Ryouran members descended the stairs and stepped onto the 21st floor, weapons at the ready.

(Oh, everyone's got new weapons!)

Up front, Kurokage-san held a pair of gleaming silver daggers. Walking behind her beside Himehana, Toomi-san carried a spear with a tip that shimmered the same silvery hue. Bringing up the rear, Akatsuki-san gripped a staff crafted from the same mithril.

"Two Ferocious Wolves."

Just then, Kurokage-san's sharp voice cut through the air. Looks like the monsters were making their entrance right on schedule. The Ferocious Wolves had come to greet us as usual. Right after Kurokage-san's voice reached me, a suspicious "Uho" sound—like some middle-aged man getting excited—came through my PC speakers. I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that.

Last time, Himehana had charged in solo, but this time it looked like Kurokage-san and Toomi-san would take them on together. First, Kurokage-san glided toward the Ferocious Wolves, with Toomi-san following right behind her.

"Grrrr..."

The wolves seemed to have noticed the two of them. They lowered their heads, ready to spring at any moment. But neither Kurokage-san nor Toomi-san showed any hesitation as they closed in.

"Graaagh!"

As Kurokage-san entered striking distance, one of the Ferocious Wolves lunged at her. The other wolf crouched low, watching her movements intently. I see—it was waiting to pounce the moment Kurokage-san dodged the first one's attack.

But that plan fell apart spectacularly. Kurokage-san didn't dodge the wolf's attack—she charged straight into it. She slipped right under the lunging wolf's chin and slashed its belly open with her dagger as it sailed over her head. Then, without missing a beat, she turned on the second Ferocious Wolf, which had lost its chance to attack.

The wolf that had its belly sliced open while mid-leap was impaled on Toomi-san's spear before it even hit the ground, dead on the spot. Toomi-san pressed forward with momentum, thrusting her spear at the Ferocious Wolf that had tried to sidestep Kurokage-san's dagger, gashing its front leg.

That's when Kurokage-san's follow-up dagger strike came crashing down, and the second Ferocious Wolf was carved to pieces in an instant.

"Oh, magnificent!"

"Truly splendid!"

It was such an impressive display of teamwork that even the old men couldn't help but be impressed. And this was with their heaviest hitter, Himehana, held in reserve. Of course, their new weapons played a part, but these two had definitely gotten stronger too. That's probably why they'd decided to aim for the 30th floor in the first place.

Watching the Hyakka Ryouran members pick up their drop items and press onward, their backs looked incredibly reliable.