Chapter-11 · EP-170

Episode 170: Need for Recognition

"Hey, Shirou, did you hear about those people called Quadra Stream?"

I remembered that name – it was the annoying group from the Shinjuku Dungeon.

I had submitted the dungeon recorder footage, so they should have had their explorer licenses revoked by now.

"What about them?"

"You haven't heard? They got arrested. For criminal acts."

"Is that so."

It seemed their punishment didn't end with just license revocation. Well, considering what they did, being arrested was only fitting.

I listened to Yuno and checked the online news on my phone.

"It really is them…"

Akaishi, peeking at my phone screen, muttered.

According to the news, the act of summoning the Angry Goblins was apparently considered a dungeon hazard – in other words, a dungeon disaster – and they had endangered the lives of third parties. Since no major damage occurred and there were zero fatalities, the punishment probably wouldn't be severe.

I hoped this would teach them a lesson and they'd reflect… but probably not.

Seeing me calmly reading the news article, Yuno said.

"Shirou, aren't you angry at these people?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Because their actions put you and the others in danger, right?"

"Well, yes, but… Hmm… What do you think, Akaishi?"

Not having a clear thought, I asked Akaishi for his opinion.

He answered with the same nonchalant tone as me.

"To me, they're like pebbles on the side of the road… I'm just trying to manage my own life. Honestly, I'm not interested."

"I get it! I feel the same."

Frankly, I didn't care what happened to them.

"Well, I do feel like 'serves them right.'"

Still, how foolish – trying to earn some pocket money and ending up losing far more than that.

Seeing my reaction, Yuno seemed unsatisfied and asked again.

"Hey, Shirou, you defeated the most goblins, didn't you?"

"Yeah, but even after defeating that many, it only came to about 8,000 yen per person. Unless we go to lower floors, Akaishi won't be able to quit his part-time job either, you know."

A road construction part-time job probably pays better.

"That's not what I mean. Even though Shirou worked the hardest, only Murasakimura-kun is getting praised. Aren't you frustrated?"

"Huh? Why?"

I didn't understand what Yuno meant.

"Because Shirou was the one who did the most to stop the dungeon hazard, right? But only Murasakimura-kun, who appeared in the video, became famous. I think an ordinary person would be frustrated."

It was the opposite.

I had deliberately stayed out of their camera frame, and becoming famous would just mean being approached by strangers, which would be annoying and troublesome.

So I was actually grateful to Murasakimura for standing in the spotlight for me.

Struggling to explain this in a way Yuno would understand, I said.

"I'd rather not stand out. So having Murasakimura handle that troublesome role makes me grateful, actually…"

Not seeming convinced by my explanation, Yuno made a difficult face.

"Shirou, don't you have a need for recognition?"

"Need for recognition?"

"Probably those streamers also wanted attention, wanted to be acknowledged, right? I was wondering if you don't ever want to be recognized more by everyone. I just can't accept that no one knows how hard Shirou worked. I can't help but feel it's unfair that only Murasakimura-kun gets the credit."

I couldn't quite understand Yuno's feelings.

"Why should I care about other people's evaluation?"

Hearing my words, Yuno looked like she'd been hit by a thunderbolt.

For me, more than the outcome of that exploration, having gained Murasakimura's Lightning Magic and Sendo's Presence Detection skills in return for helping them level up was much more significant. I was itching to try them out alone in secret.

That was a much stronger motivation for me.

"I see. So that's how you are, Shirou."

Yuno seemed to accept it, more or less.

"By the way, have you heard about Hikaru-san? She's troubled by the growth limit, just like I was."

Growth limit – the idea that if you can't damage monsters, you can't gain experience points.

Yuno had felt her limit with the sword and started learning archery in the Archery Club.

And apparently, Hikaru was stuck as well.

"Ah, about that – after school today, I'm going with Murasakimura to train Hikaru."

Hearing that, Yuno's expression brightened.

"Is that so! With Shirou along, it'll be fine."

"No, I don't know if it'll work out…"

Still, when did Yuno hear about Hikaru?

She seemed to have become friends with her without me knowing.

This is why people with strong social skills are scary.

But I think Hikaru is more of a mage type than a weapons type. Why doesn't she have an offensive magic skill?

For Hikaru to be able to use offensive magic, a Skill Orb seems necessary, but can't she get one through the Duke's connections?

The only other way would be to get one from someone exploring the deepest parts of the dungeon…

I know someone exploring the deepest parts.

Tatsunori Susa.

Speaking of Susa, how long did he intend to stay at the academy?

Until he left, I couldn't progress in my own exploration.

Just then, Professor Kushinada entered the classroom and called my name.

"Ichinose-kun."

Called out, I hurriedly stood up.

"Ah, yes. What is it?"

Professor Kushinada came to my seat and delivered the message.

"After school, Captain Susa would like to talk with you. How is your schedule?"

Speak of the devil. He's finally coming directly.

I had been wanting to talk with him directly too.

"That's fine. Please tell Susa-san."