“I didn’t think I’d need to give you veterans of streaming this kind of warning, Kujou-kun.”
The call, which began with a sticky, unpleasant sarcasm, contained content that was truly humiliating for Kujou, the leader of the Numbers.
“Kujou-kun. While I understand there’s a tacit understanding to overlook Dungeon Raids, you’re taking it too far doing whatever you please. And Warunana’s been arrested? Managing him is your responsibility, isn’t it?”
“I apologize. I did try to talk to him, but…”
“The Labyrinth Agency filed a complaint the other day. I responded that it was due to the reckless rampages of some Streamers, but if the commotion continues, the management’s responsibility will be questioned. Do you understand that?”
Beyond the monitor, the middle-aged Suit Man sitting leisurely at his desk was the boss of the agency to which Kujou and the “Numbers” belonged.
Yanagi Kyuuji.
He was the current president of the streaming group “Re:Trys” and apparently had a history of working for what was once the largest agency in the industry.
However, whether he was competent was another matter.
The fact that this man, greedy for money, treated Streamers and staff like his own limbs had resulted in several defections.
Don’t put all the responsibility on us—
“Besides, your numbers haven’t been doing well lately, have they? Aren’t you lacking in ingenuity?”
“That’s… but the president told us to gather listeners even if it meant doing illegal Dungeon Raids.”
“Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t recall encouraging you to commit crimes. I merely suggested that such methods exist. After all, the selling point of streaming is freedom, isn’t it?”
I want to crush the president’s head like a tomato as he speaks so nonchalantly.
When did it turn out like this?
—Dungeon streaming is the best.
—Work hours are always flexible. All rewards depend on your own efforts.
—Let’s go on a fun adventure while receiving support from viewers.
Lured by a common advertisement, Kujou dropped out of his depressing, low-tier university life and entered this path.
At first, Kujou also thought that this place, full of freedom and hope, was where he could demonstrate his abilities.
But—in reality, inequality is rampant here too.
Before he knew it, every day, every month, he was chasing numbers.
This is no different from being a corporate slave who is grilled by his boss and sways on a crowded train with a pale face.
Damn it, Kujou thought with inner irritation, but still made a subtle rebuttal.
“…We need new members to gain popularity and for exploration. Akushichi Nana may have had a bad attitude, but her skills were certain.”
“Your group originally had more than eight people, didn’t it? Isn’t your popularity lacking?”
“That’s…”
Certainly, the old Numbers had both skill and popularity.
They were mid-tier, no, above mid-tier, even in the Dungeon conquering group, I think.
But since the agency changed its policy, the team collapsed.
The party’s healer resigned because he hated actions that bothered people, such as illegal Dungeon Raids.
The former leader retired, saying that the current Re:Trys didn’t suit him.
One person retired due to an injury sustained during Dungeon conquering, and a newly joined rookie suddenly stopped coming one day.
Kujou took over as leader because the remaining members were too stupid, and the responsibility lies with the former leader who quit selfishly and the agency’s forceful policy in the first place.
Don’t push that responsibility onto us—hardships must be shared equally, or it’s unfair.
“Well, I knew you weren’t leader material. Still, there’s a saying that position cultivates people. If you don’t properly fulfill the role assigned to you, your place will gradually disappear. Or do you have any prospects of making it outside my agency?”
“…………”
The recent Numbers have a lot of notoriety in the world.
If Kujou is fired from his current agency, he has nowhere to go.
Then… am I unemployed? Don’t joke around.
“Well, that’s fine. I have someone in mind for a new member; I’ll introduce them later. I hope they’ll be a convenient savior for you.”
The camera cut off, and Kujou slammed his fist on the desk.
Damn it, damn it, damn it—!
Why is my life so unequal and unreasonable?
Kujou’s eyes turned bloodshot as he gnashed his teeth, kicked the chair, left his room, and went down the stairs—
He met his mother in the kitchen.
She was startled by Kujou’s flushed face and immediately became subservient, asking.
“Hey. Are you really okay lately…? I still think Dungeon streaming is dangerous… And, you know, I heard your friend was arrested recently.”
“…Tch.”
Don’t interfere if you don’t know anything about the industry.
Baring his fangs, which he only shows to his family, Kujou slammed the wall and stormed out with his Smartphone in hand.
*
Kujou headed to a nearby hospital and explained the results of the meeting—
“What did you say!? Damn it, screw that guy! Acting all high and mighty, the incompetent!!!”
With a crash, Hazaki slammed the IV stand, his face flushed with anger as he raged.
Hazaki, who had been set up in the previous Dungeon Raid, was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with needing hospitalization.
I heard he could be discharged tomorrow, so it doesn’t seem to be a serious injury, but the power of that landmine was correspondingly high.
“Damn… Akushichi messed up too. Don’t cause trouble for us.”
“Hazaki. What about the Labyrinth Agency?”
“They came. Nagging, nagging, nagging, asking the same things over and over. And they were all high and mighty about our behavior!”
Naturally, the Labyrinth Agency questioned him about Akushichi Nana’s case.
Fortunately, Hazaki’s abusive language was not recorded on the recorder submitted by that Suit Man, and only the scene where Akushichi Nana activated her Skill was clearly shown.
We’re not involved; that woman did it on her own—that’s how they must have excused themselves.
Damn, troublesome, Hazaki groaned.
I understand how he feels. Kujou’s tone is soft, but he was tired of the Labyrinth Agency visiting so many times.
All of this is because of—
“…So? Leader, did you find out the name of that Salaryman bastard?”
“Yeah. He’s apparently a very ordinary Cleaner named Kageichi Futsuu.”
After being scolded by the Labyrinth Agency, Kujou also conducted an investigation.
By the way, he also received a business card from the old couple’s house in the residential area of the Dungeon he raided yesterday, using methods I can’t mention. His identity is known.
“We’re going to make him pay, right? After being mocked this much.”
“Revenge doesn’t create anything, Hazaki… That’s what I want to say, but. I want to get rid of the recorder that man has as soon as possible.”
—If that man were to leak the records from the recorder he submitted to the Labyrinth Agency on social media… Kujou’s life would be ruined.
It’s evidence that goes beyond the scope of a simple Dungeon Raid and steps one foot into murder.
If such a thing were to flow into the world, the idiots on social media who have twisted their sense of justice would attack—but that’s not all. At worst, there’s a possibility that world-reformers or self-proclaimed justice-faced Streamers would ambush Kujou and his friends.
Before that happens, that guy…
“…So? Leader. What’s the plan? Are we going to go directly to his house to say hello now?”
“Hazaki, you’re as stupid as ever. If you commit a crime in reality, the police will come flying, right? The effects of Skills are weakened on the ground, and I hear there are criminal investigators who can identify activated Skills these days.”
Even Kujou doesn’t want to become a criminal.
Then, there’s only one way.
“…If we’re going to thank him, it can only be inside the Dungeon.”
“Do you have a lead?”
“Not yet. But there’s one possibility I can think of.”
Kujou takes out his Smartphone.
Displayed was a large-scale Dungeon Cleanup Operation event being recruited by the Labyrinth Agency.
“The Labyrinth Agency is currently recruiting for a Cleanup Operation of Monsters that have appeared in the middle layer of the Four Great Dungeons, ‘Nagi Plains.’ I’ve obtained information that that man will participate here.”
“Huh? Where did you get that information…”
“If you pay the right people, you can get information. We’ll participate there too, and an unfortunate ‘accident’ will happen. How about that scenario?”
The “Numbers” are mainly in the streaming business, but they all have Hunter Licenses of Rank B.
If it’s this Quest with a participation qualification of Rank C or higher, it’s possible to accept it, Kujou said with a laugh, and Hazaki also laughed lewdly.
“Then we’re good to go. We need to thank him right away, right?”
“Yes. However, we need to do it skillfully so that other Hunters don’t notice, right?”
“Accidents” often happen in Dungeons—
Kujou and Hazaki laughed gloomily together and began to plan their next move.
*
Around that time.
Kageichi Futsuu, who was organizing his business emails, frowned at a message from an information broker he was close to.
‘There are guys investigating you. They seem to be Streamers called Numbers. Does that ring any bells?’
“Hmm. I apologize, but could I get detailed information about those individuals’ addresses, names, ages, family structure, and affiliated agencies?”
Kageichi, who always aims for safety, security, and no stress, constantly sets traps for those who investigate him.
That informant was one of them, and the moment he initiated the search, the information was routed to Kageichi.
Of course, Kageichi could deal with small fry like that anytime… but more importantly.
After sending the request message, Kageichi began to think about the training plan for the disciple who would be arriving today.