Ch.3 Today is an Unlucky Day

The world has been filled with dungeons for about ten years.

Although there was some confusion in the beginning, the world has become relatively safe with the development of things like the visualization of stats and levels, various convenient items, and even an "emergency escape device" that automatically removes you from the dungeon if your "HP" becomes critical.

So they unexpectedly decided to make civilians dive the dungeon, telling them to risk their lives... and somehow the human wave tactic was a success.

Nowadays, most dungeons have their depth and recommended level shared around the world even if those dungeon haven't been fully cleared yet.

According to the information, the dungeon that Fukaya Ruru ー who sometimes separating herself from her usual party and deciding to do a solo endurance streamー entered was a regular medium-sized, medium-difficulty dungeon -- in other words, it was "a regular place for people who normally dive."

If they're somewhat familiar with it, they'll likely be able to dive solo up to the 50th floor using only their stamina and the weapons you have on hand -- unless they're extremely unlucky.

It has also been confirmed that the number of monsters in this dungeon has decreased significantly.

As matter of fact, Fukaya Ruru did it with ease.

So even after passing the 50th floor, she continued to dive - stopping countless times to consult with her viewers and manager - and somehow managed to slip through three consecutive pitfalls and a monster summoning trap.

Somehow.

Moreover, the trap would summon the boss monster at the bottom of the dungeon, which would only come out once in 1000 dice rolls.

Since the information was still being streamed, it had already created a buzz and attracted more than 10 times the amount of attention of subscribers.

'I'm sorry to those who came to help me.'

Dragon.

This is not an ordinary individual, but a boss monster dragon.

She had only ever had the experience of defeating weak monsters that appeared in the deepest parts of low-difficulty dungeons with a team of around 10 companions...and seeing the overwhelming difference in strength with her own eyes, she was completely overwhelmed this time.

[Eh, that's bad]

[This is actually bad]

[Ruru-chan, run away!]

[The people who helped her just now won't be able to help anymore, so we'll have to wait until the others arrive――]

'I wonder if it might be better to turn off the broadcast now... Maybe.'

Although she no longer has the luxury of smiling and being confident, she still makes this decision based on her tenacity and quick thinking as an entertainer/idol.

ー A live broadcast of the streamer being brutally murdered.

It does happen, but apart from the early days, it is now mandatory to carry an emergency escape device when conquering a dungeon, so there are very few fatal accidents.

It's already a bit of a shock to viewers, whose excitement is likely to be building up just by the time she sent out a rescue request during a live stream, given that she is an active idol, and still a high school student at that. This will be a huge shock to viewers, whose excitement is likely to be building up just by the time she sent out a rescue request during a live stream, even before the reputation of the agency or criticism from the public.

She was certainly blessed with good looks.

That's how she was able to get into a high-ranking agency involved in dungeon streaming.

'But from then on, it was me who worked hard studying things like talk, reactions, makeup, fashion, and tactics.

Then I have to make sure I do it right at the end too.'

Its enormous body seems too big for this part of the middle floor, making it difficult for it to move, causing the dragon to shake the dungeon and break the walls.

The sounds of things collapsing from the walls and ceiling of the 77th floor surrounded her.

The darkness and despair of the dungeon make death a clear presence.

[Ruru-chan, don't give up]

[What's that shooter earlier doing? Hurry up and help Ruru-chan!]

[No, that's impossible, it's a boss monster]

[If a rescue request is deemed dangerous, it's obvious that they'll retreat.]

[No one wants to be caught up in this]

"Honestly, I'm grateful that they came."

'That's right, that person from before.

If they're still there, I need them to at least run away... otherwise they'll be stuck here too because of me.'

Apparently the dragon hasn't found her yet because she's too small.

If she keep quiet like this――even so, she will be found out eventually.

'Then.'

"......! Thank you for answering my rescue request!"

[Ruru-chan?!]

[Hey, if you're too loud]

"I'm so happy that you defeated them just now! You were so cool! I cried! But a boss monster has appeared so please run away!"

'I want to cry and scream.

I need your help.

But...I'm an idol.

I'm an idol, so I have to be an idol until the end.'

"My name is Fukaya Ruru! Please come to my agency later! My precious people will do their best to thank you! I'm sure they will!"

The dragon roared in response to her, and she raised her voice in an attempt to outdo it.

There are many cases where people responding to calls for help are caught in the crossfire.

Even if they don't die, they may be seriously injured or be unable to dive any more.

"So run! Up the stairs!"

The roars and rumbling were so loud that even if one's legs were not loose, it would be impossible to stand.

She realized that the dragon was clearly watching her.

'I don't have time to look at the comments anymore.'

In a quick decision, she turned off the camera showing her the moment the dragon appeared, and it was then that she finally broke down.

'It was fun, but...I still had bad luck until the end.

The character "Fukaya Ruru, who is naturally unlucky."

ー It would have been fine if it was just an appealing point...but it was like this until the end.

I've been trying so hard.

I guess being alone is no good after all.

Emi-chan...see you later.'

When she opened her eyes, which had apparently been closed at some point, she saw the huge body that was supposed to be far away approaching her.

She couldn't move her arms or legs, and she just lay on the ground, her eyes glued to the horror.

"--Everyone, thank you for everything."

'Goodbye.'

Saying this, she reaches out a trembling hand to turn off the microphone.

ー Bang.

The same explosion sound came from far away.

Then came the sound of something flying away, spewing fire.

"ーGROOOOOOAAARRR?!"

"…… Eh?"

There was a huge thud, an unprecedented tremor that blurred her vision, and pieces of peeled off wall flew about, making it impossible to tell what had happened.

However, all she could hear was the dragon groaning in pain.

"...What on earth happened?"

She coughed in the dust and then looked up.

"ーA small, girl...?"

She turned her gaze in the direction of the light and saw a hollow in the wall... probably about 20 meters above the ground.

Unless she looked up, what she saw, with her 2.0 eyesight, was a girl...a little girl, with her long blonde hair exposed, without the hood and hat she usually wore.

◇

Wow, if I look closely, that's a rare spawn.

There are dragons that big?

It was so loud that my ears were ringing and I couldn't hear anything, but I think it was probably on the lower levels here...someone like the boss or the one just before?

[Haru-chan, run away, that's impossible]

[No, we have to help Ruru-chan, there's a rescue request]

[But even if we go now, we won't make it in time.]

[That's bad!]

[I mean, wouldn't it be bad if we didn't turn off the stream?]

[This is going to be a live stream of Ruru-chan's...]

[Following Ruru-chan, this stream is also private... Oh well, I guess that can't be helped]

[I want to watch until the end, but I don't want to watch until the end... What is this feeling?]

[It's love]

[It's love]

[I still believe... that Haru-chan is a quiet, gloomy-eyed loli]

[ou……]

[Is there a possibility that he's a shota?]

[Newcomer... At a time like this...]

[But, just look at the usual Haru-chan]

[Yeah]

[I can't help but think that the next shot will save Ruru-chan]

[That's right, Haru-chan usually defeats everything with one hit.]

I imagine its drops are gonna be delicious...in many ways.

I turn my backpack upside down, dump everything inside, and start clattering around looking for something special.

... But since I can't show my face, I probably won't get any drops... That's a shame, and on top of that, I'm in the red with this round.

Furthermore, my firing skill will keep me bedridden for several days, and if I think about the income I'll make in that time... my balance this time will probably be around minus 10 million yen?

My hand suddenly stops.

"………………………………"

Earth shrapnel is flying onto my helmet, but right now money is more important to me.

[What?! The screen suddenly changes.]

[Blonde?]

[Haru-chan, camera camera!]

Money.

With my status unknown and as an illegal trespasser, the only thing I have left is the cash I can exchange outside the dungeon.

[Hands]

[Hands]

[A big bullet?]

A specially formulated bullet that took several days to make.

...This amount alone is enough to live and have fun for three years.

I am confident of that.

Butー after all, people have to be helped.

Ah, my savings.

[What a small hands]

[Eh, is Haru-chan really a girl?]

[She must be a girl, or rather a loli, looking at those hands]

[No, shota is still a possibility]

[Newcomer...]

[I feel relieved now]

[Let's entrust everything to Haru-chan]

[Since Fukaya Ruru is in trouble, a lot of people have come here]

[Please call her Ruru-chan]

[It's Ruru-chan's fans! Surround them!]

[Haru-chan, your hair and hands are visible]

[But the usual Haru-chan probably wouldn't have read the comments]

[Oh, she won't see it.]

[Experts have keen insight]

Click, click, I load my DIY bullets into the custom-made gun I always carry as a spare.

A trump card for when I make a mistake while defeating a boss.

But it can't be helped, a person is going to die otherwise.

Click!

"Okay."

[She spoke!?]

[Now she's 100% confirmed a loli!]

I exhaled deeply and observed my prey.

ーA rare monster, about 50 meters long.

It looks just like the boss here that pops up periodically, but it's a different color so it's probably stronger.

So I guess I need two shots after all.

If that's not enough, the only thing I can do is weaken them with the remaining bullets, arrows, and stones.

If I do that, other people will be able to come and finish it.

"Okay, let's do it."

[What? With me?]

[You idiot, that's not it...huh?]

[Haru-chan, you're not going to kill the boss like you usually―]

This is the only bullet I can't miss.

So instead of lying down like usual, I stood upright, took a firm stance, and pulled the trigger.

It's all come down to this, and no one is looking at me.

Aah.

I want to go home early, agonize over today's losses, read a book in a sulk, and go to bed in a sulk.

I just think about things like that so carefreely.

Previous | ToC | Next