Ch.156 The Girl Possessed by "Curse-sama" Part 1

3rd Person POV

"...Mm. Hello... Ruru? You're off today, so you don't need to contact me... Huh? You have some free time, so you want to try soloing a dungeon?"

Mikazuki Emi, who is currently live-streaming from a certain dungeon, received a call from a party member she usually spends time with.

Apparently, Fukaya Ruru, who has the day off today, has decided to venture into a dungeon of her own accord.

Her reaction is, of course,

"Rejected. Get some proper rest. Now, I'm hanging up."

"W-wait, wait, wait, Emi-chan!?"

"No, you're always having a hard time because of 'Curse-sama' aren't you...?"

"I-I know that! I know, but, well, I did talk to my manager about it!"

"...With your manager...I see. What did you talk about?"

Mikazuki Emi glanced at the other party members.

The girls—several young women—were fighting monsters without any trouble.

She gives a hand signal that she would step out for a bit, and listen to Fukaya Ruru talk for a while.

"...Ah, I see... It's before the regrowth period, and in a dungeon with a low monster encounter rate..."

"Yeah. I'd like to start practicing so I don't cause any trouble for Emi and the others in places like this. So I asked my manager."

"...Honestly, I'm still against it."

"Emi-chan, please, somehow! Because I'm!"

"Yes, I know. It's not like the usual 'misfortune' is your fault... I know you work hard at the training facility all the time. Your level, skills, and the knowledge you need to know in the dungeon are all above average for an intermediate-level explorer."

Mikazuki Emi and the other members of her party, or rather, her agency, are what you might call the "top tier."

A human who, upon entering a dungeon, has leveled up more than 10 times, honed several skills, gained combat experience, and is now able to delve into deeper levels.

They are typically listed as one of the "Top 500" Explorers when the level is updated once a year.

However, level updates aren't mandatory, and people who have side jobs or don't want their names revealed can hide their profiles. Moreover, people who think their levels haven't increased don't bother updating their levels, so not everyone's name and face are known.

And Mikazuki Emi is a well-known name among the top contenders—a rising "idol" while still in high school.

About half of the other girls who followed her also made it into the top ranks.

And as for Fukaya Ruru, she's a girl who's described as, "Yeah... as long as 'Curse-sama' doesn't bring 'misfortune,' she's above average even among intermediate rankers... as long as she doesn't trip and fall..."

"Curse-sama".

The term that was coined by the listeners of her live streams.

She is under such a "curse" that something will come flying at her from somewhere, no matter how still she is.

"Thanks... Also, according to reports from people who explored it yesterday, there aren't many monsters. It's a 100-floor dungeon, but there aren't many active monsters, and no FOEs have been confirmed. It's already been explored. So, the maximum level is only 'medium'."

"Well, Ruru always looks so apologetic, and I've been saying we have to do something about it."

"Then!"

"Consult with your manager, and also set up a live stream in case something happens. Since we won't be around like usual, feel free to use the emergency escape device."

"Yippee!"

"If you end up getting hurt, the fans will be furious. Be very careful of the 'Curse-sama'... If you think it's on a rampaging day, leave immediately. Understand?"

"Okay! I'll go talk to my manager about today's dive! See you this evening, Emi-chan!"

The phone call was abruptly cut off.

(She must be really happy... That's unusual for someone involved with dungeons.)

As Emi chuckles, the members who have finished their battle gather around her, having turned off their microphones for a break.

"Emi-chan, are you sure? Aren't you worried about Ruru-chan?"

"Yes, I'm worried. But she's been struggling for a long time with the feeling that she's not useful."

"Yeah... she was hesitant to join our agency in the first place because of 'Curse-sama'... even though Emi-chan was very enthusiastic because of her great potential."

"Yes. Everyone agreed with me back then too."

"It's fine, it's fine, the stream wouldn't be as exciting without her now."

"Yeah, even today, the listeners were saying, 'Ruru isn't here...' and they seemed lonely."

"Well, that 'misfortune that can be cured with a light healing spell' is something that Ruru-chan says cheerfully, so it's kind of funny and inviting, isn't it?"

"It must be tough, but Ruru-chan is telling us to smile, so we have to smile for her."

"Yes. It's been about a year since then, I think. Her skills, knowledge, and overall level are perfectly fine under normal circumstances. Since her manager gave the OK, we should let her do what she wants once in a while."

"Oh, that's why people call you 'Okaa-san' because you're so caring, you know?"

"Yeah yeah."

"...I'm still a high school student..."

"Maybe if you spoke like this during the live stream, it would be a little better?"

"No, on the contrary, they might say, 'You're totally like a mom.'"

"Ahh~."

"Emi's earnestness has backfired here."

"When the way you speak changes, the impression you give to someone definitely changes too, right?"

"...Haa...I'm supposed to be younger than most of the listeners..."

◇◆◇

"...O-okay! Manager-chan and Emi-chan both said it's okay, so today I'll be tackling it all by myself!"

On the first floor of a certain dungeon.

There is a girl happily talking to a camera floating gently in the air.

[Stop it]

[You should stop]

[Let's ve quiet and just do a chat stream, please??]

[Oh no, Ruru-chan is being aggressive]

In response to her declaration, viewers unanimously said, "Stop it."

"No way! I'm going to do it today!"

[Are you okay? Won't there be a "Curse-sama" fever??]

[Well, if push comes to shove, she can always use the wristband...]

"That's right! I've done my research, and I have plenty of equipment and supplies! This level isn't even close to life-threatening! I'm going to show everyone today that I'm not going to be a burden forever!"

Really?

[Please use your wristband properly...]

[Is it okay to press it now?]

"Come on! I haven't even dived yet!"

Fukaya Ruru's level, skills, equipment, and items.

No matter which one you choose, it was overkill for this dungeon at this time.

There are few strong monsters, and almost all routes are shared information, so even if you are surrounded by weak monsters, you don't need to use your wristband.

Unless an extraordinary series of misfortunes occurred, reaching the 100th floor should have been an easy feat.

— "Under normal circumstances", that is.

◇◆◇

"Ei!"

Fukaya Ruru dodges the injured monster's charge, which has changed its attack motion due to its reduced HP, and kicks it away with a powerful leg kick.

she is a little wary of the boar-like monster that had fallen with a thud, but she then quickly let out a sigh of relief.

[Ruru-chan is strong]

[Safe and secure]

[This is the first time I've seen Ruru-chan so proactive]

[Me too]

[Ruru-chan can also act as an evasion tank, so she's really strong as long as "Curse-sama" doesn't do anything]

[Really?]

[If she's always like this, she'd be pretty strong...]

[Ruru-chan can do anything in close combat. Even now she's fighting with a sword and then acting like a monk]

[She's been tempered by misfortune after all]

[She sometimes perform acrobatics too]

[Oh, when I rewound that part, her thighs were sosososososososososososo]

[Yes, yes, template, template]

[Watch out, everyone! The "Curse-sama" is watching you! Just kidding!]

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