A Weak Demon Lord Started Livestreaming in a Bottom-Tier Dungeon and Went Viral?! After Completely Crushing Rude S-Rank Explorers and Annoying Streamers, the Internet Erupted in Praise. Um, I'm Supposed to Be the Enemy of Humanity, You Know? - 11

Chapter 11: The Hero Party Takes on the Tokyo Dungeon

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Let’s turn back time a little…

The members of the “Hero Party,” said to be the strongest clan in Japan, had gathered in front of the Tokyo Dungeon. The Hero Party had four members. One of them, known by the title “Saint,” was a girl named Otohime Hijiri. Clad in pure white robes, she was currently glaring at her smartphone with a furious expression.

“Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!!”

“Whoa there, you’re even more worked up than usual.”

Arriving a little late was a tall woman with red hair—discolored by magical influence—tied back in a ponytail. She carried a spear on her back and a massive shield weighing dozens of kilograms in one hand. Her name was Kyouka Kishino. She was the tank of the Hero Party, the one who took the brunt of enemy attacks—a reliable, big-sister figure.

Kyouka shrugged her shoulders at the sight of the agitated Saint, then turned to speak to the girl in the black robe, another party member.

“Hey, Chiharu. What’s got Otohime all riled up?”

“…Who knows?”

The girl who replied was Kurosaki Chiharu, who, along with the Saint, also played a rear guard role in the Hero Party. Among a team of elites, she had become famous as an A-rank explorer known for her “super firepower,” capable of unleashing massive bursts of magical damage. She was a devoted reader who would even read while exploring dungeons, and she was always distinguishable by her perpetually lifeless eyes.

“If Otohime is that pissed, she probably saw someone talking trash about Akira-san online again. That’s usually the trigger.”

“I’ll file disclosure requests for all these bastards!! I’m suing this guy, and this guy, and this one too!!”

“…Sounds about right.”

“…It’s been noisy since morning. I can’t focus on my book. Maybe I’ll just burn everything…”

“Hahaha!! Don’t do that! If you seriously cast magic, the whole area is going to go up in flames!!”

Kyouka laughed loudly while Chiharu plugged her ears, and Otohime kept glaring at her phone with bloodshot eyes.

“Hey, everyone. Sorry I’m late.”

“””Akira!! (-san)(-sama!!)”””

The one jogging over with a refreshing smile and a bit of sweat on his brow was a strikingly androgynous individual. Every little gesture sparkled with charm—this was none other than the founder of the Hero Party and Japan’s strongest explorer. His name was Akira Saionji.

One of only three S-rank explorers in Japan, and wielder of one of the six holy swords found in the world, the【Holy Sword: Grand EX】 . Incidentally, he was also a celebrity who appeared constantly in the media under the stage name “Akira.”

“Alright, let’s stay sharp today.”

“They say Tokyo Dungeon has gotten crowded these past few days. We better not clash with other parties over kills.”

“…We could just burn them all.”

“Nnhaaa!! Akira-sama is so cool today too!! A national treasure face!! A world heritage body!! His very existence is a supernova!!”

Ignoring the one Saint who had clearly lost her mind, the Hero Party headed into the Tokyo Dungeon.

The Tokyo Dungeon. In the past decade or so, it had become less popular due to foreign explorers illegally dumping trash and fewer challengers entering it. But now, things were different. Although some parts of the walls, ceiling, and floors were still looking dilapidated, not a speck of dust could be seen.

“Seems it’s true that the rumored Demon Lord cleaned and repaired the dungeon. No more foul stench either. It’s actually a good environment for exploration now.”

“Yeah, it used to be so awful.”

“You used to be the type to casually toss garbage in the dungeon too, Kyouka.”

“I-I haven’t done that recently, okay? I saw that viral video of the Demon Lord losing it and kinda felt guilty…”

As Kyouka scratched her cheek while walking in front of the formation, the mention of the Demon Lord caught Otohime’s attention.

“Speaking of which, I read online that the Demon Lord is said to be unbeatable, right? Well, I’m sure it’ll be easy for Akira-sama though.”

“Overconfidence is dangerous. We’re dealing with a Demon Lord here. Throughout human history, only a handful have ever been defeated. We can’t afford to let our guard down.”

“What!? Chiharu-san, are you underestimating Akira-sama!? He could one-punch a Demon Lord!! Akira-sama is literally the strongest!!”

“Haha… With expectations that high, it’s kind of hard to live up to them…”

While the handsome young man and the three beautiful girls were enjoying their conversation… A flicker of movement appeared ahead in the corridor. Several human-shaped silhouettes wandered the passage, armed with swords, spears, and bows—skeletons searching for prey.

“Five skeletons up ahead! Two swords, one spear, two bows!!”

“Same formation as usual. Kyouka and I will draw their attention. They’re undead, so Otohime, prepare holy magic. Chiharu, support us.”

“Roger that, Akira-sama!!”

“Leave it to me, Akira-san.”

The Hero Party moved swiftly. Kyouka charged head-on into the group of skeletons with her shield raised, with Akira protecting her flank. She swung the heavy shield like it was nothing, smashing the spear-wielding skeleton into pieces like it was a fly.

Akira overwhelmed another with swordplay so dazzling it was almost hypnotic. It took only a few seconds. But those few seconds were critical to the Hero Party’s strategy.

“Holy magic is ready!! I can fire anytime!! Chiharu-san!!”

“—Intermediate level fire spell: Flame Sky!!”

On Otohime’s signal, Chiharu unleashed a barrage of fire arrows like a rainstorm, drawing the skeletons’ attention. Using that opening, Akira and Kyouka retreated back toward Otohime and Chiharu. Then, Otohime released her holy magic, aimed at the undead.

“—Holy Blast!!”

The skeletons were obliterated without even ashes left behind. The Hero Party claimed victory. Akira and Kyouka held the enemies off while Otohime and Chiharu chanted spells in the back. Chiharu’s magic distracted the enemy, and Otohime’s holy spell finished the job.

It was one of the Hero Party’s tried-and-true strategies for fighting undead.

“Oof, I took a hit through the armor gaps.”

“Are you alright?”

“What do you think? I’m bleeding like crazy. If I don’t stop it, I’m dead. Otohime, I need healing.”

After the fight, Kyouka clutched her arm, blood pouring from it, and called out to the party’s healer. But the one she needed most—

“Akira-sama is sooo cool today!! Beautiful!! And strong!! I have to capture this moment!!”

—was too busy taking photos of Akira’s gallant form with her phone. Kyouka called her name again and again with a deadpan stare.

“Heeey, Otohime. Otohime-saaaan. I’m injured, heal me, please—”

“Give me, like, one more hour!! It’s the perfect shot right now!! Well, Akira-sama is a walking perfect shot anyway!!”

“If I wait an hour, I’m gonna die from blood loss.”

“…I’ll visit your grave during Obon.”

“Wow. How dark, Chiharu. Thanks for that.”

At that moment, Akira turned to Otohime with a slightly troubled, gentle smile.

“Otohime-chan. I really appreciate you taking pictures of me, but at this rate, Kyouka’s life is going to get in danger. Can I ask you to heal her first?”

“What are you doing, Kyouka-san!! I’ll heal you right now, get over here!!”

“…Seriously?”

The Hero Party’s exploration of Tokyo Dungeon had only just begun.

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