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? - 27

Chapter 27: The Weak Demon Lord Cheers On His Disciple

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

“Hmmm, what to do…”

“E-excuse me for intruding… Wait, Olden-san? What are you doing?”

“Oh, my, if it isn’t Rio-san. Welcome.”

While I was staring down a handwritten notebook, Rio-san showed up in the hidden room of the dungeon.

“Um, what are you doing?”

“I was compiling suggestions from viewers on how I could power up.”

The opinions sent in by the viewers were wide-ranging. Some were things I never would’ve imagined on my own and made me admire their creativity. Let me introduce a few of the most carefully selected proposals from among them.

“First up, equipping the summoned skeletons with modern weapons like guns.”

Equipping my endless army of skeletons with machine guns. Each individual skeleton I summoned wasn’t particularly strong, but that weakness could be offset with powerful weaponry. It sounded like a simple and effective idea. However, things were rarely that easy.

“U-um, firearms, don’t they…?”

“Yes. Gunpowder and magic—classic examples of things that don’t mix well.”

“R-right!?”

There was a reason firearms—despite being powerful weapons in modern dungeon exploration—weren’t used at all. Gunpowder was oddly sensitive with the magic that filled the dungeons. If gunpowder were scattered in the dungeons, the reaction between the gunpowder and magic would cause massive explosions, making them highly dangerous to use.

Since I had zero knowledge in the field of science, I didn’t know the exact cause. In that case, I figured I should try to create something like a gun without gunpowder. Maybe substituting gunpowder with fire magic or something along those lines.

“So right now, I’ve got Glen-san, our current houseguest, working on a few prototypes. Based on the results, I’ll decide whether or not to go with the idea.”

“I-I see.”

It might sound a bit rude, but thanks to Glen-san, the situation in the Tokyo Dungeon had started improving. The monsters living there had been inspired by Glen-san’s enthusiasm, who was busy experimenting with weapons. 

Especially the ones making items for treasure chests. They had become extremely motivated. Item shortages were resolved, and the contents of the chests became slightly more luxurious.

“Next, regarding my power-up plans… There was another idea.”

“Um, ‘Increase the variety of summoned skeletons’?”

Rio-san tilted her head slightly as she read what was written in my notebook. Until now, I had only summoned humanoid skeletons. But what if I added beast-type or dragon-type skeletons? They’d definitely look impressive. Like Rio-san’s army of bugs, increasing variety would widen my strategic options.

“There’s also ideas like ‘absorb a massive number of summoned skeletons to grow huge,’ or ‘create a special final-battle-style field with unique mechanics.’ Which one do you like best, Rio-san?”

“Eh? Uh, I—I think they’re all great!!”

“Oh-ho!! I actually thought so too!! Maybe I’ll just go ahead and implement them all!!”

The original point of these power-up ideas was so I wouldn’t pale in comparison to mid-boss Rio-san. So instead of picking one or two, I might as well adopt all of them.

“By the way, what brings you here today, Rio-san? I thought your part-time work was supposed to start next week…”

The duel at the Explorer School had turned into complete chaos thanks to the rampaging Glen-san, but the original purpose was to determine Rio-san’s fate. Now that she had won in a landslide, she was officially my disciple.

Besides summoning and resurrection magic, I still had plenty to teach her—some of which dabbled in slightly questionable ethics. She’d also be working as a mid-boss in the Tokyo Dungeon.

Oh, and for her salary, I planned to give her one decently sized magic stone each month. Since she was human, she could come and go between the dungeon and the outside world without drawing attention. That stone would fetch a decent price if sold. But that all started next week. Today wasn’t her shift yet.

“Ah, do you have a problem with the pay, maybe? If so, I can throw in another magic stone—”

“N-no, no, no!! Getting two of those massive stones every month would be way too much!!”

Hmm, so it wasn’t about the pay.

“Um, it’s kind of really hard to say, but… It’s about the Stampede at the Nagoya Dungeon…”

“Nagoya Dungeon?”

“Well, um, I mean, I’ve gotten kind of strong, right? It’s all thanks to your teaching, Olden-san. Thank you, for being my master.”

“Hmm, I suppose that’s true.”

Actually, she was more than “kind of” strong. Rio-san looked around nervously as she made her case.

“So I thought, if I have the strength to help someone, maybe I should use it. I want to fight—if it means protecting towns or people. So… Is it okay if I go?”

“To protect others, huh……. Hehe….”

“Eh? U-um, why are you laughing?”

“Ah, sorry. You just reminded me of my younger self for a moment.”

“Younger Olden-san…?”

I thought it was a good thing to feel responsibility for one’s power. Unfortunately, I had long since passed that youthful phase. My philosophy was “use your power however you like.” Still, using that power to protect others was one way of wielding it.

“Do as you please, Rio-san. If it’s something you’ve decided of your own will, I’ll support you. You’re my precious disciple, after all.”

“O-Olden-san…”

Though I wouldn’t tolerate her outshining me as a mid-boss, let alone looking more like a final boss than me.

“A-are you really sure? The monsters in the Nagoya Dungeon…”

“As I mentioned during a recent stream, even though we’re all from the same demon world, I personally can’t stand the monsters in Nagoya Dungeon. They drove out my friend Glen. Feel free to wipe them all out.”

“A-Aren’t you treating this issue too lightly!?”

“Well, I am bones, after all. Light as can be.”

“That’s not what I meant!!”

And so, Rio-san’s first day of work got pushed back just a little.

“Alright, enough serious talk. Actually, I have something to discuss with you, Rio-san.”

“Huh? W-with me?”

“Yes. Since Glen-san is here too, I was thinking of renovating the dungeon and installing new traps. I wondered if you had any ideas.”

“Eeh? Um, well, wouldn’t it be better to ask the viewers during your stream?”

“Hah!? That’s brilliant!! Why didn’t I think of that!?”

As expected of Rio-san. The Tokyo Dungeon had finally started gaining traction. Rather than mess it up with my own half-baked ideas, it’d be smarter to ask the viewers for suggestions about renovations and new traps.

Hmm, maybe I could even use Tweeter’s poll feature.

“Fufufu… The ideas just keep pouring in!!”

While I was collecting all kinds of ideas from viewers during a stream, someone knocked and entered my hidden room. It was Al-san.

“Pardon the intrusion, Olden-sama. Oh, Rio is here too, I see.”

“S-sorry for barging in…”

“Al-san, did something happen?”

“Glen-sama says the prototype magic gun is finished and would like you to come see it.”

“What!? Already!? That was fast!! Let’s go check it out right away!!”

As expected of Glen-san!

With excitement rattling in my bones, I eagerly went off to see the prototype magic gun she had made.

―――――――――――――――――――――

Afterword

One quick note about Rio’s monthly salary. If you exchange the magic stone for money, her magic stone would be worth around 10 million yen.