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? - 30

Chapter 30: The Demon Lord’s Disciple Heads to the Nagoya Dungeon

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Rio Mushigami had arrived at the Nagoya Dungeon. She came to protect people from the impending Stampede.

But first… What exactly was a Stampede? It was a general term for when monsters that usually roamed within a dungeon suddenly surged outside all at once for some reason. The causes vary, but this time, the reason was clear.

The monsters under the command of Demon Lord Glen, who ruled over the Nagoya Dungeon, had rebelled and driven her out. Since no one knew when the Stampede would begin, preparations were carried out with the utmost urgency.

That said, people didn’t have many options. Explorers would sleep in temporary housing set up in front of the dungeon, dive inside, and relentlessly hunt monsters to reduce their numbers. The government provided rewards based on how many monsters they defeated.

And if a Stampede actually occurred, all available explorers would work together to hold the line at the dungeon entrance. It was a very straightforward strategy.

Rio had traveled all the way from Tokyo to Nagoya to join those explorers. However, an unexpected situation awaited her.

“Sorry, but you can’t join the anti-Stampede front without an explorer’s license.”

“What!?”

Rio was stopped from joining the operation by a man from the Ministry of Defense, who was in charge of the Stampede response. She hadn’t known there were certain requirements to participate in the anti-Stampede effort this time. One of those requirements was holding at least a C-rank explorer license.

Although Rio was said to have magical power rivaling that of an S-rank, she didn’t actually have a license yet. To obtain one, she’d either need to graduate from an explorer school or pass the national explorer exam, which was held twice a year. In other words, no matter how hard she tried, she simply wasn’t eligible to join the anti-Stampede front.

“I-Isn’t there some way around that?”

“Sorry. Rules are rules.”

“N-No, but I’ll be fine! You’ve seen me on TV, right!? I’m the Demon Lord’s Disciple!”

“Of course I know who you are. Personally, I’d love to have you join us.”

“T-Then!!”

Rio’s eyes lit up with hope, but the man shut her down in one stroke.

“But rules are rules. We can’t make exceptions just for you. Laws only have meaning if everyone follows them. I hope you understand.”

“I-If you don’t let me join, the internet is going to tear you apart!”

“That’s a bold threat… But it’s fine. I took this job knowing full well I’d be roasted online.”

“Ugh…”

Rio flinched under the man’s firm resolve. Just then, a shady-looking man with slit eyes and a dopey grin walked over.

“Hey! Isn’t that Rio-chan!? What’re you doing all the way out here?”

“Huh? Oh, P-Principal!?”

“That’s right! It’s me, your beloved Ryuugasaki-sensei!”

It was Tatsuya Ryuugasaki, principal of the explorer school.

“I-I wouldn’t say I respect you or anything… But still, thank goodness you’re here! Please talk to this guy for me!”

“Hmm? What’s happening?”

Rio explained the situation to Tatsuya. 

“Leave it to me!”

So he said in a dependable tone after listening. He then went to speak with the Ministry official.

“Legally, it’s a no-go. Not even I can argue against the law.”

“W-Would a bribe help?”

“You… You definitely received that mindset from Ol-san, huh? I already tried, but that guy’s a total stickler. I almost got reported.”

“Ugh… Maybe I should just give up and go home…”

Rio was about to give up, but Tatsuya stopped her with urgency.

“Hold on, hold on!! Don’t throw in the towel just yet!! I’ll try pulling some strings with someone high up in the government!”

“S-Someone high up?”

While Rio tilted her head in confusion, Tatsuya pulled out his phone and made a call. About ten minutes later, Tatsuya handed his phone to the male official, still wearing his shady grin.

“Yes… Understood. We’ll proceed as instructed.”

The man returned the phone to Tatsuya and bowed to Rio. The sudden turn of events left Rio stunned.

“Rio Mushigami-san. We’ve received an official request from the government for you to join the anti-Stampede front. We look forward to your cooperation.”

“Eh, ah, y-yes, thank you very much!”

“Problem solved!”

After bowing to the official, Rio followed Tatsuya toward the entrance of the Nagoya Dungeon. Along the way, Rio asked him a question.

“Um, sensei. Who did you call just now?”

“The Prime Minister.”

“Oh, the Prime Minister… Wait, THE Prime Minister!?”

“Hahaha, a Demon Lord’s Disciple shouldn’t be intimidated by trivial things like that.”

“R-Right!!”

While chatting, the two arrived at the dungeon entrance.Countless temporary structures were set up there, forming a maze-like network of paths.  Surprisingly, vendors had opened shop, trying to do business with the explorers. The place bustled with activity.

“Wow… This is incredible.”

“First time seeing this, huh, Rio-chan? Dungeons showing signs of a Stampede usually look like this.”

“I-I think I’m going to get lost…”

“They made the layout intentionally confusing to slow down monsters if they break through. Not that it does much against flying ones.”

“If they’re flying, I might be able to intercept them with my bugs.”

“Now that’s reassuring to hear. You’re really the real deal.”

Just then, a cheer rose from a short distance away. A crowd had gathered, and Rio and Tatsuya turned to see what was going on.

There stood an androgynous figure with a stunningly symmetrical face and a charming smile. Her name was Akira Saionji. Leader of Japan’s strongest clan, Hero Party, and wielder of the holy sword Grand EX.

The moment Akira saw Rio, she approached HER with the same dazzling smile.

“Hey, we’ve met before at the Tokyo Dungeon, right?”

“Eh, ah, y-yes!?”

Rio felt her heart race at Akira’s overwhelming beauty.

“Even when I first saw you, I thought you had talent—but I never expected you to become Olden’s disciple.”

“Y-You know about me?”

“Of course! Believe it or not, I’m a fan of yours.”

“H-Hawawawa!!”

Just as Akira reached to wrap an arm around Rio’s waist and pull her in—

Smack!

Tatsuya slapped her hand away.

“Touch my precious student again, and I’ll kill you. Got it, Akira-chan?”

“You’re still as disrespectful to your elder sister as ever. You really should learn some humility.”

“You were born like three seconds earlier. I’d rather die than grovel to you.”

Tatsuya’s shady smile oozed hostility, while Akira met it with her breezy charm. Tension crackled in the air—it was a powder keg ready to blow. But of course, the Demon Lord’s Disciple was blissfully unaware of such things.

“Wait, you two are siblings!? But you don’t look anything alike!”

“Fufu, that’s right. Though he completely rejected me now. Apparently, the girl Tatsuya liked ended up falling for me.”

“Don’t play dumb. I know you made the first move.”

“Well, I do have the looks. All it took was a smile, and she was mine. I felt kinda bad, honestly.”

“I’ll kill you.”

“Time to prove that no little brother surpasses his big sister.”

Akira drew her holy sword. Tatsuya pulled out two knives and took a stance. And at that very moment—

“Monsters are coming out of the dungeon!!”

“Explorers, engage the enemy!!”

“C-rankers, don’t push too far ahead!!”

The monsters had begun pouring out of the dungeon.

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Afterword:

The reason Akira and Tatsuya have different last names is because their parents divorced. They’re fraternal twins, so they don’t look alike.