I Was the Supporter of a Popular Dungeon Streamer, but the Power Harassment Was Too Much, so I Quit. I’m Useless Anyway, so It Shouldn’t Be a Problem, Right? Huh? The Views Are Dropping Like Crazy? - 66

Chapter 66: Yako Asahina

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“At least eleven man-made OOPArts, huh?”

Aotsuba looks at me.

“They called it ‘Origin’ and treated it as something special, but in the end, even mere hoodlums could create forgeries.”

This guy… He really pisses me off.

“Just so you know…”

Yun-san crushes her cigarette and shoots a sharp glare at Aotsuba.

“Creating pseudo-OOPArts isn’t all that difficult. That is, as long as you use a body as the host.”

Her voice sounded calm, but her eyes were full of anger. Well, of course, she’d be mad. She was the developer of Origin. It was only natural she’d take offense to his comment.

“So, Yun-san, you’re saying that the OOPArts used by the attackers this time aren’t soul-based mediums?”

At Utsugi-san’s question, Yun-san nodded.

“If the body is used as a medium, it’s easier to create physical enhancement formulas and if purified material is used as a core in place of a soul, it can easily gain anti-monster attributes. However, unlike regular OOPArts, body-based OOPArts don’t grow or evolve. On top of that, since they use impure flesh as their medium, the OOPArts’ anti-monster effect turns into poison, corroding the body.”

I don’t really get why using a body as a medium prevents growth, but to summarize body-based OOPArts…

■ Advantages ■

Mass-producible

Immediately usable

Probably not affected by mental instability

■ Drawbacks ■

The body deteriorates

No growth

Likely heavily affected by the user’s physical condition and build

That about sums it up.

“From my perspective, they’re defective products. I don’t want Origin to be lumped in with those things.”

“They’re the same. Neither can reach the level of genuine OOPArts. Both are defective.”

“You refuse to acknowledge the limits of your own knowledge and belittle them just to convince yourself you’re not wrong? If you mistake beef for frog meat and say, ‘Both are the same bad-tasting meat,’ does that mean you save yourself from embarrassment? What a convenient way to live. I almost envy you, Aotsuba.”

Yun-san sounds more exasperated than angry.

“I’m really getting tired of people lining up to be cut down by me. Whether it’s the OOPArts you created or these new ones, I’ll cut them down all the same. Then you’ll see… They’re both just frog meat in the end.”

This guild… The atmosphere here is terrible!

“…Whatever. I will continue speaking.”

Abisu seemed to have lost interest in stopping the fight and continued speaking without minding the fight.

“In fact, our guild isn’t the only one that had its time-limited labyrinth stolen. Other guilds with time-limited labyrinths have suffered the same kind of attack. In other words, the enemy isn’t targeting us specifically, but the time-limited labyrinths themselves. More precisely, the resources inside them.”

Time-limited labyrinths contained special magic stones and drop items that couldn’t be obtained in Amatsugahara. If you defeated the labyrinth boss, you could also acquire an item called a ‘Jewel’—a superior version of a magic stone.

Time-limited labyrinths were treasure troves. Hence why the Guild Association managed them strictly and distributed them among the guilds equally. 

The goal was to collect as many items as possible before time ran out, then clear the labyrinth right before it disappeared. The guild then offered most of the collected items to the Guild Association, receiving a percentage of the magic stones and drop items in return.

“The Tapiro has already been cleared, and the jewel, which is the core of the time-limited labyrinth, has been retrieved by the thugs. Because of that, those above are furious. At this rate, a demotion in our guild ranking is inevitable. That’s why we need to put our full effort into resolving this situation.”

Abisu raised three fingers.

“Currently, we’re in charge of three time-limited labyrinths. For now, we will protect these three. The A-rank labyrinth ‘Rinokero’ will be assigned to Aotsuba-kun, the A-rank labyrinth ‘Kuneri’ to Utsugi-san, and the C-rank labyrinth ‘Niftheria’ to Yun-san.”

Then, Abisu met my gaze.

“I will pair up with Isshiki-chan and Hamura-kun with Kisaragi-chan. We’ll be responsible for identifying the assailants.”

So Yun-san, Aotsuba, and Utsugi-san—the A-rank group—would be focusing on defending the time-limited labyrinths, while Kisaragi and I, along with Abisu and Isshiki-san, would be handling the enemy.

“Sharpening our fangs in a time-limited labyrinth once in a while isn’t so bad, I suppose.”

Aotsuba seemed satisfied with the assignment. Meanwhile, Utsugi-san raised his hand, as if he had a question.

“What is it, Utsugi-san?”

“Master, if we make contact with the assailants, how much damage are we allowed to inflict?”

Yeah, well, that was an important question. In extreme cases, there was a huge difference between ‘capturing them unharmed’ and ‘eliminating them was acceptable.’ The Guild Association would likely have been the one to set that boundary. They must have already issued guidelines regarding how to deal with the assailants.

“As long as we get the information we need, you can deal as much damage as necessary. Just try not to kill them. Unless, of course, they’re far stronger than us.”

“Understood.”

“If there are no more questions, we’ll end the meeting.”

Since no one raised any further questions…

“Alright, dismissed. Do your best, everyone.”

Aotsuba, Utsugi-san, and Yun-san—the A-rank group—quickly left the room.

“Hamura-kun, Kisaragi-chan, could you stay a little longer?”

“I don’t mind, but where are we going?”

“To Yunai-chan’s hospital room.”

So we would be visiting the A-rank Seeker who was attacked.

“Got it.”

“I’m fine with that too.”

Together with Abisu, Isshiki-san, and Kisaragi, I headed to the medical room on the second basement floor. Yunai-san was in one of the rooms in the back. Her head was wrapped in bandages, and the bruises on her face were still prominent.

…She was beaten badly. Hurting the face of such a beautiful woman… What kind of monsters would do something like this?

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m sorry… I won’t be able to return to the front lines for a while…”

“I see. Don’t worry about us. Just focus on resting. I know this is difficult, but we need information on the enemy. If you remember anything…”

“Remember… anything—ugh!?”

Yuna-san’s breathing turned erratic. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her complexion paled. The monitor began showing irregular readings.

“Yuna-chan…?”

“Stop!”

A girl rushed in through the door. She had hair with a natural curl, resembling cat ears.

“I’ll explain the situation. Please don’t make Onee-chan remember any of that!”

Onee-chan… So that means she’s Yuna Asahina’s younger sister. If I remember correctly… Her name is Yako Asahina.

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