The Bottom-tier Dungeon Streamer Meets a Famous Streamer by Misunderstanding His Strength and Using the Skill "Intimidation," and Becomes a Legend Without Realizing It?! - Chap 18: Arc

“…This has become troublesome.”

That day, Shinya had been summoned by the Dungeon Association. An emergency assembly of S-rank individuals. Including Rinon, freely operable S-rank streamers had been gathered in Tokyo for some inexplicable artifact that had been discovered.

Having only recently become an S-rank, Shinya had managed to avoid being collected, but, unfortunately, there seemed to be some anomaly in Kyoto as well. He wanted to ignore it and play games, but his position didn’t allow that luxury. Therefore, reluctantly, Shinya made his way to the Dungeon Association’s Kyoto branch.

“If they ask me to explore the depths of something unreasonable, I will vanish into the clouds. No way am I dying over a misunderstanding.”

Shinya entered the branch with that resolution and was led to a spacious reception room.

“Nice to meet you. I am Misaku Misaku, Chief of the Disaster Management Division of the Dungeon Association. It’s an honor to meet you, Shinya-san.”

The person who greeted him was a young man a few years older than Shinya, sporting a business-like smile.

“…Nice to meet you.”

While keeping his guard up, Shinya also returned the greeting.

“Kouda-kun, please bring some tea for Shinya-san. …Please, take a seat over there, Shinya-san.”

As the woman beside them went to prepare tea, Shinya sat on a leather sofa.

“I apologize for the sudden call during your busy schedule. However, we are faced with a situation that requires immediate and confidential handling…”

“I heard something happened in Tokyo.”

“Indeed, you’re well-informed. The artifact was found in the Tokyo dungeon. Currently… it’s being referred to as ‘Arc,’ and it has features unlike any artifact we’ve found before.”

“…Such as?”

“It’s alive.”

At those words, Shinya’s expression remained unchanged. …However, inside, he was filled with turmoil.

“As you know, Shinya-san, it’s impossible to take creatures from within dungeons outside. No matter how small, any creature taken outside dies immediately. Even plants, while they can be removed, cannot be propagated outside the dungeon.”

Decades have passed since dungeons, and these anomalies have appeared. During that time, there have been no exceptions. This fundamental principle is that ordinary life can continue next to dungeons filled with monsters capable of killing people easily.

“However, the Arc is alive. Moreover, it can communicate with humans.”

Hence, Misaku’s words were utterly unacceptable, causing even the typically unflappable Shinya to frown.

“Isn’t that a feature of the artifact? Like a machine that only appears alive, haven’t we found something like that before?”

“We initially thought so, too, but that’s not the case. It’s truly alive. What’s problematic is that the magical power inherent in the Arc… it’s powerful enough to obliterate the city of Tokyo.”

“…That’s why S-rank individuals have been gathered in Tokyo.”

“Yes. It seems to have a friendly disposition towards humanity, but we can’t predict what might trigger it to become hostile. If the Arc goes berserk, only they can stop it.”

“…”

They alone. Shinya somehow swallowed the implication that he couldn’t stop it himself.

“Please.”

“…Thank you.”

Shinya let out a soft breath as he took a sip of the tea that had been brought to him.

“It appears that the Arc was brought back from the depths by Count Mímírd, an S-rank streamer, but since he dove back into the dungeon, leaving her behind, there’s much we don’t know.”

“And why have you called me here?”

“…Actually, another Arc has been found here in Kyoto.”

With those words, predicting the conversation’s direction, Shinya nearly dropped his teacup.

“This is still a fact known only to a few in the upper echelons. Truthfully, this situation warrants sealing off the entire Kyoto area.”

“Is there another fool who casually brought such a thing here in Kyoto?”

“We don’t know. It just so happened to be caught on a surveillance camera. Whether someone brought it out, it came out of its own volition, or… the Arc in Tokyo called its companion. In any case, it’s an incredibly dangerous bomb.”

“Where is it now?”

“Just a while ago, Kyoto Tower. Now… probably Kinkaku-ji. It’s moving all over Kyoto as if it’s sightseeing.”

“I don’t know what it looks like, but if something like that is moving around, it should cause a commotion immediately.”

“Currently, the Arc is taking the form of a human. It looks like any other girl, with a halo above her head. Well… it’s within the range of what you might call cosplay.”

“And what do you expect me to do with it?”

Faced directly with Shinya’s glare, Misaku flinched slightly. To Misaku, not only the Arc but also Shinya, being an S-rank, was a monster capable of easily annihilating an entire city.

The Dungeon Association does have countermeasures against such individuals, but essentially, facing beasts that should be caged is what Misaku was doing. Despite his composed appearance, he was filled with fear inside.

“I won’t ask for anything difficult. I would like you, Shinya-san, to escort the Arc. After she has enjoyed sightseeing around Kyoto, ensure she returns home peacefully.”

“I’m sorry, but I refuse—”

“Dungeon Association personnel and A-rank streamers with considerable skill are monitoring the Arc. However, they are incapable of stopping her. The city might turn into a sea of flames if they carelessly make contact. You are the only one, Shinya-san.”

“Even if you say that…”

“It will take time to dispatch S-ranks from Tokyo. You are the only one in Kyoto who can deal with the Arc. So, please, I beg you!!”

Even so, if Shinya goes and angers the Arc, he would be the first to die. He understood that the situation was dire, but truly, it was beyond his ‘incompetent self’ capabilities.

Knowing that but finding it impossible to refuse due to the circumstances, Shinya. Having become an S-rank, he was obliged to follow the Association’s orders and had already received their benefits.

This man, Misaku, was bowing earnestly, but essentially, Shinya could not refuse.

“Understood. I’ll do what I can. …But in return, let me handle it my way.”

“…! Thank you!”

Shinya left the Association, taking the device filled with information on the Arc from the bowing Misaku.

“Alright, time to escape.”

Just as Shinya had resolved to flee, the device given by Misaku rang. Answering the phone with a bad feeling, Misaku spoke in a flustered voice.

“It’s terrible! We’ve lost sight of the Arc…!”

This was unexpectedly good news for Shinya, who had been thinking of escaping. They would certainly say something if he vanished now, but if the target was lost, no one could blame him for not showing up at the scene.

Shinya lied that he would search immediately and hung up.

“Lucky in misfortune. I’ll pretend to search and leave Kyoto.”

However, Shinya’s plans were quickly shattered.

“—You possess an interesting power.”

A girl with white hair appeared before Shinya as if she had teleported. She looked like a normal girl at first glance. Her face and hair color didn’t seem Japanese, but she wouldn’t stand out too much in a tourist-filled Kyoto.

But above the girl’s head was the halo-like object he had just heard about.

“…Ah. No good, I’m dead.”

Shinya’s small murmur reached no one as he quietly prepared for death.