NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10
In a large facility, within a meeting room. A large screen monitor displays a certain video.
“Never coming back here again!!”
The video is from the previous day’s stream of “Saruyama Channel.” Those who watched it felt a chill run down their spine.
“It’s terrifying no matter how many times I see it…”
“It’s a horror show for those who know…”
“I was watching live, and it’s still scary…”
These individuals are staff members of the “Guild” in the same city as Hoshi. The Guild manages dungeons, and its employees are civil servants.
Normally, they handle dungeon and explorer management. However, today they held an urgent meeting about Hikone Hoshi, who has recently been causing a stir.
Being experts in monsters and dungeons, they understand how abnormal Hoshi’s home dungeon is.
“Director… what are we supposed to do about this?”
A male staff member speaks up.
The director, the highest authority in this Guild, is a capable woman in her thirties, known for her good care of her subordinates. However, she’s puzzled by this question.
“I… I don’t know…?”
“Don’t know?”
“I was just told by headquarters to do something about it… ugh.”
This Guild happens to be in the same city as Hoshi’s home dungeon. Consequently, the director received orders from above to “handle it.” She might be the biggest victim here.
It’s no wonder her speech regresses to a childlike tone.
“Moreover, Melon… this dragon is creating a ‘Magic Core,’ right?”
“…Undoubtedly.”
A Magic Core is like a heart made of magical essence.
Ordinary monsters can’t live outside a dungeon without magical essence. However, monsters with a Magic Core circulate magic from the core, allowing them to survive outside dungeons.
Unknown to Hoshi, Melon can live normally outside the dungeon because it possesses a Magic Core.
“It’s shocking to find Magic Core holders in Japan.”
“My stomach hurts even more now…”
The existence of Magic Cores is not widely known. They were only recently discovered in other countries and are shared only within the global Guild network to avoid causing public panic.
“If that’s the case, this is really bad.”
“Please, don’t say any more…”
Monsters with Magic Cores are incredibly strong. Even a D-rank monster with a Core can be as powerful as a normal A-rank.
And Melon is an S-rank “Dragon.”
“Seriously…”
The staff members can’t even fathom its strength. The director’s stress is compounded when a young staff member speaks up.
“What if all the monsters living in Hikone-kun’s dungeon have Magic Cores?”
A veteran staff member interjects, trying to comfort the director.
“That’s unlikely. Have you read the material on how Magic Cores are formed?”
“Yes, um… they absorb a lot of magical essence to form, right?”
“Right.”
The veteran nods.
“Where would they get that much magic… Huh?”
“…Wait.”
Then, something dawns on all the staff members.
The super rare item “Mana Water,” known for its high efficiency in absorbing magic and its smooth taste. And the legendary river where it flows infinitely. The “Mana Water River” in that house.
“…Sigh.”
The director sighs, rubbing her stomach. The veteran, realizing his blunder, tries to backtrack.
“Well, that can’t be it.”
“Yeah, right?”
“Hahaha…”
The staff try to laugh it off, concerned for the director, but they all have the same thought.
(They definitely have it…)
Monsters capable of living outside dungeons, all likely S-rank with Magic Cores.
If they were to invade the surface, the catastrophic outcome is easy to imagine. Kanto would fall in a day, and Japan within a week.
The Guild is enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere. Then, a female staff member tries to lift spirits.
“Well, luckily, Hikone-kun seems like a good person!”
“Yes, that’s the only saving grace. But…”
The director continues, narrowing her eyes.
“The public doesn’t know much about this.”
“That’s true…”
A powerful, yet naive individual. Like a bomb that can be either good or evil.
Whether they fall on the side of good or evil is completely unpredictable.
The director proceeds with the meeting, holding her stomach.
“So, let’s implement the initial plan. Ouch.”
“The initial plan, as in…?”
“Yes.”
The director speaks seriously.
“We’ll send staff near his house for investigation.”
★
After school, pushing his bike up a hill, he mutters.
“What’s with Nanami…”
He had contacted Nanami on his way home from school. She had said she wanted to collaborate when he received the streaming equipment.
But she refused.
“If we collaborate now, it’ll seem like I’m taking advantage of you. We should focus on our activities for now
.”
She said.
“Is that how it is…”
As a streamer, Nanami is more experienced, so she probably understands these things. He decides to listen to her.
“So, what should I do now?”
While pondering, he opens Tsubuyaiter. Following the advice to keep an eye on SNS, he feels proud.
“1041 people followed you.”
“969 likes.”
“562 new followers.”
“It’s still getting weird.”
Before he knows it, his followers reach 300,000. When he told Nanami, she fainted, so it might be more impressive than he thought.
But among all this, he finds a topic of interest.
“Hikari Hinata announces she’ll challenge an S-rank dungeon soon.”
“Wait, isn’t this person…”
Someone who had commented on his streams. He remembers because of the commotion.
“She’s supposed to be amazing… Ah, right.”
The youngest S-rank explorer in history.
With 1.5 million channel subscribers.
A cute, high school girl explorer.
“Amazing.”
Just a little research, and so many topics pop up.
She must be someone far beyond his reach.
“Good luck.”
He offers quiet support.
But at this moment, he didn’t know.
Her challenge would lead to his growth as a streamer.
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Brief summary of the first part!
“Magic Core” = A heart made of magical essence
・Only Guild staff know about this!
・Monsters with it are super strong!
(A Magic Core D-rank monster equals a regular A-rank)
・They can live outside dungeons!
Considering all the monsters in Hoshi-kun’s home are “S-rank + Magic Core” holders, the Guild staff urgently devise a strategy.