The F-rank Adventurer, Who Was Supposed to Be Just a Helper, Accidentally Goes Viral for Blowing Away an S-rank Monster – It Seems the Home I’ve Been Living in Was an Unusually Powerful Dungeon Inhabited by the Strongest Species

At the same time Hoshi began his dungeon stream, at the entrance of another dungeon:

“Let’s go.”

Tucking her golden hair behind her ear, the girl muttered. She was Hinata Hikari, identifiable by her golden short hair, well-defined features, and slightly assertive expression.

The youngest S-rank explorer in history, a high school student, and the only one at that rank. She was primarily a dungeon streamer with 1.5 million subscribers on her “Hikari Channel.” A beautiful girl who also appeared on TV and in modeling gigs, she held numerous impressive achievements. However, recently, she felt slightly overshadowed.

“…He’s streaming too.”

The cause was the sudden emergence of Hikone Hoshi.

Hikari and Hoshi were both second-year high school students. Hoshi’s prominence had somewhat diminished her limelight.

“Overlap, huh.”

Despite the pre-planned schedule, she couldn’t postpone her stream. Hikari, however, saw this as an opportunity.

(If I outshine Hikone Hoshi here, the spotlight will be back on me.)

Determined, Hikari knew of Hoshi’s incredible strength and his unusual home dungeon but was not willing to lose.

“Watch me, Mom.”

She streamed to reach a particular person.

“Okay.”

With her feelings firmly in her heart and a perfect smile, Hikari began streaming.

“Good evening, everyone!”

“Hey Hikari!”
“Hi Hikari~”
“Good evening!”
“Hikari-chan!”
“Hi Hikari!”

The stream had just started, yet the viewers quickly reached 50,000, surpassing Hoshi’s start.

“Today, as announced, I’m at the ‘Primordial Dungeon.'”

“Here it is.”
“Finally.”
“One of Japan’s toughest.”
“Is it safe?”

The viewers’ reactions were uniform, reflecting the dungeon’s reputation.

“I’ll conquer it.”

The Primordial Dungeon, the pinnacle of S-rank dungeons, is ranked not only based on its monsters but also its traps and overall difficulty.

But this dungeon is straightforward.

Strong monsters.

That alone earns it the S-rank. The term ‘primordial’ refers to its simplicity compared to modern complex structures. Hence, the viewers’ reactions.

“I’m fully prepared.”

“Go for it!”
“Supporting you!”
“You can do it, Hikari!”
“Go!”

Carrying their expectations, Hikari dived into the dungeon.

“Finally.”

After a while inside, Hikari stood before a large door, signaling the “lower” boss room.

“Here we go.”
“Smooth so far.”
“Simple paths.”
“But this is where it starts.”

The door led to the lower boss room.

“Phew…”

Hikari had been here several times, reaching this point without much trouble. The real challenge started now.

“The tension.”
“That guy?”
“You can win!”
“Supporting you!”

“I’m opening it!”

After a brief pause and steadying her nerves, Hikari opened the door.

“—Rooar!”

Instantly, a thunderous roar filled the room.

“There you are.”

The Skeleton King, ruler of the lower levels.

A skeleton-like figure, about three to four times Hikari’s size, wielding a giant sword and shield and emanating a sinister aura.

“Vuu…”

No records of its defeat. Even S-rank explorer parties have repeatedly failed against it. One of the strongest monsters among S-ranks.

“Intimidating aura. But…”

“Voo?”
“I’m ready to win.”

“Here we go!”
“Finally!”
“It’s coming!”
“Hikari’s moment!”
“Go!”

The comments section was bustling, anticipating Hikari’s move.

Arming herself, she readied her specially reserved sword. No ordinary blade.

“Envelop.”

As she chanted, the sword began absorbing surrounding magical essence, which could enhance monsters and grant explorers supernatural abilities.

What happens when a weapon absorbs it?

“Sacred Sword [Hikari].”

The essence wrapped the sword in a dazzling glow, stretching into a beam of light, transforming into a ‘blade of light.’

The Sacred Sword [Hikari], crafted exclusively for her.

“Cool!!”
“Beautiful.”
“Glowing!”
“So Hikari!”
“That’s Hikari.”
“Go!”

This was Hikari in her element, known as the “Flash Swordswoman.”

“I’ll defeat you.”
“Rooar!”

Both readied their swords. Hikari moved first.

“Ha!”

Though there were no records of its defeat, explorers had brought back tactics. Hikari closed the distance immediately.

“Ha!”
“Voo!?”

The Skeleton King’s primary threat was its sword’s vast range. The key to overcoming it was getting close.

But the risk increased.

“Rooar!”
“—! Kuh!”

Barely avoiding the sword, any

delay would have been fatal. A single blow could end the fight.

(Doesn’t matter! Just dodge!)

“Not done yet!”
“Voo!?”

Despite the danger, Hikari’s impressive agility shone. She dodged and counterattacked, unscathed and continuously damaging her foe.

“Wow!!!”
“Pushing forward!”
“Really can do this!!”
“Go Hikari!”
“You can win!”
“Finally defeating it!”

The comments were ecstatic, reaching a personal high of 200,000 viewers, rivaling Hoshi’s ongoing stream.

A monumental moment was unfolding.

“Ha!”
“Rooar!”

The final strike came as she dodged and swung her sword, feeling the impact.

(Won…!)

Glancing at the camera, she wanted this moment seen.

A rare lapse in her usually vigilant self.

—But it backfired.

“Hikari!”
“Not over!”
“Behind!”
“Getting up!”

“Eh? —Ahh!?”

Reacting to the warning, she faced the sword. Barely reacting, she avoided a direct hit.

But…

(Sprained my ankle… and my abdomen is hurt too…)

Hikari had definitely sustained damage.

“Why… how…”

Using her sword like a cane, Hikari struggled to stand up. The sensation she felt earlier was certainly that of a final blow.

Against a normal Skeleton King.

“—Rooar!”

“What’s that…”

In the chest of the Skeleton King was a ‘glowing heart’ – an irregularity. This individual was a “Magical Core” holder.

“Rooar!”
“Ugh!”

But the existence of magical cores was unknown to the world. Hikari had no knowledge of them.

(It suddenly became stronger…!?)

Now, the Skeleton King was in an enhanced state, similar to Melon and Cotton Candy’s giant forms. Hikari, who was evenly matched with it under normal circumstances, stood no chance now.

“Rooar!”
“What!”

Moreover, the entrance door was destroyed. There was no way to return to the surface now.

“Hikari!”
“What’s happening!?”
“I thought you won!”
“Escape!”
“Only way back!”
“Someone went for help, right!?”
“Who would come here!?”

“But, the back is…”

“—Rooar!”
“Kuh!”

(No choice…!)

Hikari leaped backward, but that was the entrance to the deeper layers.

“Pant, pant!”

Now in the deeper layers, Hikari desperately fled for her life.

“Hikari!”
“Is there no way out!?”
“This place is impossible!”
“Didn’t someone go for help!?”
“Who would come here!?”

“…!”

Struggling with her injuries, Hikari was reaching her limit. Her reason for streaming came to mind.

(Mom…)

Hikari was fixated on standing out because of her mother.

She lost her mother as a child and was left in the care of foster parents.

Initially, she thought she was abandoned, but as she grew older, she realized her family’s poverty.

Hikari reconsidered her situation. Perhaps her mother left her intentionally, to avoid a miserable life.

(I have to show her how I am now…)

Hikari always felt her mother might be watching her somewhere. She needed to show her efforts, always striving to be the best.

But,

“Rooar!”
“Roooaah!”
“Graaah!”

Not only the Skeleton King but other monstrous creatures of the deeper layers were present.

“…Pant, pant.”

There was no escape left. Hikari’s legs gave out.

Her last thoughts were for her mother.

(I hope my efforts reached her.)

She closed her eyes, bracing for the end.

“—Rooar!”

The Skeleton King’s giant sword swung down – but never reached her.

—Clang!

“!?”
“Eh?”
“What’s that sound?”
“No way…”
“Seriously?”
“Is this really happening?”

The camera, already set to ‘gruesome depiction mode,’ switched to high definition.

“Are you okay?”
“…Eh?”

Hearing an unexpected voice, Hikari opened her eyes. Before her was…

“Hikone, Hoshi…?”

Her rival, Hikone Hoshi.

“Wow!!!”
“Hikone Hoshi!?”
“Seriously!?”
“He’s here!”
“Thank you!!”
“I’m crying.”
“The real deal!!”
“He’s the only one!”

His arrival sent the comments into a frenzy. Ignoring them, Hoshi offered his hand to Hikari.

“Can you stand?”
“Yes, but…”

Strange. He was supposed to be streaming elsewhere. Hikari couldn’t shake off the confusion.

But more importantly, something else caught her attention.

“Just wait here.”

“…!?”

Hoshi’s tone was different from his streaming persona – quieter, seemingly angry yet tinged with sadness.

Looking up at the monsters, Hoshi spoke.

“The crime of ruining hamburgers is grave.”