When I returned from exploring the dungeon to save the world, I found out that my lover had been stolen, and I was blamed for the failed expedition. Enraged, I quit Japan's strongest party—only for them to self-destruct on their own. - Chapter 19

Suddenly, I realized something—I do have a goal.

I suppose the thought came to me because of that question during the casual stream.

I don’t have parents.

…Wait, that sounds misleading.

My mother was an explorer. When I was very young, she lost her life in a dungeon.

After that, my uncle took me in and raised me.

As for my father—I have no idea who he is.

My mother eloped with him against my grandparents’ wishes. She ran away from home to be with him, and as a result, even my uncle never met the man.

The only thing I know about him is our last name, Okita. Beyond that, all I have are hazy memories.

Apparently, my uncle tried to investigate. But if even he—the current Dungeon Association chairman and a former government advisor—couldn’t find anything, then it means either my father truly vanished without a trace… or someone is deliberately hiding the truth.

I never tried searching for him myself.

In fact, I don’t want to.

I believe my mother was happy.

And that’s enough for me.

My uncle probably resents my father—he might see him as a scumbag who abandoned my pregnant mother. But from what I read in my mother’s diary, she loved him. She was happy.

That’s why I don’t feel bitter about it. If what was written in the diary is true, my father didn’t abandon her—he disappeared.

Before she passed, my mother wrote only one thing: “Take care.”

So, how does all this tie into my goal?

Even though I say I’m not searching for my father, I do feel like something is waiting for me deep inside the dungeons.

It’s just a gut feeling.

I have no proof.

But I feel it—strongly. Like something far ahead is calling to me.

That’s why I keep moving forward.

It’s not because I want to go as far as I can and die in a dungeon.

That would be way too cruel to Haruka.

I want to grow stronger—not just for myself, but so I can stand beside Haruka as someone she can rely on. And if I ever have children one day, I want to be someone they can be proud of.

Maybe I’m being idealistic.

But that’s the mindset that’s gotten me this far.

Sure, I’ve run into my fair share of trouble from ignoring the world around me, but I’ll push through it all and keep moving forward.

And now, my party is walking this path with me.

Because I told them everything.

Haruka, Yokota, Effie—they all know.

And they chose to help me.

Haruka trusts me.

Effie says she owes me for saving her.

Yokota… Well, she doesn’t talk much, so I don’t really get her reasons, but she seems dead serious about helping.

Come to think of it, have I met Yokota somewhere before?

She reminds me of someone… but never mind. The person I’m thinking of was much livelier and talked a lot.

And she’s dead now. There’s no way it’s the same person.

Anyway, we continue forward.

It doesn’t have to be the Tokyo Dungeon.

At this point, I have no interest in lower-ranked dungeons, but there are still countless unexplored places out there.

As long as there’s a dungeon waiting, and a path leading deeper—

We’ll keep moving.

Chat:
So it’s for his parents… sniff
Damn it, Koichi, that’s actually really moving.
You’re a real badass.
And Kazuno tried to use someone like this for his own gain? Trash.
Same with the ex who dumped him.

“Ah, please. Let’s not bring up Akane anymore.”

Chat:
Oh…
Right, she’s Haruka’s sister.
Sorry, we’ll be more careful from now on.

“I apologize on my sister’s behalf. She disappeared, and I don’t know where she is now. What she did was unforgivable, but still… I’m sorry.”

Chat:
No, Haruka, it’s okay.
Yeah. If you and Koichi have moved on, it’s not our place to comment.
Sorry for the insensitive remarks.

This chat is really chill now.

I’m glad I started doing these casual streams.

Before, I was just broadcasting my dungeon runs without interacting, and the comments used to be a lot more hostile.

I should thank Haruka for suggesting this, and Yokota for encouraging me.

As we move forward, I swing my sword, its blade shimmering with a mix of violet and blue magic.

Chat:
It’s beautiful…♡
Mesmerizing.
Too cool for words.
Haruka was secretly taking pictures of him. So cute.
Can’t blame her.

“Wha—?! That’s supposed to be a secret!”

I can see everything, you know.

Not that I mind if people admire me.

Haruka quietly whispered, “…Thank you, big brother.”

I gently patted her head.

She was clearly trying to steer the conversation away from Akane and onto my sword instead.

Perfect timing, Wyvern.

Thanks for showing up at just the right moment and conveniently getting cut down.

Oh, and of course, I stored all the meat in my inventory. Wyvern meat makes for great fried chicken.

“Effie, you’re drooling.”

“Wyvern karaage is delicious!”

Chat:
Wait, for real?!
Are we getting a cooking stream?!
Even if we do, we’ll probably just sit here and drool at the screen.
Grrrr…

“Nah, I won’t be doing a cooking stream. I’ll have Haruka make it for me instead. Sounds good, right?”

Chat:
O-KI-TA…
You bastard!
I hope you get food poisoning!
Why does everyone turn into a jealous kid whenever Koichi says stuff like this?!
LMAO
By the way, congrats! You just hit 10,000 concurrent viewers!
Oh wow!
Awesome! Now hurry up and monetize your channel!
Wait… you still haven’t done that?!

“Oh…”

Chat:
Professor, Haruka just made a dumb face.
(She totally forgot to apply for monetization.)
(Probably got too excited about the “date”—only to realize it was in a dungeon and got mad.)
(This is all Koichi’s fault.)
(Agreed.)

“…Are you guys trying to sound cool?”

Chat:
Guh—
It’s all in the chat history, lmao.