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 21

‘I have lost disgracefully… What could I possibly tell you?’

Unexpectedly, it seemed willing to talk.

Despite its ridiculous appearance, did it have some kind of warrior’s pride?

I had no idea. Nor did I particularly care.

“First things first—”

Kamiya: Koichi, I’m sorry, but could you stop the stream?

Mikawa Yumeno: Yeah, this is probably going to touch on some classified information.

Chat:
Damn, leaving us hanging now?
Onii~~! Dungeon Association Onii~~!

Mikawa Yumeno: Ahn?!

Chat:
I apologize…
Glub, glub, glub… drowning in regret…
That’s what you get for messing with Mikawa lmao.

Mikawa Yumeno: I’ve memorized all your IDs.

Chat:
AAAAAHHHHH!!!
Please spare me! Take the guy four comments up instead—I don’t even like him!
YOU TRAITOR!!!

…Can they shut up for a second?

Kamiya: Sorry, Koichi. If it’s something we can share later, we will, but there’s a chance this involves the World Dungeon Association.

Mikawa Yumeno: We could keep streaming, but everyone who hears this might end up spending the rest of their lives in a dark hole somewhere. Your call.

Chat:
Signing off, then.
Koichi, you were badass today too.
Haruka, as adorable as always.
Effie, still the fluffiest.
Natsuki, please whisper “Do you have a death wish?” into my ear.

Wait, Natsuki has hardcore fans?

While I was still processing that, the viewer count had dropped to almost zero.

It wasn’t that they were scared—just smart enough to leave voluntarily.

“Alright, shutting down the stream—”

Mikawa Yumeno: No need. I just switched it to Dungeon Association staff-only access.

“Wait, you can do that?!”

Mikawa Yumeno: Of course. I know your login and password.

What?!

How did she find out?

This is embarrassing…

Haruka was the one who helped me set up the account, so my username was “haruka_love” and my password was “ILyou4E.”

You get it, right?

I Love You Forever.

“Why is your face red, Koichi?”

Mikawa Yumeno: Aww, what an adorable password.

Kill me now.

‘So, what do you wish to ask?’

The so-called Insect Lord (LOL) had been patiently waiting for us to finish our banter.

Perfect timing for a distraction.

Too bad for him—if he had been a fluffy fairy, I would have captured him immediately.

Too bad he’s just… a bug.

“Let’s start with why you’re after Effie.”

‘Because she is Zanmasei. Zanmasei are the enemy.’

“Monsters are the enemy. They must be eradicated.”

Effie and the Insect Lord (LOL) sounded equally unreasonable.

“So, is this just some kind of survival rivalry?”

If it was about territorial disputes, that’d be easier to understand.

‘This is not so trivial. We are fundamentally opposed. We must destroy each other.’

“Effie thinks so too. The Steel Insect Tribe must be wiped out.”

…Another new term.

I was already getting tired of this.

No point in asking further—I doubt I’d ever understand.

‘Long ago, Zanmasei and we Insects lived in a realm between gods and demons.’

Oho.

That actually sounded important.

Maybe this was the origin of monsters or something.

I swallowed hard, listening intently.

‘In that world, there was a god. A fallen god from the heavens, but to us, he was a god of creation.’

“To Effie’s people, he was a great god who taught us how to erase magic.”

Huh…

‘Erasing magic… That god was kind and may have answered your questions freely. But such a power was meant to erase us. And you dare ask for it before our very eyes? Unforgivable!’

“Bugs are gross. Come back when you’re an animal.”

‘You little—!’

Wait, why did his speech suddenly sound so crude?

Where’s the grand, legendary storytelling?

“You’re filthy. You feed on our waste. Disgusting.”

‘How dare you! We absorb nutrients from all matter—how does that make us dirty?! I’ll kill you for that insult!’

“Stop.”

‘Khh…’

Jesus, his tolerance level is zero.

Then again… that is a fair assessment. I did see a dung beetle earlier.

‘From that moment on, they became our sworn enemies. We fought, and as a result, we were cast out from the world of gods and demons. But if we annihilate them, we can return to our promised land!’

“That’s impossible. The god despised conflict, so he sent us to seal you away. The power to erase magic proves it!”

‘Enough of your lies! We will destroy you!’

“Bring it on! Koichi will annihilate all you bugs!”

‘Ghh…’

…Why am I automatically the one fighting them?

Hell no.

I hate bugs.

And given this setup, there’s no way we’re not about to face the worst possible kind of insect.

I don’t even want to imagine it.

‘I have lost. You may pass. But know this—true Insects await you ahead. You will be eradicated.’

Yeah, no.

I’m out.

We didn’t even get any real information.

Can I just go home?