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 35

“Alright, time to start the stream.”

“Welcome to—

‘Haruka Love Channel!’”

[Live Stream Comments]

: Koichi, yooo!
: Kicking things off with some public flirting, I see.
: Did you just randomly change the channel name?!
: LMAO, I thought he was just bragging, but no, it’s the actual channel name.
: He’s gonna get in trouble for this.
: No, please, let him suffer the consequences.

“You think she’ll be mad? Well, even if she is, she’s cute when she’s mad. So, no problem.”

: FAHHH?!?!
: KILL ME NOW.
: STOP WITH THE FLIRTING!
: LOL
: Reported the previous commenter for excessive thirst.
: WAIT?! NO, I WAS JUST—”

“Alright, no more ban sprees! Seriously, why does this channel always turn into a mess?”

: Because of you. 100%.
: You’re literally shifting the blame.
: By the way, where are you today? You mentioned a corporate collaboration.
: Spill the details!
: I heard Koichi was about to ruin a company today.

“I AM NOT!”

: Looks like some kind of lab.
: Koichi and a research facility… feels off.

“Today, I’m here at the headquarters of KIJ, thanks to a business collaboration.”

: Whoa, hold up. KIJ? That’s Japan’s biggest weapons manufacturer!
: Damn, they know how to pick their people.
: I mean, Koichi isn’t just Japan’s top explorer—he’s basically world-class.
: Uh… what about their quality issues, though?

**“Alright, let’s go over today’s schedule. We have three things lined up!

First, I’ll be testing KIJ’s new recovery potion.”**

: Alright, sounds cool.
: Wait… why does he sound different?
: Lowkey adorable.
: Koichi is already baby-faced, and now he’s talking all polite? Cute af.
: This better not be some weird white liquid.
: Bro, CHILL.
: Is Haruka gonna—”

“I will END YOU.”

: Instant personality shift, lol.
: Yo, was that commenter straight-up deleted?
: They at least hit Enter before collapsing.
: Maybe they pressed it on the way down?
: This chat is terrifying…

“Next, they’ll be analyzing my katana.”

Since this was a business stream, I decided to follow Yumeno’s advice—

“Try talking properly with a serious but cute face, you’ll get more fans.”

: OHHH, NICE!
: That’s actually interesting.
: Wait… is KIJ trying to steal his blade’s secrets?!
: Nah, that’d be too bold.
: Hold up, is Koichi’s katana dungeon-made?

“It originally came from my uncle. He gave it to me when I became an explorer. But since he’s not an explorer himself, he probably got it from someone else or bought it. Maybe my mom?”

: Ohhh, his uncle—the Dungeon Association president?
: Wasn’t he a former researcher? This could be big.
: Right, and Ransetsu used a katana. Maybe he passed it down through the family?

Honestly, I never really cared about the katana’s origins.

I cherished it because my uncle gave it to me.

Still, if it did have a deeper history…

I guess that’d be kinda nice.

I don’t remember much about my mother.

Maybe I just blocked it out.

“Third, I’ll be testing KIJ’s new magic sword. We’ll be heading to the Imperial Palace Dungeon!”

: Ohhh, an exploration stream too?!
: Excited!
: Hold on, what if the magic sword breaks mid-fight?
: At least it’s not Tokyo Dungeon, so should be fine.

“Doubt it’ll break. But if it does, I’ll just use my katana like always.”

: That’s reassuring.
: Honestly, I just wanna see him use the katana anyway.
: Come on, guys, this is his first paid job—let him do it properly.
: True. He’s still not monetized yet, right? This is technically his first sponsored stream.
: Damn. That’s kinda special.
: I’m just here for polite-mode Koichi.
: Adorable.
: He keeps breaking character though.
**: I mean, he looks like a soft boy but talks like a thug.
: And his actual strength is god-tier.

“Alright, before we begin, let’s hear from KIJ’s PR representative, Mr. Hibino.”

Hibino stepped forward, addressing the audience with a calm, professional tone.

**“Hello, everyone. I’m Hibino from KIJ’s PR department.

We are incredibly grateful to have Mr. Koichi Okita testing our latest products today.

As many of you may know, KIJ previously faced product quality concerns.

In response, we have conducted a full-scale review of our manufacturing processes and quality control standards.

Today, we are introducing new, rigorously tested products, and we hope you’ll watch as Mr. Okita puts them to use.

Thank you, and we appreciate your support.”**

: Ah, that makes sense now.
: This guy’s got it rough.
: Yeah, PR is a brutal job. It’s not even his fault.
: Lowkey, he’s kinda hot though.
: Honestly, thanks for hiring Koichi.
: If this keeps up, people will just start calling him ‘Koichi-kun’ whenever he’s in work mode.
: Let’s make ‘Koichi-kun’ trend!
: Just clipped his intro smile! Hashtagging it now!
: GJ!

“Thanks for listening, everyone! Now, let’s start with the first test—

Time to try this potion!”

Hibino handed me a bottle containing a vibrant green liquid.

The bottle was completely transparent.

I unscrewed the cap and took a cautious sniff.

It smelled fresh.

But…

…Should I really be drinking this?