With my [Appraisal] Skill, I Became the Top of the Streaming World - Chapter 3
It was past noon when I finally woke up.
The light leaking through the gaps in the curtains was blindingly white. My body felt heavy, but my mind was strangely sharp.
After the streaming accident in the middle of the night, I had returned to my scavenging work and ended up staying in the dungeon until dawn. It was only natural that I was exhausted.
But the moment I picked up my phone from the bedside, my drowsiness vanished instantly.
"...What is this?"
The notifications were insane. I had registered the account of that streamer from the night before, and a flood of alerts had arrived because of it. There were SNS recommendations with similar attributes, video clips, and links to videos summarizing last night’s archive.
I had nothing but a bad feeling. Frowning, I tapped the top video.
【Who Is He?】 The Moment the "Mysterious Hooded Man" Saved a Popular Explorer Channel from Disaster 【Shinagawa Pier No. 7】
"Oh boy..."
The thumbnail showed a blurry profile of me looking back in a dark passage. Fortunately, my face wasn't clear enough to be identified, but I couldn't exactly call it someone else's problem anymore.
On screen, the streamers from yesterday were explaining the route with their usual lighthearted tone. The comments were peaceful at first.
『It’s so much quieter here than Shinjuku.』
『I like these guys' vibe.』
『Can beginners go to Pier 7?』
『There's quite a lot of trash lying around.』
Then came the part where they hit the wall. The swarm of Mimic Fungal Crustaceans appeared in an instant.
Screams. The flashlight falling. Instructions that made no sense. And then, my voice entered from off-camera.
『Don't use fire! The passage is narrow; you’ll run out of oxygen!』
『Target the bellies of just the two in front!』
『Gather the lights! They hate the light!』
The flow of the comment section changed instantly.
『Who was that?』
『This guy is the only one who knows what’s going on.』
『God-tier instructions.』
『That field experience is insane.』
『Didn't he say he was with the scavengers?』
『He sounds like a powerhouse just from his voice.』
"...I guess it’s entertaining for the viewers," I muttered, closing the video and staring at the ceiling.
To be honest, it didn't feel bad. A man who was just fired was now the talk of the town as a "mysterious expert" the very next day. This is life—you never know if the next step will lead to darkness or light.
However, I didn't necessarily want to be famous. I didn't want "clout"; I wanted money and a stable foundation for my life.
Just as I was thinking that, my phone vibrated. I checked it, expecting the usual recruitment notice from the scavenger app.
■ Personal Buy-back Appraisal Result Notice
■ Bracelet of Sealed Thunder (Damaged)
■ Provisional Appraisal Value: 128,000 yen
■ Notes: Potential for increase if listed in a specialist auction.
"...Huh?"
I did a double-take. 128,000 yen. That was the silver bracelet I’d picked up next to the gear case the streamers left behind.
Another notification.
■ Additional Appraisal Notice
■ Magic Lighting Units (3 units)
■ Reusable value confirmed
■ Total Buy-back Amount: 18,000 yen
On top of that, the rest of last night’s haul, including magic stone fragments and small items, was listed.
The total exceeded 160,000 yen.
"...Over 200,000 yen in just two nights?"
Looking at my bank balance, reality finally started to sink in.
Of course, things wouldn't always go this smoothly. Still, compared to my days as a salaryman, these were more than enough. And what was scarier was that my mind was already calculating the next move.
If this is what I can get from upper-layer scraps, what about abandoned items near the middle layers? After a streaming accident or a clan battle, wouldn't there be even more gear with overlooked value? Or, even if I wasn't scavenging, I might be able to make a living just by doing quick appraisals of gear explorers brought in.
"...Can a dungeon really become my career?"
Just as that thought crossed my mind, I got a call from an unknown number.
"Hello?"
『Ah, hello?! About yesterday’s stream!』
It was a familiar, lighthearted male voice.
"...Who is this?"
『It’s Sakaki from , the guy who almost died at Pier 7 yesterday!』
"Oh."
『"Oh"?! Is that all I get?!』
I couldn't help but chuckle. It was the streamer. I definitely remembered the voice. After the chaos had died down, the camera girl had insisted I give them my contact info.
『Seriously, you saved us. I wanted to thank you again.』
"I’m just glad you’re safe."
『And, I have a bit of a favor—or rather, a proposal.』
"I’ll listen, but assume the answer is no."
『Wow, your guard is way up!』
I could sense him grinning on the other end of the line.
『No, it’s nothing weird. Our clips are circulating like crazy. The comment section is constantly asking "Who is that guy?" If you're okay with it, would you like to appear on our channel just once?』
"No."
『That was fast!』
"I don't want to show my face, and I have no intention of becoming a streamer right now."
『You don't have to show your face! Just your voice! Or even just your back!』
"I’d hate that even more."
『Why?!』
"Because it’s a pain."
『Come on, work with me here! We want to pay you back, it’ll satisfy the viewers, and you can probably make a decent amount of money!』
That last part made me react slightly. Sensing the opening, Sakaki’s voice dropped an octave.
『...If you truly hate it, I won't force you. But after seeing your movements yesterday, I realized something. You’re not ordinary.』
"You're overestimating me."
『I’m not. You were the calmest person there, and you saw the situation better than anyone. Even among explorers, I don't think many could do what you did.』
His tone was quiet.
『So, I just thought it was a waste. Regardless of going viral or becoming famous, your "eyes" have value.』
"..."
Those were probably the words I had wanted to hear most.
At the company, I was replaceable. Until yesterday, I never felt that my judgment or perspective held any worth. But now it was different. In the dungeon, at least, there were things that only I could see.
『Well, no need to rush an answer. I’ll send you my contact info. If you feel like it.』
"...Understood."
『Wait, you're actually going to think about it?!』
"I said if."
『Yes! It’s no longer a zero percent chance!』
He was loud until the very end. After the call ended, I found myself smiling a little.
◇
That night, I was back at the Shinagawa Pier No. 7 Dungeon.
Three nights in a row. Even I was surprised by how quickly I had adapted.
The streamers weren't here today. Perhaps because of that, the interior was quiet, and I could clearly sense the damp, stagnant atmosphere unique to dungeons.
By the service entrance, the middle-aged man from before was drinking canned coffee.
"Yo, Hoodie Bro."
"Please don't call me that."
"It’s already spread around the site."
"That’s the worst."
"It’s a compliment. You were the talk of the management team too. They say the only reason those streamers didn't get wiped out was because of you."
The man tossed me a can of coffee.
"...Thanks."
"In exchange, I’m gonna ask you to do a slightly annoying job today."
"Annoying?"
"The pile of abandoned items brought in by explorers—the appraisal team can't keep up. You've got an eye for it, right?"
"You're overestimating me."
"I'll take that as a yes."
He jerked his chin toward the container yard. There was indeed a mountain of items there.
Broken spears. Drained talismans. Charred robes. A single gauntlet. Smashed magic terminals. There was a lot of obvious junk, but conversely, there was a high chance of something being mixed in.
I steadied my breathing and focused on a short staff at the very front of the pile.
Simple Casting Staff (Damaged)
Value: Low
Reuse: Possible
Notes: The core material is intact; can be resold if the exterior is replaced.
Next.
Fire-Rat Hide Gauntlet (Single)
Value: Medium
Compatibility: Scout, Dagger classes
Notes: Heat resistance support included.
Next.
Ornamental Sword Tainted with Curse Current
Value: Low
Caution: Slight risk of mental contamination to owner
Recommended: Isolation
"...I can definitely see it."
There was no longer any doubt. Moreover, the display was faster than yesterday. I was getting used to it—starting to understand how to handle the skill within myself.
"How is it?"
"There are quite a few that look usable."
"I figured. Those guys only look at the surface."
The man laughed and handed me some sorting tags.
"Mark the ones you think have value. I’ll pass them to the appraisal team."
"Me?"
"It’s fine. I trust you more than a 'Hazmat Cat'."
Hazmat Cat... I feel like he just told me it's okay to die, I thought, but I ignored it and crouched down, checking each item one by one.
Items buried in the pile, ignored by everyone. Picking out the valuable ones from among them.
Strangely, it wasn't a chore. In fact, it was relaxing. My mind was much sharper than it ever was during paperwork at the company. It might be called "menial labor," but finding meaning in a disorganized pile... I felt like this task, where only I could find the value, was slowly saving my soul.
After a while, my hand stopped.
At the back of the container, half-buried under a smashed toolbox, was a black metal plate. I casually looked at it—and stopped breathing.
Warp Gate Control Plate (Damaged)
Rarity: S
Current Value: Unmeasurable
Caution: High risk for unauthorized possession Notes: Government agency matter
Recommended: Immediate report
"...Huh?"
I’d pulled another dangerous one.
"What is it?"
"This... is probably something I shouldn't be handling."
"Let me see."
The man looked over, and his face changed color seconds later.
"Hey, Management! Get over here!"
His voice echoed across the site. Footsteps approached, and the air turned heavy. A man who seemed to be the head of the management team ran over. The moment he saw the black plate, deep wrinkles formed on his brow.
"Why is something like this mixed in with upper-layer waste...?"
"I... have no idea."
"Who found it first?"
"I did."
"Your name?"
"Ryo Makabe."
"...I’ll remember that."
Those words felt strangely heavy. The supervisor ordered a lockdown of the area, and the plate was moved into a high-security case. I could only watch, but my heart was racing.
This [Appraisal] was definitely more than just a convenient skill. It didn't just show market value; it showed the danger and things that shouldn't be touched. That meant that while it could make me money, it could also help me understand—and thus attract—trouble.
As I was thinking, my phone buzzed. A message from Sakaki.
『As for the earlier offer, take your time. Also, a lot of our viewers are asking for "equipment appraisals based on the Hooded Man's judgment." This might actually work as a show.』
Staring at my phone, I let out a soft breath.
Should I join a stream? Should I dive deeper into the dungeon? Or should I use these "eyes" as a weapon for work?
I crouched back down and reached for the next abandoned item. My fingertips touched cold metal.
I’ll reply after I finish this pile.
And then, I got back to work.
Comments
Post a Comment