With my [Appraisal] Skill, I Became the Top of the Streaming World - Chapter 10
In the morning, two notifications arrived.
The first was the result for the Magic Core Crystal I had consigned to a specialized auction. After confirming the fees and timeline with the dealer, I had decided to go ahead and list it as is.
"Winning Bid: 385,000 yen."
I froze for a moment looking at the numbers. It was close to the lower limit of the estimate. The amount remaining after the dealer’s commission would be deposited into my account at a later date. Even so, I hadn’t expected things to move this quickly, only four days after listing.
The second was the completion notice for the re-compression of the three Magic Core Stone fragments. The message from the shop said the process was finished and the item was ready for pickup today.
◇
I headed to the shop and inspected the re-compressed Magic Core Stone. I had already arranged to have them buy it back as soon as it was finished when I first dropped it off.
It was slightly smaller than a fist. Now that the three fragments were unified, its appearance had completely changed. It had a luster to it, and the weight was perfectly balanced.
"After deducting the re-compression fee, the total comes to 185,000 yen. The transfer will be completed within the day."
I accepted the buyout receipt and left the shop.
While on the train, I checked my bank balance on my phone. The transfer from a moment ago had already been reflected.
I did a quick mental tally of the deposits from the past three weeks. The sales revenue, streaming income, the refining payment for the claws, the appraisal fees, and today’s two items.
My balance was 1,012,400 yen.
"..."
I did a double-take at the screen. The third look showed the same digits. Just three weeks ago, I was mentally calculating how I’d manage next month’s rent. For a long while, I couldn't find any words.
◇
At night, I started my fifth stream.
When I opened the app, my subscribers had reached 1,820. The count had surged at the end of the previous day and had been climbing steadily ever since.
The comments started flooding in the second I hit the broadcast button.
『He’s live!』
『Where are you going today?』
『How much did the Magic Core Crystal go for?』
"The auction results for the Magic Core Crystal came in. It sold for 385,000 yen."
『Wait, what?』
『Huh?』
『380k for a rock he picked up while running...』
『That’s insane.』
"I told you guys, I just picked it up so I wouldn't step on it. I just appraised it and it happened to have a price on it."
『It’s not that simple lol.』
Tonight’s destination was the area around B3F to B4F. It was a slightly deeper part of the Upper Layers, and an area I hadn't visited in a while.
◇
As I moved through the passages, I picked items up while chatting with the viewers.
The remains of well-worn magic supports, fragments of tools discarded by explorers... I sorted through them with Appraisal and recovered only what was valuable. This repetitive process somehow seemed to hype up the comment section every time.
As I entered B4F, one comment caught my eye.
『There was something glowing against the east wall of B4F. I saw something when I passed through last week, but I couldn't tell what it was.』
"...The east side?"
I stopped walking.
『I might have seen that too. I just ignored it because I didn't know what it was.』
『Go look for it!』
『Maybe something will show up if Scavenger appraises it.』
"I'll go check it out."
I made my way along the east wall. In a section where the passage narrowed, I adjusted the angle of my flashlight and inspected the wall surface. At first, I saw nothing.
But after taking another step in, there was something in a hollow in the wall. I reached out and pulled it free. It was a stone about the size of a thumb-tip, its surface glowing faintly.
I directed [Appraisal] at it.
Mana-Sealing Stone - Embedded Type (Unused)
Rarity: A
Current Value: High
Estimated Market Value: 80,000–120,000 yen
Notes: A rare mineral formed within rock layers with mana trapped inside. Difficult to find through standard collection methods; low circulation.
Recommended: Direct delivery to a specialized appraisal agency or high-end material dealer.
"...Rarity A. Estimated price 80,000 to 120,000 yen."
The comments stopped for a split second. Then, they surged.
『Whaaaat!』
『The person who gave the tip is amazing!』
『You actually found it through a comment!』
『Scavenger and the viewers just went on an excavation lol.』
"It’s all thanks to the person who told me. If I were alone, I would have walked right past it."
When I said that honestly, the chat flowed again.
『I love that about you.』
『Can I bring tips next time too? lol』
『The viewers are basically part of the scavenge team now.』
"I'd appreciate that. If you notice anything, let me know anytime."
I wrapped the stone in cloth and tucked it into my pocket.
◇
I closed the stream and stepped out of the dungeon. The early spring night breeze was chilly.
Tonight’s peak viewer count had surpassed 2,400.
More than the numbers, I felt like the flow of the comments had changed. In the beginning, they just reacted whenever I found something. But today was different—information was coming from the viewers, and I was the one following up on it.
Without realizing it, it felt less like people were just watching and more like we were working together.
As I walked aimlessly down the night path, I processed the day's events.
I had over a million yen in my bank account. It was just a number. But that number had a solid meaning; you could call it the result of accumulating things I’ve seen with my own eyes. Things someone threw away, things someone walked past, things someone decided were worthless. I was the only one who picked them up.
I’m fine being a "Scavenger."
I don't want to be famous. I don't plan on becoming the strongest—I mean, I can't. But I have no intention of stopping when it comes to finding value with these eyes.
Looking up, I saw the lights of the station coming into view.
At that moment, the phone in my pocket vibrated briefly. I pulled it out to see a notification from Takasaka.
『Mr. Makabe, I have another matter to consult you on. This one seems like it might be on a larger scale, so I’d like to speak in person if possible. What is your availability?』
The wording was a bit more polite than last time.
I closed the notification for now and headed toward the dungeon exit.
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