With my [Appraisal] Skill, I Became the Top of the Streaming World - Chapter 15
I replied to Sakaki’s message the next morning.
『I don’t mind providing information. However, I have two conditions. First, you must clearly credit my channel in any articles or videos. Second, I must be allowed to verify the content before it’s made public.』
A reply came thirty minutes later.
『Understood on both counts. Thank you. This is a huge help.』
It was faster than I expected. Accepting my conditions without any pushback wasn’t like the Sakaki I knew.
◇
In the early afternoon, I headed to the Management Bureau’s service desk.
The representative was a woman in her thirties. "My name is Asada," she said, handing me her business card. My first impression was that she was a very direct, clear-spoken person.
"We will officially register you as an appraisal provider. There is a possibility we may request on-site verification or data provision in the event of an emergency."
"Can I refuse?"
"Yes. It is not mandatory."
"Understood."
I signed the documents. While there weren't any special perks, it felt like I had become someone "officially involved."
As Asada organized the paperwork, her tone shifted slightly.
"Regarding the Cursed Charms... as of now, the Bureau has confirmed a total of five placed items. There is a possibility they aren't limited to B5F. Please be careful."
"On other floors too?"
"I can't give details, but please stay alert."
Considering the numbers were increasing, it made sense that it wouldn't stop at B5F. I nodded in response.
◇
At night, I started my 10th stream. My subscribers had reached 3,610.
Tonight, I intended to push deep into B5F. Last time, I had turned back after finding the Cursed Charm, so I hadn't confirmed what lay beyond.
"I’m going to try heading to the deepest part of B5F today. It’s near the boundary with the Middle Layers."
『Oh!』
『All the way to the boundary?』
『Are you planning to enter the Middle Layers?』
"I’m just checking the boundary. Entering the Middle Layers requires prior application, so I’ll stop just before it today."
I appraised as I moved along. In the depths of B5F, the passages grew narrow, the lighting sparse, and traces of other explorers almost vanished.
After about forty minutes of this, a door appeared at the end of the passage.
It was made of iron and was massive—large enough for a heavy truck to pass through easily. A touch panel was mounted next to the door.
To begin with, the Tokyo Dungeon has several entrances; Shinagawa is one of them. Each entry point has its own role, and here at Shinagawa Pier No. 7, it's primarily used for material transport and waste recovery routes.
Explorers usually enter through the Shinjuku entrance unless they have a specific reason otherwise, as it's equipped with elevators to the Middle and Lower Layers.
On the other hand, Shinagawa is an entrance that has existed since the early days of the dungeon's discovery. Because there’s enough space for heavy machinery, it's the base for large trucks and magic-tool-assisted transport.
Despite its history, because it isn't a general route, doors are installed like checkpoints. Usually, transport contractors and Bureau staff are the only ones going in and out, and the system requires a dedicated passkey.
"Here is the inter-layer boundary. There’s a door and a warning sign."
Comments flowed in.
『Seeing it in real life!』
『Is the Middle Layer starting from there?』
『It feels creepy.』
『Shinjuku lets you go straight to the Middle Layer by elevator, but Shinagawa uses these door types.』
『Doesn't Shinagawa just descend continuously underground?』
There was a small reception terminal next to the door. Normally, tapping an inter-layer pass here would release the magical lock.
I directed [Appraisal] at the terminal.
Inter-Layer Pass Authentication Terminal Installed: 8 years ago
Current Status: Abnormality Detected
Notes: Authentication function has been disabled. Currently, anyone can pass through the door without a pass. Under normal operation, the door will not open unless a valid pass is presented.
Recommended: Immediate report to the Management Bureau.
I read the appraisal result three times.
"...The authentication terminal has been disabled."
The comments stopped for an instant.
"Normally, you can't get in here without a key called an inter-layer pass, but that function isn't working right now. Anyone can open this door even without a key."
『What?』
『Does that mean anyone can just wander into the Middle Layers?』
『That’s bad.』
『Wait, you definitely shouldn't go in lol.』
"I’m not going in. This is something I have to report to the Bureau."
『Right call.』
『But if regular explorers found out, they'd totally try to go in.』
『Glad the Scavenger found it.』
I backed away from the door without touching it.
"That’s it for today. I’ll contact the Bureau about this after the stream."
◇
By the time I closed the stream, the viewer count had exceeded 4,200.
The information that the boundary’s locking mechanism was inactive spread faster than I expected. Clips of the stream circulated on social media with headlines like: "Scavenger discovers anyone can enter the Shinagawa Middle Layers."
When I sent the report to Asada at the Bureau, a short reply came back immediately: 『We will investigate. Thank you.』
As I tucked my phone into my pocket, I glanced at social media for a bit.
While browsing, I saw that the "Identity Thread" had been updated. There was a new post.
『Maybe the Scavenger is an unofficial collaborator for the Bureau? His timing and the Bureau's movements align too perfectly.』
It wasn't far off. But it wasn't the truth, either.
I remain the "Scavenger," belonging to no one.
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