With my [Appraisal] Skill, I Became the Top of the Streaming World - Chapter 13
I spent three days mulling over my response to Kanzaki.
In the end, I still couldn't find a reason to refuse. However, I didn't intend to accept unconditionally, either.
『I would like to add a few conditions.』
I sent the message through Takasaka.
There were three points. First: A maximum of two requests per month. Second: I cannot prioritize requests on days when I have a scheduled stream. Third: I reserve the right to refuse a request depending on its nature.
The reply came four hours later. It was from Kanzaki himself, a single line: 『Understood.』
It wasn't even a negotiation. He likely had no intention of refusing from the start.
"So this is what they call a 'grown-up negotiation,' huh?"
◇
I brought the Mimic shell to a material dealer. The representative picked it up and narrowed their eyes slightly.
"Where did you get this?"
"I found a molt fragment on B5F."
"...You didn't touch it, did you?"
"I didn't touch the main body."
"That is the most important part."
I had them draw up an appraisal certificate and sold it for 290,000 yen. The amount fell within the estimated range; for a price offered after seeing the actual item, I thought it was fair.
◇
At night, I started my eighth stream. My subscribers had reached 2,680.
Tonight was another B5F stream. Last time, I had bypassed the section where I found the Mimic, but today I wanted to check the passages beyond that.
『He’s back!』
『B5 again today?』
『Is the Mimic there?』
"I’m taking a different route than last week. I don't think it'll be in the same area, but I'm taking a detour just in case."
As I moved, I carefully checked the walls and the floor. This was the edge of B5F, where explorer traffic is thin. There were fewer discarded items, but the quality of what remained was different.
I had been walking for about 30 minutes when I reached a fork in the passage. Near the wall on the side that led to a dead end, a small cloth bundle was sitting.
It hadn't been dropped; it had been placed.
The edge of the bundle was perfectly aligned with the wall, looking as if someone had consciously set it there.
"...This wasn't dropped. Someone placed it here."
『Eh?』
『Why?』
『Did someone forget it?』
"I don't know, but I’ll appraise it."
I opened the bundle to find a charm inside. It looked like an ordinary Warding Charm. No scratches. I directed [Appraisal] at it.
Cursed Charm - Set Type (Standby)
Rarity: C (Low value as material)
Current Value: None
Condition: Dangerous
Notes: A standard charm overlaid with a curse formula. Designed so the formula activates in response to the mana of whoever picks it up. The structure of the formula is of the same lineage as the contaminated charms confirmed the other day. Recommended: Immediately return to its original position or submit to a specialized institution.
"..."
I quietly placed the charm back into the bundle.
"This... it's contaminated. And it's deliberate."
The comments stopped.
"It’s made so the formula triggers on whoever picks it up. It wasn't left behind; it was set here intentionally. What’s more, Appraisal says the structure of the formula is the same lineage as the contamination I found in those other charms."
A few seconds of silence followed. Then, the comments flooded in at full speed.
『What?!』
『It’s a trap?!』
『Someone’s setting these on purpose?』
『That’s seriously dangerous.』
『This is something you have to report to the Bureau.』
"I'm glad I didn't touch it. It’s dangerous for other explorers if it's left here, so I’m going to report it to the Management Bureau. I'm heading back for today."
『Right call.』
『There might be others set elsewhere.』
『You only noticed because you're the Scavenger...』
I opened the Bureau's app as I closed the stream.
◇
I sent the report to the Management Bureau via the "Hazardous Material Discovery" form on the app. I attached the location data and photos, and transcribed the details of the appraisal result.
A reply came in less than ten minutes.
『We are dispatching a representative to the site for verification. Thank you for not moving the item from its discovery point. We will contact you shortly.』
Next, I sent a message to Takasaka. Just the facts about the charm.
『Found a deliberately placed Cursed Charm on B5F. The formula structure is of the same lineage as the contaminated charms we confirmed recently.』
The reply was unusually fast.
『We'll check it. Could you provide the details?』
For the first time today, I felt a bit of the composure vanish from Takasaka's tone.
◇
On the way home, the post-stream comments were still flowing.
Peak viewership had exceeded 3,100. My subscriber count was also climbing toward 2,950.
Walking while looking at my phone, I thought it over.
If the charm contamination was just an issue with a single dealer, the story would end once the inventory was pulled. But if traps are being set inside the dungeon, that's a different story. That's something directed at every explorer.
This isn't just harassment against a specific clan. It might be something much broader.
A message came from Takasaka.
『Can we talk again tomorrow? Kanzaki will also be present.』
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