Chapter 18

“This is today’s top news. The Japan Adventurer’s Association has announced a 300 million yen grant aid to the Provisional National Government of Somalia, alongside the dispatch of a Somalia Dungeon investigation team.”

Despite the spacious living room, Yatsuka Mai sat right in front of the television, seriously watching the ten o’clock news program.

The female announcer turned to an international journalist who was said to be well-versed in African affairs.

“What kind of organization is this Provisional National Government of Somalia?”

“Yes. First, I’d like to talk about the current situation in Somalia. Since 2030 onwards, multiple armed factions have been in a constant state of conflict in Somalia. There is no government recognized by major countries. You can think of the Provisional National Government of Somalia, which the Japan Adventurer’s Association is providing financial assistance to this time, as an organization mediating between the various armed factions.”

“I see,” the female announcer nodded, continuing with her questions.

“Then what significance does this financial assistance hold?”
“They’re likely trying to secure the safety of the investigation team by providing financial aid to the provisional government. Well, to put it simply: we’ll pay you money, so keep the armed factions under control. That’s what it is.”
“I understand clearly. Next is regarding the Somalia Dungeon, but…”

With that, the female announcer took out a flipboard. Drawn on it was a map of Somalia.

“It’s located in a forest zone south of the capital, Mogadishu. It became a hot topic for a while as a dungeon that emerged for the first time in about twenty years, but…”

This time, she turned to a man bearing the title of dungeon specialist.

“Why on earth are they dispatching an investigation team? It’s unprecedented for the Japan Adventurer’s Association to take the lead in sending an investigation team to a dungeon abroad.”

“There are two reasons for that. The first is that the Somalia Dungeon differs greatly from other dungeons. Monsters that speak human language and items that cause humans to grow to giant sizes have already been discovered, and various discoveries are expected going forward.”

“Monsters that speak human language? That’s quite surprising.”

At the announcer’s reaction, Yatsuka wore a face as if she had just bitten into a bitter bug. She probably felt like she was being blamed over the revocation of Morokoshi Daitoku’s adventurer status.

“The second is that there is no adventurer’s association in Somalia. Dungeons in each country are supposed to be managed by their respective national adventurer’s associations, but Somalia doesn’t have one. In other words, the rules applied to magic stones and items acquired in the Somalia Dungeon are singular. It’s simply: [The property belongs to whoever touches it first], as stipulated by the World Adventurer’s Association.”

“Does that mean no matter what kind of item drops, it’s a free-for-all for whoever gets there first?”

“Exactly. Normally, you have to follow the rules set by each country’s adventurer’s association, but the Somalia Dungeon only has this extremely simple rule. That’s why major countries are competing to dispatch investigation teams.”

“It looks like it’s going to be a dungeon conquest staked on national prestige.”
“In fact, countries have announced they are sending their top-class adventurers to the Somalia Dungeon. Japan has also decided to dispatch A-rank adventurers.”
“Now, we’d like to announce the members of the investigation team revealed today. Here they are.”

The female announcer showed a flipboard with “Somalia Dungeon Investigation Team Members” written on it.

“Which adventurer is the one to watch?”
“That would undoubtedly be Hayato. He’s the genius who became Japan’s youngest A-rank adventurer. Lately he’s been focusing on nurturing the next generation, but I still consider him the strongest in Japan.”
“Yes. We have high expectations for the investigation team’s success. Next up—”

Yatsuka turned off the television and flopped straight down onto the carpet.

“Saying whatever you want…!”

Naturally, no one was there to respond to her voice.

“Today, fulfilling a request from viewers, I’m thinking of catching a crocodile and eating it.”

Just as the viewers said, my spare longsword had snapped on the seventh stratum. While I did have weapons like daggers and hammers, fighting with short-reach weapons in the Somalia Dungeon was dangerous.

I had actually thought about halting live streams until I could procure a longsword, but at the viewers’ request, it was decided that I would catch a crocodile. They seemed to remember me mentioning in a previous stream that “there was a crocodile nearby.”

The fact that Gaston had contacted me saying “my arrival will be delayed more than planned” was also a major factor. If I had time, I figured a little detour wouldn’t hurt.

“Today’s target is the Nile crocodile. It’s a large crocodile inhabiting all of Africa, exceeding five meters in total length when fully grown. They’re extremely ferocious, claiming hundreds of victims every year.”

“Well then, let’s go look for a crocodile right away.”

I headed from the campsite beside the dungeon toward the river. The surroundings were already dark, and this was the time of night when Nile crocodiles became active.

When the drone camera illuminated the surroundings with its intense LED light, flying insects gathered. Viewers who hated bugs let out screams.

“When I’m in just my briefs, my skin is reinforced by [Naked], so I don’t get bitten by bugs. On the flip side, if I wear clothes, I do get bitten.”

After walking for about fifteen minutes while chatting casually, the river came into view sooner than expected. The eyes of nocturnal creatures reflected the light and glowed.

“Now then. I’ll concentrate on searching for the crocodile, so give me a sec.”

I closed my eyes and focused my awareness on my nose. From among various scent particles, I picked up the ones related to the Nile crocodile.

“Alright, found it. Over that way.”

About three hundred meters upriver, an adult Nile crocodile was present. It had sunk its body into the shallows, patiently waiting for prey to come by.

“Moving on to capturing the Nile crocodile. What I’m about to do is dangerous, so absolutely do not imitate it.”

I detached the smartphone attached to my left hand and hung it from the drone camera. Then, lowering the backpack I had been carrying on my back, I pulled out the Orc King’s crown from inside.

After taking a deep breath, I put on the crown.

My body grew hot. And my field of vision changed. In the blink of an eye, I transformed into a twenty-meter-tall giant.

Zunda-mon’s text-to-speech voice could be heard from the drone camera.

Oh crap! I went full-frontal right in the middle of a free stream…!! But the briefs I lost weren’t coming back. Forward is the only way to go.

I stepped into the shallows and grabbed the flabbergasted, frozen Nile crocodile with one hand. It thrashed around wildly, but as soon as I squeezed it lightly with the giant’s grip strength, it immediately quieted down.

“I’ve somehow succeeded in capturing a Nile crocodile. After this, I’m heading back to camp to cook it. I’m turning that part into a ticket chat, so look forward to it.”

The next day, my main account was suspended. Complaints must have flooded in.