New chapter of Ordinary Person is out! (2/3 chapters)

 

 

 

Chapter 183

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

All the parties participating in the live broadcast had gathered.

Since everyone involved was part of a national project, punctuality was to be expected. Before the appointed time, each party or its representative had already arrived, passing the time by chatting with others and exchanging information.

Some were looking for fellow parties willing to cooperate on long-term broadcasts that would span several days and cross over midnight. Their intention, it seemed, was to stay overnight inside the dungeon in order to reach greater depths. Parties like ours, which returned home in a single day by running between floors, were quite rare. However, simply venturing deeper did not justify the need for a live broadcast. The challenge lay in finding ways to convey a sense of immediacy and presence unique to real-time streaming.

Negotiations were underway among the parties as some declined cooperation after comparing their intended broadcast content, while others accepted precisely because those differences promised an interesting contrast.

“Our party has not been approached by anyone.” (Kouta)

“That is only natural! Everyone is burning with the desire to defeat Dungeon Philharmony! There are no parasites shameless enough to approach us!” (Muze)

“That is true. These are people who were selected as testers, after all.” (Kouta)

“Indeed. Any shameless sort would have been eliminated during the selection process.” (Mira)

I had only murmured my observation out of mild loneliness, yet everyone’s replies came as if they were scolding me.

“This project is nearing its end, after all. Everyone must be searching for their final ideas.” (Sofia)

“At this rate, our party will finish far ahead in first place. The others must be desperate.” (Emilia)

“Since it is an official government undertaking, everyone surely wishes to leave behind a mark of achievement.” (Adelaide)

Everyone nodded in agreement with Adelaide-senpai’s words. Apparently, I was the only one who had been saying something off the mark.

“Well, Adelaide, it seems you understand the situation now. The profession of explorer offers no formal career path, but this government project will undoubtedly count as one. Considering future prospects abroad, no one can afford to perform poorly here.” (Mira)

“Rather, this is the time when people will push themselves beyond their limits in order to produce results!” (Muze)

Mira and Muze cast brief glances toward the other parties, clearly welcoming the appearance of new rivals. They looked genuinely delighted, which was good to see.

“However, from the organizers’ perspective, they would certainly want the project to end without any fatalities, though injuries might be unavoidable.” (Sofia)

“Then, perhaps that is what Sofia’s expected warning will be about today?” (Emilia)

I see, so it may be about cautioning us not to let our guard down near the end. That is not impossible.

Just as I nodded in agreement with Emilia’s reasoning, Mira abruptly cut it down.

“Impossible. If that were all, an email would have sufficed. There would be no reason to summon us here. The viewership numbers are not bad either, so a forced adjustment is unlikely.” (Mira)

“If anything, the current numbers are slightly better than expected, are they not?” (Haruka)

“Is that so?” (Sofia)

“Yes, that should be the case.” (Haruka)

Haruka answered Sofia’s question without hesitation. I could not understand how he knew the government’s projected viewership figures, which was more puzzling to me than the numbers themselves.

“They must be planning to add commercials and make some extra money!” (Emilia)

Emilia said something absurd. There was absolutely no way a government-sponsored project would include commercials.

“That must be it!” (Mira/Sofia/Muze)

What!? Mira, Sofia, and Muze all agreed with Emilia?

“Wait, wait! This is a government project! If the Guild were to act on its own like that, they would not merely get scolded, they would be punished severely!” (Kouta)

“Kouta, because it is a government project, there are advertisements they can include.” (Mira)

“That is right, Kouta!” (Muze)

Even Muze, along with Mira, spoke as though lecturing me. It was frustrating.

Emilia, who had started the entire discussion, seemed not to understand it herself, and I felt slightly relieved to have at least one ally in ignorance. Surprisingly, Haruka also appeared unsure, and Adelaide-senpai tilted her head, looking beautiful even in confusion. What an irresistible sight.

Setting that aside, I decided to think seriously.

“Ah! I understand now!” (Emilia)

What!? Emilia figured it out before me! That was bad! Well, not really bad, but it still made me feel impatient for some reason.

“I see. Mira, this must be an advertisement for military or explorer recruitment, correct?” (Adelaide)

“Exactly, Adelaide.” (Mira)

Adelaide-senpai had answered correctly.

I had almost reached that conclusion myself… almost. But no, I probably would not have.

When the scheduled time arrived, Kondo-san began his explanation, and Mira’s prediction turned out to be exactly right.

 

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