Daigo stared intently into Ikezawa’s eyes.
If I remember correctly, Daigo’s eyes mutated under the influence of the dungeon’s magic, allowing him to see someone’s potential as a dungeon streamer just by looking at them.
“Uh… Daigo-san? Is there something on my face?”
The two stare at each other. This is…adorable.
Could it be that they’re falling in love?
I can’t handle the cuteness!
I saw some comments that seemed to be going down that path, but I decided to ignore them. Everyone enjoys streams in their own way, and as long as it doesn’t bother anyone else, it’s best to let it go.
Daigo nodded and then placed a hand on Ikezawa’s shoulder.
“Ah, I see. This is an unexpected talent. Kaito-kun, it seems the dungeon’s magic has affected your throat, giving you a unique trait.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“In short, you possess the rare ability to infuse magic into your voice. You can choose to grant magical effects to anyone who hears you, as long as you focus on them.”
“…?”
Ikezawa looked somewhat puzzled.
“To put it simply, Kaito-kun can cast magic on those who hear his voice. The strength, precision, and effect of that magic depend on how the voice sounds—basically, how loud it is. So, a loud voice suits this ability perfectly.”
“Loudness, huh?”
“Yes, the original volume of his voice plays a part, but the effect also depends on the listener’s hearing and their proximity. That’s how it works.”
Listening to Daigo’s explanation, I started to understand Ikezawa’s ability better.
He can cast magic on those who hear him—an ideal skill for Ikezawa, who has a loud voice and excels at support magic. Moreover, unlike most support spells, he can cast his on multiple people, making it quite a formidable ability.
“Hmm…?”
Ikezawa still seemed a bit skeptical. Perhaps, even if this unique support magic was something special, it didn’t align with what he truly wanted.
“That’s amazing, Kaito-kun! You have an incredible talent!”
“Huh?”
Yukiya started praising Ikezawa. Although Ikezawa looked a bit dumbfounded, Yukiya continued enthusiastically.
“I mean, come on, isn’t it awesome? You can empower your allies with just a command, like a captain! Cheerleading and magic buffs affect the team’s morale, making you an essential strategic figure.”
“Strategic?”
“Exactly. You’re like a captain!”
At the word “captain,” Ikezawa’s expression visibly softened. Maybe for someone with a soccer background, “captain” was the best thing they could hear.
“A captain… So, I can lift everyone’s spirits by giving commands? I’m an irreplaceable part of this team!”
Ikezawa’s face lit up with determination. Did Yukiya’s sincere words light a fire in his heart? Nicely done, Yukiya.
“Daigo-san! I want to master support magic and become the backbone of this team as captain! Please teach me even more!”
“Oh, uh, it’s good that you’re motivated. It’s well-suited to your potential too, and from the back, you’ll be able to oversee the whole team. If you widen your field of view and issue precise commands and magic, no one will match you as a captain.”
Daigo must have realized that “captain” was a key phrase for Ikezawa, as he used it skillfully. A seasoned mentor indeed.
“However, because you’re casting on multiple people, it will quickly drain your magic power. So, managing your MP properly is essential. It’s a position that requires a lot of thought. But with your talent, Kaito-kun, you’ll manage.”
“Yes!”
Even as he cautioned Ikezawa, Daigo didn’t forget to encourage him—a master of morale support.
Wow! Shadow Stars has picked up some great talent.
Are they officially hiring Kaito? Great eye for talent!
If they dive into dungeons as a team, this ability will shine even more.
The comments turned to praising Ikezawa. Good, newbies need to build confidence.
“Man, Shiba-san and Daigo-san are experienced and strong, and Kaito-kun has his own unique skill. Compared to them, I’m just…”
…Huh? Yukiya? What’s he talking about? He mumbled, but it sounded self-deprecating.
Yukiya, despite being a beginner, was doing well as Shiba’s partner. It’s natural that he doesn’t compare to veterans like Shiba and Daigo. He doesn’t need to worry…but maybe he feels pressured now that a newer recruit, Ikezawa, is getting attention.
This might also need some morale support.
The dungeon stream continued. With Ikezawa’s newfound ability, they defeated monsters smoothly. Shiba especially was a force to be reckoned with, so much so that I almost felt sorry for the monsters.
The team returned safely, and the stream ended on a high note.
During the usual post-stream review, an exciting revelation came up.
“Huh? We’re trending?”
On social media, Shadow Stars was trending, along with “Kaito,” making it clear they were getting attention.
“Really? Wow, my name’s trending! I never thought I’d become this famous.”
Of course, with a new talent appearing on the stream, they’d stand out and get talked about.
With just one stream, Ikezawa had shot to stardom.
“Maybe other streamers will try to recruit me? What if a cute female streamer wants to collaborate?”
He’s clearly riding the high. But hey, it’s healthier than wallowing in self-doubt.
“Kaito-kun, your ability is powerful, but if you make a mistake, our lives could be at risk. Don’t forget that. A captain carries a heavy responsibility.”
“Y-Yes!”
Daigo really knew when to give serious advice. He’s a reliable adult.
“Hm?”
A direct message appeared on the Shadow Stars account. I recognized the sender.
“Hey, looks like we’ve been offered a collaboration.”
I shared the news with the group.
“Collaboration?”
Shiba looked wary, as if on guard.
“Yes. Daigo-san might remember her—there was a woman who interviewed with us recently. She’s the one who proposed this collab.”
“Oh, the one who markets herself with that ‘sexy’ image. So she became a dungeon streamer after all?”
“Yeah. She’s probably an independent creator, not with an agency. But it’s likely she has her eye on Ikezawa.”
