The Legendary Old Man Becomes a Dungeon Streamer: When the World's Strongest Tried Streaming in His Second Life, He Instantly Went Viral and Gained S-Class Disciples. - Chapter 4

“Let’s at least go take a look first.”

Led by Reina, we arrived at a ridiculously huge building.

Whoa! The entrance rivals that of a luxury hotel. It even felt more refined than government offices in Kasumigaseki. But Reina advanced smoothly without hesitation.

“Excuse me!”

“Professor, this is my company’s building. You can relax more.”

No, no, no. There are tons of security guards, and who knows how many surveillance cameras there are. This isn’t exactly a casual place.

“Rosen Maiden, right? The company you belong to is insanely huge.”

“We’re ranked third domestically among dungeon conquest companies.”

Hmm, a major corporation indeed.

Then Reina told me more about Rosen Maiden.

Rosen Maiden is already an established company specializing in dungeon conquests. Founded by Awakened individuals, its main revenue streams are streaming and merchandise sales. They don’t aggressively pursue mana materials, focusing more on monster subjugation. They emphasize branding their Awakened members and so on.

They have 26 Awakened members. Not a huge number, but Reina proudly states they’re all elite, highly skilled individuals. Their biggest characteristic is that all members are women. They also enjoy idol-like popularity.

Well, that’s the gist of what I quickly absorbed.

Still, building such a massive structure in prime Tokyo real estate now that’s a true corporate giant.

Compared to my life as a Self-Defense Force officer, this is a whole different world.

Thanks to Reina, we breezed through the building with facial recognition and boarded the central elevator.

The spacious elevator offered a view outside, just the two of us.

Reina swept back her golden hair. That simple motion alone was picture-perfect elegance.

“Professor, how did you attain such strength?”

“Hm? Well!”

I can’t go into details, it’s classified. Even though I left the Self-Defense Forces, some things remain confidential. So it’s hard to say how much I can share.

“Just relentless training and real combat, I guess.”

“That really is the only way, huh.Ugh, embarrassingly, I’ve hit a plateau lately.”

“So that’s why you wanted to become my disciple.”

“On my own, I don’t know what to do, ugh.”

The Awakened’s wall, it’s a common story. When you first awaken to a specialized ability, you grow stronger naturally through trial and error and battles. Anyone serious about it does.

But once you settle into your specialization and combat style, growth slows.

Because specialization means figuring things out alone. Without others with similar abilities, there’s no reference.

Reina’s gravity manipulation is incredibly rare and powerful. I’ve only seen one other person in Europe with it otherwise, I wouldn’t know.

She might be the only gravity manipulator in Japan. That rare. Still, I have experience. Maybe I can help.

“There are a few methods, though…”

“R-Really!?”

Just then, the elevator reached the 40th floor. Beyond this point was the VIP area, the heart of Rosen Maiden.

Reina remained excited even after stepping out.

“Professor, please teach me!”

“Your main attack is that black hole, right?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right.”

“It ignores all physical resistance unless guarded by mana, am I correct?”

“Spot on, exactly!”

Then it’s not much different from the gravity manipulation I know.

Actually, gravity manipulation is a ridiculously overpowered specialization. Mana attacks can be blocked by mana. But without mana defense, that black hole is instant death.

My right straight is in a whole other league.

“You can generate repulsive force too, not just attraction.”

“Repulsion, yes but I hardly use it since the black hole is stronger.”

“Obviously. Shredding is stronger than just knocking back. Monster bodies are tough.”

So dealing massive damage with repulsion is hard.

The European gravity manipulator I knew thought the same. But relying only on black holes makes attacks monotonous. So I helped develop new techniques back then,

“Ever tried using repulsion to float yourself?”

“Eh? I haven’t, but…”

At that moment, we reached the 40th-floor lobby. Empty except for the receptionist. Hmm, but practicing here might be risky.

“If only there was a bigger space, like a training area.”

“There is! Right over there!”

Reina tugged my hand, clearly itching to try it immediately.

So we borrowed Rosen Maiden’s training grounds.

On the same floor was a dojo spacious, well-equipped. The fact that they just have this ready is impressive.

“S-So, about earlier!”

“Right. Try imagining repulsion weakened enough to float?”

“I’ll try!!”

From wobbly to full of energy her recovery is impressive. Or maybe she’s just too excited.

Reina raised her hands and closed her eyes.

I could feel it. Mana gathering at her legs and back.

But the balance was off. Unsurprising for an unfamiliar technique.

“Stronger on the back.”

“Y-Yes!!”

She obediently adjusted the mana, shifting and weakening it at her legs, trial and error.

Soon, her body floated gently, lifted by repulsion.

Only about 50 cm, but definitely floating.

“I did it! I’m floating!”

“Congrats. Mastering it this fast is impressive.”

“No, it’s thanks to you! If I refine this, I could even fly!”

“Yeah, your mobility would skyrocket.”

“I could do aerial stunts, rain black holes from above so many possibilities!”

“I didn’t say all that.”

Well, if she’s expanding it, that’s the right direction.

Coming up with applications on the spot shows her talent.

“But thank you! Ah, I feel so hopeful now!”

Reina, now grounded, looked ready to dance with joy. But getting this excited while mana-depleted.

“Ah!”

As expected, she wobbled, about to collapse. I slid in and caught her.

Phew, just in time.

“Careful.”

“S-Sorry, Professor.”

“You should rest. Your mana’s almost gone.”

“Right!”

Reina gazed at me with damp eyes, cheeks flushed, eyelids fluttering.

Uh, what’s with this atmosphere? This is training.

“Hey, what’re you doing! Reina!”

A woman’s voice rang from behind. Reina jerked away. Turning, I saw a tall, ponytailed beauty with black hair.

Over 170 cm, she wore a fierce, wild grin. But that wasn’t the issue.

The issue was her ample chest wearing a bikini top and frilly swimsuit bottom, extremely risqué. This isn’t a summer beach. Who dresses like this inside a building?

“Karin, what do you want?”

Apparently, she knew Reina. Well, if she’s on this floor, she must be with Rosen Maiden.

Karin smirked, pointing upward.

“The boss sent me. Said to test this old guy.”

“Me?”

“Yep. Boss isn’t convinced. Legendary old man or whatever, we’re an elite squad. One dungeon fight isn’t enough to vouch for you.”

“That’s rude, Karin!!”

Reina glared. But Karin had a point.

Reina got me into the building, but Rosen Maiden as a company is another matter. You won’t find my info online.

“Anyway, you seem decent, so no tedious tests. Just fight me.”

“Do I have to win?”

“Oho, bold. Beating me would put you in Japan’s top 10 Awakened. Boss decides based on the fight, not me.”

Karin twirled a finger, and a drone appeared behind her. The boss must be watching through it.

“Oh, and this’ll be streamed. Cool with that?”

“Fine by me.”

“Professor, but.!!”

“I get it. Karin’s strong.”

I sensed intense mana waves from her. At a glance, she’s likely S-rank, Reina’s level. Early 20s but well-trained, with plenty of combat experience.

“Alright, streaming starts now.”

Karin took stance, weaponless. Like Reina, mana reactions at her fingers and chest. A mana-to-phenomena conversion type.

“Guess this is part of the test.”

But I knew this. With no track record, I have to prove myself.

Whoever the opponent, hesitation gets me nowhere. Test me all you want.

[Stream comments:]

“Whoa, this started suddenly!?”

“Legendary old man vs. Karin, serious battle!?”

“No way, for real?”

“Karin-chaaan!”

“No way he beats Karin!”

“This is a slaughter.”

“RIP, legendary old man.”

“Old man, already dead?”

“The legend ends here.”