Chapter 74 - Karlin Yamada's Proliferation

 

[Seriously, what the heck is going on with this young lady!?]

[Defeating three of those cheat-like Cerberuses simultaneously, and now she’s even taken down four, including Mitsuki-sama!]

[Mitsuki-sama is down again with the herbs.]

[Isn’t she breaking world records with the complete conquest of the second layer?]

[I bet the TV stations are broadcasting breaking news simultaneously again!]

[I’ve grown fond of the station that investigated her suspicions but refrains from broadcasting breaking news. Please go down with her, Tiger!]

[If she’s come this far, she can definitely solo the deep layers. This young lady is just too much!]

[It seems the overseas explorer community is finally starting to buzz. Pass me the herbs!]

[Words related to this young lady are beginning to invade the worldwide trends. It’s incredible, considering the population difference between English speakers and Japanese!]

[With Mitsuki-chan’s narrative, this young lady’s name is going to echo around the world!]

[The simultaneous viewership growth is insane!]

[70 million simultaneous viewers!]

[This is beyond dimensions; she’s like a landowner with multiple herb farms!]

 

¥50,000

Congratulations on the unscathed breakthrough of the second layer!

 

¥50,000

Congratulations on the conquest of the deep second layer and achieving 7 million simultaneous viewers!

 

¥50,000

I can’t stop laughing at how crazy this is! Keep going!

 

¥50,000

Breaking news about the young lady again! Halfway through the deep layers! Show us the legendary moment that blows away all suspicions!

 

Karlin’s video was buzzing with excitement after defeating the boss of the deep second layer.

 

Initially, viewers were dumbfounded and disgusted by Karlin’s incomprehensible actions. However, as time passed, their reactions shifted to admiration. Clips and pigeon-based dissemination led to an explosive increase in simultaneous viewers.

 

High-value congratulatory superchats flew in all directions, and everyone praised Karlin’s outrageous actions. However, while Karlin’s stream was thriving, the main members of Black Tiger checking the stream at the Okutama Base were quietly contemplating.

 

“Is this for real…?”

 

A voice, almost inaudible, leaked out.

 

But that was not entirely unwarranted.

 

Breaking through the Hypnosis Bat-infested second layer in such a reckless manner was not enough for Karlin Yamada. She swiftly defeated the three-headed monster, the Separation Cerberus, in a matter of moments.

 

Its official name, the Separation Cerberus. The usual method involved restraining and dividing it with specialized seekers using binding or barrier magic, and then striking its heads simultaneously with the full force of melee attackers. It was an opponent that typically required the mobilization of over ten top-class seekers, making Karlin’s solo takedown inconceivable.

 

Yet, she not only accomplished it solo but did so in an exceptionally short time.

 

Even Black Tiger’s top forces, who understood the difficulty and ferocity of the Okutama Valley Dungeon, were at a loss for words. Even the clan master, Kuroi, found himself muttering, “What the hell is this…?”

 

They had anticipated that Karlin Yamada was abnormal, considering the way she broke through the Hypnosis Bats and the Separation Cerberus. However, this went beyond their expectations.

 

The fear arose that Karlin’s strength surpassed the limits of their understanding. It led to the unsettling idea that the monsters she faced earlier, like the Wireworm and Storm Dragon, were not even benchmarks for her abilities.

 

In the midst of such thoughts, Kuroi’s voice, heavy with determination, resonated.

 

“Wait, not yet!”

 

Indeed, Karlin Yamada was abnormal. Admitting that, Kuroi continued, “But haven’t you forgotten? In the third layer of the Okutama Dungeon, there’s that monster!”

 

“Right! Oh yeah! That’s true! We still have that ace monster against her!”

 

“That’s right! We’ve got that ultimate solo killer monster with us! If anyone can deal with her, it’s that monster!”

 

The members, who were initially dumbfounded by Karlin’s overwhelming strength, now lifted their heads with newfound hope.

 

That’s right. It bears repeating, magical creatures come in various forms. While Karlin Yamada’s abnormal strength allows her to brute force through unfavorable matchups, there are limits to everything. Viewers, along with the foolish spectators, should realize the recklessness of challenging magical creatures with unique powers without any prior preparation.

 

The strongest solo killer appearing on the third layer of the Okutama Dungeon. Anticipating the emergence of this monster, whose individual strength is meaningless, Kuroi and the others once again focused intently on the streaming screen.

 

“…? There’s a strange presence, isn’t there?”

 

Karlin immediately sensed an odd aura as soon as she entered the third layer.

 

In the depths of the vast corridor of the deep layer, two extremely feeble magical energies were intertwining.

 

Not only questionable for the deep layer but also possibly indicating a lower level, Karlin tilted her head at the suspicious presence. Soon, emerging from the darkness of the deep layer were two black masses.

 

[?, What are those?]

[Slimes? They’re black and thin for slimes, though.]

[More like shadows, maybe…]

[They seem weak (Straight Fireball).]

[My Side Effect is whispering, but… in terms of simple presence, they’re around the strength of lower-tier creatures in the lower layers, huh? Kind of creepy…]

[Karlin Ojou-sama, as well as Side Effect Aniki, classify them as weak!]

[Well, monsters in the deep layer shouldn’t be weak, right?]

[Feels eerie.]

[Well, whatever comes out, this reckless Ojou-sama can handle it easily!]

[Hypnotic monsters and the unbeatable Cerberus were blown away by Karlin Ojou-sama. There’s nothing to fear!]

[Let’s defeat them quickly and move on!]

[After breaking through the third layer, it will rival Black Tiger’s exploration record!]

 

Up until now, with Karlin effortlessly overcoming numerous unreasonable obstacles, there seemed to be no doubt about her strength. Comments, more confident than expected for a deep-layer stream, were visible, expressing excitement.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Meanwhile, Karlin was silently observing the two weak-looking monsters that had suddenly appeared. While defeating them without any issues might not make for an entertaining stream, her habit of observing unfamiliar opponents ingrained from past experiences kicked in.

 

“Kekekekeke!”

 

Just as Karlin was briefly glancing at them, the black shadows emitted an eerie sound. Suddenly,

 

“Eh.”

 

Karlin’s eyes widened involuntarily. The reason was that the two monsters, which had shown a weak presence until now, swiftly transformed—taking on the appearance identical to Karlin herself.

 

[EH?]

[What’s this!?]

[Two black gal Karlins!?]

[Mimicry!?]

 

The unexpected behavior of the monsters filled the comment section with “?”. And then, right after that,

 

“Kekekekekekeke!”

 

With a sound akin to reveling in an overwhelming force overflowing from within their bodies,

 

“Uh-oh, this is bad.”

 

Almost reflexively, Karlin took a step back. Immediately after,

 

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

 

An abnormal shockwave. The dungeon wall on the third layer exploded over a wide area. The already vast corridor of the deep layer, now connecting with adjacent passages, transformed into a colossal space, including the boss room.

 

[Huh?]

[Huh?]

[Huh?]

[Wait, what?]

[Huh?]

 

So many comments expressing astonishment flowed in response to the abnormal visuals surpassing even the impact of Karlin’s previously demonstrated outrageous strategies.

 

“Kekeke, Kkekekeke!”

 

But the silence didn’t last long this time.

 

As the dust settled, two monsters resembling Karlin emerged, laughing, and explosive comments filled with screams erupted from the comment section.

 

[What the hell!?]

[What is this!?]

[It makes the Lifehead Dragon’s artillery look cute in comparison!?]

[What’s going on!?]

[Huh? Isn’t this dangerous?]

[Is this some abyssal end boss crawling out!?]

[Hey, weren’t they supposed to be lower-level trash!?]

 

￥50,000

My Side Effect is screaming… Even though it’s through the screen, I can’t gauge the level of this presence. There are two other indications of Ojou-sama, aside from herself…!? This is really bad!

 

[Side Effect Aniki!?]

[There are two indications of Ojou-sama aside from herself!?]

[Wait, are these guys… not only copying Karlin Ojou-sama’s appearance but also her strength!?]

[Ojou-sama has increased… is that it!?]

[Aaaah!?]

[Hypnotized.]

[The end of the world.]

[Wait, is this seriously over?]

[Isn’t this… like, a joke?]

[No way, even if they can copy, having two at the same time is not fair! Is it cheating!?]

[Could this be some kind of hypnotic attack!?]

 

Some comments revealed a tendency to escape from reality. However, the analyses of some viewers, including Side Effect Aniki, were almost entirely correct.

 

Doppelganger. Officially named Double Shadow.

 

Its ability: complete mimicry of the appearance and abilities of the target. Not only physical capabilities but also skills acquired through training, including unique skills, were copied by this extraordinary monster.

 

However, dealing with it wasn’t that difficult.

 

The Double Shadow copies the nearest explorer. Therefore, placing a scout or someone with sensing abilities at the forefront and letting it copy could make it easy to eliminate with other combat professions.

 

But—this changes completely when it’s a solo encounter.

 

The copied target is naturally just one explorer. A monster with the same specs as oneself attacks. In reality, it doesn’t copy equipment or combat techniques, so it’s not an opponent with exactly the same strength.

 

However, as the name suggests, the Double Shadow always appears in pairs, constantly compensating for each other’s weaknesses. Even if it slightly surpasses in equipment and combat techniques, it becomes a tremendous threat, tormenting explorers.

 

Additionally, in Karlin’s case, there was a disadvantage when facing the Double Shadow.

 

While the blackens were exclaiming, “Here it comes!” and “This is the end for Yamada Karlin!” while gleefully writing anti-comments, the comment section was shouting in despair.

 

[Wait a minute, this is strange! Something’s off!]

[Sure, Ojou-sama can destroy dungeon walls even with bare hands, but wasn’t it on a much smaller scale!?]

[There’s definitely some trickery going on!]

 

￥10,000

But wait a minute… Ojou-sama fights in that dress to avoid taking damage, and probably to ensure the dress doesn’t get torn, right? If that’s the case, fighting at full strength without those restrictions, a kick could easily have that level of power…?

 

[Huh!?]

[Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!?]

[It’s been analyzed thoroughly, but to conclude it in a situation like this!?]

[An unrestricted Ojou-sama is like an uncontrollable nuclear missile!?]

[Well, if it’s just copying specs, Ojou-sama has an absurd weapon, so she can probably surpass them there!]

[But in a situation with two enemies of the same specs as Ojou-sama, is there even a chance to take out a weapon!? Even without holding back, she’s already in a difficult-to-move posture…]

[The opponent is in a dress too, but probably because it’s part of their body, it doesn’t seem to get in the way…]

[So, if Ojou-sama had changed into proper equipment, this wouldn’t have happened!]

[Huh… Isn’t this seriously dangerous?]

[It’s the biggest pinch… I didn’t expect the strongest monster (Ojou-sama) to appear!]

[Wait a minute, is Karlin Ojou-sama okay!?]

[Ojou-sama, this is not the time to stick to the elegance restrictions!?]

[Well, it’s troublesome, isn’t it?”

 

“I see… This is troublesome.”

 

Karlin, with a serious tone that reflected a precise understanding of the imminent threat, muttered.

 

“But battling with a copy possessing the same power as oneself is a staple in awakening episodes! Overcoming this challenge brings us closer to the elegance of Lady Setsuna!” And then, the screams from the comment section were overshadowed as Karlin, gathering magical power with clenched fists, prepared to confront the monsters that replicated her own specifications while dressed in her elegant attire.

 

At that moment,

 

“Kukekekekekekeke! …!? Ku…ge…!? Guggeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?!?!?”

 

“Hm?”

 

Shocked and puzzled, the faces of the Double Shadows, mimicking Karlin, contorted with confusion and pain.

 

It was as if the vessels of the enormous power they had embodied couldn’t endure the strain.

 

“Gu……ge……!? Guggeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?!?!?”

 

Dopaaaaaaaaaan!

 

Before Karlin could strike, the two Double Shadows exploded with a tremendous sound.

 

“Eh…?”

 

[Huh?]

[What?]

[What?]

 

Silence enveloped the surroundings for a moment as Karlin, who had been brimming with determination for the highlight of the livestream, widened her eyes. The viewers, perplexed by the sudden turn of events, stood frozen with Karlin for a while, but then,

 

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, is this for real!? Could it be that they couldn’t withstand Lady Karlin’s power?”

 

[Um, so, it’s okay if the Copy Monster couldn’t handle Lady’s power, right?]

[Uh, kinda like an anime…]

[In the first place, she’s recreating an anime in real life.]

[Laughing out loud (trembling voice).]

[Is this for real…?]

 

“I see”

 

Karlin, taking in the situation and understanding the threat accurately, nodded with satisfaction.

 

“That’s right. The wicked monsters couldn’t endure my elegant soul. That’s how it is!”

 

[Uh, yeah…]

[Well, as long as it’s good now… it’s kinda scary…]

[To win without fighting… this is the best strategy (rolling eyes).]

[This is a strategic masterpiece (trembling voice).]

[Isn’t it too much chaos…?]

[Copy Monster: ‘Lady, it’s suffocating to replicate you… Paaan! (bursting sound)’]

[If they couldn’t endure the power, there might be a possibility that those Copy Monsters couldn’t fully replicate Lady Karlin’s kicking power, right…? No, let’s not overthink it, I don’t want to confuse everyone with my wild speculations.]

 

And so, Karlin resumed her conquest with her usual elegant demeanor.

 

“Doppelgangers ending up like this…?” murmured Kuroi in disbelief, while the hope-filled strongest solo kill that Black Tiger had anticipated was defeated by the absurdity of Karlin’s unconventional approach.

 

Black Tiger’s current information asset loss amount: 2.7 billion.