“‘Takeo-kun’?! Did she just call him Takeo-kun?!”
“You bastard! What exactly is your relationship with Hinata-chan?!”
“Why is Leveling Junkie Bro in a party with Hinata-chan?! Explain yourself!”
As soon as I gave my casual greeting, a flood of comments from Hinata-san’s viewers came pouring in.
A few of them were the “Unicorn” types—the kind of obsessed fans who lose it if a female streamer so much as breathes the same air as a man—but I didn't see any reason to worry about them.
Unlike with VTubers, everyone in this scene knows that DungeonTubers eventually have to interact with men.
After all, the Explorer population is overwhelmingly male. Female Explorers are rare to begin with, and a woman who can consistently dive solo is as much of an anomaly as a male calico cat.
Since their lives are literally on the line, it’s practically impossible to put together an all-female party. By necessity, they have to team up with men.
Besides, Hinata-san was in a party with three other guys until recently anyway.
Because of those circumstances, the DungeonTuber community isn't a place where Gachi-koi fans or Unicorns can easily thrive. Most of those comments were likely just people playing along with the joke.
I spent some time answering the inevitable questions about why I was in a party with her.
First, Hinata-san explained that she wanted to put her healing magic to use as a way of returning the favor for when I helped her. Then, I explained that my HP consumption was so high that my solo efficiency was tanking, and I’d asked her to join because her healing magic would make my life a lot easier.
“Hoooh, I see, I see.”
“By the way, is the party just Leveling Junkie Bro and Hinata-chan? Just the two of you?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to have more people?”
“No, that would just reduce the experience points,” I replied.
I answered the viewer’s simple question honestly. I didn't want to waste experience points by bringing along unnecessary members.
I kept answering various questions for a while, but eventually realized there would be no end to it, so I decided it was time to move.
“Well then, shall we head out?”
“Yes!”
“Ah, before that, Hinata-san—how’s your stamina?”
“Stamina? Well, I am Level 11, so I think I have a decent amount for a dungeon, but…”
I explained my reasoning to the puzzled Hinata-san.
“I’m planning to ignore every monster on Floors 1 through 3 and take the shortest route possible. It’s going to be a non-stop run, so I wanted to make sure you could handle it.”
I said “run,” but it was really more of a light jog.
“I… I’ll do my best.”
“Wait, you’re planning to run the whole way?!”
“I mean, an Explorer’s stamina could probably handle it, but…”
“Hinata-chan is a healer; isn’t that a bit too much for her?”
Hinata-san’s face twitched slightly, and the comments section was suddenly full of dissent.
However, I had no intention of changing the plan. Wasting time on travel meant less time for leveling up.
“Let’s just try running for a bit. If it looks like it’s too much, we’ll reconsider then.”
“…Okay.”
And so, we ran.
We managed to reach Floor 2 via the shortest route in about forty-five minutes. Hinata-san had surprisingly invested points into her Agility; she told me it was around 25.
Even so, her stamina was only average, and she was breathing heavily by the time we arrived.
Besides, with an Agility of 25, she wouldn't be able to escape if a Goblin Thief from Floor 3 targeted her. I shouldn't push her too hard.
While I was considering our options, I noticed something odd.
“It’s strange. We’ve been doing nothing but running, but the comment count hasn't dropped at all. Is a stream of just running really that exciting?”
I looked at the drone camera and asked the viewers directly.
“Boring? Not a chance! This is easily one of the most exciting streams yet!”
“You shouldn't even have to ask!!”
“What is Leveling Junkie Bro talking about? Is he even a man?”
Wait, why?
“Ah… maybe Leveling Junkie Bro didn't notice because he was running in front of Hinata-chan the whole time?”
“Leveling Junkie Bro, you poor, poor soul…”
“There are already clipped GIFs all over the net. Check them out later.”
Then it clicked.
These guys… they were watching Hinata-san’s chest swaying the whole time.
Well, given how well-endowed she is, I suppose they’re bound to bounce if she runs…
“Is this really okay, Hinata-san? You’re getting sexually harassed in the chat.”
“Pant, pant… It’s fine… I’m used to it by now…!”
Hinata-san answered while catching her breath. I have to hand it to her; she’s a true DungeonTuber. She’s developed a steel-trap mind to deal with the blatant harassment from the viewers.
Still, this was the end of the line for her running.
She was clearly at her limit, and at this pace, it would take far too long to reach Floor 4.
On my own, I could reach Floor 4 in about an hour and a half if I ignored the mobs, but at this speed, it would take nearly three. The lower floors are significantly wider, after all.
“Hinata-san, I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”
“Eh?”
I swung my backpack around to my front and crouched down before her.
“No, but… won’t that wear you out, Takeo-kun?”
“I’m fine. I’ve got plenty of stamina left. More importantly, we’re wasting time. Come on, hop on.”
I wanted to get back to leveling as soon as possible.
When I urged her, the bewildered Hinata-san tentatively climbed onto my back.
Immediately, the chat exploded.
“Leveling Junkie Bro, you bastarrrrrrd!!”
“Wait, was this his plan from the start?!”
“Dammit, we’ve been played!!”
“To think he had such a scheme… even with the eyes of Zhuge Liang, I couldn't see through it…!!”
“I wish I was Leveling Junkie Bro’s back right now…!!”
The comments were getting rowdy.
I seriously had no ulterior motive, so I really wished they’d stop acting like this was some grand plan.
I tried to clarify things with Hinata-san.
“Uh, Hinata-san? Just so we’re clear, I don't have any weird intentions here, okay?”
“I know. I don’t feel… how should I put it… that kind of ‘boyish’ gaze from you, Takeo-kun.……Um, by any chance, do you prefer men?”
“Wait, what?! Is that what it was?!”
“Leveling Junkie Bro, I’m ready to offer my backside to you.”
“Uho! Leveling Junkie Bro, you wanna ‘do it’?”
The morons in the chat were in an absolute frenzy…!!
“Hinata-san, please, give me a break…!!”
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry…!!”
At least Hinata-san seemed to feel genuinely bad for accidentally labeling me a homo.
I just hope I don't end up with some weird Title over this. Seriously.
Regardless, I started running with Hinata-san on my back.
Since I was carrying her properly, my center of gravity was stable and it was easy to maintain my pace.
Perhaps because I was so focused, some more unnecessary comments popped up.
“Leveling Junkie Bro, don’t you dare drop Hinata-chan.”
“Hinata-chan isn’t heavy, you hear me?!”
“I won't forgive you if your stamina hits its limit and you put her down halfway!”
Hinata-san was the one who reacted to that.
“…Um, am I heavy?”
I didn't hesitate for a second. I had already studied exactly how to handle this situation from years of reading manga.
“No, you’re light as a feather.”
“…………”
Mugyu. For some reason, she reached out and gave my cheek a firm pinch. I don't get it.