The Former Hero and The Former Demon King Tried Couple Streaming in The Dungeon - Chapter 20

“Ooh, you guys are full of killing intent! Alright, go ahead and hit me as much as you want.”

I relaxed my stance and spread my arms wide open, and as expected, the three Minotaurs relentlessly launched their attacks. With their axes, they struck with such force that they could probably lift a refrigerator. If an ordinary person took one of these hits, it would undoubtedly be fatal.

However, my <Indestructible Unbreakable> skill rendered their attacks completely useless. Compared to the various pains I had experienced before…especially the attacks from the one in the red dress over there, these blows felt like nothing more than a tiny insect touching my skin.

I could fight back, but it would take a little more time before the injured was healed. During this time, I didn’t want any of these Minotaurs to get desperate and turn their attention towards them. So, it was best to keep them busy for a while longer.

It’s the most efficient way to keep them occupied since they attack voluntarily, and it doesn’t hurt me. It’s just a bit annoying.

Another reason I’m taking these hits is for the cameraman from Taisho Flamingo.

‘Alright, go ahead and film, Taisho Flamingo’s cameraman.’

I intentionally moved to a position where Taisho Flamingo’s cameraman could get a good shot, and I willingly endured the Minotaur’s attacks.

It sounds a little disgusting, but Taisho Flamingo’s camera had been focused on us the whole time. This was an excellent opportunity to showcase our existence to Taisho Flamingo’s viewers, who were likely tuning in from many different places. By seizing this chance, we might be able to make “SomaRin Couple” popular from the first day.

In fact, the number of viewers joining in has been increasing since we saved Haru-san. Right now, it has already exceeded two thousand, which is honestly a bit overwhelming.

Correspondingly, the number of comments flowing in was absurdly high. It was impossible to keep up at all.

Most of the comments were critical of my reckless provocation.

[Hey, this is dangerous!]

[What are you thinking, are you crazy? Dodge!]

[If he gets defeated, Twin-tails will be wiped out too!]

[Keep the masochism to your private life!]

The comments were something like that.

It’s laughable. This is why newbies are troublesome. They’ve only seen flashy battles and appearances, so their impressions of me are totally wrong.

The “real deal” won’t be injured by attacks like these. Attacks from small fries aren’t even worth defending for a true powerhouse.

As I continued to smile while enduring the Minotaur’s attacks, it seemed that the viewers were starting to notice something strange. The flow of comments gradually changed.

[Wait, is this a joke? Weren’t these Minotaurs wiping out the escorts with a single hit earlier?]

[Why isn’t he moving at all?]

[Wait, who is this guy? What is that skill? Isn’t that dangerous?]

[I watched their stream earlier, and it was insane. He one-shotted the Goblin Lord who was giving Hilkin a hard time.]

[Really?]

[He’s got Former Hero in his channel name, but is that for real? So the girl over there is the Demon King? Why are they a couple?]

[I don’t really get it, but I’ll subscribe to their channel.]

Since it’s a relationship that I don’t really understand, I want to wholeheartedly agree on that point.

It’s true that in Tenburg, she was the Demon King and I was the Hero, but in this world, I didn’t think we fit those roles anymore.

“Soma-sama, can you attract the enemies more impressively?”

Karin, who seemed bewildered by my actions, let out a big sigh.

“Oh? But this is the easiest way. How about you?”

“I’ve just finished. By the way Soma-sama.”

“What?”

“Style is important, right?”

After making a gesture to dust off her dress, the former Demon King, Karin, revealed a devilish smile as she exuded a sense of sadistic pleasure.

The combination of a graceful and enchanting beauty with a cold smile seemed like a mismatch, yet it didn’t feel unnatural and was rather attractive.

“Oh, that’s fine. Just avoid using <Meteor> or anything like that.”

I continued to be attacked by the Minotaurs while responding to Karin.

Her flashy spells require caution. I have been exposed to several of her flashy magic attacks, many of which could potentially affect the shape of the Earth. There is no doubt that if such magic were used this deep underground, we would be buried alive.

Karin added, “I understand,” as a preface, and let magic flow throughout her body. Her magic took the form of visible flames, creating intricate flame circles in the air.

What kind of magic was this? I had never seen anything like it.

“Now, let me lend you a hand. With my most extravagant move.”

Karin declared loudly as she spread her arms wide open.

“Come forth, Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit!”

With her words, more flames erupted from the magic circles in the air. From the center inside the circle, a hole resembling a black hole expanded, and from within, a giant figure covered in flames appeared, the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit.

“What…?!”

The sudden appearance of the demon beast surprised not only the people present but also the three Minotaurs. No, even I, who was supposed to be her partner, was taken aback and couldn’t help but stare at the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit.

I had heard that there were summoners in Tenburg, but I never thought Karin was one of them. After all, she never summoned any beasts during our battles.

The robust body of the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit, was always engulfed in flames, emitting heat from its entire being. With fiery eyes like burning flames, Ifrit stared up at one of the Minotaurs, emitting a roar that seemed otherworldly. The air around it froze despite the intense heat it emitted.

Among us, Karin seemed to be the only one who was excited.

“Ah…It’s getting more exciting, more and more! Quickly, show that clueless beast the power of your flames!”

Karin pointed at the Minotaur next to me. The Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit, opened its mouth wide and unleashed scorching flames. Rather than flames, it looked more like a beam of light.

The scorching beam of light caught the Minotaur firmly and for an instant, it made a sizzling sound. The next moment, the Minotaur turned into ashes, and not even its body or bones remained.

“…You turned it into ashes in an instant. Doesn’t that lack excitement?”

I sighed softly and beheaded the other Minotaur with a swift sword strike.

Dealing with vulnerable enemies while their attention was on the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit was easy for me.

“Oh my, Soma-sama, aren’t you the same? It would be more entertaining if you put on a slightly tougher act, you know?”

“You’re noisy. It can’t be helped, can it? That’s the problem here.”

“That’s true as well. It would be nice if there were a bit more resistance…But there’s no script for the performance.”

We exchanged light-hearted banter and turned our attention to the remaining Minotaur Leader.

Indeed, for us to put on a tough fight, the enemies were just too weak. They were clearly lacking in power.

The Minotaur Leader must have known that too, as it trembled in fear, unable to escape. Seeing such a weak monster, Karin suggested something with a charming smile.

“Well, since I’ve already shown off my trump card summoning magic…Why not end it with a flashy climax? With the strike of love between Soma-sama and me.”

“That’s true. We do have a lot of viewers now. A bit of a show could be good.”

I didn’t fully understand what she meant by a “strike of love,” but I could grasp the general idea of what Karin wanted to do. So, I nodded in agreement.

The viewer counts and channel subscriptions had been skyrocketing since earlier. We were definitely on fire. We couldn’t let this momentum slip away. This was the perfect time to show off.

“Are you all ready, viewers?”

Karin asked the viewers, and the comment section was filled with enthusiastic responses like [Woohoo!]. It was impossible to keep up.

She was even more pumped up than me. Come to think of it, Karin was getting the hang of streaming, no matter how much she complained.

I wasn’t entirely sure about the details, but from her words, it seemed she had even acted as the “Demon King” during the stream. Maybe she was just used to playing the role that was demanded of her.

“Now then…I invite all the viewers to the Banquet of Purgatory. Minotaur-san, please enjoy the rest of your short life to the fullest.”

Karin playfully swung her arm, and the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit, responded with a roaring howl. Then, it fired the same scorching beam of light toward the sky.

At that moment, I jumped up and caught the flames of the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit, with the body of my sword. The intense heat transmitted through the handle felt like it would melt my hand.

In order to harness the power of the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit, within my sword, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

The blazing flames and the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit, were still there, and the Minotaur Leader was still standing, but everything else around us fell silent. At that moment, it felt like everything existed solely for me and Karin’s flaming sword.

The flames released from the sword were so dazzling as if they could consume everything. It was a fiery blaze that could genuinely be called purgatory, even making me feel awe-inspiring.

‘Hot. My hand feels like it’s going to melt.’

It was an unbearable heat. It would likely cause severe burns to an ordinary person.

But I could endure it. Because I had <Indestructible Unbreakable>.

“Take this…You damned cowhead!”

With a shout of determination, I swung the flaming blade of the Flame Demon Beast, Ifrit, directly downward. The ground trembled, and the air shook. The purgatorial strike advanced straight toward the Minotaur Leader, leaving it no chance to escape. It was an unmerciful strike, combining the invincibility of the former hero and the unrivaled power of the former demon king, resulting in the complete eradication of the Minotaur Leader.

However, just before the Minotaur Leader disappeared, something like a magic circle appeared on its body. This was an uncommon occurrence among dungeon monsters and a significant difference from what had been seen until now. It might have been the effect of combining with the powers of a summoned beast.

And thus, the battle came to an end.

‘Huh?’

Suddenly becoming aware of my surroundings, I looked around and was startled.

The purgatorial strike not only destroyed the monsters but even sliced through the wall behind them, significantly altering the structure of the dungeon floor.

‘Hahaha, what is this…? We might end up destroying the entire dungeon.’

The power was simply too great, and even I found it astonishing. This was nothing to joke about, especially compared to Karin’s <Meteor>.

Combining my durability, my swordsmanship, and Karin’s summoning, we had achieved this collaboration move. I had never imagined such a combination of power between us, the former hero, and the former demon king would be so amazing.

‘This is the strike of love between the former hero and the former demon king huh…?’

It wasn’t just an ordinary strike or a mere collaboration move.

This was the embodiment of our wills, our past reckoning, and the love that had blossomed between the former hero and the former demon king. I felt like I had somewhat understood the meaning of Karin’s “strike of love.”

Let’s call it <Flame Dance: Inferno Blast>. Until now, we’ve always fought separately, but <Flame Dance: Inferno Blast> might be our first joint achievement. No, this is probably the way for us to deepen our unique relationship and embrace a new way of living that only we can do.

“Ugh…It’s too hot. Are you trying to kill me?”

“I apologize for that.”

While exchanging such playful banter, Karin and I secretly exchanged smiles as if we were sharing the progress of our newfound connection.