The Explorer's Association building loomed over us like a modern fortress, its glass panels gleaming under the morning sun. Despite having been here countless times, today felt heavier—like the weight of the spire's secrets had followed me out of the dungeon.
Asakawa, walking beside me, kept glancing at her phone, her brow furrowed. "You've seen the trending tags, right?"
"I haven't," I admitted. "Too busy dealing with real-world consequences."
"Well, UNKNOWN, Kisaragi Tsukasa, and Asagao are all trending right now," she said, tilting her screen toward me. "Also, there are conspiracy theories about you being a dungeon AI or an alien."
I snorted. "An AI wouldn't have to deal with student loans."
Her laugh was short-lived as she scrolled further. "Still, this is big. Everyone's talking about the spire. There's even a hashtag about my stream—#AsagaoSavedLives."
