I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 103

Episode 103

While guarding Saotome-san, the two of us continued to check each other’s magic power control to not forget the sensation.

Thanks to the initial breakthrough, we can now understand the feeling without needing to hug anymore.

…Well, putting aside Saotome-san’s random remarks, I’m grateful because I did have a good experience.

After more training, I became able to attract light objects.

Same with Rin.

She seems to have gotten the knack of body reinforcement. And now she can fight Demon-type monsters without hesitation.

(Note:
Monster Types from C19

• • Normal type

• • Knight type

• • General type

• • Shadow type

• • Devil type

• • Hell type

• • Demon type

• • Bl00d type

• • Nightmare type

• • Abyss type

)

Watching us like that, Saotome-san smiled.

“As expected from former S-rank explorers—your growth speed is really fast, or rather, you pick things up quickly.”

She voiced her admiration at Rin and my growth speed.

“Is that so?”

“I think so. On the island where I work as a researcher, there’s also an explorer training school. But you two are growing way faster than the students there.”

“Do you get involved with that, Saotome-san?”

“Sometimes. It’s not my field, but the team working on ability development is researching day and night on how to enhance abilities more efficiently.”

“Hmm… Do they have any new findings?”

“So far, nothing revolutionary. In the end, it comes down to repetitive training and continuous battles against strong monsters.”

…Yeah, that’s how it is.

Like in games, it’s a shame that you can’t just defeat a silver slime and level up easily.

“How’s the investigation going?”

While we were training, Saotome-san had been pulling out various machines and conducting research.

“Yeah, it’s going well. There are clearly many things here that differ from the other layers… I’ll have to bring this data back and do a lot of further analysis.”

Saotome-san said this while happily operating her tablet. Her face was beaming with joy.

Specifically, it was about the same level of smile she had when she suggested the hug to Rin and me. I couldn’t help but think—was she having that much fun back then?

“Well then, it’s about time for us to head back. You’re going to look for the blonde beauty now, right?”

Saotome-san said with a smile.

Yes.

Just like Saotome-san said, I was planning to begin searching for that blonde beauty.

“Yes. Please notify the school later.”

“Got it. Now then, the two of us will be returning alone……… but I wonder, with how you are now, Kanzaki-kun, would you be fine returning from any layer together with me?”

I was planning to accompany Saotome-san and the others until we reached a safe zone.

To be honest, I think Rin would have no problem even returning from the 100th layer.

“…Well, I think she could handle it on her own. But just in case, I’ll escort you to the 60th layer.”

When I said that, Saotome-san looked a bit surprised. But she soon returned to her usual smile.

“I see, thank you. You’re really reliable, Amakusa-kun.”

“I also… was still a little worried, so… I’m glad.”

“With Rin’s strength, I think it’d be fine though.”

“…Still, I’m a bit anxious.”

Honestly, it’s definitely safer for her to go with me than for her to fight alone while protecting Saotome-san.

Thinking that, we prepared to leave the 101st layer and headed toward the 100th.

As we climbed, the pressure from the magical energy slightly decreased.

When I prompted them, Saotome-san and Rin both nodded. Rin looked much calmer than when we came here.

She must’ve gained a lot of confidence from the battle on the 101st layer.

After a while of climbing, Saotome-san murmured.

“Still, this investigation really yielded results. Don’t you think so, Amakusa-kun?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“…I’m glad I came too.”

Rin spoke joyfully. Even though she was now carrying Saotome-san on her back, she didn’t look tired at all.

She seems to have really grasped the trick to body reinforcement.

“Well, you’ve made progress in the past two days too, Amakusa-kun. I’m glad we were able to push each other to improve.”

Hearing her words, I naturally smiled a little.

As we continued up the layers, Rin suddenly stopped.

“…No signs of anything.”

She said while looking around cautiously. Her voice had a trace of relief in it.

…We haven’t run into any monsters at all.

We were moving toward the 60th layer, but we haven’t seen a single monster for a while now.

“There being so few monsters is definitely strange… but I’m grateful we can proceed safely.”

In response to my words, Saotome-san also nodded.

“I hope it’s just a coincidence… but it’s often at times like this that troublesome enemies suddenly appear. Like the calm before the storm.”

“Please don’t jinx it.”

“I’m just joking, just joking.”

Seriously, this person…

When I gave a wry smile, Saotome-san laughed cheerfully and shrugged her shoulders. Meanwhile, Rin was carefully listening to the surroundings.

“Rin, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine… It’s just a bit too quiet, so I feel uneasy.”

Her eyes were completely serious as she answered.

…With her higher sensing ability, she might notice something I can’t.

I also kept my guard up and watched the surroundings.

When we reached the 60th layer, Saotome-san let out a satisfied breath.

“Now that we’re here, we should be fine.”

“…Yes.”

At Saotome-san’s words, Rin also gave a small nod.

“Haruto, you be careful too.”

“Yeah, you too.”

As I saw the two of them off, I quietly exhaled. Even though it was a short time, the time I spent with them was meaningful.

“Well then, time for me to go look for the blonde beauty.”

Muttering that, I headed deeper into the dungeon.