I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 11

Episode 11

(Note: Special for this chapter, dialogues through the telephone are in ‘….’)

This marks the third dungeon surge for today—apparently, Miyoshi-san and the others were able to suppress the ones on the 1st and 4th floors. But the one on the 11th floor was difficult, so I had to be called in. 

After successfully stopping the surge, I was about to exit through the black vortex on the dungeon’s first floor when my phone rang. 

It was a call from Kirishima-san. I had registered her number when I received her business card, but I never expected to actually hear from her. 

At this point, I couldn’t help but feel that Kirishima-san was doing more work than the previous Tanoue-san. 

I guess, since she was younger, she hadn’t yet been tainted by the Association’s ways. 

‘Sorry to bother you during such a busy time. This is Kirishima.’ 

“Good evening, this is Amakusa. What’s up?” 

‘About what we discussed before… After returning to the Association, I did some research and found some information I’d like to share with you. Also, there’s something else I’d like to discuss. Would you be able to meet somewhere?’ 

“…Sure. I’m right in front of the Kamino Town Dungeon, so I can meet you there right away.” 

‘I see. I’ll head over there as well, so please wait a moment.’ 

About ten minutes later, 

Kirishima-san arrived by car at the entrance to the dungeon. 

Since this is a rural town, it’s tough to get around without a car. I, too, have a license for activities as an S-Rank Explorer. Though I don’t use it much because it’s often faster to run at full speed. 

Explorers don’t usually have an age restriction when it comes to necessary qualifications. But it’s only if the Association approves. It’s not that the exams are waived, so I still had to take the test like everyone else. 

Despite my age not meeting the requirements, I was still able to obtain my driving license. 

But, of course, I don’t use it much—most S-Rank Explorers don’t. They only drive when they need to conserve their mana. 

Kirishima-san stepped out of her white car. Her expression was as sharp as ever as she approached me. 

“Sorry for the wait. I apologize, but would you mind if we talked while moving through the dungeon’s first floor?” 

“The dungeon? I don’t mind.” 

I wondered if Kirishima-san had ever entered a dungeon before. 

Dungeons are technically extraterritorial—well, not exactly, but the environment makes it easier for crimes to happen since no evidence can be left behind. 

There are even cases where powerful explorers attack weaker ones. So it’s not ideal to enter together unless you really trust the other person. 

……So, does this mean she trusts me? I don’t know. But if that’s the case, I might start feeling something for her… 

We began walking toward the black vortex. 

As we slowly passed through it together, I noticed that Kirishima-san seemed completely unhesitant. 

“Is this your first time entering a dungeon?” 

“Well, no. I was a D-Rank Explorer during my university days. But I only joined to get a job with the Explorer’s Association.” 

“…I see.” 

She might be a rather calculating person. 

But still, maybe she felt confident enough to join me here. She might think she could at least defend herself if necessary. 

…..Still, as a D-rank, she wouldn’t be able to resist much. I wish she’d be more cautious for her own safety. 

“I’ve never ventured very deep into dungeons, so it was just for extra pocket money.” 

“Well, most explorers are like that.” 

That’s part of the reason there’s such a shortage of manpower. 

On the first floor, there were other explorers moving magic stones from the recent dungeon activation suppression. 

Miyoshi-san had been leading the way. He noticed us approaching. 

“Oh, Haruto, and… someone from the Association? Is there something else going on?” 

Miyoshi-san clearly eyed Kirishima-san, his eyebrows furrowing. 

He doesn’t get along well with many people from the Association, especially in Kamino Town. 

“Well, Kirishima-san has something she wants to discuss, so I came along.”

“……Hmm, I see. You don’t listen to us. But whenever you need something, you come here, huh?” 

Miyoshi-san said that with a sarcastic tone and walked off. 

Kirishima-san raised an eyebrow slightly. 

“Ah, well… it seems like there’s been some history between them. Miyoshi-san really seems to dislike people from the Association.” 

“I figured. Probably because that trash Tanoue did something, right?” 

“…Trash?” 

“…I apologize. I meant to say, ‘piece of shit’.” 

No, that’s not what I meant! 

Somehow, Kirishima-san herself is a little scary. At times like this, it’s best to just ignore it. 

“Still… it’s been activated again.” 

“It’s the third time, apparently. I think a lot of magic stones will be brought in later.” 

“…I see. Well, it’s mostly just the idle staff, so they should bring in as many as they can.” 

Yep, there’s definitely some poison in that comment! 

Today, Kirishima-san began speaking seriously with her sharp tone. 

“I’ve confirmed a few things at the Association, and it seems that the neglect in reporting by that piece of shit was indeed true.” 

“…I see.” 

That piece of shit must be Tanoue, right? I’m going to just start thinking of him that way from now on. 

“I also submitted a report again, but… this time, I was told by the higher-ups…” 

“What did they say?” 

“…….’Bring proof.'” 

That sounds like the usual criminal excuse… 

“Since this is unprecedented, they said I need evidence to escalate the matter further.” 

“…Evidence, huh? But… we can’t exactly take pictures here.” 

Near the entrances of each floor of the dungeon, there are numbers written on the walls. If we could capture those in photos, they would be the best evidence. 

I had thought of that too. I had tried to bring back some evidence, but… it didn’t work. 

“That’s right. I tried using various cameras, but no footage remained. It’s not that electronic devices don’t work here, it’s that video footage just doesn’t save. As for the higher-level monsters, their magic stones are much larger and of higher quality. …Do you think it’s possible to bring back the magic stones from the monsters on the 101st floor?” 

This dungeon sure is a shy one… 

“I’ve tried taking them before… but the magic stones were just like the ones from the first floor—utter trash.” 

Yet, the monsters are strong, which is what frustrates me. 

After showing surprise, Kirishima-san sighed. 

“…I see. Then, have you done any tests with the floor measurement device?” 

“…No, we haven’t done that. You need permission from the Association to borrow it. And when I explained the purpose, that piece of shit refused me.” 

“As I thought, I brought one with me.” 

“Seriously!?” 

“Yes. If it’s just for an Association staff member to carry out, the application process is very quick.” 

Kirishima-san pulled out a small device. It looked like a speed radar gun, small enough to fit comfortably in her hand. 

She raised it like she was drawing a handgun. 

When I didn’t react, she cleared her throat slightly, embarrassed. 

“With this, we can measure the floors and keep the data as evidence.” 

“……I hope it works properly.” 

“It should… It’s been responding normally on the first floor.” 

When she held the device near the ground, the number “1” was displayed. 

…Seems like there’s no issue here. 

“I see. But, what if it only shows up to the 100th floor?” 

“That would still be enough. If you reach the 100th floor and leave evidence that the dungeon is still unexplored, the Association won’t be able to ignore it.” 

“That’s true.” 

If I get to the 100th floor and haven’t done anything, that would be really suspicious. After all, it’s one of my New Year’s resolutions. 

I can already imagine the complaints, but at least by then I’ll have things I can say in return. 

Kirishima-san nodded seriously. 

“Exactly. Plus, the device keeps a record. For now, please try measuring all the floors.” 

“…Got it.” 

As we proceeded through the floors, Kirishima-san suddenly asked. It was almost as if she had just remembered. 

“Amakusa-san, how far have you been on the 101st floor or higher?” 

“When I went down during Christmas, I reached the 501st floor.” 

“F-Five hundred and one floors!? …On Christmas!?” 

She widened her eyes in shock. 

“Yeah, on Christmas.” 

“……Christmas, huh.” 

What’s with this atmosphere? 

“Aren’t you really surprised about Christmas?” 

“…Well, it’s just… I thought it must have been tough.” 

Sorry, okay? I spent a lonely Christmas without a girlfriend! It was a passionate night with the monsters! 

I gave Kirishima-san a side-eye as she awkwardly tried to hide her feelings with a stern expression. 

“But, if that’s true… I apologize. If that’s true, it would be shocking news for the explorer industry, wouldn’t it?” 

“Yes. But it’s no surprise if people don’t believe me.” 

After all, there’s no precedent for this. But the Explorer Association is supposed to be the organization that handles such unknown situations. So they should at least act on it. 

Kirishima-san might not fully believe me, but she’s still cooperating for now. 

I’m just grateful. I want to somehow gather evidence, if only for Kirishima-san’s sake. 

“Anyway… Please go ahead with the investigation. How long do you think it will take?” 

“I already remember the structure of this dungeon, so… I don’t think it’ll take long.” 

“About a day, maybe?” 

“If we ignore all the monsters along the way, it won’t even take two hours to reach the 100th floor.” 

“T-Two hours!? A-Are you serious?” 

“Yes. I also remember the locations of the stairs leading to the next floor.” 

If it were a first-time dungeon, it wouldn’t be like this. 

The stairs to the next floor aren’t visible until you get close. 

Other S-Rank Explorers are good at sensing things, so they can usually navigate a first dungeon pretty safely. But I don’t have any talent for sensing. 

In dungeons like the one in Kamino Town, where each floor is a circular coliseum-like structure, you can just circle along the walls and find the stairs to the next floor somewhere. 

But if it were an ancient ruin-type dungeon with many walls……… it would be a nightmare. 

No matter how hard you try, it would take several days to clear it. 

“Anyway… Amakusa-san. Please contact me immediately if anything happens.” 

“Understood.” 

Hearing those words, I kicked off the ground and jumped high into the air. 

.

.

.

—

And then— 

“Kirishima-san, the device stopped responding at the 51st floor!” 

‘What did you say…?’ 

I reported to Kirishima-san through the phone, and I could hear a surprised voice from the other end.