I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 13

Episode 13

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

Tanoue was observing Kirishima. He began chatting with other staff members.  

“Speaking of Amakusa….. You ever think about how much tax money was spent raising that guy?”  

Hearing Kirishima and Murata’s earlier conversation, others started chiming in as if recalling something.  

“It’s true, right? Back then, he was surrounded by all those security guards and media at some big city hospital… ‘Japan’s fastest S-rank,’ they called him. It was huge news.”  

“Yeah, and then he turned out to be that kind of garbage. Incredible, huh?”  

“………”  

Kirishima felt her irritation grow as she listened to their words.  

She knew. She had dabbled as an explorer herself for a brief time, and she had seen the power Haruto displayed in that fleeting moment within the dungeon. It was undeniable proof that his strength rivaled that of other S-Rank Explorers.  

“Well, maybe Amakusa is a victim in a way.”

“Huh? What do you mean? Aren’t *we* the real victims here?”  

“Childhood education depends a lot on the parents, doesn’t it? Maybe the reason he turned out to be such a slacker is because of how he was raised.”  

“Oh, that could be it. If that’s the case, then I guess he’s a victim too.”  

“Wasn’t his father dead by the time he was little?”  

“I read about that on some internet forum. Someone even said, ‘His mother should’ve died with him.’ And honestly, I kind of agree.”  

Kirishima furrowed her brow. No matter how much they disliked him, talking about someone’s life and death like that was crossing the line.  

“Right? If the government had just taken him in and raised him properly, things would’ve been different. Honestly, they should’ve taken him right from the start and trained him thoroughly as an explorer.”  

“They do stuff like that in China and Russia.”  

Murata kept on with his derisive tone, and the other employees laughed along. They were clearly enjoying the conversation. Watching this, Kirishima clenched her fists involuntarily.  

She knew it would be futile to speak up here.  

Instead, she worked to maintain her composure and an impassive expression.  

(You’re all living off taxpayer money too, barely doing any real work…)  

With that thought, Kirishima focused on finishing her tasks. Separately, she composed an email to the main office of the Explorer Association.  

Nobody at the Akisaki City branch would address the issue.  

She connected the measuring device to her computer, attached the data, and succinctly detailed the following in her message:  

– The current irregularities in the Kamino Town Dungeon.  

– The dysfunctional state of the Akisaki City branch staff.  

– A request for personnel from headquarters to investigate.  

(……..Though, when Amakusa-san mentioned floors beyond 101 before, his claims were outright dismissed as lies.*)  

When Kirishima reviewed the Association’s records, the official statement had been that no abnormalities were detected in the dungeon.  

That announcement had sealed Amakusa’s reputation, shaping how he was viewed by the public.  

She hoped that if headquarters took action this time, things might change.  

With that in mind, Kirishima completed her duties for the day and was about to leave when—  

“Hey, Kirishima!”  

One of the employees called out to her. They were accompanied by a few younger staff members. It was the same person who had been talking with Tanoue earlier.  

“…..What is it?”  

“We’re all going out for drinks tonight. Wanna join us?”  

“No.”  

“Man, you’re no fun. You know, with an attitude like that, you’re gonna have trouble getting married.”  

“…That’s sexual harassment, you know.”  

“Sexual harassment? I’m just telling it like it is. What’s your deal? You’re willing to hang out with Amakusa, but you won’t spend time with your own coworkers?”  

“Excuse me. I have plans today.”  

“…Come on.”  

Ignoring the disgruntled murmurs, Kirishima gave a minimum polite response before leaving.  

Suppressing her irritation, she took out her phone.  

She had already messaged the main office of the Explorer Association but figured it might not be enough.  

In fact, she was almost certain they wouldn’t act.  

So, she decided to contact someone else: Mana Saotome, a dungeon researcher she knew.  

‘Hey, long time no see, Ryoko! What’s up?’  

The cheerful voice on the other end of the call eased Kirishima’s tension slightly.  

Saotome had been her senior in the high school basketball club.  

After graduating high school, Kirishima had maintained a relationship with Saotome that was close enough for her to be someone she could trust.  

“Actually, I need your advice about the Kamino Town Dungeon.”  

‘Kamino Town Dungeon… Hmm, I think I’ve heard of it somewhere.’  

“…It’s where S-Rank Explorer Haruto Amakusa operates, if that helps jog your memory.”  

‘Amakusa…! Oh, that guy! Right, he was on TV around New Year’s. Honestly, he doesn’t seem to have a great reputation.’

Hearing Saotome’s comment, Kirishima hesitated but gave a small nod in agreement.  

“…That’s true. Actually, I’ve been getting various consultations from Amakusa-san about the Kamino Town Dungeon.”  

‘Oh? I see. Well, putting Amakusa aside for now, what kind of consultation are we talking about?’  

“It’s about the possibility of the Kamino Town Dungeon having floors beyond the 101st.”  

Kirishima’s voice wavered slightly as she spoke. Her uncertainty was showing since she wasn’t fully convinced of everything herself.  

On the other end of the line, Saotome let out a doubtful sigh.  

‘…That’s something Amakusa mentioned a few years ago, if I’m not mistaken.’  

“…Yes, that’s right.”  

‘Ah, now I remember. He reported something like that, but it caused a huge uproar. People accused him of lying because he couldn’t clear it due to his own incompetence. The Explorer Association also officially denied the existence of such a thing.’  

Listening to Saotome, Kirishima decided to look up information about the 101st floor again on the internet.  

Unlike the official reports from the Association, what she found were numerous cruel and malicious comments. A flood of criticisms attacked Amakusa’s abilities and qualifications as an S-rank explorer. They were labeling him incompetent and untrustworthy.  

With the Association’s official denial and the overwhelming number of negative opinions online, it wasn’t surprising that Amakusa had become widely regarded as a liar and a slacker in the public eye.