I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 14

Episode 14

“…However, even when looking at the records kept by the Association, they haven’t conducted thorough investigations. At best, they measured data at the dungeon’s entrance using instruments and only confirmed that there were no changes from previous results.”  

In other words, no one had gone all the way to the 100th floor to verify the truth firsthand.  

‘Honestly speaking… Ryoko, I’d like to believe what you’re saying. But as someone working here as a researcher, there’s never been a case like that. Dungeons having fewer than 100 floors or anything beyond the 101st has never been discovered. After a hundred years since dungeons first appeared, there hasn’t been a single instance. At this point, everyone just assumes that’s how things are.’ 

“I feel the same. I haven’t seen it with my own eyes yet. So, to be honest, I can’t make any definitive statements.”  

‘And yet, you’re moving forward based on trusting Amakusa, huh?’ 

“I wouldn’t say I trust him entirely.”  

‘Then why are you so enthusiastic about this?’ 

At Saotome’s question, Kirishima clenched her phone tightly in her hand. Then, with a look of frustration, she muttered under her breath.  

“Because I want to prove them wrong.”  

‘What do you mean?’ 

“…The employees at the Akisaki City branch are useless ! If they thoroughly investigated everything and Amakusa turned out to be lying, then fine! But they don’t do anything. And they just assume everything’s a lie while constantly mocking me, too! Ugh, I’m getting angry again just thinking about it! I want to cut their…”  

Her pent-up frustration spilled out in a burst. If Kirishima had more physical strength, she might have accidentally broken her phone in the process.  

‘Haha, seems like you’re really worked up about this. But, you know, if it was the headquarters that made the official statement, it’s understandable that the branch staff would treat Amakusa coldly, don’t you think?’ 

“Even so, it still pisses me off! You’d understand if you came here too, Senpai!”  

‘I think I’ll pass on that. But… if you think there’s a chance to prove them wrong, it means you believe Amakusa isn’t lying, right?’ 

“I think it’s likely he’s telling the truth.”  

‘I thought you said you didn’t believe in him?’ 

At Saotome’s question, Kirishima nodded.  

“I’m not blindly believing him. I’m only cooperating with Amakusa-san as an Association staff member… and while I don’t know him that well yet, he doesn’t strike me as a bad person.”  

‘If that’s what someone working with him says, then it’s probably true.’ 

“Besides, if he were truly as incompetent as people on the internet and TV claim, there’s no way local explorers would be willing to cooperate with him.”  

Kirishima had visited Kamino Town several times and asked around about Amakusa in various places—what kind of person he was and how he operated. No one had criticized him.  

‘I see… They say you can judge a person by the company they keep. That makes sense.’ 

“Yes. That’s why I want to verify with my own eyes whether what he’s saying is true.”  

When Kirishima declared this, Saotome fell silent for a while before bursting into laughter.  

‘Hahaha! You’ve got such an amusing personality. Alright, alright. I’ll help you out.’ 

“Thank you. So, back to the main issue… I haven’t been able to find any way to prove the existence of floors beyond 101 using electronic devices. Even with measurement instruments, they only record up to the 50th floor… What do you think I should do?”  

‘What about magic stones? If they’re from deeper floors, their quality should improve. If you could obtain a type of magic stone that’s never been documented before, that alone would prove everything.’ 

“…The problem is that all the magic stones from the Kamino Town dungeon are ridiculously low quality. They’re entirely unreliable.”  

‘Hmm. In that case, is there anything else you can retrieve from the dungeon?’ 

“…….Something else from the dungeon?”  

‘Yes, exactly. For example, medicinal herbs or any other materials you can recover. If you can bring back something from the higher floors, we could examine it. If we find anything previously unknown, that would solve everything, wouldn’t it?’ 

“…I see.”  

‘Also, if you could collect magic stones from monsters on the 101st floor and beyond, that would be ideal. If you do that, I might even be able to create an environment suitable for filming or documentation.’

“Really!?” 

‘Yes. These days, dungeon exploration livestreams are all the rage, right? But there are dungeons, like the Kamino Town Dungeon, where the internal conditions can’t be captured on camera.’

“Yes.” 

There were plenty of streamers frustrated because they couldn’t broadcast from certain dungeons they wanted to explore. 

‘…Through research into such dungeons, we discovered that the dungeon’s magical energy was interfering. If we prepare magic tools to suppress this, it might solve the problem. So, for the sake of that research, I’d like you to bring back materials from inside that dungeon.’

“Understood. I’ll discuss this with Amakusa-san.” 

‘I’m stationed at the Dungeon Research Institute on Tenjo Island. So if you find anything, send it there.’

Tenjo Island was a new island that had suddenly appeared in the Pacific Ocean around the time dungeons began to emerge. 

Located within Japan’s territorial waters, the island is now a hub for dungeon research facilities and explorer training schools. 

Although it had various dungeons, it was also home to a former S-Rank Explorer who now taught there. It steadily increased the number of applicants to the training schools. 

“…Understood.” 

‘Well, I hope everything goes smoothly. Feel free to call me again if anything comes up.’

“Thank you very much.” 

After ending the call, Kirishima exhaled deeply. Venting her frustrations and sharing her concerns had lightened her heart a little. 

For now, she decided she’d need to contact Amakusa again. However, it was already late at night. So she resolved to reach out the following day. With that, Kirishima headed home.