I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 18

Episode 18 

Wherever I go, I’ve always been met with rejection. Occasionally, when I’ve had a little success, I find myself hoping that someone might praise me somewhere…… so I end up checking things like social media. 

But mostly, all I find are words of denial. 

Even during New Year’s, it was the same. 

I thought someone might have mentioned the fact that I helped. But no one did. 

It was all just comments like, “He’s slacking off again.” 

It’s not that I want to be praised. But I do have a desire to be recognized, just like anyone else. 

I’m not doing nothing. 

But when I or Miyoshi-san try to say something, we’re dismissed as liars or exaggerators. 

So, all I can do is keep pushing myself to do what I can. 

As we continued talking, we finally reached the 51st floor. 

Kirishima-san sighed while looking at her smartphone. 

“I’ve been filming the whole way with the camera…… But as expected, I can’t get any footage. There’s audio, though.” 

“Such a hassle, right? It’d be nice if we happened to show up on camera, but…” 

“…Let’s keep at it patiently.” 

We moved forward, progressing further through the dungeon. 

By the time we reached the 100th floor, we encountered monsters that had five magic stones. 

I stared at one of the monsters and saw the words “Hell Goblin” written. As someone with magical energy, I can confirm the name of a monster in the dungeon by focusing on it. 

Well, it’s just the name of the monster. 

“…..Hell Goblins, huh? These are the ones?” 

Kirishima-san twitched her cheek. 

“Yeah, that’s right.” 

“……….Another monster with five magic stones. It’s been like this the whole way, hasn’t it?” 

Monsters with five embedded magic stones are the highest-ranked monsters currently confirmed… 

“Yeah, that’s right.” 

When I said this, Kirishima-san bit her lip tightly. 

“…This dungeon’s difficulty is ridiculous. Even in low-level dungeons, you occasionally get monsters with three magic stones, right?” 

“Yes. Miyoshi-san can just about defeat them.” 

“That person is a C-rank, right? And still manages to win—he must be incredibly skilled in combat.” 

“Technically, his skills are on par with an S-Rank Explorer.” 

The Hell Goblins exchanged glances, then all leaped toward us at once. 

Their movements were well-coordinated. They came at me simultaneously from the front and both sides. 

But no matter how coordinated they were, they could never defeat someone with unreasonable physical abilities. 

“…Too slow.” 

I took a small step forward while keeping an eye on Kirishima-san on my back and dodged the Hell Goblins’ attacks. I quickly delivered a kick. 

The kick landed squarely on the head of the one that came from the front. The Hell Goblin’s head snapped, and it vanished in a mist. 

In the next moment, the remaining two attacked from the sides. But I kicked off the ground with one foot and lightly jumped into the air. I landed a jumping kick on the one on the right from below. I used the momentum to spin and bring my other leg down in a reverse roundhouse kick on the one on the left. 

Both monsters were sent flying and disappeared in a mist, vanishing without a trace. 

“…Well then, shall we quickly head to the 101st floor?” 

“…I saw the whole thing, but you really are at ease, aren’t you?” 

“Well, with monsters like these, it’s nothing.” 

“No… with five magic stones, aren’t these the strongest monsters?” 

“……..I’m not sure about that, to be honest.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“If you actually go down to the 101st floor, you’ll understand.” 

When I said this, Kirishima-san tilted her head in confusion. 

….I believe that this Kamino Town dungeon is quite different from other dungeons in various ways. This includes both the number of floors and the difficulty level. 

Now that we were near our destination, I helped Kirishima-san off my back. And we descended the stairs together. 

And then—finally, we entered the 101st floor. We confirmed the number at the entrance.

“…101, we’ve made it.” 

“Yes, that’s right… and I’ve confirmed up to the 501st floor from here.” 

I said with a smile, but Kirishima-san’s expression tightened. 

“…This is an incredible dungeon. To be honest, it’s absurd.” 

Then, Kirishima-san seemed to relax a bit and smiled. 

“…….Do you find this fun?” 

“Yes. And once we prove this, we might get to see some really interesting expressions from all the staff at the Akisaki City branch—or rather, from everyone in the Explorer Association.” 

She gave a creepy little laugh. 

“…….The whole Explorer Association?” 

Wait, isn’t that expanding the list of enemies? It used to be just people like Tanoue and his group, right? 

“Yes, exactly. …Do you remember the call from the branch manager the other day, right before we left?” 

Her energy was through the roof! She completely switched from her cool demeanor to being absolutely furious. 

As I stared, surprised, she gave me a sharp glare. 

“What’s the matter?” 

“N-No… It’s just that your mood is a little different from usual.” 

“This is just how I am, so don’t worry about it. Now, do you remember what the branch manager said when he called you?” 

“…Uh, what was it?” 

“He asked if I was stupid for believing some liar named Amakusa, and said I had to write an apology letter for sending an email to the headquarters on my own! And… argh, I want to take proof photos here and cut off their d*ck!” 

YIKES!? That’s terrifying! 

“So, I wonder what’s going on right now with the branch manager? Shouldn’t he back off to protect his crotch?” 

“…N-Never mind.” 

“Don’t worry. The only thing I want to cut off is the things belonging to the Association staff.” 

She gave a kind, maternal smile. The gap between her kindness and her words was terrifying! 

I shuddered as Kirishima-san tightened her expression and bowed deeply. 

“……….I’m really sorry.” 

“W-What’s going on all of a sudden?” 

“I… to be honest, I had my doubts about you, even if just a little.” 

…So that’s why she’s apologizing. 

She’s a serious person. 

If she weren’t an explorer, I might’ve fallen for her. 

“…That can’t be helped. The only people who know about my activities are the people in this town.” 

“That’s why I’m apologizing. But… I will prove it. You are definitely an S-Rank Explorer.” 

She smiled at me softly, and… something welled up in my chest. 

Until now, no one but the people in my hometown ever believed in me. 

…..And now, Kirishima-san also understands me and says she’ll cooperate. She made me feel so happy. 

I wasn’t expecting anything from anyone around me anymore……….. But now, being treated with kindness, tears began to well up.