I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 30

Episode 30 

Before her stood two monsters labeled Devil Minotaur. 

Devil-class, each with five magic stones. 

(Note: Back to C19 or C21 to see the monster types. I’m just too lazy✌)

Two of the most catastrophic threats in the world were right in front of her. 

“…Run. Now.” 

Rin suppressed her fear and shouted sharply. 

The explorers were startled. They let out a confused “Huh?” But in the next moment, the Devil Minotaur vanished. 

“Ugh!” 

Rin barely reacted in time, summoning an ice wall. The axe wielded by the Devil Minotaur smashed into the wall, which absorbed the blow for a moment before shattering. 

“Run immediately!” 

“…!” 

When Rin shouted again, the explorers took off like they had been kicked into action. 

She had no time to ensure their safety as they fled. 

Rin quickly created more ice and engaged the Devil Minotaurs in combat. 

She used her speed and ability to evade their attacks. Surrounding herself with ice, she attempted to freeze the area and bind their movements. However, the Devil Minotaurs shrugged off her ability with ease. They launched themselves toward her with immense force. 

These abnormal species, monsters with five magic stones, attacked Rin with overwhelming power. Her strikes, slashes, and even her most powerful attacks failed to faze them. 

Using multiple ice platforms, Rin maneuvered through the air in three dimensions. She was narrowly dodging their relentless assaults. 

“I need a breakthrough…” 

As this thought crossed her mind, one of the Devil Minotaurs flanked her. 

“Damn it—!” 

She hastily created another ice wall, but the hastily crafted defense shattered instantly. And Rin was slammed into the ground. 

—This wasn’t supposed to happen. 

—I just wanted to live a normal life, have an ordinary existence. 

—I didn’t need wealth or the S-rank title. 

—I only wanted to live happily with my family, laughing together. 

She had had enough. She didn’t want to fight anymore. Why did she have to endure so much suffering? 

“…Someone… help me.” 

Why did it have to be so unbearable? 

(…But I’m supposed to be the hero who helps others—) 

A tear slid down her cheek. 

And in that moment— 

“KANZAKI!” 

A familiar voice shouted from behind her. She caught a glimpse of a man with black hair—Haruto Amakusa—running toward her. 

The Devil Minotaurs noticed him and growled irritably. They each hefted their axes. 

“Ama… kusa…?” 

Why was he here? She barely had time to process the thought before the Devil Minotaurs vanished and reappeared on either side of Haruto. 

Both swung their axes down simultaneously. 

“Look out—!” 

Rin opened her mouth to scream. But before she could— 

The Devil Minotaurs were cleaved in half. 

“GAHHHH!” 

“Out of my way! Hey! Kanzaki, are you alright?” 

The Devil Minotaurs’ bodies dissolved into mist, leaving behind two black magic stones. 

Rin struggled to her feet. She was circulating her internal magic throughout her body to numb the pain. After a moment, she regained enough composure to speak. 

“…W-What did you just do?” 

“Huh? I swung my sword. Monsters get cut if you do that, right?” 

“That’s not what I mean—” 

Before she could press further, Haruto’s expression softened with concern. 

“More importantly, are you okay, Kanzaki?” 

“Y-Yeah…” 

“Good. There are still plenty of monsters around. If you’re injured, you should evacuate.” 

“…Evacuate…?” 

“Yeah. I’ve taken down quite a few, but there’s still a lot left. I’ll handle things here, so go get some treatment.” 

Rin was stunned. 

As an S-Rank Explorer, no one had ever told her to retreat before. 

She couldn’t remember the last time someone showed concern for her. Biting her lip, Rin fought back the urge to cry. Slowly, she nodded. 

“…Understood. Thank you.” 

“Can you make it back on your own?” 

“…Yes, I’ll be fine.” 

“Alright. Don’t worry about things here.” 

Haruto gave her a light pat on the shoulder before running off. 

Moments later, several explorers appeared, lagging slightly behind Haruto. 

They were the same explorers Rin had told to flee earlier. They now returned with reinforcements. 

“K-Kanzaki-san!? You’re so badly injured… are you alright?” 

“……..I’ll manage.” 

“Still, that was incredible! Taking down *two* monsters with five magic stones each…!” 

The explorers nearby noticed the black magic stones scattered on the ground, their eyes sparkling with excitement. They raised their voices.  

“Whoa, these are amazing! Did Kanzaki-san take them down?”  

“N-No, it was… Amakusa who defeated them…”  

“Huh? Oh, come on now. There’s no way someone as useless as him could do that.”  

“No, I’m telling you… Amakusa defeated—”  

Before Rin could finish, a fit of coughing overtook her. The lingering damage from earlier was catching up to her.  

“Really, Kanzaki-san, you’re too kind. You don’t need to cover for someone like him. Honestly… While you’re here fighting so hard, that guy’s probably run off somewhere. Truly living up to his reputation as the slacker, huh?”  

“Seriously, though. Why is that guy even an S-Rank Explorer?”  

“I said you’re wrong!”  

Rin shouted with all her might, her voice echoing sharply. The explorers flinched, shoulders jerking in surprise.  

She glared at them fiercely. But instead of backing down, the explorers sighed dismissively.  

“……Yeah, yeah. Got it, we hear you.”  

Their dismissive tone irritated her, but she knew this wasn’t the time to argue.  

And then, Rin’s strength gave out. She collapsed, losing consciousness on the spot.