I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 42

Episode 42 

From the viewers’ perspective, Kiryu was progressing smoothly. However, his mind was far from at ease. 

(…Something’s off.) 

The consumption rate of the mana recovery potions he had brought was unusually high. 

<Kiryu-san… isn’t your pace faster than usual today?> 

<Are you okay?> 

Some viewers began to notice subtle changes. 

“…A little,” 

Kiryu responded curtly but maintained his composed demeanor. 

The source of Kiryu’s unease was simple: the monsters in the dungeon. 

The creatures appearing here were clearly of a higher caliber than those in other dungeons. Even in the lower floors, he occasionally encountered monsters holding three magic stones—a rarity in any other dungeon. 

In typical dungeons, monsters with three or four magic stones only appeared on floors near the 100th level. Yet here, perhaps due to bad luck, such creatures appeared early on. 

As Kiryu climbed higher, four-magic-stone monsters became commonplace. And he even began encountering creatures with five magic stones. 

“Guh!?” 

Kiryu groaned as a Devil Lizardman bearing five magic stones emerged, and he was forced into a battle. 

He kept his distance, relentlessly firing lightning attacks before the creature could close in. 

The Devil Lizardman was unfazed. It deflected the lightning as it steadily advanced toward Kiryu. 

Moments before the lizardman’s sword could reach him, Kiryu unleashed a powerful, mana-charged attack. The blow caused the Devil Lizardman to crumble. 

Breathing a sigh of relief, Kiryu reached into his backpack and downed a mana recovery potion. 

<Is this dungeon unusually tough?> 

<Maybe Kiryu-san just has bad luck today?> 

<No, it’s more than that. Kiryu-sama doesn’t seem to be in peak condition…> 

<Did he come here without being fully recovered? If so, it’s probably Amakusa’s fault!> 

“…I did just finish clearing a dungeon yesterday, so I might be a little fatigued. Maybe I should’ve taken a break before coming here. But that’s entirely on me.”

Although he brushed it off, Kiryu had ensured he was in top condition before the dive. Yet the thought of retreat crept into his mind. 

Glancing at the screen, he saw the viewer count had exceeded 8 million. This number was extraordinary, even for him. And it was still climbing. 

The heightened viewership was thanks to media coverage and the dungeon trending on social media. The fact that this was the dungeon Amakusa had failed to clear only added to its appeal. 

Pulling out now would risk shattering the dreams of young viewers aspiring to become explorers. It was something Kiryu couldn’t allow. 

Kiryu’s ultimate goal was to elevate the standards of Japanese explorers. Disheartening his viewers could lower future explorers’ morale and, ultimately, their quality. 

Determined, he pressed on with a composed expression. 

To minimize his time on each floor, Kiryu rested at the staircases leading to the next level. During these breaks, he engaged with the comment section more than usual to avoid raising suspicion. 

Using his mana-sensing ability, he located the next staircase before fully entering a floor. It was limiting his encounters to the bare minimum. From the 80th floor onward, where only five-magic-stone monsters appeared, he began an “immediate descent” strategy. He found the staircase as quickly as possible and moved down without engaging. 

“Phew… I’ve got plans tomorrow too, so let’s keep this moving.”

<Lol, Amakusa couldn’t clear this dungeon in four years, and Kiryu’s almost done already.> 

<What was that guy even doing?! Lol> 

<Honestly, is Amakusa even A-rank at this point?> 

<Kiryu-sama is on another level…> 

<With Kiryu-sama, the future of Japanese explorers is secure.> 

Despite his earlier vague excuses, Kiryu’s reputation ensured that no one doubted his actions. Keeping the smartphone hovering in a position where viewers couldn’t see his sweat-drenched state, he prioritized answering comments. 

“…And that’s the end of the 100th floor.” 

<That was fast!> 

<All that’s left is the dungeon core room!> 

<Viewer count just broke 10 million!> 

<With the emergency TV broadcast, the actual viewership must be massive!> 

<So now all of Japan knows just how incompetent Amakusa was. Lol> 

<Lol> 

<Seriously, what was Amakusa even doing all this time? Lol> 

Kiryu, still wearing his confident expression, descended the final staircase toward the dungeon core room. 

“…Huh?” 

What lay before him was an expansive, otherworldly space. 

Normally, the area beyond the 100th floor would be a small room containing only the dungeon core. That was the norm. 

Yet, contrary to all expectations, a new floor stretched out before him. On its wall, bold numbers gleamed: “101.” 

<Wait, 101 floors!?> 

<I’ve never heard of anything like this!?> 

<Is this for real?> 

<What’s even going on here!?> 

<Whoa! Kiryu-sama just made the discovery of the century! That’s incredible!> 

<…Wait, wasn’t there some rumor ages ago about a 101st floor or something?> 

While Kiryu stared at the comments in confusion, something unexpected happened. 

“…You are not my prince.” 

“…Huh?” 

A strange voice echoed in his ears. 

Kiryu hastily scanned his surroundings, but there was no one in sight. 

“…What was that voice?” 

<A voice?> 

<Did something happen?> 

Startled by the comments, Kiryu turned his gaze toward the area again. 

It was then that he noticed a faint light glowing through the trees. 

From within that light emerged a young girl. 

She had long golden hair, her appearance angelic and innocent. However, given that they were in a dungeon, Kiryu’s caution heightened immediately. 

“…Who are you?” 

Still in shock from the unexpected sight, Kiryu addressed the girl. 

As he hurriedly aimed the camera in her direction, the comment section filled with puzzled messages. 

<Kiryu-san? What’s going on with you?> 

<Is someone there?> 

“You guys… can’t see her….? There’s a girl here, she looks—” 

But before he could finish, the girl’s form began to fade. 

“I didn’t call for you. You’re not the one I want to meet.” 

“…What? W-what are you saying?” 

“But…… you’ve come anyway. If I push you hard enough, will that person come right away?” 

With those playful, cryptic words, the girl’s figure vanished entirely. 

In her place, a monster appeared. 

It was a creature with six magic stones embedded in its body. 

“…A… Demon Ogre?” 

(Note: Since I’m not lazy today, here you go:

Normal type

Knight type

General type

Shadow type

Devil type

Hell type

Demon type

Blood type

Nightmare type

Abyss type

)

Kiryu’s body stiffened as he observed the monster before him. 

Until now, the most powerful enemy Kiryu had encountered belonged to the Hell-type. Seeing the word “Demon” for the first time caused the color to drain from his face. 

All thoughts of the mysterious girl evaporated as Kiryu’s gaze locked on the massive creature before him, his cheek twitching nervously. 

(Note: Hold up……………….Does this mean the dungeon is really some type of tsundere shit!? ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!  [Just my comment as a reader as of C42. Let us all see where this goes in next chapters])