I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 45

Episode 45  

“………You’re going to help him?” 

“Yeah… Kiryu-san might not admit it, but things have been touch-and-go ever since the 80th floor. He’s been giving it his all, but…. if he reaches the 100th floor, he probably won’t have the strength to make it back.” 

In a typical dungeon, destroying the dungeon core would make the monsters vanish and reveal a magical warp circle leading to the first floor. However, the Kamino Town Dungeon is different. 

“…….There’s more past the 101st floor, like you said, isn’t there? If that’s the case… it’s definitely dangerous, isn’t it?” 

“Yeah, there is. Even if Kiryu-san reaches the 101st floor, there’s no way back. Honestly, there’s a lot about this that pisses me off, but I don’t want to leave him to die.” 

Besides, he’s one of Japan’s few S-Rank Explorers. If something were to happen to him, it would be a disaster for the entire exploration industry here. 

I’m already an A-Rank Explorer, so maybe it’s not my problem anymore. But I don’t want to deal with any extra work because of it. 

As I adjusted my equipment, Rin tilted her head. 

“…Will you be okay on your own?” 

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’m heading out now.” 

“…Okay. Good luck.” 

“Ah! Rin, perfect timing! Let’s get ready for the livestream!” 

“Huh!? Wh-What do you mean?” 

“When Onii-chan goes to save Kiryu, it’ll be broadcast worldwide! That means this is our chance! We need to prep our accusations against the Explorer Association!” 

“W-Wait a second…! I-I’m not mentally ready for this…!” 

….…Well, they can handle their side of things however they want. 

I quickly finished gearing up and headed for the front door. Taking a deep breath, I stepped toward the dungeon. 

Before long, the Kamino Town Dungeon came into view. But the area around it was swarming with media. Cameramen and reporters were gathered en masse, blocking the entrance. As I approached, they noticed me immediately. 

“Haruto Amakusa-san! Where are you heading now?” 

“This is Honma TV! What’s your next move?” 

“Do you have anything to say about your previous absences?” 

Questions came flying at me all at once. Microphones and cameras were shoved in my face, their disdain for me clear in their eyes. 

Without stopping, I continued toward the dungeon entrance. 

“Move aside. I’m going to help Kiryu-san.” 

Even as I said that, they didn’t back off. In fact, their questions became even more provocative. 

“What can you even do? Kiryu-san is an S-Rank Explorer! Unlike you, he’s capable of handling this on his own, isn’t he?” 

“Isn’t it pointless for you, Amakusa-san, to rush in now when you’ve done nothing until now?” 

“Helping? Kiryu-san is about to finish clearing the dungeon and return. Are you going to stop him or sabotage him?” 

“Are you ignoring us? Silent on the tough questions, huh? That’s unprofessional!” 

A sharp pang hit my chest. Their words cut deep. 

But I couldn’t stop here. 

…They don’t realize it yet, but Kiryu-san is in real danger. 

It doesn’t matter what they say about me. 

……..Besides, even if I did leave him to die, they’d just find another way to criticize me later. 

Without a word, I pushed past the media and headed for the dungeon entrance. I had no time to entertain their persistent questions. 

Once inside, silence enveloped me. Only the sound of my footsteps echoed through the dungeon. 

“…Alright, let’s do this,” 

I muttered to myself, pressing on into the depths of the dungeon. 

I don’t owe him anything. 

But… if Kiryu-san dies, they’ll just dump more work on me. 

— 

100th Floor: Arrived. No sign of him! 

Kiryu-san had already cleared the 100th floor. 

After wiping out the remaining monsters, I immediately headed for the 101st floor. 

Please, don’t let the worst have happened.

I leapt down the staircase. I headed toward the 101st floor, hoping for the best—only to be greeted by a grim scene. 

Kiryu-san was surrounded by six monsters, each bearing six magic stones. Demon Ogres and Demon Orcs—a total of six. 

And there was Kiryu-san, tears streaming down his face. They were ruining his otherwise stunning appearance. And it was all while having wet himself for the whole world to see. 

It was the worst. 

Am I supposed to carry him back on my shoulders in this condition? 

……..Well, I guess it could’ve been worse—at least he wasn’t being violated by the monsters. 

As these thoughts crossed my mind, Kiryu-san’s gaze turned toward me. 

“Ah… Amakusa…? W-Why are you here—?” 

“…I came to help.”

I debated what to say but settled on the safest response. 

Honestly, I was tempted to throw in a snide remark. But then I noticed his smartphone’s camera was pointed my way. 

…Good. He’s still streaming this, right? 

The Demon Ogres and Demon Orcs were now aware of my presence. They shifted their focus to me, their irritation evident as they brandished their weapons. 

“You can’t possibly defeat them! Leave this place immediately!” 

But as if to cut him off, one of the Demon Ogres charged at me. In an instant, it circled to my side, raising its axe to strike. 

…Too slow. 

I glanced at it briefly, then swung my Bullet Sword. 

“GRAAAH!?” 

The Demon Ogre’s arm flew off, spraying black mist from the severed limb instead of blood. 

“Quiet,” 

I said, decapitating the screaming monster and finishing it off completely. 

“…Let’s pick up the pace.” 

Kiryu-san didn’t have much time to spare. The longer we fought, the more monsters were likely to gather. 

Recognizing me as a threat, the remaining Demon Ogres and Demon Orcs ignored Kiryu-san entirely and launched a coordinated attack on me. 

I evaded their strikes—axes and clubs swinging down—while severing their heads. 

A Demon Orc lunged at me from the rear, only to be blown apart by a magic-infused strike. 

The Demons Orc’s body was riddled with a gaping hole. Just as its body fell, A Demon Ogre surged forward from behind its shadow. 

“GRAAAAAAH!” 

“…Still too slow.” 

They were formidable, sure, but they only carried six magic stones. 

The roaring Demon Ogre leapt toward me, only to lose its head to my blade. 

Two left. 

The remaining Demon Orcs, consumed by rage, swung their clubs wildly. I responded by opening two clean holes in their torsos. 

…The battle was over. 

The chaotic noise of moments ago had subsided, leaving behind a still and quiet space. 

Kiryu-san, still trembling, stared at me. 

…The stream is still running, right? 

If it isn’t, Yuna’s going to have plenty to say to me later. 

Assuming the camera was still rolling, I turned to Kiryu-san. 

“You… What’s going on here? Were you hiding your strength all along?” 

“I haven’t been hiding anything. …I’ve been saying from the start that this dungeon extends beyond the 101st floor. But the Explorer Association hasn’t done any proper investigations.” 

I let that jab sink in, hoping to redirect some of the criticism aimed at me toward the Association. 

“The reason I haven’t been able to clear other dungeons is because this one’s abnormal. It undergoes reactivation practically every day. You’d understand if you spent just a few days here, Kiryu-san.” 

“………” 

Kiryu-san said nothing. 

The eerie silence was unsettling—he usually had something sharp to say in response. But it seemed he didn’t have the energy for that anymore. 

Feeling a bit mischievous, I decided to tease him. 

“Oh, do you want to go further ahead?” 

“…What?” 

His expression was priceless. I’d never seen him look like that before—it was downright hilarious. 

“I’ve actually confirmed up to the 501st floor of this dungeon. Want to go check it out?” 

“W-What!? N-No, absolutely not!” 

“I’m kidding. I reported it to the Association, but they dismissed it after some half-hearted investigation. Could you, maybe, push them to conduct a proper investigation?” 

“I-I understand…! I’ll definitely bring it up…” 

“Good to hear. Well, let’s head back. More monsters are already showing up.” 

I quickly took out a group of Devil Wyverns that were swooping down on us and offered my shoulder to Kiryu-san. 

“Can you walk?” 

“M-My legs… they’ve given out. I’m sorry…” 

“It’s fine. I’ll help you along for now.” 

But I’m definitely not giving you a piggyback ride—not with those wet pants of yours. 

“By the way, Kiryu-san… is the stream still running?” 

“Eh? Oh… uh, y-yes, it’s still live.” 

…Figures. That means the earlier fight was broadcast in full. 

I turned to the viewers beyond the screen and spoke quietly. 

“This is Haruto Amakusa. I don’t care what people say about me, but I do have one request.” 

I kept my tone polite, almost pleading. But I glared straight into the camera as I continued. 

“Please stop hurting my family and the people I care about.” 

I didn’t care how much criticism was directed at me. 

If that’s how I’m judged, I’ll accept it. 

But to involve my family and loved ones in baseless assumptions—that, I could not tolerate. 

“If you insist on continuing such behavior—” 

This time, I stared at the camera with unfiltered anger. 

“—then be prepared to face the consequences of your actions.” 

If unfair attacks persisted, I was ready to respond. One option would be filing disclosure requests. 

In fact, I fully intended to file requests against anyone who had criticized my family unfairly. 

Having said my piece, I helped Kiryu-san up and we made our way back to the 100th floor. From there, we raced up the dungeon levels and safely escaped.