I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 48

Episode 48

(Note: For those of you who are buying this chapter with coin, please revisit C47. There’s some changes and a note I left regarding “Kana Aizawa, the Public Relations Department”.)

“Everyone, please remain calm. Simply holding each other accountable won’t solve anything. This is a time to discuss solutions.”  

Standing up, Shiramine projected his voice to the room.  

“That’s true, but… what exactly do you suggest we do?”  

The Director of Strategic Planning furrowed his brow and pressed for details.  

Shiramine spoke up, as though waiting for the perfect moment.  

“There are two main issues currently reported to the Association concerning Haruto Amakusa. First, his unjust demotion from S-Rank Explorer status. Second, the investigation system.”  

“…….I see.”  

“As for the investigation system, we can resolve this by employing a larger team. If that increases expenses, we can simply request additional funding from the government.”  

Shiramine understood well how easily budget proposals were approved in this country. Particularly. when it was related to the explorer industry.  

“…Fair enough.”  

“And regarding Amakusa… persuading him directly isn’t the only way to reinstate him as an S-Rank Explorer.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“We can apply external pressure to make his return to S-rank a foregone conclusion.”  

“…External pressure?”  

Shiramine nodded in response to the chairman’s question. 

“Yes. By using methods the Association is quite familiar with, such as leveraging the media, we can pave the way for his return. Of course, we’ll need to proceed step by step to avoid suspicion.”  

“……..I see.”  

“Even after making a mistake, if we respond with humility and diligence, society will forgive us. Especially in this country, where most people are indifferent. By handling this matter sincerely, if Amakusa still refuses to return as an S-Rank Explorer, the public will perceive him as neglecting his responsibilities in line with his abilities. This sentiment will turn public opinion in our favor. After all, the inactivity of high-ranking explorers directly impacts people’s livelihoods.”  

“……..I see.”  

“For now, we should promptly announce our apology and a review of the system. A few months of pay cuts will also reduce criticism toward the chairman.”  

“…Pay cuts, huh? I don’t like it, but… I suppose there’s no choice.”  

“Rest assured. Time heals most things. Haven’t previous scandals also faded from public memory with time? Particularly with citizens, who get caught up in the excitement of the moment. If something new arises, they’ll quickly move on to the next topic. So long as we issue an apology and take visible action, even those raising a fuss online will soon forget and flock to the next trending story.”  

“……..True.”  

The chairman nodded. He was seemingly relieved at the prospect of avoiding resignation. However, the sharp gazes from the other department heads directed at Shiramine indicated their displeasure with the proposal. Still, all of them begrudgingly accepted it. They saw no better alternative to deflect responsibility from themselves.  

At this moment, Shiramine introduced another point.  

“Additionally… Kiryu has taken a leave of absence, including for mental health reasons. We can use this.”  

The sudden remark brought a tense atmosphere to the conference room.  

The chairman and department heads all turned their eyes to him.  

“………Use it?”  

One of the directors reacted.  

Shiramine slowly nodded, taking over the conversation.  

“Yes. This situation presents the perfect opportunity to shift the Association’s responsibilities elsewhere while moving essential pieces into place. By providing new content… or rather, throwing fuel onto the fire.”  

“…What exactly do you mean?”  

One of the directors asked with a puzzled look. He prompted Shiramine to speak calmly.  

“The Kanto region now has only one S-Rank Explorer, given Kiryu’s absence. That means we will need to request Rin Kanzaki to take on dungeon-clearing assignments.”  

“……That’s to be expected.”  

“However, she’s human too. Her capabilities have limits. We can make that impression clear to the public. If she refuses or fails to deliver sufficient results, the criticism will gradually shift toward her.”  

“…But wouldn’t that just increase criticism towards the Association if she refused our requests?”

The chairman voiced his concern, but Shiramine shook his head firmly.  

“There will be a certain number of critics, of course. However, criticism will also inevitably turn toward Rin Kanzaki. From there, we can amplify that criticism through the media and the internet. It would make a small group seem like the overwhelming majority. If her refusal leads to a failure in dungeon clearing and lower-ranked explorers suffer as a result—who do you think the public will blame?”  

“…….Not just the Association, but Rin Kanzaki as well?”  

When one of the directors voiced this, Shiramine allowed a faint smile to cross his lips.  

“Exactly. That’s the new content we can offer. From there, the Association’s signature information manipulation will steer public criticism toward Kanzaki. And after that, the public will naturally turn their expectations toward…… Haruto Amakusa.”  

“You mean to generate public opinion in favor of reinstating Amakusa?”  

“Precisely. By emphasizing Kanzaki’s failures and framing Amakusa’s return as the solution, we can create a powerful narrative. For the Association, this is the most efficient method, wouldn’t you agree?”  

(If the goal is solely to reinstate him, this approach is the quickest. Especially since Kanzaki and Amakusa appear to share a friendship.)  

If Rin reaches her breaking point, it’s likely Haruto will step in. Shiramine had anticipated this outcome.  

Silence fell over the conference room. While the directors understood the logic of Shiramine’s plan, some were visibly uncomfortable with its cold-hearted nature.  

“………What if Kanzaki fails to fulfill her assignments and something catastrophic happens?”  

“If that happens… it can’t be helped. Even Kanzaki has the right to refuse. We’ll address it as a matter of personal responsibility. Either way, the Association’s integrity remains intact.”  

(…Of course, the Association will still face criticism. But that’s inevitable.)  

The chairman sank into thought at Shiramine’s unflinching remarks.  

If Rin were to crumble under the Association’s pressure, it might further erode Haruto’s trust in them.  

Normally, such a strategy would be unthinkable. But in this room, there was nothing normal about the people gathered—everyone here cared only about preserving their positions.  

The chairman finally let out a deep sigh and spoke.  

“…Aizawa, can I entrust you with this matter?”  

“Me?”  

Kana Aizawa, the Director of Public Relations, raised her voice in surprise at the sudden nomination.  

“You’re the best person for the job. As Director of Public Relations, you’re already deeply involved with the media. Plus, your past experience as a model means you have strong ties in television. Manipulating public opinion is your specialty, isn’t it?”  

“Understood. First, I’ll reach out to Amakusa and confirm his interest in returning to S-rank.”  

“Yes, do that. If he comes begging to return, that would be the ideal outcome.”  

The chairman’s remark drew smirks from the other directors.  

“After all, he’s just a crude, low-class talent from an ordinary household, isn’t he? Wave enough money in front of him, and he’ll come running.”  

“That does seem likely.”  

The chairman and directors nodded in agreement.  

The atmosphere in the conference room relaxed at last. Though, a sense of dismissiveness toward Haruto began to take hold. Shiramine, however, observed the scene with a cold gaze.  

(There’s no way he wants to come back. These fools. My original plan was to recruit him after he quit as an S-Rank Explorer, but… with unexpected allies supporting him, things have gotten more complicated. ……..Well, I’ll deal with that in time.)  

If it weren’t for Kiryu’s livestream, Haruto would’ve already hit rock bottom………

Thinking this absent-mindedly, Shiramine exhaled quietly.  

Even from here, there were still ways to bring him down.  

(…We’ll force him to return as an S-Rank Explorer. And then, as an S-rank, we’ll ensure he faces relentless, unjust pressure.)  

In this world, even talented individuals can be targeted and torn apart.  

Especially among explorers—if rescue efforts fail, they are often subjected to unwarranted outrage. By escalating that irrationality, he could drive Haruto into a corner.  

(The Association members will have no choice but to go along with my plan. ……And when the time comes that Haruto has no one left by his side… that’s when I’ll make my move.)  

His quiet ambition smoldered within him, unbeknownst to everyone.