I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 50

Episode 50

(Note: Special for this chapter, dialogues through the telephone are in ‘….’)

The voice on the phone was oddly familiar, with a casual tone that bordered on being overly friendly. But I recognized the name. She was a female department director within the Association, someone with a former career as a model that they loved to flaunt. Her face was constantly on TV, appearing here and there. So her name wasn’t unfamiliar to me.

Though irritation bubbled within, I tried to keep my expression neutral as I gave a short response.  

“Yes, that’s correct. What do you need?”  

……….Even I was surprised at how sharp my tone came out. I didn’t know my voice could sound this cold. But the person on the other end didn’t seem fazed in the slightest.  

‘Oh, well, actually! I wanted to ask you to promptly submit your S-Rank Explorer promotion application. I’ve called to follow up because, well, I assume you’ve already seen the documents, right? To save time, I’d like to confirm verbally when you plan to return.’  

Her voice had a tone as if accepting was only natural—maybe she had been instructed to push forward with such confidence. Either way, it only fueled my frustration.  

This woman…. 

I didn’t want to stoop to hurling harsh words, but I took a small breath and answered as calmly as possible. 

“Oh, that? I’ve already torn it up, so I don’t have it anymore.”  

A moment of silence.  

What followed was a voice dripping with disbelief.  

‘…Excuse me? W-What do you mean?’

“Exactly what I said. I tore it up. I have no intention of returning as an S-Rank Explorer. Is that all you wanted to discuss?”  

I figured such a firm response would make her back off. But instead, her voice rose sharply through the phone.  

‘No, no, no, this is a problem! We *need* your strength, Amakusa-san!’  

“You didn’t need it before, seeing as you rejected me and threw me out. Anyway, it’s of no benefit to me. If there ever comes a time I see merit in it, I might reapply. Feel free to wait as long as you’d like.”  

Keeping my tone icy, I delivered the statement. Her voice noticeably shifted. It was tinged with desperation now.  

‘Wait, hold on! There’s also the matter of responsibility as an explorer, you see—’  

“…I’m busy, so I’ll be ending this call now.”  

‘Wait a minu—’  

Before she could finish, I hung up. Listening to her irritating tone any longer was going to ruin my mood.

With a sigh, I set my phone aside and turned my eyes back to my computer screen. What I wanted to focus on now was submitting disclosure requests against those who had subjected my family to harassment.  

I had no time to waste entertaining the Association’s ridiculous demands. Being an S-Rank Explorer was a luxury I couldn’t afford right now. ……..Not that there was much for me to do personally since most of it had been handed off to a lawyer.  

Through Miyoshi-san, I’d consulted a lawyer he knew. And the whole thing was pretty much left in their hands. I didn’t care if pursuing this stained my reputation further. Just because someone hides behind anonymity doesn’t mean they can do whatever they please.  

If it were up to me, I’d meet them face-to-face and beat the crap out of them. But unfortunately, modern laws don’t allow for such direct resolutions.  

Regardless, even if it leads to financial losses, I’m prepared to file as many disclosure requests as needed. For that, I’ll need to keep earning as an explorer.  

Hehehe…  

Ah, no, this bitterness is definitely making me a little petty.  

Besides that… there’s the matter of recruitment offers from S-Rank Explorer organizations in other countries. Invitations are pouring in from all over the world in various languages. I need to decide what to do about them.  

To be clear, I don’t dislike the job of an explorer itself.  

When I can work quietly, freely, and at my own pace, delving into dungeons is actually enjoyable.  

That’s the kind of peaceful life I want to maintain. But..… will this country—or even the world—let me?  

S-Rank Explorers are rare, not only in Japan but globally.  

As for Japan’s explorer industry, it’s an absolute mess. It’s riddled with corruption, profit-skimming, and entrenched interests. The support we’re supposed to get based on the budget? Practically non-existent.

To be honest, if I were only thinking about making money, signing a contract with another country and working abroad would undoubtedly be the better choice.  

However, for me… my family life is also a big factor. I don’t dislike living in Japan. After all, it’s my birthplace, my home, and the most comfortable place to live.  

…….…Maybe I could contract with another country, operate primarily in Japan, and squeeze high fees out of the Explorer Association for any jobs they send my way?  

I’d probably get roasted online again for that.  

Still, I think quietly working solo as a freelance explorer is the best approach. If the Explorer Association in Japan decides to leave me alone, I’d have no problem with that.  

…But, is that even possible?  

They’re already pressuring me with their condescending demands to “reapply”. I can’t imagine they’ll just stay quiet going forward.  

To protect myself from them, I need a position or backing strong enough to resist state-level authority.  

As an explorer, my abilities only protect me physically—and only myself at that.  

………What I need is a different kind of strength.  

Not brute force, but status… a kind of political or influential power.  

………Well, honestly, if they just leave me and the people around me alone, I wouldn’t even need that kind of power.  

To be frank, no matter how corrupt the Explorer Association is, or even if all the shady rumors about them circulating online turn out to be true, I wouldn’t care as long as they stayed out of my business.  

Dealing with them only ever leads to headaches.  

But if they decide to come after me again….… I might have to prepare myself for a full-blown confrontation with the Association.