I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 60

Episode 60

Rin stumbled forward. She had  defeated the Hell Ogre,

In the end, it took her about two days to clear the dungeon she had been assigned to. 

But there was no sense of joy in her accomplishment. 

All that remained was the feeling that another piece of her heart had been chipped away. 

After completing the dungeon, Rin sent a brief report message to the Association and returned to her room. 

Dragging her exhausted body, she collapsed onto her bed. 

The memories of the dungeon battles, her mother’s words, and the online criticisms swirled in her mind. 

The criticism online showed no signs of abating. 

Apparently, disparaging comments about her had started appearing more frequently on TV as well. They were accompanied with clips being shared widely. 

Ironically, over the past few days, she had grown accustomed to looking up such information. 

Though she was never particularly skilled with her smartphone before, she had become proficient at ego-searching. 

And as she read through countless heartless posts, tears welled up in her eyes. 

It felt as though the whole world had turned against her. 

No matter how much she wanted to change things, reality remained unyielding. 

Tears streamed down her face as she whispered: 

“……..Haruto.” 

She glanced at his name saved in her contacts. She was contemplating whether to call his number. 

He had helped her before; perhaps he might help her again. 

For now, just hearing his voice would be enough. 

But anxiety held her back. 

What if he rejected her too? 

Rin clutched her phone tightly, unable to move. 

Her trembling fingers couldn’t press the “Call” button. 

“…It’s a bother, isn’t it?” 

Maybe Haruto hated her just like everyone else. 

Reaching out to him might only drag him into her troubles. 

After all, Rin hadn’t been able to do anything for him when he was criticized. 

While she hadn’t been fully aware of his struggles, asking for his help now felt selfish. 

These thoughts stopped her from acting. 

But the inescapable reality continued to crush her. 

“…Help me…” 

Her trembling voice dissolved into the quiet of the night. 

— 

(Back to MC’s Perspective)

I was taking a break in my room, idly fiddling with my phone. 

As usual, my name had popped up again online. 

Lately, there’s been an increase in articles about whether I should return as an S-Rank Explorer. 

They’re saying I should be reinstated as an S-Rank Explorer or something. 

But as per the regulations, unless I apply for it myself, the Association can’t make that decision unilaterally. 

I suppose they could revise the rules, but they were just updated recently. 

Perhaps the higher-ups’ pride—or public opinion—won’t allow them to make changes so soon. 

It seems they’re trying to get me to say, “Please reinstate me.” But of course, I have no intention of doing that. 

Frankly, I have no plans to cooperate with them at all. 

Though there’s been an uptick in criticism directed at me, I couldn’t care less. 

While I was lost in thought, a voice called out from the next room. 

“Onii-chan, can I come in for a sec?” 

Without waiting for an answer, Yuna barged into my room. 

“What’s up?” 

“It’s about Rin. Have you talked to her recently?” 

I blinked in surprise. 

“………Rin? Why?” 

“…You haven’t been checking the message boards?” 

“I’ve searched my name a few times, yeah.” 

To keep tabs on anyone criticizing my family, of course. 

That’s what I was thinking when Yuna thrust her phone toward me. 

“…Rin’s been getting a lot of flak online.” 

“Eh? Seriously?” 

“Yeah, just look at this.” 

I took the phone from her and peered at the screen. 

It displayed a thread from an online forum. 

Rin’s name was plastered all over it. It was accompanied by an endless stream of disparaging comments. 

“Look at this. It’s gotten really bad.” 

“…Wow…” 

I stared at the malicious words directed at Rin. 

“What the hell is this?” 

It felt like the hate that used to be directed at me had now shifted onto Rin. 

Why do people always need a punching bag?

“Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about Rin not doing any work, or refusing to take on tasks. So, I got a little worried and sent her a message. But she hasn’t replied.” 

“………..I see.” 

I immediately understood the situation. 

As an S-Rank Explorer, with Kiryu-san currently on a break, it seems that Rin is shouldering the burden alone now. 

It was something that was originally handled by the two of them. So it’s impossible for one person to manage it all. 

I know that it’s not easy to quickly replace personnel, so I could have imagined this kind of future, but… why is she being criticized so much? 

…Clearing dungeons every day is impossible under normal circumstances. 

Going to school or going to work every day—just doing those things can be exhausting. So it’s only natural to take breaks in-between when clearing dungeons.