I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 89

Episode 89 

As the meal progressed and the pot was about halfway empty, Kirishima-san was adding the finishing touch: udon noodles. At that moment, Saotome-san glanced at the pot and casually murmured. 

“So, I was thinking about discussing the schedule for investigating the Kamino Town Dungeon… Is that alright?” 

“Yes, that’s fine.” 

After all, that was the main purpose of today’s gathering. 

Although, due to everyone’s relaxed atmosphere, we hadn’t yet touched on the topic. 

“The schedule I have in mind for now…… is to use the weekends to dive into the dungeon. Does that work?” 

“You’ll submit a request to the school, right?” 

That was a safeguard, just in case the weekends weren’t enough. 

“Ah, yes. No problem. You may not be an S-Rank Explorer anymore, but using the Explorer Special Exemption System shouldn’t be an issue.” 

If an explorer needs to enter a dungeon for a reason recognized by the Association, they can apply in advance. And it won’t count as an absence. 

S-Rank Explorers wouldn’t face such issues in the first place. But since I’m currently an A-Rank Explorer, I need to follow the procedure properly. 

Well, permission has already been granted for the Kamino Town Dungeon investigation. And given that I’m being requested as an accompanying explorer for the mission, it’s unlikely that the Association would reject it. 

“And if your studies are somehow neglected during that time, I’ll teach you. So don’t worry.” 

“…Well, thank you for that.” 

Personally, academics are not my strong suit. 

While I was thinking about that, Rin raised her hand enthusiastically. 

Perhaps she attracted more attention than she expected, as she quickly averted her gaze in embarrassment. 

“I-I also… want to join.” 

“Huh? I don’t mind, but… we only have the budget to cover the cost for Amakusa-kun as a bodyguard. We can’t pay for anything too expensive.” 

At Saotome-san’s words, Rin quickly shook her head. 

“I-I… want to become stronger… so, I thought I’d fight strong monsters and… gain experience.” 

“Ah… I see, that’s your aim. Amakusa-kun, what do you think?” 

“…I don’t mind, personally. Are you okay with taking nearly a week off?” 

“Y-Yeah, it’s fine. My grades are already terrible anyway.” 

“……………Isn’t that *not* fine?” 

“I’ll manage.” 

That’s probably because she’s an S-Rank Explorer, so she’s excused from a lot of things……. 

But if she doesn’t stay active, won’t she face demotion? Is she okay with that? 

“Don’t worry. If I teach her, she should be able to avoid failing in no time.” 

“…Uh, I-I don’t really need that much tutoring…” 

“Well, if I can have two S-Rank Explorers accompany us, I’d feel much more reassured. So, I’d be delighted.” 

“…Can I come with you too, Haruto?” 

Rin looked at me intently. With those teary eyes staring at me, there was no way I could say no. 

“Alright. Well, fighting strong monsters is probably the quickest way to gain experience.” 

“Yeah… I’ll do my best.” 

As Rin clenched her fist with determination, Yuna tilted her head. 

“Speaking of which, I don’t know much about explorers… Can you really get stronger by fighting monsters?” 

“Well, there are limits, but yeah.” 

“On that note, let me explain in detail!” 

With a confident smile, Saotome-san put down her chopsticks and leaned forward. 

“The mechanism behind getting stronger by defeating monsters can be divided into two major processes. The first is ‘Mana Absorption’. When you defeat a monster, the residual energy—essentially mana—spreads into the surrounding area. Our bodies absorb that as the basic process.” 

As I glanced at Saotome-san, she was fully in lecture mode. Even though she still kept her eyes on the pot………. 

While most explorers understand this instinctively, hearing it in technical terms makes it feel much more complex. Still, it’s easier to grasp now than before. It was all thanks to her simpler wording. 

“This mana binds to the innate ability factor within our bodies, enhancing us on a cellular level. When the ability factor is activated, muscle density increases, reflexes become sharper, and so on. In short, you get stronger. Mana also boosts the body’s natural healing capabilities. Which is why injuries sustained in battle heal more quickly.” 

“I see……….. So, in other words, if you don’t have an ability, you can’t become stronger in the first place. Is that correct?” 

“That’s right. Because of that, there’s a sort of barrier between those who possess abilities and those who don’t. The sports industry, for example, has excluded people with abilities for now.” 

“That’s true.” 

There are people like me who were born with innate abilities and magic. And there are also those whose abilities awaken suddenly one day. 

Some might have been striving to become professional athletes, only to have their abilities awaken and be barred from entering that field. 

Ability users… are clearly on a different level. It often leads to them being excluded by ordinary people. 

This divide and the entanglements that come with it are likely major reasons why discrimination exists in various forms.