I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 9

Episode 9 

When I got home, Mom was still sitting at the table.  

It seemed she had been waiting for me to eat together.  

Mom is thoughtful like that.  

I can tell she tries to spend as much time as possible with me.  

If I were just a regular student, I might have hit a rebellious phase and snapped, “You’re so annoying!” or something. 

But I never really had a rebellious phase.  

Not because I didn’t want to—it’s just that I didn’t have the time or luxury for it! Every single day, I was being summoned to dungeons!  

“You didn’t have to wait, you know? It’s probably gotten cold.”  

“No way. I can’t just eat leisurely while you’re working so hard. Are you hurt or anything?”  

“Nah, I’m fine. It was just a bunch of weaklings. Don’t worry so much, Mom. I’m an S-Rank Explorer, remember?”  

“..…I still worry. If you have kids someday, and they become explorers, you’ll understand.”  

Will I, though?  

To be honest, Mom, I don’t think you’ll ever see grandkids from me.  

I don’t want to create a place to return to.  

I’ve seen it on TV before—stories about families whose explorer never came back. They all looked so sad.  

Explorers are better off alone.  

Mom smiled, and our meal resumed.  

It was while I was sipping my miso soup that she dropped a bombshell.  

“I’ve been thinking about remarrying.”  

“WHAAAT!?”  

I choked and coughed.  

Looking at her, she was laughing. She was clearly amused.  

“You timed that on purpose, didn’t you?”  

“Haha, sorry, sorry.”  

“Geez… Don’t spring something like that on me all of a sudden!”  

But then her expression changed.  

It was still her usual kind smile, but there was a seriousness in her eyes that wasn’t normally there.  

“It’s not a joke.”  

“…Wait, seriously!? Congratulations!”  

“Thank you. But, Haruto… If you’re not okay with it, I won’t push it. But there’s someone I’ve been considering.”  

Mom looked a little embarrassed as she said that.  

I was surprised, sure, but I quickly smiled and responded.  

“No, no, it’s not like I’m against it or anything! If anything, I’m happy for you! It’s great you’ve found someone you like again!”  

When I said that with a smile, Mom blushed a little and smiled back shyly.  

“…Well, if you’re okay with it… There’s talk about meeting them sometime. Do you have any free days during winter break?”  

“Eh, I’m pretty open. Just let them know I might get called to a dungeon, and we should be fine.”  

“Hmm… Then I’ll ask if January 7th works for them.”  

“Got it. I’ll keep that day open.”  

Mom looked happier than usual.  

She must really like this person.  

To be honest, I’ve caused her so much trouble that all I can do is pray this person isn’t trying to scam her or anything.  

But don’t worry, Mr. Fiancé—I’ll be watching you like a hawk.  

That said, if Mom remarries, it’ll actually put me at ease.  

If something ever happens to me, she’ll have someone to support her.  

“Oh, by the way, have you told them about me?”  

That was the biggest concern. Who would willingly marry into a family with someone like me, who’s notorious for bad press?  

There’s always the possibility they’re just after money… After all, I’m still an S-rank explorer. Even in that stingy Kamino Town dungeon, I’m pulling in billions.  

(Note: 1 billion yen is about 6.5 million dollars, give or take.)

“Of course. When I told them you’re an S-rank explorer, they were really surprised!”  

Well, yeah, they’d be surprised. Probably not in a good way, though.  

“….…Did they say anything?”  

“No, not really. I made sure to explain how hard you work, so they believed me.”  

Mom clenched her fist in a little victory pose.  

…Still, I doubt they completely believe her.  

If they look me up online, they won’t find much good.  

This is another way I’ve been causing trouble for Mom.  

That’s why I’ve been trying to increase my record of taking down abnormal species. But for some reason, my encounter rate with them is abysmal!  

Even when there’s an abnormal outbreak, I don’t have time to leisurely collect magic stones during emergencies. And if Kamino Town Dungeon activates in the meantime, I won’t have time to go back for them later, either.  

“Well, in any case, I’m glad for you. Congrats, Mom.”  

“…Thank you. Oh, by the way, they have a child too. So we’ll be a family of four from now on.” 

“Wait, really? A boy or a girl?”  

“A girl. She’s a cute one.”  

“Huh… Wait, you’ve already met her?”  

“Yeah, a few times… I thought dealing with a teenage girl might be tricky.” 

“Teenage boys aren’t exactly easy either, you know?” 

“But you’re fine, Haruto. You get along with everyone right away.” 

If I really got along with people, I wouldn’t have the kind of reputation I do online! 

Still…… a teenage girl, huh? 

Does that mean I’m going to be an older brother? 

Honestly, that’s kind of exciting. 

Big Brother, Onii-chan, Ani-san, Nii-san, Aniki, Oni, Oni-tama

.

.

.

….. yeah, any of those works. 

Thank goodness for the variety in Japanese. English wouldn’t have this many options for sibling terms. 

Depending on her age, maybe I could even teach her to call me by my ideal nickname… 

…Onii-sama, perhaps? 

As I was pondering this while sipping my miso soup, Mom casually dropped another bomb. 

“She’s sixteen this year.” 

“That’s not a *girl* anymore!” 

“How rude. Women are girls no matter how old they get!” 

“No, they aren’t! …Wait, is this even okay? Like, is everything fine?” 

“It’s fine, as long as you don’t attack her.” 

“That’s not what I meant!” 

Honestly, she probably already dislikes me. 

At that age, she’s likely all over social media. And I’m sure she’s come across the stuff people post about me. 

Back in school, the girls in my class would show me posts, saying, “Look at what they’re saying about you on social media!” Stop showing me that! 

I’ve gotten used to it now, though. I just think of it as zoo animals making noise and move on. 

“Well… I think it’ll be fine.” 

“…And, anyway, having someone of the opposite sex your age living under the same roof? She’s probably going to hate that. By the way, where are we going to live? Here or at their place?” 

If it’s their place… well, I’ll probably stay here. No way am I leaving the Kamino Town Dungeon unattended. 

“Actually, he wants to move here. Apparently, he’s being transferred to work in Akisaki City.” 

“..…I see.” 

“Yeah, and that’s when he proposed to me…” 

“I get it. You two are really fiery, huh?” 

“Should I turn off the AC?” 

“Not that kind of heat! I meant your *relationship*!” 

Mom chuckled softly. Then I asked her a serious question. 

“Should I move out?” 

I make enough as an S-rank explorer to live on my own, after all. 

Most of the profit from the magic stones we harvested during the Kamino Town Dungeon surges went to me. 

The rest was split among the explorers who helped transport the stones and handle administrative tasks. 

Even if the stones weren’t of the highest quality, the payout was still equivalent to an average monthly salary for a working adult. 

So yeah, I’d be fine living on my own. 

I was thinking it might be better for the new stepsister if I wasn’t around, but Mom shook her head seriously. 

“No.” 

“Why not? I’ve been thinking it’s about time for me to live on my own anyway. Maybe bring a girl home or something.” 

“Then bring her here. I’ll keep an eye on you.” 

“No way!” 

When I yelled, Mom just stared at me intently. 

“……If you’re on your own, you’ll push yourself too hard. You already are.” 

“I’m not doing anything reckless, though…” 

“If I leave you alone, you’ll start living in a dungeon, won’t you?” 

“…That’s not a bad idea.” 

She glared at me. 

“Kidding!” 

“…You already sleep in dungeons when the surges get bad. I can’t always be around because of work, but I can’t let you out of my sight entirely.” 

…She’s serious about this. 

If she’s that worried about me, I can’t just leave on my own. 

“Fine, fine. I’ll stay for now.” 

When I said that, Mom smiled. 

The lighthearted atmosphere from earlier seemed to have vanished. So I decided to bring it back with a question. 

“…So, where and how did you meet him?” 

“Oh? Hmm… It was during a business trip. I got lost in an unfamiliar area, and he came up to me.” 

“I see. So he helped you find your way?” 

“No, actually, he asked me, ‘Do you know where this place is?'” 

“Both of you were lost!?” 

I haven’t even met him yet. But if he’s anything like Mom, he might be a bit scatterbrained. 

If both my parents end up being airheads, I can’t help but feel a bit anxious about my soon-to-be stepsister. 

Still… I’m kind of looking forward to it.