When I returned from exploring the dungeon to save the world, I found out that my lover had been stolen, and I was blamed for the failed expedition. Enraged, I quit Japan's strongest party—only for them to self-destruct on their own. - Chapter 37

“Mr. Okita, please place your sword on the pedestal.”

Following instructions, I carefully set my katana down.

And, of course, I did it with precision and grace, fully committed to maintaining my polished character persona.

Haruka can never see this.

…Actually, maybe I should let her see.

This whole character bit is getting fun.

That aside, I was genuinely curious about the results.

My uncle gave me this sword when I first became an explorer, but I never asked for details.

Now was the perfect chance to finally find out.

“We’ll begin the analysis now. Please have a seat while you wait.”

Hibino gestured to a white-coated staff member, who then signaled to start the examination.

The room darkened.

A series of colorful lights began scanning my sword.

As the blade slowly floated in midair, its polished surface reflected the scanning lights, shimmering in rainbow hues.

It was almost hypnotizing to watch.

I’d always known it was a beautiful weapon, but seeing it like this made me appreciate it even more.

Eventually, the analysis concluded.

The scanning lights faded, the room lights came back on, and a staff member briskly approached Hibino with a printout.

Hibino read it.

His expression shifted.

“…Uh… Mr. Okita, I apologize…”

Apologize?

Did the scan come up blank?

That’d be a letdown, but honestly, not a big deal.

[Live Stream Comments]

: Uh-oh, what happened?
: Did they find NOTHING?
Hazuki: It’s unlikely they got nothing.
: Wait, wasn’t there that sword from the Berlin Dungeon, ‘Zanma’s Blade’? They could only identify its name and nothing else.
: Oh yeah, and that ended up with Germany’s top explorer, Farsis Kreuge.
: This is getting intense…
: Now I wanna test MY holy sword.
: Bro, yours would say ‘Grade: 20/100’ at best.
: LMAO GET REKT.

I wanted to respond to the chat, but Hibino’s hesitation was more pressing.

And also—wait, hold up.

They mentioned “Zanma’s Blade.”

Does that mean Effie’s tribe is connected to it?

And that one guy with the ‘holy sword’—I kind of wanna duel him now.

**”This machine identifies a weapon’s name, materials, manufacturing process, creator, creation date, combat stats, and special effects.

However… almost everything about your sword remains unknown.”**

“I see…”

[Live Stream Comments]

: So basically, it’s insane.
: That’s what I’m hearing.
: I mean, we SAW him slice up that Pacific Dungeon boss mantis like it was sashimi.
: That fight was legendary. Hazuki even streamed it!
: That was a masterclass in swordsmanship.
: Didn’t sword sales spike after that?
: If KIJ announces a katana next month, I’m buying.
: Same.
: …But what about their old quality issues?
: Bro, let it go.

**”The only thing we could identify… was the creator’s name.

But it’s an unknown name to us….”**

“Wait, what?”

[Live Stream Comments]

: Huh?
: Huh?!
: HUH?!
: …Can someone explain?
: I need an ‘upper-tier explorer’ to break this down.
Hazuki: This is HUGE. If the creator’s name is known, that means Koichi’s sword isn’t a dungeon drop—it’s a hand-forged blade.
: WAIT WHAT?!
: You’re telling me a person actually made THAT monster of a sword?!
: And yet KIJ doesn’t know the name?!
: Where has this smith been hiding?!
: I NEED ONE OF THESE BLADES.

“It only listed the given name—

‘Egrus.’”

“…”

My mind went blank.

No—wait.

No, no, hold on.

Give me a second.

I wasn’t prepared for this.

[Live Stream Comments]

: Uhhh, Koichi?
: Is he… crying?
: Nah, he’s just in shock.
**Hazuki: …Egrus? No way.
: YOU KNOW THE NAME?!
Kamiyama: Hold on. We need to pause this stream.
: Whoa, the Dungeon Association President just joined?!
Yokota: Stopping the stream now. Sorry, KIJ. Also—Mr. President, WHAT did you even hand Koichi?!
Kamiyama: I… didn’t know. I thought it was just my sister’s—Ransetsu’s—keepsake…
Yokota: And you gave it to him when he was just starting out as an explorer?!
Kamiyama: I didn’t know… I truly didn’t know…

“Uh… Mr. Okita, are you alright?”

“Ah… yeah. Sorry about that.”

Hibino sounded genuinely concerned.

I was starting to process it, but honestly—

The fact that Yokota was typing so much was just as shocking.

I mean, technically, it’s typing, not speaking.

But still.

Yokota: Sorry, we’re stopping the stream. Hibino, please handle things here. Also—viewers, we appreciate your patience.

[Live Stream Comments]

: Understood.
: Yeah, if Koichi’s actually emotional, we shouldn’t pry.
: …But real talk, Yokota typing this much is just as shocking.
**: WHY is she scolding the Dungeon Association President?!
: I DON’T KNOW, BUT I LOVE IT.
: If Yokota is angry, something huge just happened.
: I just wanna comfort Koichi…
: Haruka’s already on it, don’t worry.
: KIIIIIIIIIIIIIHHHH!!! (Jealous screaming)
: 【BREAKING】Koichi’s emotional face is making the maternal instincts in chat explode.