An Incompetent Explorer Who Failed to Make His High School Debut but Mastered Being a Human Being

Episode 240: Exams and a reunion after a long time

 At the same time as I became on vacation, I receive a phone call notifying me of a rank-up test.

"Two days. I wonder if that much is an error. Take the test and then leave, 'both of us'."

 Moreover, for me and Shia both.

 It's been about a month since the world's simultaneous multiple Stampedes happened. It seems that the rank-up test has finally resumed.

 I feel like it's a bit late for Shia, but she,

"I didn't redeem magic stones."

 said that.

 It seems that she wasn't contributing enough because she didn't convert the magic stones into money much, but since her parents came back and found out that she spent the money, they gave her the money because it was their fault.

 However, the gift tax is troublesome and I don't really understand it, and Shia has a considerable amount of magic stones sleeping in her bag. It seems that the amount of money that was saved has been returned.

 Of course, the lowest possible rank Bonus magic stones.

 It might be suspicious for a low-rank explorer to have a high-rank magic stone. But the clerk who I exchanged with didn't say anything at all.

 I wonder if that is the reason why I am being contacted now.

"It seems to be the Forest Dungeon for me, but what about Shia?"

"Same."

"I see. Then, let's go together."

"Nn."

 The test site for both of us is the same Forest Dungeon. I think it's probably because the Forest Dungeon is the only D-rank dungeon that didn't have a disappearance incident.

 We don't have any reason to go separately, so we ride the train together and head for the dungeon.

"Oh, that is."

 When we arrive at the dungeon, two explorers who looked to be examiners are standing a short distance away, waiting for us. One of the two is a woman whom I don't know at all, but the other is someone who left a deep impression on me, so I recognize them right away.

"Arakaki-san!!"

 Yes, the examiner in charge of my exam is Arakaki-san, the C-rank explorer who was in charge of my previous E-rank promotion exam.

"Ah, you!! I see, you're a participant today ..."

 He didn't know that today's participant was me. I wonder if the information of the participants is only known after arriving. I didn't know about that.

 He has a confused look on his face, but what's wrong?

"What happened?"

"No, it's nothing. D, do you know that girl over there?"

 After shaking his head at my question, Arakaki-san looks at Shia while asking me nervously.

 No wonder. There's no doubt that you'll be captivated by her cuteness when you meet her for the first time. I'm used to it now, but I remember being quite nervous at first.

"Yeah, she's my party member."

"I, I see, if it's your party member, she must be very good."

 In response to my explanation, Arakaki-san shows a different, impatient smile from before.

"No, no, I'm no match for Shia."

"Really? That's ridiculous. For the time being, that girl should listen to the explanation from Rokujou-san."

"Nn."

 Since Shia has already surpassed me, I shake my head, but for some reason Arakaki-san's face pales and he immediately sends Shia to listen to the other examiner.

 Shia nods with an expressionless face and goes to the female explorer named Rokujou who was a little further away and starts listening to the explanation.

"Hahahahaa. She's quite the unique child."

"She's like that to almost everyone."

 Arakaki-san, who sees that Shia doesn't change her expression at all and doesn't even greet him, returns his gaze to me with a wry smile.

"Kohon ... I'll leave the matter to Rokujou-san, and I'll explain this exam to you."

"Yes, my best regards."

 Arakaki-san regains his composure and begins to explain the exam.

"This time, you will first subjugate ten D-rank monsters, just like last time. After that, I'll have you camp and then the test is over. D-rank and C-rank dungeons usually exceed 20 floors. In that case, it will be necessary to camp on the way. Of course, if you form a party, there will be no problem, but there are times when you get separated, so I want you to show me the power of camping alone."(TN:That's assuming you can't plow through 20+ floors in one day ...)

"I understand."

 I see. Does that mean that this time it's a test of your battle power against D-rank monsters and how comfortable the camp will be.

 D-rank monsters are small-fry for me, who has considerably raised my proficiency, which is a hidden test, and for camping, I have a lot of items in the space expansion bag.

 It's like we're promised a comfortable camp.

"Any questions?"

"I don't have to worry about Arakaki-san's camp when I'm camping, right?"

"Of course. I just follow and watch and do nothing. Camping is also on me, so you don't have to worry about it."

 I ask Arakaki-san what I was wondering about.

 It seems that I don't have to worry about Arakaki-san while camping.

"I understand. Also, after we go camping, will we just come back?"

"That's right. Is there a problem?"

"No, is it okay if I go through the dungeon?"

 The next thing to worry about is after the camp. If I go to the trouble of camping, it will take the same amount of effort to return even if I go through it, and I might find something interesting if I go deeper.

"Huh?"

 That's what I thought when I asked, but perhaps Arakaki-san didn't expect to be asked such a question, his mouth opens wide and he has a dumbfounded expression.

 Did he not hear me?

"That, I'm asking if it's okay to go through after camping."

"U, umm, if you can do it, that's fine."

"I understand."

 Just in case, when I ask him again, Arakaki-san, who is looking into the distance, focuses on me and agrees that there is no problem.

"Then, let's go quickly."

"Yes."

 The examiner gives me approval, so I pass through the Forest Dungeon gate in high spirits.