Fastest Level Up!

Kazami kept talking with a thin smile in front of me, who was remembering the incident that happened a year ago.

"I never thought I would reunite with Amane-kun in this kind of place. Would you kindly introduce me to the members of your party?"

"…My bad, but I don't have a party. Because I am a solo adventurer."

"…Solo? Ahaha, please stop joking around, Amane-kun. You need to be at least level 500 to solo capture this dungeon, you know?"

"I'm not joking around…. Look"

I showed my status screen to Kazami. It didn't matter since I will need to show my status to the dungeon supervisor soon anyway. However, it was possible to show only a part of it when others view one's status, so I only showed him my level while the skills and others were hidden of course..

Kazami widened his eyes when he saw my status.

"Level 682…? You?"

And then, he looked at me suspiciously. It's only natural because generally, I didn't have an ability that could make me grow this much in a year from the time I left Kazami's party. Furthermore, I was a solo adventurer. That's why he didn't believe that I could grow this much.

However, he didn't seem to be that shocked as he soon reverted back to his usual self.

"Haha, this is surprising. I never thought you could grow this much in just a year. I've been worried since you left our party but I am relieved to know that it seems you've been growing steadily."

"…Ha, look who's talking."

"Hmm? Did you say something?"

"No, nothing at all. Rather than that, it seems you guys have exceeded level 2000. Why is a party consisting of level 2000 adventurers like yours come to Kenzaki Dungeon?"

"Ah, the reason is… her!"

When I looked in the direction Kazami pointed to, an unfamiliar girl stood there. Honestly, I've been curious about her since a while ago. Because out of the five people that came with Kazami, four were my ex-party members. So of course, I knew them while she was the only one I had never seen.

The girl was looking the other way with her headphones on. She didn't look like someone who was going to enter a dungeon.

"Her name is Kurosaki Rei, a newcomer who just became an adventurer this year."

"…If she is together with you guys, does that mean… "

"Yes, it is as you expected. Although I won't explain the skill, she is a unique skill holder. Furthermore, a strong one at that. I promptly invited her to join my party [King of Unique] after I saw her talent. And today, we're here to raise her level."

"…Parasitism isn't good you know."

"There is no need to worry. Although she has been an adventurer just for two months, she has already surpassed level 300. Which means she is at a good level to challenge Kenzaki Dungeon. Thus, we're just here to aid her."

Level 300 in just two months, huh. Certainly, even with the aid of Kazami's party, it was a level that can't be reached without the talent of the person herself.

"Oops, let's stop the idle talk around here. Well then, I wish you good luck, Amane-kun."

"Aa, you too."

Kazami and his friends went to the waiting line after saying that. And of course, I was relieved because a troublesome person was finally gone.

"Jiii…."

"Hmm? Whoa!"

I was taken aback by a girl's face right in front of me when I raised my face after I feeling a strange gaze directed at me.

If I'm not wrong, her name is Kurosaki Rei. What on earth was she planning to do?

"You are… Amane Rin?"

"T-that's right. Do you have business with me? It seems your friends already went away though."

"It's not like I have business with you. I've heard Kazami-san and the rest talking about you once. And they said you are an incompetent who was an ex-member of this party."

"That bastard…"

I cursed him unconsciously because I didn't think that the negative campaign was still continuing even after I left their party.

However, what the heck is with this girl to say that kind of thing in front of the person himself. I was a little worried about whether this girl was being shunned at her school because she can't read the atmosphere. That's what I thought but…

"But, you don't look like someone incompetent."

"Eh?"

–It was unexpected that words like that came out of her mouth.

"Etto, on what basis are you saying that?"

"It was just an intuition. But if there is a reason, it's because I feel something resolute from you. It can also be said that you're confident. At least, it's not a behavior of someone who thinks that he is incompetent"

"Ooo…"

Looks like she is someone who has an acute sense of observation. Still, it doesn't feel so bad because it seems I was being recognized by her. Come here, Onii-chan will give you some sweets.

Well, leaving that aside. Why did she come all the way just to tell me that? Don't tell me…

"By any chance, are you being bullied in the party? And you want to consult me about it?"

"No, that isn't the case. I don't have much complaints since they're giving me a lot of support…except for one."

"…(Gulp)"

I gulped because I felt the atmosphere around her changed. It seems although she wasn't being bullied, there was something that she couldn't accept.

"Rin, can I ask something?"

"Aa, what is it?"

I felt that I had to respond to her feelings head-on. Hence, I didn't even care that she suddenly called me by my first name. In regards to that feeling of mine, she said;

"What do you think about the name of our party?"

"…"

When she asked that, what came to mind was something that happened a year ago. In front of all members of the party, Kazami said.

『All of us are geniuses who have a unique skill! Eventually, we will stand at the top of those who have unique skills…which means, being the King! That's why our party name is [King of Unique]!』

…Yup.

"Frankly, I think it's so lame."

"…I think so too!"

Kurosaki reached out her hand to me with a big smile on her face. I see, even though she thought that the party name was lame, no one shared the same thought as her, huh…Certainly, the other guys beside Kazami were also high spirited with that name.

Thus, I firmly shook her hand as if to respond to her sentiments.

"You are the first person that shares the same feelings as me. That's why, from now on, I want you to call me Rei."

"Aa, alright, Rei."

The King of Unique Victims Association has been established here. And once again I realized how similar our feelings were.

…What the heck is this.