Chapter 9

Time has passed, and today is May 7th, a Monday, the end of what the world calls Golden Week.

Everyone is getting used to their high school life, and the groups they hang out with in class and the parties they form in dungeons are becoming fixed. How is everyone doing these days?

By the way, I, who made my explorer debut as a peddler, have not joined a party formed by other merchants—indeed, I have not even been invited—and I continue to work energetically on my own.

In a sense, this is all according to plan, so I have no complaints. However, when I find myself on the receiving end of discrimination, I can't help but feel a sense of fear at the coexistence of the innocence of high school students and the corruption of adults.

While thinking, "If this continues, I'll probably be bullied soon," I open my status and look at the results of my efforts over the month since I obtained my job.

Name: Matsuo Atsushi

Level: 16

Job: Traveler

My level has reached 16 in less than a month, but I haven't cheated in any particular way. It's the result of several conditions aligning, allowing me to level up smoothly.

The first condition is that, like in games, the experience points required for leveling up are lower when your level is low, making it easier to level up in the early stages.

The second condition is that, since I explore dungeons solo, the experience points are not divided among party members as they are for explorers who form parties.

The third condition is that, with decent equipment, I can defeat enemies far above my level without taking any damage.

Additionally, by using the Traveler's unique skill, Room, I can rest efficiently, allowing me to level up in ways that other explorers cannot.

Ideally, I wanted to reach level 20, but if a student were to keep leveling up solo, it would draw attention, so I couldn't focus solely on efficient leveling.

During my leveling, other explorers in the dungeon asked me, "Are you alone?" or "Are you okay?"

Of course, I have a way to deal with such situations. I smile wryly and say, "I have a guard in a place you can't see..." This usually makes them say, "Oh, I see," and back off.

Serious explorers might think, "A rich kid is leveling up for fun," and feel uncomfortable, while malicious explorers might be wary of the "invisible guard" and keep their distance.

Or, they might simply think, "I don't want to get involved in any trouble."

After all, a situation where a child, equipped with gear that explorers use for the 20th floor, is leveling up solo—albeit with a guard—on the 15th floor is nothing but a troublesome scenario.

Anyone would keep their distance. I would do the same.

Ultimately, how people come to terms with it varies, but as long as they stay out of my way, there's no problem.

By the way, it seems that a rumor is spreading in the explorer community that "a rich kid is leveling up using equipment bought with his parents' money," but that's about it.

Incidentally, there's also a rumor that "he has an incredibly skilled guard who can't even be detected," but that has nothing to do with me.

In any case, I can level up safely and inconspicuously up to this point. Beyond this, a specific background is needed.

For example, something like "reviving a fallen family" or a similar reason is necessary to avoid any sense of inconsistency.

I already have a plan for that, but before I put it into action, let's check my current status.

Level 16

STR (Attack Power)......320

DEF (Defense)......310

VIT (Health)......310

MEN (Spirit)......315

SPD (Agility)......325

DEX (Dexterity)......325

MAG (Magic Attack)......310

REG (Magic Defense)......310

Each stat increases by 20 × 15 = 300, plus a +3 correction for each level up, 3 × 15 = 45. So, 300 × 8 = 2400, and 2400 + 45 = 2445.

At level 16, my stats already surpass those of a level 30 basic job, as you can see. I'm steadily progressing on the path to becoming a cheat.

If I equip the "Ring of +100 to All Stats" on both hands, my stats would be enough to fight a Guild Knight (though I'm not saying I can win).

I have already become extremely close to being the "strongest explorer in Japan," but that's just in terms of stats. Of course, that alone is not enough for me to achieve my goal of being the "strongest explorer in the world."

What I need is not experience—after all, I have the memory of challenging the 69th floor.

What I lack is a "social standing."

Don't think, "Is that all?"

If everything could be solved with just physical strength, that would be a different story, but in human society, social standing is essential.

Previously, I had the prestigious title of "a member of the world's strongest explorer party," which allowed me to receive decent treatment. Although I was treated like a slave within the guild, I had a certain level of influence outside, and it was more than enough to live comfortably.

Now, what about me?

I'm just a student, or rather, a student classified as a potential criminal because I have the job of a peddler. I have no social status or position.

If I continue to be an explorer without doing anything, I will inevitably face interference. Not only from individual explorers, but the guild itself might become my enemy.

For example, if I try to sell rare drop items, they might accuse me of selling stolen goods and confiscate them.

Then they would say, "If you don't want them confiscated, prove how you got them."

If I were to prove it, I would be placed under their surveillance and squeezed dry.

In fact, it would definitely happen. The guild is an organization that seeks the interests of the country and the organization, not a mutual aid group for explorers.

Therefore, they would use the noble cause of "for the country" to exploit me, even if it means framing me as a criminal.

There is no mercy in such a situation.

To counter the guild, which wields national power, there is only one way.

I need to obtain a "social standing," one that the guild members cannot easily touch.

Personal ability and sufficient social standing. Only with these two can I truly become the "strongest explorer."

I already have the power, and the gap will only widen from here.

Now, I need social status. I have already identified a target for obtaining it.

—Fujimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. It is a legitimate construction company that also runs a B-rank clan called Ryuuseikai, which seems to be a group of explorers who are essentially freelancers.

Thank you for reading.

I would be happy if you could bookmark and rate this.