Chapter 87

The next morning.

Having accepted a designated request at the Explorer Association's Eastern Capital Branch the previous day, we met up at the Central Capital Station.

"Allen, you look quite the explorer now. It's no wonder you, 'Ren,' who dramatically broke the 500-year-old record for B-rank promotion in the kingdom, are so impressive."

My senior looked at my outfit and said this with a teasing tone.

I had told my senior, who had taken care of me, and Al and Coco, who work with me, about my activities as 'Ren.'

"Thank you. It's all thanks to the day I experienced exploration with you and the introduction to the Association you gave me. Well, my promotion record is just a gimmick because Ojiki found it amusing, so it's kind of a cheat, you know."

Recently, I consulted with Rouge, the branch manager of Singroad, a capital city armory, and completely renewed my equipment.

First, I replaced the knife I lost during the Honey Ant nest extermination with a simple short sword, about 40 cm in length, made by the same Vanry company, which I attached to my belt.

It's suitable for dismantling, harvesting, and combat. Prioritizing sharpness, it requires a bit of maintenance, but I quite like it, including its handling difficulty.

I didn't intend to change my armor as I hadn't found it inconvenient, but Rouge worriedly said that my current level was too high for beginner armor. She recommended a vest with a belt for the short sword, which is more mobile and offers better protection, so I bought it as suggested.

Additionally, although I was very attached to it and felt quite nostalgic, I graduated from Rigo's bow and switched to a composite bow called the Partia bow, made from multiple materials.

Rouge, who is good at business, suggested that buying everything together would be cheaper and more cost-effective. Besides, I needed to graduate from it eventually, and after trying it out, I felt that it was more suitable for improving my natural bow skills, so I don't regret the change.

The effective range is 200 meters, and the maximum distance is about 600 meters, which is roughly twice the performance of my previous bow.

It's a bit harder to handle, but Rouge chose something similar to Rigo, so the operability is basically the same.

When Rouge saw me in my new equipment, she said, "As a B-rank explorer, it's the minimum, but you look a bit better, Ren."

Since I am the B-rank explorer 'Ren,' and thanks to Ojiki's influence, I thought it was almost unknown, but when I wondered why she knew, she said, "I'm a fan of the explorer 'Ren.' I may look like this, but I'm tight-lipped. I won't tell anyone, so don't worry," and laughed.

I think I did a good job with a budget of 30,000 reals, but when the deputy branch manager, Lund, approached me at the checkout, he smiled wryly, so perhaps I got quite a discount.

We boarded the first magic train of the day and headed for our destination, the city of Robles in the Dialmack region.

◆

It takes 8 hours by magic train to the capital of the Dialmack region, and another 4 hours by magic car.

We arrived at the city of Robles.

The nearby forests and grasslands are rich in resources, and a considerable number of mid-level explorers are active in this city.

"First, let's visit the Explorer Association's branch office. We need to check if there are any dangerous monster sightings. We'll also borrow preservation sacks to bring back monster materials and sell the materials we obtain, except for the magic moss, on our way back. After we're done, we'll get a room and rest early. We'll leave before dawn tomorrow."

Preservation sacks are general-purpose bags for explorers with effects like refrigeration, anti-corrosion, and deodorization, used for exploring areas with poor roads, such as dense forests.

"Understood."

◆

The Explorer Association's Robles branch office was a wooden building with a typical atmosphere, unlike the capital.

I was nervous about what might happen as I stepped through the door, but we reached the reception without being scrutinized by the locals, who didn't give us the once-over.

It's a fairly large town, and the capital is nearby, so outsiders come and go frequently.

Well, it's an important request from my senior. If we can handle it smoothly, that's best.

I've already had enough of getting into fights with hot-headed idiots in the capital.

"Hello. We're from the capital and plan to go harvesting in the southern forest. Are there any suitable requests? We also want to borrow two medium-sized preservation sacks."

The plump lady at the reception smiled at Senior Riad.

"Oh, you're a handsome man to be an explorer. The southern forest is dangerous this season with many strong monsters. It's impossible for a handsome man and three boys. I'm not saying it to be mean, but go to the western grasslands. Yuke grass and Coper grass are currently fetching high prices."

"Hehe. I'm a B-rank explorer, so it's fine. Here's my license. The others behind me are also quite capable. Is there any dangerous information different from usual?"

The lady's eyes widened when she saw Senior Riad's license.

"Oh, I apologize. You're Riad Ghoosh, the ace of the Eastern Capital Branch. You're as handsome as they say. We even have Riad-sama fans among our branch staff. Since it's just the season for many strong monsters, if you say you're fine, you're probably fine. Could you show me the licenses of the three behind you? If you're taking a request, we need to register your party."

We showed our licenses as requested.

"Hmm, Aldore and Konial. You're D-rank at your age, so you must be from the Royal Academy like Riad. Impressive. And you are—"

The lady's eyes widened again when she saw my license.

"…Are you the 'Mad Dog' that the staff have been talking about? Tsk! I hear you run around causing trouble wherever you go. If you cause any problems in this branch, we'll kick you out immediately! What were the higher-ups thinking, making someone like you a B-rank? Don't get cocky just because you're strong!"

The explorers, who had been indifferent, started whispering and pointing.

…That's why I didn't want to break the precedent and become a B-rank…

I need to clear this up.

I want to be treated normally at each branch, not fawned over as 'Lord Ren.'

"Excuse me, it's a misunderstanding! I've never started a fight—"

"Your excuses are useless! I heard you attacked the president of the Shell Association with an iron pipe on your first meeting and got thrown out. You also knocked out senior explorers at a bar and then drank the house dry, using up the 100,000 reals you earned from the Honey Ant nest extermination in one night! What kind of delinquent are you at your age? The branch chief heard this directly from the Shell president, so you can't deny it!"

The commotion in the branch grew louder.

"Hey, you baldy! Spreading interesting stories you conveniently cut out for snacks again!"

I reaffirmed my resolve to make that baldy cry one day and inadvertently let out a killing intent.

"Ah!"

"…It's good to see Ren enjoying being an explorer. For now, could you calm down your killing intent? The receptionist is shocked."

"Ah, sorry."

When I calmed down, the receptionist sighed.

"Phew. You revealed your true nature right away. Still, to calm down the 'Mad Dog' that even the Shell president couldn't control with just a few words, you're truly impressive, Riad. You're really the real deal."

The plump lady said this in a dreamy voice, like a girl infatuated with a celebrity.

It's quite a blow to be called a 'true nature,' but I felt good about gaining a new Riad-sama fan and smiled.

"Senior Riad is someone I look up to!"

The infatuated girl suddenly turned back into a plump lady.

"Tsk! Show me what a real B-rank is like! Don't cause trouble for Riad-sama!"

The stark contrast in her treatment of me and Senior Riad is quite severe…