Chapter 53

We were able to defeat the Orc General and save Zero, but things didn’t settle down as smoothly as we had hoped.

After returning to the surface, Zero and I were severely reprimanded by the dungeon manager and Yozuki. Zero was scolded for challenging the final boss without waiting for the rescue team, and I was reprimanded for entering the nearly collapsing dungeon.

The atmosphere was far from one where we could discuss our teenage issues.

Regarding the details of defeating the final boss, we were able to get them to easily believe that we had fought to a draw with the wind seers. The main reason was that the labyrinth had already disappeared, leaving no way to verify the events. While challenging the final boss was foolish, many agreed that Zero, the weakest among us, had done well to protect me until the end. Despite this, Zero seemed a little dissatisfied, even though it was his own idea.

In any case, that was the end of the initial explanation. Zero seemed to want a more detailed account, but considering the mental strain from battling a powerful enemy and witnessing the deaths of several companions, we were allowed to return home for the day.

Now, Zero, Yui, and I were on our way back. The only thing left was how to explain things to Yui, but since Zero had a good idea, I decided to leave it to her.

Yui was the one who brought up the topic.

"Finally, we're free. So, Rin, what was it you wanted to explain later?"

"Didn’t you have a hunch?"

"Um... that you entered the gate even though we had cleared the dungeon yesterday?"

...Well, of course you knew.

I turned to Zero, and she nodded confidently.

"Yui, you’re a new adventurer, so you might not know this."

"Huh? What do you mean, Kurosaki-san?"

"When a labyrinth collapses, some of the dungeon’s mechanisms stop functioning. As a result, you can enter it regardless of the time span."

"Really!? I didn’t know that...! Rin, you should have told me beforehand!"

Hey, is it really that easy to fool her?

Yui believed Zero’s lie so easily that I almost wanted to ask if it was okay to be so gullible. I understand that she’s a new adventurer, but this method still had some issues.

I leaned in close to Zero and whispered to her.

"Zero, isn’t this a bit of a stretch? Even if you convince her now, she’ll learn more about dungeons and figure it out eventually."

"I know. When I said I had a good idea, I meant what comes next."

After a brief pause, Zero continued.

"I think Rin wants to keep her power hidden to avoid jealousy and interference from others."

"Right, that’s correct."

"Then it’s simple. Before Rin’s power becomes known, she should become strong enough to handle any hostility from others... ideally, the strongest in the world."

"Here we go again with your outrageous ideas..."

The strongest in the world, huh?

I wanted to dismiss it as nonsense, but... the ability to teleport within dungeons does have the potential to reach that level.

Imagining myself achieving that in the not-too-distant future, I took a slow, deep breath.

"Alright, I’ll go along with your plan."

"Great, I’m looking forward to it."

Zero nodded and smiled happily in response to my words.

And so, a bizarre race began: a competition to see who would become the world’s strongest and who would learn more about dungeons.

...Yeah, what is this?

After returning home, I enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Hana and then opened my status screen in my room. I noticed an unfamiliar title had been added.

"Hmm, 'Bringer of the End'... quite a ominous name."

This title is given to those who solo defeat the final boss, with a 30% stat boost during final boss battles. It’s a pretty good effect, but the issue came afterward.

"Error detected. Confirmed that part of the conditions were not met. Yeah, that makes sense. I didn’t exactly defeat it solo."

Fumimi and the others were fighting until I arrived, and Zero was waiting behind me after I got there. The irregularity probably occurred because I used my dungeon teleportation to enter alone after the boss room door closed.

"Well, you rarely fight a final boss in your lifetime. Even if I don’t get this title, it’s not a big deal for now."

I decided not to worry about it and concluded that I could try to get it again if the opportunity arose.

"More importantly, I need to increase the number of dungeons I’ve cleared."

What will happen when I clear the tenth dungeon? And I should also start leveling up my dungeon teleportation skill. I’m looking forward to how it will evolve when it reaches level 20.

"And through all of this, I’ll keep getting stronger—until I reach the top of the world."

Zero’s words made me realize that this was something I had once dreamed of. I’ll chase that dream again.

Once, I was captivated by the strength of adventurers. But the skill I received, dungeon teleportation, was useless. Despite that, I didn’t give up and kept working hard, which led to its awakening. With this power, I’ll aim to be the strongest in the world again.

This time, not as a dream, but as a real goal.

I’ll remember this day.

No, I’ll remember the one year and one month since I became an adventurer, and I’ll speak with determination, hoping that this resolve will lead to the future.

"I will become the world’s fastest and strongest."

【World’s Fastest Level-Up】 Chapter 1, End

This concludes Chapter 1!

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