Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 4 - Ch. 216.2 - Epilogue (1)

"Monster was calling out my name. I was somehow able to understand the monster's words. My hell beasts have started to call me King. Ibuki Douji called that monster the king of the present era. And......Leon-san, you, also showed interest in me."

"Haha, nice joke. Well, I will not deny though."

Leon replied in a teasing manner.

"What does nine kings even mean? I believe you know about this better than anyone else in the world, Leon-san."

"Who knows...I don't know much about them either."

"Huh?"

"My intel is no different from others. What was it, 'the world shall welcome a transformation when the nine kings gather'? Yup, I only know that much."

"I see."

"One of them is Kuro Fuyuki. Jay’s kid, the apple of his eyes, has also been confirmed to be one of them. But the question is…which side are you on?"

"T-There are...another side to it?"

".........Indeed. In fact, there is also a continuation to that prophecy---The Nine Kings shall become the sword that slays Nine Beasts. The Nine Beasts shall become the shield that ruins the Nine Kings. The Tenth King jeered at everything. ---You heard it, now what do you think you're?"

Leon directed a grim expression at Tenji, who was perplexed hearing the never heard before continuation.

He contemplated the answer that Leon was seemingly seeking from him. As far as it concerned him, Tenji just had no way of knowing the intention behind the question.

"I fail to understand what you want to hear from me, Leon-san. But I am me and I want to be an explorer by my own will. It was something I always adored. They're the heroes for me. My dream was to stand abreast with them. ......I'm sorry but that's all I can say."

Suddenly Leon burst out in laughter.

"Phew, I already saw that coming. To be frank, I don't know much about the nine kings. So there's no way you can be privy of details either. I would have turned you into mincemeat if you had lied."

"M-Mincemeat......"

"Hahaha, well I wouldn't have been sitting here alive if you're really one of them either way."

"Err...what's the role thing President Limey had spoken about?"

"Don't care. All that matters is what you wanted to do and that's it, no? I don't believe or care whatever the role of my life is. I will live my life my way. Ugh, I am already feeling cringe speaking. Anyway, that's it for the boorish talk!"

Leon stood up and walked toward the kitchen by himself, seemingly not wanting to bring up any bitter memories about it he had. He returned back with another cup of bean coffee and stared into Tenji's eyes again.

"Now hurry up and speak your true reason for coming. You're taking my precious game time."

A line befitting of my pace guy, Tenji thought and unwittingly chuckled.

"Do you remember the promise I made with you to participate in the seeker olympic before leaving for Mallorca?"

"I did."

"Are you aware that it has been postponed?"

"Do you even need to ask?"

Seeker Olympiad was a large assembly where Chisato had once participated when she was just an amateur.

Normally, the Seeker Olympic was held every three years. However the destruction of Mallorca Escuella had filled explorer's society with an aura of hecticness. Subsequently, the Olympics was delayed for next one year. But at the same time, they have announced the leniency in age rule for participants last year.

"So, err, I was hoping if you can guide me until then......"

"Hmm-mm, since you're asking so sincerely, alright."

"Ahaha, I should have known better. It's obviously a no---....what?"

"What?"

Tenji was astounded when he heard his request was accepted, which he hadn't expected at all, his bewildered look a perfect reflection of his mental state.. The reaction elicit a blank reply from Leon.

"......Really?"

"I just feel like, so why not?."

"Are you really sure?!"

"Yeah, but it comes with a condition."

"What is it?"

"First, go and tell Chisato, since she thinks you’re her disciple, that 'The great Leon is everything in my heart!!'. Explain to her as if you're praying to god."

"I-I will do my best."

"The rest is I'm going to confiscate your smartphone and weapon. My orders are absolute, if I say to lick my shoes, then lick my shoes. The location would be...a first-grade dungeon in the Alps and the session will last for one year. You will not be leaving the dungeon even once in the time frame. Food and bedding would be arranged inside the dungeon. We don't have much time time so Aubraka and I will be drilling everything in your together. I doubt you will even get time for sleep. Got it?"

"U-Understood."

"Also, I will seriously turn you into a monster's fodder if I see you whining, and that will be the end of our contract. Is everything clear?"

"Y-Yes sir!"

"Very well, we will be leaving tomorrow morning. Prepare everything after returning, and Kaido will be there to look after your little sister, like it was in Mallorca's case."

"T-Thank you very much!"

Leon delivered a kick on Tenji's ass as he quickly left the office in brisk steps.

As he was told, he explained the situation to Maharu after returning home and also to Chisato which...took him a good while.

†　†　†

"I am surprised you agreed, Leon."

As Tenji left the office, Kaido, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, asked. Leon's face scrunched up in annoyance in response and explained.

"The 'Nine Beasts.’ The monster was stronger than I expected.All this while, I was complacent i could handle it alone, but this battle proves the futility of my thoughts. It had taken three of us to deal with just the weakened monster, so there's no way we can ever face them at their peak. In that case---we need to train them ASAP."

"Is there something I can do?"

"Support Fuyuki and Tenji with all their might. Jay has given his words he would be able to handle things by his side so we can be relieved. The rest is to accomplish the goal you had approached me for, which will be all."

"The goal, yea......I must find Sis soon."

Kaido answered as he gazed at the photo frame on shelf with a melancholic expression. But, seemingly realising something, Kaido abruptly stood up and bring out two pieces of papers from his desk.

"I need your sign on them before you depart."

"What's that?"

"The nomination for Tenji and Fuyuki."

"Ah, right. Take care of the procedure too."

Leon took no time in signing them and handed them to Kaido.

Afterward, Kaido tirelessly worked around to book their tickets, the transportation system till the dungeon and et cetera work. Then he accompanied the two to the airport and saw them off, all while without catching a wink of sleep.

And like this---Tenji had once again departed for foreign.

　†　†　†

The days after that passed in a flash.

From Tenji's perspective, the one year felt like one day to him.

Often he would find himself being dropped into the depth of hell, with nothing but a single water can of 500ml. The training continued as he worked desperately to avoid the inbound attacks of zero-grade explorers, making him train in the practical and theory techniques with his life in line. He spared no efforts in stealing the techniques of the two professionals---no, the two giants in the explorer world.

As he spent his days treading on thin eyes, his level also saw rise in it.

He gained the new type of hell beast and further improved the efficiency of <Hell Beast Summon>.

At the very least, he hadn't expected he would be going through such hellish days in his life. Murmuring his impression in his mind, Tenji welcomed the morning, which he had been seeing precisely after one year, with a praying gesture. The sunshine was unexpectedly too dazzling to him as he unwittingly found himself covering his eyes.

"Haha, never did I imagine the sunshine would appear so dear to me."

A pleasant warmth coursed through his body as he stepped outside after one long year. Each and every cell of his danced in eupheria.

"Come on, time to return to Japan."

The moment for the tri-annual Seeker Olympic to be held in Japan was nigh close.

The most notable field among them was the Seeker Olympia U22, a festival division that had come to replace the Koshien or Olympics of a bygone era. It brings together and allows exceptional young talents from all over Japan, aged 16 to 22, who aspire to become explorers, to gather and compete. It had been especially after the announcement of mitigation in age last year.

Japan right now was shrouded in the veil of festive mood. The citizens were eagerly looking for the festival. And Tenji...he was going to participate in that festival as one of the contestant explorers.

"I wonder how others are doing. I can't wait to see them."