The Chronicles of a Man Who Aspired to Be an Unparalleled Character with Hidden Weapons - The Explorer Who Conceals His Power Becomes the Strongest When He Wields a Sword - Chapter 05: Unparalleled Blade

Chapter 05: Unparalleled Blade

Suddenly, it was decided that next week, the students from the general department would venture into the dungeon with us. 

No one from the exploration department objected to this decision, but it seemed that there was considerable opposition from the students of the general department. However, their opinions were not heeded… and I sighed, realizing that arrogance was at play here as well.

“Will those general department guys be of any use? Won’t they just be in the way?”

“Let’s just use them as bait for the monsters, huh?”

Laughing uproariously at such comments seemed typical.

The things they were saying were vile enough to make one feel sick, but the fact that not only those of the Explorer rank were making these remarks was a dark reality in itself.

“…?”

In the midst of this, Sumeragi, seemingly indifferent, left the classroom without her usual entourage. I had never really spoken to her, but I knew she didn’t boast about her S rank status, and I had never seen her look down on anyone.

(As expected of the young lady of the Sumeragi Group. But that’s probably why she’s popular with both the exploration and general departments.)

Her status as the heiress of the Sumeragi Group aside, her beauty had captivated many boys at the school. There were rumors that she had rejected all the fiancés her family had arranged, declaring she had no intention of marrying anyone weaker than herself… Well, it’s none of my business, I guess.

“…I wonder if I could ever have a girlfriend.”

Considering my mother and sister, I like to think I possess a kindhearted nature, always mindful of others. Thanks to my earnings from the dungeon, money isn’t an issue… But honestly, I can’t imagine a girl who would fancy someone like me, who became a dungeon fool idolizing manga characters.

“Sigh… this is tough.”

Such sad thoughts led me to sigh involuntarily. After spending the day at school, I happened to overhear a conversation among the general department students.

“Hey, do you think we’ll be okay?”

“Are we going to end up as monster bait… or not?”

“I can’t believe something like that would happen…”

They were worried about the same things. 

Coincidentally, it was similar to what the exploration department students had been discussing earlier. While many Explorers are sensible, I can only hope that there won’t be any reckless behavior.

“Phew, time to head to the dungeon.”

In times like these, it’s best to get moving. 

Incidentally, on my way to the dungeon today, I ran into Shinichi and his party. Unable to go against the flow, I ended up joining them for the day. 

They were keen on a solid exploration, avoiding any unnecessary risks, so I didn’t have to use my skills much.

▽▼

And then, before I knew it, the day of the exchange event arrived.

Groups were formed with four students from the exploration department and two from the general department, totaling six members to venture into the dungeon.

(Out of all people, it had to be these guys… huh.)

The three other Explorers chosen along with me were the same ones who had talked about using the general department students as bait in class that day.

“Hey, you trash from the general department. Make sure you don’t get in the way, okay?”

“Heh, otherwise, we might just use you as monster bait.”

“Got it?”

“…Yes.”

“…Okay.”

I really didn’t want to be lumped together with these guys…

The general department students I was grouped with were a boy and a girl. I had seen them holding hands earlier, leading me to guess that they might be a couple.

“It’ll be alright.”

“Yeah…”

The boy encouraged the girl, who seemed to gain some courage from his words and smiled. It looked like my guess was right.

Normally, we would start with introductions, but those guys just walked ahead, leaving the two from the general department behind.

“Seriously… Well, whatever. I’m Sena Tokioka. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah… Yeah. I’m Takuya Sanada. Nice to meet you?”

“…Sana Shinjo.”

“Oh, our names are almost similar. What a coincidence!”

“…”

Yeah, their impression of me seems to be the worst.

“Uh, sorry, Tokioka-kun. I mean, I was also a bit surprised… I thought you were the same as them.”

“Well, I can understand that. Let’s just get this over with quickly. That way, we can all relax.”

“Yeah.”

We were walking behind the others, and I took another look at the guy leading the trio ahead of us. 

His name is Chiba, and I remember his father was a former A-rank Explorer… Moreover, he comes from a pretty arrogant family and is disliked even among other Explorers.

“Hey, general course! You guys go ahead a bit. Let us know if there are any monsters there.”

“Eh? But…”

“It’s okay. I’ll go with you.”

As Chiba and his group made unreasonable demands on Sanada and Shinjo, I stayed close by, bow at the ready. 

We were in a C-rank dungeon, so I could handle whatever monsters came our way… but Chiba and his group seemed annoyed that I was entirely focused on ensuring their safety.

“…You’re kind, aren’t you?”

“It’s about time you talked to me. It’s not about being kind, this is just normal human behavior.”

Shinjo finally spoke to me, but it was a sad conversation for a first. 

They’re supposed to write a report on their dungeon exploration experience, and if I were in their shoes, I’d definitely write nothing but complaints.

“Is that…?”

As we were making our way deeper, Sanada noticed something. I saw it too and was about to warn him not to touch it when Chiba did something outrageous.

“You don’t even scream or cry, you insolent trash. Go on, get out there haha!”

“What are you… aaaaaah!”

Chiba forcefully threw Sanada. 

Where Sanada landed was a dungeon trap room, and as soon as he entered, the door closed behind him.

“Hey, what are you doing!?”

“Shut up, you C-rank weakling. Let’s go back, everyone.”

“Oooh.”

“Alrighty.”

Despite my anger, Chiba and his group walked away without a care. Shinjo stood there, stunned, as Chiba coldly said to her:

“Give it up. Traps like this are in every level of the dungeon and can only be unlocked from the inside. In other words, that door will only open when he’s dead… haha!”

“…Eh?”

“And don’t bother tattling when we get to the surface. There’s no evidence, and besides, my father is a former A-rank Explorer. If anything, we’ll be the ones filing charges against you.”

With those words, Chiba and his group disappeared.

“No… Takuya… Takuya!!”

She pounded on the door forcefully, but as expected, it wouldn’t budge. As Chiba had said, dungeon traps can only be unlocked from the inside, and for those trapped, death seemed inevitable.

I approached Shinjo, who clung to the door, and spoke to her.

“It’s okay. Sanada is still alive.”

“Eh?”

“This trap gives you about a minute’s grace period once you’re inside. It’s like… time to prepare yourself. I know this because I’ve tested it myself several times.”

“…Eh?”

Yes, I had personally triggered this trap several times in my own training, so I was certain about how it worked. And it’s true that it can only be unlocked from the inside. 

Normally, no matter what force is applied from the outside, entry is impossible.

“Shinjo, you and Sanada might not be familiar with the skills that Explorers possess, but please keep quiet about what you’re about to see.”

I stood in front of the door and activated my skill.

[Unparalleled Blade]

A magic circle appeared before me, and from within it, a sword materialized. 

The sword, emitting a faint light, seemed to possess the will to cut through everything, emanating a chilling, intimidating presence.

“What is that…?”

“Scary for a sword, isn’t it? Well, that’s normal. This is how it is.”

The sword had no name, but it appeared before me whenever I manifested the skill of the Unparalleled Blade. Holding the sword, I assumed the stance of Iaijutsu, and then, in one swift motion, I sliced through the air.

In that instant, a flash of light surged, as if cutting through dimensions themselves.