Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer

Well of course, one couldn't blame Fuyuki for the sudden surprise. He knew very much just Tenji had suffered, worked hard and even grabbed death to raise his level so far.

It had been around 6 months since he got his calling and finally reached at the Lv5 out of 100. Finally, truly, he had come this far.

Just the other day, when Fuyuki received the information that Tenji had finally leveled up to 5, he was just as delighted as if it was his own achievement and felt that heaven had finally graced him. He still vividly remembers that burst of emotions.

He was someone who admired Tenji as his older brother, and at the same time, he's a fellow disciple learning from the same master as Chisato. That's why it was inevitable for a little rivalry to be born inside him, and as a result, he had been working hard day and night to make sure he didn't get over-taken.

And now, Tenji was basically saying he would be able to break it in just one week.

"Huh? Sorry, I think I just heard something funny. Did you just say one week?"

"Hmm, that's right."

"I see......Tenji, leave everything to me and take an early rest for today. I will somehow manage dinner for Chisato-chan."

"Hey-Hey! I am completely sane, alright!"

"It's hard to say anything given that...... wait, so you are serious?"

"That's what I am saying! Flame Demon-sensei is currently hunting down the main monsters of the 62th floor with their demon squads. The log in my Book of Enma is rapidly changing, last entry swiftly replaced by another entry."

"62th floor...... isn't it the main hunting ground of 3rd and 2nd grade explorers? Ah, I see. Those goblins were already strong enough to win against 3rd grade or even 2nd grade explorers, albeit barely. So it makes sense to change with even more superior demons."

"Yes, you finally understand. So I was saying I am receiving a perverse amount of experience points rapidly. Out of the 215 hell beasts, I believe around 174 were, while bottom feeder they might be, strong enough to contend against first grade explorers. Furthermore, they also don't need to sleep."

"I see......this explanation doesn't indeed make sense. Ha......"

Fuyuki visibly sighed and closed the cap of his sports drink. He then lay down on the grass, gazing absentmindedly at the orange-tinted sky.

"Hey, what's with that sigh?"

"Is this even necessary to ask? I am incredibly happy you will be stronger, truly so. But at this rate, you would become the distant star I can't hope to join."

"Why?"

"Why, you say...... thinking how I will be surpassed by Tenji in a short time kind of filled me with pessimistic thoughts. Lately, I can't even touch a single finger of Chisato-chan, somehow it all just feels tiring suddenly."

"You don't be, honestly. Just the other day, Chisato-chan said how she could no longer afford to cut corners when dealing with you. I think Chisato-chan is also seriously taking up the challenge, so that's why you can't deal with her."

"............Ah, is that so? I didn't realize it."

A slight feeling of joy welled up inside Fuyuki hearing Chisato's indirect praise. It need not to say, but Tenji and Fuyuki were both aware of each other.

Of course, it was far from the concept of love interest. But as a rival close at hand. It was one of the easiest ways to gauge their abilities. While Tenji shed the sweat to surpass Fuyuki or Chisato, Fuyuki too made sure to not get over taken and just like Tenji, was working hard everyday.

Just how rewarding it felt when your hard work gave a result and your effort recognised, Tenji was currently feeling that. I am really glad I worked harder, he thought.

"By the way, Tenji."

"Hnn?"

Abruptly, Fuyuki looked at Tenji's expression.

"Is there something you want?"

"Hmm? What's with this sudden inquiry?"

"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, did you forget it's your birthday as well? Even Chisato-chan was having headache what to present you till a while ago."

"Ah! I see......it's already that time, huh."

Tenji's mind played back the flashback of numerous incidents that he had encountered in the last half a year mentally.

It was just a little over six months ago when his calling finally appeared. His life underwent a drastic upside-down ever since that day, and he was like a rocky boat on the story seam every since that day.

He met the zero grade explorer Leon, met his master Chisato, participated in the enrollment exam for Chariot, came to Mallorca to study and spent almost every day training in dungeons.

Life is always a bag of wonder huh. He couldn't help but reminisce how wildly outside of his current life. Earlier, when he learned about how his parents had gone missing, he felt like the world suddenly turned bleak.

Being chased by debtors, wrecking brain to save money on dinner, working part-time to keep himself and his sister's life afloat felt so surreal now that he recalled back.

However, he now had the support of three people; Leon, Kaido and Chisato. He had received two years' worth of living expenses, and no longer was under the restraint of debt. He was now leading a very happy life with his sister, unlike those difficult days.

And the next day---Tenji turned 17.