Only My Dungeon Equipment Levels Up! (SSS-Rank Weapons)

“Huh!?”

“I can’t let you go to Kenya.”

“You’re his ally! Who the hell are you?”

“Who am I? … Indeed, who am I?”

Standing there in a black glossy suit and glasses was a man, Tanaka Issei. Adjusting his glasses, he pondered Sato’s question.

“What is my relationship with him? Business partners? No, that’s not quite right; it’s not just a relationship of profit and loss.”

“So what the hell are you saying?”

“Hmm…”

Thinking hard, he groaned, trying to find a better expression.

“Oh, I got it! There’s a perfect word for it!”

Tanaka clapped his hands as if he had an epiphany. Then, he blew away the playful atmosphere and looked straight at Sato.

“Alliance partner.”

Sato flinched for a moment at the indescribable pressure. But he tried to shake off that fear with a loud command.

“Don’t mess with me! Get him!”

The men charged at Tanaka. He was just a businessman. Against this many explorers, he’d surely be beaten to a pulp.

“Sato, it’s correct to face greater strength with even greater strength since you couldn’t win with your own power.”

Even in this critical situation, Tanaka did not move. It was as if he was waiting to be hit.

“Well, your preparation was a bit lacking. The correct response should be an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and force with…”

Just before being hit, he said,

“…overwhelming, ultimate force.”

Then, the attackers were blown away, flying through the air. What happened? Those were silver and gold rank explorers!

From where the explorers were blown away, a single man appeared.

“One, I’m not exactly free either.”

Holding a cigarette and looking lazy, a handsome middle-aged man with a massive sword slung over his shoulder. Despite his unkempt beard, he had muscular, impressive build. His identity was…

“T-Tendo… Ryunosuke!?”

Sato’s voice trembled as he recognized him. Any explorer knew who he was. The phrase “there’s always someone better” did not apply to this man.

Leader of the top guild “Evening Star,” the highest-level explorer. His titles were numerous, his legends many. But the simplest title summed him up best.

The only one in the world permitted to be called…

The “World’s Strongest” explorer.

With that unbelievably straightforward title, the man stood before Sato and his gang.

“Well, don’t complain. It’s for the sake of a future comrade we’ll fight alongside someday.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The man took a step forward, lazily, as if sweeping away trash.

“It’s self-defense, Ryunosuke. Make sure they only pass out.”

That’s why he waited until the last moment and recorded the evidence. Though the footage had another purpose.

“Eek!”

Sato and his men retreated. Silver rank? Gold rank? They stood no chance. After all, he was Japan’s first diamond rank adventurer.

…

“Y-you monster…”

Sato’s 30-strong force lay on the ground within minutes. The overwhelming power of stats had turned the battle from one of numbers to one of individuals. Against such a mighty individual, the masses were like ants before an elephant.

Sato, who had witnessed this, still couldn’t understand what was happening, his mouth opening and closing in disbelief. The only thing he could comprehend was that the monster sided with that useless guy.

Why would he side with him? Why side with someone so useless?

Sato had already forgotten that he was beaten by that same “useless” person.

“What the hell, what the hell is going on!?”

The last remaining member, already beaten up, faced Tendo.

“What the hell is happening!!”

With a single, divine blow, he lost consciousness.

“Well then, it’s cleaned up. Shall we move on to the final phase?”

Was it a coincidence that Tanaka was here, with Tendo? No way. After the contract day, Tanaka, concerned about the special A-rank treatment of Kenya, investigated and discovered Sato’s existence.

Moreover, this Sato was the son of the rival company’s president. What a surprise.

Trying to find a weakness in the rival company for a particular purpose, a golden opportunity presented itself.

When Tanaka’s subordinate reported on Kenya’s surveillance, Tanaka’s plan was set in motion.

(What a lack of preparation, Kenya. Well, thanks to that, the plan went smoothly…)

Looking at the fallen explorers, Tanaka thought. If all these explorers had headed for Kenya, it wouldn’t have ended quietly.

There was even a possibility of death. The reckless, straightforward boy had acted on impulse.

(Well, it’s fine. Such underhanded work and schemes are my role.)

Tanaka hadn’t risen to the top through just clean methods. He’d done many dirty deeds. Sometimes, that was necessary, but…

(Explorers should be like that.)

He would handle the dirty work. So Kenya could act as he wished, pursuing his dreams and desires.

(That surely…)

Tanaka looked at the towering tower in the sky. He stared beyond the unseen clouds.

(…will lead you to the top of that tower.)

Blood, bones, tears, despair, and dreams. The swirling desires of that tower, and to its summit.

(But for now, just for a while, I’ll guide you.)

Looking up at the sky, Tanaka smiled and whispered.

“As a senior who also grew up like a bean sprout.”

And Tanaka headed for the final phase.