The Path of an S-Rank Adventurer: The Boy Who Was Expelled from His Party Awakens to His True Power [Weapon Master] and Eventually Becomes the World’s Strongest

Geist’s Fist

“Sorry, Haise. For dragging you along on an old man’s stroll.”

“No, it’s fine…”

One day.

Haise was invited by Geist and came to the southern forest on the outskirts of the royal capital.

As usual, when he went to the guild, Geist said, “Care to join me for a bit?” so he thought it was just a walk… but somehow, they ended up in a forest full of dangerous magical beasts, fully equipped.

“Um, Geist-san. This forest… it’s my first time here, but isn’t this a danger zone?”

“Indeed. Actually, a new dungeon was discovered here. I thought about leaving the investigation to a younger team, but I’ve been lacking exercise lately. So I took it on myself.”

“You took it on yourself…? But Geist-san, didn’t you retire?”

“Officially, yes. But I haven’t returned my adventurer card. Besides the one for guild masters, here.”

Geist showed his S-rank adventurer card.

Haise saw Geist in full equipment for the first time in a while.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in full gear, Geist-san.”

“Has it? Oh, there she is. Hey!”

And… the person Geist called out to was none other than Sasha.

Both Haise and Sasha were surprised.

“Geist-san, um… why is Haise here? The request was to investigate the dungeon that appeared in this forest, right?”

“Well, that’s part of it. But… I also wanted to see how my disciples have grown after all this time.”

“”…………””

Haise and Sasha exchanged glances.

These two were Geist’s last disciples.

Haise asked.

“…Are you alone?”

“Yeah. It was a direct request from Geist-san… with the condition that I come alone. I thought it might be something important, so I accepted without question…”

“Hahaha. Well then, let’s go.”

Geist walked past Haise and Sasha and started moving.

◇◇◇◇◇

Geist.

Age 59. His weapon is his fist, and he is known as the strongest hand-to-hand combatant with the abilities of a Fighting Master. His alias is ‘Combat’… though he doesn’t look it, being a gentle elderly man.

With Geist leading, Haise and Sasha walked side by side.

“Feels nostalgic.”

“”Huh？””

“I used to take you two through danger zones like this often.”

“…Those times were terrifying.”

“I agree.”

Geist laughed, “Hahaha.”

And then, they arrived.

A dungeon in the forest, resembling ancient ruins. It looked like an altar made by some tribe, with stairs leading underground.

“Well then, Haise, Sasha. How about some real combat training for the first time in a while?”

“”Yes！！””

The two instinctively replied to Geist.

They couldn’t help but recall their days as disciples and exchanged glances. Then, Sasha laughed.

“Pfft… Haha, you’re still stuck in the disciple mindset, huh?”

“…I’m going ahead.”

“Hey, wait!!”

Haise went in first, followed by Sasha.

Geist smiled nostalgically and took up the rear.

As they descended the stairs───they found themselves in a vast space.

A semicircular dome, with a giant bull-like monster in the center of the room.

“Hmm. A Minocentaur… extermination rank B. Seems like this is a floor-clearing type dungeon.”

Floor-clearing type dungeons.

Unlike mazelike dungeons, these have a dungeon boss on each floor, and you can proceed to the next floor by defeating it.

Dungeons of this type are generally close to the lowest floor.

Currently, the maximum number of floors in a floor-clearing dungeon is twenty.

“Well then, Haise, Sasha. Who’s going?”

“”Well…””

Both spoke at the same time. Then, they looked at each other.

Seeing this, Geist laughed.

“Then, I’ll go.”

“”Huh？””

Geist casually approached the Minocentaur.

The Minocentaur stood up and let out a roar.

[BUOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!]

A monster with axes in both hands, the upper body of a bull, and the lower body of a horse.

A formidable foe with the agility of a horse and the strength of a bull.

Haise drew his Desert Eagle, and Sasha unsheathed her sword. But… Geist stopped them with a hand gesture.

“No need to interfere. Well then, let’s get some exercise after so long.”

Geist cracked his neck and gently extended his right hand forward.

Haise and Sasha shivered.

“That’s amazing…”

“Yeah. His stance is flawless…”

[BUOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!]

The Minocentaur raised its front legs to intimidate and charged at Geist.

Geist’s right hand swayed slightly, and he bent his body just a little, bringing his left hand to his chest.

There was no show of strength or flashiness.

If he wanted to, he could probably crush it with brute force.

But Geist didn’t do that.

As the Minocentaur charged, Geist lightly jumped───and slipped into its chest, placing his right hand on its chest.

“[Underworld Fist]”

His right hand lightly pressed against the chest.

Then, the force rippled through the Minocentaur’s body, causing its back to expand.

“[Splintered to Dust]”

And then───Boom!! Its back exploded, and its innards were blown out backward.

Geist landed without a sound. The Minocentaur was instantly killed.

“Hmm… I’m still a bit rusty.”

“”…Where？””

Geist opened and closed his right hand, looking slightly dissatisfied.

Haise and Sasha were left in awe of Geist.

◇◇◇◇◇

After reaching the tenth floor, Geist nodded.

“This is enough for today. Let’s head back.”

“Huh? But we’re only at the tenth floor…”

“It’s fine. Investigating too much would take the fun out of it.”

“Is that how it works?”

“Yeah. Speaking of which, you’ve only been taking extermination requests, haven’t you? You hardly ever take investigation requests.”

“Ugh…”

Sasha pouted a little. But Haise ignored her.

Geist wiped his fist with a handkerchief. In the end, Geist had defeated every monster up to this point by himself.

Sasha spoke up.

“Geist-san. You’re really strong… I was amazed.”

“Hahaha. I’ve been stuck doing desk work lately, so I’ve gotten a bit rusty. But I think I’m getting back into shape.”

“…Um, why did you bring me and Haise along? Haise is one thing, but you even used your authority as the guild master to get me here…”

Sasha is a clan master, but she’s still an adventurer.

Even as a clan master, if the guild master gives a direct order, she has to comply unless there’s a very good reason not to.

Geist replied.

“It’s nothing major. I just wanted to see you and Haise walking side by side again after so long.”

“…Huh?”

“Like the old days… well, that’s probably impossible now. But… I can still see it. You and Haise walking side by side, weapons in hand, fighting goblins like it was just yesterday…”

“Geist-san…”

“Haha… well, just an old man’s ramblings. Let’s head back.”

“”…………””

Geist started walking.

After exiting the dungeon, Haise said to Sasha.

“Hey, remember? What we used to do after training outside?”

“…Yeah, I remember. Geist-san used to take us to a restaurant, right?”

“Yeah. Hey, why don’t we go there again? It’s been a while.”

“…Is that okay?”

“Well, just this once. It’s not like Geist-san is here, but… it’s nostalgic, you know?”

“…Heh.”

Sasha smiled and took Geist’s arm.

“Huh?”

“Geist-san, I’m hungry. Haise said he’d treat us, so why don’t we eat at ‘that place’ for old times’ sake?”

“Wait, what? I never said I’d treat you!”

“You were the one who brought it up, right? Hmph, a man should take responsibility for his words.”

“Ugh… Sasha, you’ve gotten way too mean.”

“Heh, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“…Heh.”

Haise walked beside Geist, glaring at Sasha in protest.

But Sasha, using Geist’s arm as a shield, giggled.

This kind of thing happened often in the past.

Even if their paths diverged, they were still the same at heart.

Haise and Sasha. Geist’s last two disciples, for just this moment, acted like children again, bringing a smile to Geist’s face.