Chapter 24, Now Is When It Truly Starts
by SilavinHow do I even explain this experience so it makes sense?
Maybe it feels like slipping and falling into the ocean or a river?
I’m thrown into this super mysterious space where stars are sparkling.
Wait, is this space? If it’s space, there’s no air, so wouldn’t I die?
“U-wooooah!?”
Crap! I can’t breathe!
Or at least that’s what I think, but apparently I can breathe. Kinda embarrassing.
Then, something especially bright appears in this space-like place. It shines like the sun and gradually gets bigger.
No, hold on. Maybe it’s not getting bigger – maybe it’s getting closer.
Is it some kind of star!? I don’t know what’s going on, but I instinctively reach out with both hands to try and stop it.
Obviously that’s impossible, but I’m so scared I can’t think straight.
“A-ahhh!?”
And then I plunge into that sun-like thing. But my body doesn’t melt or get hit with anything painful.
Before I know it, I feel this kind of comfort, like my whole body is soaking in a hot spring.
Huh? I think I just heard a voice…
I start feeling sleepy. In the haze of my fading consciousness, I sense my body changing.
How much time has passed, I’m not sure. When I come to, I’m staring at the ceiling of my rundown apartment.
“H-huh?”
I sit up, but nothing seems different from usual.
AI Miria’s voice sounds gentler than usual for some reason.
“So that was the explorer rarity upgrade? I thought it was a dream.”
“Yeah, I wanna see!”
What the heck happened? I still can’t believe it actually went up.
I put on my goggles. The screen shows my status.
＝＝＝＝＝＝
Name: Ryuga Kagetora
Explorer Rarity: SR
Level: 50
HP: 667/1067
MP: 253/402
Strength: 1226
Speed: 810
Resilience: 1185
Dexterity: 599
Luck: 601
S Skills: Not acquired
Skills: Not acquired
Usable Magic:
Fireball
Alter Ego (Card Effect)
＝＝＝＝＝＝
“…Ah… huh…?”
I stare blankly at the screen.
It’s off. A lot of things are off.
“Wait, hold on! I was explorer rarity R, right? Wasn’t S supposed to come after R?”
“Two steps!? And my level shot way up too.”
As I listen to the explanation, I start to understand. Still, the SR status screen feels really new, something I’ve never seen.
And somehow, I’ve got a new magic card equipped called Alter-something. When did I put that on? Oh well.
“Whoa. So that’s how it works. I had no idea.”
“Skills, huh. There are all kinds of them, like finishing moves or stat boosters. But what’s an S Skill?”
“Oh… got it, got it.”
Now that I think about it, yeah, that’s true. But S Skills are usually kept secret; nobody really talks about what their own S Skill is.
Also, there’s this elite group of explorers called Rankers, and they almost never show their status to anyone.
Everyone has their own reasons, but I guess it’s kind of like not telling people how much money you have.
“Hey Miria, do you think I might’ve gotten super strong? I’ve barely ever seen the status of an SR explorer.”
“Ah, I see. So I’m not there yet.”
Figures. If an AI that supposedly has access to all kinds of data says so, then yeah, that must be true.
“Seriously? I don’t think I’m that talented though.”
She guarantees it? That’s rare. I don’t think I’ve ever heard an AI speak with that kind of certainty.
“Eh, really? Haven’t I done quite a bit already?”
Miria’s really pushing hard, but is she for real? Wait, there’s a dungeon key in the login bonus?
“Alright then. Maybe I’ll explore after some casual chatting… huh?”
Oh, my phone’s vibrating. Looks like I’m getting a call.
I check the screen and see the name Rena Kirisame. A call from that gyaru who’s unmatched when it comes to teasing people?
I get a bad feeling, but I tap the call icon anyway.
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