Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 5 - Ch. 228

As the needle of the topic turned to him, Tenji found himself unable to speak.

What the truth maybe, it was just impossible to explain why he refused to join Chariot when the guild had been welcoming to him.

Mentally seeking apology from the guild, Tenji gazed at everyone.

"---Well, I would like to refrain from speaking here. Sorry."

Seeing the faint apologetic expression on Tenji, others also didn't pursue the matter. It would be a lie if they weren't curious about the details, but they reigned on their curiosity.

(Thanks, everyone...... As a Japanese person, it's this that makes it the best place to live for me.)

Afterward, too, they continued on their trivial chit-chat. Their topic revolved around which guild held a large-scale exploration expedition, or how some explorers changed their guild or what was their opinion on the training video of place X or Y.

Some of their topic revolved around practical stuff, like their training experience in said guild or the weak point of Dungeon X.

It was clear how much they liked their exploration work. The same sentiment brewed between each heart; being able to talk with like-minded people is really no different from finding a treasure chest, including the time that allowed them to have leisure conversation.

Tenji reaffirmed the notion inside him.

"As much as I want us to continued, I think it's about time to sleep. The competition is still not over after all."

"You're right. I believe everyone has their own simple protection bag, right?"

"Of course!"

"Only an idiot would forget it."

"Same, I have especially confirmed it as well."

The simple protection bag was a sleeping bag like tent for outdoor, and it could be easily carried into a waist pouch.

It wasn't a dungeon product, but a new cold-prevention bag developed by a company for explorers. It had been now become a must have common necessity item.

"Alright, let's go to sleep before the cold catches us! Also, be careful. I hope I don't wake up to see some human popsicles!"

While taking a jab at each other, the group went to sleep on their plain bedding.

†　†　†

The night gradually deepen, and the chilliness of mid-winter crept up to students.

Tenji had also drifted into deep sleep when a sudden sense of hunger jolted him.

"Yawn......haa-hmm...... sure enough. That amount was barely enough to fill me up."

He had been truly astonished at his bottomless appetite lately. It was a surprise for him since he was sure his sleeping desire was more stronger than appetite before he had awakened his calling, yet it was his appetite that had been increasing rapidly.

Most likely, it should be the unbalanced phenomenon caused by calling. But whether he knew the reason behind or not, the fact was that he just couldn't curb this desire of him at all.

While drowsiness was still filling his eyes, Tenji woke up, set aside his bag in one place and started to stretch on the spot......when a voice called out to him.

"Hmm? You're awake?"

It was the voice of Tachibana, a slight distance from him, also sorting out her sleeping bag.

Apparently she had also just woken up as she twisted around to loosen the back muscle. While rubbing her sleepy eyes like a cat, she giggled and asked.

"Yeah, my hunger jolted me awake."

"Haha, you really are a big eater. Well, do you want to take a walk together?"

†　†　†

The two walked along inside the dark forest, a silence prevailing between them for a short while.

A bit after on their walk, they had arrived at a vantage point from where the abandoned townscape reflected in their eyes. Shining gloriously in the depth of the townscape, a group of light sources, working to retake their civilization, dyed their vision.

Arriving there, Tachibana halted on her steps.

"That monkey was related to you, wasn't it, Tenji?"

"Ahaha, I guess you really can see it huh."

Ancient Caged Fire had informed Tenji that Karen Tachibana was the same woman who had felt chilly vibes.

Hence he didn't bother to hide that face. Not that he had any reason to either, since she was present in the entrance examination of Chariot where he summoned goblins. It was hardly a dramatic revelation.

As for Tachibana, she had probably noticed Ancient Caged Fire floating around Tenji when they happened to encounter each other.

"Come out---<Ancient Caged Fire>."

Reacting to Tenji's serene voice, a deep green hell gate, covered with moss, manifested.

Tenji glanced at Tachibana, and saw her wearing an incredulous expression. Since she had never seen the hell gate before, she was probably stunned by the spectacle.

"Woah, it's so beautiful."

"Oh, you can see that as well?"

"Hmm, yeah. But since you're asking that, I reckon it's not something normally visible to other's perception? As far as I can recall, I have been seeing things that aren't clearly human. While not to the degree of everywhere, but they're easy to find out."

Tenji silently nodded at her words, showing understanding. He extends his hand toward Ancient Caged Fire that jumped out of the hell gate, seemingly to show its friendliness.

"I believe you may have already noticed ever since that exam, but this is my calling."

"Just like my idol, the hero explorer, it's a wonderful calling. At Least, I am sure it's anything but scary, as you're worrying about. You should have caught up to it and that's why you're showing me, no?"

Tachibana replied with a smile, her expression carry nary a hint of fear. Her smile as the moonlit radiance fell uponr gently embraced Tenji's heart, who had taken a leap of faith and revealed his calling.

He had been aware of how others perceived his calling; the irregular ability to 'summon living beings.' However Tachibana ignored any and all the apprehension of Tenji and she casually replied what was in her heart.

"Thank you, Tachibana-san. I'm really glad that that It was you, your wonderful self,"

"Yes?"

"I have decided to reveal my ability. I am sure there would be quite a lot of people, harboring fear once they come to know about it. So hearing your words has really grant me the calm that I perhaps couldn't attain otherwise. And---"

Tenji said and took a short pause, staring at the pretty crescent moon hanging above in the sky.

"So, I will use my full power to tackle this competition."

"Say, how about you take my point, Tenji?"