Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 5 - Ch. 229 - A Friend’s Dilemma and Tenji’s Determination

Chapter 229 - A Friend’s Dilemma and Tenji’s Determination

—How about you take my points?

Tenji was slightly perplexed when he heard her suggestion.

He was glad that she thought so. However these points were unmistakably earned by Tachibana with her own effort in this competition. Tenji had no reason to coerce her to give them back. It doesn't matter the details around but only that she had earned them fair-and-square.

Besides, Renji Ukai would never allow a personal decision of such sort.

"I really didn't reveal my ability to get back points. It was my failure to rely too much on Koro's unique constitution, so—"

"But I must give them back. Take it as my meagre selfish pride."

"Selfishness?"

"Even if I do qualify for the main tournament, I am sure I will never be content from bottom of my heart as long as I know it were the points of my friends. I have been introduced to a wonderful master through the help of Mizue-kun. At last......at last I have made it to this far, being on the same stage as you all, a far cry from my useless self of the past. I don't want to go through the path that my heart doesn't confirm to, because—"

Tachibana tightly clenched her fists and lightly tapped them against Tenji's chest.

Gazing at her, Tachibana's expression wore a determined expression as she strongly asserted herself.

"I want to—and will become the strongest explorer that will not lose to Mizue-kun or you, Tenji-kun. I will grasp my chance in this tournament, I am sure of it. So I can't lose sight of myself here."

Tenji was made to realise It would be impossible to change her mind anymore than this.

Tachibana was just this serious after all. Though whether this could be allowed or not was another matter.

Folding under her determined gaze, Tenji spoke.

"Fine. Let's discuss it with the Supervising Professional Explorer."

†　†　†

<—Hmm-mm, unfortunately you can't.>

The two had then traced the path back to where the presents had dropped, which also had mike with a surveillance camera along with it, and contacted the supervisor of this final preliminary—Renji Ukai.

While neither side could see each other, it was possible to communicate through the speaker attached to the camera. Revealing the details, while avoiding the part about Tenji's Ancient Caged Fire, Karen Tachibana appealed for the transfer of points.

However the reply didn't echo the answer she had wished for.

Showing a defeated expression like a puppy, Tachibana flashed a forced smile.

"Ahaha, I guess so. It was indeed too much to ask, I apologise for taking your time."

<I should be the one to apologise. From the contestant's viewpoint and their feelings, the correct choice is to allow the transfer. But doing so would surely invite confusion from fans who are currently watching the tournament. Hence, I have deemed it impossible to grant your wish for now.>

"Please, no. I thought I had thought it through, but It seemed I was the one who's mistaken."

<But if you're in a close competition with the top runners by the end, I can adjust the rankings based on my scoring. If you still want me to do that, I'll keep it in mind.>

"......Yes, please do that."

<Very well. I will keep it in mind as long as your mind doesn't change. But for now, the night has deepened much, so hurry up and take a good rest before the preliminary resume tomorrow! It's one of the fundamentals for explorers to take a rest whenever possible, you know? So hurry up and take a good night rest!!>

With that, the connection with Renji Ukai was cut off.

A faint downhearted expression appeared on Tachibana's face as she slowly turned around in the direction of Tenji, and bowed her head.

"I'm sorry, Tenji-kun."

Flustered, Tenji hurriedly urged move to raise up his bowing friend.

"You really don't have to, your feelings are enough honestly. But if you want to abate this frustration, then please make sure to stride for the main tournament. The stage would be us for taking, a place where we can fight fair and square."

"You're right. I promise that will be where we will settle the score!"

Afterward, Tenji continued to chat with her for a short while.

At the same time, he also realised the precarious position he was in with his current points. After giving it a thought, the answer he found was simple.

"I'm not going to hold back anymore starting tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will summon stronger ones."

†　†　†

—Final Preliminary location, Fujinomiya city. The epicentre of past calamity.

Quietly, a lone man waltzes through the pitch black forest. The corners of his mouth were perpetually turned up, and he walked through the woods like a clown dancing. Dressed in a neat black suit that blended into the darkness, he moved gracefully as if mistaking this place for the ball of upper society.

Suddenly, the man stopped at a spot illuminated by moonlight.

At the base of a tree there lay a single blue flower and a pack of store-bought ohagi. It implies someone had recently visited here as the flowers was still fresh and not wilted.

"I can't believe people still leave offerings for such a notorious criminal! Haha, maybe the world isn't as hopeless as I thought... It's worth stepping on."

The man skipped and crushed that flower beneath his feet. He deliberately grounded his shoe into the ground, transforming the beautiful flower into a ruined mess. Simultaneously, he kicked the container of ohagi far away with glee. The ohagi splattered against a distant tree, slowly sliding to the ground.

He watched this scene with delight.

"Anyway, I am not here to indulge in such hobbies. I need to ascertain something at all cost which was—"

He gazed up at the sky, or the crescent moon, and stopped on his track, seemingly brooding about something.

Then his lips curled into an eerie manner in the deathly still forest, causing small animals nearby to perceive the danger as they fled the area.

The forest rustled as if shivering.

"Anyway, where did I put it?"

Suddenly, the man opened his mouth wide and shoved his hand inside. He seemed to feel no pain or discomfort as he reached in up to his elbow, searching for something inside his body.

Then grabbing something, the man pulled it out.

The thing that he pulled out of his stomach was drenched in his body fluid. It was a—mere chunk of flesh.

He tossed that creepy thing onto the trampled flower.

"Hmm, it's boring to just leave it like that. Well, since I am it—"

The man bit on his lip, letting his red blood drip, as he slowly put it on the lump of meat.

Instantly, a dazzling radiance pierced through the dark veil. The lump of meat gradually became larger, expanding to the size of a human.

"The last laugh would be of us in this world."

†　†　†

The chill that had seized the night forest unravelled itself, the morning sunshine transformed the frozen water droplets into the vibrant morning dew.

As the morning's war air replaced the chilly air of the night, the four turned to do their final preparation for the preliminary. They had been a team for mere one night, yet a sense of comradery had budded between them.

Tenji really found that sensation pleasant.

"Alright, so it would be the 2nd round in just one minute huh."

Folding his arms, Kokugou said as he stretched.

The rest nodded silently in response. Somehow, Kokugou had turned their leader, a young man of the same age as them.

And Kokugou, a leader in making, raised his index finger and organised the details.

"I believe the top 12 will be decided before the day ends today. The minimum point is said to be 100, but I would imagine the top rankers would have somewhere around 120~150. Well, I need not to remind you but don't slack off, alright?"

"Yes!"

"Yeah!"

"Let's do our best!"

"Well then, may we meet on the main stage next time."

Kokugou concluded his word and the four focused on their preparation until the next announcement.

Once again, the main theme of Seeker Olympic resounded on the field, bringing a serious outlook on everyone, transforming the air of venue instantly.

The buzzing sound speaker caught up in everyone's ear.

<Good day to y'all. Since we need not a preface......then let us resume the second day of final preliminary!!>

In the same split second as Renji Ukai's voice echoed, the group of four disbanded.

Rest of the contestants followed the same and moved with their own plan in mind, starting another scramble for points.

After walking for around 15 minutes, confirming no one in sight, Tenji suddenly halted on his steps.

He stopped, looked around for the presence of any drone or surveillance camera and confirming their absence, he brought the Book of Enma he had been holding onto his hand in front of him.

"Respond to my call. —<Purgatory Demon Soldier Sai>, <Shaman Demon Soldier Touka>!"

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