Hao: “You certainly live in an amazing place! I’m glad. It’s fortunate that Kai-sama has the freedom to accept scout requests. The top clearers generally have to go through the association or else it’s not possible.”

I had invited Hao-san into my house. Looking at his status, he was a D-Rank and I didn’t think he was particularly dangerous.

Moreover, I was honestly curious.

Why would a guild competing for the title of world’s strongest want with me?

Hao-san and I sat across from each other at a desk. Nagi peeked out from the sofa, watching us curiously, cute as a cat.

Hao: “First of all, I understand that the stripping of your qualifications must have been quite painful. Thank you for speaking to me under such circumstances.”

Hao-san rose to his feet, bowing deeply in an almost exaggerated fashion.

Hao: “I may not know the details of your situation, but I have seen and felt the justice in your actions, Kai-sama. Perhaps it’s the strength of your spirit. At my age, I found it moving. Standing up against the world’s strongest tyrant is something I would expect from our great Chinese hero.”

Hao-san looked to be about 40 years old and gave off a kind and friendly vibe. Perhaps scouts are best suited to this kind of approachable personality, more so than hardcore elite men. They might be better at sales.

And by great hero, he probably meant the master of the Battle God Guild. He is known as the greatest hero in Chinese history.

Kai: “Well, this is the result of my reckless actions.”

Hao: “No, Kai-sama. This is the result because the other party was ‘that’ Arnold. Justice leans towards the strong. If the situation was reversed, you wouldn’t have been blamed at all. We don’t think you did anything wrong. We believe Arnold, who created a massacre even though the enemy had already been neutralized, is also at fault. And we’ve found out that the woman… was a relative of Reina Ginno-sama. And unless Arnold undoes the damage he caused, it cannot be healed.”

Kai: “…I see, you guys know everything. Until now, I wasn’t able to see it that way.”

I found some solace in his words. After the press conference, the internet was filled with blame towards me. Heartless words were being thrown around on social media.

Social Media User: 『He’s probably a spy for the God-Destruction Cult.』

Social Media User: 『【Sad News】 A self-centered, arrogant boy almost destroys Japan.』

Social Media User: 『It’s the end of the world if that type of guy is an S-Rank. Stripping him of his license is only right. He should be imprisoned.』

Even though I thought it couldn’t be helped, those words hurt me a little. It’s probably better not to see such things, but I couldn’t help but care.

They knew nothing about the circumstances. If they just cut out what I did, I would definitely be seen as the bad guy. Criticism is inevitable. Or maybe it’d be the same even if they knew the circumstances. After all, the fact that I punched Arnold out of self-satisfaction is a fact.

Kai: “’I’m not in the wrong’… Those words make me a little… happy.”

Nagi: “Big brother did nothing wrong!! After all, you only tried to save Reina’s mom!!”

Nagi protested from the side, peeking out from the sofa. No amount of criticism can override these words from Nagi. It’s amazing how sisters are.

Hao: “Our master also thinks so, Kai-sama. Now, let’s get back to the main topic.”

Kai: “Ah, yes.”

Hao: “Firstly, it’s regrettable, but the stripping of your qualifications is already decided. These are the qualifications issued by the Japanese Dungeon Association. As a result, you cannot belong to a guild affiliated with the Japanese Dungeon Association. This means that you can’t be a part of Avalon.”

Kai: “I see… I’m not too familiar with the mechanisms involved…”

Hao: “Let me explain. To start, are you familiar with the organizational structure of the Dungeon Association?”

As he said this, Hao-san pulled out a tablet from his bag and showed me some documents.

Hao: “The Dungeon Association is a global organization that exists in various countries. The top of this organization is the Dungeon Association Headquarters, located in New York, USA. This is not only the actual top but also serves as the American Dungeon Association. The United States has always been at the center of global influence, which hasn’t changed since long ago.”

The Dungeon Association in Japan is known as the Japan Dungeon Association. In China, it’s the China Dungeon Association; in Germany, it’s the Germany Dungeon Association. Each major country has its own Dungeon Association.

The entity that oversees all of these is the Dungeon Association Headquarters in New York, colloquially referred to as the 『World Dungeon Association』. I find this term easier to understand, so I’ll use it.

Hao: “Each country’s association is delegated the management of the clearers. You might consider it a giant franchise.”

It was a term I was unfamiliar with, but it seems to be similar to a convenience store. A certain major convenience store chain has a headquarters, but convenience stores are spread all over the country like branches. Each convenience store is managed by an owner under a contract. The owner of the convenience store is the chairman, and the part-time workers are the clearers or staff, I suppose.

Kai: “I see. So, what does that mean?”

Hao: “Yes, now to the main point. Our country, and our Battle God Guild, are ready to welcome you as a companion. Although there are issues with Kai-sama and Arnold-sama… well, our country is not necessarily best friends with that country. And it seems that only our great hero can counteract Arnold’s military strength, or rather, his violence.”

Kai: “Eh? Is that… are you trying to scout me?”

Hao: “Yes!! Specifically for Kai-sama, our country’s association can reissue your clearer’s license. This is a very special case recognized by our government, to invite capable awakened ones. You can take up Chinese citizenship whenever you wish. We can discuss the details later, but what we can offer Kai-sama is the right for members of the Battle God Guild to freely enter the Cubes managed by our country, excluding S-Rank Cubes. How does that sound?”

Kai: “Does that mean abandoning Japan?”

When I asked Hao-san if his statement meant leaving Japan, he quickly corrected himself with a flustered look.

Hao: “No, no, not at all. You are free to live in Japan. However, if you are affiliated with us, we would like to borrow your power in times of need for our country, particularly for dealing with the monsters that appear from the still collapsing S-Rank Cubes in our country once a month. There are various restrictions, but there is no need to rush. How does that sound?”

Then, with a bright smile, Hao-san made a proposal to me.

Hao: “Why not come and visit our Battle God Guild in our country? Our hero 『King』 is very eager to meet you.”

He proposed that I go abroad.

AFTERWORD:

Please bear with me for a while.

I started a new series.

★ I want you to enjoy until a good stopping point, so I’m publishing 21 chapters at once ★

Twilight Offline The Continuation of the Death Game is in Another World~ https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330650725203938