American Scout: “Well then, it’s unfortunate, but I’ll head back after the Battle God Guild. It’s a shame, I rushed over here, but it seems that geographical reasons have gotten in the way. That place is physically closer.”

The scout from the USA said this, gave an explanation, and bowed his head in departure. In the USA, the structure is slightly different, and you will be part of the military.

For this reason, it’s necessary to acquire American citizenship, but they will handle all of it, and the treatment is on par with Hollywood stars.

Now, for every country, securing an S-Rank has become a matter of life and death, and I was strongly persuaded that they absolutely want me to come. The main reason is to handle the collapse of the S-Rank Cube dungeons. Even now, many S-Rank individuals take turns dealing with the S-Rank monsters that appear daily.

This is something that can only be done by an S-Rank, and if failed, the country will perish. Therefore, it is crucial to secure an S-Rank, no matter how much money it costs. However, when I said that I would give priority to those who spoke to me first, they did not push further and said they would come back later, looking very disappointed.

Nagi: “Big brother, this feels like a rise in status. Both are guilds that I’ve heard of. Amazing.”

Kai: “Ah… but for now, let’s go consult with Tanaka-san.”

I activated my Lightning skill, intending to teleport to Tanaka-san’s shadow. But teleporting out of the blue might be rude, so maybe it’s better to go see him in person?

Ding-dong

Just as I was thinking this, the doorbell rang again.

Kai: “Could it be another scout? Alright… Wait, Tanaka-san! You’ve come!”

Tanaka: “Yeah, I thought we both had a lot we wanted to talk about. Is it okay?”

I invited Tanaka-san into the house. Come to think of it, since my smartphone is being repaired, he probably came directly because he couldn’t contact me. I should have let him know.

Tanaka: “This is my first time at your house, Kai. You’ve come a long way since your old one-bedroom apartment. Good evening, Nagi.”

Nagi: “Good evening, Tanaka-san!”

Kai: “So, Tanaka-san, what’s going on…?”

After that, Tanaka-san explained everything that had happened. Why I was expelled, the schemes of the vice chairman named Akuzawa, and the fact that Chairman Kagetora resigned.

Kai: “I see… It’s my fault, then.”

Tanaka: “No, both the chairman and I were aware of this. There was certainly a risk, but thanks to that, you grew, and both the chairman and I were saved. We have no regrets. You saved this country. Even if we knew this outcome, we would have made the same choice.”

Tanaka-san smiled gently, and I was sure his words were sincere. Still, I apologized.

After that, Tanaka-san looked at the documents from the Battle God Guild that Hao-san left on the table. I told him about the scouts that had come.

Tanaka: “They’ve already arrived, huh? That’s impressive. So, Kai-kun. The chairman and I think you should accept the scouts’ offers. It will certainly become a part of you, and unfortunately, your dungeon clearor qualifications are now in the hands of public opinion, and it can’t be stopped.”

Kai: “I see… Ha, well, I’m used to being disliked.”

I probably sounded a bit weak. I’m used to being disliked, but I never thought I’d get bashed this much from all over the country. Of course, to those who don’t know anything, I would look like a criminal. Even those who do know the circumstances would still think so. The voices criticizing me on the internet are only growing louder. I just hope it doesn’t affect Nagi.

Seeing my situation, Tanaka-san stands up.

Tanaka: “… I’m sorry, Kai-kun. On behalf of the citizens of this country, I apologize to you. However, you don’t need to listen to the words of people who only know fragments of information about you. Even so, one criticism can hurt more than a thousand praises. I’m truly sorry for the many slanders. I will take care of it.”

Kai: “It’s okay, Tanaka-san. It’s not something you should apologize for. I broke the rules, so I’ll accept the consequences. Well… I think I’ll take a look at the Battle God Guild. Maybe they’ll let me clear an A-Rank Cube, and Hao-san seems like a good person.”

Tanaka: “That’s good. I’ve met the representative there… He’s young, charismatic, and has a sense of justice. Come to think of it, he reminds me a little bit of you. He’s about the same age.”

Kai: “I see, I heard he’s called the Great Hero of China.”

Tanaka: “Oh, you know about him? His story?”

Kai: “Yes, just from online information…”

The Great Hero of China, the Guild Master of the Battle God Guild, saved China, no, the world. In the past, when dungeon collapses were commonplace, a mute Cube in China suddenly caused a dungeon collapse. It was a ominous purple color, which is only seen in a few cases worldwide.

Later known as a sign of an S-Rank Cube. The Cube, which had been silently standing until then, turned into a pitch-black Cube, and monsters poured out.

In retrospect, the Cube’s magical power must have been at its limit. And what happened was the dungeon collapse of the S-Rank Cube, and the appearance of the army of destruction.

I heard that it was hell. At that time, many top clearers resisted but were killed like bugs. The S-Rank Cube in China was supposed to be an Ogre Cube.

The large army of ogres with S-Rank magic power appeared one after another.

Imagine. A group of ogres as powerful as the chairman and Tendou-san, over a hundred of them.

That’s nothing but an army of death, ogres of despair leading to the world’s destruction.

No one knows how many people died, but China was only left with the path of destruction.

The UN, taking the situation seriously, approved the establishment of the United Nations military, represented by the United States. China was compelled to accept military intervention from the world.

Arnold also should have been there.

In effect, it was synonymous with a nation relinquishing its power. The massive nation of China was driven to the brink of extinction by the monsters.

However, the most powerful allied forces in human history never took off, because at the time, a 16-year-old boy had wiped out all the demons.

He is the great hero who saved the country, the master of the Battle God Guild, one of the apexes, a transcendent.

One of the world’s strongest alongside Arnold, his name is…

Tanaka: “Wang Wei, I think he’s about 25 or 26 years old now. It was 10 years ago when the S-rank Cube collapsed. Don’t worry, he’s a wonderful person.”

Kai: “Wang-san, huh… I’m looking forward to it. He seems to want to meet me. I’m thinking of leaving the day after tomorrow!”

Tanaka: “Ah, I see. I’ve been busy for a while, so I’ll tell the chairman the same. And make sure you tell Aya and Reina yourself, okay?”

Kai: “…Ah, hahaha, yes…”

I stuttered. Come to think of it, I had left abruptly… Was she angry? No, she must be. I probably like Aya, but it’s true that I was strongly attracted to Reina.

I thought I was devoted, but am I unfaithful? No, I would like someone to tell me if there’s a man who doesn’t feel anything in a situation like that.

Tanaka: “Well, I’m off. Let me know how things are going. By the way, the operation to recapture the Dragon Island has been postponed, I’ll report the situation later. Things are difficult since the chairman changed.”

Kai: “Ah, I see. I understand.”

With that, Tanaka-san left. I think I’ll say hello to Chairman Kagetora tomorrow and prepare.

Nagi: “It’s tough, isn’t it, big brother? A lot of things… By the way, who do you prefer, Aya-san or Reina-san?”

Kai: “Stop it, sis. I’ve abandoned the idea of thinking about that answer for now. Understand how I feel. I’m being dishonest…”

Ever since the Okinawa incident, I had felt that maybe I like Aya. But I can’t deny that I think Reina’s smile is cute. I really didn’t know which one I liked anymore, or rather, was it correct to say I liked both? Was I just a playboy?

Amid such indecisive conflicts, I had abandoned my thoughts.

Nagi: “I think the correct answer would be to make Aya-san your legal wife and Reina-san your mistress. I think Reina-san wouldn’t mind, but Aya-san… She seems quite jealous… But it seems like Aya-san would be excited by that… NTR…”

Kai: “Where did you learn stuff like that even though you’ve been asleep this whole time?”

Nagi: “Haha, hang in there, big brother! I’m rooting for you! So anyways, I’m tired so I’m going to sleep!”

Nagi started preparing to go to bed after saying she was going to take a bath. With too much on my mind, I decided to stop thinking and go to sleep that day.

The next day, I told Hao-san that I was going to visit China and received a repair request for my smartphone.

Hao-san was very happy, but running a business is hard. I’m sure he must be told to bring me along at all costs.

Kai: “Ah, Aya? Sorry. I was fixing my smartphone yesterday… Yeah, ah, did you hear from Tanaka-san and the chairman? It’s okay, I know I’m being bashed on the internet, but I don’t care at all. Yeah, yeah. Oh, by the way, I’m going to China tomorrow… Yes, to the Battle God Guild… I won’t be able to see you for a while… Eh? I’m leaving from Narita at 9 o’clock…”

I explained everything to Aya over the phone. I thought she’d be angry that I ran away, but she was surprisingly gentle, which relieved me. She asked me where and when to meet, maybe she’s worried, she’s cute.

I spent that day shopping for things I needed for the trip with Nagi and living a peaceful daily life.

There were many times when people pointed at me as I walked by, but I didn’t care.

No one dared to complain to my face. It would be suicide to pick a fight with an S-Rank. It might also be because Nagi was glaring at anyone who seemed to harbor ill will towards me.

She’s a reliable sister, technically an A-Rank monster.

◇The following day, the day to go to China

I was at Narita Airport. Hao-san was supposed to be waiting at the airport, so I headed to the meeting place.

Kai: “I’m excited.”

Nagi: “Yeah! Look at this! I did a lot of research yesterday!! I want to visit a ton of places! It’s Shanghai, right? I want to try Shanghai crab! They say it’s the best season to eat it!!”

Nagi showed me her notebook with a cheerful look. I was wondering what she was doing late last night, but it seems she was compiling places she wanted to go. The fact that a heart is drawn next to the picture of a crab shows that she’s really looking forward to it.

Looking at it, I also wanted to eat it.

Kai: “I’ll let you eat as much as you want. I got a card from Hao-san that I can use as much as I want. Besides, I’ve converted about 2 million to Chinese money! I don’t really understand its value though.”

Nagi: “Big brother, you’re wonderful!! I want to be your child!! Let me live lavishly!”

I showed Nagi the wad of Chinese money I had exchanged and playfully slapped her with it.

Kai: “Hahaha, you’re lucky. You’re adored by your brother, and here! This is the smell of Chinese money!!”

Nagi: “Ah! I can smell the 4000 years of history!!”

In such a silly mood for our first overseas trip, we headed to the meeting place.

Kai: “…The meeting place is around here, but ah, there he is. Hao-san… huh?”

Hao-san was there. But Hao-san had a bitter smile on his face.

Kai: “Why?”

Nagi: “Well, well, isn’t this a hint of turmoil?”

That’s because he was sandwiched between two stunning beauties, one black and the other silver, that were attracting the gaze of everyone in the airport.