"You are the examiner, right?"

After overcoming the tumultuous beginning, Kanata and the others are confronted by the old man.

He is the examiner for the final exam.

He is a skilled individual with the qualification of "Special Class Explorer."

"Indeed."

Around the old man, who nodded with a slight bob of his head, several examinees collapsed.

(You dared to challenge us...)

Their devices had red X marks on them.

They must have been disqualified after losing to the old man.

In front of such a formidable opponent, Elvi spoke up.

"It's getting interesting, isn't it?"

In response, the old man also smiled back.

"Hmph. I don't need even a second from you."

"...Oh?"

The old man uncrosses his arms behind his back.

At that moment, an incredible aura burst forth.

"""...!"""

The bent back straightens, and a stance resembling martial arts is taken.

With that flowing movement, he bowed his head.

"I give up."

"Yes?"

Kanata won.

[Old man! LOL]

[Seriously, it didn't even take a second, lol.]

[Actions speak louder than words, lol.]

[Special Class Explorers don't lie, right?]

[What was that pointless movement before? LOL]

[Is he imitating Kanata-kun? Haha]

[Head Bowing Community.]

The old man looked up again and started talking non-stop.

"I am 'Twilight Jijiya.' A Special Class Explorer."

[Are you only going to introduce yourself after losing? LOL]

[That's new, haha.]

[Wait, that Jijiya!?]

[He's been around forever, a total veteran!]

[But wasn't the face a no-go...?]

[Why did he come out now?]

─The Twilight Jijiya.

He is the oldest explorer who has been active since the dawn of the dungeon era.

Even past his prime, he is still a powerhouse with top-tier qualifications.

However, he is not a streamer and does not reveal his appearance.

Since he only delves into ultra-advanced dungeons, the likelihood of being discovered by streamers is extremely low, and he also avoids media appearances.

That old man made his first public appearance.

What is that serious reason─

"Please sign here."

"Huh?"

"My grandson is a fan of yours. The association said it would be fine to contact you if I could be an examiner."

It was because he wanted to make his grandchild happy.

[Old man lol]

[For the sake of his grandson, lol]

[Isn't he cute?!]

[He's a nice grandfather, and I really like him ( ;ㅿ; )]

[Jijiya's impression has changed, lol]

[I thought he would be scarier!]

[Mirror of a Grandfather Striving for His Grandchild.]

Jijiya maintained confidentiality for forty years.

However, for the sake of his grandchild, he can easily set aside his pride.

He's a great grandfather.

Kanata hands over the sign but is somewhat puzzled.

"Are you really okay with winning? ...Please sign."

"Well, I have no objections... Thank you."

Then, Jijiya began to speak with his back turned.

"Kanata-kun, being a senior explorer requires more than just 'strength'."

"!"

"When faced with danger, it's the 'judgment' that allows you to take appropriate action."

[Looks like he's starting to talk about something, lol.]

[Talking through his back...]

[Sounds like he's just saying something that sounds good.]

[Talking while holding a signed piece of paper is funny, lol.]

"Retreating is not losing. Dying is what losing is."

"Jijiya, san..."

It must be words from a super veteran.

Jijiya looked at Kanata and the others again and smiled faintly.

"As a result, I judged that I should retreat here."

[So that's why you backed down, huh? LOL]

[Feeling like death is imminent, lol.]

[He's an amazing explorer, alright...]

[That's how strong the Demon King is.]

[Well, technically, yes, haha.]

[The ability to see through the opponent is truly that of a veteran, huh? lol]

And finally, he told Kanata.

"Don't mess up the moment to pull back. In various ways."

"Huh?"

"Just an old man's words. You might as well keep them in the back of your mind. Hahaha."

Then, Jijiya takes something out of his pocket.

"Here. This is the first designated material, the [Examination Stone]."

"What?"

"Go ahead."

"Y-yes!"

And so, Kanata and the others break through Jijiya.

However, Kanata was reflecting a bit while running.

(When he said "the moment to pull back," it felt like he was looking at the familiars...)

"Master? What happened?"

"N-No, it's nothing!"

"...?"

Are these profound words or shallow words?

He doesn't know now, but Kanata etched the words into his heart.

Someday, he feels like he will understand the meaning of it─.

Further ahead.

"Just as I thought, you all have arrived as well."

A boisterous man in just a shirt was waiting with his arms crossed.

He must also be an examiner with a special class qualification.

"If you have an advanced qualification, your opportunities will greatly expand. I won't let it be easy."

"..."

As he said, senior explorers are granted various authorities.

・B~A rank dungeon exploration rights

・Authority to establish an office or guild

・Authority to exercise ground capabilities in emergencies

Because there are various benefits, responsibilities also accompany them.

Therefore, unlike general qualifications, advanced qualifications are not easily granted.

The man seems to be measuring whether Kanata is worthy of it.

The man began to speak with the pride of a top-tier explorer, raising his finger.

"Listen up. Having an advanced qualification means you're impressive… guh!?"

"""The story is long."""

However, the bored familiars were instantly killed.

The man is knocked out with one punch.

Kanata was also staring with a serious expression.

"That's terrible... Oh, the material dropped."

Then, a piece of the specified material falls off the man's shirt.

Kanata also picked it up and moved ahead with the familiars.

"T-thank you very much!"

"I haven't even introduced myself yet... ugh."

[Those familiars are merciless... lol]

[I heard old man's story, but still, lol.]

[Wasn't the macho type their preference?]

[They can't even get them to ask his name, lol.]

[Materials are dropping, lol.]

[Are drop items monsters or what? LOL]

[Kanata-kun also picks up on it slyly, haha.]

[Sadistic Demon King.]

From then on, Kanata and his group's advance did not stop.

"I will never move. If you want to get past, defeat me first… Guh!?"

"""Move!"""

[’Unmovable firm’ got knocked out!?]

"I have no weaknesses. Therefore, I am perfect and flawless… whoa!!"

"""Full of gaps."""

[Seriously, the 'perfect Junpei'!]

"...I'll cut you here… hiiiyaaaahhh!!"

"""Women are to be defeated."""

[’Silent Karen’ screamed and ran away!?]

The comment section continued to buzz with excitement over the Demon King's party's unstoppable prowess.

[The exam proctor is being overwhelmed, lol.]

[Are these guys above a special rank or what? lol]

[That's way too monstrous, lol.]

[Of course, it's hilarious to see the invasion stream.]

[Ah, the exam got messed up... lol.]

[Are there no equals anywhere? lol]

And so, without any issues, they reached the innermost part of the "Advanced Examination Dungeon."

"This is it!"

Kanata collects the last designated material, [Examination Stone].

"Master!"

"Kanata-kun!"

"Kanata-sama!"

"Yo!"

With this, the material gathering is complete.

Within the one-hour time limit, the goal was achieved with thirty minutes to spare.

Immediately, a communication is sent to Kanata's test device.

"Congratulations. As soon as you return from the dungeon, we will distribute the advanced qualifications."

"Yay...!"

[Congratulations, Demon King!]

[Congratulations!]

[You were so relaxed all along, huh? LOL]

[No elements of struggle! lol]

[Thirty minutes is the fastest in history, right?]

[Please take the special class exam soon.]

[Ah, that was fun!]

Thus, Kanata successfully obtained the advanced qualification.

Despite it being a public examination, the Demon King's entourage, as usual, became a hot topic once again.

Also, Kanata had a certain purpose...

While looking at the familiars, Kanata speaks out loud.

"Alright, finally─!"

Having obtained the advanced qualification, Kanata moves on to the next action─.

★

At that time, deep within a certain dungeon.

"Gr, grr..."

There was a large fallen monster and a shadow creeping up to it.

When the shadow reaches out, a faint light shifts from the monster.

As if they had mastered the skill.

"Hehe. I finally got my hands on it."

The shadowy figure smiled.

"That detestable hero... Kanata's skill..."

Chapter 20: VS Special Class Explorer