A Middle-Aged Man Becomes the Strongest in Another World: The Physical Specialized Awakener - Chapter 14

Adventurer Level: 7

Weapon Skills

• Mace: Lv.9

• Dagger: Lv.4

• Unarmed Combat: Lv.5

Armor Skills

• Buckler: Lv.8

Physical Abilities

• Stamina: Lv.9

• Strength: Lv.11

• Speed: Lv.9

• Agility: Lv.10

• Reflexes: Lv.9

Sensory Abilities

• Vision: Lv.7

• Hearing: Lv.5

• Smell: Lv.4

• Touch: Lv.4

• Dynamic Vision: Lv.9

• Aura Sense: Lv.7

Mental Abilities

• Calm Mind: Lv.6

• Sharp Mind: Lv.5

• Berserker: Lv.2

Special Skills

• Regeneration: Lv.1

• Stability: Lv.1 (new)

• Iron Body: Lv.1 (new)

“Okuno-san, you’ve been promoted to E-Rank. Congratulations on the fastest rank-up in our guild’s history!”

“Huh? But it’s only been two weeks since I reached F-Rank.”

The day after I reported the incident with the two dungeon bosses and got questioned since apparently it was a first, the receptionist, Kisara, informed me of my promotion after I finished my usual dungeon run and training.

“Between the amount of materials you’ve gathered, your defeat of the Boarwolves outside town, your successful subjugation of higher-tier goblins, the rare boss kill, and now the two-boss clear, you’ve more than earned it. Please hand over your adventurer card.”

“Oh, sure.”

Now that she listed it all out, it really does sound like I’ve been busy. I handed my adventurer card over, and Kisara took it to the back. A short while later, she returned.

“Here you go, your E-Rank card.”

“Thanks.” The new metal card had a glowing “E” engraved on it. These cards are pretty mysterious, they somehow track your kill count and quest progress.

“You now have access to E-Rank dungeons, Okuno-san. However, could I ask you to stay in town a little longer? We’re still waiting on the analysis report for that horn you turned in.”

“Got it. How long will that take?”

“Normally about a week, so… maybe another three or four days.”

So this world also has seven-day weeks. Though apparently, there are no official rest days. It’s not a full-on grindfest, but it definitely doesn’t prioritize work-life balance.

“I’ve got some custom gear I ordered from the weapon shop anyway, so I was planning to stick around.”

“That’s great to hear. Even as an E-Rank, collecting materials in F-Rank dungeons still earns you points, so if you don’t mind continuing as you have been…”

“Sure thing. I’ll need to save up money for travel to other towns anyway.”

Just as I reassured Kisara, the sound of a carriage stopping outside caught our attention. Two people entered the guild. 

One was a well-dressed, middle-aged man who looked like a sharp, capable bureaucrat, the kind of person who screams elite just by standing there. The other was a young woman with long silver hair down to her waist, clad in ornate crimson light armor and carrying an elaborately designed longsword at her hip.

Both were clearly no ordinary folks, but the woman in particular gave off the unmistakable aura of an Awakened One. She spoke briefly to one of the guild staff, and the two were promptly led into a back room.

“Who were they?”

“The man is the steward of the Barrius Viscount family, they govern this whole region. I’ve seen him once before. The woman is even more famous, Anatolia, a former A-Rank adventurer who now serves as a knight for the viscount’s household.”

Kisara’s expression had stiffened. Understandably so, a steward is a noble’s most trusted aide. Not someone you see casually. Looks like adventurers can be hired into noble households as knights. Maybe I should start thinking about long-term career paths too.

“So if someone like that shows up, something big must’ve happened?”

“Most likely, yes. I imagine the lord has finally decided how to deal with that goblin village we discovered.”

“You mean adventurers are going to be mobilized?”

“Exactly. And anyone E-Rank or above is required to participate.”

“Wait, what?!”

Seriously? Now? Right after I ranked up? No, there’s no way the guild set me up. That’s just me being paranoid. Even if I was the fastest to rank up, I’m still just another face in the crowd of E-Rank adventurers.

“Bahaha! Tough luck, old man!” 

That night, I went out drinking with Caim and the others to celebrate my promotion and, of course, the topic of the viscount’s emissary came up.

Every adventurer figured it meant a large-scale goblin extermination quest was on the way. And the fact that I got promoted right before the announcement? Kaim found that hilarious.

“Still, hearing what you did, your promotion makes sense. But man, that was fast.”

“Apparently, since I did it all solo, my points got multiplied.” I explained to young Lavelt, and the spear-wielding beauty Lannan nodded.

“Makes sense. Solo dungeon runs deserve recognition.”

“Yeah, or maybe nobody wants to party with the old man, huh? Heh heh.”

Kaim, you brat. Before I could say anything, Meribe the mage cracked him on the head. Loud enough to echo, but judging by his grin, he’s fine.

After the laughs died down, Kaim scooted next to me and nudged me with his elbow.

“So, old man, you saw Anatolia the Crimson, right? I heard she’s a real beauty. How was she?”

“Sorry to disappoint, I was too focused on her gear. Didn’t want to stare at her face and get glared at, you know?”

“Aww, lame! Should’ve ranked up faster myself—ow!”

Looks like Meribe pinched him. Lavelt chuckled and chimed in, “Maybe she’ll show up for the goblin subjugation. Could be your chance to make an impression.”

“Yeah! I’ll catch her eye with some heroic feat and—ow! Damn it!”

“You’re saying a former A-Rank’s gonna be involved? Is this Goblin King that serious?”

Even I, as an E-Rank, have power far beyond regular humans. So someone at A-Rank must be monstrous.

“Honestly, if we had some C-Ranks, it’d be a breeze. But we need numbers, so they’re using her as bait.”

“Bait?”

“Yeah, having someone famous draws adventurers in. Half the event turns into a festival.”

“That’s… weirdly savvy. Adventurers really are built differently.”

Entertainment options are limited in this world, so turning a large-scale mission into a spectacle kind of makes sense. As I took another swig of my drink, Meribe, still pinching Kaim, turned to me.

“So, Soushi-san, after the goblin subjugation, are you planning to leave town?”

“Yeah. I want to travel, collect more skills, and check out some E-Rank dungeons. Once I’m prepped, I’ll head out.”

“I see… You’re from another country, so you don’t really have a reason to stay in this town, huh?” She looked a little envious, and something clicked.

“Wait, are all of you from this town originally?”

“Yep,” Kaim answered, finally freed from her grip. “All of us have family here. We’re trying to make a living while staying close to home.”

“That makes sense. Family and hometowns are important.”

“Yeah. We’ve talked about maybe going out, hitting D-Rank, and coming back… but it’s tough to commit. There’s the money, the time, and worrying your family.”

“Right. It’s not easy to just up and leave.”

“Exactly. In a way, I kinda envy you, old man. I still dream about getting stronger too, sometimes.”

Kaim’s eyes drifted to the distance as he spoke, and Meribe watched him quietly, a complicated look on her face. They all had their own burdens. Their own ties. But they were still young. Someday, they might find the right moment to chase their goals.

When that time comes, maybe I’ll be the one to lead them forward.