Chapter 70: A-Rank Party with an E-Rank Heart

"Honestly, I think you're more than ready for D-rank as you are now."

"R-Really?"

: I agree.

: Hmm.

: If she can wipe out Steel Ants like that, isn't that enough?

: Yeah, seems like it.

: But you have to file for it, right?

: You have to write the paperwork and submit it to the association.

"Of course, you'll still need to build up your track record. Like, how many magic stones you've collected and things like that."

Well, if she collects about 20 Steel Ant magic stones in a day, I think that would be more than enough to prove her worth. I mean, I went from E-rank straight to EX, so I'm not too familiar with the process of ranking up to D.

From what I understand, the association's benchmark for D-rank is being able to take on a wyvern, the strongest monster in the middle floors, and hold your ground. If that's the case, I think Miyamoto-san already has the skill. It might just come down to perfecting basic movements and refining the efficiency of her magic circulation.

"Do you think if I just recommended you, you'd easily get bumped to D-rank?"

: Can you do that?

: Does EX come with that privilege?

: How do you not know this?

: Isn't that super easy if you can just recommend her?

"Maybe… but if I had that power, I'd probably get a lot of people asking for recommendations."

: Fair point.

: Hey, can you recommend me for D-rank too?

: LOL

: Just throw me a recommendation for EX while you're at it.

: Don't push it, dude.

: Haha, not even funny as a joke.

I might try asking the association when I get back... It's kind of ridiculous that she's still E-rank with that strength. If that doesn't work, I could ask for help from the guild.

Honestly, there's nothing more I can teach her on the upper floors. She needs to move on to the middle floors if she's going to progress, and I'll do what I can to help her get there.

: Why not just form a party?

: You can file a party application, right?

: Have you soloed so much you forgot about party ranks? Find more to read at m_v l|-NovelFire

: LOL Sёarᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

: B-B-B-Bachelor!

: Stop attacking us from all directions!

: You could easily hit D-party rank if you teamed up with EX.

"Oh, right..."

: He seriously forgot about it, huh?

: Wow…

: LMAO

: You really should team up more often.

: You're always diving solo, that's why.

Now that I think about it, there is such a thing as party ranking, huh?

To enter the upper floors, you need at least F-rank, and for the middle floors, you need D-rank. But it doesn't have to be your individual rank—it can be a party rank, too.

Party ranks aren't an average of the members' ranks; they're calculated based on the highest-ranking member's reliability. If an EX like me teamed up with an E-rank like Miyamoto-san... we'd probably get a B or even A-rank. Just because I'm overpowered.

"Let's head back to the entrance and file a party application."

"Y-Yeah, let's do that."

Man, I had totally forgotten about party ranks. To be fair, I've hardly ever been in a party. The last time I teamed up with someone was probably when my grandmother dragged me through the lower floors despite my low rank.

"And so, Kanakon-san and I are now in a party. Our party rank is A."

: LOL

: A-rank party with an E-rank member? (Confused)

: Walking tactical nuke over here.

: One-man army!

: This stream is comedy gold.

: I was only here for Kanakon, but this is too funny—subscribed!

: This guy is something else. LOL

"Now we can head to the middle floors... or even the lower floors."

"Y-Yeah... I guess so..."

Technically, you need to be A-rank or higher to enter the lower floors. Since our party rank is A, I could technically take Miyamoto-san all the way down there. But, of course, I'm not going to drag her into a place like that—it's way too unpredictable.

Still, I wonder if she chose this path because of the current trend of skipping traditional employment. It's becoming more common for people to make a living through streaming and other unconventional means. Maybe I should ask her directly.

"So, Kanakon-san, how old are you? You seem really young."

"Eh? I-I'm... 24 this year."

"Wow, that's young."

: Don't say that as a high schooler, dude.

: You sound like an old man.

: You're younger than her, come on.

: Still, 24 is young.

"Did you graduate college and go straight into streaming? But I thought you said you left a corporate job."

"Well... I'm not sure if it qualifies as 'leaving a corporate job,' but... after I graduated college, I got a job at a company... and it turned out to be a black company."

"Oh..."

: Oh no.

: Yikes.

: I see where this is going.

: We all know what that means.

: For once, Kisaragi and the chat are on the same page.

: It's a rare moment of understanding.

"That's when I remembered how I used to explore dungeons part-time during college to pay for tuition... I realized it was all I had left, so I quit and became a full-time explorer."

"Wow... that's pretty bold."

Despite being too shy to show her face on stream and wearing a fox mask, Miyamoto-san had the guts to quit her job and decide to make a living as an explorer. It takes real nerve to leave a job without knowing where your next paycheck will come from.

"But even after all this time, I'm still stuck at E-rank, and I started wondering if I just don't have any talent."

"No, you've definitely got talent. Way more than most of my viewers, that's for sure."

: Ouch.

: He's not wrong, though.

: Wait, really?

: Hey, I'm a proud lifetime E-rank!

: To be fair, the only thing wrong here is that Kanakon's still E-rank.

: Did he just roast us all?

: Uh, excuse me, I'm a solid C-rank.

Honestly, with her potential, Miyamoto-san could easily reach B-rank within a year if things go smoothly. She said she's been doing this since college, but if this is how she's been fighting the whole time, then she's got some natural talent.

"Though... I have trouble socializing, so I've never really been part of a team."

"..."

Ah, she's one of us.

: You definitely thought, "One of us," didn't you?

: Don't lump her in with us.

: She's just a little shy.

: And definitely gorgeous.

: We're not the same, man.

"Why do you only defend her? This is why none of you have friends."

: Same goes for you, buddy.

: LOL

: Hey, no need to bring friends into this!

: That's a low blow, man.

: Like you've got friends yourself.

"What? I have Asagao-san. We talk at school, you know?"

: Betrayal!

: You're telling me Kisaragi has friends!?

: This ruins my mental image of him.

: EX-ore-tachi (EX-us) is officially revoked.

: He's no longer one of us.

: This is heresy.

"Aha... this is a pretty fun stream."

"...Sorry, I got a bit carried away. This is just the usual dynamic."

Maybe I went a little too far. This is a collaboration stream, after all. It's fine when I'm streaming with Asagao, but I should probably dial it down when I'm with someone like Miyamoto-san, especially since it's our first time streaming together. Though, I'm not sure if I'll be able to hold back if the viewers keep egging me on.

: Sorry, Kanakon-chan!

: Kanakon is adorable.

: Walking alongside an EX—so impressive.

: You're awesome, Kanakon, hanging out with an EX.

: Are EXs classified as hazardous materials or something?

: Pretty much.