Worthless Skill Escape (WN)

Chapter 34

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TL: ALT

Chapter 34 – A Reunion with an Old Enemy and a Caring Childhood Friend

After listening to Minazawa-san’s story, Serika and I went to the lobby of the Explorers’ Association and waited for the elevator.

I am full of desire to talk about what I was told earlier, but there is no way we can talk about such things in a public place.

I was told that Rakan Human Resources has gradually increased its investment in the Explorers’ Association year after year.

The Rakan Explorers Guild is also one of the largest in the country in terms of the number of explorers (regardless of quality) who belong to it.

It is said that it has already become a political force to be reckoned with.

The founder of Rakan is a member of the Diet of the ruling party, and there are rumors that he will join the cabinet in the next reshuffle.

The elevator arrived.

When the doors opened, there was a guest inside.

“Ara? Isn’t that Akinojo-san? You seem to have a rather dull man with you. Is he your boyfriend?”

It was a beautiful woman in a suit who suddenly uttered such rude words.

She seemed to have great confidence in her appearance and would not hesitate to use it to her advantage.

She was perhaps a bit shorter than Serika.

Her blouse was open to show off her good looks, and she wore a tight skirt with a slit.

She is the picture of haughty, beautiful, and sexy, but not the type of woman you want to get involved with.

…No, wait.

I know this woman!

Her appearance has changed a lot, but I’m sure I’m right.

Why is this woman here?

This is the worst reunion I’ve ever had.

From her reaction, it looks like she doesn’t even know it’s me.

“Tozaki-san. You are being rude to my companion.”

I thought she would get angry, but Serika calmly cut her off.

I think that’s the right thing to do.

If you get emotional with this woman, she will only take advantage of you.

The name I just heard and her old name seem to be different… but it wouldn’t be surprising if she were married at her age.

But Tozaki is…

“Ara, that’s rude of me. You know, I’m the kind of person who says what’s on my mind right away.”

The woman who got off the elevator unnecessarily approached Serika and spat out words of contempt.

If she is the same person I remember, she should be called Junko Tozaki.

“Is there something you wanted to see me about?”

“No, not particularly. But the day is coming soon when I will overtake you in the rankings. Be prepared for that.”

“I am not an explorer for the sake of rankings. All I can say is that you are free to do as you please.”

“Hmph, keep that look on your face while you still can.”

And then Junko Tozaki disappeared into the hallway of the Association floor without even a greeting.

Serika and I entered the elevator in silence.

“I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”

“Serika is not to blame. It was that woman’s fault. Who is she?”

I knew who it was, but it might have been a misunderstanding.

“The Guildmaster of Rakan. Junko Tozaki. She’s the 27th ranked explorer in the domestic level ranking, you know.”

I knew it was the woman I knew.

“If her surname is Tozaki, does that mean that she is the wife of the founder of Rakan?”

“No. She seems to be his adopted daughter.”

“Adopted daughter? That ruthless founder would adopt a stranger as his daughter?”

“Probably because she had some skills that were hard to find. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were his mistress.”

Serika and I attended different high schools.

So she wouldn’t know that I and that woman had a connection in the past.

If she had known, there was no way she would have handled it that way.

But still, it seems like they have a conflict.

There was no need to bother telling Serika about the treatment I received from that woman in the past.

I am sure that Serika would be even angrier than I am.

But such feelings will only give this woman an opportunity to take advantage of me.

“Is there some kind of trouble?”

“It’s not like that, but… I think it’s because I’m a woman of her age and close to her in rank. She always looks at me as if I’m an enemy. My guild’s management policy is also the exact opposite of hers.”

“The fact that Serika’s guild is the exact opposite of that woman means that it is a decent guild.”

“I know. If you take her seriously, she will only take advantage of you, so the best thing to do is just let it go without changing your expression… That’s what my guild mates told me.”

“You must have some good friends.”

“Yeah. My guild is the best. I can say that with confidence.”

The elevator reached the desired floor.

It’s the floor where some of the famous guilds have their offices.

It seems that Rakan occupies a whole floor different from this one.

“Come in, Yuto. Come in, come in.”

Serika opened the door with the card lock and led me inside.

On the small, exclusive floor was a woman about Serika’s age, wearing glasses.

She looked like an intelligent woman, reminding me of a cool-headed CEO or a competent secretary, or words to that effect.

“Master. Welcome back.”

“I’m back, Hisui-chan. Did everything go well while I was away?”

“Yes. All the teams are doing their explorations without any problems.”

“That’s good to hear.”

…As you can see from this conversation, Serika is the master of this guild, Paladin Knights.

I think the reason why Junko Tozaki sees Serika as an enemy is also because they are in a position to represent each other’s guild.

But then again, it’s that woman.

It is impossible for her to have a healthy rivalry with Serika.

A kind and caring person like Serika, who treats others with open arms and is liked by everyone, would be the kind of person she would not like the most.

She will destroy her by any means necessary―that’s what she thinks.

…Now is not the time to think about such things.

“Hello, sorry to disturb you.”

I bow to; what was her name again? Hisui-san, right?

She examines me from head to toe and then asks,

“Is this him?”

She asks Serika.

“Yes. He’s a promising explorer.”

“You don’t want to recruit him?”

“I don’t want to force him. Besides, I don’t want people to think it’s because of our connections.”

“No one would think that Master would do such a thing.”

“Even so, you know. You can’t just rest on your laurels, right?”

“I agree. So I guess you’re just showing your face today, right?”

The woman turned to me,

“I’m Yuto Kurashiki. Nice to meet you.”

I wasn’t sure if I should use polite language or not, but remembering what Haruka-san said to me yesterday, I tried to make it clear.

I’m not a guild member here, so as an explorer, I’m in the same league as her, regardless of my abilities.

She has been treating me lightly from the beginning, and that is the kind of attitude I need.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Eh?”

“Don’t you want to show off your level and skills?”

“Oh, it’s a very specific thing. I will not tell you, as is my right as an explorer.”

“I see. Well, if Master says you are promising, then I guess you are.”

I have a tendency to be treated easily by women I meet for the first time, especially those who are “capable” or “popular.

They may think that my shy nature makes me look weak or useless.

Junko Tozaki’s attitude earlier is a typical example.

That Hisui-san? I thought for a moment that she might be one of them, but it seems that she is not.

Maybe that person is like that with everyone.

It’s not that she’s making fun of me; it’s just that she’s so bureaucratic.

That’s how I understand the extent of her loyalty to Serika.

Maybe she was the one who advised Serika on how to deal with Junko Tozaki.

I am glad that Serika has an ally like her because she is a caring person who can sometimes be dangerous.

“Serika must be trusted a lot.”

I murmured unintentionally,

“Please don’t call Master so casually.”

A sharp voice warned me.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Hisui-chan, that’s not true. Yuto is a childhood friend of mine, and we’ve known each other since before I became the guild master.”

“But this is the guild room. I don’t want to interfere with your private life, but you have to mind your place.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be careful.”

But I’m not a member here, so it’s strange to call her Master, isn’t it?

I guess I’ll just have to go with Akinojo-san.

“Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Hisui Haitani. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kurashiki-san.”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, Haitani-san.”

I was confused by Haitani-san’s expressionless face, but I managed to reply to her.