Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~

Chapter 371.2: Meanwhile in the Imperial Capital

The challenge begins when a Branch Manager of the Explorers Association decides that they want their Hunters to take the Level 9 Certification Exam.

Highly trusted celebrities from each country as well as staff from the Explorer Association headquarters and branches are gathered together to vote on whether or not a person is qualified to be a Level 9 Hunter.

What is needed is a unanimous vote. From the approval of notable figures from various fields to each manager of the Explorer Association. The Hunter is only allowed to stand at the starting line and take the exam when everyone thinks that the Hunter is worthy of that Level and approves to give them the status of Level 9.

It is possible to conquer high-level Treasure Shrine if you have the skill, but it is difficult to get recommendations. At the very least, it is nearly impossible to achieve this while remaining in one country.

The names of those who voted and the reasons for their vote will be made available to the public. Level 10 is a special level. Originally, in terms of trustworthiness, the Certification Level of 9 is the peak.

Cry Andrich’s achievements are nothing short of amazing, but saving one country alone is not enough to make you Level 9.

“If the first attempt for deliberation fails, the bar will be higher the second time……” (Kaina)

“It is because everyone has to vote in favor. Normally it wouldn’t pass. Not unless there are some achievements that everyone has to acknowledge.” (Gark)

There are reasons to vote no for Cry Andrich. His youth can easily be perceived as a lack of experience and since the Party he leads is powerful, there would be those who question his abilities as a Hunter. It is the job of the person who first recommended the Hunter to somehow convince them of the contrary.

Nobles and Imperial Families from each country, presidents of huge national trading companies, and the heads of various academic and research institutions. The members who are given votes vary from year to year, but there is a wide range of people. Currently, my perception of the reputation of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is not very encouraging.

However, his reputation can be bolstered by his achievements in Yggdra.

Kaina responds with a difficult look on her face at what I said.

“………… Well, if you have too many achievements, it might be seen as a falsification, tho’……” (Kaina)

“That’s the problem, isn’t it…… The time frame it took for that guy to resolve a case is far too short. I wouldn’t believe it either if I wasn’t the one who had to clean up after him.” (Gark)

In my opinion, even if we can get Zebrudia’s Emperor on our side, it is highly doubtful that the deliberations would be in our favor. Not coming from a distinguished family of Treasure Hunters, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 lacks the background to back up his credibility. Moreover, his face is not that well known.

The biggest issue is the votes of each Branch Manager of the Explorers Association. It is an honor to have a Level 9 from one’s branch. It is also a great achievement for the Branch Manager.

The Explorer Association’s Branch Managers are expected to be impartial, but there will be Branch Managers who will favor the Hunters from their own branch. They will naturally tend to be stricter――And sometimes they may vote against the nominee due to a conflict with the person who recommended the Hunter.

I sigh, as my head starts to hurt from all the problems I will be facing again. This is my first time applying for a Level 9. I feel like stepping down from my position as Branch Manager and going back to being a Hunter.

Maybe taking my feelings into consideration, Kaina speaks with a quiet smile.

“We can’t apply until Cry-kun comes back, so for now let’s just spread the word. Even if we can’t make it this year, it will probably lead to next year, and maybe Zebuldia will try to get involved as well.” (Kaina)

“Right. And there’s also………… The matter of the exam.” (Gark)

It takes a long time to prepare for the Level 9 Certification Exam, but the exam itself is not easy either.

Since the only prerequisite required is charisma, what the exam test is――The applicant’s own ability.

The exam only involves completing requests, but the problem lies in the requests that are selected as assignments as the requests selected are those that are brought to the various branches of the Explorers Association and have not been completed for various reasons. The word “challenge” is only in name, it would be more appropriate to call it a “trial”. Most of the time, the request is a cursed one that many High-level Hunters have failed to complete. If unlucky, a request that a Level 9 Hunter failed to complete might be selected.

Since the exam content is selected based on the request, the difficulty level varies greatly from time to time. Although this has been a problem in the past, the rules for the exam have never changed since the Explorer Association was founded.

Achievements, power, and finally――Luck. Only by possessing all of these can one reach Level 9.

“It is a rumor, but…… There seems to be a bit of commotion at the headquarters. Maybe a special request has been brought in.” (Kaina)

“………… Maybe it would be better to hold off on the recommendation this time.” (Gark)

The Level 9 Certification Exams are all one-of-a-kind challenges. I have given Cry a variety of requests up until now, and they were always accomplishable. This time…… I don’t know. As far as I am aware, the headquarters of the Explorer Association has several requests that have not been resolved for a long time.

The Explorer Association also has the role of protecting Hunters. I have no intention of giving out dangerous requests that are likely to fail. The other Branch Managers probably feel the same way.

But, in any case, Yggdra comes first. If he doesn’t produce some visible results with Yggdra, the Level 9 recommendation will likely fail.

“I wonder if Yggdra’s side is doing okay with Cry-kun?” (Kaina)

“………… That guy has a bad habit of provoking his opponents. But I’m sure he won’t do anything stupid since lifting Luke’s curse is at stake――” (Gark)

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The opponent is a member of the Spirit People’s Royal Family, so it is likely they have a very high sense of pride. Even I can’t predict what will happen when you mix in the tricky 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

Although I have encouraged him just before he left the Imperial Capital, I think I understand Cry’s character. He didn’t change his expression even when I told him that the Level 9 was at hand. I won’t ask for anything extravagant. I don’t even want to establish a branch office. But I would like to at least deepen our friendship. No――At the very least, I would like him to avoid doing anything that might anger them.

Seriously, my life has been shortened quite a lot since I met Cry.

Just as I am thinking about this, there is a knock at the door. My subordinate comes in.

“Branch Manager, I just received a message from the Vice-Master of 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato》. 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has returned.” (Subordinate)

“What did you say?! I had someone watch the gate. Why would Eva contact me?” (Gark)

Although I knew it would become troublesome, it was me who made Cry prioritize heading to Yggdra. It is also widely known that Cry is headed for Yggdra. Many organizations, including the national government, are awaiting his return.

We can’t let them take him into custody first. We need to get information on Yggdra first, otherwise it would have been for nothing.

I quickly open the letter my subordinate has brought. After quickly checking the contents, I read it a second time and then a third time, then I look up and crush the letter in my hands.

“Kaina, I need you to prepare the application for the Level 9 Certification Exam. I’ll go and discuss it with Eva. We’re going to be busy.” (Gark)

Thanks for reading! Here’s the extra chapter thanks to Chulbom, Satria and Joshua! If you need luck to be Level 9, there is no better fit than Cry! His luck got him to crash an airship into a Level 10 Treasure Shrine, gather multiple powerful cursed items and summon a Fox God and a Mask God No one can be luckier than him!

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