#1229 A Trial for the S-Rank Adventurer 

Yo, it’s Momoko. 
I used to be a hero, but now I’m also gonna be an S-rank adventurer!!! 

The Adventurers’ Guild put in a request for me. 
Well, sure, I’ve known for a long time that I’m strong, but it’s still nice to have that officially recognized. 

Apparently, S-ranks are in short supply right now for a bunch of reasons, and they’re desperate to fill the gap ASAP. 
It sounds like the perfect time for me to shine. 

Just you watch! I, Hero Momoko, am about to show off my dazzling...no, my 978-faced, 876-armed brilliance and turn this guild around! 

“No, I mean… the guild’s not really struggling or anything.” 

Great! In that case, time for action! 
Since I’m becoming an S-rank, I have to make a grand debut! Invite VIPs from around the world, throw a coronation ceremony in my honor...! 

“Daydreaming like that is what we call a delusion, little girl. Ever heard of the word?” 

What?! 
I don’t totally get what that meant, but I definitely just got insulted!! 

Who said that?! Show yourself!  
Stop lurking in the shadows and talk to me face-to-face!! 

“Hmph… if you can’t even detect this level of stealth, you’re not fit for S-Rank. Have you gone blind since becoming Guildmaster, Silver Wolf?” 
“So it was you… the one always butting into my business.” 

Silver Wolf picks up the ashtray on the table... 
And hurls it at the window. 

Clang! A thud from behind the curtain, followed by a pained yelp. 

Out steps a therian with a bat’s head… 
It’s that problem S-Rank adventurer we were talking about earlier—Golden Bat! 

“To think you’d so easily pinpoint where I was… As expected, Silver Wolf, you haven’t lost your edge as an adventurer.” 
“More importantly, don’t barge into the Guildmaster’s office uninvited.” 

Exactly! 
The rumors were true, this guy’s a serious problem child! 

“The problem here is that she couldn’t even detect my presence. Are you really gonna tell me someone like that deserves to be S-rank?” 

Ugh! 
What’s with this bat? Shows up out of nowhere and starts spitting nasty little jabs? 
Talk about petty. 

Trying to throw your weight around as a senior, huh? 

“I heard the rumors about a new S-rank being chosen, so I came to see for myself, and this is what I find. As the top of the current S-ranks, I won’t allow a half-baked adventurer in! It would drag all of us down!” 
“You seriously came all this way just to say that?” 
“Of course! I’m the most senior S-rank now. If I don’t think about the future of S-Rank adventurers, who will?” 
“You’re just deciding you’re a veteran now? Outta nowhere?” 

Can you believe this guy?! 
He’s a classic case of a pain-in-the-ass senior. 

The fact that someone like him holds influence is a crisis for the entire adventuring industry! 
Silver Wolf, say something for the sake of a brighter future!!! 

“Momoko’s promotion to S-Rank was a formal decision by the guild.” 

Yes! He said it! And with such cool confidence! 

“Based on her abilities and achievements, she’s more than qualified. That’s my stance. That said, I won’t ignore a current S-Rank’s opinion. If you’ve got a problem, let’s hear it.” 
“A problem? I’ve got a problem with everything you do!!!” 

Wow. A complainer... 
He’s just a pure-blooded complainer… 
 

Silver Wolf must have it rough dealing with this guy day in and day out. 

“I could go on for hours listing all my issues, so let’s focus on the arrogant girl over there.” 

Arrogant girl? Who are you calling arrogant?! 
Are you talking about me, Hero Momoko?! 

“If it’s not arrogance, then what? You didn’t even notice me sneaking in. Even when told I was here, you couldn’t locate me. That’s a serious lack of awareness.” 

Urkkkk! 

“If someone like that can qualify, then S-rank standards must’ve dropped off a cliff.” 
“Golden Bat, you’re only talking about one aspect. Adventurers have different strengths. The Guild is recognizing Momoko for her combat prowess. As a former hero, no one can match her in that field.” 

Silver Wolf fires back without missing a beat. 
So that’s what I was being evaluated on, that makes total sense! 

And now you know how amazing I am, Bat Boy! Time to kneel and apologize for your rudeness! 

“Hah! Combat strength? That means nothing in the world of adventurers.” 

Excuse me?! 
Of course it means something! Strength works anywhere! 

“No matter how strong a human gets, they can’t beat a dragon or a Lifeless King. That’s reality. Adventurers sneak past those beings, not fight them. So tell me again, how essential is combat power, really?” 

Ugh… when you put it that way…! 

“Or are you saying you’re strong enough to defeat those two major threats? If so, I’ll fully acknowledge your S-Rank status.” 

N-No, I wouldn’t say I’m that strong…! 
I’m not that delusional… 

“That’s enough, Golden Bat.” 

Another lifeline from Silver Wolf! 

“No human can stand against the two Great Calamities, be it in combat, stealth, or escape. Even your precious evasion skills won’t always work against them.” 
“Guh…!” 
“And yet you still look down on Momoko?” 

Exactly! 
Silver Wolf, you're killing it! Guildmaster-level logic, right there!!! 

“I’ve known since we were peers that you have no tolerance for any strength but your own. But as Guildmaster now, it’s my job to assess all kinds of talent. I’m not going to be swayed so easily, not even by an S-rank like you.” 
“Grrrr…! Damn you, Silver Wolf…!” 

Gyahahaha! Yeah, Silver Wolf’s the Guild Master! He’s the boss! 
You don’t get to throw your adventurer ego around here, you know?! 

“That said, Golden Bat does make a valid point.” 

Whaaaat?! 

“S-ranks are the pinnacle of all adventurers. It’s not enough to just excel in one area. You need to meet or even exceed the standard in every field.” 
“Exactly, Silver Wolf! That’s what I was trying to say!” 

Liar! You were just being a jerk! 
…Still, Silver Wolf does have a point. 

I can’t argue with his logic. I haven’t been able to all day, honestly. 

“As one of the senior S-ranks, I think this girl needs more testing. Promoting her without thorough vetting is asking for trouble.” 
“Hmm… when you put it that way…” 
“And she didn’t even take the S-Rank Promotion Exam! How do you think the others will feel if someone who skipped the test gets promoted anyway?!” 
“But your disciple, Murshela, also didn’t—” 
“She’s fine! I personally trained her!” 
“…Right, forgot about that…” 

Ugh, this is taking a bad turn! 

“So here’s an idea.” 

What now?! 

“Have all current S-rank adventurers evaluate her. If every single one gives their approval, she can be officially promoted. That way, no one, adventurers or the public, can complain.” 
“Hmm, if we treat it like a meet-and-greet with her fellow S-ranks, I guess that works…” 

Silver Wolf, please don’t agree to this! 
My path to S-rank is heading into serious turbulence! 

“So, girl, go find the ones currently on break, Pink Tonton and Brown Kato, plus the new bloods Corey and Murshela. Let them each assess your potential.” 

That bat really said that like he’s in charge?! 
You’ve got guts trying to block my glorious rise to greatness! You wanna get sued?! 

“They’ll rough you up a bit, but you’ll grow. Then come see me last. I’ll judge your qualifications and decide if you truly deserve S-rank!” 

Grrrrrr! 
Why do you get to judge me?! 

…But fine! If that’s how you wanna play it, I’ll take on every S-rank you’ve got and prove I’m the strongest one here! 
Then no one will be able to say a word against me! 

Hero Momoko sets off...down a thorny road to claim her rightful place as an S-Rank Adventurer!!!