#935 Golden Bat’s Invasion

Yes, it’s me.

The one and only.

I imagine each participant in the S-rank promotion exam was stirred by various emotions.

Was their overconfidence shattered?

Or were they flabbergasted by the stratospheric realm of S-rank adventurers?

At any rate, some expanded their worldview and stoked their fighting spirit, while others, disheartened, drifted away.

Each made their own call, and it’s no one’s place to criticize.

I just hope everyone made a choice they won’t regret.

So.

What fate awaits the S-rank promotion exam as a whole?

After all, the whole point was to welcome new S-rank adventurers.

Regardless, having any passers should be a cause for celebration.

But with a difficulty that’s frankly absurd, we might end up with zero passers.

A scenario our organizer, Silver Wolf, seems oddly comfortable with.

“At least one person will pass.”

Is that so?

By the way...Why are you drinking right now, Silver Wolf?

Not to mention wine from our farm, made by Bacchus, no less.

Huh? We’re letting that slide?

Not really, but oh well.

“A-rank adventurer Corey. I’m thinking of appointing him as a new S-rank adventurer.”

Oh, him?

According to the information I got, he was the only soul brave enough to single-handedly plunge into the pyramid guarded by the five great wisdom kings in the re-exam.

He had dog ears, which was memorable enough for me to recall.

“The difficulty of the pyramid was clearly off the charts this time, huh? Yet he knew that and still chose to dive into the highest level of challenge. Is that what impressed you?”

“It takes more than just guts to be an S-rank adventurer. It’s precisely because he tackled the toughest challenge and triumphed that he truly deserves the promotion.”

Well, that was indeed a shocker.

Out came Corey from the pyramid with a parade of Buddhas in tow.

How did the wrathful Wisdom Kings morph into serene Bodhisattvas with archaic smiles?

No? That’s not it?

They’re the Tathagatas, perfected Buddhist deities?

Anyway, it’s hard to guess what exactly happened, but it was undoubtedly the main event this time around.

“His successful conquest of the pyramid owes a lot to luck, but attracting luck itself requires skill. And for having the guts to take that bet, we might as well allow him the title of S-rank.”

However, the person himself seems perplexed.

“I’m still not cut out for S-rank!” he says.

“I said the same line after seeing my own debut performance, but I wasn’t pulling off those moves right after my promotion either. Becoming an S-rank provides opportunities to hone one’s skills and achieve exponential growth. There are horizons that you just can’t see until you climb to a certain stage.”

Looking forward to further growth...huh.

It seems the guild also hoped to pass a demon or two, but alas, no such luck.

The reason is simple. No one was quite up to S-rank quality.

“The most promising was a candidate named Beliard, retired from the Demon King’s Army. Has plenty of achievements, but just shy of the S-rank bar. For now, we’ll hold off and perhaps have someone shadow an active S-rank to gain experience.”

Speaking of which, that would be Corey, or maybe Golden Bat, Pink Tonton, or Kato.

“Pink Tonton seems like a good mentor. She’s quite nurturing...”

“If left to her, Beliard would likely turn into a female wrestler without realizing it...”

Huh?

Beliard is a girl?

“Actually, several adventurers mentored by Pink Tonton had the makings of S-rank, but they didn’t respond to the call for the exam. They said something like, ‘Winning against the princess is more important!’“

Silver Wolf sighs.

Even as a guild master, he’s got his share of troubles.

“Golden Bat isn’t exactly good at looking after others either, so it looks like we’ll have to rely on Kato again. Hopefully, we won’t get another Selfless Workaholic...”

But then, Kato has a knack for delegating responsibility, so he probably won’t get crushed.

It’s more like... he knows how to cut corners.

At least the S-rank exam didn’t end with everyone failing.

Having even one new S-rank adventurer helps fill the gaps left by others, after all.

Ideally, we would’ve had two passers to round out the numbers perfectly.

With everything done, the exam draws to a close.

All candidates gathered, and Silver Wolf presides over the closing ceremony.

“...And so, only one adventurer gets promoted to S-rank today. For those who did not pass, today’s experience should serve as a stepping stone to further hone your skills and seize the next opportunity.”

“Adventuring is all about embracing challenges, meow!”

Black Cat, the guild master’s wife, chimes in.

Her stocks certainly rose today.

“We are also stepping back from the frontline. It’s your era now. Unite and strive to forge a better adventurer industry.”

“The guild will support you wholeheartedly, meowww.”

The unsuccessful candidates show no dissatisfaction, simply accepting the results.

...Well, after such a grueling, devilish exam, they’re probably thinking they’ve had enough...

“And with that, the S-rank promotion exam is concluded. From now on, candidates will be returned via teleportation magic. We must honor Lord Saint, who provided the venue by ensuring no one lingers on the farm.”

“Defy us, and you’ll lose not just the S-rank promotion opportunity but your adventurer’s license, meow!”

The Adventurer’s Guild sure does keep things tight.

For us, any lingering adventurers causing trouble would also be a nuisance.

“Hold it rightttttttttt thereeeee!”

What the—?

Suddenly, a shout from above?

It seems unexpected to the adventurers, too, as many look up in confusion.

“Could that voice be...?!”

Silver Wolf seems to have an inkling, but then, a figure descends, following the voice.

Shimmering golden, with wings of a bat.

It’s the S-rank adventurer, known as the best among them, Golden Bat.

“Golden Bat, why are you here when no one even summoned you?”

“Always with the gallant crashes, meow.”

His colleagues’ comments are consistently scathing.

That’s Golden Bat for you, one of the problematic elites.

“What have you all been up to while I was away on an expedition searching for unregistered dungeons? I just got back and heard the situation, so I hurried here.”

Flying by himself to the farm is bizarre enough.

Annoying, yes, but fitting for an S-rank adventurer of the highest caliber.

With such an unexpected appearance, the candidates are visibly perplexed.

Huh? I thought this was over.

This is quite the anticlimactic surprise guest.

“Are you upset because you weren’t informed? But it’s not like you’re interested in promotion exams, aren’t you?”

“Normally, if we did tell him, he’d yell, ‘Don’t bother me with such trivial things!’ That’s just his usual behavior, meow.”

Silver Wolf and Black Cat seem well aware of their colleague’s temperament.

That’s why it’s so surprising and confusing that Golden Bat, typically uninvolved, would crash the party.

“Of course, I have absolutely no interest in these talentless nags. It’s a waste of my precious time.”

While that was expected, it’s quite blunt.

Golden Bat’s radical individualism made the S-rank hopefuls turn up their noses.

Murmurs like, “He’s nothing like Silver Wolf, despite being of the same rank...”

“That’s Golden Bat for you! Arrogantly aloof, but his prowess allows it! His absolute individualism and Silver Wolf’s respect for harmony have struck a delicate balance, keeping the guild at its peak these past years!!!”

Someone else is providing a commentary on this.

So, what does Mr. High-and-Mighty Golden Bat want?

“I need something from you... Silver Wolf!”

“Me?”

Silver Wolf’s expression clearly conveys he doesn’t need anything from him, though.

But what Golden Bat said next is even more problematic.

“What do you mean you’re retiring as an adventurer?! I won’t allow it! Take it back! I absolutely refuse to let you quit before I do!”