Chapter 2   - Evan D. Sherden, Clenched his fist. (1)

In a world where dungeons exist, monsters dominate, knights play an active part, wizards cast magic on a grand scale… What is the best way not to die in this world?

“Level up.”

Evan ate the watery soup that the maid brought him and quietly muttered to himself. In short, the level is the key to keep existing. As the level rises, the wizard increases the mana. The spells become dominant, and the warrior becomes more durable and more reliable. It was a straightforward equation of growth.

But Maybell, a 13-year old apprentice, heard his mumble, spoke out as if she was amazed.

“You’re going into Dungeon, Master? No way, your mother will get a heart attack.”

“I was talking to myself, Maybell.”

“You should not even think of it in your dreams, Master. You have a noble’s duty, you must enter the dungeon when you become an adult, and until then, you must get an education. Please don’t go until you grow up.”

“Yes, I got it. I know it well. Thank you for the soup.”

Evan returned the empty bowl to the maid with an inward smile. He wasn’t just talking to himself. He deliberately leaked the word “level” to induce her reaction.

And given the immediate connection of dungeons to the word “level,” it was clear that there was a flaw in the knowledge of the people in this society.

‘No, of course, I am only nine years old as Evan. I have to make a rough guess.’

But no matter what, Evan is only nine years old. There is no guarantee that his knowledge will necessarily match with the general understanding of the people in this world. That’s why he went through the process of proving check with his maid.

So, what was the fact that he was just able to confirm with his own words and the maid’s reaction, and that’s…

“The misunderstanding that level can only be gained when entering a dungeon.”

No, of course, it’s not that their perception is entirely wrong. In dungeons, the level certainly rises, and it was apparent.

When he completely conquered a floor of the dungeon with his colleagues, it would take them to the next level, whether they like it or not.

The original skills will grow, and sometimes, methods and magic that never existed before were created.

‘It’s easy to understand, easy to accept.’

When the unknown space of dungeons appeared in the world for the first time, people were terrified. There was also a rumor that the building was built by the King as a bridgehead to invade the human world from the world of monsters.

But those who entered the dungeon and conquered the dungeon became stronger by God’s blessing and began to acquire treasures that had never been heard of outside of the dungeon. What would have happened?

They shouldn’t allow people to run wild over a dungeon!

The country immediately sent a nobleman to manage the dungeon and build a city near to it, systematically possessing the dungeon and getting control over who can enter it.

The Marquis, Evan’s father, Sorine D. Sherden, was also an influential aristocrat. They had been in charge of the dungeon for generations under the orders of the King. If nothing extraordinary happens, Evan’s brother, Eric D. Sherden, will take over the duty.

Eric D. Sherden can grow to be the leading member of a warrior party. A second son was not needed. …No, it’s not important for now.

‘But ta-da! In fact, I’m saying that level could be gained not only by going to dungeons.’

There was a different way of gaining a level, and that path is what Evan is going to take from now on!

Evan smiled, recalling the myriad of work with the main character in his previous life as a gamer. The maid caught the wicked smile that did not suit the nine-year-old boy.

“Sir?”

“Nothing, Maybell.”

Evan smiled at Maybell as if he is trying to cover up his mistake. As Evan is a good-looking guy from the series, he still has a charm that can’t be hidden even at the age of nine.

That could fascinate a thirteen-year-old maid Maybell!

“Huh, you look the best when you smile like that, sir.”

“No, Maybell. I’m afraid I can’t laugh as much as I can.”

“Why?! You look cute…great when you smile!”

At Evan’s firm answer, Maybell got startled and shouted. However, Evan could not help but think about Maybell, who appears as one of the Marquis’s maids in the main episode of the game.

Maybell, who grew up beautifully, falls in love with Evan. In the story, Maybell will appear and stab Evan in the stomach.

It was because he abandoned her for another woman.

‘There are five more storylines of other maids stabbing him with a knife-even the CG is different every time! Why did the producers make six different CGs for Evan to be stabbed to death by a maid? Evan, how much have you seduced women?’

Evan, who was born again, had no intention of getting involved in any strange relationship with the maids. Falling in love with maids will surely lead him to death!

For the same reason, it was also good not to love any other woman as much as possible. No, it’s best not to tempt in the first place!

So, he won’t smile in the future!?I will never seduce a woman! I was born as a handsome man, damn it!

“Maybell, when is my birthday?”

He tried to change the subject with tears in his heart.

Now that he has checked people’s perception of level, he got to figure out how to survive…He pushes to project number one into action.magic

The name of project number one is “Level Up.”

“it’s next Wednesday, Master.”

“Next Wednesday… I can’t wait until then. I’d like you to tell my father I want to see him right away.”

“Maybe he’d say no, but…All right, Master. I’ll talk to him, please don’t move until then. Because you’re still recuperating.”

He was treated like a patient because he had been struggling on the bed all day long while he regained his memory.

“Okay, I’ll just wait and see.” Evan answered gently and sent Maybell out and thought about what he had to get from his father, Sorine D. Sherden.

‘Miraseul’s Necklace’

It was the first artifact that Sheriden Family found in Sherden Dungeon. It was kept as a family heirloom.

But… it stayed simply as a family heirloom. No one knew how to use this artifact, so it was stuck in the family’s storage.

‘It looks gorgeous with a variety of jewels and looks like it got a lot of magic.’

In fact, there was an event to acquire this artifact in the game.

It was an event that was challenging, where you need to achieve some conditions in advance, investigate history, and get stronger.

Of course, this event also led to Evan’s death.

‘Evan and I have been busy trying to get recognition from the family. In the dungeon, he has gathered all sorts of times and offered them to the people involved in the Marquis. I have to put a lot of effort to get an artifact.’

However, the artifact cannot be given to just anyone. I had to commit brotherhood with Evan to be recognized for his artifact ownership.

Did the event end with the recognition of ownership? Of course not!

From then on, another event begins to unlock with the secrets of this artifact. At this point, Evan is still working together to help the main character, even finding a spell to invoke artifacts from the ancient documents!

“Ah, ah ah ah ah.”

Evan shuddered at the thought of the event that took place from that moment,

It was one of the five most memorable death scenes for Evan! Just to think of it gives him a trauma.

The moment Evan snapped off the Miraseul’s Necklace, the artifact burst with magic… an absurd number of slimes came out of it and covered Evan’s whole body! Just slimes! All the players who saw the event were furious.

“Slime… Miraseul! Are you kidding me, producer?”

“It’s only level one normal slime that I can bring from this artifact I’ve earned from hard work, you bastards!”

“No, and slimes even attacking the summoner! Evan, you’re bleeding! Bleeding!”

“Wow, thousands of slimes are attacking all at once…oh, I’m dying. Evan is dying. There’s never a single time in a crisis that he won’t die!”

Even at the time, Evan only knew how to invoke the artifact, and he didn’t know how to stop it, and slimes continued to swell and attack Evan.

Sticky, acidic mucus melts Evan, melts… The main character is surprised to see the scene.

The main character tries to save him, but Evan is already dead covered in Slime. Video footage of the event from beginning to end became the best of the month, decorating the main screen of the Yo-ma Great War fan website. With the title “Evan Died #36: Slime Funeral”…

‘The game scenario ends with summoning a number of Slimes that you could not get out of… in the middle and second half of the game. Naturally, players avoided that event. Evan maniacs like me were terrified,’

But at this moment, Evan was looking at the potential for growth in that artifact.

Why? Because when he was playing the game as the main character, when he swung a sword to save Evan and killed one Slime… he discovered something.

– You got 1 Experience.

Yes.

If he can catch Slime summoned with the Miraseul’s Necklace, he will be rewarded with experience.

Another level, the level of existence, without having to get in a dungeon.

He can get the experience needed!