"But don't worry, Gil! I promise I'll call you—and I'll visit too! And you can come visit me!"
Lavinia said that with a bright, infectious smile before grabbing my hand and dragging me around the mansion.
Her laughter echoed through the halls.
Every so often, I noticed Sebas watching us with narrowed eyes, his gaze sharp and unreadable. He said nothing—but he was watching.
Several hours later.
It had been a while since Lavinia left.
After that promise, we spent the entire afternoon playing. Laughing. Running. Acting like normal children.
And yet—
I couldn't shake the heaviness in my chest.
I hated that I couldn't help her. That I knew what was coming and still lacked the strength to change it right now.
I clenched my fists.
I swear… I'll protect everyone precious to me.
Even if I have to stand against every faction in this world.
Eventually, an elderly woman arrived to pick Lavinia up.
Glenda.
The moment her eyes met mine, I felt it.
That sharp, invasive gaze—as if she were trying to peel my soul apart layer by layer.
She might've sensed something.
My Sacred Gear.My mana.Or simply that I wasn't normal.
Sebas, standing behind me, stared at her just as intensely.
For a moment, the air felt sharp enough to cut.
If either of them took one wrong step, blood would've been spilled.
Thankfully, nothing happened.
Lavinia waved goodbye, and soon, she was gone.
That night, I made my decision.
I needed strength.
And fast.
Which meant—
The dungeon.
Convincing Sebas to leave me alone wasn't easy. He only relented after I promised—several times—that I wouldn't do anything dangerous.
Now, I stood in the mansion's basement.
Calling it a basement felt wrong. It was more like a massive storage room filled with old furniture, unused toys, and forgotten relics.
Perfect.
"System," I said softly. "How do I activate the dungeon?"
[The Host must select the type of creatures inhabiting the dungeon.]
"What are my options?"
[Available options:]— Devils— Angels— Fallen Angels— Dragons[Additional options will unlock over time.]
"So… the main DxD races."
[Would you like descriptions, Host?]
"…Sure."
The explanations flowed into my mind—strengths, weaknesses, abilities.
Demons with their demonic power and vulnerability to holy weapons.Angels wielding devastating light-based armaments.Fallen angels retaining corrupted divine power.Dragons—pure incarnations of overwhelming force.
"I get it," I muttered. "Knowing weaknesses matters."
"What about levels?"
[Dungeon difficulty tiers:]— Low Class— Middle Class— High Class— Ultimate / Final Class— Maou / Seraph / Cadre Class
"And how do I leave?"
[Exit Conditions:]— Defeat the Boss— Reduce HP below 100]
"So either I win… or nearly die."
Figures.
"What's a Boss?"
[Boss: A powerful enemy encountered at the end of the dungeon. Bosses are one rank higher than the selected dungeon difficulty.]
"So if I pick Middle Class, the Boss is High Class."
Makes sense.
"System," I said, steadying my breath."Create a Middle Class Demon Dungeon."
[Confirmed.][Preparing Dungeon…]
The world shifted.
The basement dissolved like smoke, colors stretching and warping.
Then—
Stone replaced wood.
Joy vanished.
I now stood within a vast medieval corridor, carved entirely from dark stone. Massive pillars lined the hall, torches burning with unnatural fire. Cracks in the walls glowed like flowing lava, heat radiating faintly from within.
[Dungeon prepared.][Good luck, Host.]
"Thanks," I whispered.
I stepped forward.
Every footstep echoed unnaturally loud.
This place was oppressive.
My skin prickled as [Mana Manipulation] reacted instinctively. The mana ahead shifted—distorted.
Something was coming.
From the shadows emerged a towering figure.
Two meters tall.
Its body was pitch-black, as though carved from obsidian. No face—only two burning holes where eyes should have been. Jagged thorns jutted from its back, flames leaking from the cracks between them.
Its claws scraped against the stone floor.
Heavy. Slow. Menacing.
Some form of demonic armor covered its legs, making each step echo like a death knell.
A chill ran down my spine.
"…So this is a Middle Class demon."
I swallowed.
This was my first real fight.
And for the first time since reincarnating—
I felt fear.