Chapter 3

I found myself leveling up endlessly, and before I knew it, the sun had completely set.

I hurried home.

"I'm h-home..."

I cautiously opened the door and entered.

The next moment—

"Hey, you're late, big brother!"

"Whoa!"

A ladle was thrust right in front of my face.

At the end of the ladle stood a girl with a puffed-up face.

"Sorry, Hana. I got carried away with the game."

"...Well, it's fine. But I'll reheat dinner, so hurry and wash your hands and face."

"Okay."

Leaving those words, the girl—my younger sister by two years, Amane Hana—returned to the living room. I quickly washed my hands and face and followed after her.

The dining table was laid out with delicious-looking dishes, and I immediately started eating.

"Itadakimasu. Yeah, it's good. Your cooking is still the best in the world, Hana!"

"...What's with the sudden praise? It's creepy."

"Ugh!"

Her sharp words pierced my heart deeply.

"Did something good happen?"

"What's with the sudden question?"

"I just wondered because you suddenly started saying things that don't make sense and came home late, which is unusual."

"I see... Yeah, something good did happen."

And it was an incredibly good thing.

"Is this good thing related to the dungeon?"

"Yeah. It was something that made me feel like it was worth it to keep being an adventurer."

"I see... That's good then."

Hana's face showed genuine relief.

Still, she must be feeling guilty, I guess.

You see, our parents went missing in an accident while traveling abroad a few years ago.

We're living off the money they left us, but it's not enough to live a luxurious life.

For example, if both Hana and I were to go to university, our finances would become quite tight.

So, to let the academically excellent Hana go to university, I became an adventurer right after high school to earn money—

I didn't tell her this directly, but Hana believes I became an adventurer for that reason. No matter how many times I tried to explain otherwise, she wouldn't believe me and just looked apologetic. Seeing her like that, I gave up on explaining.

I believed it was better for Hana if I didn't bring up the topic—

Well, in reality, that wasn't the reason at all. I became an adventurer because I had always admired them.

I got tired of explaining it because she never believed me, so I just stopped. I'm not a bad person!

"So, now that something good happened, have you become strong enough to challenge a C-rank dungeon?"

Hana smiled mischievously.

She knows my level is around 100, so she's probably just joking.

Dungeons get significantly harder from C-rank.

The minimum level for solo clearing is 15 for E-rank, 50 for D-rank, and 300 for C-rank. Even with a party, you'd want at least 250 levels, and reaching that level generally means you've become a competent adventurer.

At my current rate of leveling up, it would take me over a year.

That's probably why Hana said it jokingly, but—

Thanks to the dungeon teleportation, I can level up efficiently.

Using that, I should be able to reach that level in less than a month.

"Listen and be amazed, actually—"

I stopped mid-sentence.

My instincts told me I shouldn't say this.

After all, the new power I gained allows me to bypass the common obstacle for all adventurers: the rechallenge period.

Using it to level up efficiently would likely be seen as cheating by others.

In some cases, I might even be attacked out of jealousy or anger.

I don't think Hana would spread the word, but you never know where information might leak from.

This should remain my secret.

"? What's wrong, big brother? You suddenly spaced out."

"No, it's nothing. Unfortunately, it'll still take a while before I can reach C-rank."

"Yup, I knew that."

"Then could you not ask?"

"Well, it's only natural. I was talking to the neighbor lady, and she said that the Asakura kid from the next town, who's the same age as you, is already challenging B-rank dungeons. I just wondered how our big brother was doing. Though, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't partly to tease you."

Who the heck is Asakura?

And you were definitely teasing me, weren't you?

"Ah, if we keep talking like this, the food will get cold again. Come on, eat up."

"Yes, Mom."

Hana and I enjoyed our conversation and meal, spending a pleasant family time together.