The Dungeon was far too dangerous!
Vicious monsters roamed its dark passages, while members of Evilus lurked in the shadows.
One of them could leap from behind a corner and stab an adventurer at any moment.
If Genichi’s luck was terrible enough to encounter a disaster on the level of the Juggernaut, his fragile body wouldn’t even be enough to fill the gaps between its teeth.
It would crush him as effortlessly as an ant beside the road.
Genichi had read plenty of novels and watched countless anime in his previous life.
As a result, he naturally felt wary of and repulsed by places like the Dungeon.
Who knew whether he would encounter an adventurer who smiled to his face before stabbing him in the back?
Someone might use him as a shield when they encountered a powerful enemy.
Another adventurer might deliberately lure monsters toward a newcomer and cause a Pass Parade.
Such incidents were hardly unheard of among adventurers.
The casual gossip Demeter shared during meals had already taught Genichi more than enough about the Dungeon’s dangers.
In short, no matter how he phrased it, Genichi truly didn’t want to enter the Dungeon!
However, without entering it, he couldn’t accomplish the great feat required to level up.
He would remain trapped at Level 1 forever.
His Magic had reached S999, while his other four attributes had risen to H199.
Those numbers looked impressive, but they were still only basic ability values rather than an actual level.
No matter how high their ability values became, a Level 1 adventurer remained fatally limited against truly powerful enemies.
They lacked the fundamental improvements in physical ability and resistance granted by leveling up.
Nor did they possess the combat instincts and reaction speed forged through life-or-death battles.
How could Genichi possibly accept that?
To put it simply, he wanted the great feat required to level up but refused to risk entering the Dungeon.
He wanted to have his cake and eat it too!
However, Genichi understood that nothing in the world could be so convenient.
If dreaming alone could take someone to the highest level, every adventurer in Orario would already be Level 10.
Why would they risk their lives fighting monsters inside the Dungeon?
“Goddess, is there any other way for me to accomplish the great feat needed to level up?”
Genichi gazed pleadingly at Demeter with his final trace of hope, resembling a puppy wagging its tail and begging its owner for food.
“Perhaps there’s a method that doesn’t require entering the Dungeon?
You’ve lived for so many years.
Surely you know a shortcut or two?”
“If something happens to me inside the Dungeon, no one will be able to take you into another world!”
“Think about it—an entirely different world filled with new scenery, food, people, and experiences.
Don’t you want to see it with your own eyes?
You have to help me!”
“There isn’t one.”
Demeter shook her head with a radiant smile.
Her carefree tone made it sound as though she were commenting on the pleasant weather.
“If you want to level up, you must enter the Dungeon, defeat a powerful monster, and accomplish a great feat.”
“Otherwise, why would ninety-nine percent of Orario’s adventurers remain trapped at Level 1?”
“Do you honestly believe adventurers who have struggled for decades to reach Level 2 wouldn’t know about such a shortcut if it existed?
Every one of them is desperate to climb higher.”
Genichi instantly sank into despair.
He collapsed into his chair like a punctured balloon, lowering his head and shoulders as an aura of absolute hopelessness surrounded him.
Demeter had no reason to deceive him after explaining everything so clearly.
She enjoyed teasing him and watching him suffer embarrassing setbacks, but she would never joke about something as important as his future growth.
That meant Genichi had no choice.
He had to enter the Dungeon!
“How should I prepare?”
Genichi asked weakly, his voice carrying helpless resignation and tragic resolve.
“You can’t expect someone who’s never entered the Dungeon to charge inside with his bare hands.
How would that be any different from suicide?”
“That’s true.”
Demeter nodded.
She might enjoy watching Genichi suffer, but she wouldn’t stand by while one of her children walked to his death.
After all, Genichi was currently her only ticket into another world.
If he died inside the Dungeon, Demeter’s entire plan to travel between worlds would collapse.
“First, you need suitable equipment.”
Demeter rose and approached an old wooden chest in the corner.
She crouched, opened the lid, and searched inside before retrieving worn leather armor, a short sword, and a small round shield.
“These belonged to a retired adventurer from my Familia.
They aren’t high-grade equipment, but they’re far better than the otherworldly clothes you’re wearing.”
“The armor should at least protect you from a Goblin’s claws or the bites of weaker monsters.”
Genichi accepted the leather armor.
It felt surprisingly heavy in his hands.
The surface showed signs of wear, but the equipment had been maintained reasonably well.
As Genichi examined it from every angle, he began considering how to combine the equipment with [Dreamwalking].
He could simulate battles while wearing it inside his dreams, familiarizing himself with its weight and feel.
That would prevent the unfamiliar equipment from distorting his movements during a real fight.
“Second, you need to learn the terrain and monster distribution of the Dungeon’s first few floors.”
Demeter continued explaining.
“The Guild sells Dungeon maps.
Maps of the first few floors are inexpensive and more than sufficient for a newcomer entering for the first time.”
“Then you’ll need potions—healing potions, antidotes, and medicine to stop bleeding.
You should carry some of each.”
“The monsters on the first few floors aren’t particularly venomous, but even a poisonous insect could kill you if you’re stung without any medicine.”
“Most importantly…”
Demeter approached Genichi, placed both hands on her knees, and bent forward slightly.
Her amber eyes stared directly into his as her voice became serious.
“You need the proper mindset.”
“If you enter the Dungeon while thinking only about fear and retreat, you’ll die regardless of how good your equipment is or how many potions you carry.”
“The Dungeon’s monsters won’t show mercy simply because you’re afraid.”
Genichi fell silent.
He had to admit that Demeter was right.
Until now, he had constantly run away—from combat, danger, and anything that might cause him pain.
However, some things in this world couldn’t be avoided.
The Transmigration Gate gave him an opportunity to visit other worlds, but first, he needed to survive long enough to leave Orario.
If he was too afraid to step onto the Dungeon’s first floor, how could he ever explore the far greater worlds waiting beyond it?