Chapter 3. Evan D. Sherden, Clenched his fist. (2)

Every human action is given a corresponding result value.

The word experience, in relation to dungeons, will immediately come to mind, but really, it is existence level that makes growing and building up experience possible.

To train in swordsmanship, to qualify in chess, to use mana, to recite spells, to mop, to study or hunt a monster!

In all such situations, human beings, gain experience whether many or few and rise in existence levels and becomes stronger.

People think that growing in dungeon levels is whats worth the effort, but it shouldnt be that way. Whats more important for the player is to grow in existence levels along with the dungeon levels.

Growth in existence level is not as dramatic as compared to rising in the dungeon level, but it is miraculous enough in itself.

There is no choice but to adapt the speed of dungeon level growth depending on ones ability, but existence level had no such limit.

Still and repetitive efforts in every single time anyone can surely grow if they can endure a dull and tedious process.

Leveling up, especially by hunting monsters, is no exception.

Thats why people loved dungeons.

It was a place where we could be rewarded if we tried!

But, he thought, Evan is still so young, so he cant get into the dungeon yet. Its even worse to go outside the city where wild monsters roam but what if you summon slime from an artifact? What if slime was weak enough for a child to kill?

The Miraseuls Necklace could call up slimes.

At existence level 1 and dungeon level 1, both the slime and the main character only have HP (health point) 100 and MP 100, so even Evan can kill a few of them!

Miraseuls necklace is an artifact that could speed up Evans growth. It didnt mean much to high-level characters.

By killing a level 1 slime, you could get 1 experience value. Such low value means nothing to high-level characters.

But for someone who is just at level 1, like Evan?

He would surely grow faster, killing slimes rather than sticking to his desk and study for ten hours!

This is how the Level-Up Project begins!

And if I keep doing it from now on while I am only nine years old, I could get stronger by the time a maid tries to stab me! And then

His thoughts were cut off by a maids voice.

Lord, the Marquis is waiting.

Oh, yeah. Ill be right there.

It was a different maid, not Maybell. Evan jumped out of bed, dressed up, and followed her out of the room.

Wow, if you sell all the paintings on the wall, youll earn enough for the rest of your life! he thought, as they walked through the hallway.

It was the same hallway that he walked through just yesterday. But now that he has regained the memory of his previous life, he is fascinated by the items in the mansion. It was as expected for a mansion where the head of the city dungeon lived.

As he looked through the hallway with fresh eyes, the maid asked him quietly.

Ive heard from Maybell that you want a birthday present in advance.

Yes. Theres something I really want.

But dont be too demanding. The Marquis is still busy with the backflow of the Dungeon.

Yes, I know.

The dungeon backflow is a phenomenon in which the monsters of the Dungeon overflow outside.

In the early days of the Dungeons discovery, it was what made people call the Dungeon the den of the devil.

Destruction was inevitable, and the people living near it suffered.

However, they soon learned that dungeon backflows regularly happen every three months. As such, hunters were able to devise cleaning a regular schedule of hunting monsters inside the dungeon and defeating the overflows. Human adaptability!

However, this time, the cleaning was a little unfortunate, and it caused a lot of damage.

It was terrible timing to beg for something, but he cant help it.

Because he has to grow up a little faster and survive!

The main character is 16 years old by the time the main episode happens. Evan is four years older than the main character, so 20 years. He would be 20 years old by then. 11 years to go. I have to keep him safe; he should not die before the main episode!

He has to save himself from now on! Be careful of the road, of little monsters; be mindful of the poison; be wary of people, especially the woman with the knife!

Evan focused on reviewing the precautions carefully in his head.

When he came to his senses, he had already arrived in front of the room where the Marquis is waiting for him.

The maid gently knocked on the door of the library to announce Evans visit. Ive brought Evan, master.

Soon, beyond the door came the Marquis deep voice.

Tell him to come in. You should go back to work.

Okay.

The maid gently twisted the doorknob open, and backed away, opening the door for him. The series of refined and courteous movements amazed Evan. These movements were unfamiliar in his 29 years of living on Earth.

Why are you still standing by the door, Evan? the Marquis voice startled him.

Oh, yeah. Father.

Evan stepped into the library.

The first things he saw were the mountains, mountains, and mountains of papers piled in front of his father. Behind the mountains, he could see the Marquis face.

Come closer here. The fatigue I have accumulated so far is gone just by looking at your face, the Marquis said.

The Marquis was a middle-aged man who gave the impression that he was going to be very stubborn.

Frankly speaking, Evan does not look very much like him. They only had one thing in common dark, deep violet eyes that noblemen have.

The rest of Evans features closely resembled his mother, who has dark hair, a sharp nose, and slender build.

Unbeknownst to the Marquis, Evan is very grateful that he looks more like his mother than his father.

Father.

Yes, Evan. You came here yourself to beg for something?

Marquis lifted Evan, his nine-year-old son, and sat him on his lap.

It didnt suit the dignity of a nobleman, but why should he hide his affection?

The Marquis dotes on Evan, who looks just like his wife!

Evan was banking on this knowledge when he decided he would ask for a family heirloom.

Well, Id like to get my birthday present a little early.

You could wait for a few days, and Ill let you have whatever you want. Whats the rush?

I really want the necklace I saw before.

The necklace? You?

The Marquis eyes opened wide at his sons request. It was not what he expected.

A boy of this age usually wants a sword, armor, or a living animal.

But a piece of jewelry?

No, wait, the Marquis thought, confused. The necklace he saw before? He is not talking about his mother or my second wifes necklaces. So, what do we have? Come to think of it, what I just showed him one a while ago you dont think

Is it the Miraseuls Necklace? he asked his son with curious eyes.

Evan nodded.

Id like to have that necklace with a bunch of little jewels.

I see. Its not something you can take out recklessly. Didnt I tell you about this?

But Father. I really want it.

Evan looked up at the Marquis with tears in his purple eyes, eyes that were the same as his father.

A nine-year-old boys cuteness is powerful!

Its effect is extraordinary, and primarily when targeted at parents, its destructive power is to break through the universe!

But Evan, no matter how insignificant the necklace may look, it is still an heirloom.

I cant easily give out the family heirloom, the Marquis thought with strong determination, which was gradually weakening as he looked at his sons cuteness.

A theory came to his mind.

Theres a saying that the artifact chooses the right owner to have it. If the Miraseuls Necklace chose Evan and he could bring out the true power of the necklace

The real ability is to summon level one slime, but the Marquis didnt know that!

He looked at his son with a mournful expression and agonized repeatedly then, he finally nodded.

All right, Evan. Ill give it to you.

Really? I love you!

Evan cheered and hugged the Marquis. It doesnt matter if the Marquis is a middle-aged man with a hairy face; he couldve kissed a chimpanzee right now!

But, theres something to be careful about, Evan, the Marquis calmed him down as he was jumping for joy.

Chimpanzees? No, focus, Evan thought. He tilted his head and asked. What is it?

Thats because theres a limit on the number of artifacts you can equip.

All of a sudden, something like a game came up!

The sword, armor, rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets Up to five, regardless of the area. This is the limit to the ability of the magical armor and artifact. More than that is something our bodies cannot carry.

Okay

It was definitely the same in the game.

Therefore, when and where to wear certain artifacts is a critical issue.

Only

The usual tactic was to carry a sword or armor and fill out the rest of the slots with artifacts.

So if you grow up and need another artifact, take off the Miraseuls Necklace and put it back in the storage. You dont have to keep wearing a necklace thats worth a lot of money.

Yes, I will!

Evans original plan was to return it back when he could no longer raise the level with slimes. He wont be able to level up forever with slimes that only give 1 experience point!

I wish I could check my existence level and skills, he thought, but thats impossible.

Thats the conclusive proof that this world is not a game. With such thoughts, Evan sighed.

Anyways, what matters is that he got the Miraseuls Necklace successfully.

Project number one, Level-Up, was in operation.