"Lord Phaethon…" Kanae struggled to sit up, but Phaethon gently pressed her back down.
"Not so fast. You've just accomplished an incredible feat. Your body needs time to adapt to this new strength."
Phaethon's voice was filled with pride. "Congratulations, Kanae. You've successfully ascended to LV2."
"LV2…"
Kanae murmured, eyes sparkling with disbelief.
In just a little over a week, she had gone from knowing nothing about this world—a complete novice who had just received her blessing—
to an LV2 adventurer, a rank that many could only dream of reaching.
"Yes, and…"
Phaethon paused, handing her the status sheet. "See for yourself. The changes this time are far more than just leveling up."
With trembling hands, Kanae eagerly took the paper, her heart pounding with excitement as she glanced at her new status.
[Name] Kanae Kocho
[Level] LV2
[Stats]
Strength: I0 (formerly S988)
Endurance: I0 (formerly S982)
Dexterity: I0 (formerly S995)
Agility: I0 (formerly S991)
Magic: I0 (formerly S970)
[Development Ability] ???
[Magic] None
[Skills]
Resolve to Slay Demons: Increases attack power by 20% against demon-type entities.
Breath of Flowers: … (Derived sword techniques omitted for brevity)
Just like every level-up, her basic stats had reset to I0, ready for a new cycle of growth and accumulation.
But Kanae could clearly feel it: even at I0, her current strength, speed, and perception were far beyond what she had been at S-rank in LV1.
This was the true qualitative leap that came with leveling up.
However, what caught her attention the most was the new entry below her basic stats—[Development Ability].
Phaethon explained at just the right time:
"Upon reaching LV2, adventurers have the opportunity to awaken what's called 'Development Abilities'—special enhancements that reflect their unique traits and experiences.
These abilities are different from base stats and skills, far rarer, and often more powerful."
He saw the curiosity in her eyes and continued:
"Just now, when I performed your level-up, the system generated four options for you, based on your all-S rank abilities and the feat of slaying the Infant Dragon."
"Four options?" Kanae was surprised.
"Yes."
Phaethon nodded and began listing them:
"The first option is [Swordsman].
It's straightforward—enhances your attack power and mastery with sword-based weapons, allowing you to reach greater heights in swordsmanship."
"The second is [Mystery].
This is a rare ability. It typically doesn't reflect directly in combat power but instead amplifies certain types of magic, curses, or heightens special perception and intuition.
Its effects are unpredictable and vary greatly."
"The third option is [Compounding].
This ability increases your talent in potion-making and crafting special items.
While it doesn't seem combat-oriented, having potent elixirs or custom weapons can be game-changing in critical moments."
After explaining the three options, Phaethon paused slightly before pointing to the final choice:
"As for the fourth option, it's called [Class Change].
However, there's no description listed for its effects."
No description?
Kanae's curiosity was piqued, but she also felt hesitant.
The first three abilities were clearly defined—[Swordsman] was perfect for her combat style, [Mystery] was full of unknown potential, and [Compounding] offered useful support.
But this [Class Change] was completely blank, shrouded in mystery.
Phaethon laid out all four options, explaining each one thoroughly and leaving the choice to Kanae.
After all, this was a significant decision that would influence her growth trajectory.
However, Kanae only took a brief moment to think.
She then looked up, her eyes filled with absolute trust as she gazed at Phaethon.
"Lord Phaethon, I trust your judgment. Please make the decision for me.
Whatever you choose, I know it will be the best path for me."
Phaethon was touched by her unwavering faith.
He looked into her eyes, filled with hope and sincerity, and his resolve solidified.
In fact, the moment he saw the option [Class Change],
a powerful intuition surged within him—a voice in his consciousness urged him to choose it.
It was a divine instinct, one that transcended logic and analysis.
So, without the slightest hesitation, Phaethon reached out, his fingertip glowing with a soft golden light,
and pressed down on the option for [Class Change].
"Then it's decided—[Class Change]. My instincts tell me this will bring the greatest surprises."
As Phaethon confirmed the selection, the divine script on Kanae's back flared with radiant gold,
and a rush of new power coursed through her veins.
Simultaneously, the [Development Ability] section of her status sheet finally filled in with clarity.
[Development Ability] Swordmaster
Swordmaster?
Kanae had never heard of such a term before.
Phaethon leaned in to inspect it, and his eyes lit up as he read the description:
[Swordmaster]: A combat class focused on mastery of sword techniques.
Able to switch between [Fire], [Ice], [Light], and [Dark] elemental properties at will, infusing the sword with enhanced effects.
Combines magic and swordsmanship, emphasizing lightning-fast attack speed and dazzlingly fluid combo execution.
Specializes in relentless multi-strike assaults that overwhelm foes.
Phaethon's eyes widened for a moment.
Elemental switching… sword magic… seamless combo execution…
This… this sounded oddly familiar.
Wasn't this practically identical to the Sword Princess (Swordmaster) subclass from Dungeon Fighter Online (DNF)?
One of the advanced classes for the Female Slayer character, known for its elemental-infused swordplay and breathtakingly swift combat style.
Phaethon was hit with a wave of nostalgia.
Could it be that his vague and fragmented memories of his second life—the one he barely remembered—were linked to that world?
A place where warriors harnessed abilities like this in their combat styles?
Could it be… that his second life was spent in that world, Arad?
Was he once one of its top warriors?
The thought lingered, but it was hazy, like trying to grasp smoke.
That part of his past remained shrouded in mystery.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Phaethon refocused on the present.
He looked at Kanae, who had now fully sat up. Her eyes sparkled with newfound confidence and joy.
"How do you feel, Kanae?"
Phaethon asked gently.
"I feel… amazing, Lord Phaethon!"
Her voice trembled with excitement.
"I feel like I've gained unimaginable strength. My mind is flooded with new combat techniques and skills!
This power… it's beyond anything I've ever felt before. It's stronger than Flower Breathing by several magnitudes!"
She clenched her fists, feeling the surge of magic-infused swordsmanship techniques and the four elemental attributes swirling within her.
It was as if a gateway to an entirely new dimension of power had opened up.
Like a mere swordswoman transforming into a Swordmaster—a leap in strength that defied reason.
"Not bad."
Phaethon nodded approvingly.
The DNF system is definitely on another level compared to the world of Demon Slayer.
"I… I want to try it out right now!"
Kanae leaped from the bed, her excitement palpable.
But before she could move, a sudden shift in the air took place.
Because Phaethon's first Familia member had ascended to LV2, a crucial condition had been triggered.
From deep within his soul, the Primordial Light system awakened, activating the Light of the Otherworld!
Hum—!
The room's air distorted, shimmering with sacred golden light.
A portal of liquid-like gold formed in the center of the room—just as it had when Kanae first arrived.
"This… what is this?"
Kanae stared in astonishment.
Phaethon's eyes grew sharp, locking onto the gateway.
It's here! The next member is coming!
Without delay, the portal pulsed, and a petite figure tumbled through, landing clumsily on the wooden floor.
Phaethon and Kanae both looked down.
Sitting there in her school uniform, a black-haired girl with delicate features blinked up at them, utterly baffled.
Her eyes were filled with confusion and disbelief.
Miko Yotsuya had arrived in the Labyrinth City.