Dungeon explorers always equip a wrist-mounted device called a Dive Gear.

This is an absolutely essential tool for anchoring the wearer’s existence within what’s colloquially called a “dungeon”—officially known as the Alternate-Dimensional Deep Layer Domain. Without it, you’ll supposedly turn into one of the dungeon’s monsters. Scary, huh?

At the same time, it’s also a device for summoning weapons.

Weapons summoned through magical energy vary entirely depending on the wielder. Many come with spell-like effects. Narou Kei is no exception—his weapon has a unique effect.

That effect? Poison.

The venom dripping from his small dagger can paralyze opponents. Pretty lame.

But since he used it to stab the protagonist, kick them while they were paralyzed, and generally mess around, it’s a perfect 100/10 for a side character’s weapon.

“Honestly, a weapon with such garbage range is just annoying to use!”

In the beginner dungeon, I slash through floating target dummies.

This forest-themed space seems decently large, and Mizuhi-senpai warned me earlier that getting lost is a real risk.

“Besides, paralysis doesn’t even work on training dummies. Damn it, I want my own unique weapon too…”

Each Dive Gear can only register one weapon. Since Narou Kei already registered this useless thing, he can’t summon anything else.

By the way, even the cheapest Dive Gears cost no less than a million yen—not exactly pocket change. What? You’re saying I still bought crossdressing gear? Shut up.

“If I could join dungeon rescue teams, I’d earn way more. But for that, I need to get stronger.”

The ultimate goal is securing a TS dungeon a year from now.

Defeat the dungeon boss, obtain its core, and you gain ownership of the dungeon.

To do that, I first need a new Dive Gear. And above all, I need the strength to back it up.

“This outfit was advertised as ‘combat-ready gothic lolita,’ and it really is easy to move in… The mask is just stuffy, though.”

Every time I swing the dagger, the outfit flutters at the edge of my vision—so fun. Swishing the skirt while fighting elegantly. Hmm, I really am a pretty girl.

“I don’t have time to waste on trash like you—wait, huh?! Ugh~!”

After cutting down the dummy, I strike a pose and deliver my line.

Even my normal voice is androgynous, so if I strain my throat as hard as I can, it becomes adorable.

Though, maybe a slightly more subdued voice would suit this look better.

Hmm, thinking about this stuff is when I feel most alive.

“Today, I feel like I can fight endlessly. My soul is shining brighter than ever!”

An explorer’s power comes from an invisible energy called magical power, apparently deeply tied to the soul. Right now, mine’s overflowing.

This world has no magic—magical power is mainly used for physical enhancement, so crossdressing is basically a buff.

If crossdressing alone gives me a buff, that’s a bargain.

“Slash, slash, and slash again!”

One after another, the dummies fall with satisfying slices.

Nothing can stop me now.

This body, once wasted as a side character, and a soul shining brighter than the sun.

I might even be able to take down a boss right now.

“According to Mizuhi-senpai, dungeon bosses are just big, slightly gross humanoid weaklings. I’ll carve through ‘em, take ‘em down, and then play pretty girl with their remains. Yeah, that’s the plan.”

Nothing weird about that.

So, I started searching for the boss.

The clue? A massive frame.

If it’s in the forest, it should be easy to spot, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.

“It’s not here… Maybe it doesn’t spawn at night?”

Just as I started considering possibilities, I spotted a cave at the edge of my vision.

A patch of exposed rock in the forest, with a gaping hole in the center.

As a super-genius, I immediately knew what it was.

“The boss’s lair…!”

Dungeon monsters can’t survive without magical energy, but otherwise, they’re no different from regular creatures.

The guidebook mentioned some even sleep at night.

If that applies here, the boss is currently napping. Time to send it straight to heaven.

“A quick slash to the throat should do it… Wait, but that wouldn’t be good practice, would it?”

Dagger at the ready, I step into the cave.

Less than ten seconds in, I hit a dead end.

“A dud? How misleading… Huh?”

This isn’t a wall—it’s a huge door.

I shine my Dive Gear’s built-in light on it.

Rust and dirt have discolored it, but it’s clearly a massive double-door with mechanical mechanisms.

“What’s this?”

I try pushing it.

Not like it’ll open, but—

“Oh. It opened.”

The door crumbles apart where I touched it, leaving a hole big enough for me to walk through.

Less “opened,” more “collapsed.”

“E-Excuse me~…”

I slip inside.

At this point, I already know the boss isn’t here, but the hidden-room vibe has me intrigued.

Inside is a spacious semicircular area.

The ceiling is covered in glass-like panels, letting in natural light—or rather, starlight.

At the center of the room, bathed in the dungeon’s artificial moonlight, is… something.

A pitch-black scythe with an almost organic aura.

A massive scythe, as tall as I am, resting on a pedestal.

“What the… I’ve never seen this in the original story.”

Avoiding the countless tubes connecting the pedestal to the walls, I approach the scythe.

This is definitely not normal.

“Pretty sure this counts as a Relic.”

Dungeons sometimes spawn Relics—treasures formed from solidified magical energy. They come in endless varieties, and the original protagonist, Touraku, gets his hands on some game-breaking ones… but huh, this one’s completely unfamiliar.

“Weapon-type Relics are supposed to be ultra-rare… Would one really be in a beginner dungeon?”

I immediately considered the possibility that this might be something special to Fectom Comprehensive Academy—but just as quickly dismissed it.

No way Fectom, strapped for cash as it is, would leave such a clearly valuable Relic lying around.

Judging by the door’s decay, it’s been abandoned for ages. Probably no one even knows it exists.

And if no one knows…

“Sell it ☆”

It’ll fetch a great price, and Mizuhi-senpai and the others will be thrilled.

Those guys basically live on bean sprouts.

I only joined this academy for the TS, but the three of them are surprisingly good people. If I can help them out, I’d like to.

Then, when I finally become a girl, I’ll ask to join their group.

TS yuri is real (radical faction).

“Anyway, let’s grab this thing right now.”

Rubbing my hands together, I approach the scythe.

I don’t wanna touch it bare-handed, so I’ll use the black lace gloves from my gothic lolita set.

“Tomorrow, I’m treating myself to some meat~”

The moment I grab the scythe—

An unimaginable pain tears through my body.

“Gah?! Wh-What is this…?!”

A primal, nauseating agony—like my guts are being turned inside out—floods my senses without pause.

It’s 0.5 times worse than getting hit by a truck!!!!

…Which means I can take it.

“Hmph! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!”

Waves of pain, as if the scythe itself is rejecting me, seize my body.

But letting go? Not an option.

I’m selling this! Turning it into cash, getting praised by my senpais, and joining their yuri party later!

Maybe my noble resolve got through—or maybe it just timed out—but suddenly, the pain vanishes.

Good, good. You’re a good girl. I’ll take care of you and sell you off properly.

“Alright! Rare item get!”

I pull the scythe from the pedestal and raise it high. So happy.

“Now, the boss isn’t here, so let’s head back… Huh?”

There’s more ahead.

A hallway with no door, gaping open, waiting for me.

“…Let’s go!”

There might be more Relics.

I decide to press onward.

The moment I sling the scythe over my shoulder—

The weight vanishes.

“Ow!”

A sharp pain shoots through my left arm.

Like a hard flick, the sting lingers on my left wrist.

When I look, the scythe is gone—replaced by a crimson-black bracelet on my left wrist.

“Eh…?”

Staring at it, the bracelet sinks into my wrist like it’s being absorbed.

“Eh!?”

All that remains is a faint red mark. The bracelet—and the scythe—are gone.

“I-It’s gone?! Did it… eat it?!”

No way, but it literally disappeared into my body.

Shaking or pinching my wrist does nothing. I’m helpless. Senpais… I’m sorry.

“Guess I have to find another Relic further in now.”

The loss of a potential fortune drives me deeper inside.

As I’m about to step into the hallway—which looks like an abandoned hospital corridor—

“—Wha?!”

The ground gives way beneath me.

Ah, the hallway must’ve decayed, my oddly calm inner voice analyzes.