With a clattering pile of rubble, I’m currently falling.

Fortunately, an explorer’s physical abilities are nothing to scoff at—I was able to right myself midair almost immediately after the drop.

Hell, I could even stick a landing worthy of this gothic lolita outfit, like a graceful descent. Silent, too.

Yeah, just like this!

I land smoothly on the spot.
Like an angel sent straight from the heavens!

“——Ah, who are you!?”
“Huh?”

Someone’s here!?

I turn around to see a girl I’ve never met before.
Her short hair is dyed an obvious blond with purple highlights.

And that black uniform… must be from Kisou Academy, huh?

Kisou Academy—the rival school to Touraku-kun and a ridiculously massive institution.
My impression of it? Basically an evil empire.

“You just… fell from the ceiling, but… miss, may I ask your name?”
“Miss…?”

At that question, it clicks.
She’s mistaken me for a girl because of the crossdressing. The dim lighting probably helps sell the illusion. Damn, I’m terrifyingly good at this whole “pretty girl” thing.

And in situations like this, the only option is to commit fully to the role.
It’s not like deceiving one student from Kisou—that so-called “school of evil”—is gonna cause any problems.

Play along with my roleplay, will ya?

“You’re the one I’ve never seen before. If I recall, this is supposed to be Fectom Academy’s beginner dungeon, no?”

I glare at her, and she quickly averts her eyes.

“W-Well, I was, uh… exploring this rumored dungeon! Or, well, streaming it, you could say—”
“Streaming?”
“A-Anyway!”

She hastily closes the distance between us.
Stop, don’t come closer—what if my disguise gets exposed!?

“I-I’m being chased! Probably one of this area’s defense mechanisms, but…”

She gestures wildly toward the door she came from.
Oh. The door just got blown off its hinges.

“Eek!”

Her fear is contagious—now I’m kinda scared too.
But looking scared would be lame, and the “mysterious beauty” I’m roleplaying as wouldn’t flinch, so I force a poker face through sheer willpower.

From beyond the wrecked door, a humanoid shadow slithers into view.

…Huh? Humanoid?????

“T-That’s the thing chasing me! Be careful!”
“Right.”

That thing… isn’t it the boss Mizuhi-senpai mentioned?

Its entire body is covered in swollen, flesh-colored skin, standing over three meters tall.

In other words—a disgusting humanoid.

No doubt about it, that’s the boss.
If that’s the case, then it’s my prey. Might as well show off my “pretty girl dagger skills” while I’m at it.

“You don’t mind if I kill it, do you?”
“Y-You can!? I couldn’t even scratch it!”

Heh, so this girl’s a newbie too?
C’mon, gotta practice more. And maybe try crossdressing while you’re at it.

“Something like this isn’t even a problem.”

I motion for her to step back and position myself in front of the boss.
Then, I channel magic into my Dive Gear to summon my dagger—or so I intended.

“A… black scythe?”

The girl’s voice reaches me from behind.

Yep. I’m holding a scythe.
Wait, what!?

There’s also a red bracelet on my wrist—since when!?
Dive Gear, buddy, you wanna explain!?

“Eeek, it’s coming!!”
“Not a problem.”

This is a HUGE problem!!

But I’ve got no choice! I’ve never used a scythe before, but I’ll fight anyway!

Supposedly, beginner dungeons are designed so you can’t die, so might as well go for it.
Though, losing in this getup is absolutely not an option.

I dodge the boss’s attack.
It’s a slow, telegraphed swing.

“How childish.”

Even with a scythe, this should be easy.
You were scared of this? You’ll never make it as an explorer like that.

Dancing around its attacks, I start swinging the scythe.

This is fun. Me, clad in gothic lolita, fighting elegantly—while this girl watches without a hint of suspicion.

In this moment, I’m grateful for everything.

Yes. This is what I wanted!!!!

The boss is pathetically weak.
In about two minutes, I’ve severed all its limbs, leaving it writhing on the ground.

Now, how to finish it off? Straight through the heart? …Where even is its heart?

“That thing has insane regeneration! No matter where you destroy, it’ll just come back!”
“I see.”

Thanks for the info. …Wait, the way you said that—have you blasted it apart multiple times already? Are you actually a decently strong explorer?

Well, whatever. I beat the boss, so I’m still stronger either way.
As I’m pondering the final blow—

『■■■■■』

A jolt like lightning races through my brain. Maybe you could call it a “voice.”
At the same time, I suddenly understand how to wield the scythe.
And its name.

“——Starreader’s Staff, Sorciera.”

So that’s your name, huh.

…Cool, I got the name, but don’t just dump info into my brain without asking.

Following the knowledge now embedded in my mind, I prepare.
I plant the scythe’s blade into the ground and point the opposite end—the handle—toward the boss.
The tip of the grip has a muzzle.

The silhouette now resembles a massive gun as a trigger-equipped grip extends from the side of Sorciera’s handle.

Heh, so I just gotta pull this trigger, right?

True to the girl’s words, the boss begins regenerating its limbs.

But it’s too late.

“Ever seen the twinkle of the stars?”

I’m feeling cocky enough to say something like that.

A mysterious beauty, dominating the battlefield with overwhelming power.
Yes, yes, this is what I’m talking about!!!

At the peak of my hype, I pull the trigger.
Instantly, the room floods with light so bright it feels like midday.

By the time I realize it’s a beam erupting from the scythe’s handle, everything is already over.

It couldn’t have lasted more than three seconds. I panicked and let go of the trigger, but the spot where the boss once stood—along with the floor and walls—had completely melted away. The beam had torn straight through multiple walls, reaching deep into the distance.

…………Oh crap.

“Phew.”

Okay, first—deep breath.
Then—

“T-That was insane! What was that!?”

Oh right, she’s still here.

Not that I mind the praise, but could you hold off for now?
I just transferred here, and I might have wrecked the school’s precious dungeon.

“You called it Sorciera—is that the scythe’s name? And which academy are you from!? Actually, what’s your rank—”
“No obligation to answer.”

Cutting her off, I shut her down.
Maybe sensing my mood, the scythe vanishes, and the bracelet disappears back into my body.

Don’t leave. You’re allowed to stay.

Either way, sticking around is a bad idea.
Time to bail!

“Well, I’ll be going now. You should leave too. There’s nothing left here.”

The boss is dead, so no point staying.
Later!

Ignoring the girl, I make my exit.

…………Hm? Now that I think about it, why was a Kisou Academy student here in the first place?
Eh, whatever. Their student body’s so massive they’re everywhere anyway.