A false accusation had led to my exile into the dungeon depths.
I had spent my entire life tilling the soil; for a farmer like me, being cast into the dungeon’s heart was essentially a death sentence. To make matters worse, my destination wasn't just any ordinary dungeon, but the Kataroff Dungeon—an S-rank nightmare where the odds of survival were non-existent.
As expected, I was ambushed by a monster the moment I stepped inside. Just as I felt the cold grip of death, someone reached out a helping hand.
A mysterious shadow appeared before me and granted me the Save & Reset skill. Through its power, I obtained the ability of Return by Death.
I have died more times than I can count since that day.
My breakthrough finally came around Trial Count: Approximately 560. By utilizing the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer, I managed to slay the Dungeon Boss and escape. I was even granted the chance to exact my revenge on the villagers who had framed me.
However, Puppeteer eventually succumbed to despair when she failed to become human. She took her own life, and unable to accept that end, I chose to die as well, triggering another Return by Death.
Trial Count: Approximately 570.
I had hit a deadlock.
In every previous timeline, Puppeteer had existed within the dungeon as a sword. By wielding her, I was able to navigate the dungeon’s perils. Yet, for reasons I couldn't comprehend, no matter how many times I looped back now, Puppeteer manifested before me as a grotesque monster.
As a result, I had spent the last several loops being devoured by her over and over again.
"Damn it... what am I supposed to do?"
Without the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer to aid me, I had no idea how to conquer the dungeon. Perhaps if I threw enough lives at the problem, I could find a way through even without her, but that would defeat the purpose. My goal was no longer just to conquer the dungeon; it was to turn Puppeteer into a human.
"Should I rely on the Vampire Eudite?"
She might know a way to restore Puppeteer’s humanity. But if I tried to contact her... there was a high probability that Ageha would intervene. The memory of Ageha suddenly appearing to slaughter Eudite the moment I approached her was a bitter one. For whatever reason, Ageha seemed to loathe the idea of me having anything to do with the vampire.
"In that case, I might as well rely on Ageha instead."
I still remembered being killed without a word the last time I tried to break her seal. The memory sent a wave of apprehension through me, but I couldn't just stand still.
"I can't afford to do nothing," I muttered.
Steeling my resolve, I set off toward my destination with a steady stride.
"...Found her."
Beyond the first teleportation circle stood the sealed girl. She lay sleeping within a barrier, her body bound by shimmering chains of light. No matter how many times I saw her like this, I couldn't help but feel that her sealed form was hauntingly beautiful.
"I managed to break it easily enough last time," I whispered, reaching out to touch the barrier.
Cracks immediately spiderwebbed across the surface. With a sound like shattering glass, the barrier disintegrated. Her seal was gone.
I immediately leapt backward, putting distance between us. I knew all too well that she might attack the instant she regained consciousness.
"Nn... h..."
Ageha let out a soft sigh and slowly opened her eyes.
"Who... are you?"
Her first words made me freeze. I stared at her, eyes wide with shock.
"You... you don't remember me?"
We had met across various timelines, and her previous behavior had made it clear that she, like me, retained memories of other loops. I had taken it for granted that she would know who I was.
"Have we met somewhere before? If we have, I am terribly sorry. I simply cannot seem to remember you."
"No... if you don't remember, then don't worry about it."
I felt a strange sense of relief. If she didn't recall our past encounters, it might actually make things easier for me.
"Um, it may be a strange thing to ask someone I've only just met, but... may I ask you a question?"
"Yeah, of course. Anything."
I nodded, and she gave a small, polite smile. "Thank you. In that case..."
She tilted her head slightly, her expression clouded with confusion.
"Do you happen to know who I am?"
"...What?"
It took several seconds for the weight of her question to sink in.