Rise of a Dungeon Lord

"Did you receive some sort of curse from an evil God? Don't worry, I'm very skilled at removing curses"

Listening to the Pope's question, All eyes immediately turned toward Kazuma

All of a sudden, an unprecedented silence filled the castle palace.

"What's happened young hero, can you not speak?"

Feeling the change of momentum in the room, the pope decided to apply more pressure

And just like he expected, under his lead Kazuma had become the main focus of the palace.

"Haha what do you mean, there's nothing wrong with my status"

"It's just that I don't want to let you see it, after all those are my whole cards"

Giving a weird laugh, Kazuma quickly thought of an excuse

*Damn pope! Just a mere side character yet you dare speak like this to the protagonist!"

Cursing in his mind, Kazuma had already marked him as one of the people to get revenge once he gets his cheat skill.

After all, not all main characters get their powers at the start of the story.

Thinking of this, Kazuma's gaze toward the pope became more confident.

Unfortunately what he didn't know was that his reply just now further confirmed the Pope's speculation

*Haha unbelievable, it's actually an abandoned one!"

*However, I can't dispose of him too hastily*

Considering the backlash he might get from the heroes if one of their fellows were disposed of as soon as they arrived.

Thinking of this, Pope Augustine knew it was not feasible.

However, although that was currently the case, Augustine had already thought of a plan b.

Casting a wink at the king, the pope bowed slightly to Kazuma

"Oh apologies lord hero, it was my fault for asking"

"However while It may be rude of me to ask you for your skills, but I would need them to help you level up more efficiently"

Speaking eloquently, the pope pretended not to notice Kazuma's lie and apologised.

Seeing this happen, Kazuma who was expecting to be exposed couldn't help but be confused

*Cough*

"Well then it's okay, just make sure not to disturb this hero again"

Speaking in the third person Kazuma coughed pretending to be calm

However his behaviour just now got a lot of mixed reactions from his classmates around

"This hero?"

"Haha it seems like chunni Kazuma still exists even in a different world"

Laughing at Kazuma, Tomoki couldn't help but cringe at his words.

Even Nagumo one of his doglegs began to laugh as he pointed at Kazuma in suspicion

"Yeah, Tomoki is right, what's all this crap about some whole cards"

"His status panel is probably trash just like he is"

"Trash on earth, trash in a different world"

Listening to Nagumo's words, most of the classmates began to nod feeling like his words were true

After all, they all showed their status panels, why didn't he?

Watching this happen, a strange glint flashed in the Pope's eyes.

*Oh? Interesting*

*It seems the heroes aren't as close as I thought, that makes things much easier*

Planning how to take advantage of this new discovery, a smile unknowingly found its way onto the Pope's face

However, just when Tomoki and Nagumo were about to pressure Kazuma into exposing his status panel

Hibiki's voice suddenly interrupted them.

"Wait a minute sir pope"

"What do you mean by helping us efficiently level up?

Although she had planned to keep a low profile, Hibiki couldn't help but ask as a strong curiosity filled her heart

"Could it be that to increase our levels we have to slay monsters and upgrade just like RPG games back on earth?"

"And would they be item drops and stuff like boss monsters?"

As someone who always played RPGs whenever she was free, Hibiki unknowingly began to release her inner weeb

So much so that all her classmates began to give her weird glances

Since when did the upright Hibiki have such a side?

Unfortunately, no one could answer that question.

*Cough cough*

"Sorry sir Pope, I got a bit carried away, so what did you mean by helping us level up?"

Slightly embarrassed Hibiki excitedly glanced at the level 1 and 0/100 experience on her status

Fortunately, the Pope didn't seem to think too much and quickly explained

"Oh I forgot since you heroes are not originally from Aincrad but here everybody is born with the ability to level up"

"With the blessings of the Gods, one can increase their skills, Abilities, and strength by defeating various monsters in and around dungeons"

"Speaking of dungeons, you and the other heroes after a bit of training would be heading into one so you can officially start levelling up"

Explained to Hibiki, the pope had a gentle smile on his face

However, what he didn't know was that his simple words just now had set off a commotion within the crowd

Levels?

Dungeon?

Could it be that this is actually a game world?

Hearing the words of the pope, everyone couldn't believe the level of absurdity of what they were experiencing

Unexpectedly, things like dungeons and levelling up that are only done in games would be experienced by them one day.

Soon, the whole crowd began divided into two group

One that wanted to go into dungeons and level up as fast as possible

And another that thought it was too dangerous and wanted to stay back to avoid getting hurt

*Ahem!*

"Esteemed heroes, I'm not done talking"

Being rudely interrupted, the pope couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eyes

*Calm down Augustine, they're heroes*

*Ignore them for now, once their roles are done they'll be left to your disposal*

Calming himself down, the pope forced out a smile before he continued speaking

"About dungeons, since we're talking about them their some things you should know"

"Such as its history!"

Saying this the Pope's face turned gloomy, obviously the appearance of dungeons to Aincard wasn't all positives

Seeing this, Hibiki and everyone else couldn't help but turn curious as they kept quiet ready to listen to the Pope's next words.