The sun was high by the time Arthur found a quiet clearing to rest in.
Birds chirped somewhere overhead, the smell of moss and blooming flowers carried by a soft breeze.
He exhaled deeply, sitting beneath a large oak tree. For a long while, he simply watched the clouds drift by, letting it all sink in.
"So this is it… the world of Danmachi."
It still felt surreal. The familiar sky, the clean air, the sense that everything was just a little more vivid than reality — it was exactly like the anime worlds he used to daydream about between office shifts.
He chuckled softly.
"An otaku reborn in a fantasy world… Man, if my coworkers could see me now."
A faint chime echoed in his head.
[Query detected: Current environmental assessment available. Would you like me to display it?]
"Sure, Sage. Let's see where we are."
[Analysis complete.]
[Current Region: Western Forest – Outside Orario Territory.]
[Monster Presence: Moderate. Predators include War Shadows, Goblins, and Infant Dragons.]
[Mana Density: 112% higher than human baseline. Excellent training zone.]
Arthur smiled.
"So I'm still a few days from the city, huh? Perfect. Gives me time to get stronger."
He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the tree.
The memory of the anime flickered in his mind — of the endless dungeon, the gods who descended to live among mortals, and the fragile line between glory and death inside those stone walls.
Bell Cranel's story had always seemed exciting when viewed from the comfort of his couch.
But now… standing at the edge of that same world, Arthur understood something else entirely.
"The dungeon's no joke. One wrong move and you're gone. Even Bell nearly died his first time."
He frowned slightly, fingers brushing against the grass.
"I can't just walk in there like an idiot. Not yet."
[Logical assessment: Agreed. Current combat power insufficient for sustained dungeon activity. Recommended action: wilderness training, ability testing, and long-term observation of local ecology.]
Arthur grinned. "In other words — grind levels before the main quest."
[Simplified interpretation: Correct.]
He stretched, standing up again. "Alright then, let's make this interesting."
He summoned a simple iron sword from the Gate of Babylon, testing its weight in his hand. The blade gleamed under the sun, humming faintly with magic.
"Okay, Sage. Start a log for physical training — swordsmanship, magic control, and Predator efficiency."
[Training log initialized. Day 1 begins now.]
Arthur took a deep breath and began practicing, swinging the sword again and again through the air. His movements were awkward at first, but soon his muscles adapted. Each swing felt smoother, faster, more natural.
Hours passed. The forest echoed with the sound of metal slicing air, bursts of flame from his magic, and the occasional hiss of a monster unlucky enough to cross his path.
By sundown, he collapsed onto the grass, drenched in sweat but grinning ear to ear.
"Hah… I haven't worked this hard in years."
[Progress noted. Physical stamina increased. Combat synchronization: 23% efficiency.]
"Good start."
As he lay there catching his breath, his thoughts wandered.
He remembered scenes from Danmachi — not just Bell and Hestia, but the legendary adventurers that roamed before them.
The Amazons, the fierce twin sisters of Loki Familia — Tiona and Tione Hiryute.
Arthur chuckled to himself.
"The Amazon twins, huh… Those two were already Level 5 when Bell showed up. That means right now, they're still training outside Orario."
He stared up at the darkening sky, eyes thoughtful.
"Maybe I'll run into them someday. Would be kind of crazy, meeting the legends before they became legends."
A small smile crept across his face.
"Yeah. I think I'll travel first. See the world, train, maybe pick up some experience before heading to the Dungeon City."
[Assessment: Extended exploration period will increase survival probability by 73%. Current supplies sufficient for mobile habitation. Recommendation: establish temporary base.]
"You're the best, Sage. We'll set up camp here for a few days, then move on."
[Acknowledged.]
As the stars began to appear one by one above the forest canopy, Arthur built a small fire.
Flames danced in the dark, and for the first time since his reincarnation, he allowed himself to simply sit in silence.
He watched the sky — the two moons of Gekai rising in perfect harmony — and let the warmth of the fire chase away the evening chill.
"So this is the start of my story, huh?" he murmured. "No hero titles, no divine blessings. Just me, my skills, and a long road ahead."
[Correction: You are also equipped with considerable potential for chaos.]
Arthur laughed quietly. "Yeah, that too."
He leaned back against his pack, closing his eyes as the fire crackled softly beside him.
Tomorrow, he would start hunting in earnest.
Tomorrow, he would begin mastering the powers he'd borrowed from countless worlds.
And maybe — just maybe — he'd start leaving his own mark on this one.
Far away, deep within the Dungeon, the faint echo of a roar stirred again — a reminder that even beyond the horizon, fate was watching.
But Arthur, blissfully unaware, was already snoring softly beneath the stars.