The Earth-san Has Leveled Up!

Side Story 1. Meiko’s Acquaintances

The footsteps of Kaneko Kurara, an elementary school girl with a self-improvement mindset returning from the Aozora Training Dojo, were heavy with sorrow.

Walking down the twilight road, her figure looked as fragile as a little girl bullied by boys in the park.

Plodding along.

Dejected.

The beloved Meiko-neesama and Sasara-neesama weren’t coming back.

Hanging from her waist was the holy sword Brynhilde (a DIY stick from the 100-yen store), its hilt adorned with a mysterious keychain charm Meiko had given her.

They’d made it together at the Aozora Training Dojo.

Under the guidance of an old retired carpenter, they’d sanded the edges, coated it with varnish, and crafted the holy sword together.

They’d only known each other for about three weeks, but Meiko was the kind of kind big sister who’d play with her like that.

The keychain swayed limply in time with the plodding shadow stretching across the road.

Wiping away tears that threatened to spill, she trudged on.

Before she knew it, she’d reached home.

Kurara was the child of a minor notable family in the countryside, one that owned a fair bit of land.

The garden, enclosed by a hedge, held a separate storage shed for farming equipment and a small warehouse, distinct from the main house.

Homes like this were common in the area.

From the garden, Kurara looked up at Kazami Mountain.

The cherry blossom shrine atop Kazami Mountain.

In spring, the mountain would be lush with fresh greenery, but that one spot would bloom with cherry blossoms, visible even from the town below.

Right now, Meiko and the others were there.

“Please, give Meiko-neesama and Sasara-neesama back.”

Kurara bowed her head toward the mountain.

Was this a plea to Earth-san, or to the gods of Japan, long worshipped here?

Even Kurara herself didn’t know, but she couldn’t help praying like this.

As the setting sun vanished behind Kazami Mountain, Kurara stepped inside.

Inside, her father and grandfather, done with farmwork, were relaxing in the living room with beers in hand.

People unchanged even as the world’s rules shifted.

To an elementary schooler like Kurara, their lack of fervor was baffling.

If this were about a kaiju appearing in some distant country across the sea, she’d get it.

Even she’d feel uneasy, but she’d accept that as a child, there was nothing she could do, and go on with her daily life.

But the entire world had turned into a fantasy.

It affected her directly, visible in her status.

A dungeon had appeared nearby, and the town might face disaster as soon as tomorrow.

If they couldn’t get fired up now, when would they ever?

Disheartened by her family’s apathy, Kurara plodded toward the stairs to her room.

Then—

[L-look! The three missing girls have emerged from a golden light!]

Kurara slammed open the sliding door with enough force to break it and planted herself in front of the TV.

There, on screen, was the hero who’d made her name known across Japan amid the chaos—Kurara’s idol.

On TV, Meiko suddenly tossed her backpack aside and declared:

[Hitsujiya Meiko, the Grimoire User]

“Nyaaaaaaaah!”

Kurara flailed her arms wildly in front of the TV.

[NINJA! Nagre Lulu!]

“Hyuwaaaaaah!”

Kurara had no idea who Lulu was, but she waved her arms excitedly anyway.

[A-and, ahem! Knight, Sasasa Sasa!]

“Hyamyahhhhh!”

Sasasa was the big sister whose wavelength matched hers, so Kurara adored her.

Again, she swung her arms with gusto.

One by one, they struck their poses, and Meiko raised her voice as if to reach the heavens.

[We three! After a deadly battle, we have slain the ancient dragon sealed within and conquered the Infinite Torii Dungeon, where monsters run rampant!]

[Nin-niiin!]

[De…Desuwa!]

Bam! The three struck their final pose.

“Hah-wah!”

Kurara’s eyes sparkled as she stared, tears streaming down her face.

Then came Earth-san’s announcement, confirming Meiko’s words were true.

For a moment, Meiko and the others vanished, but Kurara stayed put in her prime seat, sensing something incredible was about to happen.

Her intuition proved right as they reappeared.

By then, Kurara’s family had realized this was a global event. Her parents, grandparents, brother, and sister all gathered around the TV, carefully avoiding her head as she refused to budge.

They were stunned that a girl from their town had achieved such a feat, while Kurara’s eyes shone even brighter.

Then came the grand speech.

When Meiko’s fighting spirit radiated from the TV, Kurara’s family let out pitiful gasps.

But Kurara, right at the front, clenched her eyes and absorbed that energy with her whole body.

“TRAIN HARDER…”

Kurara nodded slightly.

In her eyes burned the same fiery resolve as the little hero who’d defied a dragon’s might.

At the same time, Saber the Master, the boys and girls training with Kurara at the dojo, the retired old folks, the onii-san who’d left after just one kilometer, and the college girls—all witnessed Meiko’s grand speech.

The elders narrowed their eyes at the dazzling light, relieved their little leader was safe.

The children felt their young souls ignite at Meiko’s aura.

The college girls, belatedly realizing how serious Meiko’s training had been, swelled with motivation.

The brother who’d left after one kilometer teared up under Meiko’s intensity but forced himself to keep watching.

And Saber the Master laughed heartily at Meiko’s bold proclamation.

“Big trouble, big trouble!”

Many students from Meiko’s school, Kazami Girls’ Academy, had also been watching since her return.

But, being high school girls, plenty weren’t in front of the TV at 5:30 PM. For their sake, those who’d seen it flooded the group chat with updates.

Of course, Earth-san’s global announcement later made it common knowledge, but that was beside the point.

So some watched on TV, others on their phones—all witnessing Meiko’s grand speech.

Yes, the world had turned into a fantasy.

But with initial skills varying wildly, not many had truly felt it yet.

Especially those who’d gotten things like [Attack Up – Small when equipped with XX] instead of combat or magic skills.

They’d sighed, disappointed.

But Meiko had shown them real magic, declaring, “Anyone can do this with enough Karma—it’s not that special.”

Only now did they truly grasp that the world had become a fantasy.

TRAIN HARDER.

Surely, with enough effort, their own stories would be dyed in fantasy too.

Goofing off was fun.

But what if fantasy was mixed in?

What would become of them?

It’d be so much more fun.

Like living as the heroines of a story.

As if they couldn’t hold back any longer, the girls burst into excited motion.

“Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Here, too, one person laughed uproariously at Meiko’s boldness.

A woman in a lab coat with heavy dark circles under her eyes—the Professor.

Her joy at her much-younger friend’s safe return hadn’t even cooled before said friend delivered a fiery proclamation to the entire world.

TRAIN HARDER. Protect your own life and those you cherish.

That was her roar.

If this had been some random girl on a street corner, the Professor might’ve chuckled at the ineffective approach.

But this was a girl officially recognized by Earth-san as a dungeon conqueror, who’d returned with treasures of immense value—a frontline warrior of fantasy.

And she’d delivered her speech with theatrical grandeur.

Ah, nothing could be more exhilarating.

And likely, the Professor was the only one in the world who knew the girl’s true wish.

[Hey, Professor, any movement on the dungeon openings yet?]

She’d heard that line countless times here. Each time, she’d shaken her head.

But after Earth-san’s global announcement, she’d noticed Meiko pausing thoughtfully.

In that moment, despite just returning, Meiko was already worrying about the next step.

Knowing waiting wouldn’t cut it, she’d decided to force it open herself.

Only the Professor knew the little hero’s true intentions.

A petty thing, but it gave her a long-forgotten sense of superiority.

“Ha—that was hilarious. You’re truly one of a kind, Meiko. Now, what adventures did you have?”

Giddy, the Professor waited for Earth-san TV’s broadcast.

And so, the time for Earth-san TV arrived for Meiko’s acquaintances too.