The Earth-san Has Leveled Up!

The Earth-san Leveled Up

[ZooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!]

One day, that sound suddenly resonated across the world.

At the same time, the seas stirred with white waves, trees swayed as if dancing, and clouds began flowing at an extraordinary speed.

Those walking froze in place, those sitting tumbled out of their chairs, and those sleeping woke in shock.

In Japan, where it was still daytime, startled cries erupted in many places.

While people’s screams spread, animals began making noises all at once.

The loudest were the howling dogs, but cats, birds, and even sewer rats chirped joyfully, as if offering a song to a god.

Japan, a land prone to earthquakes, witnessed this abnormal phenomenon, and everyone felt a great disaster was imminent.

At this point, no one realized this was happening simultaneously across the entire world.

However, contrary to their fears, the earthquake itself was merely a long, faint tremor that was barely noticeable to those standing.

Hitsujiya Meiko was a petite girl, less than 145 cm tall.

She had lively eyes and expressions, paired with cherry-colored lips and cheeks that moved charmingly, matching her short hair and adorable features.

If ten men saw her, all ten would think, “A total loli!” And indeed, she was.

Meiko was enjoying her spring break, having just graduated middle school and awaiting the start of high school.

Carrying the smartphone she received as a gift for her high school entrance, tucked in her favorite pouch, she was out strolling, hoping for picture-perfect moments for her “WinShta” posts.

Her older sister was into WinShta-worthy photos, so Meiko, now a soon-to-be high schooler, followed suit.

However, Meiko hadn’t installed the WinShtaFlam app.

She used the camera that came pre-installed on her smartphone.

Meiko didn’t really understand what “WinShta-worthy” even meant.

She was walking on a street not far from home.

Satisfied after snapping photos of a Shiba Inu tied to a pole in front of the post office, she was about to move on when—

Like every other creature in the world, Meiko encountered this mysterious phenomenon.

[ZooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!]

“!!!”

An unfamiliar, deep sound shook Meiko’s body.

She froze and looked around nervously, her arms instinctively folding in front of her chest in a very “girly” manner.

People emerged from buildings or stepped out of cars parked by the roadside.

All eyes were glued to the unnaturally fast-moving clouds.

While most people instinctively reached for their smartphones, Meiko, who had only had hers for a week, fumbled awkwardly.

“Um, uh…” Meiko muttered as she struggled. Then, a voice came from nowhere.

[Whooooaaaa, everyone! The Earth-san has leveled up!]

Meiko wasn’t the only one left blinking in confusion.

About 20% of the world’s population went “Huh?!”

The rest dismissed it as some prankster’s nonsense, assuming it was a localized hoax.

As humans grappled with this puzzling voice, animals, operating more on instinct, became increasingly excited.

“Woof! Meow! Chirp-chirp!”

The cacophony of their cries instilled unease in humans—but that was that.

The mysterious voice spoke again.

[Now, here’s a major announcement! Everyone, listen closely!]

Tilting her head curiously as she listened, Meiko’s eyes fell on the Shiba Inu still waiting for its owner near the post office.

The animals, who had stopped making noise when the voice spoke, seemed far from ordinary.

The Shiba Inu wagged its tail furiously while sitting still.

Nearby, two cats sat upright, attentively listening.

Even usually wary birds perched on walls and roads, folding their wings and tilting their heads.

Could the animals fully understand this voice?

Meiko realized something only a few humans in the world would eventually deduce.

She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but seeing the animals so happy made her feel a little better. If they were rejoicing, it couldn’t be all bad, right?

[Since Earth-san’s rank has risen, it will now activate new laws! Everyone living on Earth-san will also be deeply affected by this! Now, what are these new laws? I’ll explain now!]

The voice began its explanation.

At this point, only a handful of people continued working; most were listening in bewilderment or irritation.

[First and foremost, Earth-san’s freedom will increase! To celebrate, all human-made weapons will return to the soil! Nuclear weapons especially ruin Earth-san’s style, so they’re gone! Earth-san doesn’t like them—sorry, not sorry!]

This shocking proclamation made many government agencies furrow their brows.

In one major nation, the leader demanded the prankster be caught, only to hear a devastating report from someone bursting through the door moments later.

Similar events began unfolding worldwide.

[Next, Earth-san will release mana into the world! This will allow all living things to diversify even further! Earth-san will become more and more fabulous!]

The term “mana,” familiar to some, sparked a mix of skepticism and excitement globally.

While some rejoiced privately, many dismissed it as a prank.

[To generate mana, dungeons will appear on Earth-san’s surface! You know, like the stories made by those who live atop dragon carcasses? That’s what dungeons are!]

Hearing “those who live atop dragon carcasses,” many Japanese people simultaneously looked down at the ground.

They all knew the shape of their country’s archipelago.

[Research the dungeons yourselves! But just creating dungeons would be dangerous, so I’ll unlock a status system! This will use a karma-based system created by gods! It’s popular among Earth-san’s senior planets!]

Hearing “karma” and “gods”, many religious figures frowned.

Governments were quick to gather information, while most ordinary people still thought it was a localized prank.

Later, when the global scale and the existence of karma were confirmed, some would turn pale.

[By focusing your thoughts, your status will pop up! Positive karma grants you a starting skill. Negative karma gives you the “Flower” skill!]

Meiko vaguely recognized the term “karma.”

After briefly researching it in middle school, she’d learned it referred to “actions with consequences.”

Good deeds and bad deeds alike return to you, not just in this life but in future ones too.

She wasn’t sure if this was the same karma, but it was enough to show off to her friends if asked.

[The dungeons are devices to make everyone stronger! They will release monsters and trials! Enter bravely and evolve into wonderful beings! But be prepared to die if you challenge them! That concludes Earth-san’s announcement! Earth-san did it, everyone!]

As the voice joyfully proclaimed this, humans remained confused while animals began crying out again, not in fear but in celebration.

If they had hands, they would have clapped, Meiko thought, looking at the Shiba Inu near the post office and the birds on the wall.

Naturally, she found herself clapping too.

“Co-Congratulations!”

In a tiny voice, Meiko spoke.

Thank you, thank you!

The mysterious voice, basking in praise, made one last declaration.

[Enjoy Earth-san’s new stage! See you later!]

The moment it said this, Meiko was enveloped in light.

When the light faded, a stone corridor stretched before her.

From the voice’s earlier announcements, Meiko immediately understood—this was a dungeon.

Why she was suddenly in one, she had no idea.

But for now, Meiko let out a pathetic cry akin to a plea for mercy.

“Meow… Meow…”

Her arms, still folded protectively across her chest, were as girly as ever.