My SSS-Rank Dungeon: Reborn In A Reverse World

The room remained silent for a few seconds as everyone was too shocked after hearing his words. But they also recovered quickly, and their expressions turned solemn with rage burning in their eyes.

It was Natasha who caught something in his words and asked, "You mean you were almost killed in the Academy?"

Only then did the others realize the meaning behind his words. Complex emotions surged in their eyes, but the most prominent one was definitely anger.

"How is that possible?" Bella asked in disbelief. "Are you suggesting there are traitors in the Academy?"

"Yeah, and I suspect the Flame Knight Dungeon incident is also their doing," Leon nodded and said, making their eyes widen. "I'm sure you understand their power and influence."

"Yes, we get it, but why are they after you?" Rani asked. "How did you offend such a powerful enemy?"

"I won't go into details, but let's just say I was caught in the waves of others' fights and now I have to deal with the consequences," Leon sighed and said. "I wanted to warn you all."

"You think they'll target us because of you or maybe use us to attack you?" Denver asked, though he seemed quite sure of his own words. "That type of enemy is indeed very dangerous."

"The Conclave is the perfect opportunity to sneak attack again," Natasha said, having an unusually serious look on her face. "We can't even tell the professors because we don't even know who the traitor is."

"Amber is on our side," Leon said, which earned him strange glances. "So, we do have some power on our side too. But they won't strike us directly. I can assure you they will use the vilest method this time."

"Yes, but what can we do?" Bella said with a dejected look on her face. "We're too weak to contend against them."

"And if you're thinking of pushing us away because we might get implicated, then it won't work," Natasha said, eyeing him. "First, we won't leave you alone in this. Second, we will still be targeted even if we put distance between us."

Leon smiled upon hearing that and said, "Why would I do something so foolish? If I'm dying, then you're all coming down to hell with me."

"Tsk! Selfish!" Bella clicked her tongue and then asked, "Do you have a plan? Or any information we can use to our advantage?"

"First, I have to ask you something," Leon said with full seriousness. "I want our cohort to remain like this even in the future and also explore the Primordial Expanse. This isn't something temporary for me. So, are you guys in this or not?"

"I thought that was already established," Natasha winked at him and said. "With the addition of Silver whenever she comes back, we six will be a permanent team."

"I don't think anyone else would take me in anyway," Denver said with a low chuckle.

"I'm sure Rani will stay, so I'm also staying as her best friend," Bella said with a grin.

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Shut up!"

"Okay."

"So, as you can see, everyone here is your companion," Natasha said.

"Good! I'm glad you chose this. It means my sacrifices were worth it," Leon heaved a sigh of relief and said.

"What sacrifices?"

"Small details," Leon ignored the chatterbox and asked instead. "Lastly, if you continue with this, then you're more likely to face death than other students. So choose carefully."

"Now I want to punch you," Denver said. "We can accompany you to the Primordial Expanse but not this? Really?"

"Teddy bear is right," Bella nodded. "It's not like it's the first time we'll face death, so just out with it."

Leon smiled. He was genuinely happy to have these unexpected companions with him. He hadn't really planned to befriend them at the start, but one thing led to another and now he was friends with them, wanting them to accompany him.

As for their talent being lower than the top prodigies, Leon didn't care about that. As the developer of this world, he knew many ways to make them stronger.

"Good. Then the first plan is to get stronger," Leon said, making the others give him strange looks again. "Hear me out. We don't know who our enemy is. We don't know their plan. The only thing we do know is that there will be an attack during the Conclave, or some scheme will be played."

Everyone nodded in understanding.

"So, we really don't have much we can do. Amber will handle the upper part of the Academy, and as for the studentsz, well, we can't do much about them either. That leaves us with only one option: to make ourselves strong enough to survive whatever awaits us."

"It's impossible," Natasha said. "The Conclave is about a week away, and unless we spend all our time in the Dungeon leveling up, there's no way we'll have any significant changes in our strength."

"I know, and that's why I've prepared a few gifts for you," Leon smiled and said. "Although they won't give you a lot of levels, they will surely make a change in your overall strength."

"Is that why you asked that question earlier?" Bella gasped in surprise.

"Of course. Why would I invest things earned by my sacrifices in someone who won't even stay with me?" Leon shrugged.

If they had really rejected him, then he would only have given them a part of the reward so they got stronger.

"First gift…" Natasha mumbled something to herself with a creepy grin on her face.

Leon put his hand in his inventory and took out a small box along with a bigger one. He slid both of them toward Bella, who stared at them with eyes full of sparkles.

She hurriedly opened the smaller one and found a pair of eye lenses sitting inside. With her brows furrowed, she asked, "What is this?"

"Why don't you try them first?" Leon asked, a mysterious smile hanging on his handsome face.

Bella did exactly that and put both lenses in her eyes. She blinked repeatedly to get used to them and then looked around.

"Try to look closer at something."

She focused on a beautiful vase set into the room's wall, and her vision blurred before a heightened and clear image of the vase appeared in her head.

Her jaw hung open in amazement as she muttered, "N-No way!"

"Yes way. These lenses will allow you to adjust your vision as you want and also allow you to see others' fast movements in comparatively slower motion."

Bella returned her vision to normal and turned toward Leon, exclaiming in excitement, "This is too good! Leo, I can snipe even better now. This even allows me to predict bullet trajectories and other factors. This is just awesome."

"And expensive," Rani pointed out, pouring cold water on her excitement. "Are you sure you want to give something so precious to us?"

"It's called an investment. If you all want to accompany me to the Primordial Expanse, then you need to be strong," Leon said. "You made your decision and this is mine. Use it well."

"I'll protect you, Boss!" Bella gave him a thumbs up and said. "By the way, what's the second one?"

"It's a Stealth Coat. With it, even Tier 4 and Tier 5 Awakened would have a hard time noticing you."

"Boss, you love me, right?" Bella asked all of a sudden.

Leon was dumbfounded and then glared at her. "What the hell are you spouting?"

"I mean, both of these items are very expensive and precious. You also aren't from a Noble family, so it's expensive for you too. I don't think simply being companions is enough for you to give this," Bella said in a straight tone.

"Tell me, you found something very precious. It's very costly, and you could earn a lot by selling it. Maybe enough to live your whole life happily," Leon said instead of answering her directly. "But Rani needs it. So, what would you choose?"

"Obviously my best friend," Bella answered without any hesitation. "Although she's dumb and rude, she's still my bestie."

"Then, it's something similar for me. I don't care about the money as long as me and my close ones are safe and strong," Leon said, patting her hand lightly.

"Oh, so you don't love me?" Bella asked, fake despair clouding her face.

"You're just too skinny for my taste," Leon snorted and said. "Anyways, use them well. I'll give you more later, but for now, they will play an important part."

She nodded and put the invisible coat in her dimensional bag while deciding to keep wearing the eye lenses.

"Next is Rani. I thought hard about what to get for you and came upon only a few things, so I apologize. But they're good things nonetheless."