My SSS-Rank Dungeon: Reborn In A Reverse World-Chapter 5: The Smile That Should Never Fade

Leon ignored his nonsensical thoughts and made his way toward the door. He had already checked his memories and knew who was on the other side. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Though, that knowledge brought a strange feeling with it because he recognized her from the game. Still, he didn’t want to make her wait. Or rather, he didn’t want her to worry. He decided to deal with her first and think about everything else later.

When he opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of a beautiful woman standing there with a box in her hand. He was slightly surprised by her beauty but didn’t show it too much.

It was a gacha game, after all. He’d made practically everyone beautiful, including the background NPCs—let alone someone important like her.

She had that kind of presence that made time slow down for just a second. Long enough to make you question whether she was real or just one of those dangerously vivid dreams that never really fade.

Silver hair, cool like moonlight on steel, flowed in loose twin braids that danced against her shoulders. A few rebellious strands framed her sharp, fox-like face, adding that perfect touch of mischief to her otherwise confident aura. Her bangs swept low, brushing the violet-tinted sunglasses perched above her head.

Her eyes were molten silver laced with starlight, narrowed just enough to make it feel like she already knew what Leon was thinking. That smug smile tugging at the corners of her lips only added to the effect.

The tank top she wore hugged her curves snugly, with bold ’WILD’ lettering stretched across her bountiful chest, making a loud enough statement on its own. Her half-worn, fur-lined jacket clung loosely to her shoulders, decorated with pins and badges like trophies.

Her body was lean, athletic, unapologetically bold. She looked like trouble—with a killer playlist and a backstory that could burn cities.

She was Silver. His childhood friend. A girl who had been with him for nearly a decade. Their bond was something else—something deeper—and Leon could feel it. Because, despite everything, he was still the same person.

He rolled his eyes at her and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Hehe, my little boy has finally learned how to lie. That alone is worth celebrating," Silver grinned and shoved the box into his hands. "You don’t need to thank me or go on your knees or anything. A simple kiss would be enough."

Leon just stared at her, speechless, wondering if she had any screw loose. Actually, she had some mental problems. Surely.

Before he could say anything in response, she waved her hand dismissively and said, "Anyway, I should leave before the warden notices I’m here. I already used a lot of my luck sneaking in. You really should be grateful."

Then, just like that, she dashed down the corridor and vanished like a silent storm. She had come and gone so fast it left Leon stunned in place.

But the most shocking thing wasn’t her behavior—it was her personality. Because he remembered it being very different in the game.

She wasn’t this mischievous. Or this happy.

He gave one last look at the corridor before shaking his head and closing the door behind him. He placed the box on the table and sank into his chair, lost in thought.

’Why is her personality so different...?’

It didn’t take him long to find the answer.

’In the game, we didn’t meet her until much later. In her backstory, I wrote that she was an orphan surviving on the streets until a kind woman took her in. That’s also when she met a friend she valued more than anyone else.’

His expression turned grim as the memories returned.

’But on the night of April 20th, the city of Vale was invaded by Abyssal Beasts... and a Tier 6 Rift opened in the middle of the city. Silver had been studying at an academy back then, so she only received the news of her adopted mother’s death later. Just before that... she also lost her best friend.’

He closed his eyes and sighed.

’That loss changed her. She couldn’t handle it. She shut herself off from the world. Became colder. Harder. I was supposed to die yesterday.’

If he hadn’t awakened his memories—if he hadn’t been revived—Silver would’ve found his lifeless body in this very dorm room.

That cheerful smile on her face? It would’ve been erased. Crushed by grief.

Just the thought of that happening made Leon’s chest tighten. He didn’t want to witness it—didn’t want to cause it. Not ever.

As his thoughts wandered, his eyes landed on the digital clock on his desk. The screen also showed the calendar.

[04/01/203]

’January 4th... I still have four months before the Invasion of Vale happens. I need to get stronger—and fast. I’ll need allies too. I can’t do this alone.’

He wasn’t too worried about his mother. He could easily arrange to have her moved out of the city before then. But... he’d grown up in Vale. He had friends there. People who mattered.

He couldn’t just let it be destroyed.

In fact, he couldn’t let any city fall. Every human lost meant one less chance of survival for the world and if the world was gone, then so was his dream of living a peaceful, chill life with his harem.

How could he let that happen?

’Reaching Tier 6 in four months is basically impossible. But I can start making connections, gathering allies... and maybe tip off the government.’

Of course, they wouldn’t just believe a random student unless he proved to have prophetic insight. But even if he just secretly gave them some information, they would definitely take precautions. Even that would help.

With that thought, he opened the box Silver had brought.

Inside was a chocolate cake. A delicious, mouthwatering one at that. He blinked in surprise and then smiled.

’She remembered my favorite cake.’

It was such a small thing, but it made his heart feel a little lighter. Without wasting time, he began devouring the cake with zero restraint.

Only midway through did the thought occur to him.

’Wait, why did she bring this again? Oh yeah... I lied about being sick.’

Leon blinked and slowly looked at the wall monitor that tracked vitals.

’They can detect life signs, and yet... they still approved my leave. That means they already know I lied.’

He snorted.

’Ah, the benefits of being a topper and man, huh?’

Laughing to himself, he finished the cake and stood up. Then, he pulled out the Energy Orb from his inventory once again.

It was time to use it.

Time to level up.