Your level resets to 1 because every new dungeon dive starts Davy at level 1 by design. The progress that matters across attempts includes faster level-up speed and permanent upgrades from the shopping mall. Seeing level 1 again does not, by itself, mean your save has rolled back.
The next run rebuilds Davy's level and choices while giving you a stronger foundation than the one you started with.
Separate the run level from permanent progress
| Progress | What to expect on another dive |
|---|---|
| Davy's dungeon level | Starts at 1 again |
| Level-up speed earned through play | Improves future dives |
| Ability upgrades purchased at the mall | Remain permanently unlocked |
| Zombie Skills unlocked at Bessie Burger | Expand the pool of Level-Up Receipt choices |
The displayed values are from one run, not a fixed gain for every return.
You will not necessarily receive the same skills in the same order. At level milestones, the game offers Level-Up Receipts, and your selection builds the current attempt. An unlocked skill being absent from a particular selection is different from losing its unlock.
Check progress in the right place
After returning to the mall, look at your available upgrades and unlocked options rather than using the number over Davy's next starting level as the only measure of progress. Your later experience gain is supposed to bring you through early levels faster.
Defeating enemies contributes to this growth even when you fall during a dive. A boss defeat is not required for every attempt to improve the foundation of the next one.
Change the plan for the next attempt
Use the mall to develop gear and unlock relevant abilities before going back down. During the next dive, choose the available Receipts for the obstacle you are trying to clear rather than expecting your previous build to return automatically.
If you suspect a separate save problem, check for concrete missing permanent upgrades or missing story progress. A routine reset to level 1 is expected behavior and cannot establish that problem on its own.