User blog comment:TheBlueRogue/Capcom to release free updated features to Dragon's Dogma; new Dark Arisen DLC/@comment-86.45.196.190-20121003175906

Where does it say anything about leveling up again? It says you can import your character across, according to some reviews. Its meant to be the story of another Arisen who went down a darker path, and eventually dies, but you can still import your character if your too lazy to make another one. Wait we're talking about dark arisen right? Hardmode and speedrun are just different modes, so of course you wont have to remake a character for them.