Live Dungeon!

As Tsutomu walked with the others, he continued turning over ideas in his head, trying to figure out ways to persuade them to reconsider. But Garm’s earnest plea still lingered in his mind, and it robbed him of the levity he would have normally used to dismiss the idea.

[If Garm comes at me with that same look when it’s time to go home, it’s going to be a pain…]

For the first time since coming to this world, he felt a sentiment similar to what Amy often showed. His gaze drifted to Garm, who had somehow ended up mediating a dispute over reward distribution between a pair of Explorers.

[It’d be nice if he could lighten up a bit… but then again, if Garm turned into a playboy like Leon, that’d be even worse. I’d at least get a good laugh if he started flirting with Amy, though. And maybe if he settled into something more like the old, sloppy Misil… Hannah and Daryl could be the Rara and Riri of the troupe.]

(Silavin: ‘Sunshine’ of the troupe)

The absurd fantasy brought a small grin to Tsutomu’s lips, which he promptly tried to hide behind a hand. Even so, the quiet sound of suppressed laughter was enough to perk up two pairs of canine ears and one feline. But none of them said a word.

[Well, whatever happens, I’ll just do my best. I’m still uneasy about blocking that organ restoration, but even if we fail, we can always try again. Not that I intend to let it end in failure, of course…]

With that in mind, Tsutomu pulled the equipment acquired on the ninetieth layer from his Magic Bag as he walked, and began changing into it on the move. He strapped a Potion holster to his waist, filled with the Forest Apothecary’s premium brews, and completed the final checks of his kit.

Amira, catching sight of his readiness, smirked in approval. Around them, the atmosphere shifted; Explorers and Ealdred Crow informants alike began to murmur with excitement. They’d seen enough to suspect that Absolute Helix was about to take another shot at the hundredth layer.

When their turn came at the Guild counter to formalize their party contract, the usual bald-headed man was manning the reception. But before they could speak, Camille peeked out from behind him.

“Heading for the hundredth again, are we?”

“Whether there’s anything beyond the hundredth or not…” Amira began.

“We’re clearing it today!” Amy said, cutting in brightly.

Camille raised an eyebrow in amusement, and turned her gaze to Tsutomu at the back of the group. He gave a sour wave of the hand, signaling the receptionist to just process the contract already.

“Hey, you never know,” the man said with a grin. “Might be the last layer, right?”

“Even if it is, no one’s even begun mapping the Snowfield layers yet,” Tsutomu replied. “Everyone’ll keep exploring God’s Dungeon.”

“True enough. Still, seeing a potential endpoint makes a difference. There ARE plenty of Explorers eager to be the first to glimpse whatever lies beyond.”

“Yeah, well… New blood’s important too.”

The receptionist, glancing up from the Status Cards, seemed surprised by Tsutomu’s remark.

“Huh. I figured you’d say it doesn’t matter whether those rookies exist or not.”

“Look, I’m all for rooting out the parasitic good-for-nothings. But if someone’s harmless and here to chase a dream, why crush that? Who knows, one of those guys might become an asset, or even turn into something brilliant.” Tsutomu, keeping a straight face, briefly glanced at Amy. “Some types of worms do become a butterfly that catches everyone’s eye, y’know?”

“…Not sure that’s how an Explorer should be thinking,” the man muttered, half-laughing as he handed the processed cards back.

With the contracts completed, the man gestured them toward the teleportation Magic Circles. Just as they moved to join the queue, Garm, who had been listening in the whole time, murmured behind him.

“…I’ll strive to be an asset, then.”

“What kind of striving is that?” Tsutomu quipped dryly.

They stepped into line. After exchanging nods with each of his party members, Tsutomu took his place at the center.

“All right, here goes. Teleport to the hundredth layer!”

As the command left his lips, the world around them faded into darkness, and the next moment, they stood once more in the arena.

▽▽

The moment word spread of the layer Tsutomu had designated, a wave of motion swept through the Guild. A frenzy of hushed anticipation took hold as Explorers scrambled to secure seats near Monitor #1.

At the same time, Camille, the Guild Master, had already commandeered a prime viewing spot at the reception counter just as Tsutomu’s party finalized their contract. One counter had been closed and repurposed as her personal seat. This was an unmistakable abuse of authority, yet no one voiced a complaint. Most of the other Explorers had already abandoned the reception area entirely, desperate not to miss a moment of what could mark the turning point in God’s Dungeon’s history.

“You’re not taking another shot today?” Camille asked, glancing sidelong at a boy seated alone with a clear view of Monitor #1.

The boy who, thanks to his Half-Elf lineage, still looked youthful despite his years, was Rook of Ealdred Crow. Meeting her gaze, he responded with a slight shrug.

“Stephanie’s under the weather. We can’t make the push without her.”

“That alone doesn’t explain why you aren’t trying,” Camille said in a thinly veiled taunt. “What happened to that old ambition of surpassing those with unique skills, hmm?”

“Coming from someone who’s already been surpassed by her own daughter, that’s a bit rich.” Rook replied flatly.

He and Camille went back a long way. Ever since the earliest days of God’s Dungeon’s emergence, when she had still been both a prominent Explorer and the wife of the previous Guild Master, their paths had crossed time and again. He deflected her taunt effortlessly, though his gaze flicked toward the back of the venue.

“…Besides, I’m not the only one too anxious to sit this one out.”

“…” Camille fell silent, following his line of sight.

“Yeah, no kidding!” Another, more cheerful voice added.

There stood Leon of Golden Tune, who had arrived in a blur the moment his wolf ears picked up their voices. Also present was Weiss of the Scarlet Devil Squad, his face as blank as ever. A year ago, a gathering of veterans like this would have caused a stir within the Guild, but now, only a handful of the more seasoned Explorers even noticed.

Camille, apparently in a nostalgic mood, invited them to join her in her spot behind the counter. Then, after a cursory glance at Monitor #1, where the Corroded Elder Dragon loomed, and Tsutomu could be seen casting support and healing skills, she turned back to the three men.

“Is it rude if I say this group feels… nostalgic?”

“Miss Camille, saying that only makes you sound old.” Leon quipped.

“I’d rather not be lumped in with you lot.” Rook added with a smirk.

“C’mon, veterans ought to stick together, yeah?”

“You’re the ones who left me out during the Mutant Shell Crab raid…”

“…We only invited members based on layer progress,” Weiss said abruptly. “It was nothing personal.”

The unexpected remark silenced them for a beat, and they all exchanged looks. Of the four, only Rook had made it past the ninetieth layer. The others had not even set a course for it yet. In fact, rumors were already circulating that Golden Tune might soon be overtaken by mid-tier Clans. Leon, for all his bravado, could no longer afford to laugh it off.

“…At this rate,” Weiss went on, “Absolute Helix will win this sooner than we thought.”

“Tsutomu didn’t look too enthusiastic, but the other four… they seem dead set on clearing it today,” Leon said, nodding to himself.

“Really? That’s… surprising.”

Weiss’s voice, usually so measured, faltered slightly. He crossed his arms and turned back to the monitor, avoiding Rook’s questioning gaze.

“[!”

Garm, face carved with fierce resolve, unleashed a crimson aura of fighting spirit and took the brunt of the Corroded Elder Dragon’s blood-weapon attacks. His movements were far more refined than during their first attempt, absorbing blows with the poise of an exemplar Tank.

Daryl, assisting Amira as she engaged the Dragon’s blood clones, was also holding his ground with better stability than last time. Trusting his defense, Amira was able to go on the offensive with no hesitation and achieved a better pace in eliminating the clones.

Amy, now entrusted not only with vessel-cutting but also the destruction of the organs themselves, moved with the swiftness and precision of a fish in water. Tsutomu cast support skills on her while managing healing for both Garm and Daryl, occasionally issuing instructions where necessary.

Absolute Helix’s performance had clearly evolved. By all appearances, they were off to a solid start, but Rook remained skeptical, even in the face of Camille’s confident tone.

“They’re doing well, sure, but I still don’t think they can win it this time. The real problem is their own team turning undead, and the rapid healing in the final phase. I doubt they’ve already nailed a countermeasure for that. And yet… what’s scary is, Tsutomu might just pull it off anyway.”

“I’d say it’s unlikely,” Camille agreed. “BUT not impossible. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? To witness the moment we find out whether God’s Dungeon continues or comes to an end.”

“Yeah…”

“…”

Listening in the whole time, Leon fell silent, his face unreadable.

Just then, the God Eye caught the moment the Corroded Elder Dragon’s regenerated liver was struck and destroyed again. The true test was approaching. And as the faint signs of undead conversion began to manifest, Tsutomu was already in motion.