Live Dungeon!

Her fingers gripped the pages tightly, her eyes locked on a photograph that captured her mid-gasp, a moment from the eighty-first layer. The image showed her, wide-eyed and on the verge of tears, a sight that had apparently amused the audience greatly.

The article noted the audience’s delight in her genuine, unfiltered reaction. The eighty-first layer, currently accessible only to a select few, had already seen the seasoned members of Ealdred Crow’s teams react with their own stunned expressions. But Hannah’s fresh surprise brought a wave of renewed laughter and interest from those who followed these Explorers closely.

Meanwhile, Tsutomu, ignoring Hannah’s ongoing lament, trudged into the room, his breath coming in heavy pants after a grueling morning run. His stamina remained the weakest among the Clan, and the daily runs, though now ingrained in his routine, had yet to yield significant improvements. Beating even Korinna in endurance still seemed a distant dream. Yet, despite the slow progress, Tsutomu was determined to persist.

[So today… maybe I’ll team up with those I couldn’t yesterday.]

The current record of layer progress was eighty-three, held by Ealdred Crow. Given the pace they were going, though, there was no particular need to rush. Tsutomu had shifted his focus, prioritizing the team’s acclimatization to the Light and Darkness layers’ monsters and peculiarities. As such, he decided to allow free team formation for now.

As he sat down for breakfast, he extended an invitation to those who had not partnered with him the previous day — Daryl, Garm, Diniel, and Amy. Daryl, his energy evident in the excited wagging of his black tail, readily agreed. Diniel quietly nodded her assent.

Garm’s response, however, was unexpected.

“Sorry, I want to team up with Korinna today.”

“Huh?”

Tsutomu blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. Garm’s refusal was an unprecedented occurrence — there was no apparent reason for him to turn down Tsutomu’s invitation and team up with Korinna instead. Even Daryl’s enthusiasm faltered as he looked at Garm in surprise.

Amy, who had been fidgeting uncomfortably, gathered her courage, flattening her white cat ears against her head as she spoke up,

“I’d like to go with Korinny today too…”

“Uh… I see…? Hmm…” Tsutomu’s voice trailed off, unable to fully mask his shock.

He had counted on both Garm and Amy to join him. Korinna, seated nearby, shrank slightly under his gaze, hastily swallowing a bite of salad as she felt the room’s attention shift toward her.

“Wha–!? BOTH of you aren’t going to team up with Tsutomu today!? But why!?” her exclamation rang out, though her attempt at offering reassurance only served to twist the knife deeper.

Tsutomu responded with a strained smile. “…Well, it’s not like I’m the only one who gets to choose. I’ll decide the teams for the ninetieth layer’s boss, but until then, you can form whichever party you like.”

Amira, who had been watching the scene unfold with barely concealed amusement, finally broke into laughter.

“Hah! Looks like someone just got bit by his own dog! This is a good learning experience, Tsutomu!”

“…A-anyway, Korinna, why don’t you decide your team for today?”

“W-what!? Uh, well, I mean… Tsutomu, you’re the Clan leader, and you’re way better than me, right…? I’ll follow whatever you decide…”

“Quit whining and just take your picks already. Our Clan Leader’s not gonna stay patient forever, you know.” Amira interjected, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Tsutomu responded to Amira’s taunting with a silent thumbs-down. Korinna hesitated, having never put together a team before, but she finally made her choices as the others finished their breakfast.

“Well, then… I guess… Garm, Hannah, Amira, and Amy…”

“Got it. Everyone okay with that?”

“Oh, this is gonna be fun! Of course, I’m in! I’m gonna get back at Teach for tricking me! Hiyah!”

Hannah’s earlier gloom evaporated, replaced by a burst of energy as she shadow-boxed in excitement. Amira, smirking mischievously, stuck out her tongue at Tsutomu, mocking him as if he were a toddler. Tsutomu, doing his best to ignore their antics, focused on the members he would be leading.

After breakfast, everyone carried their dishes to the kitchen and returned to their rooms to prepare for the day’s delve into God’s Dungeon. Tsutomu, as always, changed from his loungewear into his combat attire — a white robe paired with the black pants from the Volcano layer, cinched at the waist with a belt laden with Potion vials.

Finally, after slinging his Magic Bag over his shoulder, he left his room. On his way downstairs, Tsutomu hesitated briefly outside Garm’s room, standing there for a moment before continuing his descent.

“Looks like it’s just Diniel and Xeno left,” Tsutomu said as he entered the living room, finding Daryl and Leleia already waiting.

“Ah, y-yes,” Daryl replied.

“I swear, Xeno is always so slow…” Leleia added.

Tsutomu cast a weary glance upstairs, where Diniel was likely still lounging about, and Xeno was undoubtedly taking his time perfecting his appearance.

“I wonder what’s up with Sir Garm today? He’s never turned down your invitation before, has he?” Daryl asked, his brows furrowed in worry.

“…Who knows? If something’s up, he’ll tell us. No point in worrying,” Tsutomu replied with a dismissive wave, though he himself remained uncertain.

“Yes… you’re right…”

Afterward, Tsutomu headed back upstairs to drag Diniel out of bed.

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