Live Dungeon! Chapter 361: Deciding on Members for the Hundredth Layer

"Well, I knew this was going to happen. They’ll probably clear it by tomorrow."

Back at the Guild, Tsutomu watched with a displeased expression as Ealdred Crow’s Team 1 commenced their assault on the ninety-sixth layer. With the strategy for the defensive battle now public knowledge, they had acted swiftly. Supported by Bittman, whose tactical military experience was invaluable, and with the full capabilities of the Dragon now revealed, their breakthrough was only a matter of time.

[I should have a word with Korinna before the day concludes… ]

With both of their teams nearing completion of the ninety-seventh layer, only two more remained until the hundredth. Considering how closely Ealdred Crow was trailing, there was precious little room to relax.

The rival group had proven to be more formidable than Tsutomu had initially anticipated. Particularly concerning were their two Tanks: Bittman, a seasoned combat veteran, and Dorssia, a promising newcomer who had recently been making significant waves. These two provided a remarkable sense of stability to the front lines. Dorssia, especially, followed commands with unnerving accuracy and threw herself into combat with such ferocity that Tsutomu occasionally questioned if she had somehow deactivated her pain receptors.

Then there was Rook, the Clan leader and an active Summoner; Sova, who had at last emerged from Weiss’s considerable shadow; and leading them all, Stephanie. In terms of both sheer strength and mental fortitude, she was an individual Tsutomu would prefer to avoid antagonizing if at all possible.

However, he could not afford to focus solely on external threats. Within Absolute Helix, Korinna had developed into a surprisingly proficient Healer. Her skills were such that she had managed to garner the trust of both Amira, whose personal struggles were well-known, and Hannah, a Tank specializing in pure evasion. This was no minor accomplishment. Initially, Tsutomu had intended to allow Korinna complete freedom in selecting her party members. But now that she had demonstrated such strength, possessing the potential to claim the Clan’s most valuable assets, the prospect of his own potential downfall felt considerably more tangible.

"Ah, it appears Korinna’s group is returning as well," Amy commented.

As Tsutomu stood observing various Monitors without particular interest, Korinna’s party made their return from the ninety-seventh layer. Following a stop at the appraisal counter to unload the contents of their Magic Bags, the five members went their separate ways. Korinna approached him with a degree of hesitation, as if uncertain about the opportune moment to speak.

"Th-thank you. You too," she responded, appearing somewhat flustered.

"You’re back rather early today. The ninety-sixth layer has already been cleared, so there’s no longer any need for you to hold back on our account, you know?"

"…Actually, it’s because Hannah has been a little unwell lately. We decided it would be best to take it easy today," Korinna explained, moving slightly closer and lowering her voice to ensure privacy. "I believe she’s feeling better now, but please refrain from teasing her further, alright?"

"I won’t. That is, unless she gets overconfident again," Tsutomu replied, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Korinna’s eyebrows rose in gentle disapproval. "Tsutomu, you know she’s still not accustomed to that sort of pressure. She’s at a sensitive age. You really shouldn't tease a girl in that manner."

"Uh, yes, I’ll be mindful… In any case, I do wish to discuss the hundredth layer with you. Shall we talk later, once we’re back at the Clan House?"

"Y-yes, certainly. But if you prefer, we could address it now…"

"No. Too many people are within earshot here."

At his words, Amy’s cat ears twitched, and she let out an innocent whistle. Garm and Daryl both averted their gazes, expressions of guilt evident on their faces. Korinna managed a resigned laugh. Even some passing Beastkin, having caught wind of Tsutomu’s statement, made a swift departure.

With ten of them together for the first time in a while, the group departed the Guild collectively, naturally forming pairs or small groups as they proceeded back towards the Clan House. En route, Tsutomu fell into step with Daryl, casually sampling some street food from a vendor – just enough not to spoil his dinner appetite – while idly discussing a Guild receptionist they hadn’t encountered before, presumably a recent addition to the staff.

Following a relaxing bath and a shared evening meal at the Clan House, Tsutomu then invited Korinna to one of the rooms designated for meetings, proceeding directly to the matter at hand.

"It appears both our parties are approaching the hundredth layer soon, so I’d like to finalize who gets the privilege of making the first attempt. My current idea remains the same as before. I want you to lead the vanguard party. Judging by your recent performance, I doubt anyone within the Clan would voice any objections."

"You… you genuinely want me to go first?" Korinna inquired, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Yes. However, I don’t believe it would be advisable for either of us to significantly alter our current team compositions. Therefore, here is my proposal: we will each exchange one Tank and one Attacker. You will have the liberty to select any two members you wish from my team."

This was a concession Tsutomu made due to Korinna's rapid growth. He allowed her to make two swaps, provided the core members of the other units remained unchanged. However, if her choices were astute, his team could suffer a considerable blow. A strategic move for her would be swapping Leleia for Amira and Hannah for Garm, forming her most potent lineup.

Amira, a wielder of unique skills, was rapidly ascending to become a top-tier Attacker. Garm, a battle-hardened Tank with a robust foundation, offered reliability even against unknown adversaries. Tsutomu harbored a desire to retain both. Yet, even if the worst-case scenario saw him lose both, he had a contingency.

[Even if Amira is gone, Amy remains. She delivers consistent, near-perfectly optimized results and synergizes exceptionally well with Leleia.]

It was precisely for this reason that Tsutomu had dedicated significant effort to refining Amy's Dualblader abilities, aligning her with the prevailing Live Dungeon meta. He was confident she would yield the necessary outcomes and, when the situation grew perilous, would readily take risks on his behalf.

As for Xeno, though Tsutomu hadn't anticipated exceptional performance, he was reliably consistent, invariably fulfilling his required role. Recently, Tsutomu observed that when encouraged to be mindful of his on-screen image, Xeno managed to persevere slightly longer than usual. Consequently, Tsutomu subtly bolstered him with the God Eye, providing just enough of an edge to keep him viable.

"Hmm…"

Caught off guard by the sudden authority to select party members, Korinna's brow furrowed, a clear sign of her distress. Witnessing her struggle with the decision, Tsutomu inwardly evinced a satisfied smile.

Korinna shared a personal closeness with Amira, making it impossible for her to be unaware of the girl's arduous journey. Ostracized from Team 1 and bearing a long-standing animosity from Leleia, Amira had channeled her frustrations into relentless training. Upon observing Tsutomu's unparalleled achievements, her resolve intensified, determined to be the next in line. Now, even if it meant spearheading the vanguard party, could Korinna truly justify separating Amira from Tsutomu?

Amira would likely feel honored by the selection and wouldn't voice explicit objections. However, knowing her as he did, Korinna couldn't shake the suspicion that such a separation would still cause her pain. This led Tsutomu to surmise that she would likely choose to swap Amy and Leleia. While this would incur a cost, it wouldn't be catastrophic.

Regarding Tanks, there wasn't much scope for alteration. As a Channeler, Korinna had minimal incentive to relinquish Hannah. Unlike a White Mage, who required precise targeting for their abilities, a Channeler merely needed to direct their blessings and await the effect. Hannah's methodology perfectly complemented this ease of use. Furthermore, her latent potential was evident, and her Magic Fist possessed a destructive capability akin to a unique skill.

Therefore, although Tsutomu anticipated the potential loss of Garm and Daryl, a painful but not fatal blow, he felt assured of their ability to manage.

Just as these contemplations occupied his mind, Korinna finally raised her head, a tortured expression still etched upon her face. Her voice carried a tentative quality, less like an announcement of a decision and more like a plea for approval.

"Well then… how about we switch Diniel with Amy, and Xeno with Daryl?"

"…?"

Tsutomu could only stare, his mouth agape like a goldfish anticipating food. The choice was so utterly unanticipated that his ability to articulate a response momentarily vanished. When he finally regained his composure, he forced a patently strained smile. Sensing his suppressed anger, Korinna became flustered and began gesticulating wildly.

"W-wait, it’s not that I’m trying to undermine you or anything! It’s just… Diniel has been putting in so much effort lately, especially to be part of your team! And, well… Daryl always seems so cautious around us. He is just a young boy, after all, and the rest of us are all girls. So, I thought Xeno would be the least disruptive option…"

"Y-yeah, that seems logical. But are you certain you don't wish to keep Diniel for yourself? And Xeno… no offense intended, but why would you select him?"

"S-sorry! B-but please listen, Diniel truly HAS been trying her best! I know she gave up back on the ninetieth floor, and that was a mistake, but no one regrets it more than she does!"

"I understand that sentiment. I truly do. But pairing Amira with Diniel? I genuinely don't foresee that working out, you know. If anything, wouldn't it be more sensible to swap Diniel and Amira?"

Tsutomu gently raised his palm, preempting any further arguments she might present.

"……"

"Furthermore… my full trust in Diniel remains elusive. While her current progression suggests she'll contribute significantly by the hundredth layer, I'm not entirely certain she's prepared to face mortal danger for it. Nevertheless… her abilities are undeniably top-tier, and her commitment to getting better is evident. Therefore, I believe her continued participation in your party would be most beneficial."

"…Tsutomu, that conversation ought to come from you."

"I understand. So, purely hypothetically, if you intend to retain Diniel, what are your thoughts on the others?"

"…May I defer my final decision until later? I admit I'm feeling overly emotional at this moment. I wish to reflect on this once I've regained my composure."

"That is acceptable. However… refrain from discussing this matter with the rest of the Clan. While conversing with Miss Ollie or Miss Pico is fine, I wish to avoid any potential scandal."

"Acknowledged."

Korinna appeared somewhat unsettled by the implicit pressure, and Tsutomu, scratching the back of his head, felt uncertain about how to navigate the situation. A disquieting suspicion entered his mind: [Could she have discerned that I've been viewing her as a disposable asset? Is that the source of her current wariness towards me?]

"…Good night, Korinna."

With no further words to exchange and no apparent way to ease the palpable tension between them, Tsutomu offered a brief parting and exited the room, a lingering shadow of concern still upon his features.