Live Dungeon! Chapter 364: Dead Eyes

The following morning, Tsutomu summoned the entire Clan to formally announce, in conjunction with Korinna, the party lineups for the hundredth layer. While Garm and Diniel expressed some reservations about Korinna being designated the de facto leader of Team 1 this time, the remainder of the Clan seemed to accept it without significant complaint. Amira, in particular, was so overjoyed that she seized Korinna by the shoulders and agitated her back and forth until the unfortunate girl became dizzy and her eyes crossed.

By this point, the intense elation from Tsutomu's team's initial success in clearing the ninetieth layer had somewhat subsided, whereas Korinna's consistent progress had not gone unnoticed. Even the three individuals selected to remain with her for the new team appeared content, if not secretly pleased, after she elucidated her rationale.

"Diniel."

"..."

"Hey."

Tsutomu nudged Diniel, whose eyes were as vacant and lifeless as a fish gasping for air on a dock. She cast a sideways glance at him without turning her head, prompting a sigh from Tsutomu.

"Begin by demonstrating your capabilities within Korinna's party," he instructed. "Following that, I will determine if I wish to collaborate with you again."

"Perhaps the hundredth layer truly signifies the conclusion of God's Dungeon," she murmured.

"I am uncertain about the future of the Dungeon, nor can I simply erase your past actions. However, before anything else, dedicate your full effort to your current team."

"..."

Diniel did not appear entirely convinced, her long ears drooping slightly, though her expression remained otherwise impassive. Just then, Amy tiptoed up behind her and gently nipped the tip of one ear, rolling it between her fingers.

"Nyahaha! Are you pouting, Dini? That's quite unusual!"

"A-Amy," Hannah whispered, observing the scene as if witnessing a cat toying with a lit fuse. "You might want to cease that activity."

...Yet Amy paid no heed. She continued to playfully tease Diniel's ear, her face alight with mischief, as if seeking retribution for a long-held grievance. Then, abruptly, Diniel seized Amy's wrist, pulled her closer, and heaved her over her shoulder as if she were a sack of potatoes.

Amy, having clearly anticipated such a countermove, tucked into a roll and landed with agility. Laughing under her breath, she covered her mouth with a hand.

"If you continue to sulk, you'll falter again, you know?"

"I am not sulking."

"Really? Oh, absolutely you aren't."

Diniel narrowed her eyes and lunged forward, attempting to strike Amy, but the latter dodged with effortless grace and retreated behind the couch, emitting a giggle. Diniel pursued, her eyes gleaming like a predator on the hunt.

"They're really going at it," Hannah remarked with an awkward chuckle. "Though, Amy might eventually be caught."

"If it were you, you'd already be on the dinner table," Amira retorted.

"...Oh? Such bold words coming from someone in Team 2," Hannah replied coolly. "It sounds like our Team 1 Tank needs to impart some discipline."

She clasped one small fist into the other, cracking her knuckles with a sound akin to a breaking twig. Not to be outdone, Amira clenched her fists, veins becoming prominent along her forearms as an ominous grinding sound ensued.

Suddenly feeling outmatched, Hannah began frantically attempting to replicate the knuckle-cracking sound... but no noise emerged.

"I've got it!" Hannah, her face contorted with frustration, looked towards Leleia's pouch of for-Spirit Magic Stones as if struck by a sudden inspiration. "Leleia, hand me a Magic Stone!"

"You will only face scolding from Miss Ollie again," Leleia stated dismissively, showing no mercy.

"Grrr..."

Leleia appeared poised to lecture Amira as well but paused, likely realizing that words would have no effect on her in her current state.

"Hehehe... Garm, Daryl!" Xeno announced with theatrical flair. "You two do your utmost to support Team 2, shall we?"

"Hahaha..." Daryl let out a nervous laugh. "Sir Xeno, I believe you might want to temper your jests."

"..."

Garm's expression was a thunderous scowl. Daryl glanced his way, then leaned in to whisper.

"Just a heads-up. Sir Garm is taking this quite seriously."

Unperturbed, Xeno dramatically swept a hand through his silver hair and confidently approached Garm.

"Garm, my companion, I comprehend the significant trust you place in Tsutomu... BUT it was he who assigned Korinna to Team 1. To challenge that decision... do you not find that somewhat lacking in grace?"

"It is not that I fail to acknowledge Korinna's abilities," Garm responded. "She has certainly evolved in her capacity as a Healer. I hold that in respect."

"Then why the displeased expression?"

"...Because, on a personal level, I still perceive Tsutomu as the more skilled Healer. That is all."

Having spoken, Garm offered a rigid, awkward bow to Korinna before turning his back and proceeding upstairs to prepare for the day's expedition. Xeno watched him depart and offered a shrug, only to receive a thump on the back from Korinna's fist moments later, accompanied by a reprimand.

While observing the unfolding events, Daryl found himself pondering Tsutomu's true feelings about Korinna. However, a quick scan of the room revealed Tsutomu's absence.

"…Wait. Where did Sir Tsutomu go?"

"He headed upstairs alone a short while ago," Leleia stated, gesturing towards the staircase. "We ought to prepare ourselves as well. Hannah, cease your attempts to overpower everyone and keep moving. Amira, you too."

"If I unleash my Magic Fist, it will generate far more noise, just observe!"

"Yes, because you'd shatter your own bones doing that!"

Unbeknownst to the others, Tsutomu had quietly departed the living area, vanishing amidst the clamor of the Clan members. With a sudden jolt, Daryl hastened back to his quarters to ready his equipment.

After securing his heavy armor and performing a thorough check of his gear, he exited and turned towards the stairs… only to halt. Today's bedhead was proving particularly stubborn, prompting him to make a brief detour to the washroom, deciding it was best to at least attempt to tame it.

He opened the door swiftly, not anticipating an occupant, but found Tsutomu standing there, facing the mirror with a disturbingly serious expression.

"…Huh?"

Daryl had witnessed Tsutomu adopt a serious demeanor before, such as when Hannah's antics became challenging, or when someone surpassed him during their morning runs. While certainly not as impassive as Garm, he was typically reserved and never prone to overt emotional displays.

This, however, was unprecedented. Tsutomu's face was not merely calm; it was so vacant it gave the distinct impression that something within him had simply… ceased.

In all the months they had shared a dwelling, nearly a year now, Daryl had never encountered such a state in him. He remained frozen, utterly speechless.

"Dude, why are you just standing there?" Tsutomu suddenly inquired. "Could you step aside so I can leave?"

His voice and demeanor had returned to complete normalcy, as if nothing unusual had transpired. He offered Daryl a gentle but firm nudge. It wasn't a forceful shove, merely the kind of push one might employ when aware of their own limited physical strength.

The tone was now so recognizable that Daryl began to doubt his own perception. Perhaps it was a mere play of light, or his eyes were deceiving him.

Still harboring some uncertainty, he moved aside, allowing Tsutomu to pass.

"Your bedhead is quite severe, by the way," Tsutomu commented. "You really ought to address it."

"Ah, yes, that's… precisely what I'm in the process of doing right now."

"…Right. I suppose I kept you waiting, didn't I?" he responded with a light chuckle, perhaps finding amusement in Daryl's almost comically obvious statement.

Yet, for reasons he couldn't articulate, Daryl found himself unable to offer his usual reciprocal smile.