Live Dungeon!

”They look like ordinary Goblins, but…”

”The other monsters are probably just as strong, so let’s stay sharp.”

”Y-yes, sir…”

The hill before the outer gates of the Ancient Castle on the ninety-first layer teemed with empowered versions of monsters typically found in the Grasslands. It was easy to be misled by their familiar appearances — Daryl certainly had been. Caught off guard, he found himself surrounded by Goblins who, far from pushovers, proceeded to pummel him mercilessly.

Thanks to Hannah stepping in to draw their aggro, the situation had not escalated into anything worse. Still, Daryl looked thoroughly demoralized. One of his dog ears had been nearly torn off in the scuffle. Although a casting of [ had mended the injury, he kept gingerly touching the drooping ear, his expression anxious and withdrawn. Tsutomu, handing him a small mirror, said nothing. His attention was on the Ancient Castle ahead, eyeing it through a pair of binoculars with a familiar wariness.

[Judging by the look of it, the castle’s layout seems to be based on the post-update’s overhauled version. Hard to say whether I should be glad they provided an alternative to the RNG mechanics, or annoyed they’ve just added more annoying monsters in their place…]

Unlike previous sets of layers, the Ancient Castle required specific conditions to advance. Initially, players had to equip extremely rare weapons or armor — loot that dropped from layer bosses with odds lower than one percent. Only then would the Black Gates embedded in the castle open to the next layer.

It was an absurd system. By the time players reached the ninety-first layer, those early-layer boss drops were functionally useless, long since outclassed. The forced grind to obtain such gear for the sole purpose of unlocking progression enraged the player base. Complaints flooded the forums, and eventually, the developers caved.

The update allowed players to use guaranteed Magic Stone drops from Layer Bosses in place of the rare equipment. The condition remained — to open the Black Gate, something had to be obtained — but at least it wasn’t left entirely to luck anymore.

Unfortunately, though, the changes did not stop the criticism. The monsters populating the subsequent layers were just recycled designs from earlier ones, with only their STR and VIT ratings tweaked.

In truth, the company behind Live Dungeon was small. They simply did not have the bandwidth to keep creating new monster assets. It was a desperate workaround born of financial exhaustion. There were no immediate fixes, but about a year later, with the development team finally stabilized, the game received another update — this time adding to the stat-inflated clones with unique, layer-specific monsters. Defeating them became the new requirement for opening the Black Gates.

Some of these new monsters were even visible from outside the castle. Tsutomu had noticed subtle differences in the castle’s facade and now confirmed, with some degree of certainty, that they were dealing with the post-update version.

”Their appearance hasn’t changed much,” Diniel muttered, retrieving her fallen arrows. ”But they aren’t piercing deep… Did their VIT ratings get buffed?”

Tsutomu turned from the binoculars. Diniel stood nearby with her black bow slung over one shoulder, softly mumbling as she inspected her arrows.

[I figured I’d have to keep an eye on her, but… she seems fine now.]

According to Amy, Diniel had sulked harder than anyone thought possible — the pout of the century, or she had called it — but none of that lingered now. Her work ethic had even improved. The idling and laziness that once stood out so glaringly had largely disappeared. Perhaps she was eager to shake the stigma of being labeled ‘second-rate,’ because her focus during explorations had markedly sharpened.

[Amy really ought to be assigned as Absolute Helix’s mentor coordinator…]

Tsutomu knew well the fragility of relationships within a Clan. As a top-ranked White Mage and an experienced Clan Leader himself, he had gained a keen sense for defusing tensions and resolving disputes. But Amy… Amy had a knack for preventing problems before they even started.

She had handled Diniel’s morale after her embarrassing blunder. She had offered financial advice to Hannah, whose recent pay cut had left her struggling. She had discussed ways for Amira to better control her [. She had even recommended exclusive, members-only restaurants to Korinna as motivation to keep her engaged in Dungeon runs. And lately, she and Xeno had been helping Daryl with his newfound popularity, guiding him through the emotional turbulence of public attention.

Balancing life as both an Explorer and an idol, Amy had experienced her share of backstage drama and sudden Clan dissolutions. She made an ideal confidante — someone people instinctively turned to. Her cheerful disposition and near-supernatural attentiveness could put even Tsutomu to shame. She really did live up to her reputation as Dungeon City’s idol.

[…Though personally, I don’t see what all the fuss is about.]

Still, when it came to anything involving him, Amy had a tendency to short-circuit entirely. Her sharpness dulled, and she became almost uncontrollable. Even so, the way she had turned Diniel’s attitude around in a single night was genuinely impressive. From what Xeno had told him, Amy had accomplished far more behind the scenes than she ever let on.

”She’s changed,” came a quiet voice.

Leleia approached, holding a Wind Magic Stone, her expression tinged with mild displeasure. Behind her waddled the Undine, dragging behind like an obedient pet, another Magic Stone stuck to its gooey body.

”It would’ve been easier for us if she’d just let her Elven pride drag her into a spiral,” Leleia added. ”Keeping her in the team would’ve been simple then.”

”If Amy weren’t around, that might’ve happened. Having a close friend in the same Clan makes a big difference,” Tsutomu replied.

”True. I’m in the same clan as Amira, so I feel like I can keep going too.”

”Pretty sure she’s not your friend, though.”

”Maybe not yet. But one day, we’ll be… DEEPLY bonded.”

Tsutomu was not sure if what Leleia felt for Amira was simple curiosity, reverence, or outright love. But it was clearly one-sided — and he was not about to encourage it.

”I see. Best of luck with that,” he gave her a neutral reply, then returned to his binoculars, surveying the area around the Ancient Castle’s gate.

”You know,” Leleia continued, ”it’s a little unsettling how strong the trash mobs are. Most of them are Grasslands monsters, aren’t they?”

”Yeah, exactly. And that Goblin army posted at the gate is fully armed to the teeth. We should probably just observe the monsters and retreat for today — then come back with a plan. Getting through them won’t be easy without some kind of strategy.”

Before the Black Gate leading to the ninety-second layer stood a battalion of Goblins clad head-to-toe in silver-plated armor. And they were not alone — enormous Slimes, Gray Wolves, and other monsters loomed under Goblin command, forming a disciplined formation around the gate.

Among them, one Goblin stood out — adorned with medals and wearing an ostentatious suit of armor fit for royalty. A Goblin King. He stared directly back at Tsutomu, who had been quietly observing with binoculars from afar.

In the castle’s post-update version, each Dungeon layer now housed a mid-boss-level monster whose defeat would unlock the Black Gate. That meant the surest route forward would be to break through that Goblin force — no easy feat.

”First, we need to get used to the monsters on this floor before we even think about charging into that army. Underestimating Slimes or Gray Wolves would get us another Daryl situation.”

”I won’t let my guard down again!” Daryl snapped upright, voice firm with newfound resolve.

”Good, good. Then I’m counting on you next time,” Tsutomu replied with a casual smile.

”But… I wasn’t the only one who let my guard down…”

”Aha! This is the perfect time for one of those lines, right? Don’t mind it!” chirped Hannah, imitating Tsutomu’s and Xeno’s usual lingo.

”Of all people, I don’t want to hear that from you…” Daryl muttered, clearly irritated.

It was rare for him to show open displeasure, but Hannah, who had been the most careless of them all in front of the Goblins, merely tilted her head as if she had already forgotten her own part in the debacle.

▽▽

”Nyahhh! Not good again, huh?”

”Don’t worry about it! We’ll do better next time!”

”You’ve got spirit, I’ll give you that,” Amira grumbled at Xeno, who, despite wearing a dull flax-colored uniform, radiated his usual brightness.

By now, the second party of Absolute Helix had racked up over ten full-party wipes on the ninetieth layer. Amira sent a sharp glance toward the smiling woman behind the reception counter — her Mother…

[Everyone’s getting used to the Corrupted Shell. But even so, we can’t even reach the final phase. Tsutomu… you really are something else…]

With veterans such as Amy and Garm having both fought on the ninetieth layer so many times already, in terms of sheer skill against the Corrupted Shell, they should outperform even Team 1’s Attackers and Tanks. Yet even with that advantage, the fight’s mid-phase remained an impassable wall. Korinna, reflecting on that, once again felt an overwhelming sense of awe toward Tsutomu’s earlier success in clearing this floor.

She had seen the battle play out on the Monitor at the time. The memory was still vivid — but now she found herself wanting to review that footage again and again. The wall in the mid-phase was far too high. And beyond it still waited the final phase. The pressure was relentless.

[But… this party has promise. Amira was right — I just have to do my part. The things only I can do — I’ll give it everything, together with everyone.]

Though the struggle to overcome that wall was difficult, it never felt hopeless. On the contrary, Korinna was beginning to sense that, someday, they would break through. She wasn’t a miracle-working Healer like Tsutomu, and she knew she could never take on a Corrupted Shell alone. But standing before her were four reliable party members — each one strong in their own way.

”Going without [ does get a little rough sometimes, huh? Looks like we’ll need to stay flexible if we want to make it work,” Amy mused.

As an idol and a naturally gifted Attacker, Amy had honed a sharp eye for battlefield dynamics. Lately, she had been using [ less frequently to avoid narrowing her focus too much, opting instead to direct the team’s movements with broad awareness.

She had also started to grasp the skill rotations and mental stamina management that Tsutomu had taught, and by now, she could deal solid damage even without relying on [. The party’s coordination still needed work, but things were starting to click.

”In that case,” Amira said, crossing her arms, ”guess I’ll have to grit my teeth and start using [ with Garm and Xeno too. Ugh, such a pain.”

She had not been selected for Team 1 on the ninetieth layer — a successful revenge on Leleia’s part, as roundabout as it was. But Amira had turned that setback into fuel, revisiting her skill rotation and battlefield conduct. She had also reevaluated her belief that she could not use [ with people she disliked — starting by practicing with the one she clashed with most: Xeno.

Amy’s advice had helped deepen her understanding of [, and she had gradually grown adept at maneuvering with the crimson wings that sprouted from her back and the breath attacks she could now unleash. Combined with her already visible improvements in greatsword handling and personal growth, Amira had transformed into an even more formidable Attacker.

”I’m not too worried about Xeno — you’ve practiced together a lot,” said Garm, ”But I still have some concerns about myself. Amira, can we sync up today?”

”Sure. I’ll drag that Ancient Dragon over here and take both of you on at once.”

”I’m not sure involving Miss Camille is really necessary…”

”Oi, Ancient Dragon! Get your Ancient Dragon ass over here!”

”…”

Garm had seemed a bit lost ever since his fallout with Tsutomu, but now his performance as a Tank had stabilized into something remarkably solid — almost Bittman-like. He used to fight like a mad dog, wild and unpredictable, the polar opposite of Bittman. But ever since resigning from the Guild and reverting to a full-time Explorer full-time, he had begun to refine his basics.

The reckless resolve Garm had honed during his Mad Dog days — when he threw himself into battle without the slightest regard for his own body — had been reined in over the years through patient, diligent training within the Guild. Now, fused with the strategic knowledge he had gained from Tsutomu, that blend of instinct and technique had transformed him into a formidable Tank who stood unflinching before any monster, wielding his skills with precision.

Though he had once distanced himself from Tsutomu, determined to forge his own path without relying on anyone, Garm had gradually found his footing by watching other Tanks through the Monitors, focusing on identifying what he could do best. He even took the time to ask Korinna for feedback, and these days, his movements were better aligned with the needs of a Channeler, adjusting to her support.

”Hmph. Forming a [ might cost me a touch of my elegance… but if it’s for clearing the ninetieth layer, then so be it. Very well. I, too, shall become… like a Dragon!”

”That ain’t about elegance. You just can’t control it worth a damn. Korinna’s got better command over it than you.”

”Well then, this time, I’ll control it perfectly! I won’t lose to you, Korinna!”

”Heh… hahaha…”

When it came to Xeno, however, Korinna honestly wasn’t sure what to make of him. During the battle against the Winter General, he’d shown unexpected grit — but even so, he remained the weakest Tank in Absolute Helix, and nothing about him dispelled that impression. His misplaced confidence, born more of narcissism than experience, did little to help the party. What was he even good at?

[…No good. There’s just something about Xeno that rubs me the wrong way. Makes my stomach churn.]

She had disliked him from the beginning. Most likely, it was that baseless, narcissistic bravado. His smug self-assurance, his inflated ego, his delusional self-importance.

[But I can’t keep thinking like this. If I let my personal biases distract me, we’ll never make it past the ninetieth layer. It’s already starting to have consequences.]

Only recently had Amy pointed it out, but once she did, Korinna realized it was true — she was subconsciously favoring Garm with stronger healing. She was not neglecting Xeno entirely, but she certainly was not as proactive in supporting him. That bias had begun to show in her skill output, and now that she was aware of it, she could not ignore it any longer.

[And it’s not just me. Amy and Garm haven’t been syncing well either… Meanwhile, Amira’s even started forming [ with Xeno, despite how much she used to hate him. If she can face that, then we need to face our own flaws, too.]

Whatever her reasons, Amira was changing. If even she could shift her thinking, then Korinna had no excuse to remain stagnant. If they ever hoped to win, they had have to stop running from what they didn’t want to confront.

And so, Korinna looked around at her party, eyes steady, her resolve beginning to harden.