Live Dungeon!

In the living room of Absolute Helix’s Clan House, the members of Team 2 had gathered to discuss their upcoming attempt at the ninetieth layer. They reviewed each combat role in turn — Attackers first, then Tanks — highlighting points of concern, and ended with a discussion about the sole Healer.

”Korinny’s support and healing seems a bit too focused on Garm, from what I’ve seen.” Amy brought up the issue first, noting the imbalance in Korinna’s healing distribution.

”Yes. I’ll be more mindful.”

Korinna took the criticism with little reaction — this wasn’t the first time it had been mentioned to her.

”Hmm… I did have a sense that your healing was a little light on my side! But no worries, Korinna — I believe in your potential to perform better!”

Xeno echoed the point in his usual, overly confident tone. But Amy alone noticed how, at those words, the light in Korinna’s eyes — so often like that of a cute little critter — flickered and faded.

”I’ll make sure not to focus too much on Garm next time.”

Still, the shift passed in an instant. Korinna responded in her usual mild, gentle manner. Neither Xeno nor Garm seemed to notice the subtle shift in her expression. Amira, however, appeared faintly unsettled, though she didn’t voice her concern.

[Nyaaah! This vibe is BAD! She’s completely covering it up and won’t even confront it. I’ve seen this kind of thing plenty in the Guild…]

Amy furrowed her brow as she observed Korinna, whose demeanor now seemed to drift beyond mere dislike. There was a hollowness to it, an absence of feeling altogether. The white-furred cat ears atop Amy’s head twitched restlessly, as if echoing her thoughts.

She had always had a sense that Korinna was avoiding Xeno. But until now, she had not realized it had grown serious enough to affect her healing. She’d been so distracted by the open tension between Leleia and Amira that she’d overlooked the seemingly affable Korinna. It wasn’t until they’d spoken over dinner at that members-only meat specialty restaurant that she’d noticed the faint discord in Korinna’s voice.

Aside from Diniel the Elf, Korinna was the eldest among the Clan’s members — an adult in both age and demeanor. Unlike the still-teenage Amira and Leleia, Korinna possessed the maturity to suppress her own emotions for the sake of harmony. She carried herself with such grace that even Tsutomu, who prided himself on reading his team well, had not noticed her deep-seated aversion to Xeno.

[So Korinny still has pretty low self-esteem, huh? That must be what makes Xeno’s overconfidence so grating for her… but I never thought it’d go so far that she’d subconsciously withhold healing. We’re going to have to smooth things over between them somehow…]

Since they had defeated the Mutated Shell Crab, Korinna had begun to show signs of confidence. Even so, she remained the most self-effacing member of the Clan. Meanwhile, Xeno was still behaving as he always did, now deep in discussion with Garm about Tanking strategy.

Korinna had improved enough that she now competed with Tsutomu himself for a spot among the town’s top three Healers. And yet, she still couldn’t match Xeno in sheer self-assurance. That unevenness — such a stark contrast — might have been what bred such resentment.

[But Xeno, for all his flashiness in public, actually trains hard behind the scenes. He’s got the strength to back it up. If he didn’t, Tsutomu would’ve kicked him out of the Clan ages ago.]

Tsutomu, as Clan Leader, certainly valued the influence Xeno and Amy brought, but he wasn’t soft. His decisions on Clan membership were always rooted in merit — specifically, combat ability. If Xeno ever started resting on his laurels, Tsutomu wouldn’t hesitate to show him the door.

Amy knew that firsthand. Had she focused only on her idol activities, she would have been cut loose after the Shell Crab fight. That cold, appraising look Tsutomu had given her then — focused solely on her strength as an Explorer — had become a minor trauma for her.

Xeno understood that as well. He trained furiously, determined not to fall behind. The harsh environment of competing with top-tier front-liners, paired with his ironclad self-love and those few who believed in him, had forged in him a tenacity that propelled his growth. Once a mediocre Explorer, Xeno had begun to rise — dragged upward by the sheer pressure around him.

[Korinny’s never seen that side of him… She probably thinks Xeno’s popularity is the only reason he’s still here. Honestly, in any other Clan, that would be true…]

Amy’s own popularity went without saying, but Xeno’s fame was just as valuable to Absolute Helix. With his reach, sponsors lined up to offer funding, special gear, consumables… A popular face brought renown to the Clan, which in turn drew more support, and more power.

Yet Tsutomu kept Absolute Helix tied only to one sponsor: the Dorren Workshop. Behind the scenes, he had also built a network of merchants and artisans, exchanging Dungeon loot for increasing profit like some compound-interest game. The Clan’s funds came from their Dungeon earnings, handled efficiently thanks to Ollie’s management, and they never seemed to suffer for it.

Amy technically earned just as much as Tsutomu, if not more, but he never relied on that income. In both ideology and practice, Tsutomu did not need it. If either she or Xeno stopped pulling their weight in combat, they would be cut without hesitation. That was why Amy worked herself to the bone just to keep up with Tsutomu’s grueling expectations.

[Maybe I should talk to Korinny one-on-one again soon… Damn that narcissist and that clueless pupper!]

Amy was still grumbling internally about Xeno and Garm, both utterly unaware of Korinna’s hidden resentment, when the party’s meeting ended and the two men left the room. Just as she was about to speak to Korinna–

”You were acting weird, you know?” Amira said, brushing her long red hair from her shoulder. ”Do you really hate Xeno that much?”

The blunt question caught both Korinna and Amy off guard. Amira, for her part, stood there with her mouth half-open, feigning innocence.

[This girl’s really grown too, hasn’t she…]

Once a terror who nearly alienated the entire Clan, Amira had changed. Since joining Absolute Helix and weathering countless experiences, she’d developed enough sensitivity to notice Korinna’s subtle shifts. That, in itself, was proof of how far she’d come.

Amy had always been quick to offer Korinna encouragement, but upon witnessing the recent change in her, she wiped at imaginary tears and gave an exaggerated sniffle.

”Oh, Ammie… you’ve grown into such a fine young woman…”

”Huh? What the hell’s wrong with you? Gross.”

”Ah, n-no,” Korinna stammered, ”I really don’t hate anyone–”

”Look, I can’t stand that smug bastard either…” Amira scowled. ”…Talks big, still hasn’t even gotten used to [, and all he ever does is mess around with everything else. Bet you just think he’s weaker than Garm, so you’re writing him off.”

”W-well…”

Korinna faltered under the intensity of Amira’s unblinking red eyes. Her mouth opened, but no answer came.

At that, Amy cleared her throat with an exaggerated ”Ahem!” like some pompous elder trying to summon attention.

”Ladies, allow me to make a modest proposal.”

”What?”

”How about the three of us go see what Xeno actually DOES all day?”

She added a playful wink, but the other two only exchanged blank, uncertain glances.

▽▽

Xeno was the only member of Absolute Helix who had not moved into the Clan house. He kept his private life well out of sight. And since Tsutomu had banned excessively long Dungeon explorations, their schedule left a surprising amount of free time. That meant no one in the Clan had a solid grasp of how Xeno spent his days.

Absolute Helix also took two days off per week, and today was a full rest day. In other words, no Dungeon runs allowed. As expected, Xeno hadn’t set foot near the Clan house, choosing instead to remain at home unless Tsutomu directly called him for urgent business.

”Ladies, I present you… Dumpling Ammie!”

”I’ll kill you!”

”You know, having long hair really gives you more options. I’m tempted to grow mine out, too.”

Amy stood in front of the mirror, admiring her handiwork: Amira’s long hair had been wrapped up into two round buns. She twirled a hair tie around her finger wistfully. Even her own style was different today — her bangs pinned up to reveal her forehead.

”You actually look good, Amira,” Korinna said.

”The hell’s wrong with you? And wait — I never noticed YOUR hair was that long!”

”There was a time I couldn’t find time for the salon, so I just let it grow. Felt like a waste to cut it once it got this long.”

Korinna, for once, had let down her usual cream-colored braid, the long hair now falling freely over her shoulders. Amira reached up, poking at her own dumpling-buns with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

”Today, we unveil the truth behind Xeno! And here’s his weekly schedule!”

”…Wait, is that really HIS?”

”Straight from his wife, Miss Pico,” Amy said with a smug grin, producing the sheet like a magician revealing a trick.

She’d spoken to Pico the day before, explaining her intentions and securing this highly coveted document. Korinna’s eyes widened as they scanned the schedule.

”Is… is this real?”

”Well, she might’ve padded it a little, so we’ll confirm it ourselves today. I got her permission too, so we’re good!”

Rumor had it Xeno spent his downtime spoiling himself with lavish spa treatments and fine wine, gallivanting with fans and flaunting his charms. He’d even admitted as much.

But the schedule told another story: it was packed from end to end with Dungeon-related busywork. It was hard to reconcile with his image. Still struggling to believe it, Korinna followed Amy out of the Clan house.

[He says he watches the Pedestals, but I do that all the time too. I’ve seen everyone else… but never Xeno.]

”There! That’s him!” Amy whispered.

Korinna, a seasoned Monitor spectator, had spotted every Clan member among the crowds at some point. Everyone except Xeno. Naturally, she’d assumed he just did not bother with it.

”Look, over there!”

”…Huh? That’s him?” Korinna asked, skeptical.

Amy was pointing discreetly at a hunched, unimpressive man wearing a hood and round spectacles. But beside him stood Pico. There was no mistaking her. At Amy’s subtle cue, the woman pretended to swat at something and tugged back the man’s hood.

A shock of fine silver hair spilled out, gleaming unnaturally in the sunlight. Startled, the man’s voice slipped out in its natural register.

”Wh-what are you doing!?”

”Sorry, there was a big bug!”

”Y-you scared me! Please don’t do that!”

The first half had come in his normal tone, but he quickly switched to a nasally, squeaky pitch — as though trying to sound like a mouse. Korinna watched, stunned, as she realized what was going on.

Xeno had been in disguise. That was why she had never seen him.

”What the hell is that voice!? Sounds like some damn mascot!”

”Yeah… doesn’t he kinda sound like Bruno?” Amy added.

Korinna said nothing.

She had always believed Xeno was coasting on his natural talent, shirking effort. When she learned he’d graduated top of his class from the Royal Capital’s academy, she’d pegged him as the type who’d burn bright early and then fizzle out — lazy, self-absorbed, and irrelevant.

[…Maybe I’ve been wrong.]

Now, for the first time, she saw something that didn’t quite fit the story she’d told herself. While Amy and Amira laughed at his ridiculous falsetto, Korinna simply watched Xeno — quiet, disguised, and wholly absorbed in his research.