Live Dungeon!

”Ahh!! Mister Tsutomu!!”

It was on the ninety-first layer that Stephanie felt a revelation strike her: perhaps she had been born into this world for that very moment alone. That certainty had surged fiercely through her, and yet, when she awoke, it was not Tsutomu’s smiling face that greeted her, but a different ceiling she knew all too well.

She was in the infirmary of the Ealdred Crow Clan House, lying in one of its beds. A startled medic promptly explained the situation to her.

Apparently, she had collapsed on the ninety-first layer and had since slept like the dead. She had been unconscious for an entire day, unmoving and unresponsive. From there, a series of procedures had been carried out: her vitals checked, recovery skills like [ and [ cast upon her, and restorative Potions administered to recalibrate her internal balance. Finally, she was sternly instructed to rest before being released to her quarters.

[…My body feels lighter somehow…]

Stephanie was no stranger to such treatments; she received regular [ casts from a specialist and drank health-supplementing Potions daily. Still, today’s effects felt strangely potent. Her body moved with a lightness it hadn’t known in some time.

Mildly surprised by this change, she opened the door to her private room. The instant her eyes landed on a photograph of Tsutomu’s face pinned to her ceiling, her own complexion paled in horror.

[I… I didn’t greet him!? Not even once today!?]

The doctor had clearly said she had been unconscious for a full day. That meant she had failed to greet her ‘Mister Tsutomu’ even once. In a frenzy, she dashed to the washbasin to prepare herself, determined to present nothing less than her absolute best. But as she looked into the mirror, she froze. Her breath caught in her throat.

”What in the…?”

Before becoming Tsutomu’s student, Stephanie had possessed a healthy, well-maintained complexion. But sleepless nights and a diet of field rations had gradually taken their toll. Though she usually masked the resulting damage with [ and meticulous makeup, the persistent bluish shadows beneath her eyes had always remained her most stubborn enemy.

And now, they were gone, as if they had never existed.

Research into the cosmetic effects of [ and [ had come a long way in recent years, but chronic issues like under-eye circles or dark spots typically required prolonged treatment to fade. Yet all it had taken for hers to vanish, as it turned out, was one uninterrupted day of rest.

[Ah… yes! It’s thanks to Mister Tsutomu…!]

She was certain of it. The influence he had on her very being was truly profound. And with no need for extra concealer, she cheerfully moved on to fixing her hair. She even chose to wear her casual clothes for the first time in ages, carefully checking herself for any flaws.

”…Hmm?”

But once she deemed herself perfectly presentable and returned, prepared to greet the image of Tsutomu as always… something felt off.

[Why… Why don’t I feel anything?]

Everything was just as it had always been. And yet, it didn’t feel like the same Tsutomu she’d been bowing to every morning and night. Bewildered, Stephanie began to scan the countless photos of him lining her walls, comparing them one by one. Then, she realized…

[He’s not truly smiling in any of them, is he…?]

Tsutomu often wore a smile when interacting with others, whether it be out of politeness or to facilitate conversations. But when it came to God’s Dungeon, his expression transformed, radiating a genuine joy. Stephanie had seen that true smile yesterday, when it had been directed solely at her. And so, these photos… they looked faded by comparison.

She could recall his exact words to her then. He had acknowledged her, praised her… and scolded her. With a rueful smile, he had urged her to widen her perspective.

”Ngh… kuhuhu…”

Just remembering it made her squirm and giggle with glee. He had truly seen her, understood the full extent of her efforts, and recognized her worth. Her beloved mentor, who had embodied a miracle on the ninetieth layer, had accepted her as his student. That joy alone outshone anything she had ever felt from merely watching him or being acknowledged with a nod in passing. It eclipsed the ”Mister Tsutomu” she had clung to, day after day, with nothing more than ritual and distant devotion.

Still holding herself in a tight embrace, Stephanie eventually calmed and turned her gaze to the dozens of pinned articles and photographs on the walls.

”So… I must broaden my perspective, was it…?”

This room had always been her sanctuary; a place for solace and study, her strategy chamber for understanding Tsutomu. She had believed she needed nothing else but his articles, and the strategy guide he had gifted her a year ago. But Tsutomu had never said that was the correct path. He had allowed her to follow in his footsteps, yes, but not to gaze only at his back.

Walking slowly to a photo on which Tsutomu’s smile still lingered, Stephanie reached out and brushed her fingers gently across it.

”…Mister Tsutomu…”

She traced the paper as though reluctant to let go. Then, with reverent care, she removed it from the wall. After giving it one final nuzzle against her cheek, she placed it delicately on her bed. One by one, she took down the rest of the article clippings and photos. When she had cleared them all, she built a pedestal using [ and climbed up to remove the photos from the ceiling as well.

She glanced once at the shelf of trinkets and merchandise she had purchased from the shops Tsutomu frequented, sorting through them and setting aside those that no longer seemed necessary. The cleanup took hours. By the end, she realized just how thoroughly her room had been devoted to Tsutomu alone.

”…It feels so empty now.”

But she could not continue on as she had before: fixated, obsessed, her world narrowed to a single point. Truthfully, she did not believe she could ever surpass Tsutomu. But he had said it himself: he knew she had what it took. And if he believed in her that much, then it was time to stop hiding in fantasies.

The room felt a little barren now, the silence a touch too loud. But she had made her choice. From now on, she would look outward — toward others, toward the world, toward her future. Toward the day she stood at Tsutomu’s side as an equal.

▽▽

”She really doesn’t look like an ‘Ice Conductor’ anymore, Teach. Better watch your back. One of her fans might stab you for this. Or better yet, maybe Amy’ll just slit your throat! Hah!”

The morning after his talk with Stephanie, Hannah dramatically spread open the front page of the morning paper across the dining table. The headline read ‘A Bond Forged in Battle: Master and Disciple,’ naturally referring to Tsutomu and Stephanie. With a mischievous glint in her eye, Hannah raked the air with her fingers curled into claws. Beside her, Daryl gave a helpless smile, while Diniel nodded slowly in agreement.

”I mean, it doesn’t bother me,” Amy said flatly.

It was an unexpectedly calm response, especially coming from Amy, who would usually narrow her eyes and jump into the fray with an exaggerated ”Nyaa, what the hell!?” Instead, she simply continued to eat, slicing cleanly along the grain of a grilled fillet, her expression unreadable.

Hannah blinked, thrown off by the uncharacteristic restraint. Tsutomu, too, was mildly taken aback.

[Something’s off. That’s definitely her ‘public’ face, and she’s not doing a great job hiding her irritation.]

Amy’s bangs had been swept back lately, exposing her temples… and Tsutomu could clearly see a faint twitch there. The blade of her knife trembled suspiciously as she worked through the fish.

[Still… better this than the usual firestorm. But she’s planning something, I just know it.]

Tsutomu had long suspected Amy harbored feelings for him. But between his role managing the Clan and his position as an otherworlder, he had no intention of forming deep ties in this world. If Amy had truly decided to give up on him, that would’ve been fine. Yet the tension in her posture told another story — one of anger carefully buried beneath a mask.

As Tsutomu kept a wary eye on her, Korinna, who had been quietly dipping bread into her soup, cautiously spoke up.

”By the way, Tsutomu? I heard your speech through the Pedestals. You mentioned Nortt, at one point, didn’t you?”

”Oh, yeah, I did. What about him?”

”He was really happy about it. And he asked me to thank you for bringing him up. So… thank you.”

”Ah, right. Nortt was from your old Clan, wasn’t he? You two still talk?”

Nortt, a stout Dwarf and former leader of White Strike Wings, had made a name for himself as an aggressive White Mage. Korinna nodded, though her expression remained hesitant.

”We didn’t really talk much before, but ever since you won on the ninetieth layer, he’s started calling out to me at the Guild. And after seeing yesterday’s broadcast… he’s been waiting for me outside the Guild building.”

”…Sorry about that.”

”No, it’s fine. Oh, and… one more thing. Another person you mentioned, Milway. Would you mind telling me what she’s like?”

”Milway? She’s a silver-furred Vulpeer, and Golden Tune’s Team 2 Healer. Pretty close friends with Eunice.”

”……”

”Well, it’s not surprising you don’t recognize her. She’s been busy helping Eunice with skill development lately, so she hasn’t been showing up on Pedestal broadcasts.”

As a competent Healer, Tsutomu had kept an eye on her progress and thought rather highly of her, even though she rarely appeared in public.

”Ah, and don’t worry. I made sure to mention your name too,” He added with a reassuring smile.

”T-thank you. I… I don’t really think I’m worth that much praise, though…”

”No need to be modest. You and your team have been improving a lot, and I’m honestly expecting great things from you on the ninetieth layer. Keep up the good work.”

”P-please don’t put any more pressure on me…”

”Tch…”

As Korinna flailed under the weight of his playful pressure, Amira let out a disgruntled sound and leaned forward, eyes narrowed. Her face practically screamed ‘Back off my girl.’ Tsutomu sighed and shook his head.

”Do you have to look at me like that?”

”For a guy ogling his student, that’s the least of what you deserve.”

”Okay, okay. Amira, I have high hopes for you, too. It’s true. Just ask Daryl all about it.”

”Oh, please, Sir Tsutomu… Could you NOT only talk about me when you’re trying to escape trouble?”

”Aww, I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.”

”……”

”You know what, Daryl? Have some extra meat.”

”…Fine, I’ll let it slide this time. But don’t think this will always work, all right?”

While Daryl had recently grown more resistant to Tsutomu’s sweet talk, he still had a weakness for food-based bribery. Though his face remained stern, his tail betrayed him, wagging as he accepted the plate.

”You know,” Daryl muttered, eyeing the serving, ”your portions are always kinda small…”

But the moment he bit into the petite cut of meat, his expression froze.

Unlike the tough T-bone steaks he usually ate, this was a filet. It was tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor the more he chewed. Unable to resist, he stuffed the rest into his mouth and began munching eagerly. Garm, seated across from him, watched with an indulgent expression, like someone watching a silly puppy roll around on the floor. Meanwhile, Leleia shook with laughter, hiding her mouth behind a napkin.

”Hmm?”

Amid the cozy chaos of breakfast, a sudden chime echoed through the Clan House. Everyone tilted their heads in mild confusion. Visitors this early were unusual.

…Then came the shrill voice from outside.

”Open this door at once!”

”E-Eunice, calm down! You shouldn’t be doing this!”

”…Great. Let’s just ignore her until breakfast is over,” Tsutomu muttered, waving off Ollie as she made to rise.

He took another bite of his meal, already feeling the headache forming from that far-too-familiar voice.