Live Dungeon!

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The king who ruled the Royal Capital, along with the royal family, was said to wield magic far surpassing that of the nobles. This magic was rumored to easily break through Shields and was so powerful that it was rarely used, becoming the stuff of legends.

During the Stampede, the situation had called for this formidable magic. Yet, neither the king nor the royal family used it. Instead, they entrusted the defense to Explorers specially summoned from Dungeon City. The conclusion drawn from this was obvious and largely correct.

Indeed, the magic once wielded exclusively by the royal family was extraordinary. But over the centuries, its power had waned as their bloodline diluted, and now, its strength was mostly lost. While it was not entirely useless, its ability to break Shield magic was questionable at best.

So far, the royalty had managed to maintain their image with superficial displays of magic. The recent Stampede, however, had caused the nobility to question their standing. The populace, too, found it suspicious that the royalty confined their efforts to quelling disturbances within the Royal Capital.

“We appreciate your acceptance of our invitation today,” the king began.

Still, the king’s demeanor was so commanding that it dispelled any doubts. He was around the same age as Melchor, but his royal presence was undeniable.

As soon as the king ascended the podium, his speech took the Explorers by surprise.

“We will be dispatching the Royal Capital’s nobles and knights to Dungeon City. They will explore God’s Dungeon to raise their levels.”

This declaration was tantamount to admitting that magic had lost to skills. However, the nobles, having witnessed the high-level Explorers’ feats during the Stampede, could not voice any objection. The failure of the two great noble houses, Babenberg and Kantjelucia, and the current state of the nobility — nothing more than degraded versions of high-level Explorers — made it impossible to deny the value of skills. Thus, the nobles of the Royal Capital were finally going to delve into God’s Dungeon, which they had long avoided out of pride.

In addition, preparations had been underway for the installation of a magic-powered railway system connecting the Royal Capital to Dungeon City. Plans to expand Dungeon City had already been considered, and a significant influx of people from the Royal Capital was expected soon. The installation of the already-prepared trains and railway required the Explorers’ assistance.

Previously, veteran Explorers had felt a lack of acknowledgement from the Royal Capital. But their recent heroics during the Stampede earned them recognition, and many now bore a subtle pride. In Absolute Helix, Xeno and Leleia from the Royal Capital, along with veterans like Amy and Garm, shared in this newfound acknowledgment.

[So, a lot of new recruits will be joining us… This brings back some unpleasant memories.”]

Tsutomu’s expression showed mixed emotions. The influx of newcomers was a positive development, reminiscent of an MMORPG where more players equaled an increase in the game’s value — and by extension, the existing players’ own perceived value.

Tsutomu had experienced this before. Live Dungeon had a modest start and was not particularly popular in its early days. However, back when streaming platforms were still in their infancy, Live Dungeon offered an easy in-game broadcasting environment. The convenience of streaming, combined with the game’s inherent appeal, led to a surge of new players.

During that time, Tsutomu was riding high among the upper ranks, but he let the influx of new players get to his head and ended up making a fool of himself. An article titled ‘Angry Gamer Kid!?’ turned him into a sort of infamous celebrity, now one of his many embarrassing memories.

[The good-for-nothing Explorers were mostly exterminated, but some stubborn survivors remain… The Guild must be having a tough time.]

In this world, however, the influx of newcomers would be different. The Magic Stones from God’s Dungeon, as well as how the higher-numbered Monitors attracted larger audiences, meant real money and fame were at stake. Some might be willing to resort to unethical means to achieve their goals.

As Tsutomu pondered the impact of the Royal Capital’s newcomers on Dungeon City, the king’s speech concluded. The applause from those around him jolted Tsutomu back to reality, and he joined in the clapping.

Following the speech, the rewards for defending against the Stampede were distributed to each Clan. The sight of rare, expensive coins caused Amy’s eyes to light up with excitement. Ealdred Crow, the largest Clan, received the biggest reward, but Rook donated a portion of it to support the Royal Capital’s restoration.

“Think we should pitch in and raise our standing with the Royal Capital?” Amy asked.

“…I don’t really care either way,” Tsutomu replied.

“Let’s donate a tenth of this, then.”

Tsutomu, having no need for more gold, donated his share. Amy, who had earned enough to run the Clan on her own, also made a donation to the Royal Capital.

With the reward distribution complete and the king having departed, the Explorers excitedly discussed the upcoming influx of people from the Royal Capital to Dungeon City. Tsutomu, indifferent to the Royal Capital, found it hard to join the conversation.

Not wanting to spoil the mood, he wandered to a balcony at the edge of the venue to take in the view.

“Ah.”

Someone was already there. Diniel, dressed in a green gown, leaned against the railing, gazing at the scenery illuminated by a magical lightning tool. Dolled up by Ollie from head to toe, Diniel looked almost unrecognizable from her usual unkempt state.

When she heard Tsutomu’s voice, Diniel turned and gave a small, relieved smile. Tsutomu tilted his head in curiosity and walked over.

“Diniel, what are you doing out here?”

“What about you?”

“I don’t really care about the Royal Capital, but I didn’t want to spoil everyone’s excitement. So, I thought I’d enjoy the view.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Disinterested, Diniel turned her gaze back to the night scene. Seeing the aura of exhaustion and her clear wish to be left alone, Tsutomu decided not to push further. He found a spot a little distance away and joined her in looking at the nightscape.

The night view of the Royal Capital from the castle wasn’t so different from a city in Japan. It was likely because the Royal Capital used magical tools for electricity, giving the distant nightscape a familiar glow.

“<<Heal>>.”

Tsutomu idly twirled a skill wisp in front of him. Before the king’s arrival, Explorers had been instructed not to use skills, but now that he had left, it was not an issue. He launched the wisp into the air, where it burst like fireworks.

Pollux, the pudgy and cynical buffer from Ealdred Crow, was always drawn to displays like this. To Tsutomu, Pollux’s skill artistry seemed more like a genuine art form; this shared interest was why Pollux had taken such a liking to him.

Suddenly, faint voices began to drift onto the balcony where Tsutomu and Diniel stood. Unable to make out the words, Tsutomu raised a hand toward the railing.

“<<Haste>>.”

He began sketching an image of the Undine, who had been a great help recently, with the blue <<Haste>> wisp. Next came the Gnome with an earthy-yellow <<Protect>>. Then the Sylph with a green <<Heal>>. However, he could not depict the Salamander, as a White Mage had no red-colored spells. Imagining the crestfallen lizard, Tsutomu allowed himself a small smile.

[Oh, right, those guys could change the <<Combat Cry>>’s color…]

Though he had never tried it, feeling it unnecessary, skills could apparently be adapted in color. Maybe <<Heal>> could be altered like <<Combat Cry>>. The voices were growing closer, but Tsutomu, lost in thought about changing <<Heal>>’s color, did not notice them.

Just as he considered seeking out Xeno to learn how to alter skill colors, a light tap on his left shoulder broke his concentration.

“Aww…”

His focus shattered, causing the almost-finished drawing of the rotund Undine to vanish. Tsutomu let out a whine akin to watching a tower of cards collapse.

He turned to find Diniel, wearing an equally irritated expression, pinching his shoulder. Behind her stood a young nobleman who, upon meeting Tsutomu’s eyes, bowed slightly before scurrying away.

“……”

[Oh, I see…]

It seemed Diniel had been approached by the nobleman and, not wanting to engage, had used Tsutomu as a shield.

Although Tsutomu had been too absorbed in drawing Spirits to hear, Diniel had likely been subtly asking for his help. When he did not respond, she had resorted to physically using him as a barrier.

With Tsutomu’s connections to House Babenberg, he was an unappealing target for other nobles, which explained the man’s prompt departure.

As Tsutomu pondered this, Diniel glared at him with eyes full of reproach.

“Why didn’t you help me?”

“Uh… I thought you could’ve handled things yourself.”

“If you’d been talking to me, that guy wouldn’t have approached.”

“Well… You were giving off such a ‘don’t talk to me’ vibe earlier.”

“Better to talk with you than deal with a horny noble.”

“So if I were horny, you wouldn’t talk to me either, huh? –Ow!”

Diniel pinched Tsutomu’s arm, and he brushed her hand away like an annoying insect. She sighed deeply, her eyes still filled with irritation.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to talk to YOU either. I was tired. But it pissed me off that you left me alone just like that. And you complimented Amy’s dress but didn’t say anything about mine. That annoyed me too. On top of that, you ignored my call for help. That’s why I’m so angry.”

“You don’t have to lay it all out like that…”

“……”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry.”

Even as Tsutomu gave a half-smile, Diniel’s glare sharpened to a hunter’s intensity, forcing him to apologize more sincerely. But she wasn’t done yet.

“In God’s Dungeon, you push me to work harder, always just at the edge of what I can refuse. Your detached attitude about everything, like you’re in some kind of dream, is infuriating. And the way you evade Amy’s advances is also frustrating.”

“How much anger have you been holding in? That’s scary.”

“I got angry just now. I feel like pushing you off this balcony.”

“Hey, that’s not funny. Calm down.”

“And what’s with that gesture? Do you think I’m a horse? That’s infuriating.”

“What!? You’re mad about that too? It’s like everything I do annoys you!”

As he held out his hands to placate her, Tsutomu realized just how genuinely angry Diniel was. It was rare for her to be so talkative, likely influenced by the bit of wine she’d had earlier.

“Lemme get this straight — yes, I don’t like you, Tsutomu. You’re barely over twenty years old, but you like to act so damn wise. Every time I sense that mysterious air about you, it drives me crazy. I want to unravel that mystery. Show me everything. I want to lay it all bare and figure you out.”

“Let’s calm down, okay? I’ll go get Amy.”

“Don’t change the subject. We’re talking now.”

“…Umm, somebody! Help me!!”

Tsutomu, desperate and unashamed, continued to call out for help as Diniel approached him like a hard-boiled police detective. Eventually, Garm burst onto the balcony to find Tsutomu being pinned in an arm lock by Diniel.

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