Live Dungeon! – Chapter 29, Camille’s Confidence

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Translator: invichan

Editor: Silavin

Translator (December 14, 2024 Version): Barnnn

 

The exploration of the fifty-ninth layer pressed onward. Amid battles and scouting, Tsutomu occasionally called out, “Breath incoming!” to test the group’s reflexes.

 

This time was no different.

 

“Breath incoming!” Hovering mid-air with the <<Fly>> skill, Tsutomu’s voice rang out. His companions reacted instantly, assuming defensive stances in near-perfect unison with him. Adjusting his posture mid-flight, Tsutomu chuckled dryly. “Looking good. You’re really getting the hang of it.”

 

“…You don’t need to pull this during actual battles, though,” Garm grumbled.

 

“To be fair, I do it partly because it’s fun,” Tsutomu admitted with a sheepish grin.

 

“……”

 

“Okay, okay! Just joking!” he added quickly, waving his hands as Garm’s gaze darkened.

 

Camille, watching the exchange from a few steps away, couldn’t help but smile.

 

Before long, her sharp eyes spotted movement on the horizon. “I see some Orcs — six of them. One archer, three with clubs, and two with swords,” she reported.

 

Tsutomu raised a pair of binoculars, confirming her assessment. The three proceeded to approach them from above, staying unnoticed until they were close enough.

 

As the Orcs finally caught sight of them, guttural cries erupted, weapons raised in defiance.

 

“Throwing Flash!” Tsutomu shouted.

 

On cue, Garm and Camille shut their eyes. Tsutomu, squinting through one eye, shook a small glass bottle violently and hurled it toward the Orcs.

 

The bottle’s faint glow suddenly burst into a searing white light, flooding the area. Even with his eyes closed, Tsutomu could feel its brilliance. Disoriented, the Orcs stumbled and howled, shielding their faces with their hands.

 

Garm and Camille wasted no time. Striking with calculated precision, they dispatched the blinded Orcs in moments, their guttural roars silenced as their bodies disintegrated into Magic Stones.

 

Tsutomu knelt to gather the loot — two small transparent stones and four medium-sized ones. Turning them over in his hand, he made a quick calculation — with their mediocre quality, they would sell for a total of about 30,000 Gold. Considering that a single Flash Bottle cost 200,000 Gold, this left a deficit of roughly 170,000 Gold. However, Tsutomu saw it as a necessary expense and looked down at the shattered bottle without concern.

 

Before now, Tsutomu had tested about six Flash Bottles to confirm the level of agitation required for the Flash Bugs inside to explode and the time it took after shaking.

 

[So, overall… the delay before it explodes is longer than I thought. Should be easier to time next time,] he mused, stowing the Magic Stones in his Magic Bag.

 

Wary of the flash attracting other monsters, the trio departed quickly, flying low and silent. By the time Tsutomu checked his pocket watch, the sky was dimming into evening. It was time to call it a day.

 

The three returned to the Black Gate and emerged into the Guild’s bustling hall. After lining up, they submitted saliva samples and updated their Status Cards.

 

Garm’s level rose to 63, Camille’s to 69, and Tsutomu’s to 35. Garm’s VIT rating had improved from B+ to A-, while Tsutomu’s statuses — everything but his LUK — each climbed a tier.

 

Tsutomu had also acquired two new skills: <<Air Blades>> and <<Barrier>>. The former, <<Air Blades>>, was an advanced iteration of <<Air Blade>>, delivering wind-based attacks with greater power and an extended range.

 

<<Barrier>>, on the other hand, introduced a versatile layer of defense. True to its name, the skill created an invisible shield capable of withstanding damage proportional to the amount of mental energy infused into it. In the game, it was a cornerstone ability for White Mages, typically used to shield the Tank by enveloping their body in a protective aura.

 

In this world, however, the skill’s application had diverged. Most users deployed <<Barrier>> as a static wall, often shaping it into a dome for resting or regrouping. Watching them in action on Monitors, Tsutomu had noticed this trend but found it limiting. He intended to test its original game-style use — encasing Garm completely — to see how it would perform in the field. With plans to experiment during tomorrow’s final adjustments, he decided to call it a night.

 

Just as the group was about to leave the building, however, a voice called out from behind.

 

“Mister Tsutomu, do you have a moment?”

 

Turning, Tsutomu saw the Deputy Guild Master approaching. The man’s face bore deep circles under his eyes, his expression kind but weighed down by exhaustion.

 

“Oh, yes, sir. I just freed up. Are you all right?”

 

“Ah, sorry. I just woke from a nap, so I must look a little… rough,” the Deputy replied with a self-deprecating chuckle. “Anyway, there’s something I’d like to discuss. Please, this way.”

 

“Understood. Should I bring Garm and Camille as well?”

 

“…If possible, I’d prefer to speak with just you.”

 

The Deputy cast a quick glance at Garm before offering an apologetic smile. Tsutomu nodded, told his companions he’d catch up later, and followed the man toward the back of the Guild’s reception area.

 

In a meeting room, Tsutomu was gestured toward a plush sofa. For a moment, his eyes wandered to the faintly glowing decorative plants, and then he settled into the cushions, which were as comfortable as they looked.

 

The Deputy Guild Master seated himself across from Tsutomu, his demeanor shifting to one of solemnity.

 

“This is about Amy,” he began.

 

“Amy? Did something happen?” Tsutomu asked, just as a soft knock at the door signaled the arrival of a receptionist.

 

The woman entered, her cheerful smile brightening the room as she set down two cups of cold tea.

 

“Oh, thank you,” Tsutomu gave a polite nod, sliding his cup to the table’s edge as the receptionist excused herself and closed the door behind her.

 

“She was released from the Security Team earlier this afternoon,” the Deputy explained.

 

“Oh, really? That was fast,” Tsutomu replied, redirecting his glance back from the door the receptionist had exited through.

 

The Deputy’s expression tightened, his shoulders sagging slightly. “Regarding the attack on the Solit Company… Your name has, unfortunately, been dragged through the mud once again. I’ve spoken to Amy and warned her against further reckless actions, but… I must apologize for this situation.”

 

Tsutomu waved the apology off. “Sir, you’ve already apologized more than enough. There’s no need to keep doing so. Besides, Amy acted the morning the news broke — how could you have possibly stopped her?”

 

“As a Guild officer, I should have guided her better. The responsibility is mine.” The Deputy bowed again.

 

“I’ll talk to Amy about it when I get the chance,” Tsutomu assured him. “But really, the damage isn’t all that significant. My reputation was already at rock bottom — it can’t sink any lower.”

 

Since the Solit Company incident, the media had run wild with reports, blending truth with fiction in a frenzy of sensationalism. For Tsutomu, already infamous as the so-called “Lucky Boy” and a perennial target of fabricated stories involving Amy, the latest wave of rumors felt like little more than background noise.

 

Tsutomu took a sip of tea, then turned his attention to the Deputy Guild Master, whose furrowed brow betrayed the weight of his guilt. Offering a gentle smile, Tsutomu sought to ease the tension.

 

“I can see how much effort you’re putting into resolving this. Honestly, I feel bad about it too. None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t insisted on Amy apologizing within the Guild.”

 

The Deputy Guild Master shook his head. “No, no! This entire debacle stems from the Guild’s failures. We prioritized Amy because of her exceptional skills, but failed to discipline her properly. And as for the ‘Lucky Boy’ fiasco — making the Black Staff’s origins public was our mistake. Mister Tsutomu, you have every right to hold us accountable for the trouble this has caused you.”

 

He bowed his head repeatedly, almost to a comical degree, though his sincerity was unmistakable. Tsutomu couldn’t help but feel a pang of familiarity, the display reminding him of certain customs back in Japan. He’d even tested the waters during their conversations, slipping in distinctly Japanese phrases, but the Deputy Guild Master never seemed to pick up on them.

 

Despite the man’s earnest apologies, Tsutomu couldn’t place the blame on him. The chain of events, from Amy’s unpredictable actions to the Solit Company’s inflammatory articles, involved factors no one could have foreseen or controlled.

 

“It’ll be fine,” Tsutomu said. “I’ve got an idea for dealing with the Solit Company. If we can hold out for another two or three days, negotiations should go a lot smoother.”

 

“…I see. Thank you. Still, once this situation is resolved, I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to clear your name — even if it seems unlikely now.”

 

“Camille tells me your negotiation skills are exceptional — I’m counting on you.”

 

“…Thank you for saying that.” His voice carried a note of disbelief, but his gratitude was genuine.

 

With their discussion at an end, Tsutomu left the reception room, feeling a faint glimmer of hope for what lay ahead.

 

　――▽▽――

 

After the meeting, Tsutomu joined Garm and Camille in Garm’s room for a quick strategy session.

 

Early the next morning, the trio went back to the fifty-ninth layer to begin their final preparations for their looming battle with the Fire Dragon.

For Tsutomu, much of the morning was spent grappling with the complexities of his new support skill, <<Barrier>>.

 

To replicate the way he’d used <<Barrier>> in the game, he needed to shape it precisely to fit around Garm’s body. Once applied, the barrier would hold its form until broken. But translating theory into practice proved far more challenging. Casting <<Barrier>> from a distance was outright impossible — an issue he hadn’t anticipated.

 

[This isn’t going to work…]

 

Even when applying <<Barrier>> through direct contact, it took a painstaking three minutes to form. From afar, the aura simply refused to manifest.

 

If Garm stood perfectly still, the <<Barrier>> could be applied with some reliability. But in the high-speed chaos of a Fire Dragon battle, asking him to remain motionless for three full minutes was an absurd notion. Pre-casting the <<Barrier>> seemed like a potential workaround, but another roadblock emerged: the Black Gate. Passing through its threshold canceled all active effects, forcing everything to be recast on the other side.

 

Though the Fire Dragon’s appearance was delayed by a one-minute buffer, that brief reprieve offered far too little time for Tsutomu to effectively deploy <<Barrier>>. Ultimately, he decided to reserve the skill for situations where it could be used as a stationary shield — a purpose most other White Mages seemed to favor. Letting out a heavy sigh, he turned his attention back to their strategy, mentally adjusting his plans.

 

“You never stop thinking, Tsutomu,” Garm remarked. “I wish the major Clans would follow your example.”

 

Tsutomu gave a wry smile. “I get why they don’t. When you’re dealing with larger Clans, it’s harder to experiment. The more people you have, the more complications arise…”

 

His gaze grew distant as memories of his gaming days resurfaced. Back when his Clan had been small, leadership had felt manageable, even enjoyable. The group had been tight-knit, united by shared interests. But as the Clan expanded, so too did the challenges.

 

Reckless members tarnished their reputation in solo-queue groups, while others flooded the chat with petty drama — bickering about household chores or flaunting makeup hauls. Factions formed, driven by disputes over perceived skill levels, and infighting became commonplace.

 

Even in the controlled environment of a game, leading a large Clan had been a monumental headache. Tsutomu couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the leaders of real-life Clans, who dealt with even greater complexities.

 

Camille, catching the shadow of weariness in Tsutomu’s expression, decided to steer the conversation to lighter territory.

 

“By the way,” she said, “with <<Haste>> active during <<Dragon Form>>, the power is just incredible. I feel like we could crush the Fire Dragon without breaking a sweat.”

 

Tsutomu chuckled. “Right — your speed really is something else. It’s definitely going to make the fight a whole lot easier.”

 

The synergy between <<Dragon Form>>’s status boosts and <<Haste>>’s AGI enhancement had elevated Camille’s combat prowess to a level rivaling the boss of the eightieth layer.

 

Tsutomu, for his part, had grown adept at casting <<Haste>>, his success rate nearing perfection. While he still blundered occasionally when targeting large groups of monsters, he felt confident that in a one-on-one fight with the Fire Dragon, mistakes would be rare.

 

Camille, now accustomed to the relentless pace of maintaining <<Haste>> during <<Dragon Form>>, had seen her damage output skyrocket. Her power had become so overwhelming that Tsutomu often found himself muttering, “At this rate, we might not need anyone else.” He had even taken to using <<Medic>> to forcibly end her berserk state when her strength threatened to spiral out of control.

 

“Leave it to me. The Fire Dragon doesn’t stand a chance.”

 

Tsutomu nodded. “That’s reassuring.”

 

Where once Wyverns had been a formidable challenge, Camille now swatted them from the sky with the effortless power of her <<Haste>>-enhanced <<Dragon Form>>. The thrill of her newfound strength lent her an undeniable air of confidence — one that teetered on the edge of arrogance.

 

Tsutomu, sensing the shift in her demeanor, let his gaze drift to the massive tower shield secured to Garm’s back.

 

“So… Garm, you’re handling that tower shield pretty well now. It’s starting to feel like it belongs in your hands.”

 

“Mm-hmm. It’s been a process. I was rusty at first, but I think I’ve recovered most of my old form.”

 

In his early days of Dungeon exploration, the tower shield had been Garm’s staple equipment. But when he joined a Clan that valued speed and offense above all else, he had swapped it out for a buckler and longsword. His strategy shifted to dodging most attacks and only blocking when absolutely necessary.

 

That changed again when he embraced the true role of a Tank. A tower shield, he realized, was not just a tool for defense but a symbol of his duty. Since the fiftieth layer, Garm had been reconditioning himself, trading speed for stability. The results spoke for themselves.

 

While his mobility had diminished compared to his time with the buckler, the combination of the tower shield and his A- VIT made him an immovable wall. With <<Protect>> boosting his VIT further and Tsutomu’s swift healing mitigating any injuries, Garm could absorb attacks that would have once forced him to retreat.

 

His dedication didn’t stop there. In both training and battle, Garm experimented tirelessly to refine his skills as a Tank. He honed his use of <<Combat Cry>>, mastering the art of drawing enemy aggro. His resourcefulness with skills grew sharper, ensuring his actions were both efficient and effective.

 

But it wasn’t just his gear or training that fortified Garm’s resolve — it was his trust in Tsutomu. Even in the face of overwhelming swarms, Garm held his ground with unshakable calm. He knew <<Protect>> would hold, healing would arrive when needed, and even in dire emergencies, Tsutomu wouldn’t hesitate to provide precious Potions or deal extra damage with <<Air Blade>>.

 

This mutual confidence fueled Garm’s pride in his role. He knew, without doubt, that he could entrust his back to his Healer.

 

Meanwhile, Tsutomu had been sharpening his own abilities. While floating with <<Fly>>, he refined his judgment and precision, addressing past issues with targeting during Camille’s <<Dragon Form>> rampages. He also took time to practice with tools designed specifically for the Fire Dragon fight.

 

With Camille’s devastating damage output at its peak, Garm’s ironclad defense bolstered by his VIT, and his own skills now finely tuned, Tsutomu felt a growing confidence in their ability to face the Fire Dragon.

 

“Let’s head back early today,” he announced. “We’ll review our strategy and make any final adjustments. Tomorrow morning, we challenge the Fire Dragon.”

 

“Got it!”

 

Camille’s face lit up, her excitement barely contained. Garm gave a firm nod, his expression as steady as ever.

 

As he watched his teammates, Tsutomu felt a flicker of reassurance. With a satisfied smile, he led the group out of the fifty-ninth layer well before noon.

 

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