Live Dungeon! – Chapter 30, Through the Eyes of an Informant

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Translator: invichan

Editor: Silavin

Translator (December 15, 2024 Version): Barnnn

 

The first to notice the peculiar activities of Tsutomu’s small, three-member party was Ealdred Crow, one of the most prominent Clans, renowned for its vast membership. Their ever-watchful intelligence team had flagged the anomaly.

 

Ealdred Crow stood apart from other Clans, not merely for its size but for its structure. Beyond Explorers, they employed a wide range of specialists — clerks managing inventories, procurement, and finances; informants tracking various data, market trends, and city rumors; equipment maintenance workers ensuring their gear was battle-ready; and even courtesans whose services catered to morale. No other Clan operated with such exhaustive breadth.

 

Yet, for all its ambition, the Clan’s star had begun to dim in recent months. Once celebrated for their daring exploits — such as being among the first to fell the Shell Crab — they had since become preoccupied with hoarding Gold, avoiding formidable challenges like the Fire Dragon. Their reluctance to engage in high-stakes ventures eroded public esteem, reducing their renown to little more than their sheer numbers. Mockery replaced reverence; many now dismissed Ealdred Crow as a bloated relic.

 

Still, beneath the veneer of stagnation, Ealdred Crow had not been idle. Their diverse membership, spanning myriad races and professions, enabled them to quietly refine their craft. They absorbed tactics and innovations from mid-tier Clans, shaping and reshaping their strategies. Among these observations were accounts of Tsutomu’s “flying” <<Heal>> technique — a style that piqued particular interest — and the unconventional combat strategies employed by his group.

 

When Tsutomu’s party ventured into the Swamps of the twentieth layer, their exploits began to surface regularly on the mid-tier Monitors. At first, attention centered on his companions: Amy, the “Chaotic Dancer,” and Garm, the “Mad Dog,” both former Explorers turned Guild staff. Their gear, movements, and abilities were meticulously documented by Ealdred Crow’s informants.

 

But then, the focus shifted. The officer overseeing these reports became transfixed by Tsutomu himself, specifically his extraordinary use of long-ranged <<Heal>>. The technique evoked memories of an earlier experiment by the mid-tier Clan White Strike Wings, who had paired two White Mages to explore the synergy between healing and offensive magic. The approach had been dismissed as impractical, and few had revisited it since.

 

Tsutomu’s execution, however, was anything but impractical. The moment Amy’s arm was punctured by the Queen Spider’s fangs, his wisp-like <<Heal>> mended the wound almost instantaneously. It was an elegance the officer hadn’t expected — a revelation that demanded closer scrutiny.

 

The officer set about implementing the technique within Ealdred Crow, assigning it to their White Mages of teams ranked below #10. The results, however were disappointing, despite their efforts. The “flying” <<Heal>> produced only a feeble recovery, rendering it ineffective in practice. Frustrated yet determined, the officer delved deeper, scrutinizing Tsutomu’s methods, behavior, and equipment.

 

The findings were perplexing. Tsutomu’s White Staff, while costly, was within reach of most Explorers and bore no extraordinary properties, unlike the borderline-legendary Black Staff wielded by the Scarlet Devil Squad. It became clear that his success wasn’t tied to his tools. Despite exhaustive observation, the secret behind his technique remained an enigma.

 

The officer was on the verge of abandoning the effort when a subtle breakthrough occurred. While they couldn’t replicate the long-ranged <<Heal>> with Tsutomu’s finesse, they discovered its utility in conjunction with supportive skills like <<Protect>> and <<Haste>>. Though their execution lacked precision and the effects were fleeting, these adaptations held promise — a glimmer of progress in the shadow of Tsutomu’s mastery.

 

Reports confirmed that even these rudimentary skills proved useful, bringing some relief to the officer, who had feared the effort might have been in vain. Yet no amount of practice seemed to enhance the recovery power of <<Heal>> or <<High Heal>>. Even when Healers pushed their minds to their limits, their skills barely matched the potency of common medicinal herbs from the Grasslands. Worse still, those who overexerted themselves often became prime targets for monsters, falling swiftly under concentrated attacks.

 

[Perhaps it’s a unique skill… But if that were the case, wouldn’t someone else have recognized it by now? What is the missing piece?]

 

Undeterred, the officer continued studying Tsutomu’s party, which had since replaced Amy with Camille. He scrutinized their tactics: Garm wielded <<Combat Cry>> to draw the monsters’ fury, absorbing the brunt of their attacks with his impressive endurance while Camille attacked with unrelenting force.

 

[I see… Garm’s high VIT lets him endure relentless strikes, bolstered by long-ranged <<Protect>>. Meanwhile, the Guild Master positions herself to deliver the decisive blow.]

 

To casual viewers watching the Monitors, Garm appeared indomitable as he held off wave after wave of monsters, earning admiration and awe. Camille’s devastating swings with her greatsword elicited cheers and gasps. Yet the officer observed with a calculating eye, unmoved by the spectacle.

 

[No matter how resilient Garm is, he’d never survive such an onslaught on Potions alone — he barely even has the time to drink them. It’s this constant support with the long-ranged <<Heal>> that makes the strategy viable. Without it, replication would be impossible.]

 

With this understanding, the officer formulated an alternative approach:

 

[Yes… This could work. Assign two high-VIT members to alternate drawing the monsters’ attention. By sharing the burden, neither would be overwhelmed. The Healer could then focus on supporting one at a time, conserving Potions. We’ll trial this with some of the lower-tier parties.]

 

He wasted no time proposing the strategy to parties with White Mages who had managed to grasp rudimentary long-ranged support skills. Despite their diligent practice, however, the results remained lackluster by the time Tsutomu’s party reached the fifty-ninth layer.

 

The issue became glaringly clear: these lower-tier parties lacked even the most basic understanding of how monsters prioritized their targets. The concept of “aggro” was entirely foreign to them. They hadn’t grasped that monsters chose their prey based on threat — either the strongest attackers or the most vulnerable targets. Worse still, the idea of “heal aggro,” the threat generated by healing and support skills, was also an abstract mystery.

 

Without a balanced understanding of party roles — Tank, Healer, and Attacker — they struggled to replicate the cohesion of Tsutomu’s team.

 

Nevertheless, the officer’s efforts began to bear fruit. Knights and Boxers started to incorporate skills like <<Combat Cry>> to manage aggro, while Healers gradually learned to synchronize their support with the Tanks. Slowly but surely, the informant educated these parties, teaching them the nuances of aggro management and party dynamics while continuing to monitor Tsutomu’s progress.

 

Yet the Attackers remained a stubborn challenge. They clung to their reckless habits, charging headlong into battle with little regard for strategy, driven by the singular goal of slaying monsters as swiftly as possible. Their impulsive approach disrupted the Tanks’ efforts to maintain control. Time and again, these parties abandoned the Tank role, reverting to disorganized skirmishes.

 

Amid these struggles, the day to watch finally arrived: Tsutomu’s party was ready to face the Fire Dragon.

 

　――▽▽――

 

At eight in the morning, the trio gathered in the Guild. Garm, clad in heavy armor outfitted with a compartment for Water Magic Stones to ward off the heat, seemed unusually tense. His canine ears twitched with every stray noise. Camille, by contrast, exuded her usual calm. Tsutomu, carrying a Magic Bag stuffed with spare equipment and Potions, broke the silence.

 

“Good morning.”

 

“Morning,” Camille replied, her voice bright as always.

 

“Ah… good morning,” Garm added gruffly.

 

Tsutomu noted Garm’s nervous ears but said nothing, leading the group to the unoccupied reception desk. The grim-faced man stationed there greeted them. After updating their Status Cards and officially forming their party, Tsutomu struck up a conversation.

 

“Oh, we’re tackling the Fire Dragon today. Catch us on the Pedestal if you feel like it.”

 

“Is that so? Don’t wet yourself out there,” the bald receptionist quipped with a smirk.

 

“You hear that, Garm? He’s talking about you,” Tsutomu teased, grinning.

 

“Hah! Well, you’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Just don’t go in wearing gear that’s too expensive — you’ll regret it.”

 

After a polite nod of thanks, Tsutomu led his party toward the Magic Circles. As they walked, he glanced at Garm, who still seemed stiff.

 

“You’re awfully on edge. Relax, will you? It’s not like we have to clear it in one try,” Tsutomu said.

 

“You’re right,” Garm muttered, though his tight jaw betrayed him.

 

With a sigh, Tsutomu patted him on the back. “Come on, pull yourself together. Look at Camille — she looks like she’s heading out for a picnic.”

 

Camille chuckled, adjusting the straps of her greatsword. “I was so excited, I barely slept last night.”

 

“Don’t tell me you’re too tired to fight,” Tsutomu said, raising an eyebrow.

 

“Not a chance,” she replied with a confident smile.

 

Satisfied for the moment — though not without concern as the party’s fate rested on the Tank’s stability — Tsutomu stepped onto the Magic Circle and spoke the transfer command,

 

“Teleport to the fifty-ninth Layer.”

 

The air shimmered as their bodies dissolved into particles, reassembling moments later on the fifty-ninth Layer.

 

They landed on sloping red soil, shimmering under the harsh sunlight. The rocky landscape stretched before them. Tsutomu cast <<Fly>> on the party, allowing Camille to scout ahead while he busied himself with preparations.

 

As Camille vanished into the distance, Tsutomu sorted Potions into smaller vials, placing some beside Garm, who sat stretching his legs on the ground.

 

“If we stick to our usual routine, we’ve got this. No need to worry,” Tsutomu reassured him.

 

“You’ve said that plenty already,” Garm muttered, turning away sulkily. He finished his stretches and strapped the Potion to his belt.

 

Tsutomu sighed. The previous day’s strategy meeting had been a battle of wills, his logic clashing with Garm’s relentless pessimism.

 

“It’s just a slightly oversized Wyvern. Easy peasy,” Tsutomu insisted.

 

“Hmph. That’s quite a stretch. You’re the abnormal one here, Tsutomu. Honestly, if someone called you the Madman, no one would argue.”

 

“Well, if I’m the Madman, then you’re the Mad Dog,” Tsutomu shot back.

 

“I’ve mellowed,” Garm replied, puffing his chest. “These days, I’m more of a loyal guard dog — a Madman’s guard dog.”

 

“Oh, really?” Tsutomu had arched an eyebrow. “Just don’t wet yourself when you see the Fire Dragon. ‘Excitement pee’ doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.”

 

“I don’t even know what that means,” Garm grumbled, “but I can’t guarantee I won’t lose control. They say first-timers facing the Fire Dragon often do.”

 

“Seriously? Poor souls. I bet they’re stuck with a nickname like ‘Pants Wetter’ for ages.”

 

Garm had snorted a laugh despite himself, tension easing slightly.

 

Now, as they waited for Camille to return from her scouting mission, a flicker of worry began to creep in. She was taking longer than usual. Just as Tsutomu was about to investigate, Camille reappeared, her expression triumphant.

 

“I found the Black Gate,” she announced, grinning as Tsutomu passed her some Potions. “It’s just straight north, past a turn.”

 

“That’s great. The more time we save, the better. Let’s get in a few warm-up fights on the way to the gate.”

 

“Got it.”

 

Like a child rushing to a long-awaited trip to the toy store, Camille quickly fastened the Potion vials to her waist and took her position. The trio advanced through the air, practicing their maneuvers as they approached the Black Gate. Tsutomu ran them through drills: bracing against the Fire Dragon’s breath attack, timing the use of Flash Bottles, and fine-tuning their positioning. Along the way, they efficiently dispatched some Orcs and Wyverns.

 

Garm, who had started out stiff and wary, began to ease into his usual rhythm, his movements gaining fluidity with each skirmish. Camille, on the other hand, struck with such ferocity that Tsutomu found himself frowning.

 

“BREATHE IN!! …And out,” he called out jokingly.

 

“……”

 

Camille’s grumpy silence made him falter. “Sorry about that,” he added quickly.

 

Then, to his surprise, she burst into hearty laughter, her adrenaline-fueled cheer contagious despite his earlier worry.

 

[Well, Garm’s steady now,] Tsutomu thought, observing his companions closely. [Camille’s too hyped, though. If she overcommits, I’ll have to use <<Medic>> to cancel her <<Dragon Form>> immediately.]

 

Tsutomu cast another <<Protect>> on Garm to bolster him and placed a <<Haste>> pick-up deliberately in Camille’s path. She stepped into the shimmering aura with practiced ease, her earlier missteps now nearly nonexistent.

 

The group pushed on, cutting through a herd of Kungfu-garoos with precision and teamwork. When the Black Gate loomed ahead, Camille scouted the immediate area for threats. Finding none, the team decided to rest, allowing Tsutomu’s mental energy to recover before they proceeded.

 

While the others settled in, Tsutomu unwrapped a sandwich, taking a quick bite before addressing his party.

 

“Let’s go over the plan one last time.” He glanced at Garm and Camille, ensuring their attention before continuing. “At the start, I’ll apply <<Protect>>, <<Haste>>, and <<Fly>>. By the time the buffs are in place, the Fire Dragon should be approaching from the cliff peak, likely with a fire breath attack. If that happens, I’ll throw a Flash Bottle. We’ll endure the breath using the Red-thread Fire Coat. Once the Dragon is blinded, Camille, you’ll smash the crystal on its forehead with the hammer. If we bring it down, we’ll follow our usual routine to chip away at it.”

 

Camille nodded but raised a point of clarification. “You said yesterday there’s only one Flash Bottle being thrown, correct?”

 

“Exactly. So if anyone calls for a second ‘Throwing Flash!’ — ignore it. That won’t happen,” Tsutomu replied, double-checking the Flash Bottle’s placement in his Magic Bag for quick access. “If, by some chance, the Flash Bottle fails, we’ll shift focus to breaking the wings. Camille, you’ll handle the majority of the damage in that scenario. And if the Dragon doesn’t open with its breath attack, we wait for the next opportunity.”

 

“You sound confident,” Camille observed.

 

“All I’m doing is throwing it right in front of me. It’s nerve-wracking, sure, but the odds of failure are slim,” Tsutomu said, his tone casual despite the weight of responsibility. He recalled all too well the many times he’d seen others on the Monitors fumble — dropping the bottle, mistiming the throw, or even triggering it too soon. Those mistakes had been burned into his memory, motivating him to perfect his own technique. He continued, “Garm, your top priority is survival. If you take a heavy hit, use a Potion immediately. Worst case, I’ll cast <<Raise>> — but if I have to, odds are I’ll die right after.”

 

“Understood,” Garm replied as he checked the Potions secured at his waist.

 

“Camille, you’ll primarily stay in <<Dragon Form>>. If I need you to stop attacking, I’ll use <<Medic>> to pull you out of it. The moment you feel it take effect, stop immediately.”

 

“Got it. Leave it to me,” Camille said, her hands gripping and releasing the hilt of her greatsword, her eagerness barely contained.

 

Her unchecked enthusiasm stirred a flicker of unease in Tsutomu, compelling him to reiterate, “There’s no need to rush this. Focus on precision — take your time and don’t get ahead of yourself.”

 

“I know.”

 

“…All right, I trust you, Camille. While I recharge, make sure to stay hydrated and eat something light. Here, bananas should do.”

 

He passed a canteen and a couple of bananas to each of them. After ensuring his teammates had what they needed, he turned to his own preparations.

 

From his Magic Bag, Tsutomu pulled out the Red-thread Fire Coat and slipped it on. Once dressed, he began methodically reorganizing his bag, positioning crucial items — Flash Bottle, the hammer, Green Potions, Blue Potions — where he could retrieve them instantly. Though the Magic Bag’s advanced enchantment allowed him to summon objects with just a thought, Tsutomu practiced pulling them out repeatedly, knowing the value of muscle memory in moments of crisis.

 

By the time his mental energy was fully restored, his companions had also donned their Red-thread Fire Coats. Garm’s expression was a mask of stoic determination, while Camille’s face practically glowed with anticipation, her excitement barely restrained.

 

“Let’s do this,” Tsutomu said.

 

With a measured breath, he stepped forward and placed his hand on the Black Gate, quietly opening it to reveal the sixtieth layer beyond.

 

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