It was past the afternoon of the next day after the four-man PT had completed the fifty-nine levels. When Tsutomu went to the front of the monitor at a later time than the usual assembly time, Amy and Garum had already assembled.

　Garum was wearing his usual silver armor, carrying the large shield that he had become accustomed to using since he was new, and he was wearing his usual silver armor. Amy is in half armor and a twin-sword scabbard at her waist. The twin swords are karma made from monster materials and have been her favorite for three years now.


''Hello. Looks like you're ready to go.
Hmm.
Mochi!


　Garum nodded and Amy raised one fist to the ground. Tsutomu nodded with satisfaction to Amy, who had plenty of energy, and the three of us headed to the reception desk.

　The three of them formed a PT with the receptionist to update their status. Tsutomu's current level is forty-five thanks to a day and a half of efficient leveling, and his DEX (Dexterity) and MND (Mental Strength) have gone up a notch, making his recovery and support skills even easier to manage.

　Garum is sixty-five. Amy also crossed the sixty barrier and rose to sixty-two, and her AGI (agility) and STR (attack power) increased by one level. Amy can move with no problem since she is used to the changes in senses due to AGI and STR in yesterday's practice that also served as fire dragon countermeasures.


'Hm.'


　As the three of them headed to the magic circle, Amy held out her hand abruptly to Tsutomu. Tsutomu didn't know what she was doing for a moment, but he quickly figured it out and took her hand with a smile.


'It kind of reminds me of the first time.
Tutum, you were so scared at first!
I've never seen a man become a particle before in person.


　Tsutomu beckoned to Garum on his left and he too shook Tsutomu's hand.


'But now it's the other way around. 'Huh?　Are we done holding hands?
No teasing.
Aaaaah!


　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.


I thought I was going to bleed out. Then transfer to the fifty-nineth level.


　The bodies of the three men are enveloped in particles of light and disappear from the scene. Tsutomu's vision darkens, and soon the reddish-brown earth jumps into view. Tsutomu and the three landed on the ground.


The first thing you need to do is to find the Black Gate in an hour. Fly.
I'm off.


　Amy, who had been put on the fly, disappeared into the distance as she swooped up into the air. Tsutomu also began to manage his potions as usual and Garum was ready to go. Tsutomu smiled bitterly at his palm, which had been left with claw marks as he did so.

　He hadn't used almost any green potions in the recent PT, so the only thing he had to replace was the blue potions. Tsutomu looks at the large bottle of blue potion and fills the thin bottle with blue potion, thinking that this is about halfway through.

　When Amy comes back and gives them some information about the terrain, Tsutomu suggests that they go to a high place where they can find the Black Gate first. After receiving the potion, the two of them immediately agreed and began their search on the 59th level.

　Since the strategy for the fire dragon attack has already been communicated to Amy, Tsutomu sends out a signal of time and even flashes and breaths. While confirming that Amy is able to move reflexively upon hearing the word breath, Tsutomu practices sparingly with the flashlight bottle.

　And while they were in the middle of touring two high points and heading to the third while practicing for the last time, the ears on top of Garum and Amy's heads twitched as if they were detecting an anomaly.

　When Amy looked down from the cliff, she saw five pea-sized figures and four wyvern shadows, each as small as a pea grain. It was an army PT of a clan called the Golden Examining, led by the Golden Wolfers.


''Gee, they're coming here from below.
''Well it's going to be a race. Let's get going.


　Tsutomu and the others have been to two high places so far, and the time is almost past an hour. It was troublesome to have another PT take the black gate here, so Tsutomu quickly headed up.


''Tsutomu. One person is coming ahead of you. Maybe he'll come to secure it. Can I leave too?
'Well..... Then I'll leave it to you.
'Hey!　I'll go get it!　Oh, can I have Haste?
Oh, excuse me. Hast.


　The black gate would be opened by one of the PT members, and ownership of that black gate would be transferred to that PT. Tsutomu had never done anything called a race to the Black Gate before, so he left it up to Amy's discretion.

　Amy licked her dry lips after Tsutomu hazed her, and then accelerated all at once, the speed at which Amy, who had the highest AGI, could seriously run through the air was tremendously fast.

　However, the Golden Wolf Man, the clan leader of the Golden Research, has the same AGI status as Amy. Furthermore, his unique skill increases his AGI by two levels.

　The blond man who crossed Tsutomu and Garum in an instant. Tsutomu lost his stance a little as the wind pressure hit him to the point that his body was turned upside down, and he quickly regained his position. Looking at the man who passed by like a golden falcon, Amy thought inwardly that he was going to catch up to her, but the two of them went up the cliff at their own pace.

　After five minutes or so, Tsutomu and Garum reached the top of the cliff and after running for a while, they saw a black gate that looked as if it had been forced into the natural landscape with editing software. Near it was Amy, who was lying on the ground, breathing hard. And a man with golden hair cropped was sitting on the rocky ground. The man looked at Tsutomu and Garum and lightly raised his hand.


'Yo, it's a total loss. Amy, when did you get that fast,
..........


　After bailing out to him, Tsutomu ran over to Amy, who was lying on the ground. Tsutomu thought that Amy must have been running as fast as she could after climbing the cliff as fast as she could in such a short period of time, given that she was so breathless.


It's a good thing I'm not the only one. I got it, I got it.


　Amy looked up with a breathless look on her face and told Tsutomu so, and then she looked down disappointedly as if she was burnt out. After putting on a medic, Tsutomu sat up and rushed to the man to see if the golden investigation PT had caught up with him.

　The other female PT members looked at Tsutomu and his friends resentfully as the man laughed and put his hand on his head to tell them that he had been robbed of his black gate. Tsutomu wakes up Amy, who is beginning to catch her breath, feeling scary as ever.

　The clan leader of the gold-colored checkup told Tsutomu and the others to keep up the good work from afar, and then he began to descend the cliff, as if he had given up on the day. Tsutomu exhales in relief that nothing has happened.

　Then, after Amy regained her breath and Tsutomu fully recovered his mental strength, after reaffirming the plan, the three of them put on red clothes and entered the black gate leading to the 60th level.


　--▽▽▽--


　A bowl-shaped landscape with a depressed center. Dust danced in a whirling manner from its center. Tsutomu applies his support skills to Garum, who is waving his white cane and staring at the large cliff in the distance, and Amy, who is chomping at one ear nervously.


'Fly, Protect, Haste.'


　The wind enveloped the three of them and two chi wrapped Galum and Amy's bodies. And from the cliff that Garum was staring at, a fire dragon shook its long body and rose to the sky. The roar of the fire dragon. A roar that seems to resonate directly with the creature's survival instincts.

　Tsutomu, who received it, covered one ear, saying that it was still too loud, and Garum quickly regained his footing, although he was a little scared. If he had a track record of defeating fire dragons once, he wouldn't have to brace himself in fear anymore.

　But Amy was different. It wasn't through the monitor. Standing on this ground with her own feet, Amy heard the roar of the fire dragon that directly rode the killing intent. She had her cat ears completely back down and her body was shaking with a squirming motion.


''It's okay.''


　Amy's shoulders bounced in excessive response to Tsutomu's words. Amy looked up at Tsutomu next to her and he had the same smile on his face as usual.


'These three will do just fine. 'Amy,'
...yes!


　At Amy's strong reply, Tsutomu clapped her on the shoulder for good. Garum sniffed after that Amy.


'Hmmm, don't drag your feet at best.
You're the one that's gonna die the quickest!　I won't be able to attack you!
"I will not die. I'm more concerned about whether your attacks alone can defeat the fire dragon.
What?
'Yes, yes, you two. Breath is coming. Wear your fire armor. I'll throw a flashlight bottle at you.


　Tsutomu admonished them as they began to argue in their usual tone, and took out a flashlight bottle from his magic bag while pointing at the fire dragon that was on its way. The two of them hurriedly put on the hood of their fire armor and began to put away their tails. Tsutomu looked at the fire dragon that was coming towards him with fire in his mouth.


(.........a little small? Lucky you.)


　Unlike games, monsters have individual differences. Some of the same monsters are different in size and muscle tone. Tsutomu shouts after being relieved by the fire dragon, which is smaller in length than last time.


Flashes are coming!


　Tsutomu threw the flashlight bottle in front of the fire dragon that was coming towards him after waving the flashlight bottle. He then put on his fire armor and ducked down.

　As soon as you see it, it begins to emit light, and along with the exploding flashlight bottle, the fire dragon's breath attacks the three of them. However, the bracelets are almost nullified by the red thread fire armor. And the fire dragon's vision turned white.

　After the breath ends, Tsutomu takes off the hood of the fire bundle and floats up on the fly with a hammer. When Tsutomu made eye contact with Garum, he nodded and left the scene.


'Warrior Howl.'


　As Garum struck his great shield and armor at a slight distance, his vision went blank and the fire dragon stagnating on the spot turned toward Garum. Tsutomu closed in on its fixed face with his fly.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well. The crystal was cracked from the center. The fire dragon let out an enraged cry.

　The fire dragon spread its wings to the side and advanced from the sky in the direction of the sounding Warrior Howl that Garum was releasing. Tsutomu landed on the ground with ease and called out to Amy, who was watching their actions closely.


''Well then, I'll take care of it. The first one is centered on the tail. The rest--
I know. As usual.
Okay. Hate, I'll let you know if I see you in danger. Hast.


　After drawing her twin swords from their sheaths, Amy forced a little forced smile at Tsutomu and then went to the fire dragon. The closer you get to it, the more Amy is overwhelmed by the size and intimidation of the fire dragon. A fire dragon. Doubt that only three people could win against such a thing.

　Amy's footsteps were a little slower than usual, and she thrust her blade into the scales of the tail without using her skills first.

　The fire dragon's scales are firm and hard but flexible at the same time. Amy's attack was blocked by the scales and she quickly pulled back. You can't damage a fire dragon unless you first cut off its strong scales.

　But even if you hit it with one or two more blows, the fire dragon won't look back at Amy. The fire dragon, whose eyesight has not yet recovered, has set its sights on Garum, who is deliberately making a sound.

　And as soon as Amy slackens her movement, thinking it's about time for her senses, Tsutomu's Haste flies in. Her AGI, which has been increased by one level by the heist, continues.


(Really, it's the same as always.)


　Amy suddenly thinks about that, but swings her twin swords at the scales on her tail with her usual movements. She waved both arms while paying attention to the movement of the fire dragon and the effect time of the haste. The fire dragon's red scales are gradually being chipped away.


''Amy!　Attack elsewhere and cut me loose!


　Instructions flew to Amy from Tsutomu, who was flying protection and heels to Garum from the sky. Amy went from the tail part, where the scales were getting soft, to peeling the scales off her legs next. The damage doesn't go through much until the scales come off, so she doesn't gain much hate while she's peeling the scales.

　That continuous and steady attack is a trick that Camille can't do. Camille's big sword strike is certainly a powerful one, and depending on how it's used, she can definitely be a top attacker. However, in a three-man PT, Camille's attack power is a bit too great.

　In comparison, Amy's attack power is low due to her large number of moves, which makes her easier to manage hate. Therefore, unlike Camille, who is a one-shot detachment, she can continue to attack the fire dragons continuously. That was just right for peeling the fire dragon's scales.


''Barrier.''


　Thirty minutes passed and Tsutomu put up a barrier to stop the fire dragon's movement for a bit, and during those ten seconds or so, he made Garum perform medic and hydration. By the time he repeated it twice, the fire dragon's undercarriage and tail scales were peeling off.


''Amy. Tail please. Take the time to slash it.''
I'm sorry.


　Tapping the ground lightly with the toe of her leather shoes, Amy listens to Tsutomu's instructions and heads for the fire dragon. Amy's twin swords are twisted into the gap in the empty scales. To the fire dragon, it was a scratch as if it had been bitten by an insect. However, the scratches keep piling up, and eventually they will become cuts.

　The moment the fire dragon leans its head back to Amy, who has a cut on her tail while moving around at its feet.


''Combat Cry.''


　Garum's red fighting spirit enveloped the fire dragon. The fire dragon shrank its long neck and tried to bite Garum, as if this unpleasant little animal was first before the insects crawling on the ground.

　However, Garum had seen that preliminary motion for nearly eight hours and had seen through the bite. There was no way that Garm, who still had a lot of power left over, would eat that bite, and furthermore, he hit the fire dragon in the face with his large shield to counter. The hate-earning skills and normal attacks are also applied to the face of the weakest point, and the fire dragon endlessly goes after Garum.

　A swinging blow with his tail. Garum defends it with his large shield, but is blown away. Garum slows down as he scrapes the ground. However, Garum does not fall even though he is blown away. He immediately runs towards the fire dragon.

　Tsutomu flies his Protection, which has less and less time to work, and heals his body with his heel after a while. When he looks at Amy, who says that it's about time for the effect time of the Haste to be less than ten seconds, she moves away from the fire dragon a bit and slows down her speed of movement.

　That concern was very much appreciated by Tsutomu. When Tsutomu was running Camille in her attacker, he had a safety margin to make sure her haste didn't run out in case it did. The skills she put on it were still unfamiliar to her, so even if she put the same mental power into it as her flying skills, the effect time was low.

　However, Amy could use the flying skill she was used to, and she didn't need to take a safety margin for the effect time either. This has the effect of reducing Tsutomu's mental power consumption and hate on monsters. Therefore, Tsutomu has more time to spare in terms of mental power and hate than before.


'Airblaze.'


　Therefore, Tsutomu could join the attack. The wind blade that Tsutomu sent flying strikes the fire dragon's hind legs and scratches its scales. The fire dragon is glued to Garum and does not turn around.

　He puts up a barrier and has Garum's battered great shield replaced and sends Garum out again. By this time, the scales on the back half of the fire dragon's body have been scraped away a lot, and the scales near the tail are peeling off, exposing the surface. Amy made small scratches and scraped the other scales to adjust the hate. A few drops of fire dragon blood flowing from the tail fall to the ground.

　As she repeats the process, the amount of fire dragon blood flowing through it increases. The fire dragon blood flows from the tail, hind legs and back. The fire dragon was in a bleeding state, which was counted as a state abnormality, and the fire dragon was in a bleeding state.

　As Camille's attack was heavy enough for one blow, the fire dragon was able to stop the bleeding by burning the wound once the fire dragon fired a breath at itself. However, there were three places where the blood was flowing. Once the fire dragon tried to burn all of them, Amy jumped on his head while he was trying to burn them all, and he was wounded on his forehead.

　And where you burned it, Amy's attacks are always continuing. From the burned tip, she quickly wounded him again, making him bleed. Finally, the long tail was severed as well, and the fire dragon went insane two hours after the battle took place.

　A state of insanity that almost all hierarchical masters cause. Only at this time, the concept of hate faded away and the fire dragon began to attack indiscriminately at anyone it saw.

　When Tsutomu saw the fire dragon that had fallen into a state of madness, he quickly went up into the sky. The fire dragon saw this move and fired a breath at Tsutomu, but he wrapped himself in his red armor and nullified the breath. Garum and Amy, who are on the ground, attack the fire dragon while receiving support skills from Tsutomu in the sky.

　Even though they are in a state of madness, they don't completely ignore the concept of hate. It just gets thinner, so there is a risk of Tsutomu being hit, so he flees into the sky.

　Occasionally, a fire dragon would glide up the cliff to bite Tsutomu, but Tsutomu avoided it without difficulty. After an hour or so, the insanity would subside and the hate would become acceptable again. Garum unleashes a Combat Cry.

　Amy maintains the fire dragon's bleeding state with constant fine attacks. Garum holds the fire dragon's gaze and stands up no matter how many times he is attacked. Tsutomu sends instructions to the two of them while skipping the recovery and support skills.

　Tsutomu watches the battle below while drinking a blue potion. The battle situation is spinning smoothly. Tsutomu tucks the empty bottle into his waistband and raises the corners of his mouth.


(This is our perfection.)


　Garum, Amy and himself. Tsutomu was convinced that this was the most efficient battle that this three-man PT could perform. Watching the battle situation from the air as it spun smoothly, he was able to perform recovery and support skills. Tsutomu continued to do his best, even though he remembered that he had become adept at the game and was enjoying it.

　Four hours after the battle began. Amy attached herself to the face of the wobbling fire dragon and thrust her twin swords into its golden eyes. The fire dragon flailed about with its face in disarray. Twenty minutes later, the fire dragon's other vision also went completely dark. After that, there was nothing to be done.

　And five and a half hours after the battle. The fire dragon quietly lowered its long body to the ground. The ground was dyed red-black by the fire dragon's blood. Particles of light began to leak out of that ground.

　Amy was caught off guard by the particles and held her twin swords at the ready, but as the particles grew larger and began to envelop the fire dragon's face, she paid off the blood from her twin swords and sheathed them. Garum also exhaled heavily to get rid of the fatigue and approached Tsutomu with his large shield on his back. Wordlessly, Garum raised his hand.

　Tsutomu gave Garum a one-handed high-five and then he ran up to Amy as well, smiling and raising one hand. Amy stared at Tsutomu's raised hand.

　Amy watched as Tsutomu happily high-fived Garum and Camille in front of the monitor. If only I were there too, she thought, biting her lip in the guild quarters.

　That hand was now held up in front of her. That made Amy inexplicably happy.


'Yay!'
Hey!


　Amy high-fived Tsutomu's proffered one hand as hard as she could. Tsutomu winced at how strong she was. Tsutomu waved his hand, which was twitching as if he had been beaten by a huge man, as if it was painful.


'Look, look, Garum and Amy, high five too,'


　Tsutomu said, and Garm looked like he'd bitten down on a bitter worm, then raised one hand in a reluctant manner. Amy was terribly surprised to see Garum raise one hand.


What are you?　Are you out of your mind?
''........Hmm. It's only because of Tsutomu and I's attack that we were able to defeat them so quickly. It wasn't just because of you.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.


　Amy says this in an uninspired voice and high fives Garum. Garum continues to speak with a mysterious look on his face.


''But the fact that we were able to defeat the fire dragon so quickly is still partly due to the fact that you played an active role.
...What's wrong with me? Did you hit your head?
..........


　Amy, who hid behind Tsutomu's shadow by distancing herself from Garum as if she was a donkey, Garum closed her eyes and fell silent, and Tsutomu smiled bitterly.

　Afterwards, the three of them collected the red great magic stone and returned to the guild hand in hand.