'The 91st level, to put it simply, will have enhanced versions of the monsters from the Grassland level. So don't let your guard down even if you're dealing with goblins. Also, the slime is ridiculously enhanced and vicious, so don't lose your anti-acid equipment for Garum and Xeno.


　As Tsutomu explains the characteristics of the old castle hierarchy on the way to the guild and the ninety-one levels that we will be diving into today, including confirmation, Garum nods while looking at the anti-acid equipment that was carefully sewn by the leatherworker.


''Ah, I've heard that from Doren-san as well. Besides, even this equipment won't prevent it for too long, right?''
Yes, that's why I've prepared a few spare pieces of clothing. I've been able to mass-produce to a certain extent since the new workshop, so I'll keep changing them when they're no longer viable.
'I can't bear to replace something that's taken so much effort, but I suppose I have no choice.
I'll be grateful to use it!


　Garum and Xeno, the tanks whose equipment is important to them, have seen with their own eyes several times the production process of that equipment, which has been improved before. This time, the anti-acid equipment is mainly made from the skin of the acidic spit-carrying Corut Lizard, but it is difficult to process because it is made from the toughest head skin in the world. Furthermore, the process of sewing it to fit the armor took a whole day, and the minute Garum and Xeno watched the scene of that work, they looked at the leather equipment made from foot to head with great emotion.


'What, the slime nucleus works too, right?　Dini was complaining about how hard it was to aim.
''That's right. And this PT doesn't have too many strong magicians, so it's going to be a struggle. We don't even know how far Amira's Dragonization Breath can remove it.
I can get out more than the old lady. Huh....
'You'll only smell the remnants of a different bracelet from you now. Stay away.
Huh?
Then my bracelets are beautiful!
No, it's just that Amy is a tough one.
What?
Just kidding.


　She taps her shoulder as Tsutomu returns to Amy, who has raised her white tail in surprise, and she taps him on the shoulder. Amira puts her hand over her own mouth and exhales, coughing as if her bad breath was unexpectedly bad. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.


'When you're so close to the grassland hierarchy, it's going to feel kind of nostalgic. Do you have any memories, Garum-kun?''
I didn't even have time to look around at the time. But I still remember that it was fun. I suppose it was partly because we were all level 1 at the beginning.
'Well, that's something to envy. I came to the Labyrinth City a little while after the God's Dungeon was created, you know. ........If another divine dungeon appears, will my level be reset as well?　Then, as far as I'm concerned, I'd love to be able to do it.
'I'm not so sure about that. It would be different if you could do it in a new job...


　The PT led by Tsutomu entered the guild while making small talk in such a manner. The reception area inside the guild, which is as densely populated as ever, is crowded, and those who appraise the materials and magical stones brought in from the divine dungeon are working tirelessly.

　Perhaps it's because new explorers keep coming in, but even the skinheaded receptionist, who is not popular due to his scary appearance, is lined up for a long time. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

　In the midst of all this, Korina and the others who had arrived at the guild earlier were already standing in front of the magic circle being transferred to the divine dungeon. Tsutomu made eye contact with the distant Korina for a bit, then waved a hand to say goodbye. Then Hannah next to her moved her blue wings in a buzzing motion, and the gnome next to her also held up her hands as if to show her energy.

　When diving to the same level, it's not a bad move to dive at the right time and explore the dungeon with ten people. Clan members can easily unify their consciousness so that they can fight monsters efficiently, and even in other PTs, if their interests coincide with each other, temporary cooperation is a common sight in Kamidae. Recently, Aldrete Crow was efficiently gathering materials for the 91st level with it.

　But since you can't dive together in the hierarchy with the hierarchical master, if you become accustomed to searching with ten people, you'll have some adverse effects. Besides, the black gate leading to the next level will be moved to a random location when one PT uses it, so in terms of efficiency in updating the hierarchy, it's better for five PTs to dive separately.


''That's the Infinite Circle...?''
'The PT isn't that different, is it?'
Oh, it's Amy.
I thought those two were guild officials originally.
You shouldn't stare at me like that. You're kind of a competitor.


　When I lined up at the reception desk after seeing off the PTs who had been transferred to the 91st level earlier, the searchers around me were talking about Tsutomu and the other PTs in a whispered voice. The mid-level explorers who have reached the 70th level and beyond don't react particularly well, but those who haven't yet gotten out of their minds when they were still looking at the divine table often look at those who can be reflected in the single-digit range as if they were celebrities.


'Daryl-kun, he's gone........'
Ah, yes, Mr. Galm. Oh, you're still the same.
Daryl-kun is pretty big when you see him in person. If you're with Garum-san, you look small.


　The guild is basically only open to explorers or those involved in it, but there are those who are fans of someone else. In the Infinite Circle, Amy is the first from the men, and the others are fans to some extent. From the women, Daryl and Garum are the two strongest.


''Xeno is also ... well, he's cool if you look closely.
I'm a married man.
Yeah, that's the Garm.
Me too.
Oh handsome.
...hmm?


　The hot gaze and sneaky voice pouring over Garum. But mixed in with that was a vaguely familiar voice from the side, so Tsutomu turned around and saw her standing in front of him at an unusually close distance.


''Whoa!''
Well, that would hurt your feelings if you were that surprised.
Well no, anyone would be surprised if they were that close.


　Stephanie, who was playing with her fingertips on the peach-colored vertical rolls with her grandfather, looked up at Tsutomu with a slightly sultry expression. The morbid dark circles under her eyes had disappeared, and the look in her eyes that had been cancerous was now rounding out. Behind Stephanie was a clan member of Aldoret Crow who had recently broken through the ninety levels with her as a healer.


''Is Tsutomu-sama also going to dive to the ninety-one level with another PT today?''
Yeah, but so is Stephanie?
'Yes!　If we end up on the same level as you, I'll give you the black gate!　This time it's all about collecting materials and leveling up!
Yes, thank you.
'By the way, Mr. Tsutomu, how is your dungeon exploration going?　Of course, I won't ask you about the ninety-sixth level, so I'd like to hear your miscellaneous impressions...


　Stephanie with glittering eyes seemed to want to listen to what Tsutomu had to say, without the ninety-six levels they were currently clogging up. Since Stephanie didn't seem as crazy as before, Tsutomu talked to her, while slightly worried about his back.


'Well, something like that, I guess.'
'So it is!　By the way, how are you doing with your equipment?　I believe you have recently changed your cane as well.
...uh, well...
'Oh, it was bad manners to ask about the equipment!　I'm sorry!　Come to think of it, that restaurant I used to go to, I heard they have a new menu. It looked like pancakes with cream on top...
No, you're pushing yourself.　I feel like I'm doing my best to talk about it.


　It was a conversation that Tsutomu wasn't too keen on having, but Stephanie had thought about what she was going to say beforehand and didn't stop talking while she was standing in line. But maybe that's why the pace of the conversation was too fast, and I could tell that Stephanie was somehow forcing her to have the conversation. So when I pointed that out to her, her pink eyes scanned as she busily moved the skills she had floating behind her.


'Don't worry about it, you don't have to worry about it that much. Look, the receptionist's office is open, so I've got to go sign a PT contract.
Yes, yes, ma'am. So long, Tsutomu-sama. If I see you in the dungeon, I'll look forward to seeing you!
Oh, yeah, just take it easy on him.


　Tsutomu, who had been conversing with each other while rubbing out some terms and conditions for each other in case they joined up, parted with Stephanie, who seemed to be on edge, and finished the PT contract at the reception desk. As he did so, he could feel Amy and Amira's blank stare from behind him, but he didn't care and headed towards the magic circle.


''That's the rumored Stephanie, isn't it? I'm sure you're aware of the order in which they were lined up when Tsutomu entered the guild, and the content of what they were talking about was somehow suspicious.
'Oooh, you're a great disciple. It's also doubtful that he's only an apprentice as an explorer. This guy, I wonder if he's taking advantage of his master's position to do some questionable things?
Don't pry. I'll be there as soon as possible. I have a feeling I'm going to meet up with Stephanie and the others, so I'd like to make the initial PT meeting early.


　Most of the bad premonitions are true, so I want to make sure that we can at least coordinate with each other before we decide to explore with ten people. In particular, I want to meet with Amira and Xeno a few times, so Tsutomu pushed the two people who were whispering to each other and sent them towards the magic circle.


It's a good idea to be careful," he said, "just because you look like a goblin doesn't mean you can't be like before. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. I'll kill you in the worst case.
Yes, sir.
Keh.
All right, let's go. Let's move to the 91st level.


　Tsutomu called out to the two men who seemed unconvinced, and as soon as the four of them entered the magic circle, they moved to the 91st level.