Well, that's just the way it is.
..........


　After returning to the Clan House, Tsutomu gathered the Clan members together again and honestly confessed that he had explained what had happened at the Hundredth Level so that even people in this world would be able to understand it, and that after the brain of the Baked Old Dragon had started to regenerate, only one of them had actually escaped, preparing to escape for fear of death.

　Amy and Garum didn't seem that surprised, as they had some idea of what to expect from watching the first unit. Xeno and Hanna listened to the story with a surprising look on their faces, while Corrina looked at Amira with fearful eyes.


''It's ridiculous.''


　However, contrary to Korina's expectations, Amira only mumbled without becoming enraged. In the face of her unusually weak demeanor, Tsutomu, who had been bracing himself for her to pounce on him, froze with a curious expression on his face.


'I wanted to believe you, but you betrayed me, and when you think you've betrayed me too, now you're going to tell me you ran away. You are lying just to make me feel better, aren't you?　You.
'They're all true. And if you're going to lie, you're making better progress.
"...You can defeat the blazing old dragon by yourself, can't you?　You should have done it that way in the beginning. What do you care about us?


　Garum and Amy's beast ears twitched in response to Amira's words. Only Daryl had a quizzical look on his face as he didn't understand what she meant, but after a little while, he understood what she meant and quietly turned his gaze towards Tsutomu.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. That's why Amira thought that even if Tsutomu alone could break through the blazing old dragon, and that was something that Amy and Garum were also a little concerned about.


''Uh........''


　But despite the seriousness of the four men's faces, Tsutomu only made a troubled sound. Then, as if to regain his composure, he crossed his arms and leaned back on the sofa, leaning his head back and spinning his words.


''It's just a bluff to make it seem like you could defeat the blazing old dragon at the hundredth level as it is. It's not that it wasn't a possibility, but there's not even a 1% chance. Even if it continues like that, there's no way I can defeat a slaughtered old dragon that's regenerating its liver because my attack power isn't strong enough to begin with. That's why I had no choice but to bluff my way to God.
I'm sure you could find a way to beat him, couldn't you?
'You saw when I hit the airblade on the burning old dragon, right?　I think it was about as good as an ant [ari] biting an elephant.
It's possible for a single poisonous insect to kill an elephant.
No, I'm not that poisonous. No insect can physically kill an elephant.


　Tsutomu, who returned the words in a light tone to Diniel, who complained to him on the way, looked at Amira and Amy and Garum, who were sitting close to him with a sinking look, unlike usual.


You can't deny that people say I'm stinky and untrustworthy based on my usual behavior, and in fact, there are times when I lie about various things. I've lied about going to see the God's table on my day off and so on, and I've had some strange methods at the hundredth level. But at least I haven't lied about the searchers.
I don't know.
''Amira was originally an excellent attacker when she had dragonization, but after she became a great swordsman, she was able to use her skills properly even during dragonization, and she also made an effort to adapt her dragonization knot to the PT members. Especially after being removed from the ninety level first-tier selection, the growth has been tremendous. He has the ability and growth potential to be one or two of the best attackers at the moment, so I have high expectations for him in the future.
... haha.


　Amira snickered in dismay at such an opinion of Tsutomu as a clan leader.


''I don't need flattery. You ran away without me after all. I'm sure you're not expecting that, right? ...If it had been Amy who was left at that time, if it had been Diniel, you wouldn't have run away.
'No, I just ran away because I didn't want to die, so I don't think it would have mattered who was left alive. It wouldn't have mattered if it was Amy or Garum. Even if it was Diniel or Leleia, it wouldn't have made a difference.
What?


　Amy couldn't help but blurt out at Tsutomu's mannerisms, but she quickly held her mouth and shut up.


''It's ... a lie.''
I'm not lying. I mean, isn't it usually the other way around when you're trying to explain yourself?　I really just ran away because I didn't want to die," he said. I don't care what Amira's abilities are.
You're kidding me!　Don't worry about me!　That's because I was weak!　You've got unique skills and I'm still losing out as an attacker!　That's why you gave up and fought alone!
Well no, not really.
'Amira, I'm sorry, but what Tsutomu says is true. That kind of guy.


　Diniel shook his head in resignation as he looked at Tsutomu's awkward face as he put his hand on Amira's shoulder to calm her down as he said that. Following that, Lee Leia also canceled the spirit contract and then snarled at Tsutomu.


''I'm not as fine a man as you think I am. It's the kind of ugly character that moves the eyes of God to keep your abomination from being exposed, and it's so cowardly that it still frightens you to death, and it's so vile that it betrays God. But it's just that he has the ability to outweigh even those flaws.
It's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's generally true. Besides, it sounds like Amy and Garm could have guessed why I ran away.
..........


　With that, he turns his attention to Garum and Amy, and they try not to look at each other, looking a little awkwardly at each other. Then he turned to Amira, who was in tears from frustration, and walked over to the couch she was sitting on and crouched down in front of her.


'I'm really sorry for running away, like I said before. I'm sorry that I had to abandon you. But after being alone on a hundred levels and thinking about it, I've changed my perception of death. I'm no longer going to run away from death in fear of it... well, I can't say for sure, but I probably won't. My last action was just an attempt to show that. I'm not thinking about it because I can win by myself or anything. So I'd like to ask for Amira's help in the next hundred levels we're going to take on, too.
..........


　The most important thing to remember is that you have to be careful not to get caught in the middle. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of this opportunity to get the most out of it.


''........next.
What?
If you don't, I'll kill you.
Well, I'll make sure you don't get busted alive.
BAM!
What?


　Amira gave her one last headbutt and pulled away from Tsutomu, and finally smiled without getting stuck in her mind when she saw Tsutomu holding his forehead and writhing in pain. Then Amy quickly ran up to Tsutomu, who was heeling himself up and checking to see if he was bleeding from too much pain.


''Hey, I am I?''
What?
'My rating!　Like the one you were telling Amira earlier!
''........Well, Amy was sluggish as an attacker for a while, but she still followed my guidance without complaining. As a result, she became much more efficient than other swordsmen in turning skills around, and with her original fighting sense, she grew into an attacker of her own. In addition, I'm still earning huge amounts of money while working as an idol and contributing to the management of the clan. Thanks to that, I don't have to spend a lot of time earning money, so it really helps me a lot.



　Amy nodded jokingly at Tsutomu's words with a translucent face, but the white tail behind her was wagging heavenward with a peal. After finishing his heels, Tsutomu stood up and met eyes with a fidgety Garum.


'Ah, Garum explored the way of the tank on his own, didn't he? Since then, he's been diligently adopting the moves of Bittman and others, and he's been discussing avoidance tanks with Hannah, Lara, and Lili as well. I think I've had the best number of trials and errors, using other tanks' moves as examples and only incorporating what works for me. This experience has allowed me to be more flexible in all situations and I personally feel more comfortable with this tank since I've known it the longest.
But I was unable to protect Tsutomu as a result.
It couldn't be helped in that situation. It was a critical call.
''But Tsutomu didn't lose the battle after I died. So I'd like to be that kind of tank.


　In the end, making Tsutomu stand on the field of a hundred levels alone was a blunder that Garum, as a tank, could not bear to see. However, Tsutomu's appearance that he really didn't seem to care about it increased that feeling even more, and Garum declared that while exuding a bit of regret.


''..........''
"Tsutomu.


　While he is forced to wait in front of his food, his dog is wagging his tail, his eyes blazing and his tail wagging in anticipation of meeting his master's eyes and having his wait released. Tsutomu dares not to look at Daryl, who is a good fit for such an expression, when he is approached by Diniel, who is letting his hair down before he knows it.


'Earlier, Tsutomu said that he had abandoned everyone. That means I'm qualified to denounce you as well.
'It's hypothetical, so I don't qualify as such. I mean, I seriously have a headache. You didn't really mean it, did you?
f*ck you. If you're serious, you're busted in the head. You should be grateful I got you out of it.
"Okay, okay. Wipe your tears away.
Well I guess I'd better kill it here after all!
Garm, Amy, take care of the rest.
Tsk.


　Daryl, who mistakenly thought this was a grand shake and is still wagging his tail, and Leleia, who is clicking her tongue with a look as if she were a love interest. Tsutomu, who is trying to never make eye contact with such two people, while putting on additional high heels, left them to deal with Amira, who is about to pounce on him at any moment.