''Geez...!　Ughhhh...!　Over, heel.....


　As soon as Garum cut off the arrow feather that was stuck in Tsutomu's leg with his small sword and pulled it out to prevent the wound from spreading, he groaned and completely treated the wound with his recovery skill. It's true that sometimes it's better to get specialized treatment if you're injured outside, but if you use the over-heels that white mages can use once they reach the 60th level, even if it's a complex fracture, it will heal perfectly.

　Even so, the reason it's not used much in the healing field is because there are no white mage doctors who can level up to sixty in the first place, and even if they can use it, it consumes a lot of mental energy. The doctors who are always busy don't have time to level up, and those who are able to level up to that level generally choose the path of an explorer. That's why the medical professionals who use their skills make up for it with the skills they've gained by treating so many in the field.


Let's ... go.


　When Tsutomu, who had finished healing his leg in the alleyway, called out to them, Garum stood up silently and Amy slowly followed him with a sickly complexion.

　The three of them arrived at the guild with an air of being at a funeral and headed straight for the noisy reception area.


''Is it okay for the three of us to be PT this time?''
That's all I ask.
It's kind of nostalgic, isn't it? Why don't you go to the beach hierarchy and relax?
They're like resorts these days. I'll think about it sometime.


　While having such a conversation with the skin-headed man who has been doubling as a receptionist for the past two years, he completed his PT contract and stood in line with a line full of novice explorers, probably because it was night time. While Tsutomu was trying not to make eye contact with those who were pretending to be unsure whether to call out to him or not, he heard some familiar voice from behind him.


''Nice..........resort. They don't invite us to the Clan House much these days, and it's about time I saw everyone's faces in person instead of at the God's Table.
I'm not going in today.


　Wherever she was sniffing out the conversation from, Camille, who was wearing the guild's uniform, was following beside her with grudging eyes and complaining. While the explorers around her were giggling at the sudden appearance of the guild leader out in the open, she didn't mind that and spoke to Tsutomu.


''They're producing stylish swimsuits these days, and you can buy me one for my birthday, you know?　Then I'll put it on--
I'm not buying it.
'But, well, it's not every day that a Tsutomu comes to the guild at this hour, is it?　I thought you might have gone out of your way to pick me up at the end of the workday, but I don't think you did.
..........


　Apparently, from the unusual appearance of Garum and Amy behind her, Camille seemed to have guessed that something was going on. In front of her, Tsutomu proceeded down the line with a troubled look on his face.


''First of all, I'll tell you the details when I return. It's a good idea to have a good time with that for now. I'll buy you a new swimsuit.
''Well I feel like I'm being misrepresented. It would be most helpful if you could give me the details here and now.
Two bathing suits.
No, it's not about the numbers, okay?


　Such an exchange eased the atmosphere of the conversation slightly, but it didn't change the fact that Camille was suspicious of something. However, judging by Tsutomu's appearance, he didn't think it was something that was worth pursuing that deeply, so he didn't force himself to stop.

　In the meantime, it was Tsutomu and the others' turn to transition to the divine dungeon, so the three of them entered the magic circle.


''Transition to one level.
One level...?


　At the end of Camille's quizzical voice, Tsutomu transitioned to one level.


　ooh.


　The three of them transitioned to one level for the first time in a long time as a comforting breeze fluttered across the meadow. Then Tsutomu manipulated his God's Eye away and looked at Amy. Then she hurriedly took out a paper from the magic bag she was holding and began to appraise it.


'Hey, it looks like this one is the same as the last one.
Yeah. Then I'll save that for Diniel and the others to give back.
Yes.


　Amy was so obedient that it was no longer an exaggeration to say that she was a puppet, as if the thought of not wanting to be hated by Tsutomu was already filling her head. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been in this situation. Then, before he was about to hand it to Tsutomu, he asked one question.


'Does Tsutomu still want to return to the world he came from?'
Well yes.
.........


　Garum almost opened his mouth to say something in response, but he forced it away and handed the paper to Tsutomu. As soon as he held it in his hand, the black gates of return began to glow white, opening the way to return.


''Thank you both for helping me out. If it wasn't for the two of you, we wouldn't have made it this far so easily.''
No, don't bother with that!　.........Go quickly before I change my mind. Besides, just in case, there is a possibility that the guild leader will come to the first level from now on. So, go quickly........


　Garum's tail was upside down and he said this in an exasperated tone, while he held back so that his body wouldn't move. It's not going to change the fact that I don't want Tsutomu to return if possible, even now. But forcing him to stop him here was not something Garum could do, as he had no place to go back to in the first place.


'I'm going back to my original reality. If I don't, I won't be able to bear it. You can't mentally endure spending time in this world without returning to it even though you have the means to return. I don't want to stay in this world of uncertainty, running away from reality.
..........
But the reason I'm going back is to draw a line in the sand. When it's over, I really want to come back here. Honestly, I think it's selfish of me, but I want to do it. I don't want to be separated from everyone else forever, and I'm responsible for creating an infinite circle of people.


　Garum's eyes were full of hope at these words from Tsutomu, but he came back to reality and asked one question.


''But is there a way for Tsutomu to come back here again?''
'Well I don't know about that. But the best I could think of was this. .........well, I mean, this is a dreamy world for me, but what I've been doing here isn't a dream......


　Tsutomu managed to squeeze the words out of his mouth, but his voice dropped to a hushed whisper as the look on Garum's face became more serious.


'Surely that might be selfish, as Tsutomu says. It's also hard to hold on to hope down the road.
'Oh, that's right, too. Well, then--
...chuckle...


　When Tsutomu was about to correct his earlier statement that he only thought about himself and said something unnecessary, Garum suddenly let out a chuckle. I'm not sure if I'm going to be a good fit, but I'm going to be able to say that I'm not.


I'm sorry. ........I can't say that all the clan members are, but at least I'm going to wait for Tsutomu to come back again. Now that's a bit of an outburst.
..........
'Hmm, I don't think Tsutomu has the right to look at me like that. I wish you would put yourself in our shoes as well, as we're suddenly being told goodbye. And I'll have to explain to the others about Tsutomu's departure now.　It's a real pain in the ass. I don't care how much I owe Tsutomu.
I know, I know. I'm sorry to put you through so much, but I'm going to have to leave the infinite circle to you for a while. See the note in my room for details.
Yeah, just until Tsutomu gets home.


　With that, Tsutomu exchanged a strong handshake with Garum, who held out his hand.


''For a few years or so, Tsutomu will manage to fool you by saying that he's gone back to his hometown.
Yeah. I'll try to get back by then. Besides, there may be some clues left on this side of the world. If you can find something that will bring me back, you can use it in two years or so.
'If that's two hundred levels, it's going to take a few years. .... but I'm glad that this wasn't a lifelong separation.


　Garum said and tightened his handshake even more, then gently let go of her hand as he sent her off with a smile. Tsutomu then spoke to Amy as well, and she looked up in surprise.


'For now, don't let this kind of thing cut you off from Diniel. It may have been a slight personal grudge mixed in with the fact that you shot me over there, but I think the majority of it was out of consideration for Amy.
Uh-huh.
'Well I'm sure the rest will settle in over time. Well, goodbye then.
Oh....


　Shirasaki, who had been acting like a stalker for almost a year since they said goodbye to each other as lovers, was now hearing that it was also black history. Tsutomu said goodbye to her as well, hoping that Amy would not follow such a path and live a positive life.


(I hope it hasn't been two years in the original world... It's going to be hard to find a job two years late.)


　Then, while thinking about such practicalities, Tsutomu opened the white glowing door. Then the same particle light as when he died inside the divine dungeon flooded from Tsutomu's body and gradually faded away.


''.........''
(What...)


　And when he finally turned back to the two of them, Tsutomu was about to call out to them as soon as he saw that Amy was still crying, even Garum, who was smiling at the end, was crying. But by that time he was no longer in a position to utter a word, and Tsutomu disappeared from the God's Dungeon.