Live Dungeon!

The sheer size of the crowd gathered near the Monitor had grown so immense that House Babenberg had gone out of its way to erect magic Shields to create proper spectator stands. And even within the Guild, where only Explorers and related personnel were allowed, the attention fixed on Monitor #1 was suffocating. The venue was packed wall to wall, and nearly every well-known Explorer had made their way inside to watch.

"Ahhh, no good, huh?"

"Well yeah, thing’s totally out to get her specifically. Not even Tsutomu could’ve managed that."

"You think so? He might pull off another first-try clear, you know."

"…Can’t say for sure he won’t. I lost a fat chunk of coins last time betting against him."

"Right? Exactly."

The murmurs of disappointment spread through the crowd after the Corroded Elder Dragon’s brain regenerated and the boss promptly ignored its Tanks to focus its full, murderous intent on Korinna. She had died shortly thereafter, and a few minutes later, she emerged from the Guild’s Black Gate. Without a word, the Explorer crowd began parting, shuffling aside to offer her a seat with a better view of Monitor #1.

Ordinarily, those ejected from the Black Gate, clad in the garment of the defeated, were greeted with ridicule, or worse, complete indifference. Unless one had achieved something extraordinary, the idea of anyone giving up a good viewing spot was laughable.

But that was exactly the case with Korinna now. Though some had questioned whether she truly belonged in Team 1, she had proven herself. Her performance until the end had impressed even fellow Healers, and her death had been blatantly unfair. After all, despite maintaining aggro properly, the monster just ignored it entirely. And this was the hundredth layer, a number wrapped in much speculation. The Explorers watching felt a rare moment of sympathy within them.