Chapter 389: The Boundary of the Hundredth Layer
As Tsutomu walked with the others, he continued turning over ideas in his head, trying to figure out ways to persuade them to reconsider. But Garm’s earnest plea still lingered in his mind, and it robbed him of the levity he would have normally used to dismiss the idea.
[If Garm comes at me with that same look when it’s time to go home, it’s going to be a pain…]
For the first time since coming to this world, he felt a sentiment similar to what Amy often showed. His gaze drifted to Garm, who had somehow ended up mediating a dispute over reward distribution between a pair of Explorers.
[It’d be nice if he could lighten up a bit… but then again, if Garm turned into a playboy like Leon, that’d be even worse. I’d at least get a good laugh if he started flirting with Amy, though. And maybe if he settled into something more like the old, sloppy Misil… Hannah and Daryl could be the Rara and Riri of the troupe.]
(Silavin: ‘Sunshine’ of the troupe)
The absurd fantasy brought a small grin to Tsutomu’s lips, which he promptly tried to hide behind a hand. Even so, the quiet sound of suppressed laughter was enough to perk up two pairs of canine ears and one feline. But none of them said a word.
[Well, whatever happens, I’ll just do my best. I’m still uneasy about blocking that organ restoration, but even if we fail, we can always try again. Not that I intend to let it end in failure, of course…]
With that in mind, Tsutomu pulled the equipment acquired on the ninetieth layer from his Magic Bag as he walked, and began changing into it on the move. He strapped a Potion holster to his waist, filled with the Forest Apothecary’s premium brews, and completed the final checks of his kit.
Amira, catching sight of his readiness, smirked in approval. Around them, the atmosphere shifted; Explorers and Ealdred Crow informants alike began to murmur with excitement. They’d seen enough to suspect that Absolute Helix was about to take another shot at the hundredth layer.