Defense specialization and new knowledge.

The gathered water drained completely, revealing a large treasure chest at the center.

Sally lay on her back on the ground, before even showing joy.

“Ah… really focusing takes its toll…”

The notification of level-up and skill acquisition rang out, but Sally continued lying down, deferring confirmation until later.

She would have preferred not to enter that mode, but even Sally was overwhelmed by that barrage and high-speed laser.

After lying still for a while, Sally regained her composure and turned toward the chest.

“Now then, open!”

She flung the lid open with both hands.

Inside lay a scarf, vibrant blue like the sea, edged with white that resembled bubbles.

A thick coat, slightly darker than the white fur at the collar, and matching upper and lower garments.

Two daggers of dark blue, as deep as the ocean floor where light does not reach, and a belt of the same dark blue, thick enough to hold them.

Sally checks the abilities of each piece of equipment.

『Surface Scarf』

【AGI＋10】【MP＋10】

Skill: Mirage

【Unbreakable】

『Ocean Coat』

【AGI＋30】【MP＋15】

Skill: Ocean

【Unbreakable】

『Ocean Leggings』

【AGI＋20】【MP＋10】

【Unbreakable】

『Deep Sea Daggers』

【STR＋20】【DEX＋10】

【Unbreakable】

『Seabed Daggers』

【INT＋20】【DEX＋10】

【Unbreakable】

“This… is it? Maybe my skill selection affected this? Heh heh… Perfect for me. More gear than Maple, but no 【Break Growth】 and no skill slots.”

She fiddled with the equipment slots, equipping everything, then spun around with a joyous motion. The belt, though equipped, functioned as part of the leggings, and did not consume any new ornamentation slots.

She left the cave, clad in a unique series with noticeably greater stat growth than Maple’s had been.

She would check her skills tomorrow, together with Maple, as exhaustion had set in.

The next day.

“Ooh! You look great!”

“Right? I couldn’t find shoes, so I bought black boots… now the whole look is perfectly unified!”

They reviewed the skills they had acquired, one by one.

First, the skills attached to their equipment.

Then, they examined the two newly obtained skills. One of them, however, was already known to Maple.

【Mirage】

When activated, causes a discrepancy between the target’s perceived coordinates and the actual coordinates.

Applies to all except the user.

Ten uses per day.

Duration: five seconds. If any attack is directed at the illusory image created by 【Mirage】, 【Mirage】 loses its effect.

【Great Sea】

When a monster or player makes contact, spreads a thin layer of water around the user in a circular pattern on the ground, reducing AGI by twenty percent. Cannot be used in mid-air.

Radius: fixed at ten meters.

Only the user is exempt from the effect.

Three uses per day. Duration: ten seconds.

【Inept Skill】

Reduces damage taken by thirty percent. MP cost reduced by ten percent.

【AGI +10】【DEX +10】

Acquisition conditions:

Ten skills related to weapons and attacks acquired.

Ten skills related to magic and MP acquired.

Ten other skills acquired.

Among these, at least ten skills must be at level ten or higher.

Defeat the monster after meeting these conditions.

The next one is [Giant Killer].

"Oo… I see, I see. If I had been stuck with [Inefficient Dexterity] in front of that giant fish, it might've been bad."

Sally hums thoughtfully after that.

"[Giant Killer] isn't needed… I don't think I'd use it…"

"Wha—!? Why not!?"

"Well, Maple might be able to use it… but I'm not built for extreme stat builds. My AGI could spike suddenly depending on the enemy, or not at all. It throws off my timing."

Her playstyle relies on consistent reflexes. Sudden stat changes disrupt her sense of movement.

"Ahh, right…"

"This might be [Scrap]…"

"What's that?"

"…Huh?"

They exchange glances.

"Skill [Scrap]… You can actually do that…?"

"It's surprising I didn't know, really? But to reclaim a skill you've discarded like that, you must pay fifty thousand gold at a specialized facility. Only when you truly don't need it, mind you."

Sally says this, then discards her [Giant Killer] skill.

Her level has risen from twelve to fifteen.

She has accumulated forty stat points, yet she does not appear to be allocating them.

"Good enough for now! Oh, right—how's Maple's equipment coming along?"

"Money's tight, so I've only had her make a large shield for now. The dagger and armor are postponed."

"Ah, right! The event's approaching… I'd like to gather a few more skills."

"Then… should we head to the second layer? What do you think? I suspect there'll be a unique series there too…"

The condition to ascend to the second layer is breaking through the dungeon. Likely, equipment will be obtained by single-handed defeat.

"Uuu… I'm fine with my current gear, really."

"If Sally's content, then I am too. I've already acquired a regular great shield."

The two proceeded toward the dungeon leading to the second layer. The method of travel was the same as when they had gone to the subterranean lake.

"Still so fast! Wow!"

"Make sure to hold on tight."

North was their destination.

At this pace, little time will be needed.

Adjustment of the condition based on feedback regarding the [Discard] system, without altering the core structure.

Expanded the skill descriptions for [Mirage] and [Great Sea].