Defense specialization and maintenance.

I imagine opinions may vary.

I am posting this.

To prevent repetition.

I received considerable feedback focused solely on status adjustments.

As a result, I have made extensive revisions.

Further revisions, following the discovery of revision errors.

Further revisions.

Revisions based on feedback regarding pain perception.

"Auuu…"

Maple and Sally had just begun operating from their newly established two-layered town, but Maple was grunting with a dark expression.

"Uuu… I never thought maintenance would come just two weeks before the event. Especially…"

Yes, the two had logged in immediately after maintenance ended… only to stare in shock at the maintenance details.

Primarily Maple.

The maintenance update included weakening certain skills and enhancing the AI of field monsters.

The names of the affected skills remain undisclosed due to game design constraints, known only to those who possess them.

And one more thing has changed.

It is this.

The implementation of penetration defense skills, and the accompanying reduction in pain.

Each weapon has between three and five such skills.

Power is reasonably secured.

The issue lies with the skills themselves.

“Ugh….”

“Still… that’s just how it is when one stands out.”

Sally taps her shoulders, one after the other.

Adjustments related to Maple are primarily two.

Yet, according to Sally, a third exists when considered indirectly.

First, the skill modification: 【Malnutrition】 has been revised.

The revised ability of 【Malnutrition】 now has a daily limit of ten uses, and the amount of MP it can absorb is doubled.

The constant activation remains unchanged. After ten attacks blocked by a great shield, Yui’s shadow mirror becomes nothing more than a great shield. The doubled MP absorption means it may serve as a modest mana reservoir, but it is undeniably weakened.

Next, the AI enhancement causes monsters to circle around and attack, or, in some cases, flee.

Sally explained to Maple, this was Maple’s preventive measure against recurrence. Maple appeared confused, so Sally elaborated.

Because… if the AI is enhanced, Maple’s core defense—Absolute Defense—can no longer be bypassed through the White Rabbit’s loophole, can it? The enhanced White Rabbit won’t charge for an hour. The administrators couldn’t have anticipated that method, could they?

This maintenance prevented another irregular occurrence like Maple, but Sally said, quite frankly, it was impossible to perform a precise maintenance that would completely eliminate Maple’s current capabilities.

For instance… removing Absolute Defense altogether. That won’t happen.

Perhaps... some of the powerful skills held by higher-ranked players have been weakened. One such case was Maple’s 【Grim Feaster】.

Hmm... I suppose it was unavoidable. 【Grim Feaster】 was extremely strong. But... this adjustment...

Sally understood what Maple was trying to say and continued.

"Now Maple takes damage too... That change was clearly meant to counter Maple."

Ugh...

Maple’s durability had been so far beyond normal that the developers had no choice but to implement this fix as a last resort.

"Well, piercing attacks are common enough. Maybe there were too few before."

As Sally spoke, Maple clasped her hands together and spoke with clear regret.

"Aah... sorry! I'm not invincible anymore... We can't be an invincible party like this... You went through all that trouble to become a dodge shield..."

Maple spoke, her voice heavy with regret, bowing slightly toward Sally. Their party's ideal had always been to take no damage at all. That was no longer possible.

"It's unavoidable. Besides, you're taking damage now... but that just means you're no longer completely invincible... The damage effect appears, yet you never die—no matter how much it's reduced. The invincibility is emphasized all the more. You can still look impressive if you just smile with a dark smirk."

Maple imagined herself, eyes fixed on her opponent, laughing softly—fufu—while enduring every strike, waiting until the enemy collapsed from exhaustion.

"Ooh... that might actually work..."

"A dark smile slipped out..."

"W-wait! That didn't happen! It didn't happen at all!"

She waved her hands back and forth. Sally continued speaking, a faint smile on her lips.

“Hmm… but then I’ll need to raise my HP too. If I take through damage, that’ll be bad… Are you okay with pain?”

“Mm… it’s not impossible, really. It’s far less painful than real life… and the pain seems reduced somehow.”

“Practice your PS—player skill—to avoid it as much as possible… and have recovery skills and gear, plus MP and HP systems too?”

With those, Sally said, it would be like being invincible.

“I’ll help you gather gear! And I’ll look for good skills too.”

“R-really?”

“I invited you to this game. If it’s to enjoy it with Maple, then I’ll do that much. Or… shall we go together now?”

“Thank you!”

“Well, I’ll need help sometimes too…”

“Yeah! I’ll do my best when that time comes!”

Maple answers with a full smile.

“Then… let’s go get a skill to raise HP first. That seems most important. I know a few, and we’ll start with those. The event is near—let’s hurry!”

“Ooh!”

The two dash out into the field.

To gain a new skill, cover Maple’s weakness, and achieve good results in the second event.

They do what they can now.