Defense specialization and mountain climbing.
The ground began to slope.
They had finally reached the mountainous region.
"This mountain is likely a target for other players too. We mustn’t be overtaken."
"Yes, let’s hurry as much as possible."
The two climbed steadily upward. The mountain they now ascended was the highest one. At present, no other players were nearby.
Still, others could be approaching from another direction.
"Maple! Monster incoming!"
"Got it!"
The large shield had been transformed into snow-white armor.
Anticipating the presence of a boss monster, she intended to conserve her 【Gourmet】 ability.
Unlike the forest, this area teemed with monsters, increasing the number of battles.
"Oh, level up. Now at 19. Stats—let’s put everything into AGI."
Large boulders dotted the path. Monsters appeared suddenly from hidden spots. There was no chance to lower one’s guard.
One moves forward while always watching the sides, ready to respond to ambush.
The bird-like monster attacks from above repeatedly. There is no choice but to counter with magic. MP is drained.
The ground beasts are wolf-shaped, attacking with swift movements.
The footing is poor. Difficult to work with.
Let’s get to the top already!
Two and a half hours of advancing while defeating monsters.
Snow had begun to pile upon the ground. Step by step, the crunch of it beneath feet continued.
"Quite the progress, then."
Yes, perhaps another hour or so to the summit?
Sally looks up at the summit.
Thanks to that, she became aware of the monster ahead.
Ahead, about twenty meters away, was a monkey covered entirely in pure white fur.
The ape runs down, scattering snow.
Coming!
Yes!
They brace themselves.
Two pale blue magic circles hover around the ape.
The ape differs from the monsters before.
Yes, it can wield magic.
"Cover!"
Maple instantly shields Sally.
Maple feels successive impacts from her great shield.
Like a machine gun of ice shards.
The ape advances without pause, extinguishes the magic circles, and wraps its fist in white light before striking.
A heavy impact runs through the great shield.
"Sally!"
"Double Slash!"
While the ape focuses on Maple, Sally slips past its side and slices open its back.
The ape cries out but does not fall. It turns its furious eyes toward Sally and swings its fist.
The snow beneath its feet hinders movement, but Sally avoids without issue.
"Power Attack!"
The double counterattack slices deep into the ape’s abdomen, yet it does not fall.
Within its gaping mouth, a single magic circle glows white.
“【Overdrive】!”
Sally activates one of her last cards, reacting on instinct.
Where Sally stood a moment ago, sharp ice spears pierce the snow.
“【Slash】!”
The counterattack, evading the ice breath, finally brings the ape down.
The ape’s body dissolves into light.
“Phew… used up 【Overdrive】…”
“Still… I should’ve joined in more…”
“No, Maple, it’s better you save yourself for the boss. 【Overdrive】 will recharge. I’ll handle the path ahead.”
“Hmm… okay. But if it gets bad, I’ll use 【Cover】.”
“Thank you. That helps.”
The two continue through the snowy mountains. The ape had been a mid-boss, apparently. They do not meet it again.
Instead, a mole emerged, raising snowflakes as it zigzagged through the snow, and a pure white armadillo rolling through the snow, swirling it in its wake.
The mole requires caution… but the armadillo, if avoided, will simply roll on.
The armadillo will kill on impact, though… still, Maple might endure it.
They spoke as they climbed.
Finally, they reached the summit.
The summit formed a perfect circle. At its center stood a shrine made of stone.
Before the shrine, a white-glowing magic circle shone, beckoning them.
A transference magic circle. One they had seen before.
As the two approached the circle,
from the opposite side of the path they had ascended, four players appeared.
A party of a greatsword wielder, a great shield bearer, and two mages.
On the opposite side, the two figures noticed Maple and her companions, turning to look.
Sally had prepared herself for PvP, but that did not happen.
“Ah…! Crom-san!”
“Huh? …Maple? Didn’t expect to meet you here… ah, we have no intent to fight. Wouldn’t think we could win anyway.”
Crom lowered his weapon and raised both hands in plain view.
“I don’t wish to fight either… right, Sally?”
“Yeah. We don’t want to waste effort either… staying alert is better than nothing… but probably safe… I think?”
Sally did not say it was absolutely safe. She continued speaking without lowering her guard.
“So… what about this shrine? Only one of us can claim the reward, right?”
Sally’s words were sound. One of Crom or Maple would have to enter first. If they succeeded, the dungeon’s reward might vanish entirely.
Maple paused, then spoke.
“Hmm... Sally. Would it be alright if I let Crom and the others go first?”
Sally, surprised by Maple’s hesitant tone, smiled in reply.
“...If you’re sure, then I don’t mind at all. Just don’t regret it. Promise me that.”
“Yeah... I understand. Then please, go ahead.”
Maple spoke to Crom and the others.
“Are you certain? Usually, it’s the fastest who wins…”
“It’s fine! Go now, before my mind changes!”
As Maple spoke, Crom bowed slightly and stepped onto the magic circle. He vanished.
Two remained atop the mountain.
“Good, right?”
“Yeah... If we fought here, using skills would just lead to the same fight at the transfer point. Besides, I didn’t want to fight a friend.”
"Yeah... if you don't regret it, that's fine... I wonder if they're already fighting over there by now?"
Sally speaks, eyes on the magic circle dimming.
"Maybe."
"What do we do? Get down? Or if they're fighting, we might lose... we saved our skills, so should we wait?"
At her suggestion.
The magic circle flares back to life.
A sign of re-entry possible.
"“Eh!?”"
Both stare, startled.
It has been less than a minute since Crom and the others entered.
Unexpected speed.
"W-what is this!?"
Sally speaks calmly to the bewildered Maple.
"Two things come to mind. First, maybe the retrieval of gear and medals after transfer was so quick it ended immediately. The second is..."
She pauses, as if reluctant to voice the next thought, her expression grim, as though the truth itself were unbearable.
"Likely overwhelmed by a powerful monster."
"That... is..."
"More like the latter... perhaps. The fact that the magic circle still glows means it's still possible to challenge. So... whatever was inside wasn't equipment... probably."
Fortunately, no other players seemed likely to ascend. The two confirmed their status and devised a strategy before proceeding.
"Only the armor has grown stronger via 【Break Growth】, now with 【VIT +40】 and increased HP. Skills remain fully preserved."
"I haven't changed much either. 【Hyper Acceleration】 has recovered, and 【Mirage】 remains."
Maple
Lv24
HP 40/40〈＋160〉
MP 12/12 〈＋10〉
【STR 0】
【VIT 170〈＋81〉】
【AGI 0】
【DEX 0】
【INT 0】
Equipment
Head 【Empty】
Body 【Black Rose Armor】
Right Hand 【New Moon: Poison Dragon (Hydra)】
Left Hand 【Night's Reflection: Evil Feast】
Feet 【Black Rose Armor】
Boots 【Black Rose Armor】
Accessory 【Forest Queen's Ring】
【Toughness Ring】
【Ring of Life】
Skills
【Absolute Defense】【Giant Devour (Giant Killer)】【Poison Dragon Devour (Hydra Eater)】【Bomb Devour (Bomb Eater)】【Meditation】【Provocation】【Cruel and Unjust】【Shield Mastery IV】【Body Maneuvering】【Attack Deflection】【Shield Attack】
【HP Boost Small】【MP Boost Small】
【Cover Move I】【Cover】
Sally
Lv19
HP 32/32
MP 25/25〈＋35〉
【STR 25〈＋20〉】
【VIT 0】
【AGI 80〈＋68〉】
【DEX 25〈＋20〉】
【INT 25〈＋20〉】
Equipment
Head 【Surface Scarf: Mirage】
Body 【Ocean Coat: Great Sea】
Right Hand 【Deep Sea Dagger】
Left Hand 【Ocean Floor Dagger】
Feet 【Ocean Leggings】
Boots 【Black Boots】
Accessory 【Empty】
【Empty】
【Empty】
Skills
【Status Effect Attack III】【Slash】【Double Slash】【Gale Slash】【Strength Enhancement Minor】
【Multi-Strike Enhancement Minor】【Down Attack】【Power Attack】【Switch Attack】【Martial Arts I】
【Shortsword Proficiency II】【Adept Poor】【Defense Break】【Hyper Acceleration】
【Fire Magic I】【Water Magic II】【Wind Magic II】
【Earth Magic I】【Dark Magic I】【Light Magic II】
【Fireball】【Waterball】
【Water Wall】
【Wind Cutter】【Wind Wall】
【Sand Cutter】
【Dark Ball】
【Refresh】【Heal】
【MP Enhancement Minor】【MP Cut Minor】
【MP Recovery Speed Enhancement Minor】【Magic Proficiency II】
【Fishing】【Swimming X】【Diving X】【Cooking I】
【Gathering Speed Enhancement Minor】【Stealth II】
【Stealth Detection II】【Silent Step I】【Leap I】
[Poison Resistance Minor]
"First, I'll raise my large shield as soon as we enter. Stay behind me."
"Understood. And then…?"
After another twenty minutes of discussion, they rose and approached the magic circle.
"Alright! Let's go."
"Right!"
With the transfer, their forms dissolved into light and vanished.