Defense specialization and the third day of events.
The two who had taken turns sleeping in the tree descended from it as the sun began to rise.
They had come deep into the forest. Finding the next location for exploration would be difficult.
"Maple. Which way do you want to go?"
"Then... let's go straight ahead and push through the forest!"
"Understood. Let's do that."
The two moved deeper into the forest, away from the ruins.
After walking for about thirty minutes, Sally quietly spoke to Maple in a hushed tone.
"Maple. There's a player targeting us from the bushes to our right."
Sally, in addition to her 【Sensing Presence】 ability, used the faint sounds from the undergrowth and the metallic clink of armor to detect the location of monsters and players.
They continued their conversation in low voices, walking as if unaware.
"Probably not strong... but they're waiting for our opening."
"Shall we attempt capture, for now?"
"Can you?"
"Yeah."
A brief reply. The crescent moon is drawn just a few centimeters from its sheath.
"【Paralyze Shout】"
A clear, ringing sound of sheathing echoes through the quiet forest.
A groan comes from the bushes behind.
"How was that?"
"Perfect. As expected!"
The two approach the bush in question.
Two players lie unconscious, paralyzed.
"Come again, if you're prepared to be struck down in return!"
Sally’s attack sinks both players without effort.
No medal awarded.
"I think targeting Maple is reckless... I’d never do it myself..."
This is the fourth encounter with players since the event began.
Two of the encounters turned into combat, but the opponents were insignificant, so there was no issue. Only Crom’s party, the one that might be considered a true threat, did not fight. Thus, they had not yet faced a difficult challenge against players.
“Five days from now… we might meet a powerful player somewhere.”
Four encounters in two days meant ten more were likely to come.
One of those might be a player ranked high in last event’s standings.
They must remain vigilant. It would not be strange if they were attacked at any moment.
Yes. They, too, possess strength similar to these two.
They advanced through the forest for another hour.
The sun began to send light through gaps in the trees.
At last, the view beyond the forest came into sight.
“Oo…”
“Amazing…”
Before them stretched a canyon.
They stand atop the highest cliff.
Grass and shrubs grow thick. Birdsong drifts through the air.
The canyon floor is shrouded in deep mist. Its full shape remains unseen.
To explore this place, they must first find a way down.
“Could someone have explored this already?”
“Not sure… but with a size like this, some spots might have been overlooked.”
As Maple said, the canyon was vast.
From where they stand to the bottom, it was certainly more than a hundred meters.
And the width was great as well.
It looked easily over a hundred meters across.
“True. Then let’s find a way down.”
Sally studies the cliff ahead. She searches for footholds. Steps down slowly.
“Hmm… no place here where Maple could stand safely…”
The reach of [Calm Move] is limited. Maple cannot descend the cliff on her own. Sally searches for a larger protrusion nearby, but none seem suitable.
Hmm… For now, signal if you find a spot where Maple could land safely! If not, go down as far as you must!
Maple checks the time, glancing at the blue panel.
Eh…? W-Well, got it!
Sally descends swiftly. No foothold suitable for Maple appears anywhere.
She descends the cliff over two hours.
Ended up reaching the bottom… Send another message to Maple…
Even while descending, Sally occasionally reported her position to Maple.
This time, she sends a message to report she has reached the base.
Sally’s message had not yet settled when Maple’s reply arrived.
Stay back—just a little!
What... are they planning to do...
Sally nodded in understanding and, as instructed, stepped back slightly. She settled onto the branch, keeping watch over Maple’s movements.
Uwah... what is that...
Sally found a ball on the cliff’s edge. It was purple. Its diameter was perhaps ten meters.
Under Sally’s watchful gaze.
Rolling slowly forward, it fell from the cliff.
The part of the cliff that collided crumbled into a wretched, melted form, shrinking gradually as it fell.
It struck the ground, bursting open from the impact, splattering a viscous purple fluid around it.
M-me… my head’s spinning…
From the center of the mangled sphere, Maple staggered out.
Sally descends from the tree and approaches Maple.
Yet she keeps her distance, refusing to touch the noxious liquid.
“Then? What is that?”
“That’s… a Venom Capsule. A skill that traps a target inside a toxic sphere… seals them in… makes escape impossible.”
The durability is considerable, as expected from something meant to contain.
Maple’s voice lacked strength, dizzy from the spinning. Sally understood, even without the proper use.
“If you don’t have Venom Immunity, your HP will drain slowly. Take care if you ever use it.”
“I won’t use it.”
Maple’s strength returned gradually. She finally walked upright. The two began moving toward the valley floor.
The slope continued. Steep drops appeared at irregular intervals. Thick fog obscured the path—such drops were dangerous.
“Can’t see anything ahead…”
“With this… there might be a medal we’ve missed. Be careful of ambushes and the drop-offs, Maple.”
“Yeah! Got it.”
Still, there wouldn’t be many drop-offs that could chip away at Maple’s HP.
To make one, a cliff would have to be placed directly ahead.
They advanced carefully through the thick fog, unable to see even a few meters ahead.
“Hm? I hear water…”
“Huh?… Really? There’s a water source nearby?”
The two moved toward the sound of water.
The bat-shaped monster that appeared en route was, frankly, a weakling.
The enemies in this area seemed not to be of high level.
“There it is!”
Before them, a small stream.
The clear water fell from a slight ledge, making a soft sound.
“Look, there!“
Maple pointed. A crack in the rock face was barely visible—a cave, just barely discernible.
They approach the opening, wondering if it might be a dungeon, and enter. It proves to be no deeper than a mere wide crack, showing no signs of monsters.
…We could make this our base. The canyon exploration will take time, I think.
Even if it is just a crack, Sally’s point stands. It would be far better than the trees above.
Yes. I agree. And… we should check on the eggs too.
Ah, right. We must keep them warm.
They decide on the cave as their base and take a short rest.
At the same time, they also decide to check on the eggs.