Defense-oriented and outside the game.

A brief aside, for time was too short today.

The story proceeds without regard to whether it is read or not, so skipping it is perfectly acceptable...

There may be quite a bit of information here.

This is reality, slightly turned back in time.

In a room where those who manage the game keep watch over each event to ensure no flaws arise.

Aaaaah! The Silver Wing has fallen!

A man cries out.

All in the room react to the voice.

"What? 【Silver Wing】? That one isn't set up to be beaten by a player, is it?"

Ah, packed with high lethality skills, high HP, high MP, high stats. A solidified mass of our malice.

Who is it? Who was struck?

Now projecting the image...

A man adjusts the machine. A single monitor displays an image.

A monstrous bird with wings that glowed white.

Opposing them are two girls—one clad in black armor, the other in blue robes.

"Maple!? Seriously!? Hey, come on, 【Silver Wing】 is impossible, right!?"

"Her mobility shouldn't be enough! I get it against a 【Earth Dragon】... but..."

Words of disbelief fly through the air as combat begins.

"Rocks... well, that makes sense."

"Still as insane with defense as ever."

Everyone in the room glances at the screen between managing the event.

After a moment, the scene in question plays.

"This one’s the problem! That blue coat is giving Maple her mobility!"

On screen, Maple moves at high speed using 【Cavalry Move】.

It appears to be completely unexpected.

All eyes lock onto the screen.

"...That one’s 【Sally】—AGI-focused, skill set broad but shallow. Only two strong skills: 【Mirage】 and 【Great Sea】."

A man reviews Sally’s data and presents it.

“Hmm. Ordinary enough. Compared to Maple, anything would seem ordinary.”

“True.”

Laughter hangs in the air as all eyes fix on the screen.

Sally’s anomaly reveals itself.

“…Withdraw that statement. This one’s dangerous too. Might be worse than Maple.”

“Doesn’t have a foresight skill, does she!?”

“Ah… no. Doesn’t.”

On screen, Sally evades the silver-winged attack with movements beyond human capability.

A murmur spreads—each motion precise, as if she sees the future.

“How’s she doing that?”

“Even if the debris stops, slipping through that gap… that’s impossible, man.”

All in the room watch, stunned, as the battle unfolds.

Then one voice breaks the silence.

“Shit. That means the 【Egg of the Phantom Beasts】 is being taken!?”

“What happens to the contents!?”

"Fox and turtle. Well... still better than some options."

"What about the bird and the wolf?"

"Under the Sea Emperor's control. They're sealed off—can't leave that place... Well, that should be fine... right?"

He slumped back into the chair, exhaustion heavy in his frame.

"Ah... no way that thing could be weakened after that... impossible."

"Hey, anyone free—double-check the medal skills! Look for any that might be misused!"

"Understood!"

"...Maybe we'd be better off if they were the final boss..."

"Yeah... maybe."

The voice carried deep weariness.

Maple and Sally would never know of this event.