Defensive specialization and Day Five of the event.

"We should go as well."

"Indeed."

After Kasumi departed, the two rose to their feet.

Their goal was securing a place to sleep tonight.

"First, we must get through the desert..."

Sleeping in a desert with no shelter is perilous.

They began walking.

"So vast..."

"Indeed..."

Climbing over dunes, over dunes, moving forward—only the same landscape stretched ahead.

Large dunes scattered everywhere, limiting sight. It was impossible to tell which way led out of the desert.

And monsters were not absent.

To be honest, both wished to avoid combat.

"Shall we rest once we've crossed this dune?"

"Alright. Let's do that."

They climbed the steep slope, hands on the sand.

There, a slightly different scene unfolded.

"There are no dunes?"

"Completely flat!"

Before them stretched a desert with no rise or fall.

Not a single dune in sight. If it were not night, one could see far beyond.

"Shall we go this way?"

"Let's do it. This side is easier to walk on."

Their agreement settled, the two slid down the slope and resumed walking.

"Perhaps something would have been visible in daylight."

"True. How many days until the event again?"

"Three days left. Our goal is to collect nine more medals by then."

"Hmm... seems difficult?"

"Unless we fight someone, it'll be tough."

"Hmm... I see."

If absolutely necessary, that option would be considered. But without knowing who holds the medals, searching is as hard as seeking a dungeon.

"Still, we can decide when we meet a player. If they wish to fight, we’ll turn their attack back on them."

"Yeah, that makes sense."

They continued walking across the vast, endless desert.

Darkness ahead obscured the path, but gradually they heard the sound of leaves rustling in the wind, signaling the end of the desert.

"Be careful. We don’t know what kind of monster might be here."

"Got it!"

Thirty minutes passed as they moved through the Dark Forest.

They found a cave.

"Let’s go in. If it’s shallow, we’ll make it our base."

"I’ll go first."

They had feared it might be a deep cavern, but this one extended only five meters inward—empty, bare, and featureless.

At last, they collapsed onto the ground to rest.

"Ahh… today was tiring."

"Me too…"

Each called out to her partner.

Healing was the reason—but also guilt. They had not had the chance to summon their partners in a while, and had left them idle too long. They felt remorse for that.

I'm sorry I couldn't let you out.

I'll raise your levels properly once the event ends.

They spoke softly, gently stroking the two. The creatures seemed pleased.

"Shall we start exploring this forest tomorrow? For today, is it alright to stop?"

"I'm fine with that."

They took turns sleeping. The two fell asleep quickly. They wished to rest as much as possible that day.

Each wrapped their arms around Shiroppu and Hinata, and slept.

Six in the morning the next day.

Fatigue had eased somewhat. Their eagerness for exploration had returned.

After a light breakfast, they exited the cave and began exploring the forest.

A fresh start! Let's go with full spirit!

Yes!

They had explored this forest several times before. This forest was unremarkable.

After two hours of searching, nothing had been found.

There's no way to know what special conditions might be involved...

Should we leave this forest now?

Sally hesitated for a moment at Maple’s suggestion, then nodded in agreement.

Which way?

Turning back serves no purpose. We’ll press forward. There are still unexplored areas.

Their method of searching focused on the deeper parts of the woods, so they could not say what might lie near the exit.

Yet hope is slim.

Whether dungeon or field, valuable things are commonly hidden deep within, guarded by strong monsters.

There would be no reason to place a chest with medals near the exit.

As they neared the forest’s edge, both felt something.

The sound of waves?

Yes. I hear it too.

The edge of the forest came into view. Beyond it, white sand and the vast sea stretched out. Through the clear water, colorful fish swam with ease. Coral bloomed like flowers, painting the ocean floor.

A single island appeared in the distance.

The sea shimmered, reflecting the sun.

“Huh… now the sea? This field really is wide.”

“Interesting, isn’t it?”

For five days, they had traversed grasslands, forests, snow peaks, canyons, deserts, and caves.

To still encounter new terrain meant the journey held purpose.

The reason they had seen so many sights lay not in chance, but in their constant pursuit.

They spent hours each day searching. Only through this persistence did they finally reach new dungeons and landscapes.

The dungeon remained unclaimed because the two were fortunate ones.

"But... I can't explore the sea myself."

"For now, I'll search beneath the waves."

"Okay, please do."

Sally stepped into the sea, splashing. She inhaled deeply and submerged.

Her time underwater lasted forty minutes.

She would not resurface for some time.

"What should I do while waiting... Fishing is beyond me... I've already explored the forest... Hmm, maybe I'll search the sandy shore for something buried?"

Maple began digging through the sand.

Meanwhile, beneath the sea, Sally paused, entranced by fish that glowed like gems.

The sight was astonishingly beautiful.

Having seen only slimy snails lately, this contrast made the scene appear even more radiant.

But she could not gaze long. She moved through gaps in the coral and sifted through sand on the seabed.

Without skill, this would take much time. With Sally’s skill set, it could be done quickly and efficiently.

“Pfah…! Good, one medal secured! Is it because few have 【Diving】 and 【Swimming】? Can’t explore deep waters, it seems.”

No need to push to the limit. She paused to breathe, then descended again.

Several places where coral gaps extended deep were found. The first medal had been there.

Sally focused her search on those spots.

If medals or gear existed, they would be in such places.

Shallow areas had likely been searched already. She sought deeper regions.

As a result, she found another medal.

“Fuu… Next… that island, perhaps?”

Sally swam toward the island.

The island lay too far for Maple to reach. Small. Only a single palm tree grew there, aside from a staircase leading down into the earth.

“First… let’s go see.”

Sally descended the steps carefully.

After about a hundred steps, she found a plain wooden door.

No seal. No lock. No floating magic circle.

Sally opened it with care.

And froze at the sight within.

Inside, a clean semicircular dome.

And at its center.

A familiar old shrine stood quietly, surrounded by a magic circle.