Defense specialized. Sea. Sandy shore.
“Uwah… there’s still one of those things….”
Sally murmurs, checking the magic circle and the shrine.
Of course, she means the monstrous bird. To face an enemy of that level again was something she honestly wished to avoid.
“For now… let’s go back… let’s hear what Maple thinks.”
Sally turns back down the stairs and emerges onto the surface.
She had been so focused on underwater exploration that she had not looked toward the sandy shore until now. She notices the state of the beach for the first time.
“Maple… what are you doing….”
Even from the small island, it is clear.
A sand castle, easily surpassing Sally’s height, has taken shape.
“For now… let’s go back…”
Sally dives into the sea and quickly returns to the shore.
“Uwah… it’s huge up close…”
Twice Sally’s height.
A voice shrieks from within.
Peering inside from the entrance, another person stands there besides Maple.
Crimson dyed hair, earrings shaped like spades, pale skin, and bright red eyes matching her hair. Slightly taller than Maple.
Aside from the head-mounted earrings, her gear appeared to be standard initial equipment.
What stood out was the lack of visible weapon.
Not a large shield. Not a sword. Not a staff.
Clearly, she was bare-handed.
This unfamiliar figure, unknown to Sally, played Othello with Maple.
“Ah! No good!”
“Yes, perfect.”
The board was entirely white.
Maple had chosen her signature color—the black of her prized gear.
A complete defeat.
Maple, scowling in frustration, noticed Sally and rose.
“Welcome back, Sally!”
“Eh… uh, yeah. That’s fine… but who are you?”
“I’m Kanade. Just now I was playing in the sand castle with Maple.”
“It was fun, wasn’t it?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Sally felt, vaguely, that the two of them were similar.
Their thoughts seemed aligned. They relaxed into each other in an instant.
“Are you alright?”
“I think I’m fine? Hey, Kanade?”
“After all, I’m still level five. Not bragging, but I’m weak.”
He showed Sally his status.
Level five, indeed.
“Y-you’re really okay with showing that so easily?”
“Sure, sure. You’re Maple’s party member, Sally, right? Then it’s fine!”
Whatever had happened while Sally was away, Maple had earned considerable trust.
The same held true in reverse.
Sally registered with Kanade as if yielding to Maple.
It was said that Maple and Kanade had already registered with each other.
“Hmm... Sally’s fine. If Maple says it’s okay, then I suppose it’s fine. Besides…”
“Besides?”
“I can take her down easily now, even if she comes at me.”
Sally raised her dagger.
“I promise I won’t do anything like that, okay?”
Kanade was present, but Sally had just told Maple about the dungeon earlier.
“Eh... I really don’t want to go in…”
“I agree. But we don’t know what’s inside… it’s worth checking.”
“Hmm... I see.”
The two fell silent, considering their choice. It was Kanade who broke the silence.
“Then I’ll go check first! The starting point isn’t more than a hundred meters from here.”
A proposal made with death assumed.
They said it was unnecessary, but Kanade had already rushed out.
The shape of her swimming grew smaller, fading into the distance.
"Swimming I... I have it... I think I can reach it..."
"Is— is it alright?"
I don’t know…
They watch the small island come into view. Thoughts turn to what lies within.
What do you think?
A monster of immense size, perhaps...
"That bird-like thing?"
That’s right!
Still, this is only a guess. Perhaps the destination is a room overflowing with gold and silver treasure.
"Would the treasure be taken by Kanade?"
"Ah, I suppose so."
There is no one who would leave treasure behind when it lies before them.
The destination of the next transfer cannot be predicted. There is no way to follow.
—Dead. Dead.
At that moment, Kanade emerged from the forest.
They understood the monster’s ability without hearing the report.
The situation resembled that of the monstrous bird.
“Reporting, Maple-sama.”
“Ah? What is it?”
A peculiar tone, yet Sally sometimes speaks that way—she has no right to judge.
“The destination of the transfer is underwater. Furthermore, being submerged slows movement. There was nothing to do. The giant squid crushed us.”
“I see… impossible.”
If submerged, Maple cannot participate. And if Sally is surrounded by water as with her 【Great Sea】, even her evasion would be useless.
To attempt it would serve no purpose.
Folly and courage are not the same.
“We should give up this time.”
“I agree.”
“Perhaps we should finish exploring the sea after a short while.”
Sally stretched, looking toward the sea.
There would still be some areas left unexplored.
“Shall I help? I’ll give you a medal if you find one?”
A risk-free, high-reward offer. Such a convenient arrangement rarely exists.
“Kanade? Serious?”
“Well, I’d be content with this.”
Kanade produced a single Rubik’s Cube.
“What’s that?”
“This? It’s a prize from my event. There was a magic array connecting to floating islands above the forest… I solved it, so it’s gone now. Anyway, this is what I found there.”
“A Rubik’s Cube is a staff!?”
“That’s right. The transfer point was an old library… in one room, there was a jigsaw puzzle. I completed it. Took four days.”
The Rubik’s Cube hovers above Kanade’s palm, emitting a faint, pale light.
“It has a skill attached.”
"Hey... feels like our gear, doesn't it?"
"The skill name is [Divine Archive (Akashic Record)]. Interesting skill."
"What kind of skill is it?"
Kanade opened her mouth to answer Maple’s question, then reconsidered. She said instead:
"If I ever become a party member, I’ll tell you then."
Maple recognized the playful smile for what it was. Pursuing further would be pointless.
"Hmm... joining a party right now seems impossible..."
"Ah, too bad."
Kanade laughed, seeming pleased.
It did not look like regret.
Kanade was unlike any player she had met before—somehow elusive, distinct in her presence.
"I’d like to see you again after the event ends."
"Sure. Next time, let’s play Othello again!"
"Yeah... we’ll do that."
"Talk’s settled. I’m heading out to explore."
"I’ll come too. I think I’ll be of some help."
Sally and Kanade walk toward the sea.
Maple decides, this time, to thoroughly examine the sandy shore.
Nothing is found.
The sea and the beach are both fully searched, yet nothing of note is discovered.
That means the two have finished all tasks in this area.
Parting from Kanade, they decide to seek a new place to explore.
"Good luck!"
"See you later!"
They exchange farewells and depart.
"Interesting, but strange person, wasn't she?"
"Is that so? I’m used to Maple, so…"
"W-what do you mean by that, huh!??"
For now, they choose to proceed along the coastline.
No odd detours. It is judged the best course.
This is not a one-time character.
She will appear again, properly.
Her abilities are left for you to imagine.