Defense specialization and squid extermination, part three.

"My attack was what it was..."

Sally mutters as she lands with a soft thud.

Beside her, Maple descends.

No damage from a twenty-five-meter fall.

Remarkable durability.

In contrast, the squid had relatively low HP and defense.

The fact that Sally's attacks were chipping away at its HP bar was clear enough.

A giant squid struck by Maple's powerful assault would have lost twenty percent of its HP in a single blow—no surprise.

"This cuts the time down to just three hours now."

"Still three hours left..."

Maple's [Bad Appetite] ability is spent. She cannot repeat the same feat.

"Oh, another ink burst."

"The sea was so clean, now it's..."

The original blue hue is gone, utterly obscured by ink and poison.

"Then I'll just run off again?"

"Un. [Provocation]!"

Maple takes up the fish.

The water scattered by the fish can be extinguished with flame-based attacks, so Sally moves around, carving a minimal path.

"Can really run like that..."

Fatigue in-game is reduced through familiarity with VR gaming.

To run without tiring requires prolonged play and adaptation.

This is a part not covered by skill.

Two hours pass.

The squid's HP drops to ten percent.

"Wait... the fish..."

The fish lose the blue effect clinging to them, and within an instant, their bodies dry up entirely, shedding all moisture.

The vanished effect floats upward, absorbed into the squid's form.

"Something's coming!"

"Got it!"

Maple raises her great shield.

Only after 【Malnutrition】 has vanished does the shield finally become usable as one should.

The giant squid shuddered once, then enveloped itself in the same blue effect as the fish had been wrapped in, bursting from the water.

A strong blue light held its massive form steady.

"Coming!"

"【Cover Move】! 【Cover】!"

Maple shouted at the same moment the squid charged.

Maple, having cast 【Cover】 for precaution, was thrown back and took the attack full on, while Sally dodged in time.

The squid plunged into the water wall on the opposite side with a splash.

Maple’s HP bar had dropped to about forty percent.

The damage from 【Cover Move】 had doubled.

This was the second time Sally had seen an opponent that could pierce Maple’s armor with sheer firepower.

"Power-up...!"

Sally cast 【Heal】 on Maple, then tracked the giant squid with her eyes.

Its approach meant an opening for attack.

"Dodge... cut!"

Sally charges forward. The squid’s aim is Maple.

【Super Acceleration】!

Sally targets the squid, which aims at Maple.

She swings her dagger despite slowed movement.

【Triple Slash】!

Sally delivers six strikes, slipping beneath the squid.

【Poison Lance】

Maple’s poisoned spear pierces the squid’s head.

Maple takes damage from the charge, but the squid takes heavy damage.

Splash—back into the water.

This time, it falls!

Just a little more! Keep going!

Both prepare for another charge, tracking the squid’s motion.

To maximize this rare opening.

The squid braces, ready to leap.

It’s coming!

Yes!

At the instant they raise their weapons—

The squid’s HP bar, poisoned through, vanishes entirely.

“…?”

The squid’s body dissolves into light.

The tainted water purified itself.

Gleams shimmered in the water like sunlight piercing through, then faded gradually.

"...Not quite clear."

"...I understand."

They had not found satisfaction in their victory.

Yet victory was victory.

Before them, a deep blue magic circle appeared.

"Shall we ride?"

"What’s the reward?"

"Hmm... might be something. I’ll look around underwater?"

"Please do!"

Sally stepped into the water.

The poison was gone. She could explore freely.

"Would’ve let Shiroppu go if it were a sea turtle."

Maple watched Sally swim through the depths. After a time, Sally returned.

"One tentacle from the squid."

"The medal?"

Uun... I think it's not here. I searched thoroughly around the coral... and besides, I don't think they'd hide the reward in some obscure place.

Indeed...

Disappointed that the medal was missing, the two stepped onto the magic circle.

They had expected to return to the clifftop. They had not imagined the transfer would bring them underwater.

I- I can't breathe! W- what should I do!?

N-n? Maple! You can breathe!

Eh!? A- that's right... really...

She could speak without difficulty.

The sensation of water was present, but no suffocation.

A strange place...

Is this the [Azure Silent Sea]?

As Sally said, the place was quiet.

When the two fell silent, only the intermittent sound of bubbles could be heard in the blue sea.

It felt like they were at the ocean floor, yet close to the surface.

The space was dominated by a calming blue, so still it felt as though sleep would claim them at any moment. A blue chest rested within it, wrapped in coral.

"Shall I open it?"

Inside were two medals and two scrolls.

Maple placed the medals away.

Sally took up a scroll and read the information.

"Skill name?"

"【Ancient Sea】— obtainable by possessing a water-element skill… it allows summoning the fish wrapped in blue light, just like earlier."

The fish Sally referred to was the same kind they had seen too often during the battle with the squid.

As Sally read aloud, the liquid was confirmed to possess the ability: 【AGI -10%】.

A skill of little use to Maple, but one that would expand Sally’s strategic options.

"Ah… what about 【Poison Dragon (Hydra)】?"

"Hardly a water-element skill."

"Right."

Maple tried it, but could not master it.

Maple set it aside for now, tucking the scroll into her inventory.

Closing the chest, the two lay down.

Tired from the long battle and five days of exploring the ruins.

The fifth day had begun when they met Kanade.

They both felt it had been a heavy day.

"A day of rest might be acceptable."

"Ahaha... indeed."

Thinking they might be able to relax by the seventh day if they had spare medals, they settled into sleep.

This place was just right for resting.

"Just... let us rest a moment."

"Yes... indeed."

The quiet sea wrapped around them, becoming the most comfortable bed they had known.