Defense specialization and recruitment.

Six people enter the third-floor guildhouse and inspect their rooms and interior fittings.

After some time, having grasped the structure, all gather in the open space.

"Hey, Maple! I wanted to talk to you about something."

"What is it, Crom?"

"A message just arrived from management. The period is open, but there’s a guild combat event coming up. We’re told to prepare. And well… "

"What is it?"

"It seems there will be time acceleration. Considering the possibility of absent members on the day, adding more guild members might be… well, it’s feasible."

Crom’s words made sense. Currently, 【Maple Tree】 consisted of six members, including the non-combatant Iz.

If someone were to be absent, the event would become significantly harder.

"Hmm… yes, that’s right. Yes, I agree with that."

Maple concurred with Crom’s opinion.

It was easy for Maple to understand the drawbacks of having fewer members.

"I could call on acquaintances... but it should be left to the Guildmaster."

Among those acquaintances were the ones who watched over Maple from the bulletin board, but Crom was not the Guildmaster, and he had no intention of forcing the matter.

"Then, how about tomorrow you come with me to scout for new members?"

Sally said, tapping Maple on the shoulder.

"Hmm... yes! Let's go!"

Maple and Sally decided to search for a new member the next day.

The following morning, the two walked through the Town.

"How should we look?"

"For now, let's check the bulletin board. There are guild recruitment notices, party requests—various things written there."

"Then, let's go there."

Maple followed closely behind Sally as they headed toward the bulletin board.

When they reached the bulletin board, Maple skimmed through the text posted there. Scanning from the newest entries, she found a long list of phrases: 【Attack Specialization Required】, 【Poison Resistance Mandatory】, and others.

"Attack specialization is popular now. It’s satisfying, isn’t it?"

"...I suppose so."

Sally glanced at the board as well, but those capable of immediate action would not be posting party requests here.

"Ugh... no good. Only low-level players, at best."

Sally stopped reading, and Maple did the same.

"Then... shall we go to the first floor? What do you think...?"

Sally doubted she’d gain much strength by going to the first floor, but she knew that nothing could be gained without doing something.

"Alright. Let’s go. Better than staying here."

The two returned to the first floor immediately after entering the third.

Maple and Sally walked through the Town’s first floor after a long absence. Maple noticed something.

“Something… people move slowly, don’t they?”

Players moving slowly became visible in many places.

“That’s probably because so many are now playing as extreme speed-weak.”

“Huh? Really?”

“And most of them are giving up on their extreme speed-weak data.”

Sally understood the current situation.

Maple, of course, did not act that way. She was surprised by the statement.

“Huh!? Why?”

“Can’t dodge properly, low HP, and other issues too… but the biggest reason is that players with extreme speed-weak are realizing they can’t do anything. They’re less likely to join guilds or parties now. The fun’s halved.”

Currently, only Maple remained a strong player who survived as extreme speed-weak.

No one among the proliferating extreme-build players could catch up to Maple, for Maple’s replication was impossible.

“…Did I do something wrong?”

“Don’t worry. Everyone admires strength. This time it just didn’t work out.”

“Yeah… there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Ah… let’s write a notice on the bulletin board, just in case.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Sally was better suited for the task, so she moved toward the bulletin board.

Left alone, Maple sat on a conveniently vacant bench and waited for Sally.

“…So I was the reason, huh…”

Maple was preoccupied with the matter of the extreme-build players.

She had become sensitive to any word related to them.

“Ugh… again turned down for a party… maybe extreme-build really isn’t meant for me…”

Cheer up, sister! …We haven’t gone that far yet. Should we remake the data?

“But…”

The voice came from the right. Maple turned toward it.

She stood and approached the two girls still speaking. She called out to them.

“Hello! Um… can I talk to you for a moment?”

Both girls turned at once.

They were identical in height, face, and weapon. Anyone would assume they were twins.

Only one difference: the one encouraging the other had white hair, while the one being encouraged had black hair.

The white-haired girl responded to Maple.

“Huh… w-what is it?”

“Huh… um…”

Maple faltered. The reason she had spoken was unclear. She had only wanted to stop the player who was lamenting in extreme build.

We’re in a hurry…

Ah, um… that’s right! My party, no—my guild! You’re not joining the guild!?

…Huh? No, thank you, but… aren’t you a high-level player? From your gear alone… is that really okay?

The girl felt her own near-beginner gear did not match up to Maple’s.

It’s fine, it’s fine! I’m the guildmaster! And there’s still space, too.

Maple could, in theory, decide who joined the guild on her own.

No player in [Maple’s Tree] would complain about two new members.

Just in time, Maple… who are these two?

Ah, welcome back, Sally! These two are the ones I scouted!

I see… If Maple approves, I don’t mind. And it’s never been normal for Maple to choose alone, anyway.

Huh… really?

Yeah. Then let’s go to the guild’s main hall. We’ll talk there.

"That's right. Both of you, come along?"

"Y-yes."

Following behind Maple and Sally as they began to walk.

A hand from the heavens extended to the two girls on the verge of surrender.

It was the encounter with the sole successful extreme caster.

Of course, the number of extreme casters will increase.