Defense specialization and reconnaissance unit.

"Then... this seems lightly manned."

Sally peers down from behind a rock. The guild currently has only five players.

No one can hold the defense alone unless they are like Maple.

Thus, defense would normally require a larger force, yet they have not done so. The number of players is expected to be nearly the same as that of the Maple Tree guild.

"Good... let's take them out."

Sally slips out from behind the rock, moving from one hidden spot to another, concealed by the terrain.

A large group would be noticed immediately, but a single person, moving with care, will not be easily seen.

"Oboro, Instant Shadow."

Finally having no more cover, Sally vanishes. In that instant, she slips into the dense undergrowth surrounding the guild.

Sally listens quietly. The players do not seem to have noticed.

Sally, observing from above, knew not all five players kept their eyes upward. Only one did. The others watched the narrow path, ready for intrusion.

Now… let us begin.

Sally emerged silently from the undergrowth. She moved swiftly toward the player stationed above the cliff.

She could have struck without sound. She delayed her attack, just slightly, on purpose.

"Th-the enemy! Attack!"

The player shouted, then collapsed instantly to Sally’s strike.

The remaining four, responding to the cry from above, hurried forward and looked upward.

Beside the thick brush where Sally had hidden.

Their attention remained fixed upward. They noticed too late that Sally had run just above the ground, slashing at them from behind.

The four were clearly outmatched by Sally in level and gear. Aside from the last one managing a single counterattack, they could do nothing else.

Skill not shown yet… feels good. Seems safe even if pursued by this guild. Let’s go one more.

Sally took the orb and returned upward along the narrow path.

After checking the map, Sally paused for a moment.

Holding the stolen orb meant her position was always known to the guild she had just left. Long contemplation was dangerous.

Next target—small scale… no, that one’s a bit too tough. Hmm… perhaps better to explore farther. Should locate larger guilds too.

Having decided on a course, Sally ran toward the unexplored direction.

Maple and the others, entrusted with defense, performed their duty perfectly.

Maple’s only notable skill was Love That Offers the Body, and she did not reveal its weakness to piercing attacks.

Yui and Mai, having crushed all players, sank down beside Maple.

“Hah… hah… tired…”

“Mm… fuh… yeah…”

The strain on Yui and Mai was great, having borne the brunt of the assault and moved without pause.

“Still, I don’t think we’ll face them again soon. After being beaten like that, no one’s likely to try again.”

As Kanade said, those who had been defeated had already abandoned any hope of reclaiming their position.

Dying twice before the first day ended was unthinkable.

“The three of them are heading out to eliminate the scouting unit. Sally… is far away.”

Maple murmured, checking the map.

Sally’s icon continued moving away from the guild.

Maple closed the map and exhaled softly.

Yes, rest for now. Ambush is not easy. Let the four do their best.

Among the four expected by Maple, the three assigned as brakes and guardians of the 【Maple Tree】 dispatched the scouting unit as planned.

This is useful, Iz.

Isn’t it? 【Doping Seed】 is truly strong.

【Doping Seed】 is an item created through 【New Horizon】, increasing one stat by 10% while decreasing another by 10%.

Up to five can be used at once. Duration is sufficient and long.

But the affected stat is unknown until after creation. To produce a desired effect, vast quantities of materials are required.

Iz had produced the materials in vast quantities, exchanging them for gold, and was preparing the necessary seeds for the guild members.

Iz had given Sally ten doping seeds that reduced VIT and increased AGI.

Crom received seeds that increased VIT and STR, while decreasing DEX.

Kasumi held seeds that increased STR and decreased INT.

Kanade had seeds that increased INT and decreased STR.

Maple, Yui, and Mai’s seeds had no specific decrease, making them surplus and thus welcome to Iz.

The amount of gold Iz melted down to produce all these seeds could easily forge two guilds.

“Fufu… I expect you to work hard, given the gold you’ve been given.”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

When Kasumi located the player through her 【Far Sight】, the three moved ahead and headed toward the group to eliminate them.