Defense specialization and the Kingdom of the Flame Emperor.

Currently, a large guild and one specialized small guild vie for the top position. Among the major guilds, the Gathering Holy Sword and the Kingdom of the Flame Emperor stand slightly apart. The Maple Tree follows closely behind.

The Kingdom of the Flame Emperor guards orbs in a grassland with moderate tree cover.

There, two stand: Markus, known as the Tracker, ranked eighth in the first event, and Mizari, known as the Saintess, ranked tenth.

Mizari specializes in area healing, but is also skilled in area attacks.

To heal or to destroy—her choice alone.

The Tracker concealed his effective use of traps during the first event. Later, information leaked accidentally to Frederica, revealed through conversation among guild members.

As the guild grows, such disadvantages emerge as well.

The mouth of a man cannot be locked shut.

Markus, known by the nickname 【Tracker】, possesses a skill that sets magical traps like concealed snares.

These vary—some summon smoke screens, others raise pillars of flame.

They activate only when someone outside the allied group enters the area—guild members, party members, or those bound by oath.

Because they must be set in advance, they are ill-suited for offense. They are used for defense instead.

The fourth-ranked 【Flame Emperor】 and seventh-ranked 【Crack Sword】 are both built for attack.

"Will it be safe...? What if they break through the traps?"

"It will be fine. Even if they do, we have reliable members to rely on."

The guild members present looked at one another, silently conveying that the others were the ones to depend on.

"Worried... If they take the orb, I’ll be reprimanded..."

Markus walked in a daze around the orb, his concern unspoken, yet his trap worked with merciless precision.

The trap remained invisible until triggered. By the time it activated, escape was nearly impossible.

The sheer number of traps, and their careful placement, ensured the players were caught without fail.

When pillars of flame erupted or explosions echoed, the direction of the approaching players became clear. Defense became simple.

"See, the attackers are already broken. The traps are working."

"Is that so... then I can rest easy."

The battered players were felled by guild members supported by Mizari’s healing.

Once this was done, Markus led his guards to reset the traps.

"Um... is this the spot? Hmm... and here...?"

The guild members watched Markus, muttering to himself as he set the traps with cautious precision, and wondered how this could possibly defeat the player.

It seemed haphazard. Yet the player stepped into each trap with uncanny regularity.

One might call it talent.

Just as Sally evaded with ease, just as Maple discovered hidden things, just as Dread sensed fear.

Most of the upper ranks possessed something inexplicable.

Markus’s ability to reset traps was one such thing—some form of instinct.

Yes. Grounded in feeling.

Markus reset the traps and returned to the orb’s vicinity.

Fewer players came forward now. At last, Markus exhaled, his shoulders relaxing.

“Someone is approaching!”

Markus jumped at Mizari’s voice and looked in the direction she pointed. Flame columns and explosions erupted in succession.

“I’ll go check it!”

Leaving Markus flustered and frantic, Mizari hurried toward the scene with five guild members.

There was only one figure in a robe.

Mizari blinked at the sight.

The figure dodged the traps with sharp precision, as if it had known they were there.

“Hmm… I’d like to refine the fear sensor… but this is beyond me.”

She spoke, then the robed figure departed.

“…We’re fortunate.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Honestly… what kind of monster is that? Skill? Or pure instinct?”

Mizari murmured her thanks as she returned to Markus. She stayed close as he grew uneasy and reset the trap.

“This area… no, they’ll break through again… ugh…”

“It’s fine. That player is simply beyond reason.”

“Is that so…?”

While speaking, Markus was informed from the opposite side that a pillar of flame had risen—indicating the player had fallen. His movements slowed. He continued setting the trap.

After some time, the Flame Emperor arrived with twenty guild members, intending to destroy the guild they had found.

And Sally, who had been lingering on her way back, watched from concealment.