Defense specialization and monstrosity.

The impact of Maple slamming hard into the wall revealed to most of the 【Maple Tree】 members that Maple had sustained fatal damage.

Especially visible on Yui and Mai was a tremor no one could miss.

Crom and Kasumi could not remain calm within.

"【Power Axe】!"

"Gh—!"

Drag’s attack, exploiting Crom’s opening, swept across Crom’s torso.

Frederica’s continuous support magic from behind further elevated Drag’s already high offensive power—taking a direct hit would be unbearable.

【Unyielding Guardian】 activated, leaving Crom with only one HP, sparing him instant death, yet the situation remained dire.

Though the desire to turn toward Maple was strong, Drag showed no sign of allowing it.

Crom focused his awareness on preventing Maple from being approached.

Drag’s eyes widened at the HP recovering with unnatural speed.

Yet the battle could not last long—movement restricted by the need to shield Yui and Mai from the descending magic.

Before long, Pain advanced toward Maple once more.

Pain considered the possibility that Maple did not possess the [Unyielding Guardian], but that was not the case.

“…There are others who would protect Maple…”

Pain murmured, then charged.

The Berserk inherited from Drag erased the post-technique stiffness, allowing a seamless transition into the next motion.

“[Black Smoke]!”

Kanade cast a spell that blocked Pain’s path to Maple.

An explosion erupted from Iz’s bomb, its roar filling the air.

[Exorcist's Holy Sword]

Pain swung his blade. The black smoke that had filled the space vanished. He saw Iz and Kanade directly ahead.

Pain cut down the two rear guards without hesitation. He reached within a few steps of Maple.

Pain stared at Maple’s equipment, regenerating. He activated his piercing skill. One final strike.

To Pain, in his focused state, the scene unfolded with terrible slowness.

Maple leaning against the wall. Her left hand still extended. The great shield in her grip fell forward, slipping from her grasp.

And clearly, beneath the shield, her left hand held a large cannon muzzle.

Kanade and Iz had hidden Maple’s movements behind the explosion and smoke. That delay had cost them.

Here… now…!

Pain could not dodge. The skill was active. He had only one option—swing through.

[Counter]!

It was the only legitimate skill Maple had acquired during her third event.

A skill that, upon taking damage, transferred the power of the attack to her next strike.

A single laser, fired from the cannon before Pain’s attack could land, seared through Pain’s body.

Her maximum-power attack rebounded upon her.

“Gh… not yet…!”

Pain, with only one HP remaining, lunged at Maple once more.

“[Shattering Holy Sword]!”

“[Ruthless]!”

The black mist taking form had been Maple just a moment before.

Pain’s eyes widened at the number of limbs advancing—now reversed in number and reach.

“Wait… are you even sane…!?”

She severed the first limb. Blocked the second with her shield.

Both limbs halted.

Yet the opponent was no human.

A grotesque mouth, extending afterward, tore through Pain’s upper body.

Yet she did not stop. The remaining limbs shifted forward, pressing toward Dread and Drag.

"Seriously? Wait!?"

"Ah?...Still transforming...?"

Flames burst from their mouths toward the two, frozen in confusion and despair. Dread was seized by the arm. Drag was consumed without resistance.

"Peaceful... at last..."

Dread closed her eyes quietly, accepting her fate.

The rear guard, witnessing this, immediately considered fleeing.

"I'm escaping too—! 【Multiple Acceleration】!!"

Frederica accelerated all of them. Former Maple leapt upward, passing overhead, then adhered to the wall.

Her head was positioned before the exit, drooling.

To escape, they would have to bring her down.

As such thoughts formed, a skill name echoed behind them.

"【Flight Strike】"

"! 【Multiple Barrier】!"

Magic unfolded in an instant.

Yet Frederica regretted it.

Defense meant to block attacks from Yui and Mai was useless against them.

All barriers shattered as expected. Frederica vanished, consumed by light.

The outcome depended on whether one knew Maple’s 【Ruthless】.

Without 【Ruthless】, Pain’s final strike would have surely cut down Maple’s HP.

Had that happened, the collapse of the frontline would have come sooner.

Even so, Sally would have held as long as possible. Still, 【Gathering Holy Sword】 would have remained at an advantage.

The remaining players would have fallen to Maple’s tearing, biting, and shredding. Iz and Kanade would wait for revival. Sally would recover the orb.

“Now, Maple. Second stage.”

“Yeah! Right!”

Time passed slightly beyond the hour. Approaching the third watch of night.

A monster slipped through the dark night.

Seven more monsters rode upon its back, attacking the guild.

A slight correction.