Defense specialization and connection.

The prediction that the operation had already ended was correct.

From the fourth day onward, no combat occurred within the game. Time passed in peace.

Maple and the others concluded the fifth day without notable changes in ranking, then transferred to the normal field.

Seconds after the transfer, a blue panel floated before each player, displaying the final rankings for this round.

"Third place again!"

"Right, Maple was third in the first event too."

The reward remained unchanged up to tenth place, so there was no incentive to aim higher. But securing the points from the orb of a large guild was significant.

As they waited, the highest-ranked reward appeared on the panel.

Five silver medals and one wooden token. To Guildmaster Maple, a guild installation item that raises all stats by five percent was also awarded.

Maple placed them in her inventory, then withdrew the wooden token once more to examine it.

"Permit—Rank Five……hmm, hmm."

Beneath the written characters, her name was inscribed in small script.

It cannot be lent or borrowed.

"Should be useful in the next tier. Though that’s still some time off."

Sally, like Maple, returned her token to her inventory.

"Regardless… well done, Maple."

"Well done, Sally!"

They exchanged congratulations, then the entire 【Maple Tree】 guild returned to the guildhall.

The guild agreed to hold a celebration in honor of Maple’s safe placement within the top ten, and so, several days later, the 【Maple Tree】 guild prepared to host the event.

Izu had maxed out her 【Cooking】 skill, and her food was exquisite.

Yet, when all gathered, Maple alone was absent.

“I rushed off to buy something… I should have gone with her…”

“Yes… alone, she tends to wander off somewhere.”

Sally paused the conversation and began to search for Maple when the guild door opened and Maple returned.

As usual, bringing unexpected company.

“Back again!”

“Uh, welcome back, Maple. Where are the others behind you?”

At the end of Sally’s gaze stood four members of the 【Gathering Holy Sword】 and four from the 【Empire of the Flame Emperor】.

When Sally asked why they were there, Maple answered brightly.

“We met outside and started talking—ended up getting added as friends, so I invited them. That one, well, it’s like connecting with other strong ones, right? I’ve become strong too, haven’t I?”

“Ah, yeah…”

On Maple’s friend list, names lined up: 【Maple Tree】, 【Gathering Holy Sword】, and players from 【Empire of the Flame Emperor】.

Sally, who knew how Maple was usually treated, watched the list as something apart from friendship.

Even a demon lord would pale and flee.

Iz, responding to the sudden guest, prepared dishes in succession.

With only eight members in 【Maple Tree】, there was no rush to seat anyone new—room was always available.

They enjoyed their meals, passed time together, when a notice arrived from the administrators.

A single video was attached.

“Shall we broadcast it through the guild monitor? Everyone seems to be seeing the same one.”

Maple rises and adjusts the monitor installed in the guild, starting the video playback.

The screen displays highlights from this event.

Mostly, it shows the actions of those present.

Pain appears—then Mii—then Sally, as the scene shifts.

"Ahh... that night... my failure...!"

Frederica exclaims.

"I could've done better if I'd been more energetic."

Sally says, and Frederica frowns in reply.

"It's not that simple."

"Shall we try again later?"

"Sure! Next time, I'll get it right. I'll definitely hit it."

As they speak, Maple appears on screen.

"Still humanoid, huh."

"Seven of them, right? I know."

Dread and Drag murmur, their eyes vacant.

"Just remembering it hurts."

The men stare at the monitor. None except Crom have any good memories of it. Kanade watches from among the women, unremarkable in her presence.

Markus will likely take considerable time to overcome.

When the footage shows Crom protecting Yui, Mai, Iz, and Kanade—using an irregular teleportation via [Cobalt Move] and an absurdly excessive recovery ability—some glance at him with expressions that suggest, even if it seemed relatively ordinary at first.

"I must catch up to Maple. I dislike losing and staying behind."

"Keeping up with Maple—she turns into a tangle of fur or a monster the moment you look away... ah."

Crom responds to Pain, who is determined.

Maple is far beyond even the gap in skill.

Whether he can catch up remains unknown.

A new layer will be added in about a month and a half.

The outcome would depend on movement there. That was clear.