Defense-oriented, and the town with four layers.
After confirming the location of the Guild Home and taking a cursory look around the interior, Sally noticed that the remaining members of [Maple Tree] had logged in.
"Sorry, Maple. I'm going to help."
"Then I'll come too. I'll just guard with [Love That Offers the Body]."
The two set aside their exploration of the fourth layer and returned once more to the third.
The boss battle ended with astonishing ease—Yui and Mai delivering repeated normal attacks while under the protection of [Love That Offers the Body].
The group arrived in the new town and each member headed off in separate directions to explore the wide expanse.
They would later share what they found, piecing together the full layout of the town.
Maple walked alone, glancing left and right, scanning for what might be there.
As she walked, a large red torii gate came into view, marked with a kanji character written as "壱."
As Maple stepped beneath it, a voice echoed: “Passage verification.”
“Um… it’s okay to pass, right?”
Maple slowly extended one foot. Nothing happened. She sprang forward and cleared the gate in one motion.
“Right, I have the permit. How far can I go?”
Maple resumed walking.
A permit was required to proceed inward.
And naturally, the deeper one went, the greater the chance of encountering better gear, better skills.
Boats and carts, carried by NPCs for a fee to designated points, were stationed along the path. At the torii marked with “弐,” Maple decided to ride a cart.
“Faster! Comfortable, comfortable!”
The cart moved far quicker than walking, surging forward toward the heart of the Town.
Maple stepped down from the cart before a torii marked with the word "Land."
When Maple tried to pass through the torii, a faintly glowing wall blocked her way.
"Ah... That tall building is still far off... Can I get a通行許可証 somewhere?"
Maple gave up on moving forward and decided to enter a shop nearby.
"Excuse me... Oh, so many kimonos!"
Many garments like the ones Kasumi wore were displayed.
"The clothes over here might suit this Town better..."
In the end, Maple changed her entire outfit. She removed the large shield and short blade—no need for battle gear now. She was fully in tourist mode.
Dressed in a kimono with purple as the base tone, echoing her signature technique, [Poison Dragon (Hydra)], Maple stepped out of the shop.
"Where to next?"
Maple walked forward again, her steps light with satisfaction.
The next place Maple entered was a shop filled with furniture items.
At the back, a single NPC shopkeeper sat alone.
Tables, old jars, hanging scrolls, and other household goods were arranged across the space.
Items that could alter the appearance of the guild home's rooms.
"Perhaps something remarkable? Price is high... but I can't tell."
Maple examined the wares, yet felt no particular interest in such furniture. She turned to leave, deciding to pass on this shop.
Then, from the back, the elderly shopkeeper called out to her.
"Miss... would you not care to see one more vase?"
"Me?... Hmm, what should I do?"
Though uninterested, refusing the offer felt like it might trouble her later. She decided to look.
"Come this way..."
The shopkeeper opened a door, beckoning Maple into a space where no goods were displayed.
When Maple followed, a small jar, no larger than a palm, appeared before her.
“This? Hmm... I don’t think I need this.”
A blue panel materialized before Maple as she spoke.
“Huh? Quest!?“
A quest changed everything.
Maple, who rarely encountered quests for her status, could not refuse.
She accepted the quest without checking the name.
“Then… you shall be the final one.”
The shopkeeper lifted the lid. Maple’s body was drawn into the jar.
“Eh!? W-what!?”
Maple tried to recall what kind of quest it was, or its name—but she could not remember. The name, 【King in the Jar】, slipped from her mind.