Defensive specialization and main.

Kasumi succeeded in obtaining the three items and parted ways with the guild members, heading toward the final torii gate.

“Phew… well, what will come out now?”

No information has emerged yet.

Kasumi was the first to step into the building.

“Let’s head up, then.”

Ascending the corridor and staircase illuminated by violet flames.

No rooms to enter, but advancing with caution, aiming for the top floor.

“Huh… no one’s here.”

At the top of the stairs stood a fusuma, perfectly closed.

If anything was inside, it would be beyond that.

Kasumi took a deep breath, then opened the fusuma.

The room inside was unremarkable—just tatami mats铺 on the floor.

At the very back sat a youkai, white-haired, wearing white hakama and a kimono, with two horns protruding from the forehead.

Appearing most like a demon, yet distinct from the four-meter-tall, muscular demon slain moments before.

Kasumi assumes, from the information seen at the building's entrance, that he is likely the master, and watches his next movement closely.

“Oh…? Surely not a human coming here.”

The demon rises and walks toward Kasumi.

His height, perhaps two meters, amplifies the pressure he exerts.

“Just so. If you’re carrying it, then follow.”

The demon turns his back and returns to his previous spot, draws a magic circle on the ground, and vanishes.

“Then let’s go.”

Kasumi steps onto the magic circle, steadying her breath. She arrives at a wasteland reminiscent of a dragon-slaying field.

The demon stands a short distance away.

No tree, no large rock is visible in any direction.

“Had thought to pass it on easily… yet you, human, have changed your mind.”

« ………… »

« Defeat me. If you can, the next throne shall be yours. »

Kasumi had considered the possibility of battle. She drew her blade without surprise.

« Then, shall we begin, human? »

The moment the voice reached her ears, white light burst from the demon’s right hand.

The weapon in its grip was a sword.

« So be it! »

Kasumi entered combat mode. She closed the distance toward the demon.

Despite the gap between them, the demon swung its sword from high above.

Kasumi saw the blade stretch, extend, glide through the air—then vanish just before it reached her.

Her hesitation, the moment she stopped—was her undoing.

Back in Town, Kasumi checked that her key item remained. She considered trying again, then paused.

“Hm? Quite the offensive power… If it seems doable, we’ll just keep trying. You dodged that last one, didn’t you?”

She had died many times before acquiring the demon blade. The shift when she was struck down was swift.

One week later. Kasumi lay face-down on the guildhouse desk.

“Sally? What’s wrong with Kasumi?”

“The boss at the deepest level… can’t seem to be defeated no matter what. Strong, even though it’s just one enemy. Still, I doubt Maple will reach it for some time… Shall I describe the boss?”

“Yeah! I want to hear!”

Sally began speaking about the boss, responding to the cheerful reply.

The boss has only one enemy, solo-only. The class I choose… I’d go with a short sword. That changes the fighting style. Right now, the staff seems easiest to fight with… but no one’s defeated it yet. They say there must be some hidden weakness flag somewhere.

Sally concluded by noting that only partial attack patterns for certain classes had been revealed.

"You can’t go that far yet, can you?"

"Yeah, still can’t get in."

Sally’s access permit was missing one level.

But she would likely gain entry soon.

"Are you fighting too?"

"I’ll take on a battle if I have a chance to win. But I won’t fight if there’s no chance at all."

That was the same as saying she couldn’t beat the boss.

"If Sally can’t beat it, it must be incredibly strong."

That’s true. I suppose I’ll try it someday… but if I could face it with Maple, I might just manage to win.

Sally said nothing more. There was no point in speaking of things that could not be done.

“So that’s why Kasumi is like this.”

Kasumi’s current form was the end result of players who had tried to overcome her and failed repeatedly.

"Yeah. Oh, right—there’s an event coming up soon… something like the previous bull hunt."

"Ugh… I’ll focus on getting my travel permit approved."

It was certain that the current event would not be one that Maple, with her many tasks at hand, would feel compelled to take part in.

Though the presence of [Brutality] this time should make it easier than last time, the lingering aversion remained.

Maple decided to skip this event for now and focus on achieving her current goal.

That suits me. There’s plenty to do in this town.

I’ll handle the travel permit during the event… perhaps I’ll explore again later.

Maple puts on a sheep’s horn atop her head, changes into a kimono, and steps out into the Town.

What should I do? Hmm… where to go now…

Maple walks aimlessly through the Town, arms crossed.

As she wanders, thinking what to do, a shop selling gear catches her eye.

I haven’t been in a place like this much, have I?

She had only ever used gear from the Unique Series or items crafted by Izu—she had little connection to store-bought equipment.

Excuse me…

Maple enters the shop and browses the available gear.

Fine-looking armor, weapons with strange shapes—things catch her attention—but nothing surpasses her current equipment, of course.

She walks the length of the shop without purchasing anything, her eyes tracing over fine armor, weapons with unfamiliar shapes—things catch her attention—but nothing surpasses her current gear, of course.

When she finally reaches the counter where the clerk stands, she notices, written in large letters on the wall behind the clerk, a poster stating that five or more items purchased will earn a special reward.

Then, she thinks, I might as well buy something.

Maple selects five items at random, inexpensive, and receives a scroll from the clerk.

【Quick Change】?

A skill available to all, already spreading through word and rumor.

It has not yet reached full use in 【Maple Tree】 where individuals move too swiftly for such things to settle.

【Quick Change】

Swap to pre-set equipment. Use again to return to original.

Ah. I see. Then I’ll set one more piece of gear—

Maple stepped out of the shop, having acquired a skill to refine finer details.