Defense specialization and gifts.

Time passed. It was a day slightly past Christmas. The day Maple could finally open the present box she had acquired.

Maple and Sally appeared at the guild home at the same moment.

"Ah, Sally. Long time no see... not really."

"Yeah, it's only been just after winter break started. Not quite that long. Where to next?"

"Mmm... I don't think so. Today, I just came to open the present. Yeah, that's why."

Maple pulled a red box from her inventory.

"You got one too, Maple. Actually, so did I."

Sally brought out a yellow box. The wrapping was different from Maple’s, yet it was also a drop from a present box.

Sally held the present box with both hands, staring at it with quiet solemnity.

"No... it was exhausting. I don’t even remember how many I’ve knocked down..."

I could not say that I had done it in one go, despite Maple’s quiet tone as she ran her fingers along the box.

Maple chose to shift the subject before it could be asked.

"Yeah, let’s open it right away! Now then, what could it be?"

Untying the ribbon, both of them lifted the lid with a snap. Inside were two scrolls.

Items capable of granting skills.

"Skills... hmm, let’s see what’s inside."

They each examined the information written on their scroll.

【Ice Pillar】

Summons a single, unbreakable pillar of ice. Maximum five pillars.

Disappears after one minute.

【Frozen Ground】

For three seconds after activation, all players or monsters in contact with the ground within a five-meter radius of the caster are immobilized.

Can be used again after three minutes.

The first was Sally’s scroll.

The second was Maple’s.

"Sally, this was the skill."

"My version is this. Looks like there are several types... I haven't used 【Great Sea】 lately, so I'll go with this one. Hmm, should I manage my MP too?"

Sally muttered, beginning to consider her next steps.

The skill could reasonably improve defensive capability if used properly.

"Strong monsters can just be frozen, right? Like this—quickly!"

"True enough. That should work."

"Alright, alright! Then this year’s done."

"Wait, really?"

Sally asked as Maple prepared to log out.

"Can't leave tasks unfinished little by little. And the first of the month will be busy too... I'll take a short break. You should handle your tasks too, Sally?"

"I've already finished. Let's play?"

Maple paused, slightly surprised by the sudden shift in energy, then logged out.

Sally remained alone, reconsidering her plans ahead.

Another layer would arrive soon. She would stay quiet for now… The one beyond the final torii had shown no signs of weakening, so that was still impossible… Perhaps she would explore the area near the mechanical town again?

Sally, determined to catch up in Maple’s absence, decided to explore without a clear vision—something unusual for her.

“Maybe doing this once in a while isn’t bad. Learning from Maple, you know.”

With anticipation for the fifth layer soon to come, Sally turned toward the third.

The result was no skill gain, no event occurred.

The only thing Sally did was test the feel of the [Ice Spire].

Yet, just this once, Sally became utterly consumed by the usefulness of the [Ice Spire].

She had always relied on fragile, disposable magic walls to block dangerous area attacks—walls that broke too quickly.

If it could last for even a single minute, that would be the greatest joy.

Sally thought it would be even better if it were transparent, so her form would vanish when hidden—but even without that, it was sufficient.

Now, Maple and Sally’s winter break had ended, and it was already past the middle of the month.

Sally, who had long awaited it, finally saw the fifth layer implemented.

On the day of implementation, Sally arrived at the guild home early. After waiting a short while, fellow guild members with the same thought began to gather.

“Ah, everyone’s here!”

Sally had not expected all of them to arrive. Her voice held surprise and delight.

“Hm? No, Maple isn’t here?”

“Ah… Maple is….”

Sally answered Crom’s question, recalling the truth.

“She caught the flu again… as usual this year.”

“S-so that’s how it is. What should we do? Should we meet another day, all together?”

The conclusion drawn from the意见 offered in response to Crom’s proposal was that, since a few members could manage the task if Maple were present, they would proceed with the members currently assembled.

No one objected.

Worst case, Maple could defeat the boss alone.

Thus, without Maple, the group known as [Maple’s Tree] advanced toward the dungeon’s fifth floor.

Adjusted skill cooldown times. Adjusted skill effects.