Defense specialization and the sixth event.

Maple could not obtain the item needed to enter the jungle at the fastest pace, but she managed to secure the first one while still within the event period.

She had also ensured enough time to remain logged in for extended durations, and now she decided to finally transfer into the event area.

"Alright... here we go. Yes, use!"

When Maple activated the item, a whirlwind of light enveloped her body.

The light extended upward into the sky and vanished smoothly.

When the light surrounding Maple faded, the scenery around her was a quiet jungle, audible only to the sound of leaves swaying in the wind.

Numerous tall trees stood side by side, their vines hanging down.

"For now... no one around, I think?"

Maple felt no presence of players or monsters nearby.

The location of her emergence within the event area varied.

It would be difficult to search together with Sally, Crom, and Kasumi, should any of them be somewhere nearby.

Something, at least one thing, I hope to find. I came all this way, after all!

Maple sets her resolve and begins walking through the jungle.

She scans the surroundings, eyes darting, searching for anything unusual. She finds a beautiful red flower.

Five petals, each the length of her forearm, exuding a sweet scent.

Could there be something here?

Maple steps closer to examine the bloom.

The flower extends its stem as if waiting. Petals close around her upper body.

At the same moment, her shield and short blade are forcibly wrenched from her hands and fall to the ground.

To an observer from outside, it would look like predation.

Ah! Stop! Please!

Maple flails her limbs—not thinking, but reacting.

But the flower does not release Maple.

It cannot inflict damage upon her.

"A, that's right!"

Maple finally recalls that she still has other methods of attack. She unfolds multiple guns from her body.

The flower, persistently attempting to consume Maple, feels no urgency.

"【Attack Initiated】!"

The bullets pierce the petals one after another. The flower disintegrates. Maple escapes unharmed.

"Phew... that was frightening."

As Maple picks up the shield and short blade fallen at her feet, an anomaly occurs.

In the final moment before vanishing, the ruined monster flower releases a sweet scent.

It spreads gently. Not merely soothing.

"What... what is this!?"

The rustling of thickets, the murmur of leaves, the heavy thud of something shifting—these sounds begin to echo through the quiet jungle.

They grow louder. Birds, apes, moving plants, even a giant made of moss-covered stone appear, surrounding Maple.

“Ugh…”

Maple grimaces at the sight of them, ten meters away.

She understands, easily, that the scent of the flower has drawn them.

Though the information about the red flower had already been known through the noble sacrifices of earlier players, Maple, who rarely sought information proactively, had no way of knowing.

Yet one difference stood clear: she would not so easily become a sacrifice.

“Can’t fly here in the jungle… ugh. Guess I have no choice but to fight!”

Maple made her resolve, unwilling but certain, and deployed her weapons to full extent, assuming combat stance.

【Attack Initiated】!

Laser beams, bullets, shells—unaimed, untargeted—flooded the jungle, overwhelming the monsters with sheer volume.

Trees became barriers. Maple’s fire could not reach its full strength, but the weak monsters fell.

Yet swift ones moved through the shadows of the trees, closing in on Maple.

【Predator】!

Two abominations slithered from the ground, refusing passage to any who approached.

Too hard. Too solid. The monsters did not understand that attacking her was futile. They pressed on, then were torn apart.

Damage… none received! I’m fine!

Maple watches the stone giant closely, advancing while keeping distance, her attacks directed at it.

The monsters approaching from behind are already being dealt with by the two reliable ones—no need to worry.

The sound of them vanishing one after another behind her is proof enough.

"Good, keep going...!"

Maple deflects the long-range attacks from the aerial monster with her body, calm and effortless, while dispatching the ground monsters.

The battle proceeds smoothly. Maple relaxes her guard.

"Should be fine... huh!?"

Ahead, from the shadow beneath the stone giant’s foot, a red flower suddenly peeks out.

Maple halts her attack in alarm—but too late. A single laser cuts through the flower’s center.

"Ahh!!"

Sweet fragrance spreads. The jungle, already loud, grows louder still.

"Why are you there, of all places! Ugh!"

Maple shouts, swinging both arms up and down.