Defense-oriented, few but elite.

Short, so another chapter may come tomorrow or the day after.

Editing the text.

Combat sounds echoed through the once-quiet jungle.

Players in the jungle increased steadily. One of them was Pain.

"Hah!"

Pain deflected the attack with a shield, then cleaved the monster with a blade.

It did not take long to defeat all the monsters surrounding Pain.

"Good. Now, see what's here."

Pain examined the dropped items. Nothing stood out as valuable.

Pain had already found several ruins made of moss-covered stone, but had gained nothing of note from them.

"Must be careful."

Pain’s HP was already reduced to about three-tenths.

Pain had not taken a direct hit, but was gradually losing HP due to sheer numbers.

He could not recover here. Damage must be avoided as much as possible.

Pain sought something new, and resumed walking.

As he walked, faint sounds of combat reached his ears. Though Pain had spent considerable time in the jungle, he had heard such sounds only a few times.

Exploration was difficult, even with full use of information.

"Just check if there is anything here."

Pain reached the source of the louder combat sounds, but thick, taller undergrowth spread beyond, hiding what lay within.

Yet Pain felt certain something unusual was inside.

To suspect unfamiliar depth in the undergrowth was not strange, given what he had seen before.

...Check inside.

Pain parted the undergrowth and stepped inside when the sound of combat ceased.

At once, a rustling came from the thickets—dry, scraping sounds—moving toward him.

Pain raised his shield, drew his sword, assumed combat stance, and prepared to meet whatever approached. The noise grew louder. A pointed edge emerged from the foliage.

Here it comes!

Before Pain’s eyes, a face appeared—familiar. No, unforgettable. A monster’s face.

Ah… tired… wait—Pain-san?

A headless creature, its eyes missing, thrust from the thicket.

The voice issuing from it was one Pain recognized.

Undeniably Maple’s voice.

The two walked forward in silence. They reached a small clearing and sat on the ground.

Maple remained in her monstrous form.

A valuable hide, limited in its ability to heal, cannot be discarded.

Pain sits at the base of a tree. Maple lies with her long body stretched out, centered on the tree.

"Hey, you're staying like that?"

"...? Yes, I suppose."

"Is that so..."

Something stirs deep in Pain’s chest, but if Maple insists on remaining as she is, there is nothing to be done.

The reason they are together now is simple. They have both chosen to explore.

In this vast field, a place where meeting another is difficult, two strong ones who happened upon each other—Pain could not overlook this chance, even if Maple might.

Pain initiated conversation. Maple did not refuse.

Maple did not consider Pain’s proposal deeply.

The thought that came to mind was this: perhaps it would be quicker to escape if someone were present, as before.

Thus, a small, elite team was formed here.