Defense specialization and convergence.

I will raise the next one on Monday.

Maple, having mistakenly used Love That Offers the Body, decided to exit the jungle once.

One reason was the state of being felled by a single piercing attack.

Another was the considerable number of battles fought within the jungle, leading to fatigue.

Maple informed Pain with a single word that she would leave the jungle. She was enveloped in light and returned to the normal field.

"Going to the next location. It's pleasant to have arrived at a clearly marked spot."

Pain murmured alone.

In a jungle where scenery continued unbroken, even few landmarks proved useful.

Pain considered heading toward an area some distance away, where golems appeared in great numbers.

That would render this place unnecessary.

Pain returned via the return magic circle to the twisted great tree.

Ah… good. Let’s go.

Pain straightened their resolve and took another step forward.

Descending the stairs, Pain encountered a group coming up the stairs at mid-point.

It was Crom, Mizari, Kanade, and Markus—four individuals.

Having walked toward the same destination, they had met near the great tree and decided to cooperate.

Each of the four noticed Pain.

Crom spoke to Pain, learning the destination Pain intended to reach. After a brief discussion, the four proposed a plan to Pain.

Wait a moment, they said. They would assist.

They needed a player capable of dealing heavy damage.

…Understood. What is the method for the upper section?

Pain accepted the proposal, asking whether the group could surely succeed.

No problem. We can win.

After several questions, Crom concluded with certainty.

Pain glanced back at the others, considered a moment, then spoke.

"I'll go too. It'll end faster."

He had decided to fight again, rather than wait here.

The cost of battle was not great. Having fought once with Maple, he had observed attacks safely, thoroughly.

There was no chance of losing.

"Five of us—this will end quickly."

As Pain had said, the matter unfolded exactly as predicted, just before touching the magic circle.

Pain led the assault. Crom deflected the boss's attacks with his great shield.

Pain remained calm. He repeated the best actions. Victory came inevitably.

Crom took no damage. He deflected each attack with precision.

Pain and Markus felt a certain ease in that motion. Whether from strength or reliability—was unclear.

All except Pain had acquired new skills.

They returned to the original location, together. They decided to proceed once more into the depths of the forest overflowing with golems.