Defense specialization and umbrella.
The event ended as Maple withdrew further from the jungle.
In the end, Maple never returned to the jungle.
The guild home carried the air of a brief pause after the event concluded. Maple was there.
"I didn’t notice it was over... but gathering items for another trip was tough, so it’s fine."
As Maple considered what to do next, Sally entered from the entrance.
Maple waved slightly. Sally walked directly toward her.
"How was it, Maple? Any results from the jungle?"
I had some results, Sally added. Her expression carried the weight of something valuable obtained.
"Well... not really. I was just exploring this level normally after a point."
“Ah… well, there’s preparation needed before going, so… did you find anything here?”
“Found something, yes!”
Maple smiles, her expression light with the weight of discovery.
“What kind of thing?”
“The throne!”
“The throne… say that again?”
“…The throne!”
“I see…”
Sally speaks only that, then settles beside Maple on the sofa.
She has focused on the event, so meeting Maple face to face feels only slightly unfamiliar.
There is no shortage of topics—the throne Maple mentioned, the things Sally saw in the jungle.
As the two continue speaking, the conversation shifts.
“The event’s over. The next layer might open soon.”
“Yeah… what kind of place will it be? I hope it’s somewhere beautiful.”
Maple's thoughts drift toward a landscape unseen.
It might be a beautiful sea. A quiet forest. A bustling town.
"Then let's finish what we left behind here... and move on?"
"What exactly did we leave undone, Sally?"
"Come on, the place Maple hasn't visited yet. The one where rain falls slowly. Let's clear it now."
The place Sally spoke of—where rain fell slowly—was the one Crom and Kasumi had discovered.
According to Sally, the route had already been mapped. The rewards were known.
"You haven't been to the lightning zone either, have you, Sally?"
"Ah, I'm fine this time. I'm not drawn to the skill Maple taught me."
"I see. Then... shall we go?"
"Yeah. Let's prepare and head to the rainy area."
Thus, the two set out toward the region where rain fell.
The two reached for the guild home’s door at the same moment it opened.
“Ah, Maple and Sally. Off somewhere?”
Kasumi stood there.
She had no particular purpose. She had come here simply.
“We’re heading to the place where rain falls slowly. The one you showed us before!”
“Ah, that place… Yes, if it’s alright, may I come along?”
Kasumi saw a good opportunity and asked this of them.
There was no reason for Maple and Sally to refuse. In the end, the three set out together.
“Um, Kasumi. You have it?”
“No, not yet. Focused on the event.”
“…?”
Maple tilted her head, unsure what the two were discussing.
Sally suddenly threw a question at her, watching Maple.
“Come on, Maple. What do you use when it rains?”
“Um… a, umbrella?”
Maple answers, uncertain.
“Right, correct! An essential item for entering that area.”
“Therefore, we’re going to buy umbrellas now. I know where the shop is.”
Kasumi and Sally walk ahead, side by side, guiding the way. Maple follows behind.
They arrive at the shop selling umbrellas.
Inside, umbrellas are packed tightly together—varied in type, color, and size.
“Um… which one should we pick?”
“It doesn’t matter. All work the same.”
“Yeah, I see.”
Maple walks through the shop, examining one umbrella, then another, dismissing each.
“I’ll take this one.”
“Simple, so it’ll do.”
Kasumi selects a dark red Chinese-style umbrella. Sally chooses a blue one, matching her clothes.
“Maple, wait—what’s that?”
Maple’s umbrella, held in her hand, was made entirely of soft, puffy clouds.
“Only here! That’s not fair!”
“Isn’t that a weakness?”
“Ugh… well, yes, but it works as an umbrella. Look!”
Maple opens the cloud umbrella and spins it above her head in a slow circle.
“Well, if it’s sold, it must work. Should be fine, probably.”
Kasumi hesitates when it comes to Maple—she never quite manages certainty.
In any case, the three walk forward, each holding their chosen umbrella, toward the area where rain falls.