Defense specialization and the sixth layer.
Time passes. The beginning of the third month.
A path to the next level has been prepared in a certain dungeon.
Following the advance party, Maple and her group, the 【Maplewood】, are preparing to enter the dungeon.
"The boss this time is said to be a jellyfish made of clouds. It uses several kinds of status effects."
Kasumi speaks briefly about the boss.
Crom and Sally hear this. Then Crom speaks.
"Does physical attack work?"
"Affirmative."
"Today... Yui and Mai are here too."
Sally adds.
Hearing this, Crom asks again.
"Are there piercing attacks?"
"Not confirmed as of now."
Kasumi says. Crom exhales deeply, then smiles faintly.
"We've won."
"Indeed."
"True."
Today, everyone is still at the guild home.
Then, it becomes possible to strike the boss in perfect condition.
The three had no doubt of victory. Not from arrogance. Simply because it was certain.
As they spoke, from deep within the guild home, Izu led the remaining five into the lobby.
"Let's go! Quick and done—sixth floor."
"Then shall we ride Shiroppu?"
All agreed to Maple's suggestion. The group of 【Maple's Tree】 mounted Shiroppu's back and floated forward through the sea of clouds.
"Arrived!"
Maple set Shiroppu down upon the ground, stroked its head, then returned it to her ring.
Before the eight, the dungeon's entrance, formed of clouds, opened like a welcoming mouth.
"Then let's go?"
"Maple takes the lead. I'll walk the rear with Kasumi. Just in case."
Crom’s words were precisely precautionary. For Maple had already activated Love That Offers the Body mid-sentence.
“Might get a sudden skill release… just in case…”
Yui and Mai moved forward through the narrow passage.
Yui and Mai were usually protected until the boss battle.
“Still, I think I could beat Maple alone.”
“Same here.”
While Kasumi and Crom spoke, Maple’s great shield swallowed the thunderclouds rushing toward them as usual.
“Forward—push forward!”
On such a narrow path, extending the shield was more than sufficient.
If alone, the passage would be filled with poison. This was, by comparison, lenient.
No monster capable of halting Maple’s advance should be lingering in the path at all.
Maple’s path was clear. She reached the Boss Room without difficulty.
The door opened. All stepped inside. The ceiling, made entirely of cloud, began to swell.
Then, it split. Slowly, tendrils of cloud extended, shaping themselves into the form of a jellyfish.
“Oh—so soft!”
“Probably poisoned. Maple, play with it?”
“Okay!”
Maple approached the jellyfish, touching its tentacles with playful motions.
The paralysis effect had no hold on her. The sensation was merely pleasant.
Even when struck, she felt no harm. The tentacles seemed to recoil from her touch.
Behind her, at the very edge of her protection, five others strengthened Yui and Mai.
After a moment.
“Good. Done!”
I'm fine...!
The two, prepared, walk forward carrying two mallets taller than themselves toward the jellyfish.
Ah, Jellyfish-san. Sorry? We have to bring you down too.
Maple, noticing the approaching pair, gently releases her wavy tentacles and steps back from the jellyfish.
"Double Stamp!"
The jellyfish is struck hard, sent flying, and crumbles into a pile of drifting mist.
I think its lack of physical resistance was its downfall.
Indeed, I agree.
It was the two of them who enhanced Yui and Mai to the level of a single powerful strike.
Yet, one could also say Kanade and Izu had a point about the cause of this ruin.
Thus, without much struggle, the eight continue onward toward the unseen sixth floor.
What kind of place will it be, Sally?
"Ah? Well, whatever it is, I suppose it’s fine… I’d be glad if it’s somewhere a threadweaver could handle."
The exit to the next level comes into view.
Before the eight, a wasteland spreads out—ancient tombstones scattered across its surface.
The dim, mist-laden area glimmers under moonlight from above.
"Oh… huh?"
Maple turns, her right hand grasped.
"Wasn’t… wasn’t alright…"
There, pale-faced, stands Sally.
A typical horror zone—arrived as the sixth level.