Defense Specialization and Shoe Hunting 2.

Short.

"Defeated!"

As Maple struck down the last red ghost, materials fell to the ground.

"Mmm... missed it. Honestly, it's questionable whether they'd even drop anything at all..."

For Maple, fighting in this isolated place with no one else around was convenient. If the desired shoes dropped, that would be perfect.

Still, without information, it was more likely to end in nothing.

"Maybe Sally could use something else too... I'll give the materials to Izu. She always maintains my gear!"

It would also help Maple level up.

Recently, she hadn't focused on hunting monsters, so this might be a good change.

Maple remained seated on the throne, eyes scanning for the red spirit to appear nearby.

“Ah! There you are! Quite a few of them, aren’t there?”

The red spirit approached Maple and struck with magic.

“Even ordinary spells.”

The crimson light struck Maple’s abdomen and shattered with a sharp sound, vanishing.

“Okay! All right, all right! Come on, come closer now.”

Maple beckoned with a hand. The spirit drew near. She ignited it again with an item.

“Still slow, aren’t I… Haven’t fought like this in a while. Used to clear them quickly.”

Yet, a leisurely fight was not unpleasant. Maple felt no strain. She continued to defeat the monsters.

“Defeated! Oh, next one coming.”

Maple smiled faintly and beckoned once more.

The clearly non-human red spirit approached, attempting futile attacks, then faded away.

Ah, right. I think I had a poison skill with instant death effect… this one!

Maple recalled a skill she had nearly forgotten, one she rarely used.

It was acquired when she stood at the peak among the poison-bearing monsters within the fourth-tier jar.

[Venomous Curse]

Adds 20% instant death effect to poison-type skills.

A weaker skill… but aiming for instant death might be faster. Fewer items left for attack. Let's try it! Um… [Venom Cutter]!

The cluster of poison thrown at the approaching red spirits was weak compared to [Poison Dragon (Hydra)], but if the instant death effect triggered, it would matter little.

Won't fall… this one needs an MP potion, can't do it alone… fighting solo is difficult, isn't it.

Maple considered the things Sally had gathered alone for her, and began to think that shoes alone might not be enough as thanks.

This floor—maybe it’s worth striving for… for Sally. She’ll surely be happy with the gift.

And so, Maple struck the poison again and again, then suddenly thought of it.

...Hmm, not dead yet. Bad luck? Or perhaps you... don't work?

Maple speaks, her fingers brushing the spirit’s ribcage, slipping through it as she tries to tap it lightly.

Maple asked in a tone slightly different from usual, as though she sensed the bad omen might come true, though no spirit could answer.

Maple noticed a deeper issue at play.

The compatibility between Maple seated upon her throne and the skill known as [Poisonous Charm Magic].

The characters of [Poisonous Charm Magic] radiated malice.

"Wait—this probably won’t activate. No good! It won’t work!...Then again, maybe I should try gradually with items... or perhaps attempt to lure someone?"

Maple continued fighting in place until her supplies ran out. Once depleted, she dashed back to the open area before the spirit could find her.

"Shiroppu, please take me back."

Maple decided she would return soon. For now, she headed back to Town.

She had forgotten that [Poisonous Charm Magic] was inherently evil. That mistake has been corrected.