Defense Specialization and Darkness Two.

Apologies for the delay.

Also, I may adjust the posting schedule to every other day soon. Please bear that in mind.

After a pause, rather than having finished gathering information, Maple finally resolves to release the [Brutality], halts her steps, tears open the monster’s skin, and descends to the ground.

“First, [Full Armament Deployment]!”

Having prepared to flee with all her might, Maple calls out to Shiroppu and causes her to grow massive.

“Shiroppu! [Spirit Cannon]!”

A method of attack she conceived while evading the enemy.

The white beam Shiroppu fires cuts through the darkness, consuming the small spirit in its path.

“Alright, got it! Thanks, Shiroppu!”

Penetrating attacks remain, so [Love That Offers the Body] cannot be used lightly.

Maple had chosen, as befitting her true role as a great shieldbearer, to guard herself with her shield.

Shield good. Salt good.

Maple, holding her item, flew straight through the space Shiroppu had carved open.

Maple soared through the darkness, trailing flames, and plummeted to the ground, hurling every last bit of salt at the boss.

Ugh… landing in the dark is far too difficult…

Maple, still airborne, then flew toward the throne, rolling into it like a stone.

Shiroppu waited nearby. No need to worry about the small spirit’s skill.

Phew… Shiroppu’s attack is strongest for now. There’s nothing to do but wait patiently until she can strike again.

Maple dealt with the approaching small spirits using her items.

If the boss reaches for her, she has decided to detonate on the throne and launch upward in an emergency evacuation.

"Good, good, keep it up... Shiroppu!"

While Maple was dispatching the approaching small spirits, the boss attempted a piercing attack aimed at Shiroppu.

"Wha—ah, Love That Offers the Body!"

Unable to leave the throne due to the flood of small spirits before her, Maple instinctively moves to protect Shiroppu.

"Ugh... aah, me— Meditation!"

As long as she remains on the throne, Meditation and the throne’s automatic recovery will keep her healed.

Thus, even if Shiroppu is targeted, defeat will not come.

Yet the fact that damage still arrives, even while healing, is a grave matter for Maple.

"Uuu... it's burning..."

A constant, searing pain flows through Maple’s body.

Maple writhed upon the throne, waiting for the attack to cease.

After a time, the spirit halted its assault and turned away, summoning its smaller followers instead.

"Shiroppu, are you alright? Uuu... what should I do? I can't endure this again..."

The damage was within her numerical limits, but to Maple, it was unbearable.

The thought struck her—should the spirit continue targeting Shiroppu, the situation would grow dire.

It was not a grand revelation, perhaps not even a true insight.

"...I just need to return Shiroppu to the ring... idiot."

When Maple returned Shiroppu to the ring, the pain that had plagued her vanished cleanly.

There was no need to keep Shiroppu by her side at all times.

"Call only when safe. Good. I’ve learned."

Maple shifted her focus immediately, turning forward once more.

The enemy has not yet vanished.

With a piercing attack at their disposal, there is no time to waste on idle thoughts.

"Let's retreat once more and call Shiroppu. Without the Spirit Cannon, this will be difficult."

Maple spread her weapons upon the throne, detonating them as they shattered, flinging herself as far from the spirit as possible.

"Good. I'll bring Shiroppu out now."

Maple summoned Shiroppu, fortifying her defense while waiting for the Spirit Cannon to become usable again.

"Shiroppu, Spirit Cannon!"

Once Shiroppu could attack, she struck. Until then, Maple held Shiroppu in miniature form, shielding herself from the blast of flame during flight, and fled without pause.

She repeated this motion, fighting the monster in an unusual manner—avoiding damage rather than delivering it.

"Dealt considerable damage...!?"

Maple noticed, here, a distinct change.

Until now, though dark, her own body had been visible, the boss visible as well—darkness like a moonlit night.

Now, however, Maple could not see Shiroppu, the giant form she had summoned and kept nearby, nor the throne left untouched, nor the spirit form.

A darkness so deep it was like closing her eyes enveloped Maple.

"Wh—where!? Shiroppu!"

Maple returned Shiroppu to the ring, crouched low, and hid her body behind her own frame like a shield, scanning the surroundings with quick glances.

"Where is it coming from? No…."

Maple squinted, but the darkness remained unchanged—she could not even confirm the position of her own hands.

"Right—lantern!"

Maple reached into her inventory, pulled out a lantern, and tried to light it.

The light vanished as if swallowed by darkness, extinguished like a candle's flame in a gust.