Defense specialized, and a hand of salvation.

"First things first—potion, potion!"

Maple sits up abruptly, pulling a potion from her inventory and drinking it down.

Maple’s health is fully restored. She rises slowly.

"Phew... That was close. What was that? Instant death?"

Maple stretches deeply, scanning her surroundings.

Everywhere she looks, white dominates. The space around her stretches endlessly, unmeasurable, a blur of pure whiteness.

"Something... was here! Ah, see you again, ghost man!"

The spirits, their time expired, vanish. Only Shiroppu and the creature at Maple’s side remain.

Maple waves at the spirits, then turns toward the thing she has found.

"This feels familiar. I think I saw it above. Just for a moment."

In the white void, a tattered cross lies embedded in the ground. Before it, decayed flowers rest.

A faint voice reaches Maple as she crouches, staring at it.

"Thank you... good night..."

"Wh-who?!"

A shimmering light envelops Maple as she snaps her head up.

The light takes form. For a moment, Maple sees a woman before her.

The woman reaches out. Then fades, carried away by the rising light.

...Was that a ghost? Was it exorcised? Released? Hmm...

Maple feels an odd weight at her neck. She touches it.

She realizes something hangs there.

"Um... what is this... a rocket pendant? The inside... well... that woman from before? Rotted, hard to tell... just a blur..."

The photograph inside is so weathered it is unrecognizable. Yet to Maple, faint shapes emerge— a woman, a field of flowers.

Maple removes the rocket from her neck. Holds it. Checks the name.

Ah, not an item. A decoration... [Helping Hand]? Did it save someone? What happened at the end... I can't recall...

Maple was so flustered she could not clearly remember the sequence of events at the end.

She could not recall, so she examined the decoration closely.

[Helping Hand]

Decoration.

Adds two more slots to either the right or left hand equipment slot.

Oh! This would suit Sally perfectly. I’d like one myself... but I don’t want to come back here again. I don’t even know how one arrives in the first place...

In Maple’s mind, giving the equipment to Sally was already decided.

She sent a message to Sally, wishing to meet her in the Fifth Layer Town.

Sally replied immediately. Maple hurried toward the Fifth Layer Town.

Maple arrives at the Guild Home in the Fifth Layer Town. Sally is already there.

"Sal— I’m sorry, I called you so suddenly."

"It’s fine. What is it? You’re acting strange."

"I just wanted to return the favor I’ve been waiting to repay. Here— this is it!"

Maple reaches into her inventory and pulls out a pair of boots and a rocket pendant.

Sally senses the item is from the Sixth Layer. Her eyes close tightly. She turns her face away.

After a pause, she opens her eyes just slightly. Glances at the item.

"Hmm... um. I— I think it’s okay. The boots feel… odd. But— nothing’s inside, is there!? Not hidden?"

"Uh— I don’t think so…"

Maple presses the toe of the boot firmly. No reaction. Nothing from within.

Sally takes the boots and rocket pendant with careful hands. Reads their effects one by one.

These aren’t the boots I expected… but they’ve grown stronger. And this rocket pendant—uh… what is this?

Sally looks at Maple with a puzzled expression.

In the corner of Sally’s mind, questions swirl—many things she wants to ask Maple—but she cannot shape them into words.

It’ll be hard to get another one. And I don’t even know the way clearly… So take good care of it!

Yeah… uh huh. I’ll take care of it. Thank you.

Sally had no words to offer after Maple smiled at her so brightly.

Then, I’ll go test it out a bit.

Yeah! Go on, be careful!

Maple waves as Sally leaves the guild home.

She sits on the sofa, swaying gently, pleased—glad that Sally liked it.

And the next day.

Maple receives the rocket pendant back from Sally.

"Um, it's okay? I'll give it to you?"

Maple said it, thinking Sally was hesitating, but Sally shook her head.

"Maple... I'm sorry. I can't use this..."

Sally's voice was barely a whisper. A question mark formed in Maple's mind.

"Maple, try it on the field. I'll be in the guild home..."

Saying this, Sally vanished into the depths of the guild home.

"Hmm?"

Maple did as instructed and stepped onto the field, equipping the Rescue Hand.

"Wha—!?"

Two translucent hands emerged from behind Maple, hovering still in midair, slightly to her front.

"Ahh... oh, right... wait, she hasn't passed on yet!"

The Rescue Hand was, in a sense, literally hands.

The hand floating within Maple’s vision extends only from the wrist onward—Sally could not possibly accept such a thing.

“Wait, you haven’t saved her yet either! Worse… just—!”

Maple reflected, this time she would verify the effect herself before giving the gift.