Defense specialization and a manor.

Short.

As Maple walks south, her foot caught in the bony hand emerging from the ground, the massive manor, rivaling the ghost house she entered before, comes into view.

—Hmm… I want to explore, but inside I can’t use [Ravage]… what to do?

Maple hesitates briefly, then decides to enter.

—Excuse me. Oh, spacious…

Before her, a wide entrance.

A staircase stretching to the second floor. Another leading down into the basement.

On the wall straight ahead, a portrait of a man remains, though ragged and worn.

—Hmm… where to start? Probably the basement. Something’s likely down there.

Maple bypasses the first floor, descending the stairs into the basement.

—What’s down here? Uuuugh!?

At her side, a spear suddenly thrust from the wall, aiming to pierce Maple’s body. She startles, gasping.

“What… what was that…? Phew. Just startled me…”

The spear halts the moment it touches her body. It does not pierce, not even slightly.

“Oh. The stairs are slightly indented. Was this a trap?”

Maple twists her body, creating space, then moves forward again.

Beyond the stairs stretches a long corridor, with several doors lining both sides.

“All of them. I’ll check them. It’ll be tedious.”

Maple steps toward the nearest room.

Her foot snaps a taut, thin thread.

“Hnn? Hnn!?”

A thunderous sound roars from above. Simultaneously, the blade of a guillotine descends upon her, unstoppable, unavoidable.

It strikes Maple’s head with perfect precision, then shatters instantly.

……?……??

Maple runs a hand over her head. Nothing unusual.

Only a faint impact registers.

Shards of blade lie scattered around. She crouches, picks one up, studies it closely.

It’s brittle. Maybe. But coming down here was a mistake. If this is all I’ll find, I’ll be startled every time…

She scans the surroundings again, wary of sudden movement. Nothing changes.

I should go back up for now… Wait.

She turns. The stairs are gone. Only an unyielding wall remains.

W-why!?

She braces her large shield, testing its strength. Nothing happens. No activation of 【Gourmet】. Just an unbreakable wall.

...No choice. Then I’ll look for something. Maybe I’ll find the skill I was searching for.

She steps forward again, heedless.

The floor beneath her right foot creaks, then collapses with a dull thud. The walls on either side press inward.

S-stop...!

She darts forward, but before she reaches the end of the long corridor, the walls close in, trapping her.

Not crushed... but unable to move... gghh...

She forces her weapon to deploy. Tries 【Toxic Dragon (Hydra)】. The walls do not break.

For a moment, she feels gentle pressure from both sides. Then the walls begin to slowly return to their original positions.

What now? Something’s wrong beneath my feet. Something’s wrong above me...

Maple stands frozen in place.

Yet there was no need for Maple to concern herself with the trap—she simply did not realize it.

"Solution... hmm...!"

After a moment, Maple's expression shifted, as if she had just recalled something.