Defense specialization and Poltergeist 2.

As Crom and Kasumi approached Maple, she seemed to notice them and stopped moving the laser, raising her hand in greeting.

"Maple, you've got another new outfit I've never seen before."

Crom spoke once he reached Maple's side.

"That's right! What do you think of this?"

Maple stood atop Shiroppu and spun around once in place.

She began speaking without waiting, her voice bright, mentioning how the color matched Shiroppu's, how she had discovered new ways to use her skills, and more.

"Is that skill— is that it?"

Kasumi pointed upward, where four lasers stretched into the sky.

"Yes! It's a bit tricky, but if I can manage— wait!?"

As Maple spoke with a hint of pride, the lasers suddenly snapped apart, shattering into the air with sharp, echoing cracks.

Five minutes had passed since the skill activation, and control had been lost.

“Ah… I should remember this properly.”

“Still, it’s good she’s becoming reliable.”

“Hmm. But what about changing equipment? You’ve got two more sets you use often, right, Maple?”

When Kasumi asked this, Maple smiled brightly, as if she had already found a solution.

“Shiroppu, just wait a moment.”

Maple stepped down from Shiroppu and walked forward briskly.

As Kasumi called out to her, the number of weapons extending from Maple’s back nearly doubled.

It was the same motion she had performed many times before—just before forcing herself into the sky.

Immediately after, Maple vanished into the air, leaving behind a burst of flame. From the distance, her form was lost to sight. Neither Kasumi nor the others could see what she was doing up there.

"Hey, what now?"

"Can't really say what we should do..."

Crom and Kasumi exchanged another glance when a sudden roar erupted and sand烟 rose into the air.

"What...!?"

"Oh...?"

Amidst the swirling dust, Maple slowly rose to her feet, clad in her usual black gear.

Maple had reasoned that if there was no time to change gear on the ground, she should simply retreat temporarily to a place where she could.

Nothing could reach Maple up in the sky.

Even if she removed all her gear for a moment, it would matter nothing if the attack did not land.

Maple brushed the dust from her clothes and gave a slow nod, as if to say it had worked.

"This should be usable in combat!"

"That's right. I think so too."

"Me too."

"Then... I should show it to Sally next!"

To incorporate it into future operations meant, of course, showing off the new equipment.

Maple returned Shiroppu to the ring, bade farewell to Crom and Kasumi, and moved toward the fifth layer.

Watching Maple recede into distance, Kasumi murmured quietly.

"Still, as long as she is on our side, she is dependable."

"True. The laser isn’t overwhelmingly powerful—better than the [Poison Dragon (Hydra)]... no, actually, for five minutes, the laser would be stronger."

They had pondered the information Maple had shared, but in the end, they agreed that Maple’s ranged attacks were all extremely dangerous, and no matter which one was used, the target would suffer.

Maple arrived at the fifth layer as promised and sent a message to Sally.

"Oh— you're at the guildhouse! Got it!"

Maple walks lightly toward the guildhouse. She opens the door, and Sally greets her with a slightly surprised expression.

"Maple. I see. That’s what you wanted to show me."

After a moment, Sally realizes why Maple suddenly asked to meet.

"Is that so! Well, how’s it look? Does it suit me?"

"Nice. Here, you’ve only ever worn armor. Huh… fresh feeling? You’ve even got a crown equipped. Like some kind of princess?"

"Hehe, a princess isn’t really my style."

"Mm, true. More the type to trouble the ministers."

"Hey? Really?"

They talk idly for a while. Then, as if remembering something, Maple begins speaking about the equipment’s functions.

"Oh— and this gear can actually be used as proper equipment too."

Maple explains the abilities to Sally. Sally nods, understanding.

“This is good gear. Maybe I should try the Sixth Layer after all…”

“Huh?”

Maple’s memory sharpens, recalling something from just moments ago.

She stares at Sally with a heavy, intent gaze.

“No… well. There might be safer places… no, uh…”

Sally speaks while averting her eyes from Maple, but as the words leave her lips, she sees the future clearly. She gives up on saying something she knows cannot be done.

“It’s not like I’ll push myself too hard in the Seventh Layer.”

“That’s right. Still, I can’t wait to get there.”

They must wait a short while before exploring together again.

Afterward, they pass the time talking about what they saw in their respective layers.