Defense-specialized and third floor of the tower.

The manga adaptation has also begun...

This is the month of post enhancement.

The two move forward through the cavern, now entirely dominated by ice. Maple floats, shield-clamped, and scans the surroundings with quick glances.

"Can I get down now?"

"Will your feet suddenly freeze?"

"Shouldn't... I think."

Sally adds, unsure, and Maple ultimately decides not to descend.

As they proceed, the sound of cracking ice reaches their ears.

"Maple, above!"

"Got it!"

The ice on the ceiling splits apart with a sharp crack, and an ice serpent descends to the ground.

It is no larger than what Maple and Sally could easily swallow.

"For now, I’ll draw it in!"

Sally attacks the serpent descending to the ground and passes through it without pause. Maple, watching, slips sideways along the serpent’s flank while Sally draws its attention.

“Excuse me—moving through!”

She advances with a black shield, fully engulfing her, sliding forward without hesitation, slicing deep into the serpent’s body.

“By the way… [Poison Dragon (Hydra)]!”

Maple’s poison projectile strikes the serpent, inflicting damage and further corrupting its icy form.

“Got it! Good!”

Maple speaks with clear satisfaction, her voice rising at the effect.

Yet the damage alone is enough to shift the serpent’s focus from Sally to Maple.

“Alright—coming in! Defense’s ironclad!”

Lying prone, she is shielded between two large shields, her front further protected by a massive shield wielded by one who carries [Gluttony].

Hard enough as it is, the shell-like structure encases her completely—truly an iron wall.

Yet the serpent does not attack straight ahead, as simple as that. It slips sideways, as Maple was, then bites from the side.

"Ah! That side’s out of reach of [Gluttony]... ugh, don’t break the great shield!"

As Maple reaches out, the serpent grinds away at the durability of the two massive shields.

"Then I’ll have to bring it down, won’t I!"

Sally leaps, severing the serpent’s head—then it dissolves into light.

"Thank you, Sally!"

"No, mostly you, Maple. That poison really does pack a punch."

Sally gazes at the spreading sea of poison. Something half-submerged within it catches her eye.

"Maple, there’s something there."

"Hmm...? Well, it’s in the poison. I’ll check it."

Maple glides through the air, rises to the object’s surface, and lifts it up.

It is a block of ice about the size of a softball. The block glimmers with a blue light, reflecting the ambient glow.

“Um… an item, maybe?”

[Permafrost]

When used, can solidify magma.

“Sally! Found one!”

“Then bring it back.”

“Okay!”

Maple collects the three fallen [Permafrost] blocks and returns carefully to Sally’s side.

Sally takes the [Permafrost] from Maple and nods, as if understanding.

“With this, we can cross that magma field… but which way?”

“Which way?”

“Well… boss is either fire or ice. With this item, maybe we should go toward the fire side first.”

As Sally gazes at the [Permafrost] sparkling in the light, Maple’s expression flickers—hesitant, thoughtful.

So beautiful, it’s a shame to use it… I wish it had fallen further.

Maple gazes at the [Permafrost] sparkling in Sally’s hand, her expression flickering—hesitant, thoughtful.

Such a thing, once used, is gone.

Then let’s search for it. The serpent isn’t that strong. If it appears, my gunfire should reach it.

If the serpent doesn’t come, I’ll manage with just two of mine, Sally suggests.

Are you sure?

I’m sure. Just be careful, then.

Leave it to me. Pain… a little, I can bear.

First, let’s consider avoiding the lava.

If the serpent appears in numbers, this problem would resolve itself. The two search for prey. Only two-meter humanoid ice statues emerge. Only ice-breathing bats.

The serpent did not appear again. Whether due to low frequency or a single occurrence, the two failed to find it a second time.

Sally proposes something.

"Shall we end for today? Maple’s skills have been used quite heavily, and we’re still on the second floor."

"We did gather something. That’s fine."

They obtained items useful for the guide, and the exploration of the ice zone concluded.

From the fact that the Boss Room was not located within the ice area, they deduced the boss would likely arrive via lava.

"Then, next time, let’s go straight to the lava. Well done!"

"Yeah. Bye."

The two log out simultaneously.

They would advance with full preparation, anticipating the boss would be difficult.

Maple returned to the real world. She tidied the game equipment and stretched out on the bed.

Fuu... Without lava, one can't float. What should we do about the boss...?

Maple considers how to proceed, as she finds the effect of [Brutality] to be insufficient.

There’s nothing else we can do but ask Risa to fix it… If only she’d just stay still, we might manage something.

Maple descended the stairs, her thoughts scattered.