Defense specialization and Tower Sixth Floor 2.

For a time, the sound of Sally’s dagger clashing with something hard echoed, but it gradually lessened, until at last every monster she had seen for the first time was defeated.

“Phew—now it’s just a matter of cleanup.”

“Ah, is it over?”

“Just need to defeat the monsters without piercing attacks. It’s tedious… but the passage behind us is still blocked. Hey—!”

Sally pulled free from the wool, her movements suddenly lighter, as if to say she could finally move freely. She swung her dagger.

“Good luck, Sally! I can’t see you… but I’m here!”

Maple shifted within the ball of wool, rustling about. As long as the defensive field of Love That Offers the Body was active, she was doing her part.

Even before Maple emerged from the wool, the sound of monsters falling rang out in quick succession.

As Sally had said, the remaining monsters were dispatched with ease, as if in a practice match.

"Nice work, Sally!"

"Yeah, glad I could contribute right away. And we gathered quite a bit of material too... The wall we'd blocked has disappeared."

"What now, Sally? Should we turn back?"

"We've come this far. Let's go all the way to the back. There might be something there."

They conferred. Decided to leave Maple's wool where it was and press forward.

They had considered the possibility of entering another chamber of the monster house.

"...Shall we roll it forward?"

"Whenever you're ready!"

Sally shoved her hand deep into Maple's wool and rolled it slowly onward into the inner passage.

The passage did not split further. At the end stood a single small chest resting on a pedestal.

"What do you think, Maple?"

"Something feels off... but it's annoying to leave it closed."

"True. Well, let's just make up our minds!"

They both reach out and swiftly lift the chest's lid.

No trap. No danger. They exhale in relief and peer inside. Two scrolls lie within—each granting a skill.

"Both seem the same. Here, one is for Maple."

"Yay! What skill is it?"

[Crystallization]

AGI halved for one minute. Immune to all negative status effects.

Available again after three minutes.

Requires VIT 100 or higher.

"I'll give it to Crom—this one's useless to me. I'll never reach VIT 100."

Sally's VIT remains zero. She has no intention of ever raising it. A hundred is far beyond reach.

"Then I'll take it now!"

Maple immediately unrolls the scroll and learns the [Crystallization] skill.

This area has no monsters. Test it once before battle?

I’ll do it! Then, [Crystallization]!

A light envelops Maple. The same stone as the previous monster covers her, like a coating.

My skin feels changed? But I can still move. Strange sensation…

That’s odd too… It’s coating me as well.

Sally strikes the wool. A tapping sound returns—by touch alone, it’s now just a rock mass.

If I hide my face, will I be trapped inside?

W-what? Maybe… a little scary…? My arm is caught. Can’t pull back…

Huh…?

Maple wriggles her body. The upper half, protruding, is now a tangled mass. Striking it produces only a tapping sound.

"Main effect is immunity to bad status, so this wouldn’t happen under normal circumstances."

Sally shakes her head, watching Maple’s upper body jut from the stone-like tangle.

"Uuu... thoughts keep piling up..."

"That’s part of the charm."

Maple murmurs, waiting until the crystalization ends. Skills and items gathered within this tower number many. She will need a moment to test them all, someday.

"Clearing this tower will earn skill medals. Not sure if same lineup as before."

"Ah! Right... should I think carefully before choosing?"

"Pick what you like. Go with instinct. Unless it’s something absurd, you’ll probably find a use for it."

That’s true, she says, nodding. Thinking deeply now won’t help.

By the time she finishes speaking, the effect of [Crystallization] fades. Exploration resumes.

“Then we must go toward the soldier with the spear.”

“A spear… it’ll pierce through, won’t it? That’s unpleasant.”

“Then let’s keep going. Look—there’s a shield between us.”

“Eh, really?… The white arm will show?”

“Better than nothing.”

To Sally, who barely escaped disaster on the fifth floor, a hand that doesn’t approach, doesn’t startle, is still preferable.

“Got it! Then I’ll change my gear quickly… let’s go!”

Sally perches atop a floating tuft of fluff, scanning ahead. If no flame bursts forth, the tuft darts through the dungeon.