After completing the defense specialization and the conquest.

A message arrives from the administrators upon stepping off the tower onto the magic circle. It details the blessings and rewards for the successful conquest.

They have completed the tower's conquest and obtained five silver medals.

"That makes ten when combined with the ones from the guild battle."

"Shall we choose right away?"

"Right. The skills might have changed too."

"Then I'll be waiting at the guild when you're done."

"Okay... five floors, right?"

"...Yeah."

Upon using the ten medals, they are transferred to a space designated for skill selection.

After some time, Sally arrives at the guild home. Maple is already seated on the sofa, having finished her choice.

"Ah, Maple, you're already done?"

"I was wondering which one to pick, but I went with the one that's easiest to understand."

"Still, I've already decided on my plan."

"Hehe, this one is mine!"

Maple showed her skill to Sally.

【Unbreakable Shield】

Damage reduced by half for thirty seconds.

Available again after three minutes.

"Ah, I did take quite a bit of damage this time."

"I wish I had something that would nullify it completely..."

"I’d tell you if I did. I chose 【Water Manipulation】—a skill that lets me control water."

"Is that different from water magic?"

"It’s a type of skill that can be leveled up. I thought it might turn out interesting. And it’s perfect for freezing to make platforms."

"I can’t wait to see how it works."

As she spoke, the remaining six members of the guild arrived at the guild home, having confirmed Maple and Sally were there.

Their tired faces carried clear delight. The two understood, without words, why.

"Hey! Maple, Sally! We made it to the tenth floor!"

Crom said, his voice bright with joy.

"Fufu, we did too," Sally replied.

“We barely broke through in one go!”

“Ah! That’s impressive. It must have been tough, huh?”

“I was burned to a crisp!”

“We almost lost out on it—close, but no good.”

“Have you decided on your skill yet?”

They answered with the skills they had acquired. The six of them would decide once the Seventh Layer opened, as it would soon be released.

“Then next, we’ll all fight together to clear the Seventh Layer!”

“…M-me, Maple. I feel the same way I did back in the tower…”

There was no need to speculate about what the boss of the sixth layer might be.

Sally was no match for it.

“Yeah, once we reach the Seventh Layer, we’ll explore again?”

“Full group combat—this might make things a little easier.”

“We’ll do our best!”

“…We’ll do our best!”

All agreed on their goal. The next target was the Seventh Layer.

And after some time had passed, the day maintenance was completed and the Seventh Layer was activated.

Maple and the others planned to gather as soon as possible to begin the dungeon assault.

The eight of them assembled at the sixth layer's guild home. They confirmed the boss's abilities. Then, at last, they prepared to enter the dungeon.

……Is Sally going to be all right?

At the end of Kasumi's gaze, Sally lay collapsed on the sofa, a scarf wrapped tightly around her head, her face peering out from between the folds—pale, lifeless.

She was usually so strong.

There was nothing left but to defeat this dungeon quickly.

The eight stepped onto the field.

Immediately, Maple activated [Brutality].

"Then, Sally?"

"Yeah… please…"

The others hesitated, staring at the wide-open mouth into which Maple stepped.

But Sally's resolve did not waver.

"I'd rather be here… like this…"

And so Sally vanished into the mouth.

Seven rode atop Maple, racing across the field and through the dungeon without pause.

Arriving at the boss room with ease, the rest was simple.

"Attack with no element won't work. Use this first."

"Got a good buff skill today, didn't I?"

"Use items too."

As usual, Mai and Yui layered full buffs onto the battlefield, then, beneath Maple’s Love That Offers the Body, they induced paralysis in the enemy.

"Nothing compared to the tower!"

"Must finish quickly—for Sally’s sake!"

The door to the Boss Room opened. A massive ghost stood within.

It had a fearsome appearance—indeed, a powerful boss in the field.

But to the seven who had already broken through the tower, this was no challenge.

"Paralysis set!"

Paralysis set by Kasumi’s slash. Maple runs forward with Mai and Yui on her back, then sets them down.

““Here we go!””

A series of powerful strikes lands upon them, immobilized.

No boss could withstand such force in this place. The giant ghost shattered within a minute and a little more after breach of the Boss Room.

“Dropped materials collected.”

“Then let’s go up… Really, Sally, are you alright?”

All eyes turn to her, worried. Just before the next layer becomes visible, Maple removes Sally from her mouth, releasing [Cruelty].

“Alright?”

“Never again to the Sixth Layer…”

Sally stands. She looks ahead, uneasy, at the Seventh Layer looming before her.

“Likely feels different.”

“Yeah… Alright! Let’s go! Let’s go!”

At Sally’s resolve, all confirm the view of the Seventh Layer together.

Spreading before them was vast earth and wild nature, and creatures of many kinds darting through it.

This was a layer inhabited by monsters.

Some were friendly. The Seventh Layer was thus a place where monsters could be made allies.