Defense specialization and the Seventh Layer.

Sorry I'm late.

I'm back.

Maple and the others arrive at the Seventh Layer, eager to begin exploring, and hurry toward the guild home. They immediately split into eight groups to survey the town.

At the center stands a great tree reaching toward the sky. Water channels flow through the town, winding through stone-paved paths. Above, wooden bridges connect the trees, weaving complex networks of treehouses high in the canopy.

"Alright! Let's explore!"

Maple dashes forward, excited by the new town. She walks along the path, scanning her surroundings, and soon notices a difference from previous towns. All the NPCs in the town are accompanied by animals.

"Hey! Looks like Shiroppu!"

Maple gathered information by speaking with NPCs and touring shops, then returned to the guild hall. When Maple arrived, guild members who already knew the purpose of this layer awaited her.

“Hey! Everyone! How’d it go?”

Maple approached with a bright smile, eager to share what she’d learned.

Sally began summarizing the findings.

“Welcome back. You already know, but it seems the Seventh Layer allows one to acquire pet monsters like Oboro or Shiroppu.”

“That’s right! You can recruit them in all sorts of ways!”

The eight had collected information that wasn’t tied to a special event, yet still presented varied methods: defeating and recruiting, giving items, meeting other conditions—different paths, all possible.

"Just, using the Bond Bridge to recruit allies seems unchanged, so I can't add anyone other than Oboro, I guess."

"...?"

"Oh, you hadn't checked yet? The Bond Bridge's effect was updated with the Seventh Layer Implementation—now only one can be held per person."

If only one can be held, Maple and Sally each already possess rings for Shiroppu and Oboro, so they cannot obtain more.

"Ah... right. Yeah, but Shiroppu's needed, isn't she?"

"That's why we'll help the others in this layer?"

"Right! We'll do that!"

Maple and Sally already have partner monsters, so they can assist the other six.

"That helps. The taming conditions for powerful monsters are often defeating them—too tough for me alone."

"Yeah, for now, it's broad and shallow exploration. The Seventh Layer seems quite large."

Looking out over the fields far from the Town, one sees varied environments—snow-capped peaks, volcanoes, and more.

"Maybe we should pick a monster partner first, then search. What should I do…?"

"Perhaps there are monsters that can support our production line…"

"We’ll do our best, big sister!"

"That’s right, Yui."

Each one, lost in thought about an unseen companion, shifts focus to gathering detailed information by area, by monster type, and the like.