Defense specialization and finding a partner.

Though, the Seventh Layer had only just been implemented. Maple and the others were in the newest area, meaning they had to gather information themselves.

"Any progress on choosing a partner?"

Maple calls out to Mai and Yui, who are scanning the bulletin board for information.

"Maple-san! Um, not yet. So I thought we’d look together with my older sister!"

"I see. Then let me help! I can protect you wherever we go!"

"Thank you. That’s very helpful."

Mai bows deeply. Yui does the same. Maple could secure a means of transport with Brutality or Shiroppu, and protect both of them with Love That Offers the Body.

"Then let’s go! We won’t know which one to choose until we see them in person!"

" Yes!"

Thus, the three set out on their first exploration. The Seventh Layer held many monsters, some of which could become allies under specific conditions.

Whether a monster would become an ally could be determined by checking if a mark appeared beside its HP bar.

Maple activated Love That Offers the Body and, alongside Mai and Yui, examined each monster one by one.

"Even if we know it can become an ally, it’s difficult to know how to make it one."

"Yes... some cannot be defeated, it seems."

Mai and Yui were skilled at defeating monsters, but struggled when faced with special conditions. Their combat focus left them ill-equipped for such tasks.

"Shall we head toward the woods over there first? Animals might be more common in the forest!"

"Yes! Let’s do that!"

Maple turns as Yui suggests, stepping into the vast forest spreading near the Town.

Light filters through the canopy just enough to cast a faint glow. The undergrowth is thick.

Occasionally, monsters leap out to attack, but Maple and the others do not glance at them. The goal is a monster they can recruit.

"There! I saw it!"

"What? Where?!"

Maple follows Yui's pointing finger. A bird-like monster perches on a tree branch. A symbol glows beside its HP bar—indicating it can be recruited.

Before Maple or the others can act, the bird flies away.

"Ah... it’s gone..."

"Yeah... too bad. Next time, we’ll bring the right item."

Maple withdrew the bird-shaped monster’s preferred food item from her pack, as described in the guide. She prepared it, intending to make a companion.

“Ah… but we can only have one companion, right… what now?”

“Hmm… I’d like to see more before deciding!”

“I feel bad about making a companion just to release it…”

“Then we’ll keep searching for a partner!”

The three moved deeper into the forest, seeking various kinds of monsters. Along the way, they passed birds and wolves like the one that had fled earlier, as well as insects such as butterflies, frogs, and lizards.

“Are there only living creatures here? Maybe somewhere else there are more proper monsters…”

“It seems to be divided by area… but I’m fine with cute animals.”

“I feel the same as my sister!”

“Then this area it is. We’ve traveled far enough…”

A cub darted past Maple before she could speak. The path it left shimmered, unlike the common birds she had seen many times before.

"Maple-san!"

"Un! Let's chase it!"

The three followed the glowing footprints, moving through the forest, back and forth. They pressed on through untrodden paths. Yet gradually, the glowing trail vanished. The cub was lost completely.

"Uuu… no good. It looked rare."

"Regrettable… I wish we could meet again."

"Maple-san! Can you help me look a little longer?"

Yui and Mai seemed to have chosen their companions. Maple accepted without hesitation.

"Of course! And not just once—let's find them twice, exactly!"

Mai and Yui smiled brightly at Maple’s words.

Perhaps we should search deeper into the forest? We saw it come from there just a moment ago.

Mai hesitates, her voice quiet as she speaks, though her eyes remain fixed on Maple, who is already stepping forward with eager resolve.

...But if we’re going to catch it, we might not be fast enough.

—It was quick, that’s for sure.

In the thick of trees and underbrush, activating 【Brutality】 only makes movement harder. The body becomes too large, too unwieldy. It can crush players and monsters alike, but it cannot turn sharply or pursue with precision.

We should go back to Iz. Maybe she has an idea. I don’t want to chase it again and lose it.

It’s not fair, really. Not if speed matters.

It’ll be fine. And next time, we’ll ask Sally to help. She’s fast. Really fast.

Maple says this, and the three of them turn back toward the Town.