Defense specialization and searching for the cub.
They enter the forest and begin their search. Without Maple, they must be cautious, scanning for monster presence. They cannot afford to be attacked.
"Waiting for Maple to return might be best, but I can't wait any longer!"
Yui's eyes gleam with restless energy, and Mai nods in agreement.
"Um, it was pretty deep in, right...?"
"Yeah, it should still be far ahead."
As they walk, the underbrush rustles. They turn back-to-back, alert. A boar monster bursts from the thicket.
" "Ei!" "
They spin in place, back to back, swinging the great mallets. Not aiming precisely, but filling every space the monster might burst from with the brute force of two weapons and expanded reach.
No escape. A single strike would land. That was expected. And their ability to endure such strikes was equally expected.
As always, the monster explodes. They exhale, relieved.
“Phew… It’ll take time to reach the forest again.”
“Ugh… I wish we’d find it sooner.”
After several tense encounters, they finally reach a spot near where they last saw the cub.
“This should be it…”
“Yeah… now we just wait to see if it shows up.”
They crouch, scanning the ground, alert. Just then, a shape bursts from the underbrush.
“Ah!”
It happens in an instant. No time to use the AGI-lowering item. They dive into the nearby underbrush.
They scramble to drink AGI-boosting potions. Then they push through the brambles, following footprints marked by glittering stars rising into the sky.
“Yui! Monster!”
“Stay out of my way! — Skystrike!”
Mai activates Skystrike in sync with Yui. Four shockwaves strike the approaching monster, sending it flying. They rush forward, searching for footprints, sprinting through the forest. Again and again, monsters attack. They cannot close the distance.
“Ugh… it’s getting away again!”
“Yui! Watch out!”
“Huh? Eeek!”
Too distracted to notice the monster attacking from behind, she fails to react. It lands a blow. No matter how much her strength increases, one hit is all it takes to end the fight.
“Ah! Yui! Eeek!”
Mai, distracted by Yui, falls as well. The two are returned together to the Town of the Seventh Layer.
They wake to expressions of frustration, of disappointment. They slump onto the bench.
“Aaa… we failed…”
“Try again?”
“Of course! Can’t give up now! If we quit too soon, we’ll never be trusted by the others!”
Deciding to continue the pursuit until something changes, the two head back into the forest.
Waiting for Maple would be wiser. But they also wish to grow accustomed to exploring alone, to become smooth in their movements, even without her.
Eventually, the two returned to life twice more. On the third attempt, they found no cubs at all.
They stand in the forest, scanning the surroundings, at a loss.
“Something’s wrong. They’re completely gone.”
“This spot… should be safe enough.”
They arrive at a realization. Perhaps the appearance of the cubs depends on some unknown condition.
“Not just luck… probably not. Let’s come back tomorrow, around the same time?”
“Let’s do it! If they don’t appear under the same conditions, we’ll rethink things.”
The goal is set: to bring the cubs into their group. Now, they move forward without hesitation.
“Shall we end for today?”
Mai asks. Yui pauses, then offers a suggestion.
“How about practicing against monsters nearby? Sally said familiarity matters, didn’t she?”
That’s true. We’ll need to raise our level too.
Then it’s settled! We’ll give the materials we collect to Izu and have her craft something new!
Thus, the two begin their training to grow accustomed to forest monsters, in preparation to bring the cub into their group.