Defense specialization and encounter.

The next day, the two set out into the forest once more. Though they fell several times to monsters, they eventually reached the innermost part where the cubs had been.

“T-this time… took a while.”

“Yeah, we still need more practice.”

At least they had a starting point marked in the vast forest. Not having to wander aimlessly was important—especially for two who were more likely to make mistakes the more battles they fought.

“Ah! There it is!”

“Good….”

Before them, the cub appeared once more, just as yesterday. It seemed the timing was the key.

This time, they followed the cub’s footprints. When monsters appeared along the way, their bodies remembered the movements from the day before, and they managed to defeat them somehow.

They moved through the forest with quiet ease, and soon the footprints continued onward from the woods into the mountains.

"Made good progress, I think?"

"Yeah... this far is new for us."

Along a steep, unmarked path, guided by the dancing stars rising from the footprints, the two pressed forward.

Following the trail, they reached a small cave nestled in the mountainside.

"Let's go in!"

"Yeah...!"

They gripped their great mallets tightly and stepped into the cave. Inside, stars danced upward from the footprints, glittering and illuminating the ground and walls.

The passage widened gradually, the light growing stronger. At the farthest point, the two saw a cub sleeping within a cradle of shimmering stars.

A space slightly larger than a bed was filled with blinding light.

"Found it!"

The cub stirs at the sound, lifting its head to stare at the two. Immediately after, the room's light intensifies sharply, converging toward the cub.

In the instant the two blink against the glare, the cub grows rapidly, its body swelling into massive form. A low growl rumbles from its throat.

Stars scatter from its body. The tips of its ears, and several tufts of fur, shimmer like raw light.

"Feels like Shiroppu!?"

"Gigantification... maybe... what do we do!?"

They had thought to recruit it as a companion. Now, before them, a powerful monster bear looms, eyes fixed on them.

With only a few items gathered, they consider how to make it a companion. A blue panel appears before them.

[Show your strength]

To recruit the monster, victory in combat is required.

It presents the method—clear, direct—like a quest. The way to make the bear a companion is laid out.

The two of them brightened instantly. They showed strength. It was what they did best.

"Let's go, big sister!"

"Uh-huh! I can't hold back..."

"Sorry!"

Immediately after, a dull sound echoed through the cave's entrance.

"Is... is it okay?"

"I... don't know..."

Before them lay the bear they had just struck down. The two watched, concerned the blow had been too strong. The walls and floor around them flared once more with bright light.

The bear slowly rose. It approached the two slowly, rubbing its head against them, then let out a soft, brief sound before vanishing completely into light.

"Uuugh..."

"W-what happened?"

When the light faded and the two slowly opened their eyes, a single ring lay on the ground.

It was the same kind of ring that Maple and Sally wore.

"Got it!"

They picked it up and grinned, high-fiving with sharp, practiced motion. Still, only half the goal achieved. They would need to gather more companions. The search was not yet over.

"Alright, sister! Let's do it again—same pace, same strength!"

"Y-yeah, we made it this far. We can do it!"

The path had been difficult, but recruiting allies had not been overly taxing. Their energy remained high.

They did not notice, though, that battles to recruit rare monsters should not be so effortless.

No. In truth, as always, something activated just before the fight ended—sudden, fatal, and complete.