Defense specialization and addition.

"Right then... what new items have been added?"

Kasumi comes to the Fourth Layer every time a new map is added or an event occurs, checking whether new furniture has been introduced.

She has completed quests specifically for furniture, and within this layer, it could be said without exaggeration that she has explored every corner more thoroughly than anyone else.

"Perhaps I should check if any new quests have been added."

Now that the Seventh Layer has been implemented, the monsters of the Fourth Layer feel weak by comparison.

Kasumi heads to the tavern, a place where many quests used to appear, for a brief rest.

Inside the tavern, a variety of youkai chatter loudly at their respective tables.

To Kasumi, the conversation is familiar, the faces well known. But her eyes pause suddenly on a table in the corner.

There, seated with practiced ease upon a chair, was a large frog.

“That’s… a face I don’t recognize…”

As Kasumi approached the table, a blue panel floated upward with the quest title displayed.

“【At the Bottom of the Distant Mist】?… Some new addition for this round…?”

Kasumi smiled, her chest tightening with anticipation, and accepted the quest.

The frog before her then spoke.

“Oh? Got something you’d like to hear?”

“Aye, something like that.”

“Kekke, yes… I’ve a tale to tell… though whether you’ll believe it’s another matter.”

The frog began speaking of a valley deep in mist.

“Word says there’s a monster there. I thought, ‘No such thing,’ and went to test my nerve. But… it’s true. There’s one. A thing so dreadful it freezes the blood.”

Kasumi urged for more details, but the frog fell silent.

You’re going, aren’t you? …Heh, don’t. Without strength, you won’t even survive to return. Well… that’s the gist… I’ll tell you more if you’re strong enough.

The quest update arrived immediately after. It demanded the defeat of a specified monster. Not only the fourth layer, but the fifth and sixth as well would need to be entered.

Kasumi, who had intended only a brief respite, stared in surprise. Then, without hesitation, she sprinted from the tavern.

She had undoubtedly found the latest quest. Excitement welled up, and a smile broke through.

Fufu… now, will it be a demon or a serpent…

She accelerated further, heading straight for the field, starting with the fourth layer.

First… hmm, the small demon to the west.

At the fourth layer, the task is to defeat the common monsters—imps. Though each is weak, they appear in large numbers at once. Solo, this cannot be taken lightly.

When Kasumi reaches her destination, the imps summon more imps, swarming in from all sides.

This time, she must defeat the first imp, then eliminate the required number of imps within a set time.

Kasumi draws her blade. Smoke curls around her, shifting her form. She fixes her gaze on the imps.

“[Warrior’s Arm][Mind’s Eye]!”

She enters battle stance. Two arms manifest. She activates the skills she earned through medals.

[Mind’s Eye]

Duration: one minute. Available again in five minutes.

Reveals the attack range of monsters and the player’s own skills in advance.

Cassimi’s vision, enhanced by [Mind’s Eye], displays the arc of the goblin’s iron club in red, pre-emptively marked. To avoid damage, one need only not stand in that path.

“Sally’s vision must be like this… [Blood Blade]!”

Every dangerous spot is visible, even while surrounded. Cassimi twists her body calmly to evade, then activates [Blood Blade], liquefying the blade and whipping it like a whip to sweep away goblins across a wide area.

Goblins nearby are severed by arms of blades floating at either side.

Cassimi does not merely enhance her attack power. She uses medals to gain skills, stabilizing combat.

Her solo performance is now highly effective—adequate at close and mid-range, with increased defense.

One minute... Good, ended during the 【Mind's Eye】 effect.

When the blade clicked shut in its scabbard, the swarm of little spirits had all vanished, dissolving into light.

【Blood Blade】 is indeed useful. Next, the fifth floor.

Kasumi had completed the first challenge with ease and turned toward the fifth floor.