Defense specialization and key hunting.

"We can't go back to the horse first, can we?"

"Fufu, no problem there. Watch."

Sally takes a flute from her inventory and blows into it. After a moment, the horse emerges from the underbrush.

"Wow! Amazing! You can call it like that?"

"That's right. It comes right away, no matter where it is. Very convenient."

"I didn't know, since I've only seen it flying around. But there are actually people who ride them, right?"

"Yeah. It's useful as a means of travel. They'll probably keep increasing."

Different horse breeds vary in speed and the terrain they can traverse. Finding the best one is essential.

"Monsters that move between areas are fairly common, but where should we go...?"

"Ah, if that kind of monster is around, what about the sea? We've explored quite a bit. We might be able to narrow it down!"

"Good idea. Let's try that."

Sally urged Maple to mount the horse, and they began riding through the forest.

“B-b-but won’t we crash?”

“D-don’t worry. I’ve practiced quite a bit!”

Maple’s concern proved unfounded. The horse leapt over thickets, threaded between trees, and raced through the woods as if on level ground.

“Should reach the sea soon!”

“Use what’s prepared, now!”

They arrived at the shore without a single mishap.

“Be careful. Something’s watching from the sea.”

“The one who gave you the tentacles, right? How was it?”

“…? Tasted good even raw!”

Maple said this, and Sally snapped her fingers against her forehead.

“Ugh, don’t talk about the boss’s strength. You got caught suddenly, didn’t you? Would’ve been worse if I’d been captured?”

“The cave might be dangerous. It’s very narrow…”

Maple hesitates slightly, then answers. Ordinary attacks would not catch Sally. But if the hit is unavoidable and drags her away—then the situation changes.

“Stay above me, in the state of Love That Offers the Body, near the island you mentioned?”

“Got it! I’ll wait on Shiroppu again!”

Maple attaches a snorkel, ensuring she can see Sally, then enlarges Shiroppu and exits into the sea.

At a sufficient depth, Sally leaps from Shiroppu’s back into the water.

Maple guides Shiroppu carefully, keeping herself within the range of Love That Offers the Body.

“Hmm…”

Sally checks the range of Love That Offers the Body Maple has expanded, then begins searching for a school of fish.

Below, a spread of colorful coral. Fish that should not coexist inhabit the same space, swimming in shifting patterns. Gaps appear deep enough to dive through, but reckless exploration is not possible.

Sally spots a school of fast-moving tropical fish. She propels herself forward with a dolphin kick, closing the distance. Her high 【Swimming】 level makes catching up effortless.

—...

Maple cannot keep pace.

The range is wide, but she does not actively maintain distance.

Now and then, a fish with sharp teeth charges. Coral extends like octopus tentacles, reaching to ensnare her feet.

Sally accelerates, shedding the monster with a sharp turn, then pursues the fish shoal. Only the monster that catches up is met with a wind blade.

After some time chasing tropical fish, the movement changes. The shoal slips into a crevice in the coral, slow and deliberate.

Sally approaches carefully. She turns on the light from her inventory and shines it into the depths. Fish shadows appear, but the interior remains unclear. She surfaces briefly, judging the depth, then calls out to Maple.

“Sally! Are you alright? Sorry, I couldn’t keep up.”

“I’m fine, fine. I was drifting away—no choice.”

Sally reports her situation to Maple while still caught in Shiroppu’s grip.

“Huh—so I’ll stay right above this spot? Is that safe?”

“Yeah. Please do.”

Leave it to me! I’ll have a potion ready in case I take damage… just focus on your exploration with peace of mind!

Maple says this with confidence. Sally grins in return, as if to say she’ll achieve results just as quickly, and sinks back into the sea.