Defense specialization and the giant tree.

"Alright, we've arrived…."

"Is this the way up?"

Before the two stands a colossal tree, so tall it pierces the clouds. Its massive trunk is wrapped in vines, its bark flaked away in places, forming crude footholds. A path has been fashioned, barely sufficient to climb.

Yet, looking upward, monstrous birds—far more vicious than sea creatures—wheel through the air.

"...Just climb straight up?"

"Uh… might be tough."

"Okay, then let's force our way through."

"Ehehe, I've been waiting for those words!"

Maple shifts her gear. Two shields float beside her. On the back of the enlarged Shiroppu, she places the [Throne of the Celestial King].

Maple takes the throne. She activates Love That Offers the Body. Weapons extend. She switches her gear to white. Damage immunity activates. All preparations complete.

"Sally, get on! Hold on tight!"

"I can make platforms in the air. I’m fine."

Together, Shiroppu becomes a floating fortress. It ascends without regard for platforms. Three monstrous birds cry out, reacting to the rise.

"Attack start! Pierce Guard!"

"Oboro, restraint barrier!"

Sally directs Oboro as Maple attacks. The birds freeze. Even Maple, unskilled at aiming, cannot miss when they are still.

"Thank you! Birds fly too much to hit!"

"You're welcome. Cyclone Cutter!"

"Shiroppu, Spirit Cannon!"

Maple directs Shiroppu, and together they burn the monster bird with two beams—one hers, one his.

The monster bird attacks in return, but Maple has reinforced her defense with 【Pierce Guard】, making it impossible for piercing attacks to land. No damage can reach her.

A bird of mere savagery could not stand against an unassailable floating fortress.

"Alright, destroyed!"

"This should be safe. Let's push forward—straight to the top."

Even as they speak, the monster bird opens its maw wide, closing in ever more thickly. Whether it will be prey or not is already clear.

Maple and Shiroppu level up. They reach the summit.

The enormous leaf, sturdy enough to carry both, matches the thickness of the trunk. At its center, a large bird's nest rests. Without trickery, they approach directly from the front.

"Here it comes!"

"Okay!"

Sally steps down from Shiroppu onto a leaf, short sword raised. Maple aims the cannon muzzle toward the nest.

Then, wings as tall as the two of them fall softly, and the monstrous bird appears behind them. The size. The presence. Recognition flashes across both faces.

"Same lineage as during the second event! The attack pattern might be similar too!"

"Understood! Then let's show you how much stronger we've become!"

"And look—right there, on the head!"

A green gem set in a collar-like band adorns the bird's neck. It matches the gem they seek.

"We're going to win!"

"Of course!"

Their resolve hardens. The battle begins the moment the monster shrieks.

As long as Maple possesses Love That Offers the Body, Sally can press forward with confidence. Hearing the familiar gunshot echo from behind, she activates her skill.

“Water Path! Misty Restraint Field!”

The skill, obtained by raising the medal skill level, extends a thick column of water upward from Sally’s feet, defying gravity. She steps into it sharply, accelerating instantly as she swims through, bursting out mid-air, spinning, and slicing open the monstrous bird’s shoulder, down across its abdomen.

“Encouragement! Shiroppu, Great Nature, Thorned Shackles!”

Maple, equipped for defense, shifts to support Sally’s attack.

Vines, coiled like tendrils from the trees, stretch out and wrap around the monster. Thorns follow, piercing the creature, inflicting damage and inducing paralysis.

From the haze of the stun, the paralysis spreads to Shiroppu, leaving the creature unable to move, vulnerable to relentless assault.

"Quintapulse Slash!"

Sally bites into the Doping Seed, pushing her STR to its limit. She ascends the platform crafted by Maple's vines and strikes the monster's face with a barrage of devastating blows.

Maple's gunfire lands with precision. Damage accumulates.

At last, the paralysis lifts. The creature begins tearing at the thorns and vines. Maple does not allow it.

"Shiroppu, Spirit Cannon! Bloom of Slumber!"

A sweet scent fills the air. Pink petals drift down. The monstrous bird slowly loses strength. It falls into sleep.

Sally pauses her attack. She retrieves Izu's specially crafted bomb.

"Whoa, Shiroppu's gotten stronger. Impressive restraint."

I can’t move, but I’ll catch up even if it’s late—so helpful! Here we go!

Maple rises from the throne, switching her gear to the dark side as she approaches.

The cursed seal of the throne weighs heavily on Maple. To rise from it means she intends to strike at once.

[Full Armament Deployment] [Call from the Abyss] [Predator]!

Uwah.

Wings of an angel sprout from her back. Her entire body is encased in powerful weapons. Monsters flank her sides. Her left hand manifests five black tendrils, wreathed in mist.

Anyone would flee at the sight. Sally does not run. She stares, realizing anew that this is no ally.

Maple closes in to the very edge, wrapping her face with the tendrils, commanding the monsters at her sides to attack, then pressing forward with a follow-up strike.

“[Poison Dragon][Oozing Chaos][Attack Initiated]!”

Each strike erupted with violent damage effects. The bombs Sally had placed detonated in sequence.

“Y-yeah…!”

Before Sally, who could only utter a blunt, unvarnished reaction, the tentacle wrapped around her head once more—cracking, bursting—her body, encased in thorns and vines, shattered into fragments.

“Y’know, we’re still got this! Hit ‘em all, and we win!”

“Hah. You’re a real help. Come on—grab the gem before it vanishes.”

Sally spoke. Maple hurried toward the collar that had fallen after the defeat, splashing through the toxic residue. To Maple and the others, it was no larger than a hula hoop. It was found quickly.

She picked it up. The collar cracked. Only a green gem remained in her hand.

“Second key, Sally!”

“Mm. Good. What now? Ready for the next one?”

“【Bad Meal】 can’t be used anymore… but are you alright, Sally?”

“Of course. I’m the one who should be dealing damage, right? I can handle it, even in battle.”

“I’m counting on you, Hinata!”

Maple spoke, running a hand over Hinata’s head where she sat upon Sally’s shoulder.

“Shiroppu’s grown stronger too. Hinata’s leveled up quite a bit, and her skills have increased. I’ll show you next.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

With that, the two defeated the gem-bearing creature with ease and moved on to their next destination.