Defense specialization and marshland.

The desert leads directly into forest and marshland, with no monsters nearby, so it was decided to split here, just as planned.

Sally double-checks the map, then speaks.

"The map shows the party members' positions. Let's meet up a little before strong monsters appear, here."

"Yeah, fine. We'll head into the forest. Maple and the others, look after the marshland."

"Understood! We'll find the medal, for sure!"

"Right! We'll track down something promising and hunt it."

As Maple waves her hand back and forth, Crom and the others split as planned, heading off to search for the medal.

"Right then. Love That Offers the Body is active constantly. Shall we keep exploring?"

"Yeah, let's. Mai and Yui, you're alright?"

"Both fine!"

Then let’s go!

With the tame monster as their ally, Mai and Yui move faster than riding Shiroppu. Mai and Sally sit on Tsukimi’s back, Yui and Maple on Yukimi’s, and they proceed directly into the marsh.

But this field is wide too. Hmm, where should we look…?

Hehe, I thought this might happen… wait, look at this.

Sally sends a message to the three. Attached is a photo of Sally’s map from the preliminary round.

Since it was the same map, I marked places that looked promising. It should help a little. I’ve also sent it to the others.

Great job, Sally! Let’s see… we’re here now…

The three compare their current map with the received image and locate a nearby mark.

Oh! Miss Maple, there’s one in the marsh too!

Indeed it is!

Then, let's go there first? Mai, I'll guide you to the exact spot.

Yes, understood. Tsukimi!

The four set out toward their first destination. Around them, obstacles were few. Ponds and low-growing plants stretched endlessly.

In the middle of the marsh, isn't it?

Yes, well, not so easily passed through, it seems!

As the four advanced, figures of water and mud rose from the ponds and ground, surrounding them. They dragged their feet forward, closing the distance.

W-what do we do?!

Leave it to me, Shiroppu! [Sinking Ground]!

Maple ordered Shiroppu. The ground’s nature shifted around Shiroppu. The figures emerging from the earth sank back down, sinking deep into the mud.

Survival is the main goal… Mai, Yui, now’s the time to run!

"Right, no magic attacks, and movement speed is slow... That means it's dangerous if we get caught! I'll make the footing—go!"

"Understood!"

They activated 【Star Step】, increasing their speed, and leapt over the mannequins using the platform Sally had conjured in midair.

"Keep going like this!"

"I want to save Maple's skill for when a powerful monster appears—so push hard, both of you!"

"Yes!"

Thus, while Shiroppu held the enemy in place with his ability, Sally created platforms in the air, and Hinata and Yui used ice pillars to climb, avoiding combat. They reached the location Sally had marked on the map.

There, a single, unusually large pond spread out, with one small island floating at its center.

Pink-colored flowers bloomed on the island, giving it an atmosphere unlike any other place.

Of course, the vast pond teems with countless water puppets and mud figures writhing beneath its surface. Maple observes them from afar through her binoculars.

“How about you, Sally? Anything changed since we came here before?”

“Not really. No monsters this strong in the qualifiers. The terrain hasn’t shifted.”

“True… Something’s off, though.”

“What shall we do?”

“Right. If we’re attacked outright, we won’t earn any medals.”

Charging into the den of a stronger boss monster, even in a field where regular monsters are already powerful, risks losing the medals earned by surviving.

“But we decided to clear this course and earn more medals, didn’t we!”

Maple speaks firmly. The other three nod in agreement.

“Probably, Yukimi and the others will fight before reaching the small island.”

“Don’t worry! Leave it to Shiroppu!”

A tamable monster capable of carrying a rider on its back exists within the 【Maple Tree】 as well. Yet only Shiroppu among the 【Maple Tree】 creatures can fly.

"It shouldn’t be able to fly, really… but we’ll go from the air then. From what I saw earlier, no need to worry about being shot down."

With the plan decided, Maple summoned Shiroppu and activated 【Gigantification】, mounting its back.

They passed over the ground-crawling monsters and arrived above the flower-covered isle.

"Seems like we can land Shiroppu here. Let’s go."

Maple set Shiroppu down onto the isle. At that instant, the isle began to glow. The four recognized it immediately—this was the same sign they had experienced many times before: a teleportation.

"It’s fine! We have 【Love That Offers the Body】!"

Maple stood tall, unshaken. In that moment, the four vanished— and were gone from the marsh.