Defense specialization and explosives.

"Ah, it seems Maple and the others have secured medals."

"Likely there was a dungeon in the marsh. Relying on Sally’s map was probably correct."

The four moved toward the forest, essentially riding atop Hak’s enlarged head.

Monsters were typically crushed by Hak after Izu used items and Kanade applied debuffs.

Crom and Kasumi, not particularly skilled at long-range attacks, served to dispatch monsters that slipped through.

"Even if only for three days, it was good we prepared thoroughly."

Izu’s strength stemmed entirely from her diverse array of items. Naturally, the number of things she could do diminished with each item lost.

Unlike common crafting professions, Izu could create items from gold and use workshops anywhere. With gold, she could replenish her supplies at will.

Izu had prepared enough gold to build multiple guild homes. She had no blind spots.

“Ah, that should be the point where Sally’s marker is placed.”

“Right, let’s go with full resolve!”

Crawling forward, they came upon a tree marked with a symbol resembling a magic circle.

“Likely that one. Nothing unusual around it, though…”

“Shall we touch it? It looks like a magic circle.”

All agreed. Kasumi pressed Hak’s head against the circle. Light emerged from the pattern as expected, and all were transported to the main battlefield.

The place they arrived at was once again a forest surrounded by trees. The only difference was a wall made of massive trunks and vines, encircling the four of them completely.

The space was ample enough. They tensed for immediate combat, yet sensed no presence around them.

Nothing’s here, is it?

No.

They remained alert. Then, a sudden wind cut through the air. Crom reacted instantly.

“Cover!”

A sharp ringing sound. The incoming object shattered midair, scattering fragments. Crom swiftly inspected the remains.

Three knives, each with a fuse sparking violently, floated in the air.

Damn it, Kanade—handle this!

“Sō—[Target Increase][Spirit Light]!”

Sō, taking the form of Kanade, drew a magical tome and activated a defensive skill. Moments later, a thunderous roar erupted. A violent blast of wind and searing flames swept through the clearing.

When the storm subsided, all stood unharmed, though their HP had dropped.

"Using Sou like that weakens the damage immunity to damage reduction, but it’s enough, isn’t it?"

"Yeah, saved us."

"I’ll restore health."

"Where was the attack launched from…?"

"Knives flying in—probably a ninja or something similar. With that force, scattering to search is impossible…"

The attack was unlikely to be only knives. With Kanade and Izu’s low HP, a single hit could be fatal.

"Shall we search for a while? If Sou is here, we can withstand it with a strong skill that has a cooldown."

"Let’s try. But we can’t do anything without seeing them first…"

The four decided to confirm their position first. They searched through the woods, but no shape matched their expectations. Only projectiles kept flying from all directions.

—Hmm, we’re managing thanks to the magic tomes Kanade hoarded… but we can’t find it anywhere.

—What should we do? If only we could approach it properly.

Iz sighs, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

—Yes… if brute force is acceptable, there is a way.

—Oh? What kind?

—The space here seems bounded. It will take time to prepare, but I’ll detonate the entire area.

—Ah… I see. Yes, that’s possible. It’s viable.

Crom flinches, as if surprised by the words from Iz, yet decides to proceed with the plan—there is no better alternative.

—This is the same method used in the preliminary round, isn’t it?

—Exactly. Only now we’ve managed to craft the new item in time, so we can cover the upper space as well.

Iz speaks, then draws out an item. It is a box with a propeller attached, a cord extending downward. Iz ties several bombs to it, then lifts it into the air. It ascends straight upward, halting at a certain height.

"Cost is high... but we cannot hold back now."

"Another nasty one... Is it activated?"

"A dedicated item exists. Leave the canopy to it. We’ll plant the rest on the ground and trunk."

"If it explodes, we’ll return the favor... What about us?"

"Keep the center as a safe zone. The item deals equal damage to all. Do not step outside the safe zone by mistake."

To step beyond the designated safe zone brings relentless damage and a deluge of debuffs, status effects— even Crom cannot guarantee survival.

Sō’s magic and Hak’s bulk hold the placed items in place as they circle through the forest, laying explosives in a wide loop.

“Good. It’ll be loud. And bright. Be careful.”

Electricity runs through the water threads stretched across the air, just as in the preliminaries. The forest roars with sound.

It overwhelms even the enemy’s knife explosions. The entire forest space, save the safe zone, burns away.

“Shouldn’t have been taken down so easily!”

“Yeah. As planned. —Assassin’s Eye!”

Kanade activates her time-limited skill, granted by the Sacred Archive: increased damage to monsters and players afflicted with status effects, and the ability to pinpoint their location.

“There! I’ve got it!”

“Now, Kasumi!”

“Ah!”

Crom wrapped himself in Necro, extending the reach and power of his warhammer. Kasumi summoned warrior arms to either side, closing the distance in an instant. There, a wretched ninja lay, poisoned, limbs numb, frozen and burning at once.

“[Final Blade: Hazy Moon]!”

“[Soul Mire]! Necro [Death Flame]!”

Once visible, the end was inevitable. The ninja took the full brunt of both attacks and vanished, HP reduced to zero.

“Phew... well, managed to pull through.”

“Is it over?”

“Yeah... well... not dead, certainly. But close enough.”

“Good. I was running low on damage reduction skills, so that was a relief.”

A notification sounded, just as it had with Maple and the others. They were informed they had earned a medal.

“Huh... if we got this on the first day, things are looking promising!”

The forest has been crossed several times. This time took longer than expected. Time passes unexpectedly.

Meeting up after one or two more searches. Judging by the timer, stronger monsters appear at night.

That’s true. Thanks to Hak’s guidance, movement has been easy. Still, we’ve come far.

Maple and the others have been contacted. Keeping within range. Searching for a place to spend the night. Crom and the others continue their exploration, aiming toward the next dungeon.