Defense specialization and base construction.

Then, after some time. Maple and the others had circled several places Sally had marked, but all had been empty.

“Fii… not easy to find, is it.”

“Indeed. The time when strong monsters appear is drawing near. It might be better to wait and meet up with Crom now.”

Without knowing exactly how strong the monsters would be, recklessness was forbidden. Survival, like clearing the dungeon, earned valuable medals.

“Let me try contacting Crom-san.”

While Sally sent the message, they moved to the spot opened by Tsukimi and Yuki. Since there would be no player-versus-player combat this time, the open area was less likely to be ambushed by monsters. It was a good place.

“Huh. They’ve paused entering the dungeon for now, scouting for a spot that could serve as a base. Looks like there’s a decent cave over there.”

“Ooh! Then let’s join up!”

“Now we can rest easy through the night!”

“I’ll send the coordinates. Mai and Yui, can you handle the move?”

“Of course!”

They increased the pace of Tsukimi and Yuki, crossed the plain, passed through the forest, and headed toward Crom’s group.

A few encounters with monsters along the way. Not a threat to the four. They reached their destination unharmed.

“Ah! There you are! Hey!”

Maple waved her hand widely. Crom’s group noticed and began approaching.

“Oh. Maple and the others. Looks like you did well.”

All members of the guild now hold two silver medals each. Three more to collect, and they’ll reach the goal of ten.

That’s right, there’s a cave that could serve as a base. This way.

Following Crom’s lead, they enter the cave. It extends deep inward. Unlike a dungeon, there is no light. Yet several spaces widen slightly, branching like an ant’s nest, connecting to a larger chamber at the farthest point.

Looks like a dungeon, but nothing appears…

Ah, there are several places like this. Probably dummy spaces meant for rest.

Then we must prepare this place before nightfall! It must be made comfortable!

A cave with bare rock walls won’t do for a relaxed night. Improvements are necessary to restore one’s spirit.

Some items don’t vanish even when taken outside. Though we don’t have furniture of that kind, I’ll make it now.

"Hmm, reliable as always. Then I’ll take an item from Iz and set up some defensive traps."

" We’ll help too!"

"No time. I’ll split duties with Maple—let’s finish the defense mechanism first."

"Uh-huh! We’ll do our best!"

Maple’s nature favored defense over offense. By restricting entry points and fully utilizing items, even a simple cave could become a fortress.

Maple took an item from Iz and began customizing the room.

"Hmm, what to do… It’s fairly spacious, and we can’t let anyone pass through… so…"

As she had done before, Maple filled the entire room with Venom Capsules. She began with this chamber, waiting patiently as one room after another sank into poison.

Good. Hmm. Just this won’t do. If attacked from the passage, it’ll break apart…

Maple’s poison capsules kill on contact with a certain probability. A well-placed strike could end a foe in a single blow.

…That’s it! Wait—something from Izu-san’s items… yes!

Maple moves through the interior of the poison capsules, placing items as she goes. This is a trap that sprays water when triggered, knocking back any attacker. But Maple does not wish to knock back monsters. She wishes to block her own poison. She sets many such traps, then seals one side of the passage to prevent the poison from flowing toward her side.

Hmm… no suitable item… ah! The Heavenly Emperor’s Throne!

Maple slams the throne into the narrow entrance, then jams leftover timber into the gap, forcing one side shut.

Good. One room complete! Next!

Maple runs to another room to reinforce the defenses. As she moves through several chambers, she sees Mai and Yui.

“How? Is it going well?”

“Ah! Maple-san!”

“Y-You shouldn’t come in…!”

“Eh? W-Whoa!?”

Maple steps into the room. An instant later, she accidentally steps on something. From the raised ceiling, a massive rock falls with crushing force—too fast to dodge. It strikes Maple’s head with a sharp crack. The rock bounces slightly, then rolls forward, triggering the next switch. One after another, more rocks begin to fall.

When the motion stops, Mai and Yui scramble to clear the debris. Beneath it, unharmed, Maple emerges.

“B-Been startled… sorry! The trap activated too soon!”

“It’s fine! We’re just glad you’re unharmed.”

I’ll help you reset it again. Shiroppu can’t be called… climb onto the shield!

Maple adjusts her gear, equipping three large shields. She places Mai and Yui, each holding a rock, onto two of them, and moves to reset the trap.

Ugh… I’ll have to be careful when checking other rooms too.

If you walk carefully, you should be able to pass through… there shouldn’t be any trouble getting out later.

Ah, right… that room can’t be passed through.

Maple seems uneasy about setting traps. She recalls her customized room, pondering what to do.

That room can knock down anything that approaches, without question. But in turn, it keeps everyone in the guild from coming near.

I’ll talk to Sally later… maybe rebuild it.

W-what kind of room did you make?

Hehe, that’s a secret.

As she answers Yui’s question, Maple finishes resetting the trap. She leaves the room.

The room where Mai and Yui stay is also a lethal trap in itself, so any monster entering it feels nothing but pity.

After setting up rockfall traps and poison swamps in the remaining room, the three return to the innermost chamber with satisfied expressions. There, half the space is divided by lamps and tables, and partitions create individual areas—comfortable and well-ordered. Izu, energized, has begun laying down carpet and pasting wallpaper on the walls.

The other half, untouched by finishing, is meant for confronting monsters that have survived the traps.

"W-wow, it's so beautiful now!"

"Ah, welcome back. Did you finish setting the traps?"

"Yes! It's all done!"

"We prepared thoroughly."

"This side is nearly complete too. I think it's much more comfortable than during the fourth event."

Iz placed the artillery at the interception zone as the final touch, built a wall to prevent a sudden assault, and exhaled with a soft sigh.

This was quite the task. But it was a good experience. And it was enjoyable.

"Y-you're amazing. You must have used a lot of materials. We'll need to gather more..."

"We didn't use rare materials that heavily. But I'll ask for your help again next time."

"I'll be ready anytime, sister!"

The four spoke like this when the other four returned, having finished setting the traps.

"Phew, done setting them. But you have to be careful when exiting—some of them are deadly if you mess up. That’s rough."

All nodded in agreement. Maple suddenly snapped upright, her voice sharp.

"Ah! What if another player enters? We could get caught in it!"

“Mm, it’s fine. I put up a sign outside.”

“Huh? Oh, really? Thanks, Sally! Um, what kind of sign?”

“‘Maple’s Tree Headquarters — Hazardous Materials in Large Quantity — No Guarantee of Life’.”

“…It’s not wrong, at least.”

“In fact, one could say it’s perfectly accurate.”

“Yes. It’s covered in traps, after all.”

Having prepared such a trap-laden dungeon, the time had finally come for a powerful monster to appear.

“Let’s just stay ready, then.”

“Right. We don’t know how it’ll come out.”

Crouched behind the wall Iz had built at the border between the rest zone and the ambush zone, each one braced for attack, weapons drawn. Then, a series of tremors came from above. Something had entered the dungeon.

“Something’s coming.”

“Yeah. We’re ready to strike at any moment.”

The tension in the air remained thick. Yet the tremors from above gradually faded. Nothing came. Not after long.

...Dead?

Probably... we should check the trap’s status first.

If the monster was strong enough to be predicted, and if it was defeated, then resetting the trap would be necessary.

I’ll go with Maple. Even in the worst case, we can retreat.

Yes. If anything goes wrong, having Maple with us is reassuring.

As the two stepped from the rest area, a monster emerged from the passage above. It bore horns like Maple’s [Brutality] state. Faceless. Wings like a demon’s. Held a spear. It staggered through the air, scattering damage effects. It fell with a dull thud. Dissolved into light.

"Ah... you managed to survive, didn't you."

"Indeed. We’re here to survive, after all."

The line between villain and dungeon boss had blurred. Yet that demon had left behind one crucial piece of information.

"Perhaps the anti-air capability was insufficient."

"True. We’ll check and improve the traps accordingly."

Maple and Sally moved along the entrance, inspecting each trap. The mechanisms activated in sequence. A large quantity of demon material, likely from ground-walking variants, lay scattered across the floor.

"Re-setting isn’t too difficult. Let’s gather everyone and rebuild them."

"Right. Oh! Mai and Yui could carry large rocks. They could block paths, redirect traps, even funnel enemies toward the traps."

"Good. I’d like to rest. Let’s make the defenses solid."

They recorded the current state with photographs and returned to the innermost chamber.

Night deepened. The traps had been reset. They would now take turns resting.

"Right. Strong monsters seem to come this way on their own. We’ll just have to take shifts sleeping."

"Block the entrance for now. Mai and Yui can handle it easily."

"Mai, Yui, can you do it?"

"“Yes, we’ll manage!”"

Yui and Mai moved to the exit at the rear of the combat zone. They retrieved several large rocks used in the traps and quickly sealed the passage.

"Good. If someone forces their way in, we’ll know immediately."

To proceed deeper, one must break through multiple large rocks. The sound of breaking stone would be heard instantly. Response would follow without delay. Surprise attacks would be harder to execute.

"This should be enough for now…"

"Hey! Sally! Won’t you come play over here?"

Maple calls to Sally, who has relaxed her shoulders, from within the living space. A number of items for passing the time are already in her inventory. As she always has, Sally smiles slightly, seeing Maple waving with a cheerful expression, and walks toward her. On the first night, this is how it unfolds—playing, resting, the moments deepening gradually.