Defense-oriented, northward.

Maple, Sally, Mii, and Frederica—the four remaining—moved northward.

Transportation options included Shiroppu, Ignis, and the violent Maple, but they chose Ignis for its speed and lack of irreversible change.

"Ah! Another medal! Everyone’s so fast..."

"Anyway, we haven’t found a single dungeon yet. One was cleared, but it was a dud."

"Seemed unusually easy, but seeing the result, it makes sense."

"Still, I suppose it was partly because Maple was here? Love That Offers the Body and high defense can shut down bosses, depending on the situation."

"Still, we’ve come to realize it’s not universally effective... We’ve fought together enough to know that."

Maple’s skills are all extremely situational. Against monsters with high poison resistance or high defense, 【Machine God】 and 【Poison Dragon】 are ineffective. Maple can deal damage even with max defense, but lacks a way to increase that damage. As Mii said in the Seventh Layer, as everyone’s attack power rises, her damage output settles into average levels.

“Honestly… it’s strange that damage reaches this point.”

“Is that so?”

“True enough.”

“Ah—Sally too!”

Still, Sally smiles, finding the guildmaster reliable. There is no issue in speaking so casually, because Maple’s 【Love That Offers the Body】 remains constantly active.

“Now then, what next? All the objects Sally found to the north have been collected…”

There’s nothing for it but to head to a terrain feature visible from above. The map was vast to begin with—certainly not all of it has been covered.

Sally had merely marked points during the preliminary round, for the sake of accumulating points. The true purpose remained the accumulation of points for the main tournament.

“So we’ll have to search one by one. Mm… this will be quite the task.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Come on, we really need to decide what to do.”

“Then let’s descend. From the air, small details are impossible to discern. Besides, there’s no chance of accidentally entering a dungeon.”

Maple and the others agreed. Mii lowered Ignis’s altitude and brought them to the ground. Immediately, a rustling sound approached from all sides. Out stepped one of the basic monsters from the second night—four-legged, the first of its kind.

“Ah, there she is—the fake Maple.”

“Eh… me?”

"Ah, I understand what you're saying."

The monster dubbed a fake Maple by Frederica claws at her with sharp claws. It is all deflected, shielded by Maple.

"Really, being able to relax outside is incredibly convenient."

Frederica strikes the monster's head repeatedly with her staff. From the side, Mii's fireball from 【Emperor of Flame】 flies in and burns the monster to ash.

"Planning to explore, then?"

"Yes, yes. I'll do my best too."

"Me too—【Full Armament Deployment】【Attack Initiated】!"

Sally moves in, then steps back awkwardly to avoid obstructing the line of fire, watching the outcome.

As long as they take no damage, it was inevitable that the situation would remain one-sided destruction.

After some time, as they continue to defeat the monster, Mii notices something unusual.

"Something’s odd—there are more monsters here than usual."

"Isn't it just because we're near the edge of the map?"

"...It does feel unusually thick, though."

The four had already cleared one dungeon and, during that time, had explored near the map's border. Compared to earlier, the assault felt heavier.

"Could there be something here...? Some kind of monster generator?"

"That’d be terrible. Still, shall we check this area? Time-wise, it’s nearly our last chance."

Better to return to base early, in case of unforeseen events. Pushing through without rest into the third day would only degrade performance.

Given all this, it was time to end the exploration.

"Then let’s go find out why there are so many monsters!"

"Uh-huh. Hope we find it quickly."

Mii and Sally possess sufficient offensive capability. As long as they engage enemies within the bounds of Love That Offers the Body, the exploration proceeds smoothly. Moving through the area, defeating monsters while searching for the source of their numbers, doubt gradually solidifies into certainty.

"Really, there are a lot, aren't there!"

"Right. There's no doubt something’s here."

When they reached the spot where monsters were most densely gathered, a circular, swirling purple light floated among the trees like a gate.

From it emerged not only various demon forms, but also the dinosaur and large crocodile that Maple had seen during the preliminary round.

"Feels less like a dungeon… what do you think, Sally?"

"Hmm. Yeah, the atmosphere’s different."

"But we don’t really know for sure. Besides, if Maple goes in, she can touch it, can’t she?"

"Trying it wouldn’t hurt."

Returning without verifying whether it is different would be unwise.

"Just... there are many kinds. It's possible some have piercing attacks."

"Ugh, yeah. Hmm, then we'd have to dart close and dart away quickly. Or maybe fly?"

"Ignis? There are many trees. If we don't circle around, we can't go from here."

"Fly? Maple. Over there?"

"Yeah! Like this!"

Maple taps her impressive weapon on her back with a light thump. Sally accepts it with a quiet nod. Seeing Sally agree, Frederica and Mizari also accept. They assume, without confirmation, that such a grand weapon must include flight capability.

"If you say it's possible, I have no objection."

"Then everyone hold on tightly to me."

"Hm? Like this?"

"Like... this?"

The three of them embrace Maple, who pulls a rope from her item box and secures it.

“Phew… Good. You’re ready, Maple! Anytime!”

“W-What kind of resolve… agh! Wait—could this be from the time-space collapse during the guild battle…?”

A flash of memory strikes Frederica—explosions that should not exist in normal flight.

“[Attack Initiated]!”

“M-Maybe this is bad? Hyaah!?”

Energy floods into the laser weapon on Maple’s back. At the moment of overcharge, the weapon explodes. The recoil hurls all four of them like cannonballs, slicing through trees, straight into a violet light.

The light proves to be a gate. After passing through, it gently slows their descent, setting them down smoothly on the other side.

"Whoa! Well done! That was a short trip!"

"Y-yeah... I guess flying's impossible for me..."

"...It's rare to find such a lack of envy toward this kind of mobility."

"Phew, I'm still not used to it."

"You're acting so calm, Sally, I thought it was normal!"

"Maybe that's just Maple's normal."

Frederica wanted to say it wasn't that simple, but she had already passed through the gate and settled into a quiet shift. This was the other side of the mysterious gate that expelled monsters.

"For now, nothing seems to be here..."

The four had landed in a wide space of dark purple walls and floor. The walls and floor twitched at times, revealing this place was no ordinary dungeon.

"But it's good we didn't land straight into a monster-filled mess."

"Indeed. Let us proceed with care."

Thus, the four—Maple and the others—began their journey toward the deepest chamber of the dungeon.

Turning down branching corridors, right and left, they encountered repeatedly the same familiar false Maple, her horns twisted, wings like a bat’s, and the same kind of demon. These creatures seemed to detect players beyond their line of sight. They came, one after another, even when the group stood still.

Even if it was reckless.

"Maple is enough to handle these two."

"Experience points are plentiful. Nice."

"I’ve got plenty of MP potions from Izumi. No need to worry."

"...If these exist inside the dungeon, then it must be something that appears after the second day. If it had shown up during the preliminary round, that purple gate would have stood out too much."

Maple’s performance may not be extreme, but even she requires MP potions after felling several monsters.

Sally cuts down a monster and advances deeper. Maple’s capabilities render dungeon progression either utterly effortless or intensely difficult. This dungeon falls into the former category. Yet, beyond a certain point, the path reveals a spacious area resembling the starting zone. The walls no longer bear the purple hue. Instead, they bulge with white protrusions.

— Hmm… white bulges on the wall.

— Should we shoot?

— No. We don’t know what’s inside. Better not.

— Seems we needn’t move. They’re coming to us.

Miyu points to one of the bulges. It is, in essence, a cocoon, a chrysalis—something of that kind. As the four approach, it splits open. From within, a monster wriggles out.

Maple and Sally, recalling the monster houses in the tower, give instructions to Frederica and Miyu.

"Take down the ones with sharp weapons, horns, or claws—first!"

"Without piercing defense, we’re safe!"

"Right. That makes sense. Understood."

"This way, we can advance boldly. Let’s find something suitable to aim at."

The demons are taken down in order—those with spears, sharp fangs, or claws—while those with abnormally developed muscles, clearly power fighters, are left until last. Their strength cannot breach Maple’s defenses. Priority is low.

“[Flame Emperor] Ignis [Chain of Flame]!”

“Oboro [Fire Child] [Crossing Flames]!”

Flames summoned by their skills ignited one another, burning the monsters. The chain damage skill, effective only when a sufficient number of monsters were present, proved devastating against the swarm flooding the room.

“[Poison Dragon]!”

“Maple truly excels in numbers…”

Her defense, lacking area attacks or effective strikes, shut out the irrelevant. And with other players nearby, it became even more formidable. Defense remained Maple’s essence, her true strength.

Once the monsters that could pierce defense were defeated, the rest became a formality. Sally, able to deal damage without expending MP, attacked and eliminated the remaining foes, conserving resources.

“Phew, done.”

Well done, Sally! There were many, but none were a problem at all!

Yeah, thanks to Maple, I’ve been able to fight with ease.

Hehe, is that so?

We should be able to push further in. If this pace holds, we won’t run into trouble before reaching the boss.

Yeah. Come on, let’s go, let’s go.

Moving forward while staying within the range of Maple’s Love That Offers the Body, white bulges emerge from the walls and corridors—standard, one might say. The number of monsters has increased compared to the starting area.

Ah, right! Before the day ends… [Brutality]!

The day is nearly over. Maple activates her skill. In a dungeon, such use is unlikely to be wasted. And now, with [Brutality] in effect, Maple, who had previously only occasionally dealt lethal poison or fired lasers, takes her place at the front with full intent.

"Ah, real Maple—"

"What do you mean, 'real'? What is real?"

"Even Kasumi felt it in her haku—size still is justice..."

Maple opens her massive mouth wide, moving ahead through the passage. She has not adjusted to 【Brutality】 size, so she must lower her posture to pass, but the space is just enough that monsters cannot circle around from either side.

Maple’s jaws clamp shut and open, devouring and scattering any monster that charges straight ahead without discrimination. Those that survive are forced out of her mouth only to be crushed beneath her six legs, reduced to rags by the time they are pushed backward.

"【Multiple Wind Blades】!"

Even so, surviving her assault does not mean escape. The three who wield magic deliver the final blow safely, one after another.

"Even in this form, common foes are one-sidedly overwhelmed."

"Indeed... ordinary players should have no special form at all."

As they continued, breathing fire while ravaging monsters, the four arrived at the Boss Room as expected, in no time at all.

"Strategy changes depending on the guild."

"Without doubt, this is unique to Maple."

【Maple's Tree】 Not everyone shares this. Some mimic the same atmosphere, but not to this extent.

"Shall I open it?"

"Yep, let's go in."

Maple pushed the door open with her head. Inside, white swellings that generated monsters filled the space. At the far end stood a massive, oval-shaped white mass—far larger than anything seen before. It was no longer just a cocoon. It was a cocoon.

As the four entered the room, the massive cocoon split open with a sharp crack. Purple light spilled out. Ten or more limbs, elongated and tipped with jagged claws, emerged. A headless torso. Wings, their membranes torn. A creature resembling the monster Frederica had called a false Maple—altered unlawfully—crawled forth.

"True Maple! Not the real Maple?"

"Stop fooling around. Let's fight!"

"Ah. Full force."

"Everyone, come!"

With wings fully freed from the cocoon, the boss flapped them sharply. It lunged at the four, claws glinting.

The boss swung its long limbs, stretching like rubber. They moved fast, extending from both sides toward the four.

"【Multiple Barrier】! Notes 【Chorus】!"

A barrier forms before Maple and herself, created by Frederica. Sally will surely dodge. It is impossible to shield against the size of Maple. This is the only place to stand.

“H-hold…!?”

The arm strikes with far greater force than expected. Frederica’s barrier fractures. Yet, the delay was meaningful.

“【Flare Accelerator】!”

Mii accelerates instantly, reaching Frederica’s side, then lifts her and escapes the reach of the hooked claws.

“Nice one, Mii!”

“Don’t let up.”

As Frederica predicted, Sally dodges without hesitation. But Maple, too large to evade, is struck by the claws.

Scars appear along Maple’s outer hide—each claw from either side leaving a mark. Damage effects burst forth.

【Brutality】 has not yet been lifted. But at this rate, it is only a matter of time.

“Ugh… all of this pierces through defense…!”

“First, let’s bring it down from above! Mii, Frederica! 【Ice Column】!”

“Ignis! 【Unextinguished Fury】!”

“Right away! 【Multi-Pressure】!”

Frederica casts a spell, slowing the boss’s movements as it prepares its next attack.

Sally approaches from the left, Mii riding Ignis from the right. They close in, strike from above, and drive the boss down into the ground.

“【Quintuple Slash】!”

“【Emperor of Flame】!”

Sally lands on the boss’s head, activates her skill, and slices from crown to spine, rolling past its back. Mii evades the grappling claws aimed at her, using Ignis’s mobility to counterattack. The boss is struck hard, slammed to the ground.

Maple lunges forward as if waiting for this moment, tearing at the arm and ripping the wing as if repaying the earlier blow.

The boss does not remain idle. Claws slice through Maple, and from its mouth a purple beam burns the outer layer.

"……………………"

The sight—like devouring one another—stuns the three for an instant. Then they rush to Maple’s aid. With support from the three, Maple inflicts further damage. When the boss falters from their assault, six legs grip tightly, and a scorching ray of flame is unleashed.

Thanks to Love That Offers the Body, the massive form’s thrashing does not hinder the allies’ arrival. Yet the boss shows stubborn resolve. Before Maple can consume it completely, the boss tears through Maple’s Violent Wrath, sending Maple crashing to the ground.

The size difference suddenly becomes extreme. The boss presses down on Maple, piling their body atop her. Maple braces, prepared for such a blow. But the boss’s abdomen writhes, and from within, sharp needles form. Maple’s eyes widen.

“Ah, uh—Pierce Guard!”

Immediately after barely neutralizing a piercing attack with a clearly unfamiliar skill, the boss’s massive frame crushes her, obscuring her from view.

“Maple, are you alright!?”

No answer comes from Maple. Moments later, a dull cracking sound echoes from within the boss’s body. Five writhing tentacles burst forth from her back, shrouded in black mist, each emitting a cascade of damage effects.

“Self-harm to trigger transformation…?”

“No, that’s not—”

“It’s Maple.”

“Huh…?”

The tentacles move with precision. Maple slides out through the hole in the boss’s body, emerging from behind.

“Fiee— escape successful! Wah— [Cobalt Move]!”

Maple vanishes from behind the boss’s back and reappears instantly at Sally’s side.

“How’s it look? I think I did some real damage…”

“About half, I’d say… pretty tough. Fire attacks don’t seem to stick.”

Maple’s tentacles have no defensive capacity. She readjusts her left arm to its original form, preparing for the next boss.

[Gluttony] is still usable.

Most of the second day was spent either at the base or marked by explosions.

Though few [Mechanogod] weapons remain, [Gluttony], [Toxic Dragon], and [Predator] can still be summoned. Power is sufficient.

The four stand still, watching the boss’s next move after leaping back. The boss hovers before the newly formed cocoon, drawing in purple light from the one behind.

"Something's coming!"

The purple light gathers fully. Purple light rises from the boss’s body. Multiple magic circles unfold. From each, purple flames shoot toward the four.

"【Multiple Acceleration】【Multiple Barrier】!"

The three increase their speed, attempting evasion. Maple, instead, plants her large shield firmly, bracing for impact.

The purple flames are absorbed by 【Gluttony】, but the sheer volume depletes the number of absorptions first. Flames engulf the area around Maple. Her HP diminishes.

"Of course! Flames won’t work!"

Maple, unswayed by the image of flames, hastily deploys her weapon and detonates herself, retreating sharply backward.

We can avoid it! Draw their attention here—recover while I do!

Yes! Thank you!

Sally sharpens her focus. She slips through the bursting flames, closing the distance in an instant.

[Water Path]! [Ice Binding Field]!

A column of water extends from beneath Sally’s feet, forward. At the same time, white cold radiates from her body. The surroundings freeze rapidly. From Sally’s weapon, flame and ice alternate—flame granted by Yui, ice from the [Ice Binding Field].

Scattering flame and ice, freezing the path of water, Sally charges once more to bring the boss down to the ground.

Even in the air, I’ve grown quite agile! [Ice Pillar]!

Using the skill to create footholds in midair and the ability to extend threads, she weaves through the boss’s flames, moving with ease as if running across the ground, striking and retreating with precise blows.

Good—boss is facing this way...

Only Sally attacks for now. The boss turns toward her. All flames converge on Sally.

But this is as expected. Now, only evasion remains.

Concentrate...

As a large boss, its attacks are not subtle. It seeks to burn everything in its path. She avoids the lingering flames on the ground, never forgetting to use the air to evade, continuing her retreat.

Having faced a more delicate and powerful enemy in the previous event that left damage fields on the tenth floor of the tower, Sally moves as if seeing the future, dodging each attack with perfect timing.

Frederica, Mii, Maple! Is the preparation done yet?

Yeah! It’s fine!

Ah, no problem.

Buff’s ready too!

Then, [Overdrive]! Oblivion [Divine Concealment]!

Sally accelerates, passing through the approaching hook claws with Oblivion’s skill, then rushes toward Maple and the others.

There stands Shiroppu, enlarged, Ignis, Maple deploying the remaining weapons, and Mii, her entire body wrapped in flame.

Then, final touch—Notes [Amplify]!

[Killing Flame Torrent]!

[Attack Initiation]! [Poison Dragon]! [Oozing Chaos]!

Frederica enhances the skill’s power. From the two, powerful abilities surge forth. From Shiroppu and Ignis, flames and beams of light erupt.

The purple flames collide head-on, bursting into dazzling effects. Yet, while Sally draws attention, the two, burdened with accumulated buffs, unleash a torrential assault. The flames are driven back. The cocoon behind them is shattered completely, triggering a massive explosion.

When the explosion's light fades, the cocoon on the wall lies in tatters. The boss collapses to the ground in a splatter, black smoke rising from its body, and vanishes.

"Phew... good! We won!"

"Ah, excellent attack. Thank you, Frederica."

"Taking them down with such force makes the buffs worthwhile."

"This time, we even secured the medal. Maybe we can return with smiles now."

"Right, then. Let's head back carefully, so we don't get taken down."

They emerged from the dungeon, four of them believing that all would return safely to base—perhaps last of all.