Defense specialization and leveling up.
Maple and Velvet move to the Seventh Layer, waiting for a friend at the town’s exit. As they walk through the streets of the Seventh Layer, Velvet seems to confirm once more how slow Maple truly is, watching her movement speed.
“Actually seeing it, there’s quite a difference in speed.”
“Uuu, but there are a few ways to cover for it!”
“Fufu, seems so. Ah, Hinata! Over here, over here!”
It appears her friend has arrived, and Velvet waves energetically. Maple looks around, scanning the area, when a girl comes running toward them—quick, hurried steps. Her long hair, nearly black with deep violet tones, is braided into three sections at the back. She holds a slightly eerie doll in both hands. Her clothing resembles Mai and Yui’s style, but with minimal decoration, kept restrained.
“O-oh, I’m late… sorry.”
—Not at all! Right on time, right on time! —mmn… I’ve already sent word. Today, we’re leveling up together, Maple-san.
Take care of it.
Thank you… I’ll do my best, too.
Her long bangs obscure her eyes, making her expression unreadable. Yet she holds the doll slightly tighter, showing resolve. Maple looks at Hinata’s doll and asks with curiosity.
Is that your weapon?
Ah… e-eh… y-yes. It will be.
I see… so many different weapons exist. Then, Velvet’s weapon—
I don’t know. How should I say?
Maple frowns slightly, disappointed at the lack of answer. The moment to depart arrives. At the Seventh Layer, she usually rides Sally’s horse or flies with Shiroppu.
Combat demands a trade-off: high-speed movement, self-destructive flight, and the ability known as [Ruthlessness]—but the number of uses is limited. Not suitable for everyday travel. As she considers this, Hinata pokes her arm.
"Um, Maple-san, you don't have a horse... do you?"
"Uuu, I lack the [DEX] needed to ride."
"Then... would you like to ride behind me? Please."
"Waa! Thank you so much!"
She was about to use [Ruthlessness] to follow along.
"Velvet, you're not used to riding... It might be a bit, well, quite rough..."
"Hinata, you're being heard."
"Aaah... Sorry."
Maple’s mind drifts to Velvet, who, though she appears delicate and ladylike, would likely handle riding well—her HP would not suffer from falling or impact.
"Hmm, that’s a surprise."
"Y-yes... perhaps. It might be surprising."
Regardless, Maple follows Velvet, who leads from the front with Hinata seated behind her, moving toward the designated Leveling Area.
The Seventh Layer holds many distinctive areas. Due to the main event being the recruitment of monsters, the thematic cohesion of the layer is thin, unlike the fifth or sixth layers, resulting in varied terrain. Before Maple and the others stretches a desolate expanse of withered trees and rocky outcrops.
"Few come this way."
"We’ve arrived. This is where we level up."
"I’ll handle the defense!"
Maple dismounts and immediately activates 【Love That Offers the Body】. Damage effects emanate from her, and the ground within range begins to glow.
"Stay within this glowing area, and you’ll be unharmed by attacks!"
"I see. Understood."
"Then, 【Provocation】!"
When Maple activates her skill, a hawk descends from the sky, and a golem formed of sand and rock emerges from the cliffs, advancing toward her.
““【Water Lance】!””
From behind, two voices sound. Two spears of water fly, striking the golem squarely and delivering clear damage.
“I am 【Predator】 too!”
Maple summons creatures from both sides to strike the golem. They clamp down with massive jaws onto the golem’s torso and shoulder, inflicting damage. The golem retaliates, swinging both arms down with force, slamming into Maple. 【Gluttony】 activates—the golem is consumed—but the impact triggers an earthquake that strikes all three.
“Uuu…… uuu?”
“Just as seen in the recording. One cannot believe their eyes.”
The earthquake, meant to strike the three, concentrates on Maple through Love That Offers the Body, and is nullified by her defense.
"Leave the defense to me! I can withstand anything but piercing attacks! Poison Dragon!"
The hawk descending from above is drawn in just before impact, then countered with Poison Dragon. The hawk, though resistant to poison, takes heavy damage and staggers upward, struggling to fly.
"Th-then, Tornado."
But as the weakened hawk attempts to flee, Hinata's magic summons a whirlwind, catching it mid-flight and destroying it. The monster, drawn in by Provocation, continues advancing. Normally, one would have to respond precisely, or risk being overwhelmed by numbers. But with Maple in command, that does not happen.
"Phew... alright. Looks stable."
A monster charging straight ahead with raw power is Maple’s favored opponent.
As Maple anticipated, this monster has no effective strike against her. Leveling up proceeds smoothly. A brief rest follows.
“[Mechanic God][Predator][Oozing Chaos][Poison Dragon][Love That Offers the Body][Hundred Ghosts at Night]... Hmm, magnificent.”
“Uh, thank you. Seeing it in person, the power… it’s overwhelming.”
Hinata speaks hesitantly, still watching the summoned [Predator]. [Love That Offers the Body] remains active, allowing rest anywhere. The three sit on the rock and continue speaking.
“I’d heard rumors, but this is incredible…”
“Ehehe, thank you.”
If she can overcome her movement speed, leveling up with Maple is highly efficient. She only needs to focus on attack. Naturally.
Maple’s defensive prowess had been felt firsthand by the two. They moved onward to an area where stronger monsters, offering greater experience, could be found.
The ground shifts to sand. Hawks and golems, resembling the monsters from the previous wasteland, appear—enhanced.
Attack power has increased, but Maple should have no issue with it.
Yes!
Maple would not fail to protect. The difference lies only in whether the enhanced attack power or range surpasses defense.
Right then, I’ll give it my all!
Maple walks ahead as before, attempting to draw the monster toward her with provocation.
“Ah… m-me, Maple-san, going that way…?”
“Eh? Ah!?”
Too late... wasn't it?
With a familiar sensation, Maple’s body sank into the ground. The three figures vanished into the sand.