Defense specialization and 'Thunder Storm'.

Maple and Sally had been running through each layer every day, but today they waited in the Town of the Seventh Layer, meeting someone.

"Should be here soon?"

"Yeah, they’re coming. See them? Those two."

Before Sally, Velvet and Hinata walked toward them. As described by Maple, Sally recognized them immediately.

"Got here earlier than expected. Good!"

"Are you… Sally-san…?"

"Yeah. Nice to meet you."

"Time’s short. Let’s talk while we walk."

"Sure. Sally’s fine with that."

"Got it."

The four walked toward the field. Today’s purpose was exchange. Beneath that, the hidden aim was measuring combat abilities—skills and such. But the nature of Sally’s ability and Velvet’s was clearly different.

The four move together, chatting idly, until they reach a spot where monsters appear at just the right interval. Today, Sally rides her horse, so Maple has no trouble keeping up. As they travel, Velvet suddenly turns to Sally.

“Ah! If you’re willing, I’d like to duel later!”

“Me? You’re saying things like Frederica does… I thought as much when Maple told me.”

Velvet’s eyes gleam as she waits for an answer. Sally considers, then replies.

“…If I’m going to do it, then after today’s tasks are finished.”

“Understood! First, warm up with the boss monster!”

“But not Maple. I’ve already seen enough when we first met.”

“Hmm… Honestly… I just want to fight Sally.”

Information about skills was secondary. As Maple had said, Velvet simply wished to fight an opponent of pure strength. The reason she had chosen Sally over Maple was only that Sally felt closer to her than Maple did.

"Exactly as I heard. Well, she’s more engaged with people than Maple. She wins as long as she can. She avoids fights she cannot win. So, if I see today’s battle and think I can’t win, I’ll refrain."

Sally said this with a light laugh. Velvet replied without hesitation: you won’t know unless you try.

"But avoiding fights I can’t win is true. I can’t afford to lose."

"Sally hasn’t taken damage once yet!"

"Wait—seriously? Huh… even more motivated now!"

A skill that only activates if you don’t die in person combat… or wait—maybe such a thing exists?

If anything’s possible, then it must exist!

I suppose… not every possibility means we’ll definitely do it.

Understood… but I’m looking forward to it!

Thus the four set out toward a monster in the Seventh Layer.

The place where the four halted their horses was at the base of a rocky mountain. To reach their destination, they must follow the path upward toward the summit.

There are checkpoints along the way. Pass them all, and finally the boss awaits.

If you use Shiroppu or a flying monster, the summit event won’t trigger.

…You know about that?

Just did some research on a promise I made to Maple. I never came here before, but I know the route.

Maple understands, as they walk, that this place is no mere tourist spot. The four move toward the stone mountain. The mountain is built to be traversed internally, leading eventually to its peak. The checkpoint Velvet mentions lies within the mountain’s interior.

"Then let’s get going!"

"That’s right!"

Maple and Velvet lead, Sally and Hinata follow. The mountain’s interior is a cave they’ve explored before, yet no monsters appear. They reach the checkpoint without difficulty.

A closed gate, intricately decorated, resembles the door to the Boss Room. One glance confirms it is the checkpoint.

"We’ve arrived!"

"Big gate… uh, how do we proceed?"

"Choose as many from the party as you like. If you defeat the monster within, you may proceed. The strength of the monster changes depending on how many challenge it."

"Ah, I see."

"I'll go in alone."

"...It's less about compatibility and more about wanting to fight desperately, isn't it?"

"Exactly!"

She had avoided unnecessary battles with monsters entirely during the journey, leaving her energy unspent. As Velvet set the challenge count to one, the gate opened.

"We can enter too... but we can't take part in the fight."

"Then we'll cheer you on!"

"Right."

Following Velvet stepping through the gate, Maple and the others advanced. Beyond the gate lay a circular area, neatly arranged around central pillars. At its center stood a humanoid statue, roughly two meters tall.

Velvet tightened her gauntleted fist into a combat stance. The statue shifted with a dull sound.

It too held no weapon. It raised its fists, just as Velvet did. Its body of stone was vastly stronger than hers. By appearance alone, it seemed impossible that Velvet could prevail.

"Then, let's go! [Thunder God's Return]!"

At the words, a torrent of lightning erupted from Velvet. The statue's charge halted mid-motion, frozen for a single instant.

[Electromagnetic Leap] [Heartstop]!

In that frozen moment, Sally leapt forward—far faster than her usual speed. She closed the distance and struck the statue with full force. At the same time, lightning detonated. The statue, beginning to move again, stiffened once more for a brief instant.

[Heavy Dual Strike]!

The twin strikes land in perfect sync with the brief stiffness. The fists pierce the stone body. The force, disproportionate to her slender frame, thuds against the statue and hurls it backward.

“[Swift Charge]!”

She activates the skill, accelerating sharply—her bare hands now weapons—and closes the distance in an instant, returning to her favored range. Blue-white lightning erupts from her form.

“[Discharge]!”

Electricity, accumulated from the number of attacks and hits sustained, is expelled in bursts. The statue is scorched repeatedly. At the moment of convergence, the sparks snapping from Velvet cease. The statue collapses to the ground and vanishes into light.

“Mm, no match for me anymore!”

“Amazing! She’s moving so fast—like a blur—gone in an instant!”

“I’ve been here so many times, it’s easy to bring it down now!”

Nice… even moving fast like that is impressive, isn’t it?

…………

……Sally, sir?

While Velvet and Maple excitedly spoke, Sally remained motionless, eyes closed, replaying the earlier battle. She had seen not only the lightning-fast strikes she had heard of from Maple, but also the unique combat style of the weapon type, up close. Yet, amidst it all, Sally felt one dissonance.

The range of bare hands is the shortest, and thus some skills are designed with high power accordingly. Even so, Velvet’s fists felt unnaturally heavy.

Risk… there’s nothing to be done about it.

…………?

Ah! How was my fight! Did it make you want to battle too?

Yeah, it did. I’ll do it later.

Sally said this, and Velvet smiled with visible pleasure.

Well, I’ll only show you that side of me. Next time, it’s my turn.

Ohh! That’s cool!

If fighting like that seems boring, then reconsider.

Sally began walking ahead, aiming for the next gate.

As with the first gate, the path to the second gate had no monsters and advanced without difficulty.

“Say, Velvet, you mentioned earlier you’ve been here many times, right?”

“Can fight one-on-one without holding back. But I’m starting to find it dull now.”

Velvet had dragged Hinata into every promising dungeon, seeking powerful boss monsters. With Hinata at her side, they could defeat nearly every boss in one direction.

If that were the case, Velvet could not have the enjoyable battles she desired. She could not always rely on Hinata. So she came here alone, seeking opponents strong enough to make her feel the weight of battle.

“I’m growing stronger myself. With Hinata, we won’t lose!”

“So, you found me and Maple as new opponents, then.”

“We’ve known you two are strong from the previous event!”

“That’s right, we’re rivals!”

Speaking with Sally, Velvet reaffirms once more that Sally has no hidden motives. Just as Maple said.

“Calling us rivals, but Maple doesn’t seek out PvP on her own, does she?”

“Hmm… maybe only during events.”

“Well, that’s why you should come to me when you’re not in events?”

There’s already one player doing exactly that. Adding another makes little difference.

“Hinata isn’t like me—always fighting. I’m glad we can face one another in duels!”

Hinata fights only when necessary. That is different from Velvet, who seeks out solitary battles to enjoy.

It is pleasant to be with Velvet... but it would be even better if someone could make Velvet enjoy herself.

Sally, you bear great responsibility!

Mmm, well, first let us see if we can find enjoyment beyond that gate.

Understood!

Sally then moved toward the second gate visible ahead on the path.

"Is it enough to have just me as the challenger?"

"Do your best, Sally!"

"Um... we're cheering for you."

"We're watching closely!"

"Then, I'm going."

Sally entered the cylindrical combat zone, alone as the designated fighter.

There stood a stone statue, wielding a massive blade that could only be called a blunt weapon.

"Looks like a power fighter, for sure."

Sally faced the statue and drew her two daggers into stance.

"Oboro — Fire Child"

Oboro enveloped in flame and charged forward without pause, closing the distance to the stone statue in a straight line. As with Velvet, there was a marked difference in stature. This time, the statue’s weapon reached farther. The statue struck first.

A strike so swift it defied the weight of stone—its greatsword split the air in an instant. Amid a faint scattering of dust, Sally shifted her body’s angle and barely avoided the blow, countering immediately by slashing at the blade.

—No damage. Then, like this...

She slipped past the statue’s side, driving both daggers into its flank. As damage effects flared, Sally stepped back, reestablishing distance from the statue.

The increase in STR from Sword Dance remains small. Damage is not at its maximum. Yet Sally’s attack power is no low. Seeing the HP bar diminished only slightly, unlike before, Sally confirms Velvet’s attack power is considerable.

“Huff! Haah!”

Sally turns, evades the broadsword swung horizontally by dropping into a low crouch that presses her body against the ground, drives through with one foot, and slips behind the statue again.

Same each time. Every time the statue shifts to attack, it recoils with damage effects and flame. Every strike becomes an opening. Each attempt to press forward drains her HP.

Perfect counter. Sally dismantles the statue without using any skill—only pure technique. No obvious, powerful ability. Yet the fight carries weight.

This is the first time I’ve seen it properly before my eyes…

Yes… I don’t think the statue has any debuffs. Um, Sally is really… just dodging.

Hehe, isn’t that awesome!

Incredible!

Beside the proudly boastful Maple, Velvet watches Sally’s movements in silence. From Velvet’s view, Sally does not appear to be using any special skill for evasion. In truth, there is none. Thus Sally, relying only on basic attacks and physical ability, is not yet fighting at full strength.

Hmm! So exciting!

Velvet watches Sally, her eyes bright with anticipation, as she avoids the greatsword with ease and brings the statue down.

In the end, Sally destroys the statue without taking a single hit. The only skill she used was [Fire Child].

Good work, Sally!

"Yeah, thanks."

"Good work! Suddenly... I'm getting excited now!"

"That's good."

"I want to see more of you fighting! The statue wasn't strong enough—too weak!"

The attack had enough force to erase a single player with low defense if it landed, but with both immobilized by continuous stuns and all attacks evaded, it was natural neither could use their full power.

"The boss seems fairly strong, though?"

"Of course we can't beat it. That's why we'll finish it quickly and move on."

"You're determined, then."

Sally walked forward toward the next gate, responding to Velvet’s cheerful words. Maple and Hinata followed behind.

"They seem to be getting along. Like they’re in sync."

"Perhaps they share something in common."

"Maybe!"

Even though they had just met, their breaths seemed to align—perhaps because their natures were alike.

“How many checkpoints are there?”

“Um… just one more. With the boss, that’s two battles left.”

“Thanks! So Sally’s team has already fought. This last one’s ours.”

“Um… I’m not good at fighting alone. If you don’t mind, maybe just Maple… or with me?”

Hinata was an extreme debuff specialist. She could cripple an opponent’s strength, but lacked the power to finish them.

“Then we’ll fight together. And the boss—we’ll take him as a group!”

“Y-yes… I’ll do my best!”

“Alright, Sally! Next one’s us two!”

“I heard you. The statue looks rough.”

“Is the next one strong?”

“Ah… no. I meant the statue would find facing these two quite painful.”

That’s right. Hinata’s strong, that’s for sure!

Maple’s strong too.

Hehe, I’ve known that all along!

The two of them have a clearer advantage than Velvet or Sally. Against statues like the ones we faced earlier, the outcome would be obvious.

As the summit draws near, Maple and her group reach the final checkpoint. They decide, as planned, to send only Maple and Hinata forward.

Let’s do this!

Y-yes!

Maple takes up her large shield and steps forward, shielding Hinata behind her. The combat zone looks the same as before, but this time, two stone statues stand within.

One wields a massive bow carved from stone. The other holds a large hammer.

W-wait, two of them!

Umm, umm, I’ll stop their movements…!

Try it! I’m using Love That Offers the Body!

Maple activates Love That Offers the Body to shield Hinata from attack, then calls forth Shiroppu and watches Hinata’s movements.

“Cocytus.”

A cold wave erupts from Hinata, spreading instantly into a cylindrical combat zone, freezing the two stone figures in place. They stand like ice statues, motionless—unlike the mere frost of Maple’s Frozen Ground—while they do what they can.

“Shiroppu, Gigantification, White Garden, Red Garden, Sinking Ground!”

Maple mounts Shiroppu with Hinata, spreading a field across the ground that favors their position.

“Star Chain, Catastrophe Propagation, Frail Ice Statues, Gravitational Creak.”

The same skills used previously by Velvet and Hinata to defeat a boss strike the two stone figures again, inflicting additional cold and gravity, halting their movements completely.

More... [Rusted Armor] [Footsteps of Death]

The black mist spilling from Hinata’s doll crawls across the ground, enveloping the immobile stone figures, further weakening their defense. A long, unbroken restraint. Once movement ceases, the next skill activates in chain—denying even a single blow.

"Maple-san... um, please attack."

"Got it! [Full Deployment] [Attack Initiated]!"

The two stone figures, sunk into the earth, frozen solid, crushed under gravity—resist nothing as Maple’s shots pierce through them.

"Woah! Huge damage!"

Maple’s shots deal damage far exceeding her expectations. The stone figures, sunk into the earth, frozen solid, crushed under gravity—resist nothing as their HP dwindles rapidly. Intermittent in the gunfire, Hinata’s voice carries a skill activating. Each time the figures begin to move, they halt abruptly. Their defense drops without limit.

Even as Maple’s firepower remains unchanged, the enemy’s defense falls endlessly. What should be a barrage of diminishing strikes becomes each shot a crushing weight.

“Maple mentioned something like this… but this is worse.”

“Then it’s over.”

Under Velvet and Sally’s watch, the battle concludes—more one-sided than any before. The stone figures, reduced to mere targets by Hinata’s gravity and ice, and Maple’s terrain manipulation and status effects.