Defense specialization and the next objective.

Four descend the mountain, Velvet leading, her face relaxed and satisfied after the duel.

"Thank you… Thank you, Sally-san."

"Just a duel. No need for thanks."

"Great to meet you today! I’ll get stronger before we fight again!"

The two-on-two match set aside for future enjoyment, the group disperses for now.

"Ah, wait. Can I speak with you for a moment?"

"Hm, me?"

Just before parting, Velvet calls Sally, offering one piece of information in gratitude for the enjoyable duel.

"Recently, strong players have been leveling up… around this area."

"Ah, I might go check it out. Stronger players are appearing more often."

"You said that, but I’ll be the one to defeat you first. You’re my rival!"

While recalling another player who had spoken the same words, Sally received the information.

"You must not lose before I defeat you!"

"As promised. If you lose, it won't be to Velvet."

"That makes it all the more exciting!"

In any case, the day ended with the information received. Maple and Sally parted ways with Velvet and Hinata, returning to Town. They rode together on Sally’s horse, cutting through the wind on the road home.

"Was Velvet strong?"

"Very. More powerful players keep appearing. The information I got speaks of another interesting one. Shall we go see?"

"Sure. You went to the trouble of telling me! Maybe we’ll become close like they are!"

"Then we’ll go next time. They come here often on weekends. Oh, but we might end up rivals, like Velvet and them."

Maple had grown more rivals than before. This, too, was one form of connection between people.

"We must get stronger again! I’m still the Guild Master, after all!"

"Good. I’ll help, too."

"Uh-huh! Sally’s here, it’s so reassuring!"

"Ah, well then, thank you."

As they spoke back and forth, the two found themselves back in the Town without noticing.

623 Name: Nameless Greatsword User

No events happening. Eighth Layer’s still far off.

A relaxed period, this one.

624 Name: Nameless Spear User

Seventh Layer’s wide. Haven’t explored every corner yet.

625 Name: Nameless Bow User

Same for the other layers, but Seventh Layer’s especially vast.

626 Name: Nameless Mage

Still, once you’ve tamed a monster, it’s like reaching your goal.

627 Name: Nameless Spear User

We’ll need to raise a monster during this period.

628 Name: Nameless Greatsword User

That’s true. The importance was reaffirmed in the previous event.

629 Name: Nameless Greatshield User

I’m just focusing on leveling up.

630 Name: Nameless Bow User

Ah. There it is.

631 Name: Nameless Magus User

How about you? Anything happen recently?

632 Name: Nameless Greatshield User

Nothing in particular lately. Actually, Maple-chan is usually not in the Seventh Layer.

633 Name: Nameless Greatsword User

Oh, found a new dungeon?

634 Name: Nameless Greatshield User

No, just sightseeing with Sally.

635 Name: Nameless Spear User

Really enjoying it, aren’t you?

636 Name: Nameless Bow User

Well, that’s just like her.

637 Name: Nameless Magus User

She never seemed the type to rush into leveling up or hunting dungeons, not really.

She’s been that way since the first event.

638 Name: Nameless Greatshield User

The one who used to draw pictures, right?

639 Name: Nameless Greatsword User

If I don’t do this, I won’t do that. Maybe I’ll relax once in a while.

Could be that’s what this period is for.

640 Name: Nameless Spear User

There are so many places in this game that feel like tourist spots.

641 Name: Nameless Bow User

I haven’t been to most of them. Now that I think about it, that might’ve been a waste.

642 Name: Nameless Mage User

Everyone enjoys things differently.

By the way, where did you go sightseeing?

643 Name: Nameless Greatshield User

The last one I heard of was the floating castle—up in the clouds.

644 Name: Nameless Spear User

That’s not a tourist spot. It’s the lair of a damn powerful dragon.

872 Name: Nameless Bow User

The view is beautiful. You’ll die if you’re careless.

873 Name: Nameless Greatsword User

Maple could walk through anywhere just looking at the scenery. That’s kind of enviable.

I’m starting to think the biggest advantage is being safe even when ambushed.

874 Name: Nameless Greatshield User

She is surely lounging somewhere, sightseeing as usual.

875 Name: Nameless Spear User

That somewhere could just as well be a death trap for ordinary players...

876 Name: Nameless Archer User

Times have changed. Even sightseeing now requires defense.

877 Name: Nameless Mage User

Well, if it's a tourist spot for commoners, even we could go. I might as well visit sometime.

Sally and I will head to the place Velvet showed us this weekend. Maple is relaxing in the Town of the Seventh Layer, for the first time in ages.

The newest layer grows crowded. It buzzes with life. In that lively Seventh Layer, Maple sits on a shaded bench, an ice in one hand.

"Tourist spots themed around stars exist in each layer. I might as well look for one in the Seventh Layer."

Upon closer reflection, most notable tourist spots are those Sally introduced.偶然 found during Maple’s leadership, but rarely escorted by her.

"I should return the favor."

Good views deserve good views. Since Sally took the trouble to tell her about these spots across the layers, this time Maple would find one first and show it to Sally.

"Alright, let’s do this!"

Maple finished her ice and stood up with renewed vigor.

"First, gather information!"

Just as Sally always does, Maple begins with gathering information. The Seventh Layer has yet to yield anything resembling a proper site.

"Events only happen at night, right?"

Yet, stars do not necessarily mean places on the ground. They could just as easily be hidden in places where the sky is unseen.

"How did Sally figure out they exist in every layer?"

If one guesses, there must have been such information somewhere. Rumors between players, or something more certain.

"Right! Let's head to the library."

If Sally said it, there must be solid proof. Maple thought that, and decided to find clues from NPCs or information already prepared in the Town. Once decided, action followed. Maple hurried toward the Seventh Layer library, feet flitting.

The library held countless books, yet not all of them held meaning. Many areas were off-limits. Some sections had books placed merely as background, to preserve the library's appearance. In truth, only a small number of books were readable.

Yet Sally does not appear to read each book individually. A methodical search must have been made, or clear clues must have been present. Following this approach, they locate a section where books are arranged by a discernible theme.

"Stars… light… something like that… ah, this area looks promising!"

Maple selects one book from among them. It contains a text about stars.

"Ah, this might be it! Um, lake, moon… the shadow of evolution… yes, this feels like the Seventh Layer!"

From the passage, Maple nods to herself, considering the possibility that this may be something the Shiroppu group could use to grow stronger.

"Alright! Let's go tonight, right away!"

Like during their earlier cave exploration, Maple double-checks her gear for safety. She prepares not only lights and ropes for the journey to the lake, but also a snorkel and similar equipment to enable underwater activity, regardless of whether the skills 【Swimming】 or 【Diving】 are possessed.