Defense specialization and the snowy mountains.

As usual, Maple rides on Sally’s horse toward their destination.

“Sally, where are we going this time?”

“Hmm, the snowy mountains.”

“Since the tower event, right?”

During the tower-clearing event, they had descended through a blizzard in the mountains to fight the boss. Descending, for Maple, had meant nothing more than diving from the summit, relying solely on her defense.

The Seventh Layer is vast. Mountains vary in form—some resemble coliseums, others are volcanoes. The snowy mountain Sally aims for stands apart, especially high. Its peak vanishes into the clouds, blurred and unseen.

“I only found a clue. I can’t be sure it’s correct until we go. And going through all the proper routes would take too long, even for me.”

“Uh-huh.”

“We’ll ask Shiroppu for help here.”

“Okay! It’s been a while.”

“The Seventh Layer, where people could fly, naturally led some to try climbing by flight—but they only ended up being attacked by powerful monsters.”

That was an odd thing to say, but Maple and Sally could handle mere monsters.

“So we’ll fly upward, defeating monsters along the way.”

“We won’t reach the very top, then.”

“Even that seems impossible. It’s only a shortcut for players strong enough to fly—nothing more.”

They rode the horse forward. The distant snow-capped mountain drew near. The height struck them again. Steep. Nearly vertical on the outside. But Sally said there were places inside, accessible at certain points.

“Now I understand why Sally said she’d only go partway…”

Maple looked up from the base. Thick clouds filled her vision. The upper reaches looked distinctly stormy.

If she’s going to be blown off and fall, Maple seems capable enough. Just secure her. Like when we stepped on lava, you know what I mean?

Lava. That was the strongest opponent, or rather terrain, that ever wounded Maple during the tower assault.

“That won’t work… no, no.”

“So just up to the middle. When the weather starts turning bad, we should find a place to circle around the mountain.”

“Okay! Then let’s go!”

Maple lifted Sally onto Shiroppu’s back and ascended slowly.

The cold did not register, though snow began to fall, stirred by the telekinetic lift.

The monster Sally had spoken of approached in response. A bird of ice, its entire form frozen solid, came at them from both sides, three of them, shrieking in unison.

More powerful ice birds, I know them! — [Full Deployment] — [Attack Initiated]!

Maple spins her body, firing at the ice birds descending from both sides. They do not dodge the bullets and lasers, which strike without pause. The birds shatter instantly, before even releasing their ice.

Good!

No, not felled!

Wha—?

The shattered ice birds regenerate midair immediately, advancing through the bullets.

That’s fire’s standard tactic! — [Haze] — [Fire Child]!

Seeing Sally enveloped in flame, Maple sheathes her ineffective weapons and entrusts the fight to Sally.

— [Love That Offers the Body] — [Provocation]!

Maple draws the monster closer, creating an opening for Sally. She activates [Love That Offers the Body] as a precaution.

The ice birds swarm in, as expected, when Maple stands still after provoking them. They probe her entire body with sharp pecks, striking her with icy wings, attempting to inflict damage through cold and shattered ice.

“E—eh, this is getting serious…”

“Alright!”

Amid the dull, rhythmic thuds of impact, Maple’s survival report reaches Sally. She begins to cut through them one by one.

“Haze—[Crossfire][Phantom Flame]”

She directs Haze to unleash more fire, dismantling the ice birds. For Sally, removing monsters from Maple has become routine.

“That’s it—last one!”

“Phew… thanks…”

“But they’re still coming…”

“Uu… Sally, keep going!”

“Leave it to me! It’s just peeling them off Maple, after all!”

While Maple is being battered by the birds, Shiroppu continues to float upward at a steady pace. So, aiming for the middle height Sally mentioned, they fly through the snowy sky.

As the snow intensifies, the two feel a sudden, powerful wind while repeatedly dealing with ice birds and maintaining altitude. It is not imagination. The weather has clearly worsened compared to before.

“This might be our limit…”

“Then let’s go around.”

Maple shifts Shiroppu’s direction sideways while keeping altitude, circling just beside the mountain’s face. Throughout, the monster attacking Maple is repelled by peeling the face area first, moving slowly to avoid missing anything, ensuring they do not crash into the mountain.

“There! Oboro—Passfire!”

Sally spots the entrance and, with Oboro’s aid, defeats the monster in one strike, guiding Maple closer to the wall.

Good, hold on.

Yeah!

[JUMP]!

Sally leaps from Shiroppu, landing on a ledge jutting from the mountainside while cradling Maple. To either side, paths lead up and down into the mountain. The upward path is the one they take.

Thank you, Shiroppu!

Then let’s go.

Inside, the floor and walls are covered in glowing blue ice. Though frozen, the surface does not slip, so footing is secure. They walk freely. With the environment clearer, Maple prepares to attack, drawing a fire talisman and gripping it tightly.

I’m getting used to ice fields, too!

Then let’s cover the parts even habit can’t handle with an item. Just wait a moment?

Sally manipulates her inventory and withdraws the item Iz had prepared. One is a heavy coat, the other a sphere glowing with red light within.

"Put on the coat and use the sphere. Ice-element attacks will lose much of their power, and you’ll gain Ice Resistance."

Maple listens and immediately tries both. The coat is thick, clearly made for cold regions.

"The effect works. And the look suits it, doesn’t it?"

"Yeah! I like it!"

"We should thank Iz when we get back."

The spheres are numerous—there will be no shortage. Other items were also prepared, but for now, these two are the helpful tools they need.

As the two move forward, three blocks of ice float toward them from ahead, glowing white and trailing cold mist.

The two halt abruptly, weapons raised. They watch, waiting. The ice blocks glow white, trailing cold mist. Then, blue light forms eyes and mouth upon them. They move forward with intent.

Sally steps forward, quick and sharp. Maple’s Love That Offers the Body encloses the area. The ice block splits cleanly. Flames from Fire Child flow from dagger into ice. Red damage effect flares.

Sally feels resistance. She pushes forward, aiming to destroy the remaining ice. But from within the severed block, a sudden flood of blue light spills out. She brakes instantly. Leaps toward Maple.

Immediately after, the ice block explodes with a sharp cracking sound. Fragments scatter across the area, sharp and cold. Sally avoids the worst of it by barely reacting in time. She exhales deeply and stands upright.

“Didn’t expect it to explode. Dangerous. Dangerous.”

“Fight without fear! I have Love That Offers the Body!”

“Yeah, thanks. I’ve seen it once—explosions are fine.”

As Sally steps back, the ice block with a face exhales a glowing cold breath from its mouth. The blast cuts through the narrow, confined passage. Sally, unable to dodge it entirely, chooses to let Maple take the brunt. The attack strikes Maple twice.

“How are you?”

“Nothing seems to have happened. Probably…?”

“Hmm, good. Just like always!”

Sally moves forward again, quick to confirm. The ice mass is positioned like a trap—low HP, but poorly handled, capable of killing an ordinary person with a single strike.

“Yott!”

Sally slips between the remaining two ice masses, spins sharply, and slices each with her daggers.

“This is, 【Hyper Acceleration】!”

She had used 【Leap】 to escape the area before. Now unable to, she accelerates, running clear.

Behind her, the last ice mass explodes as Sally returns to Maple’s side, white cold rushing across the icy floor.

“Wow—so flashy!”

“Is that so? Thanks. I’ll avoid the blast. The shards are sharp. A piercing attack could be dangerous.”

Sally bears no damage, but the precise shift in motion demands effort. If she could be brought down more easily, that would be preferable. Maple proposes to Sally.

“Then I’ll attack from afar next! Even if it revives, it’ll be slowed. While it’s still down, Sally, strike with fire magic, how’s that?”

“Good. Let’s do that. But don’t overuse it.”

“Hai!”

They proceed along the icy path, confident they can handle the ice mass.

“Hey, Maple, did you get the medal skill already?”

“Yeah! I liked the one Sally used, so I made one similar.”

“…Something happened?”

“You know—*Water Manipulation*! So I made *Earth Manipulation*, same kind of feel!”

Maple grins, raising both hands and flashing a peace sign.

“Ah—right, there was a difference in element. Actually, you chose that element.”

“Yeah. Thought it’d go well with Shiroppu too.”

Good. With level-up, you might learn something interesting too.

Sally?

I’ll show you in the next battle.

Looking forward to it!

A bear made of ice appears before the two as they move forward. From its translucent blue body, the same white cold mist rises as from the earlier ice block.

Oh—just what we needed. Maple, raise your shield… yes, like that.

I— I’m okay, right?

Yeah. Let’s go!

While Maple watches with unease and anticipation, Sally runs toward the ice bear. The bear responds in turn, closing the distance. Before Maple can guess what attack skill Sally will use, she activates it.

[Shifting Form]

The world blurs for an instant in Maple’s sight—then the ice claw of the bear is upon her.

Eh!? W—wait...!

Maple’s thoughts halted. Yet the great shield, held as Sally instructed, activated 【Hunger】 of its own accord. It swallowed the ice bear whole, without resurrection, without delay. Maple exhaled, then turned. Sally stood behind, giving a small wave, a smile of success on her face.

“Moo! Sally!”

“Ahaha, sorry, sorry.”

“I was startled. Reminded me of when you showed me 【Mirage】.”

“Truly sorry for startling you. It’s a skill that swaps your position with an ally’s. Can be used for offense or defense, if used well.”

“Sally would make good use of it.”

“Then count on it to turn the tide.”

“Yeah! Oh, wait—here it comes again.”

“Ugh… some kind of bear’s den…?”

As they speak, another ice bear lumbers from the depths of the passage. Their purpose is not to play with the creature, so they wish to pass through swiftly.

“Let’s slip through with 【Gourmet】!”

“Agreed. I’ll handle the boss. I can use fire too.”

“Then I’m off!”

Maple walks with slow steps. She appears delicate at first glance, but the shield before her obliterates anything it touches.

Each time Maple collides head-on, the ice shatters with sharp cracks, dissolving into light.