Defense specialization and the ninth event.

Time passes. The moment of the ninth event’s start arrives. Maple and Sally confirm the event details with their guild members at the guild home.

“This time, no player-versus-player elements. We all cooperate. How many limited monsters can we defeat during the event period?”

“I see. If we’re all working together, we must do our best for everyone!”

“Hmph, just keep to your own pace and it’ll be fine. There are always those who rush in with great speed….”

Even in the third event, held long ago, several guilds had stood far above the rest in monster eradication counts. Given the similar format this time, such outcomes are predictable.

—Well, that aside, rewards come every time the kill count hits a set number, and completing it all grants an item useful in the eighth layer. There are medals, money, and other things as well.

—Oh! Then I’d better work even harder!

—Yes. The period is long, and it seems limited monsters appear in each layer, so hunting wherever you like should be fine.

—The target kill count is listed too. I’ll check how many are killed each day and keep at it.

—True. It might be accomplished more easily than expected.

—The goal isn’t likely set too strictly. I’ll focus on the materials dropped by monsters.

Crom, Iz, and Kasumi plan to advance the event by occasionally observing other players and steadily eliminating monsters, prioritizing materials dropped by them.

—Yui, what should we do?

—Hmm... Since they’ll all merge no matter where we defeat them, we should pick a place that’s easier to fight in?

—That’s true. We’re not trying to level up anyway...

Yui and Mai, with their low HP that makes them fall in a single strike no matter where they go, have decided to take it easy this event, since there’s no need to compete.

—I’ll take it easy too. Oh, if I have time, I might check on other players. They seem to be gearing up for player-versus-player combat.

—! Thank you. That helps.

—No, no, but don’t get too excited.

Kanade smiles at Sally, saying that. This event didn’t require much tension, so each has set their own goal and is playing accordingly.

—If I find anything interesting, I’ll report it. There are several types of monsters here, after all.

—Yes. It’d help if we could focus on those that drop good materials.

It is unknown where limited monsters appear after the event. Then it would be best to gather whatever can be collected.

"Then I’ll let you know if anything comes up!"

Maple briefly outlines her intention to share information, and the group collectively decides to check whether the types of monsters differ across each layer.

The event itself was simple. Once Maple and Sally have confirmed the details, they head toward the field. As Maple is among the few players able to reach the Seventh Layer, where monsters are strongest, the others are left to handle the lower layers, and the group begins the extermination at the Seventh Layer.

Sally prepares a horse as usual. Maple mounts behind her. As they race across the field, they notice a monster they have never seen before.

"There’s one like the fish I summon."

"Is that acceptable?"

"Yeah, that’s the limited monster for this round."

A new school of fish swimming through the air, appearing as usual on the field. Defeating them adds to the kill count.

"Monsters come in different types. Stronger ones might drop rare materials."

"Then we’d better keep defeating them!"

"Still, the goal is to accumulate kills together. Let’s head to a less crowded area first."

"That’s more efficient, right?"

"Right, they seem to appear anywhere."

The required kill count is high. Though the period is long, there is no alternative but to accumulate them steadily. With the city nearby especially crowded, competition with other players is likely. The two decide to move apart, aiming for the edge of the map.

After moving for a time, the two arrived at a barren stretch of land lined with jagged rocks. The view was clear, unobstructed, and free of any notable monsters or traps. It was an ideal place to increase their kill count. Sally dismounted, then offered Maple a hand, leading the horse to rest nearby.

“Alright! Let’s get started!”

“We’ll scout this area. If there aren’t many, we’ll move on.”

“Got it!”

They searched the vicinity briefly. The target monster appeared without delay. A school of tropical fish drifting through the air, glowing faintly blue—identical in form to those summoned by Sally’s skill. Such creatures had no place in this wasteland. The event-exclusive nature was obvious.

“Let’s see what this one’s like.”

“Yeah! Full effort!”

Sally dashed forward, summoning duplicates as she moved. Maple unfolded her weapons behind her. No restraint. Full force, as when facing a boss. The monster, though themed like a fish, was no more than a swarm of tropical fish. It could summon only a little water to attack.

What would happen before two such foes was obvious. Sally dodged every burst of water with ease. Maple cut through the water with laser fire. In an instant, the fish vanished entirely—reduced to ash.

...Just numbers. Weaker than expected.

Indeed. Too easy!

Their abilities were high even among frontline players. Monsters designed to be felled in succession had no chance against them.

We can keep defeating them like this!

"Yeah. The guild folks seem to be hunting elsewhere too. Should we check on things after we clear a few more?"

"Right. Let's take down enough to keep up with everyone!"

The two quickly felled their first target and pressed on, eliminating the limited monsters without pause. They had already confirmed the ease of defeating them—Maple’s shots, Sally’s slashes. The fish fell swiftly. Their count rose. Then, in their vision, something different appeared.

"Salley, that one too, right?"

"Looks like it. Heard there are several types."

Beyond the rocks, two larger sharks swam through the sky, matching the pace of the others.

The pair had felled countless fish before, but this was the first time they saw sharks.

"No reason not to take them down. Might drop something useful."

"Alright, then—first strike, guaranteed!"

Maple steadies the cannon from behind the rock, locks onto the shark, and fires a beam. It streaks straight ahead, cleaving clean through the shark’s body. The hit registers, yet unlike the fish swarm, the creature does not fall. It opens its massive mouth wide and lunges forward with force at the two.

“One more! Wa-wa—!?”

As Maple prepares a follow-up attack, water erupts from the ground, knocking her off her feet. Seeing Sally step back to avoid danger, Maple shifts instantly into defense.

“Love That Offers the Body!”

The skill she has used countless times now feels ingrained in Maple, her reflexes sharp as she shifts instantly to protect Sally. A sudden gush of water erupts from the ground like a geysir, hurling Maple into the air. Sally watches Maple leap twice in midair, avoiding the blast, then turns and runs toward the shark.

"Now it’s my turn!"

Sally closes the distance. The shark opens its maw wide, lunging to crush her. Sally slips past it, slicing deep, then pulls back to reestablish distance. Just as she prepares her next move, a voice calls from far above.

"Sally!! Stop the shark’s movement!!"

"Yoru—[Binding Barrier]!"

Sally reacts instantly to Maple’s call, freezing the shark’s motion. Maple would not shout unless there was a reason.

A thunderous explosion resounds overhead. A black mass descends upon the shark’s head. It is Maple, her single arm transformed into a great blade by the Machine God.

She drives the blade into the shark’s head, now motionless. The head detaches with a soft clatter. Maple stands inverted, the blade planted in the ground like a post. Her balance fails. The blade snaps. It rolls across the earth.

“D-don’t worry…? M-maybe… that’s right.”

Sally, startled by the unexpected attack, still knows from past battles that Maple suffers no harm from a mere fall.

“Always thought it was a waste just to fall! But it worked—seems like it!”

“Normally, you don’t fall at all, though.”

Only Maple could make flying through self-destruction seem natural. Falling from height was inherently a disadvantage. Most would not fall at all—instead, they would consider ways to avoid falling entirely, rather than how to fall better.

"Ah, right—something material..."

After rising, Maple scans her surroundings. She finds a lump of water, retaining shape like a slime, rolling nearby.

"Is this it?"

"Ooh, what kind of material was it?"

Maple lifts it, checks its contents. It is described simply as water imbued with magic. Neither she nor Sally can discern any special use at present.

"Hmm... probably need to ask Izu. If it's important, better collect it early."

Salamanders are rare. They do not appear like tropical fish, popping up constantly. If this item proves vital, they may need to shift focus toward hunting salamanders.

Then let’s go ask right away! Hehehe, good deeds haste!

Okay. Let’s do it. Looks like Crom and the others are out exploring, but Iz can set up a Workshop anywhere.

Sally sends a message to Iz, then mounts Maple onto the horse and begins moving.

Ah, I know tropical fish are weak, so I’ll cut down any roadblocks along the way! I’ll keep an eye out for drops.

Got it! Leave the attacks to me!

With that, the two advance toward Iz’s group, adding to their tally of defeated foes.