Defense specialization and coordination.

While Maple and the others labored to conquer the dungeon, Mai and Yui fought an event monster on the fifth floor. The fifth floor was bright, its fields open, and dominated by slow-moving cloud monsters, allowing the pair to face event monsters without excessive caution for ambushes. The steady experience gain was welcome to them both.

If Maple and Sally could dispatch enemies with ease, then Mai and Yui faced opponents they could always eliminate with a single strike.

In truth, only boss monsters could survive a direct hit from either of them.

Thanks to Tsukimi and Yukimi, their movement speed had improved slightly. As they raced across the field, they encountered a shark swimming through the air, the same one Maple and the others had fought.

"There it is! Rare, isn't it!"

Yes...! Strike it down.

She directs Tsukimi and Yukimi, approaching from either side to avoid being hit by both at once.

—【Flight Strike】!

From Yui’s swung great mallet, a shockwave erupts, rushing straight toward the shark. The shark glides smoothly through the air, sidestepping the attack with ease, then unleashes a violent surge of water toward Mai, who is closer.

—【Giant’s Burden】!

Mai does not dodge. She lifts both great mallets high, then swings them down hard. The water from the shark collides head-on with her strike. A white effect flares, and a torrent of water is violently sent back toward the shark.

Nice, sis! Yukimi!

Mai sends Yukimi forward. The returning water surge causes the shark to flinch, and Mai smashes the shark’s underbelly with a great mallet from below. The shark’s body explodes apart in a single blow, vanishing completely.

We did it! Nice reaction, sis!

Yes, perhaps… good.

The skill acquired by Mai and Yui through their medals. It nullifies damage from an opponent’s attack if their own STR exceeds the damage dealt. The damage they can endure is considerable, though their defense is nonexistent. Their attack power surpasses this weakness.

Not a guaranteed counter, but it leverages their abilities and serves as a final defensive card. If they can deflect the opponent’s last move, the tide of battle will shift in an instant.

They rely on Tsukimi and Yukimi’s speed to evade, switching to counterattack just before impact.

It has already been confirmed that no event-exclusive monster can deliver an attack exceeding their STR. Provided they react in time, they can deflect any attack without issue.

They picked up the dropped materials and leaned against the nearby high wall of cloud, resting briefly.

"Was a little uncertain when we chose it... but glad we can counterattack properly."

"Yeah! With our attack power, we’ll be fine!"

A skill others might use only to create a fleeting opening—yet these two can return even the boss’s greatest technique and turn it to their advantage.

"We should think about the next medal too!"

With Maple’s continued strong performance, they regularly obtained medals. Now was the time to consider what skill they wanted next.

"True... there are many strong skills."

"Mm-hmm! Actually, I’ve been thinking..."

"Yeah? What is it?"

Yui begins speaking. They have chosen the same skill until now. There is meaning in being matched, but also practicality—given their stat structure, the skills they seek and those that suit them best are identical. Choosing the same skill thus far has been the optimal strategy for strengthening themselves.

"Most often, I fight alongside my sister. It makes sense to take skills that allow us to coordinate well."

Their individual combat abilities are already high. Confidence grew after achieving a good result in the preliminary round of the last event.

"Uh-hmm. Maybe. Could catch someone off guard..."

The strike that landed on Dread during the fourth event was the result of their combined strength. If they can coordinate attacks naturally, strengthening that synergy would make them stronger still.

"Then… I’d like to support Yui’s attacks more skillfully."

Then I’ll deliver precise attacks!

One hit each is enough. Once that’s decided, a new skill must be sought.

I’ve been keeping an eye out for a nice skill, just like Sally did!

Heh, the medals won’t accumulate quite yet.

I can search the field anytime. Hmm… for now, that’ll do.

That means… heh, we might both end up with the same skill.

As long as both can acquire it, Yui replies, coordination can begin from either side. She reserves the medal skill as a hidden move, one the opponent cannot react to.

Then let’s go find another monster!

Yeah, let’s do that.

Wha—!?

“!?”

The two were just rising when a voice suddenly sounded from above. They snapped their heads toward the source. A figure descended from the upper clouds. They hurriedly sent Tsukimi and Yukimi running, positioning themselves directly below to catch it. The figure halted mid-air, inverted, just before impact with the ground. It adjusted its posture in mid-air as if gravity did not exist. Following closely behind, another figure floated down gently.

“Phew… ah, that was close.”

“Confirm whether the ground is below you…”

Descending from the sky, speaking calmly in mid-air, were Velvet and Hinata. Velvet, saved from a fatal fall by Hinata’s gravity control, glanced toward Mai and Yui who had tried to catch her. She instantly smiled, waved both hands widely, and then let Hinata guide her safely to the ground.

Velvet landed with a soft thud, then spoke, her voice tinged with mild embarrassment.

"I-I startled you, didn't I? Sorry about that."

"Not at all! I'm fine. Um, Velvet, right?"

"Ah, you heard from Maple?"

"Yes."

Mai and Yui continued their conversation, prompted by chance. From what Maple had said, Velvet and Hinata worked well together—this was the kind of coordination they had been discussing. When Mai and Yui brought it up in passing, Velvet nodded slowly.

"Ah, coordination, huh."

"Generally... it's easier when one matches their skill to the other’s strength."

"Exactly! When I move, Hinata holds her position, and I adjust to her."

"Still… a division of roles?"

"Um, I think that’s the clearest way to put it."

They both consider acquiring new skills, as expected.

But we’re different from the two of you! I think each pair has their own way of fighting!

A pair whose weapons differ and whose combat styles oppose one another—were they to align completely, their intended direction would shift accordingly.

No… this is difficult…

Yes, sister.

That’s right! Then let me show you where we fought. Maybe something will click after you see it.

Velvet proposed she would like to see Mai and Yui fighting instead, and the two accepted.

And there is one way to quickly increase the kill count.

!

Ah, that is...

A cooperative event for all players. We’ve gathered materials to a reasonable extent. There’s something a little unusual about it.

Indeed... that is true as well.

Sally and Hinata are surprised to hear Velvet and Hinata have already gathered the materials. Mai and Yui accept the proposal. The four of them head toward a location nearby, one that allows for a swift increase in kill count.

Tsukimi and Yukimi leap across the cloud ground. With Velvet and Hinata riding together, the usual disparity in movement speed becomes irrelevant.

“Mmm, really nice, isn’t it?”

Velvet runs a hand over Tsukimi’s thick, fluffy fur, feeling the wind.

“Velvet-san… you’re a Tamemoster, aren’t you?”

“Me? Hehehe, a secret!”

“Even the guild asked me not to say… sorry.”

Mai and Yui had only heard from Sally that no one had seen their Tamemoster, and that was enough to spark curiosity. They do not press further.

No one’s seen it, then?

It’s impossible!

Velvet declares it with certainty. Both she and Sally are well aware, having seen the strength of their Tamemoster firsthand among guild members. The fact that multiple skills are rarely known is a significant advantage.

—Wait, almost there! Riding the bear was my first time—fun!

A large hole opens in the cloud floor before them. Mai and Yui stand at the edge, peering down. White walls rise, with platforms jutting out at intervals. They must leap from one to the next, descending slowly.

Monsters are present along the way—black storm clouds gather around the platforms, and schools of rare creatures drift nearby.

There’s a dungeon below this descent.

Mai and Yui tighten their resolve. There is nothing to do but descend carefully. The platform is unstable. Monsters are numerous. Combat is difficult here.

"Then we’re going. Hinata, please!"

"I’m fine. Gravity Control."

Hinata activates her skill. A moment passes. Black effect wraps around all four. They float upward, gently.

"During the skill’s effect, we remain airborne… Movement speed is slow, though."

Hinata and Velvet move toward the center of the hole. They look down. A voice comes from beside them.

"Leave this to me! Thunder God’s Return, Eye of the Storm, Lightning Rain, Thunderfield!"

Velvet declares her skills in sequence. Lightning increases around her. Any non-allied presence stepping into this area will be instantly scorched.

Then I'm going!

Velvet positions herself at the center, ensuring every hole is covered by her lightning domain. Her next move is simply to descend slowly.

This is efficient too! Ah, but don't worry. Of course, this isn't all!

Can we... really copy this...?

I'm starting to feel uneasy.

Four figures hover in the air, guided by Hinata. Below, monsters are mercilessly and indiscriminately struck down by powerful lightning. They descend steadily toward the bottom.

Arriving at the base, Velvet releases the lightning. The fallen monsters, killed by strikes along the way, leave behind materials. She turns toward the passage extending to the side.

Even this much gathers quite a bit! Normally we'd just jump down all at once!

Even falling at terrifying speed, Hinata could halt her descent before impact. The monsters weakened by lightning attacks would survive, slipping through, but that mattered little—the true target was the school of fish.

Here, the two could coordinate their abilities precisely, swiftly eliminating large numbers of event monsters.

"Found a good spot to clear quickly! This vertical shaft is the best!"

Normally they would wait for monsters to respawn and fall repeatedly, but this time they advance deeper. Part of the purpose is to show Mai and Yui how they fight. Furthermore, there is reportedly an even better spot further in. This time, they aim not for the Boss Room, but that place.

"Ah, but we’re not good at guarding that far in, so please be careful!"

"Someone who can do it like Maple… there’s no one else."

"Yesss!"

Velvet and Hinata excel in offensive capability over defense. They are not suited to players who take damage to protect others, such as through skills like Cover or Love That Offers the Body.

Walking along the cloud passage, the path splits into multiple routes. Scattered monsters appear. Due to the terrain's structure, low-level monsters cannot evade Velvet’s thick lightning bolts or the shockwaves from Mai and Yui’s Flying Strike. They are instantly reduced to ash. No coordination is needed.

After moving forward for some time, a large monster emerges smoothly from the corner.

“Ah! Swordfish! Hinata!”

“Fine… Gravity Shackles, Thought Freeze.”

The black chains extending from the ground at Hinata’s voice constrict the swordfish’s body. The freezing wind tearing across the earth seals its skill. Velvet charges forward, crackling with lightning, and tucks her body before diving beneath the creature.

“[Double Strike][Thunder Crash]!”

The heavy twin strikes, wrapped in lightning, pierce the swordfish. The electricity detonates. Immediately afterward, the ground around Velvet flashes once—then, centered on her, a column of lightning erupts, piercing through the swordfish and vanishing it.

“Phew… Hinata, nice one!”

“Successfully executed.”

Mai and Yui recall the swordfish dissolving instantly, their minds still catching up. They reflect on their seamless coordination.

“Hmph, what’d you think?”

“Amazing! Perfect timing!”

It’s a little embarrassing, saying it out loud. Coordination’s best decided beforehand.

Only what’s prepared in advance can become true coordination. This movement of Velvet and Hinata is effective in nearly every fight against people or monsters. They’ve repeated it countless times. The start is smooth. The decision of what each must do is nearly instantaneous.

“The swordfish nullifies damage skills. So Hinata must stop it.”

“Only the destination… that’s all we need to decide.”

“Coordinated attack…”

“Hmm.”

Looking at the two fighting again, they hit the same wall. Without defined roles, they couldn’t achieve this kind of coordination.

“Someone who supports you is important! Really, if Hinata’s here, I don’t need to be the attacker.”

Hinata replies to Velvet, “Even there, compatibility matters.” The more one considers it, the more it seems necessary to acquire supportive skills.

As Mai and Yui walk through the dungeon, thinking on coordination, they arrive at the destination after witnessing several vivid displays of默契. The place is spacious, like a Boss Room, and appears to hold nothing in particular.

“Walk to the center.”

“Understood!”

As everyone walks to the center, the floor around them shifts color, and a large number of monsters emerge.

“Traps cause a mass spawn of monsters!... Including limited monsters!”

The trap causes a sudden surge of monsters. The fish already within the spawn area are likewise produced in vast numbers. If they can be defeated, stepping on the trap is more efficient than wandering about.

“【Cocytus】!”

As the monster emergence ceases, Hinata freezes them all without hesitation.

“Now, strike with everything!”

““Yes!””

In a battlefield ravaged by thunder and crushing blows, thawing would be impossible.

The battle ends. The four exit the dungeon and part ways here.

“Just… if anything helped, that’d be good.”

“It’s hard to replicate your style… but if we find our own paths…”

“Yes!”

“Thank you.”

“Get stronger. I’ll look forward to fighting with you!”

It was not merely kindness for Velvet. The stronger they became, the more enjoyable their future duel would be.

Mai and Yui exchanged glances as the two walked away.

“…What now?”

“Hmm. Maybe one of us should take a support skill?”

“Leverage our strengths…”

“…Our own…”

““…………!””

They closed their eyes, troubled. Then, suddenly, they opened them wide. A message was sent. They turned toward the guild home.