Defense specialization and trial.

Mai and Yui again defeat event monsters on the fifth floor, while practicing swinging the large mace now reduced to eight shafts. Maple speaks to Sally of the matter.

"Indeed... those two would suit it well. I’d be at a loss if asked what they intend to defeat... yet..."

Due to Mai and Yui’s stats, their ability to wield more weapons differs from Sally or Kasumi. No need for fine control. The disadvantage of difficulty in handling is ignored. The increase to six weapons is taken as pure advantage.

"Then we needn’t worry about our party’s attack power. The weapon increase will raise 【STR】 as well..."

Mai and Yui have long served as the party’s ultimate weapon against bosses. Now, that role has reached its peak.

Considering the party’s coordination, we should also strengthen against opponents who are hard to overcome.

Hmm.

For instance, if they move too quickly, or if we cannot reach them with our attacks.

Sally lists several examples, all relating to offense. This is natural—Maple is present to protect them. Love That Offers the Body and the Throne of the Heavenly Sovereign easily compensate for Mai and Yui’s low defense. The setup is complete. No further improvement is needed.

Originally, they fit well. Now, all three have grown stronger, creating a synergistic effect.

Sally nods, affirming that for the next team battle, this trio remains the best choice if splitting into groups.

We should practice coordinated actions.

Yes. Spontaneous movements improve with repetition.

Sally can move exceptionally well.

"VR itself has been practiced quite a bit. It's about accumulation, isn't it?"

The difference in movement sharpness between Sally and Maple's group is not merely due to AGI. There is a fundamental gap—something beyond skill, a distinct ability.

"Fufu, shall we practice coordination together?"

"Yep! But will I keep up well enough...?"

"No need to overthink. See, if I can't block an attack, Maple will take it. If Maple can't dodge, I'll draw it in."

"That's how we aim for no damage!"

"Exactly. Maple can deliver strong attacks too, so we switch roles as needed. Defense is simply trusting the other."

"Uh-huh!"

Sally trusts Maple's defense. Maple trusts Sally's evasion. They act with that trust as their foundation. In a battle on the edge, that will be a decisive strength.

“So, how about we head to the dungeon a bit later?”

“Quick teamwork already! I’m in!”

“I knew you’d say that!”

Thus the two set out for the Seventh Layer—the current strongest monster zone. Though they had traveled far, many uncharted areas still remained.

As always, Sally rode the horse with Maple behind her.

“Where are we going this time?”

“While you were exploring the sixth layer with the others, I stumbled upon a place by chance. I went in for a quick look, but it seemed too dangerous to handle alone. So I came back.”

Hearing that Sally had turned back due to danger, Maple tightened her focus.

“Any information on it?”

“From what I’ve checked, there’s nothing. So it’s either not yet discovered or being kept secret. If it were known now, it’d be talked about more.”

“?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

They passed through the forest, crossed the wasteland, climbed the mountain, and reached the crest of a valley. Peering down, they saw sheer rock walls on both sides, connected by stone bridges spanning gaps in the cliffs. Strange, harsh cries echoed from predatory birds scattered throughout the valley, likely to hinder their progress. It was clear to Maple that the straightforward method would be to traverse the valley’s two sides.

“Should we go all the way down?”

“Yeah. And if that happens…”

“Then we jump!”

“That’s right. Fastest way.”

There was no need to descend slowly atop Shiroppu. To reach the bottom swiftly, Maple could place Sally within the range of Love That Offers the Body and they could leap together. Even the monsters would not catch up to a player plummeting straight down.

"Still, I've tried descending straight to the bottom myself."

"Is that so? You can manage ropes and platforms too, Sally!"

Sally’s mobility in the air was high. Though she couldn’t drop straight to the bottom in one motion, with so many walls and platforms available, she could descend safely while handling monsters without issue.

"Then... I hope it works out... Maple, come here a moment."

"Hmm? What is it?"

Sally pointed to a location. Birds of monster kind clustered there, but several stone bridges spanned the gaps. Though the heights varied, one could cut across if handled properly—accessible even to players without flight.

"That spot—when certain conditions are met, a gate opens."

"Wait—what?!"

"Looked at from directly above, the bridges appear to form rings of differing heights."

"True."

Sally said that by activating the fundamental magic across all attributes within the ring-like structure, one could teleport.

"Wow! How did you figure that out?"

"Monsters are numerous, and the platforms unstable. It's perfect for practicing evasion and counterattacks. Then, by chance..."

Maple nods, acknowledging Sally's skill—something she herself could never replicate.

"Anyway, that's not the point."

"I understand."

Maple activates the Love That Offers the Body, pressing close against Sally, preparing to leap.

"Ready?"

"Got it!"

"Three—two—!"

They push off the ground, falling straight down toward the bottom.

"Alright, here we go!"

"Yep!"

Sally activates all elemental magics with practiced precision. At the same moment, a burst of white light erupts within the ring. It envelops the two of them. They vanish. Reappear elsewhere.