Defense specialization and reconnaissance.

After leaving the guild home, Kanade headed as promised toward the two of 【Rapid Fire】. Lilie and Wilbert were destroying monsters at a fixed time and place, as if for shooting drills, so despite the many layers and their wide expanse, finding them was simple.

—Nothing new has come to light regarding 【Thunder Storm】. I hope something interesting appears.

Kanade summoned Sou along the way, in case of sudden monster attacks, and traveled across the field on horseback, like Sally.

With Sou present, she could mimic his form and fight without concern for mana book consumption. Thus, except during important events or boss battles, she relied on Sou for most combat.

Kanade dismounts near the place where Maple and the others had once visited Lilie and Wilbert. She leans her back against a tree trunk and sits. She checks the two through her binoculars.

"Accuracy as they said... and power too. That kind of strength, I couldn't even approach."

Wilbert never misses a single shot at a monster flying through the sky. It's no surprise he's called precise. With the power to bring down an entire enemy in one strike, a regular player would be riddled with arrows before getting close.

"Have to close the distance somehow. Good skill, and [AGI] too."

Closing the distance by charging straight ahead would only result in the same separation. As Sally had said, the way the monster shattered revealed exceptional attack power, yet the need for precise steps and evasion during attacks indicated that such extreme stats as Mai and Yui possessed were not required.

A range, strong attacks, average movement speed—this was pure strength. Breaking through would not be easy.

"Then there's Lily on the side too... hmm, no openings at all."

The two of Rapid Fire, each individually highly refined, strengthened one another through support, making their formation unyielding.

If Wilbert is the attacker, a single strike of lethal quality. If Lily is the attacker, overwhelming numbers press against multiple foes at once. With one focusing solely on support, attacks from outside awareness become difficult. All abilities are at a high level. Velvet and Hinata form a pair of differing nature.

Kanade, solving Iz's puzzle with one hand, checks whether the summoned tame monster is behaving normally, whether any unfamiliar skills are being used. Lily and Wilbert, who had been practicing shooting from afar, stop and approach.

"Ah! Today we have another interesting spectator."

"Sorry. Lily insisted on coming, no matter how I tried to stop her."

"No, I should apologize for peeking like that? But still... impressive... I thought we were far apart."

The distance was such that only through Iz's high-performance telescope could Kanade be confirmed—she could not possibly be seen clearly with the naked eye.

"Haha, my Wil is special, you know."

"I cannot speak in detail, but yes—she was clearly visible."

Kanade scratched her head. Sally had sensed something real. Wilbert must be using some skill or item that allowed him to see as far as the finest binoculars crafted by the highest-level artisans—or even farther.

"Haha, surprise attacks seem useless now."

"Fufu, indeed. I appreciate that she doesn't hide it."

Lily gave a confident expression as she spoke. Even if Wilbert’s abilities were somewhat known, that knowledge remained only general. Perfect countermeasures would still be difficult. She judged that victory, therefore, was certain.

“I came to scout a bit. You two are important to our guild, after all.”

“That’s flattering, but… it’s a little embarrassing.”

“No, I don’t mind. Honestly, isn’t that the truth?”

“Hmm… perhaps.”

“You’re cold. You should say so outright.”

“Is that so…?”

“Ah, we’ve drifted off. Did you find anything useful?”

“Just confirmed the range of detection and marksmanship once more.”

“Ah. But really, that’s all there is. What can be done about that?”

“Yes. At least, I’m at a disadvantage.”

"Compared to Wil, being at a disadvantage would be quite something indeed."

Kanade could use her spellbook without restraint if she ignored future consequences, but even so, an ability hidden in secret could turn the tide at any moment. That was why she answered with disadvantage.

"Of course, you may look as much as you like. Though I suppose most of what I could show has already been shown to your guildmaster."

"Uh-huh. I’ve heard it too. Well, I said reconnaissance, but half of it is just curiosity. Watching different skills and how their users wield them— it’s enjoyable."

"I see."

"Doesn’t seem like a lie. No, I can’t say I don’t understand."

"Then, if you’re continuing, I’ll watch for a while. It’s satisfying to see monster after monster fall."

"Is that so. Still, I apologize. I meant to end today here."

"Haha, no need to apologize. I was just watching on my own. If anything, it’d be more natural to ask you to stop."

In any case, since it was decided to end here, Kanade began to suggest she might look for another guild’s player to watch later.

Immediately after, splashing sounds began nearby. The three turned toward the noise. From the ground rose a geyser, flooding an area far too large to be called a puddle—over ten meters across, completely submerged.

"Hm, what is this? A skill from the two of them?"

"No, I did nothing."

"No such skill is recorded in any guild archives. Not among our members, nor ourselves."

No other players were in sight. And when water was involved, the only thing that came to mind was the current event.

"Wil, have we ever seen such signs before when fighting sharks, octopuses, or moray eels?"

"None that I recall. No monsters with similar abilities to those we've used have appeared."

"Then let's wait a moment. Kanade, I'd appreciate it if you stayed. We don't know what might happen."

Lily predicts a large creature will emerge from the spreading water. There is no reason to abandon the forces nearby.

"Uh-huh, got it. Even if it wasn't expected, we've stumbled on something interesting."

Kanade decides to watch closely. The three remain still, focused on the expanding pool. A ripple spreads from its center. With a heavy splash, a massive squid rises into the air.

"Wow, a giant squid—second time since the last event."

"Good. I don't know the reason, but this is a big one. Take it down, Wil!"

“Yes, of course.”

“It’s not underwater, and I’ve grown stronger. There are ways.”

Kanade had been swiftly killed by a giant squid in the previous event, cast into the water. This specimen is different. A chance to show the fruits of her growth.

The three raise their weapons. First, they apply buffs to Wilbert, the main attacker.

【Royal Talent】【Tactical Guidance】【Supernatural Strength】【Wise King’s Command】【Sacrifice of Self】【Advice】!

Sō 【Mimicry】

The slime perched on Kanade’s head leaps down, shifting its form. It now perfectly mimics Kanade. Lilie’s eyes widen. She watches, intrigued.

“So this is the kind of monster they speak of. Heard the rumors, but seeing it in person is startling.”

“Very useful. Especially for me.”

Kanade makes Sou draw out a spellbook and begins using effects that amplify damage. Though the potency diminishes when Sou uses them, Kanade gathers only the highest-quality skills, disregarding rarity or acquisition difficulty. Even so, the increase is staggering.

“This is the kind of thing only I can properly buffer with 【Maple’s Tree】. If I can’t do it, what’s the point?”

“Ha ha… the numbers have grown too far beyond ‘a little’… thank you. Let’s pierce through.”

Wil nocks the bow, drawing it taut, aiming precisely at the brow ridge below the eye.

【Taut Draw】【Annihilation Arrow】

The arrow, moving at a speed barely perceptible, pierces through the octopus’s thick body and vanishes into the sky. A gush of damage effects erupts violently, yet the HP bar displayed above its head shows almost no reduction.

“Hmm… I see.”

“This is unexpected. Lily, take over.”

Ah, leave it to me. Though it doesn’t seem to be on such a level…

If Wilbart cannot be defeated in a single strike, damage is significantly reduced. Switch equipment using Quick Change, replacing the attacker with Lily.

Lily immediately summons a vast host and begins attacking with gunfire. Yet, though the force diminishes, it cannot be called effective— even Wilbert, whose strikes are fatal with a single blow, was not struck down by it.

Counterattack comes…! — Shield with your body! —

"Sou! [Target Increase] [Spirit Light] [Guardian Barrier]!"

The tentacles approaching from both sides, seeking to crush three bodies, made Kanade activate a damage reduction skill. Lily positioned all the soldiers she had created to shield herself and her companions. Even with reduced damage, the force remained immense. The soldiers resisted for only an instant before shattering into fragments.

"Unexpected... [Rapid Factory] [Reproduction]!"

A skill Kanade had never heard from Sally activated. At once, the destroyed soldiers were replaced by new ones, forming a wall anew.

"Ah, so this is how many you can summon."

"Indeed. You saw Wil's strength, didn't you? To stand shoulder to shoulder, one must match that at minimum."

"Haha, I'm fine on my own. Still, reliable support is better than none."

"Still, we can't advance like this. Wil, contact the guild members. We need reinforcements."

Understood. I’ll call upon those with free hands.

I’ll summon the guild members too.

That is reassuring. I rely on you.

With unshaken resolve, Lily continues to repel the tentacle attacks by endlessly producing a vast number of soldiers.