Defense specialization and reinforcement.

The distance from the town meant the reinforcements called for would take time to arrive.

"Without Sou's damage reduction, it's a bit difficult. Both Wil and I are attack-focused buffers—our strengths are working against us here."

"I'm not that strong either. Besides, we can't keep enduring this repeatedly."

"More than enough. Wait—Wil, unexpected reinforcements."

As they spoke, a player some distance away noticed the appearance of a massive squid approaching and began moving closer. Taking advantage of the moment, Lily called out to the hesitant players nearby, hesitating to act.

"Suddenly appeared! Not someone we can defeat with just a few of us! Will you lend a hand?"

The players who had hesitated nearby—unable to move, struck dumb by the appearance of a monster never seen on ordinary fields—suddenly launched their attack in unison. The assault diverted the enemy’s focus from Lily and her two companions, allowing them at last to break away.

—Phew. I was certain I’d be crushed at any moment. Appreciate the damage reduction.

—Yeah. High defense was evident. Lucky, really.

—He’s summoning so many soldiers. He can manage this much.

—It’s important to reassess. We’ve confirmed it truly is high.

—Undoubtedly.

—The members near us should arrive soon.

—More reinforcements are always welcome. Look, even now a player who arrived is blown away cleanly.

If even a top-tier Lily could manage only defense with Kanade and Wilbert’s support, it was natural that others could not endure.

Already one-third of the players who had arrived and noticed the threat had become prey to the tentacles. The creatures hovered slightly above the ground, making close combat difficult, and some players found their abilities ill-suited.

"Magic users can attack more easily. Both of us can shoot. We’ll strike in moderation."

"We’ll need to avoid concentrating attacks. Let’s proceed carefully until more arrive."

"Ah, yes. That’s best."

Lily reorganized the formation of her summoned troops and began firing at the squid. Kanade continued attacking using the high-powered grimoire that Sou held.

"Sou [Infiltration]"

Kanade speaks. The monsters should be less likely to target us now. Lily strengthens her fire.

"More people are around. If only three of us remain, even hiding our presence won’t stop them from targeting us."

"With so many here, we could blend in easily."

"Still, being hard to target doesn’t mean we’re safe. If we keep attacking or provoking them, they’ll notice again. Be careful."

"I’ll remember."

This skill is meant for PVE rather than PvP. Among players, there’s no need to hesitate before attacking.

A moment passes. The guild members of Rapid Fire arrive. Not the scattered individuals rushing over, but a disciplined party, protecting their rear while dealing damage.

"Looks like they’ve arrived. Finally, things will ease."

"But their HP is truly high."

Ah, this is undeniably tougher than the boss. If not a misadjustment, then they clearly intended a mass-scale assault.

The members of 【Rapid Fire】 draw the enemy’s attacks, allowing solo players to fight more easily. Damage increases steadily. Large guilds have summoned entire guilds, and those who followed the movement of so many people. Players summoned by those who had already engaged earlier, like Lily’s group. With so many gathered, Lily’s party’s seemingly endless HP begins to dwindle.

Yet this monster, built so powerfully, will not end with mere tentacle strikes. The behavior pattern shifts.

The squid rises slightly into the air and sprays a thick cloud of ink downward. It spreads like a smoke screen, drifting even though it is not in water, blanketing the field of view.

“This… Lily!”

“I know! [Puppet Wall]!”

As Lily raises her banner, the summoned soldiers collapse and reassemble into a massive wall. The wall forms just in time to shield the three ahead of them. Then, with a thunderous crash, a flood of water surges forward, tearing through the barrier. The ink cloud is swept aside by the force of the water, yet its purpose—concealing the opening of the attack—has already been fulfilled.

“Mass attacks against large groups. A perfectly logical move.”

“We’re in trouble… judging by the range of the smoke, we’re all targeted.”

“Would be better to frighten them off and regroup… but…”

“…Good. We’ve found an opening.”

Two eyes turn to Kanade, seeking explanation. Kanade points upward. Above the rising squid, three silhouettes descend first from the turtle floating in midair, illuminating the ground beneath them.

Wilbert is the first to recognize what they are.

“Is that Maple-san, Mai-san, and Yui-san? …Wait, those weapons—?”

Wilbert sees the three falling at high speed strike their weapons to the ground as they descend. Maple swallows the squid with hands now transformed into tentacles. Mai and Yui on either side bring down massive mallets, each with eight arms.

Greater than Wilbert’s perception, the mallets carry destruction far beyond that of ordinary players—tenfold, perhaps a hundredfold. The impact generates an unnatural amount of damage effect. The squid’s HP visibly diminishes. The floating squid is forced down, crashing into the earth.