Defense specialization and the Eighth Layer.

"Everyone, good work!"

The guild, 【Maplewood】, celebrated the end of the raid boss battle and their victory as they ascended back to the guild home. Especially praised were Mai and Yui, who had excelled this time—blushing slightly at the attention.

"I was surprised when they brought eight."

"Right, I never thought there’d be an enemy that could handle that kind of firepower without being overwhelmed."

"Who knows what comes next. I’d rather not run into a monster like that again."

They’d rather only fight such foes in raid boss battles.

"Wait—just as the event ends, it looks like the Eighth Layer will reopen soon."

"Really? The Eighth Layer! Uh, this event gave us five medals, right? So some part of the Eighth Layer should be unlocked by now, yeah?"

Yes. One must go and see to know, it seems.

What kind of place could it be?

I have a slight idea, though.

Really? You do!?

I feel something, too.

Maple asks Sally and Kanade to explain, but they merely shrug, evading the question with a knowing look.

Still, there is the dungeon clearance to consider.

Yes. Well, in a way.

Iz and Crom shrug, feigning ignorance, then glance at each other.

The boss. What kind of thing could withstand Mai and Yui’s attacks?

Thus, 【Maple】 waits, untroubled, for the dungeon’s implementation.

Then time passed. With the implementation of the Eighth Layer, the eight moved swiftly toward the dungeon. The path was harsh. Every monster was shattered, reduced to powder, by Mai and Yui, protected by Love That Offers the Body. Their advance led directly to the Boss Room.

“Alright, then. I’ll open it.”

“Un. I’m ready anytime.”

“Yes. As always, I’ve applied all the buffs I could.”

Mai and Yui shimmered brightly under effects. Maple reached for the door. Inside stood a gelatinous creature, resembling a slime. Like Kanade’s tamed monster, it changed forms—shifting through various shapes of monsters from the Seventh Layer. It was the boss.

It shifts into humanoid, bestial, and forms more overtly monstrous. Depending on its shape, it can fly through the air or burrow beneath the ground. Its stats change with each form. It adapts its combat style to match shifting skills. Too many abilities, too much flexibility. Too strong to ignore.

"Oboro — [Speed Barrier]!"

"Haku — [Paralysis Poison]!"

"Sō — [Sleeping Bubble]!"

[Paralyze Shout]!

"Necro — [Weight of Death]!"

A flood of status effects unleashed the moment they enter. Despite its shifting forms, it seems resistant. Only Necro’s speed reduction takes effect. Slowed feet mean no distance. No distance means no escape. It grants Mai and Yui—embodiments of destruction—clear passage.

"Double Strike — Battle Configuration!"

A sharp crack echoed. The slime, mid-transformation, burst apart and vanished—its gelatinous form scattered, carrying all its stored skills with it.

The weapon bore the look of one whose strike power would diminish with use...

It was not a failure—just bad luck.

No, the two of you have grown just as sharp as Maple.

"Truly! One strike!... Sixteen strikes?"

We did it!

...Thank you for the support and status effects.

If he’s going to fall so easily, it’s refreshing. A little pity for the boss…

Still, if it misses, it serves no purpose. Was the boss too easy, with its movement speed reduced?

She will surely show her strength to the others.

Maple, Yui, and Mai high-five with cheerful smiles. Kasumi, Crom, and Iz look upon the shattered remains of the boss with quiet regard.

“Ah! That’s right! The eighth layer! Everyone, let’s go!”

““Yes!””

The three leading the way move forward. The remaining five follow closely. All eight walk in unison toward the eighth layer.

“Wow…!”

“How’s that? Just as expected?”

“Hmm, I didn’t think it’d be this far.”

“Yeah. Me too. This’ll be a tough exploration.”

Before them stretches a vast sea. A cityscape rises from the submerged rooftops of long-abandoned buildings, each new structure built atop the ruins of the last.

“Huh. This layer’s something else. Swimming’ll be tough.”

“No. It’s probably deep. I hope we have some aid item.”

"Hmm. I managed to craft something that enhances underwater exploration using materials from the limited monster of the eighth event... but was this the purpose all along?"

Those among them who could swim or had the swimming skill, and could level it up, found the prospect interesting. But the first three—Maple, Mai, and Yui—began to fluster.

No wonder. Due to their stat constraints, no matter how they tried, they could not acquire the swimming or diving skills.

"D-d-d-d-do something!?!"

"What should we do!?"

"Um... if we stay like this... we’ll just be stuck with these buildings that barely rise above the surface..."

They feared they could not conduct proper exploration. Sally clapped them lightly on the back, calming them.

It’s alright, it’s alright! Not many people have the swimming skill, so it’s not impossible to explore here even without it. Of course, having it would be helpful, but not essential.

She believed there must be a way around the obstacle. Hearing that, Maple and the others calmed down. They decided to relax and simply enjoy this layer for now. What lies ahead will be discovered through exploration. They had only just entered the eighth layer. Judging without knowing was not possible.

“Alright! Let’s take a good look around this time!”

Maple raised her fist energetically. The eighth layer was a submerged city. They would explore the buildings jutting above the water’s surface, and the ancient streets resting deep beneath the ocean’s dark embrace.