Defense specialization and Layer Eight.

While Maple and Sally conducted their underwater exploration, Iz and Kasumi moved toward another location.

Among the members of [Maple's Tree], Sally’s skill level in [Swimming] and [Diving] is unsurprisingly high. Yet next in line is actually Iz. Kasumi possesses the same skills, so it was reasoned that the two could proceed in unison during the search.

The remaining four—Crom, Kanade, Mai, and Yui—would conduct the exploration. Layer Eight presented an atmosphere entirely different from previous layers. Uncommon skills would now be required.

Iz selected a diving suit enabling prolonged exploration, suited to her active approach to gathering materials. Kasumi chose a type similar to Sally’s, emphasizing mobility.

Both set out on the boat toward the endless source of water. Though, Iz’s custom vessel does not require rowing.

…This… is powered by an engine?

Not exactly, but it’s similar. We hadn’t much use for it until now. Still, it was wise to make one.

It slashes across the surface, throwing up spray. Though it resembles a boat, it is more like a jet ski.

Operation requires DEX. It’s a pity Maple-chan, Mai-chan, and Yui-chan can’t ride.

Eight layers wide. I thought this would make things comfortable. But it seems not so simple.

First, I’ll focus on gathering materials. If I do, the others’ efficiency should improve.

Iz is to devote full effort to gathering materials first, so that more materials may be allocated to enhancing the other guild members’ diving suits.

“That will help.”

“In turn, you’ll recover treasures from deeper waters. I’m counting on you.”

Most monsters near the surface are not aggressive. But it is unlikely the deepest depths are the same. There must be a point where gathering materials becomes less important and combat capability becomes essential.

At that point, Iz may struggle. Though she possesses combat ability, her base role remains production.

Iz speeds across the surface, spraying water. She halts the jet ski after a short distance.

Shallows spread primarily near the Town, but scattered sparsely across the field as well. No other players are at the location where the two currently stand. Exploring near the Town suffices, so there is no need to venture far.

"Here, we can explore at ease. Materials will surely be abundant."

"Ah, leave the gathering to me. I’ll handle the monsters. The farther from the Town, the stronger they’ll be."

Iz gathers more efficiently than Kasumi, who lacks proper skills. This time, Kasumi is Iz’s guard.

"Then let’s dive in!"

"Ah, no problem."

They don the diving suits and step off the jet ski, plunging into the water. Instantly, they understand what the shallows beyond the Town truly are.

"Ah… so that’s how it is."

"This place was once a mountain."

The underwater terrain slopes upward. The rock jutting slightly above the surface was once the mountain's peak.

"Careful exploration might reveal caves or something similar."

"Perhaps. A dungeon or two might exist here. Though... it would likely be deep."

Until their diving suits are properly reinforced, thorough exploration remains impossible.

"But it's exciting! I truly look forward to what everyone will report."

If this place was once a mountain, then there were likely plains or underwater regions before. Beneath this endless source lie countless uncharted dungeons, sleeping in silence.

"Unexplored places—doesn't that stir the heart?"

"To be the first, one must simply work steadily."

Yes, of course. Oh, there’s a spot already looking promising for ore.

Iz pulls out her pickaxe and points it out clearly to Kasumi. Talking won’t gather materials. Several mining points are visible along the mountainside. Some glow, just as Maple and the others found.

I’ll handle the monsters around us. Focus solely on mining.

That’s a relief. Then I’ll take you up on that.

As Iz swims forward, the large fish nearby turn in unison.

[Warrior’s Arm]

Kasumi activates her skill. As always, massive arms with swords on either side appear. She accelerates instantly, matching Iz’s pace, then activates the skill again, swinging the blades.

[Blood Blade]

For multiple targets, this skill transforms the blades into liquid, slicing across in one sweeping motion.

Good—no issue even underwater.

The blade, unyielding as Maple’s poison, cuts through the water with the intended arc. It slices through the oncoming fish in one motion. If attack can be controlled as desired, the unique behavior of water can be used to advantage.

Kasumi ascends without pause, halts midwater, and lashes downward with the liquid blade like a whip. From above, there is no blind spot. She maintains a position impossible to hold on land—unchallenged, she attacks the charging fish with complete dominance.

Was [Warrior’s Arm] unnecessary?

She watches the fish vanish one by one. The surrounding calm settles. She returns to Iz’s side.

Thank you, Kasumi. Bombs work underwater, but their power diminishes in this state.

Iz’s spontaneous attack method relies chiefly on bombs. Since those prove ineffective, she is all the more eager to avoid combat.

“Relax. We won’t fall behind the monsters near the surface.”

“Good to hear.”

Iz taps the collection point with her pickaxe. The ore yields, and among it, a rare component for diving suit reinforcement appears. The bonus applies here too—more efficient than searching for glowing spots.

“Amazing… truly, a specialist’s work.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll gather enough for everyone!”

She can do this because she has spent years leveling up her gathering and crafting skills.

“I’ll get used to movement underwater.”

“That’s wise. The reflexive actions needed here are entirely different.”

The difficulty of underwater combat lies in the enemy’s active use of three-dimensional movement. For now, they only charge forward, but in the near future, they may employ skills. It is necessary to grasp the key to fighting.

“We and Izu can remain underwater for some time. Let us explore to the depth limit.”

“Yes. Perhaps we might find something immediately.”

The two continued gathering in the place that had once been a mountain.

Unaware that Izu and the others were moving by jet ski, the remaining four explored near the town, just as Maple and the others did. Not an area with many sunken buildings, but one with continuous sandy ground. Still, like the location Izu had approached, the slope descended so deeply it became invisible, resembling a mountain’s incline more than a beach.

"Good. There's no way to launch a surprise attack here."

"True. There are quite a few monsters, but if we know what we're facing, we should be able to handle them."

The team includes Mai and Yui, both of whom would die instantly from any single blow. All four are also poor swimmers. Under these conditions, underwater exploration is ill-advised. They had chosen this terrain carefully.

"Here, we can follow the safety measures the two of them suggested. Let's descend at once."

"Affirmative!"

They had no need to prioritize speed now. Each had selected diving suits designed to extend their time underwater. Following Mai and Yui’s safety protocol, the four sank into the depths.

"...Good. I was worried about whirlpools forming."

"Looks like that's not the case. Otherwise, we couldn't swing weapons underwater at all."

Mai and Yui’s tactic—something they often perform when walking through the field lately—involved rotating six large maces, added by the [Healing Hand] ability, around their bodies. It automatically reduced any approaching monsters to splinters.

It was ineffective against players, but utterly devastating against mindless beasts charging straight ahead. Crom understood at once that the white and black mass spoken of on the bulletin board was precisely this.

“Need to stay a little apart—can’t get hit.”

“Yeah. Not that we’d die… but even allies get sent flying. No difference.”

Even without damage, being struck would send someone flying with force. Sally once used it to launch Maple like a projectile. If hit directly, the result would be far worse.

In any case, safety was secured without incident. Still, Crom and Kanade kept watch for monsters that might slip through, so even if something unforeseen occurred, there was no cause for worry.

"Should we collect too… stay within the range of the Cover Move, okay?"

""Yes, understood!"

Mai and Yui spun the great maul, advancing forward until the light from the parts reached their feet. Crom and Kanade, careful not to collide, began gathering materials from around them.

"This time, it seems difficult to reach the dungeon all at once. We should collect early, before it's too late."

"Stacking things, huh. I don’t mind this kind of steady work."

"Yeah, that’s the feeling."

Crom’s gear could be said to have come from just such steady accumulation, so Kanade’s thinking made sense. Indeed, even now, Crom seemed to find some pleasure in searching for parts.

Still, underwater exploration hasn’t been attempted yet. Getting used to it will take time.

We should learn from those two.

Kanade’s gaze fell on Mai and Yui, walking across the seabed, dragging innocent monsters along with them.

That’s not quite adaptation…

True enough.

Depending on the timing of the next event, we might face underwater combat. Maybe we should pick up the swimming skill…

Possibly useful. If we stay in the eighth layer, we’ll rise naturally.

That’s true.

As they collected materials, a voice came from Maito Yui.

“Crom-san! We’d like to go a little further!”

“We’ve gathered what we can here…”

“Right! Leave it to me. I’ll keep watch.”

“Thank you!”

Thus Crom followed behind the two, keeping a precise distance, as if unsure whether their growth—so pronounced it seemed almost excessive—truly required guarding.