Defense-oriented and hints.

After walking for a while, various monsters appeared besides the slimes. They were birds, beasts, and other creatures more suited to land than water. Their bodies, blue and gel-like like the earlier slime, were distinctive—apparently adapted for underwater movement.

"Monsters at the eighth layer, just like before?"

"Calling it 'just like before' feels misleading... but yes, there's definitely a sense of being underwater."

They move within the water, attacking with water magic, but do not dart through it like fish. Their movements remain sluggish.

A mismatched quality was evident—each monster retained abilities suited for land while existing underwater.

"Sluggish movement is helpful, at least."

"I can react easily too!"

"True."

Sally could move far faster than Maple could. She swam through the water at a speed surpassing even the eight-layered monsters. That was to be expected.

Because of this, the two advanced without particular difficulty. The water magic they cast was broad in range and powerful, but meaningless if Maple was present. The monsters, generally fragile, were easily defeated by Sally alone.

"I'm glad we came together… I'd have been stuck if I had to fight any of these alone."

"Shield roles shine brightest when paired with someone who deals damage. Solo play tends to be difficult, after all."

"Fufufu! I'm starting to feel a bit more confident in my attacks!"

"You're definitely getting the hang of it now."

Pushing forward with poison, summoning monsters, and overwhelming enemies with massed weapons—this is not the role of the great shieldbearer.

It is good for the party to deal damage. But being able to fight without it is healthier.

“After a while, other types of monsters may appear. Be ready then.”

“Yeah! Ammo’s fully stocked!”

“That’s reassuring.”

Unlike Maple, Sally does not center her combat strategy around skills with limited uses. After some exploration, neither of their resources had diminished noticeably.

If the boss appears with a normal body, the skills they have saved so far will be unleashed without mercy.

After moving through the underwater passage for some time, the two enter a wide space where several paths branch off. They step forward cautiously, but nothing emerges—no mid-boss, no threat—only a clear fork in the way. Sally checks on Maple.

“Still breathing?”

“Fine…?”

“Maple?”

Maple taps her chest area on the diving suit, as if something feels off.

“Something wrong? Oxygen levels… are still within range.”

“Feels a little warm here…?”

“…I see. Not a status effect, then.”

Sally pauses, then speaks, as an idea forms.

No damage. No status effects. No sign of monsters. Could it be a hint? If I don’t feel it, then it’s likely Maple’s skill or item reacting.

“Oh—maybe!”

“Still… can’t tell if it’s good or bad.”

“…?”

“It could be warning us of a monster too strong to face. Or it could be guiding us to a valuable item.”

Even if something is indicated, there’s no knowing whether it’s safe to approach. What’s certain now is that something has changed with Maple.

“What do you think, Maple?”

“Hmm… it does feel like a hint, like Sally said. If something reacts, we should go that way?”

“Could be a monster we can’t beat.”

“With Sally and me, we can win!”

Sally’s eyes widen at Maple’s confident smile, but she tilts her head slightly, smiling as if amused, her expression assured.

“That’s right. With Maple, we might just win.”

“And… it’s not that unpleasant warmth, so I don’t think anything strange will happen… I really do feel that way… even if it’s only my feeling…”

“Is that so? Maple’s instincts are usually right…”

Then, the two begin swimming again, choosing the direction where even the slightest reaction might be detected.

First, they must decide which of the many branching paths ahead to take.

“Let’s each go a little ahead and see. Something might react.”

“Got it!”

Maple stops after moving a short distance forward, as prompted by Sally, shaking her head slowly, no change apparent.

“Probably unchanged!”

“Then next one!”

Maple stops before one of the corridors, tilting her head as she moves along the wall.

“Something wrong?”

“Um… I think it got warmer for a moment?”

“Really?”

“Maybe I imagined it.”

“Then try again. Move to the side, stand forward once more.”

“Right! That’s it!”

Maple shifts to the side, then returns to stand before the same corridor, focusing her awareness.

“Anything?”

“Changed!”

“Okay. Then this way seems best.”

A change means something unique lies ahead.

From here, they must pause before each passage, confirm the sensation, then proceed.

After walking a while following Maple’s sense, they reach a wide space leading to the next fork. Just as they prepare to have Maple check again, something crackles—light, or a shock—explodes at the center.

“……!”

"Sally, something’s coming out!"

"Ready yourself!"

Maple braced her shield and weapon. Sally re-gripped her two short swords, poised to strike. The violent sound and light subsided. A cube, unmoving, remained in the center.

It appeared made of stacked stone. As they observed, cracks spread. The cube split into pieces. A blue core-like glow emerged within.

At the same moment, a health bar appeared above it. It began rotating slowly, as if entering combat stance.

"Kind of like a golem?"

"The one from before?"

"Yeah. The material... the construction."

Not only was it stone, but the craftsmanship and hue reminded them of the underwater temple. That connection suggested a link between the two places. Their destination likely lay ahead.

"This might be it."

"Really!? Good. Then we’ve got to push harder now!"

Yes, there must be something worth protecting here.

The passage ahead, blocked by stone walls as if to prevent passage, erupts with light in the same manner. A magical array unfolds around the cube, mirroring the obstruction.

Ready.

That’s a relief.

Conscious of the ability to use Love That Offers the Body, watching for the next move, the body slowly shifts left in rhythm with the array’s glow.

Not an attack… no damage.

But this—w-w-wait!?

Not a direct impact from a water mass, but a larger change unfolding across the entire chamber. The array’s effect generates currents that rotate with the boss, pushing them relentlessly in one direction without pause.

Initiate Attack!—this is hard to aim at…!

Maple attacks using the weapons she has deployed, but her tactics rely almost entirely on using their defensive strength to maintain a barrage. She is unaccustomed to targeting enemies while moving, and cannot land damage effectively.

"Good that damage gets through even without the core. I'll attack too—Maple, do your best to deal damage!"

"Got it! I'll make up for what I've missed so far!"

The path had been filled only with water-based monsters until now. At last, a proper enemy has appeared. There is still ample ammunition remaining. Maple seizes the moment and strikes without hesitation.

"This current... just right..."

Sally accelerates without resisting the flow, tracing a circle as she closes the distance at high speed. The boss reacts, summoning water spears from its magic array—but cannot reach her in time.

"Triple Slash!"

In that fleeting instant, as they pass each other, she strikes six deep wounds with the skill that deals the most damage in the shortest time, then separates, carried away by the current.

"I can accelerate. It's almost welcome."

"Sally, you're amazing! Alright, me too..."

Maple, not particularly skilled at aiming, still conjures a massive cannon mouth and directs it toward the center to ensure her attack lands.

Before the cannon can fire, however, several water spears, riding the current, close in on Sally.

Designed to catch up precisely within the same flow, Sally is unharmed—but Maple cannot escape at her speed.

"Wait! Just a second!"

"It's fine. Leave it to me."

Sally moves swiftly, halts in the current just ahead of Maple, and positions herself to block the water spears with her weapon.

"Fuuu...!"

A blue flash of swift swordplay in the water—every spear aimed at Maple is struck down.

The core remains intact, but the weapon itself cannot withstand attack. Defense is necessary.

"Thank you, Sally! Yoo-hoo! [Attack Initiated]!"

With precision uncertain, Maple fires a massive red laser toward the center. It pierces through the current without hesitation, passes through half the cube, sears it to ash, and explodes upon impact with the far wall.

"Uuu... a little off."

"Still sufficient. Keep firing. I’ll deflect the rest."

"Okay!"

Sally halts her attack. She turns to defend Maple, recognizing the weapon’s effectiveness.

The opponent must somehow destroy Maple’s weapon, but breaking through Sally’s defense is extremely difficult. The sword can deflect projectiles, and she can summon walls with magic such as [Water Wall]. Even attacking from multiple directions fails to pierce the defense.

“Alright… aim carefully!”

“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.”

[Attack Initiated]!

In the end, the weapon never even managed to scratch Maple’s device. The crimson lasers struck one after another, reducing the body to fragments.

The cube vanished completely. Water flow in the room ceased. The calm, gentle underwater environment returned to normal.

“Wasn’t that strong, was it?”

“Normally it might have been a bit more difficult… but no, not really a special challenge.”

"Sally protected us, so the weapons are still fine! There's even 【Gourmet】!"

The fact that so many skills remained unused was due to Sally's presence. Thanks to her defense, Maple could attack continuously with lasers, and the weapons remained intact, requiring only minimal regeneration.

"Then let's move deeper. From here, Maple will lead."

"Yes, yes!"

Thus, the two advanced further into the interior.