Defense specialization and Lost Legacy.

As the boss falls, Sally stabilizes her posture, lifts Maple into her arms, and creates a foothold in midair to descend to the ground.

"Yo—!"

"Thank you, Sally."

"Uh-huh. You did well. Now… something’s off."

"Huh? …Ah! The boss from earlier is still here!"

Normally, monsters vanish in light—but the cube that halted earlier remains, now buried beneath a pile of fallen materials as it descends.

"There’s plenty to examine. Let’s check it out. No sense coming back—might not even be possible."

"Right."

Places not meant for normal fields usually require special conditions to enter. Even if one believes they’ve replicated the conditions, unseen factors often prevent a return. Exploration must be thorough—no loose ends remain.

They set aside the main objective and began searching through the scattered debris for anything they could carry back.

"Uh, Maple, anything worth taking?"

"Probably not! Nothing's really showing up!"

"Guess it's just atmosphere—really checking every inch would take forever..."

After a thorough search, no item suitable for inventory was found. But knowing that nothing remained made it easier to focus on the boss ahead.

"Will it move again...?"

"Probably not. Look, there's a sigil right where we entered."

"True. Then we're safe."

The boss, no longer in its initial cubic form, had split cleanly in two down the center, just as it had during battle.

"Try pulling that out. Might react."

"Yeah! Looks similar!"

Maple draws the 'Lost Legacy' from her inventory. A black cube, palm-sized, resembles a miniature version of the boss. Its appearance has changed little.

"Let me bring it closer... wa—!?"

As Maple moves the item near, blue lines streak across the surface of the 'Lost Legacy'. It snaps with a sharp crack, jolting from her hand. Just as she reaches to pick it up, the massive cube that was the boss responds with a sound.

"Maple!"

Sally pulls Maple back just as danger is sensed. The 'Lost Legacy', rolling between them, is caught between the two halves of the split part, snapping back into a single piece.

"Thank you. I was about to be crushed."

"Better stay alert."

"Yes."

The sight of the boss reactivating made another battle possible. They had conquered dungeons like this before, after all.

Yet the concern proved unfounded. The cube shrank, dimming with each contraction, until it matched the size of the 'Lost Legacy' it had absorbed.

"Absorbed... or rather, swallowed?"

"More like merging?"

"Perhaps that's close."

With the intense glow now gone, Maple picked it up and examined it.

The item name remained unchanged, but a new skill had been added, and the item type had shifted from equipment to accessory.

"It can be equipped now!"

"Ah, nice. Accessories have tight slots... but how does it feel?"

Maple shifted slightly, keeping the window open so Sally could see, and read the effect text together.

Lost Legacy

[Ancient Weapon]

When its owner attacks, gains additional energy upon being attacked.

Consuming energy allows it to shift form and be wielded as a weapon.

If no energy is gained for a set duration, energy gradually diminishes over time.

"Could this be the same thing the boss used earlier? Instead of MP, it consumes this energy thing."

"Let's try it on?"

"Good idea. Better to see than to guess."

Maple removes one decorative ring and equips the Lost Legacy instead. A suspicious cube, black with blue lines, floats near her and attaches itself.

"Attack casually."

[Barrel Deployment][Attack Initiated]!

Maple fires into empty space. The energy gauge does not budge.

"Ah?..."

"...Shooting into empty space doesn't seem to work. What about taking an attack instead?"

"Then, bombs!"

Maple places bombs at her feet and ignites them without hesitation. A moment later, a massive explosion erupts. Maple is enveloped in fire.

She knows, of course, that no damage is taken. Still, Sally’s expression hardens for an instant.

"Sal—! It’s increasing! It’s decreasing, but it’s increasing!"

"Likely meant for use during combat. The usual method is to attack and gain charge. Only Maple would choose to prepare with bombs..."

The gauge does increase upon taking damage. But it is clear, intuitively, that it is not meant to be used that way.

Maple consumes the accumulated charge and immediately activates a skill.

"【Ancient Weapon】!"

Maple declares the skill. The floating cube instantly expands to two meters in size, splits sharply into two, and from within, Gatling barrels extend outward.

…Will it not fire?

It’s meant to auto-attack. There’s no target now.

I see. But good. If it grew any more, I couldn’t carry it.

You really think that’s possible…

What kind of warrior carries so many guns she can’t manage them? Too hard to be a gunner. Too strong in attack to be a shieldbearer.

Well, it’s safe in our hands. That’s what matters.

Sally offers no further thought. She celebrates Maple’s pure enhancement. Every skill, every item acquired could shift the tide of circumstance.

I’ll make better use of this!

Good. I’m counting on you.

Fufufu. Leave it to me.

Thus, having acquired new strength, the two depart from this place.