Defense specialization and respective enhancements.

Time passed. Maple and Sally enjoyed the eighth layer, testing their newly acquired skills and gear.

"We must have Izu make plenty of bombs so we can use 【Ancient Weapon】 at any time!"

"Can't we make ones that don’t make a sound or have small effects? You know, it’s stronger when you’re hidden and preparing."

"Too many explosions would give us away. Ah, what about placing a gun behind us? Izu did make cannons before."

Standing in front of a gun that fires automatically, they would gain charge just by being shot at.

"Unless we don’t care about the visuals? No, even that would be too much…?"

As they spoke, the two drifted slowly across the water in a small boat. Their target skill had been gathered. Their exploration of the eighth layer could be considered complete.

From here, there would be no clues at all. It would not be found easily. Therefore, they would rest when rest was needed, not force the search.

"Ah, by the way, I heard there's info about the next update today."

"Really?!"

"Yeah. I think it's about time."

The moment the topic was raised, a notification chime sounded—indicating a message had arrived. The operators had sent word of the next update.

"Um, it's the ninth layer, apparently! That was fast."

"We've been upgrading the diving suits and handling various tasks. Time has passed more than we realized. There are still unexplored areas, but that's been true all along..."

Returning to other layers at a suitable moment would be acceptable. The 【Toxic Dragon】 and 【Malicious Feaster】 obtained early on were still functional. Going back to earlier layers would yield usable resources, useful items.

They would explore at their own pace, when the urge arose.

“Then there’s one more thing. It mentions the event after the ninth layer is implemented.”

“Um… divided into two factions, large-scale player-versus-player combat…?”

“We don’t know the details yet, but won’t new skills be useful?”

“Sally too!”

“Yeah. Practicing how to deceive effectively.”

To use Sally’s new skill efficiently, one must anticipate situations and plan movements in advance. That is the difficulty of a skill not automatically powerful upon activation.

“Dungeons connecting to the ninth layer are located nearby. Shall we go take a look? It won’t be linked until the update, so clearing it will come later.”

“Yeah! I’m curious what the area looks like!”

As with the places they had navigated before, it was unclear whether this was a destination reached simply by diving through. If the dive required prolonged effort, it might be necessary to have Iz prepare supplies.

The distance was close enough that they did not switch to jet skis, continuing instead with a slow, steady voyage by boat. When the destination came into view, Maple nodded quietly, repeatedly, as if confirming to herself that this was indeed the place.

Before them stood a long, thick tower extending down into the distant seabed. Its tip rose above the water surface. Upon inspecting the submerged portion, signs of repeated construction were visible—each addition appearing as if to flee from the water. Naturally, the deeper one descended, the more deteriorated the structure became, the erosion clearly visible.

“Are we descending here?”

“That’s right. We can’t enter from the middle. There’s no choice but to enter from above.”

The tower itself was in ruins, yet there were no broken windows or large holes through which one might cut through and enter. To bypass the outer walls would be difficult.

"We’ll be fine if we all go together, right?"

"Even I doubt there’s much that could beat all eight of us."

"Everyone’s strong, aren’t we?"

In truth, finding a monster that could defeat Maple and her companions would be harder than defeating them. If such a creature existed, it would likely be vulnerable to weakening methods. Otherwise, it would be impossible to defeat.

"Perhaps we’ll tackle this another day. Hmm?"

"What is it, Sally? Ah!"

They both looked up. Two great shadows filled the sky. One glowed white, illuminated by the sun— a dragon. The other bore wings that blazed like the sun itself—a phoenix.

"Mii! Pain-san!"

"Maple. Not a coincidence, I’d say. Most likely you read the message and came to inspect the site yourself."

“That’s right! Mii too?”

“Something like that. Had business on this side, so thought it convenient.”

“Pain-san as well? You’re checking the dungeon too, I assume?”

“Mm. Left unexplored due to time spent underwater. This dungeon must be cleared by all. Knowing every corner may help estimate the strength of those who’ve passed through.”

Rumors spread. How the dungeon was cleared—such talk will be common upon entering the ninth layer. Knowing its details might allow predictions about skills, from the whispers that circulate.

Knowing something is unknown—this changes everything.

“For player-versus-player combat?”

“Naturally. The camp divides. If we face each other, I wish to settle old scores.”

After the fourth event, they had fought together, but never head-on. Maple and Sally had grown considerably stronger since then. Yet that was true of Pain as well.

"Still, I will do my best!"

"Whether enemy or ally, I will give my full effort. If we fight like that, then this time it will be our victory."

"We will too. That time we were severely beaten. Let us declare we will not be beaten the same way again."

"I will not lose either. We will all do our best!"

Maple spoke. Mii and Pain gave slight smiles, as if to say, "That's the spirit."

"Then I'm off. I look forward to the next event."

"Goodbye, Maple. When we meet on the battlefield, I will give it my all."

Pain vanished into the dungeon. Mii disappeared to the edge of the field.

"So, we might fight again, huh?"

"Stronger. Even during the eighth event, it was clear their output had increased."

It has been some time since they last faced each other as enemies. Their level has risen since then. Skills have increased accordingly. The acquisition of a tame monster makes a significant difference. Especially so, as both of their tame monsters are formidable in their own right.

It will not be the same as before.

"We’ll need to devise a new strategy. Maple’s skills have grown too. Any of them could turn the tide, if used well."

"Let’s think about it together!"

"Ah, thinking? Fine. It’s Maple who’ll be using them. The best plan is the one Maple finds easiest."

As the game continued, Maple grew accustomed to the movements. She began to understand which actions led to better outcomes. And the understanding itself gave Maple room to think.

“Even in the dungeon of ‘Lost Legacy,’ Maple’s plan worked out well… tell me more. I want to hear it. I wanted to talk about this.”

“Ahaha, that was just luck.”

The timing of her first skill use—firing the Ark precisely in sync with the laser—was mostly due to chance.

“I thought, seeing Sally vanish with ‘Divine Concealment’ and dodge the attack, maybe I could do it too.”

“Practice enough, and it won’t be luck anymore. It’ll be possible.”

“Hmm… should I try it?”

“…It would help, if you could. Easy to integrate into strategy.”

“Hehe, then I’ll try it a little!”

“Yeah. I think that’s good.”

Maple declared it with forward resolve. Sally nodded in return, a small, pleased smile on her lips.

They had been speaking quietly on the boat in front of the tower when, besides Pain and Mii, other players arrived. It was no surprise. If a dungeon required exploration to progress, visitors scouting the area were to be expected. In truth, the two had come for that very purpose.

“Will we be in the way?”

“I think it’ll be fine. But this place isn’t suitable for serious talk.”

To hold an important strategy meeting here was like shouting for attention.

Just as they were about to move on, they noticed another familiar shadow approaching on a boat.

“Ah, they’re really here!”

“Of course they are. Wil couldn’t have mistaken it.”

The newcomers were the leaders of [thunder storm] and [rapid fire]. It seemed Wilbert’s skill had allowed them to see clearly from far beyond the range of the others’ vision.

I apologize. I happened to be nearby, so I joined in.

This is a personal duel! A personal duel!

Yes. It feels like we’ve been waiting for this moment.

Sally spoke, and Velvet nodded vigorously.

That’s right! I’d like to fight on the enemy side this time!

Maple and Sally widened their eyes at the directness of the statement.

...It seems that’s how she feels this time.

Hinata said it, so it must be true, even if the reason remains unclear.

The event only runs for a limited time. We should take the chance to fight as enemies while we can!

Though personal duels can be held anywhere using the system, the tension of a one-time event and the joy of victory are entirely different experiences. Maple might not grasp it, but Sally understood the distinction clearly.

Enemies, then. We’ll need to plan our countermeasures properly.

She had declared, with absolute certainty, that if given a choice in camp selection, she would go to the opposite side. Unlike Pain and Yui, who still seemed undecided about which side to join, if they would join at all, this required firm countermeasures.

"Carefree as always. Ah, we haven’t really settled that matter yet. Not officially, anyway."

It appeared that Lilie and the others had not yet finalized their stance.

"...That’s normal, I think. No need to declare it like Velvet."

Hinata jabbed Velvet in the side, as if anticipating criticism for speaking too openly about such matters.

"We, too, do not intend to lose easily, no matter who our opponent may be."

Wilbert spoke with confidence. And he had the strength to back it up.

"That’s right. When the time comes, I’ll be counting on you."

A proper human-versus-human battle, long overdue for all. They have grown. That much is understood. With time between the implementation of the ninth layer and the event, it will be a test of measures.

"Then it's a match!"

"That's right! This time, Hinata's joining us! No way we're losing!"

The synergy of fighting together increases strength. Maple and the others know this well. Sally won her duel, but she understands that victory was not absolute.

"It's still a distant matter. Until then, I'll improve my archery."

Who will be enemy, who ally—no one can say from the current event preview. There is only one thing to do: raise one's own abilities, and gather information from those around.

"Will Velvet and the others enter here soon?"

"Yes! They'll come in with the two of us!"

"If I can witness the battle up close, I see no reason to decline."

Hinata’s expression is complicated. Still, it is clear she has no intent to seek information from Velvet. As usual. No one stops her.

“Will the two of you come too? We welcome you!”

“Maple, what do you say?”

Maple hesitates a moment, then replies.

“Hmm… I’m thinking of going with the guild members. Sorry, this time.”

“Got it! We’ll play when we get the chance!”

“Yeah! Thanks!”

Watching the four disappear into the dungeon, same as Pain, she waves. Then, she turns her board and begins to glide away again.

“Everyone seemed focused on the next event.”

“Still, fighting monsters and exploring is fun. But fighting people has its place too.”

“Sally’s good at that.”

“…Yeah. Good at it. And I like it.”

As Velvet said, only in events does the difference between victory and defeat matter greatly. It makes sense that players would raise their stakes.

"Let’s explore again on the ninth floor, then it’s the event!"

"…………"

"Sally? Is something wrong?"

"Hm, ah—just thinking. About strategy. But without knowing the specifics of the combat style, there’s little I can do."

They only knew an event involving large-scale player combat was coming. It might be a contest over placed items, like the fourth event. Or it might be a battle royale.

The ideal approach would change entirely depending on the content.

"Thinking about it now won’t help. We should start with going to the ninth floor. Maple might grow stronger before the event, too."

The addition of a new layer means events and dungeons multiply at once. If that happens, reinforcement in an alternate dimension may also occur. The possibility is low, certainly. Yet, monsters born from chance discoveries—this one, that one—already exist here. So Sally cannot say it is impossible.

"Alright, let's do our best!"

"Yep. I'll practice using my skills properly."

Sally, with her time limit somewhat fixed, must grow accustomed to combat using new unique series before then. From here, opponents are not monsters, but top-tier players. Currently, she uses only two abilities: copying Maple's skills through [Void-Reality Inversion], and changing the shape of her weapon. She must master every skill fully.

"Then let's go back."

"Yep! So many people came, it was surprising!"

The purpose this time is not to conquer, but to assess the dungeon’s atmosphere, scale, and location from its exterior. Sally pushes the boat out again.

Unlike a jet ski, this is a leisurely journey. Maple takes out a fishing rod and lets the line dangle.

“Hmph, I wonder if I’ll catch something before we return to town?”

“Y-yeah, one fish at least!”

Fishing remains unchanged since the game began. The time it takes to catch even one fish has not lessened.

To increase the chance of catching one, Sally quietly reduces speed and rows the boat toward town.

The time passes slowly. Sally seems to be thinking of something.

“…When the chance comes…”

She murmurs Velvet’s words, repeating them softly. The phrase is not spoken to anyone. It fades into the air, swallowed by the sound of her oar cutting water.