Defense specialization and tunnels.

They return along the path they came, arriving before the building visible from afar. It is larger than even a major guild's guildhouse. Such a space could easily accommodate many players gathering to accept quests.

"Excuse me!"

As Maple opens the door, the interior becomes visible. The space inside is as spacious as it appears from outside. Bulletin boards with quest notices and several reception counters with NPCs stand in view.

Chairs and tables are placed for players to settle and discuss before accepting quests. Near the back, wall-mounted signs indicate where food, potions, and other goods are sold.

Stairs lead upward to a second and third floor. This place is truly a massive guild shared by all players.

"Wow—so big!"

"Seems like the shops used most are here too—staying centered around this place should be fine."

"Need to check the inventory later."

"Yes. New items will be added with each tier."

"Then there's the matter of the quests... "

With so many players present, the space avoids congestion. Quests are available at counters and bulletin boards alike. Maple and the others immediately begin checking the currently available quests.

They approach the bulletin board. A blue panel appears before them, listing quest names in a row. Selecting one reveals further details.

"Wow—so many."

"Everyone should be able to find one that suits them. Combat, gathering... even supply transport is listed."

“The quest that seems like something Maple would assign—going to the castle—only says to take it here. So it shouldn’t matter which one we choose, right?”

“That’s true. That’s probably why there are so many options.”

“Maybe we should each take a different one, just to confirm. If we want to gauge how the quests progress, we need to see how many we can manage with our numbers. Especially if there’s another nation nearby.”

“Then let’s take one each, right away.”

“Things we might be able to handle….”

“How about you, sister? Anything stand out?”

Each examines the quest details, selects one they believe they can complete, and accepts it.

“Alright—let’s keep going until we notice a change!”

“If anyone else can clear a quest we’ve taken, we’ll share it.”

“Then let’s all do our best!”

Thus, the eight set off toward the locations indicated by the quests they have each accepted.

Maple and Sally, having accepted the same quest, arrived at a high mountain some distance from the Town. The mountain face rose steeply. Trees had been removed. Water and ice floated against gravity. Footpaths wove between them, leading into a deep hole within the mountain.

It appeared to be a tunnel. NPCs moved about inside. Crystals glimmered as they were extracted from the stone.

"NPCs are numerous here. That seems to be a trait of the ninth layer."

"Up until now, the outside of the Town had only players."

Buildings existed beyond the city walls, centered on the Kingdom. This tunnel was one such structure. Amid the bustling NPCs, a large, muscular man in work clothes stood above them, issuing orders. A quest marker floated above his head.

"Should we speak to him?"

"Let's go."

The large man, having noticed them, turned back toward the two and began speaking.

"Ah! You're the ones who took the quest! Good. Come this way."

He walked along the mountainside, then pointed upward at several tunnels after a short distance.

"Monsters have taken up residence in there. Too many to work with. Can't get anything done. You've got the skill, I assume? I need you to deal with this."

"Yes!"

"They use cold. Watch yourself. Don't get frozen."

Understood."

Maple answered brightly. The man turned and walked back to his original position. No NPCs remained nearby—only the sound of work, fainter now, carried from farther away.

"Looks like it's inside. What now?"

"Shall we ride Shiroppu and approach one by one, entering individually?"

"Alright, let's do that. Moving up and down is second nature to me."

Maple calls forth Shiroppu and levitates it with 【Telekinesis】, positioning it directly beside one of the holes carved into the mountainside.

"Thanks, Shiroppu."

Once Maple descends into the tunnel, she returns Shiroppu to her ring. The passage is not wide enough to enter while riding the enlarged Shiroppu.

"This isn't a dungeon, is it?"

"Right. It's narrower... and I might have trouble fighting here."

The footing is poor. The path is barely wide enough for two to walk side by side. Sally’s combat style, reliant on mobility, cannot be fully used.

"Then it's my turn!"

"Exactly. I'm counting on you."

"Leave it to me!"

The current quest is simple: slay a set number of monsters appearing deeper within.

“Love That Offers the Body—Cannon Barrel Deployment!”

Maple walks ahead, her many炮 ports aimed forward. The narrow passage restricts Sally’s evasion, so Maple activates Love That Offers the Body—offensive and defensive preparations are complete.

They walk for a time, but no monster appears.

“Still no sign.”

“Yeah, I’m watching carefully! So it’s fine—wah!?”

“Maple!?”

Maple, on guard ahead, tumbles dramatically in front of Sally. The weapon remains intact—such a fall does not break it—but Maple rises, grasping Sally’s hand to ask what happened.

“…You should have watched below, not just ahead.”

……? Ah! It’s frozen!

The touch is smooth, and upon closer inspection, the part struck by light reflects it, indicating frost.

“Stumbling during combat leaves openings. We’ll proceed carefully from here.”

“Yeah! I was startled… thought I’d been attacked from somewhere unseen.”

On the battlefield, they keep watch over their footing. Maple and Sally move deeper, step by careful step.