Defense specialization and tunnel two.

Maple and Sally move further inward. The ground remains frozen, and icicles begin to extend from the ceiling.

"Perhaps something will appear soon?"

"Stay alert. Watch your feet, of course."

"Yes!"

They advance, checking their footing to avoid slipping, and soon an ice mass hovers in midair. Above it, a health bar floats. A blizzard swirls around it, wind mixed with ice and snow. It appears to possess will. Though it looks like a block of ice, it resembles a spirit or fairy more than a mere object. The cold intensifies. The icicles from the ceiling grow larger. It is clear now—the monster is that ice formation.

"Got it!"

At the same time, the monster appeared to notice the two, intensifying the swirling wind, wrapping around the ice pillars extending from the ceiling, shattering them, and launching the fragments toward them in a preemptive strike.

"Shield, block it!"

"Got it!"

Avoid taking pointed objects directly on the body. Attacks with penetration effects typically possess corresponding methods or skill names.

Swallowing the incoming icicles while consuming 【Hunger of the Wicked】, Maple immediately turns the assault into a counterattack.

"【Full Armament Deployment】! 【Attack Initiated】!"

Maple deploys a multitude of weapons, aiming their barrels at the ice spirit. Yet the weapons do not respond to the following attack declaration. No bullets are fired.

"Wait... ah! It's frozen!"

The weapon's surface is partially frozen, icicles forming along the barrel. It must be sealing off certain skills—preventing Maple's attack before it could begin.

"Then, before 【Malnourished】 vanishes. Movement is slow... no, it doesn't even seem to move at all."

"Right!"

Maple walks carefully over the frozen ground, reaching the barrel just before the icicles begin to grow rapidly again.

"If it won't move... then—hey!"

Maple swings her large shield high and brings it down hard against the ice block. The shield, capable of swallowing even large monsters in one strike, dissolves the ice in an instant with unyielding force.

Even at the ninth layer, the monster is no different from those in the first quest.

"Nice one. We'll use this until it's gone. Wouldn't want it reacting and attacking another way."

"Yep! No problem!"

The icicles—I’ll handle them. I’ve grown used to the frozen floor. A repetitive attack like that won’t trouble me.

Breaking the icicles and sending them flying—just one strike to erase them. Even if the footing is poor, and we can’t unleash continuous attacks, it won’t matter. The weapon is sealed, but that doesn’t matter to us. Love That Offers the Body remains unsealed. Its defensive capability stays unchanged. Progress should be smooth.

"Nine more to go this time."

"Where could they be?"

"It’s a straight path. If we go far enough, the rest should be ahead."

"Alright! Let’s push forward!"

After swiftly defeating the first, the two advanced deeper into the tunnel, focused on clearing the quest.

As expected, one of the initial quests, they moved forward without difficulty.

Maple’s weapon is sealed, yet cold attacks do not affect her. The icicles are broken by Sally, shielding Maple effectively. Once close enough, a light touch with the large shield suffices.

The goal was to defeat ten, so the initial icicles could not be handled identically, but the final few were dispatched without difficulty as Sally took the offensive.

“Phew, that’s it.”

The dagger thrust through Sally, the ice block cracking with a sharp sound, dissolving into light.

“Sally, quest cleared!”

“Just the beginning… Is this level of difficulty normal?”

“Going smoothly!”

“Not a hidden quest, so everyone should pass. The enemy strength is likely held in check.”

“Ah, I see.”

Everything feels as strong as a boss. Like how it was at the top floor during the tower event...

That would be terribly difficult, wouldn't it.

As they progress, monsters with greater resistance and quests of increasing complexity will appear.

There is no way forward but to complete the quest before one’s eyes.

“Let us go out for now. Something may come of it if we step outside.”

Yes!

Returning the way they came, careful beneath their feet, they exit the tunnel and descend to the ground atop Shiroppu, just as they had entered.

There, waiting as before, was the same man who had guided them, greeting the two as they returned unharmed.

Ou! Seems you've done well! We can resume work now. Collect your reward at the request counter in the town below. I've been busy with others lately—helping out the rest would be appreciated!

Yes!

Then we should return to the Town for now. If this feeling is accurate, someone else may have already finished.

If the quest is of similar difficulty to the one they received, six people would not struggle unusually. The two depart the tunnel, possibly having returned earlier than expected.