Defense specialization and the black vortex.

Having received aid from guild members, Maple steadily acquired the missing items, successfully securing every requested item before the event.

Receiving the final item from Sally, Maple placed it into the designated slot displayed within her inventory.

"This should be the end... "

"The margin for time is growing thin."

With Mai and Yui as decisive weapons, a battle against a major boss could be managed, but this task of item collection would now become a race against time.

"Maple-san, are you alright?"

"Is something... different?"

"Wait a moment. This is the last one!"

Upon placing the final item, the quest completion notice appeared, followed by the next quest.

"Hmm... there's still more."

"Really? Hmm, seems quite substantial."

What could it be about?

Hmm... It feels like we're heading toward a destination!

Then it must be near the end. Hmm, there's a scent of a boss battle about this...

As Sally said, something waiting at the end is a common pattern. Of course, it's often a boss.

Can we keep up? Normally it would be fine, but with Maple alone now...

Without skills, we can only attack with items. Then, even a slight edge in defense or a small healing ability would be enough.

Maple, how about you?

We'll be fine together! Let me show you the map!

When Maple displayed the map, the route they needed to take appeared.

Hmm? What is this...

Um, well... It's just...

It's very far away!

Red dots marked the places they must pass through on Maple’s map, connected by lines. The gaps between dots revealed they would need to traverse considerable distances across fields. Yet the route varied. Some paths passed through all points; others bypassed most. The time required seemed to shift with the choice of path.

It differed slightly from what Crom and Sally had expected—the movement before facing the boss.

“Regardless, if we can follow, we will.”

“That’s true.”

The seven intended to stay together until the end. Working as one would finish the task far more efficiently than sending Maple alone.

“After this, if everyone’s free, can we just keep going?”

“Right. Let’s get it over with quickly.”

“Everyone, can you help a little more?”

Maple speaks. All eight nod. With that settled, they move immediately toward the field.

"Haku, I rely on you."

As always, they ride Haku across the field. Sally studies the map as they approach their destination.

"Is this area acceptable?"

"Affirmative. Kasumi, you may stop now."

The eight dismount. Without scanning the surroundings, they fix their eyes on the distinctive terrain before them.

"Then this is it?"

"A large hole..."

"The bottom is invisible. We could descend by following the cliffside."

Before them lies a deep, wide chasm. Previously, when clearing a vertical shaft, Maple had used Love That Offers the Body to leap down, clearing it instantly. That method is not possible now.

"Kanade, you probably have something, right? What do you say?"

I have it. There are several methods… how would you like to descend?

The safest way for everyone!

If Maple says so, I’ll prepare accordingly.

Maple nods in agreement as Kanade presents the method for all seven to descend without injury.

That should work then!

It’s Maple’s standard, isn’t it…

But safety is also true.

All have made their resolve. They stand still at the edge of the pit. The terrain of the 【Maple Tree】—with its uneven elevation—demands this approach.

Ready!

At Maple’s signal, they leap into the air all at once. Their bodies accelerate rapidly under gravity, cutting through flames and winds from unknown sources along the wall, falling straight down to the ground.

[Guardian Barrier]!

As Kanade declares the skill, light spreads around the eight bodies, shielding them. They land firmly on their feet.

The light vanishes with a sharp crack. It absorbs all the impact of the fall, nullifying the damage entirely.

"Ah, extravagant use of it."

"I have other damage-absorption spells. I don’t use them often—Maple’s here most of the time."

Kanade, who believes one should not recklessly use a spellbook in single-person situations, thinking it better to die and retry later if needed, has no shortage of such spellbooks. Using one or two would cause no harm.

"Still, there was no boss here, was there…?"

"Yes. I know a good spot for gathering."

Sally and Iz’s assessment is correct. A mineral deposit on the wall does not mean a boss lies in wait.

"Let’s all look around! There might be something!"

That’s right. If anything happens, let Maple know. There might be times when only Maple, during a quest, can sense it—just like when we obtained the Residual Light of Salvation on the eighth layer. So, Maple, be especially careful.

Understood!

Since the location is inconvenient to reach, they collect materials along the way as they thoroughly inspect the bottom of the wide pit. After a short while, Maple spots something and calls everyone over.

Could this be it?

A small, black spiral is drawn on the wall ahead, slowly rotating.

Nothing’s happening?

I’ll touch it.

Seeing no change, Maple gently extends a hand and brushes the spiral. The black spiral expands instantly, spreading across the wall. The spiral shape dissolves, filling in gaps, becoming a wavering wall of black.

A gate… feels like it.

Yes.

Maple raises a hand before the wall. Black light begins to radiate, as if activated. Yet whether anything lies beyond remains unknown until one steps forward.

"Then let us step in only after preparing for whatever awaits."

"Yep! I'll get the gear ready!"

Better to be prepared and find the preparation unnecessary than to lose due to lack of it.

Even after arranging a stance capable of destroying any monster, Maple touches the wall.

Black light spills out, enveloping the eight. With it, each feels the sensation of their footing dissolving—premonition of transit.

"Indeed, it comes!"

"Battle readiness!"

"“Yes!”"

After a moment, the entire field of view is swallowed by blackness. The eight transfer into a dark space. As they take position, torches mounted along the walls ignite one by one, illuminating the chamber.

At the far end stood a giant with six arms and three faces. Each arm held a weapon. It would attack with them. From a glance, the impression was of relentless assault—numerical advantage and raw power combined.

“Six arms… but”

Sally gestures behind her. Two of their number have eight arms. With buffs from items, their offensive capability is not inferior.

“I’ll hold them back—get them out. Draw as much attention as you can.”

Crom steps in front of Mai and Yui. Kasumi and Sally spring forward at once. Fewer arms targeting Mai and Yui meant higher odds of survival.

“[Wind Cutter]!”

“[Blood Blade]!”

Mai and Yui launch their ranged attacks at the boss. The boss responds, swinging its weapon downward with the reach granted by its massive frame.

They press against the wall, ensuring the attack misses Mai and Yui, then dodge the descending blow using speed, immediately stepping in to absorb the strike.

“[Multi-Cover]!”

Crom takes the remaining attacks, advancing steadily. With no damage dealt by anyone else, the other arms gradually shift their aim toward the two. As expected, [Maple Tree] had anticipated this.

"Now! Run!"

"Yesss!"

Crom raises his shield while Kanade prepares a defensive spell, urging Mai and Yui forward.

If it can be approached, then no matter what it is, it cannot stand if it is a boss designed to be defeated by HP.

Four arms pull toward Sally and Kasumi. The remaining two arms charge toward Mai and Yui.

"This is nothing...!"

"We're fine!"

Matching the descending weapon, both raise their great hammers and strike in unison.

"“【Giant's Sin】!”"

The immense STR overwhelms the attack from the vastly larger opponent, deflecting it back at the boss instead of absorbing the damage.

Seizing the moment of hesitation, they close the distance. Now, with the six great hammers floating in midair included, all hammers are raised high.

"Here I go, sister!"

"Uh-huh...!"

"“【Weapon Throw】!”"

With the declaration of the skill, the weapons held by both women glow. Immediately after, they spin through the air and fly at high speed toward the boss.

A skill that throws one's equipped weapons. Naturally, Mai and Yui, each wielding eight weapons, release all of them from their hands.

A skill with a significant drawback—losing one's own weapons in exchange for long-range attacks. Yet when used by the two, the result is different.

With a dull, wet sound, great hammers pierce the boss’s body one after another. The sheer force staggers the boss’s form.

It matters not if all weapons are thrown. Only that one strike is certain—only that the enemy’s life is cut down.

The final great mace struck the boss’s face directly, piercing through and splitting the head open, shattering the wall behind it. Then the entire body was wrapped in black flames, crumbling to pieces, until finally dissolving into light.

“Looks like we don’t need to go down to the floor…”

“Better to have a backup weapon ready—then we’re certain.”

“If Iz is here, we won’t have to worry after the throw.”

Even weapons in Iz’s inventory, once useless, might yet see use.

“Wow! You have a skill like that?!”

“Yes! I learned it while defeating monsters with 【Throw】 and 【Flight】!”

“I can’t adjust it to throw just one… that’s all I can do.”

Carrying eight weapons in total was inherently unusual. The skill was not designed around that specific condition, so the number of weapons held did not alter its drawbacks. On the contrary, damage increased, the attack range expanded, and the likelihood of the opponent surviving after the assault diminished. Thus, throwing all weapons was the better choice.

Especially in the case of two, it became possible to eliminate any opening for the enemy, as was achieved this time.

“It shouldn’t appear this powerful, really…”

“Regardless, this broadens our tactical options.”

Kasumi and Sally, deflecting the incoming arm attacks, suddenly looked up. Sixteen great maces were driven deep into the boss. The impact had been staggering.

“If Mai and Yui are here, we could circle around and handle them all without much delay.”

If we’ve time to spare, why not take the longest route? The quest itself is long enough. Better to finish everything cleanly, wouldn’t you say?

We’re fine!

Yes, we can still fight…!

If everyone’s fine!

A boss battle would normally be grueling, but not with [Maple’s Tree].

With that settled, they immediately head toward the next destination, stepping onto the appearing magic circle and exiting outward.

…? Maple.

What is it, Sally?

Hmm, the dark mark on your face seems to have spread a little…

Is that so? I can’t see it myself.

No, maybe I’m imagining it. The quest might be changing things, or perhaps there’s a time limit. Show it to me sometimes.

Alright!

And so the two follow the others out into the open.

What followed was properly called ravaging. From the peculiar terrain of the earlier hole to the dungeon itself—place of monsters, a nest—each step forward, they cut down every living thing within, moving on without pause.

Without special measures, the sheer strength of Mai and Yui, striking with unnatural force, cannot be stopped. Yet this is difficult for even a field boss.

They fell what they could. Rode atop Hak, advancing through every point on the map, moving ever onward toward the final destination, no matter the route.

“Still, it’s spread far...”

The black stain spreading across Maple’s face had expanded to her back, shoulders, and thighs. Status check showed no status abnormality or change in stats. Whether this was good or ill remained unclear.

“Maple, no changes so far?”

"Un! Nothing seems to have changed except appearance."

"Each time we defeat the boss, the area expands... but it feels like the situation is worsening."

"No clues at all. It seems impossible for us to judge."

Since we've passed the point with the highest indication, the outcome will be either the best possible or the worst.

Regardless, turning back now is impossible. We must complete this quest. Still, if a monster exists that can nullify Mai and Yui's attacks, there would be no issue at all. Thus, even as 【Maple's Tree】, we do not regard it as particularly serious.

"According to the map, we should be arriving soon..."

"Right in the middle of flat ground? Is there anything here?"

"Seems we have no choice but to descend and search."

If it is like before, there should be a black spiral mark reacting to Maple somewhere. Kasumi returns Hak to the ring, and the group begins searching the area for any landmark.

The flat terrain makes concealment difficult. Continuing the search carefully, they find a mark rising from the ground.

“O, found it! Maple! Over here! Over here!”

Hearing Sally’s call, Maple rushes over. The quest clears upon her arrival, and a new quest activates.

“Looks like we’re to fight a boss inside... but... mmm.”

“How’s your skill?”

“It’s still not ready.”

“So this is the boss after another quest ends... Is this finally the last one?”

“I’ll do my best!”

“No matter the boss... I’ll defeat it!”

Maple and Yui, who have sustained the rapid advance of the 【Maple Tree】, recommit themselves. Even if stronger monsters appear than before, they cannot endure countless strikes.

“Um… I’ll have to go alone, it seems.”

“Hm? So we can’t come?”

“It says solo only… right, Sally?”

Sally checks the quest Maple received. The text reads “solo only,” exactly as Maple said.

“Just confirming again—your skills haven’t returned yet?”

“Yeah. Only passive and skill use remains available.”

The skill activates without declaration, so defense remains unchanged. That is all. Maple, deprived of nearly all offensive means, has done nothing but follow along on this journey. Thus, her [Bad Eater] remains intact, but it is uncertain whether that alone will be enough to defeat her.

"Then we must rely on items... but..."

"We do not know what kind of boss she is. There is no choice but to prepare broadly."

Eight of them pool their thoughts, refining strategy as best they can, striving to improve odds. Then, from Iz, they receive a large quantity of potentially useful items. Beyond that, there is nothing left to do but trust Maple.

"I think this will be a long battle... we'll report the results another day!"

A battle fought with items against the boss would likely be an endurance test of the sort Maple once used—relying on defense, wearing down the enemy bit by bit, a grind of unnatural duration.

It would be unfair to leave them waiting here, so Maple sets her resolve and reaches out to the vortex alone.

"Looking forward to your report."

"Praying you’ll win."

"Please do your best, Maple-san!"

"Use the items without sparing."

"Ah, bring back something interesting."

"Maple, do your best... come back victorious."

Maple nods deeply, receiving the seven voices behind her, then vanishes into darkness.