Defense specialization and weather two.

Water covering the ground. Ice pillars standing tall. Players gathered in the night's shadow. Scanning the surroundings. Heading toward the enemy camp.

“No one nearby…”

“Not likely they’d come this far. Too much risk.”

“Still, that’s why we’re here.”

Their target: a surprise assault inside the enemy lines. Thus, they move across the field, cautious, unseen.

“Reconfirm. Withdraw cleanly before being surrounded. But once we commit, go all in—strike swiftly and decisively.”

“Got it.”

“We’re fine.”

Focus sharp. Spirits rising. A few drops fall from above. Ripples spread across the puddles at their feet.

“Rain?”

“Oh. It’s falling. Didn’t know that.”

"Could be called that, I suppose."

A land saturated with water and nature. Streams threaded through every corner. The terrain, shaped by flowing water, made rain a familiar thing.

Carelessness. The ease of acceptance, too complete to be called carelessness, blocked recognition of what was actually falling.

Plink. A high note echoed quietly in the dark.

"Hm...?"

The player, suspicious, turned to face the threat.

Last position. One missing.

"Hey, where’d you go?"

"…D-died? No…."

All had been alert. If something had flown in, they should have seen it.

Amidst the murmurs, a figure vanished before their eyes with a soft plink.

"…!"

"T-take cover! Retreat!"

They understood only one thing: an attack had occurred—unknown in origin, unknown in mechanism, from an unknown source. They had to leave this place, now.

"Run! Run!"

I don’t know what’s going on! Where is it coming from!?

Plink, plink. Running without looking back, the sound of someone vanishing fades behind.

No way to tell if it’s an enemy player. No chance to counter. Only flight—through the rain.

They were skilled. Of course, they had prepared for Maple. Immunity to paralysis and poison. Skills to lower resistance. Items ready to counter any threat.

But that immunity to poison. No longer affected by the effect of Acid Rain—just poison delivery. The truth of the attack became unclear.

Quiet rain of death. No one notices. Even if Maple’s use of poison is known, no one yet realizes it has changed—without warning—into a fatal effect.

Maple and the others summon the rain. The nuisance cloud, seated high above, finishes scattering poison across the region and drifts away slowly.

“Kinda dull, wasn’t it? I thought, ‘Maple’s doing it,’ so I expected something more dramatic.”

“Sorry?”

“Ahaha, no big deal. If it’s easy to take them down, that’s best. But… are they really down?”

“Hmm. Only the gods know for sure.”

“We didn’t see it with our own eyes…”

In truth, results are present. But Notes’ [Sonar] requires time before reuse. The situation remains unclear.

“Then if Maple’s here, they’ll figure it out. How about one more intense strike? Then retreat immediately.”

“Yeah. I do want to see real results.”

“Then where should we strike?”

"I noted a spot suitable for a temporary base when we entered the field. Let’s have Frederica conduct reconnaissance there."

That location has a high likelihood of containing a player. Damage can be expected.

The three of them moved toward an area where a thin layer of ice covered the ground.

Walking atop it produces sound, alerting enemies to approach. It is ideal for resting.

"Notes [Sonar]! … Oh, she’s really here."

"Good fortune. There are other suitable spots to rest."

"Then, Maple, take her down."

"Right! First, prepare!"

Maple equipped [A Helping Hand], placing two shields beneath her to form a platform.

[Full Armament Deployment]!

"Frederica. Can you confirm the number, range, and possible enhancements?"

"Of course. Though, Notes will be the one doing the work!"

"Okay, then I’ll latch onto Maple."

Both secured by thread to Maple, they understand the return path. Frederica grimaces.

“This movement… feels wrong.”

Maple returns Shiroppu to the ring, lowers one hand toward the ground.

“Here we go!”

“Mmm… yes, yes! Notes!”

Frederica tightens her stomach, clings firmly to Maple, and gives instructions to Notes.

“[Poison Dragon]!”

“Notes [Messenger Pigeon]! [Volume Up]! [Roundelay]! [Amplify]!”

Notes delivers the buff to Maple. The released Poison Dragon extends its neck to double length, grows larger still, and drowns a wide area in poison.

So intense it surpasses rain, it strikes like a sudden fall into a waterfall—swallowing players whole, sweeping them away in an instant.

No one survives this area of poison. Maple’s poison is specially crafted.

The attack had been swift, leaving the Sonar effect still active. Frederica saw the player’s health dwindling.

“Ooh… didn’t have poison resistance, did you?”

“Then I’m going back!”

“Whoa… that’s right…!”

“Love That Offers the Body!”

Maple shielded the two from the explosion’s flames, hurling them both backward toward her own side.

Altitude was sufficient. Even in the fall, they would cover considerable distance.

“Landing—!?”

“There’s no such thing as a landing! Straight into the ground somewhere!”

“Seriously, using this as a means of transport is wrong!”

Frederica’s cries echoed through the air. Still, at this height, the enemy could not hear.

At the same moment, a shooting star appeared in the distance. The light streaking across the sky—no one would recognize it as Maple, exploding and falling in flames, speeding downward.

There would be no way to pursue further. The poisoned marsh would serve as proof of where Maple had been, but by then Maple would already be within the Town.

Thus, with undeniable traces left behind, the three descend toward the Town.

Localized heavy rain.