Defense specialization and instant death.

At the moment Maple and the others became stars streaking across the night sky. In the enemy camp’s town, unaware that poison rain fell, they rested as Maple and the others had done.

Even so, 【Thunder Storm】 and 【Rapid Fire】, who had planned their strategy through discussion before the event, spent time aligning their next departure timing while speaking of what came after.

……Silence has a different impression, though.

Before Lily sat Velvet, whose calm demeanor made her unrecognizable from the same figure who moments before had struck the battlefield with lightning, sending players flying and slaughtering them.

That’s right? Heh, reconsidering?

Even without silence, your manner of speaking is enough to correct that thought.

The subtle, effortless movements suggest a refined upbringing. Yet Lily looks puzzled. How could one end up fighting with fists, like an infighter?

"Velvet does this when she needs to stay calm."

"Creating composure from the outside, is that it?"

"True, it doesn’t look like something one would lead a charge with."

If she is calm enough to rest, Lily does not press further into the matters of the real world. She sips the tea she has prepared.

"Ah… the sun has set. I’d like to meet Wil and Field somewhere."

"What shall Velvet do?"

"According to plan…"

"Yes, I’ll be on standby… just a little. Only a tiny bit. I really, really want to go!"

"Oh? The real self is showing through."

Lily sighs, unable to call it merely a little. Yet unlike Lily, whose role is support, and unlike Wilbert and Hinata, who rely on [Gravity Control] for nearly all movement, Velvet’s fatigue is profound—after a full day of running and numerous intense battles.

Movement must not slow at a critical moment.

"Outside is noisy…?"

"Something has happened…?"

Wilbert and Hinata notice voices from beyond the door, hurried and strained.

"Wil, go see. There may be a surprise attack."

"Hinata, Hinata!"

"Yes. But please, don’t push yourself."

The four step out together. A group of men stand in disarray, speaking urgently to guild members about what occurred.

"Can’t say. Suddenly attacked from somewhere out there…"

If you don’t mind, may we hear as well?

Of course. Certainly.

They listened again, carefully, and understood how difficult the situation had been.

I see. Thank you for telling us. We’ll be careful when we go into the field.

Do that. Yes… we suffered badly.

They parted from the weary players, and the four began to organize what they had heard.

An attack from underground or from above, we thought. But what of Lily?

Agreed. The sudden rain seems suspicious. More likely from above.

The rain came before the deaths. A clear change. Yet the falling water might not have been rain at all.

And—there was something else I noticed!

Velvet, fully shifted into combat mode, no longer at ease, points out another anomaly.

"Damage effect is absent despite being attacked... that is correct."

No damage effect. That is unnatural.

For instance, if Wilbert fired from a distance and pierced the player, the player would not survive. A violent damage effect should erupt instantly upon impact.

Such an attack ends the player's life in an instant.

"Instant death. Quite rare. I have rarely seen the player use such a skill."

The skill Lily had seen before was powerful, but limited in range or area of effect—unsuitable for this case.

It does meet the condition—if it results in instant death, no damage effect is shown.

"Better not let it happen where we're unaware of an attack. If it comes to that, there's nothing we can do about it..."

Wil grimaces slightly. Only Lily understands the reason.

"Ah, please. We need broader detection range. Just to be safe—can you do it?"

"Yes. It's true she was close by. She might still be hiding."

"Then let's go. Ready, Wil—[Sleep]"

Lily activates the skill. After a moment, she counters it with [Awakening], restoring Wilbert to his previous state before the declaration.

"How is it?"

"...No one here. Seems safe."

"Hmm, that's the skill used when summoning a tame monster!"

"It's our ace. A secret weapon."

"【Sleep】... Then 【Awakening】. It should still be here, but...?"

No visible form. Yet effective on Wilbert, not Lily. The two tilt their heads, unable to discern the nature of the buff.

Still, the situation remains. They are not lying. The reconnaissance was truly completed.

"Reconnaissance is done. Hmm, I'd like to see the partners of the two, somewhere."

More enigmatic than Lily’s tame monsters. No one has ever seen them.

"Maybe when the chance arises!"

"Count on it."

Now that the trap is set, they must set one in return. Lily and the others plan their next move.

The number of surviving players matters. They cannot afford to remain passive.

Waiting for the next battle, the night grows deeper still.