Defense specialization and daily routine eleven.

"Got it!"

"Perfectly executed!"

A prearranged coordination. Each fulfilled their role, seamlessly linking to the main attacker.

Two attacks so fierce, one strike alone would have been unbearable.

Sixteen consecutive blows? Nothing could endure that. Even recalling past battles, only a raid boss surrounded by multiple guilds had been sustained.

Yet. From the wall of flame, a black shadow soared into the sky. The king remained unharmed. Worse, his HP had dropped to less than a tenth of what was expected.

"…What?!"

"Mai, Yui!"

"Fall back!"

Kasumi and Sally lifted the stunned pair and vanished from the spot instantly.

The flames consumed the ground where the four had stood—just a moment later.

"Damage did land. Some shield, proportionate to the force?"

"Yes. The attack power of each player has increased. Perhaps that’s why no one is being one-shot."

Only two or three could deal this much damage with basic attacks or fundamental skills. But after Hinata applied her debuff, Velvet’s 【Explosive Fist】 and Pain’s 【Judgment Holy Sword】 after 【Multiple Teleportation】—even if not to that extent—effective use of buffs or debuffs allows other guild main attackers to deal significant damage.

Next is the tenth floor. The enemy grows stronger to counter the skills accumulated over time. That is especially true of the boss in the hidden area.

"Not going to make victory easy, then!"

"Damage still lands. Let’s keep going, just as before."

Even if defense activates against Mai and Yui’s attacks, their maximum damage output remains unchanged.

The heavy impact delivers high instant damage. Reducing the number of risky attacks becomes a significant advantage.

"Let me and Sally create the opening."

"Attack without hesitation this time."

"“Yes!”"

As the two dash forward again, the king unleashes a torrent of flames.

"That’s already—"

"Predicted!"

Dodging through the downpour of fire, they move with precise timing. They soar through the air, shifting positions, launching fireballs in succession—each one avoided, as promised, closing the distance.

For a player without a shield, evasion is life. The more attacks avoided without using skills, the more favorable the battle becomes.

Sally needs no words. Kasumi’s evasion skill is refined.

“[Wind Cutter]! [Fireball]!”

“[Blood Blade]!”

Sally breaks the barrier with magic. Kasumi deals damage. Mai and Yui are central, yet both deal damage as well.

To end the fight before focus falters and mistakes occur, it is vital to reduce HP as much as possible whenever possible.

The king launches his next attack, no longer merely receiving damage.

A spear of flame from behind.

Wide area, high power. A strong attack, yet this time Maple and the others waiting in the rear were fully prepared.

"Use the wall!"

"Maple, just in case, use [Cover] too!"

"Understood!"

"[Magic Barrier]!"

The barricade placed during the distraction, while Sally and Kasumi draw attention. Unlike the emergency setup earlier, this time the thick wall is layered with multiple sheets, reinforced by Kanade's barrier. It breaks, piece by piece, yet still holds against the king's assault.

This should free up my hands! Maple!

Sally! I can do it too!

Okay!

[Full Armament Deployment]! [Attack Initiated]!

It does not matter if the shots miss. Maple restricts the king’s movement with a barrage, aiming to breach the barrier.

While Maple focuses on offense, Izu sets up emergency barricades, spending Gold to produce additional barricades on the spot, reinforcing the defense. Given time, opportunity, and materials, this barrier has no cooldown.

[Ancient Weapon]!

The black cube hovering near Maple emits light, spreading outward, connected by blue lasers forming a net-like pattern.

Maple, rely on me for footing!

Shiroppu, Great Nature!

[Eight-Bladed Sword: Gale Wind]!

Kasumi takes the path leading to the king from Maple, increases her movement speed, and races across the extended thick vines.

"Good... [Starting Blade: Void]"

Within range. Hair turning white. With her unique instantaneous movement, footfall irrelevant, she transfers behind the king.

Overcoming the durability reduction as a drawback without issue, the thrusting blade shatters the king's barrier.

"[Seventh Blade: Shatter]!"

The swinging blade strikes the king’s back directly, knocking him backward.

Having pre-transferred behind him, it is Maple and the others waiting there who are sent flying.

"Then, it’s up to you!"

Crom and Maple brace for the unexpected attack, while Mai and Yui ready their weapons.

Keep him drawn in.

"["Weapon Throw"]!"

The iron mass flung into the air rebounds, striking the king and sending him flying backward.

The devastating impact, though reduced, still slices deep into the king’s HP—far surpassing the damage Kasumi inflicted in her assault.

As Kasumi reclaims and re-equips the thrown great maul from her inventory, the king spreads his wings and launches upward.

……Not bad. I’ll show you real power now.

With arms outstretched, a colossal fireball forms above him.

No barricade can withstand a ground-level inferno.

All of you, gather what you can. We’ll handle this.

Kanade calls out to those preparing to defend. The seven shift focus to retrieving the barricades.

From above, a pitch-black sun descends.

A direct hit will not be survivable.

Sō [Awakening]

Kanade calls out to Sō, calm despite everything.

Through the illusion, Sō’s form shifts to resemble Maple. The moment before impact draws near.

"Sō — Love That Offers the Body"

A warm light envelops the eight of them, embracing all.