Defense specialization and the tenth layer.

The long-awaited weekend arrives. The day the dungeon leading to the tenth layer finally becomes available. Maple and the others gather one by one at the guild home.

"It's finally here."

"We should clear the dungeon in one go—first try, first win."

"There's still no information. But I believe we can do it."

"Right. As long as we stay cautious in battle, there should be no issue."

Maple and the others had just recently defeated a powerful boss—the King—eight strong. Their confidence in the coordinated attack known as the [Maple Tree] had grown.

Skills accumulated and levels raised over time had made a wide variety of combat possible.

Kasumi could use mobility to deliver knockbacks. Sally could disrupt with water and ice, or create platforms. Crom and Kanade had reduced movement speed.

Paralysis is rare among bosses these days, but Maple can still provide support through status effects.

With Izu's buffs in place, Mai and Yui can close in, aided by Tsukimi and Yukimi.

The setup routes for the main attacker are numerous. Choose the one with the lowest risk and highest chance of success. Push our advantage.

"We're ready. Shall we move to the dungeon now?"

"All preparations are complete. I'm ready whenever you are."

"Then let's ride Hak."

"Alright, let's go!"

The goal is a one-shot dungeon clear. If the strategy unfolds smoothly, there will be time afterward to explore the remaining ten floors with ease.

If ready, departure must be immediate. Maple and the others move to the field, then ride atop Hak’s enlarged form as they head toward the dungeon.

No monsters interfere during the journey. The eight reach the dungeon safely.

This dungeon’s entrance lies in an area that bears traits of both nations—the border between water and nature, and fire and wasteland.

Perhaps it once served as a temple. Stone pillars, half-destroyed, are covered in water, ice, and thick vegetation. Elsewhere, ancient stone paving is torn open by molten rock and cracking lightning.

At the center of this area, a single blue glowing magic circle.

The dungeon spreads out beyond the transfer point. From here, no detail can be discerned.

“Unknown what lies ahead…”

Using the Love That Offers the Body feels a little hesitant.

The memory surfaces of the King’s ability to nullify skills and buffs. The King is exceptional. Yet it cannot be denied that such a thing exists. As we have grown stronger, the monsters have grown stronger in kind. That much is certain.

Without information, no answer can be found.

Whether or not the Love That Offers the Body is available drastically alters the number of choices in battle. It is a skill too vital to waste carelessly.

“Let us save it. If the transfer leads straight into danger, I will buy time with Guardian. Use it then, if needed.”

“Understood!”

“In the worst case, I will use my spellbook. I have stockpiled a small amount of strong defensive magic.”

Safety first. Thoughts unified in defense. Maple and the others step onto the magic circle.

Splash. Maple and the others break the surface. The transfer lands them within an ancient structure of white stone, water reaching up to Maple’s chest.

Lamps line the walls. Brightness is assured. The high ceiling and wide passage are visible.

“Mai, Yui, are you alright?”

“Yes… I’m okay… somehow”

“Climb onto Yukimi! She’ll keep you above water!”

Water level is at Maple’s chest. Mai and Yui, shorter than that, cannot keep their faces above water without riding their summoned monster.

“Guh… this water’s [AGI] drop is serious. Thirty percent down—big difference.”

“Feels like my [Great Sea] skill.”

Movement speed remains reduced as long as the body is submerged. Swimming is not impossible with skill use, but judging by the dungeon’s design, accepting the penalty seems easier than trying to avoid it constantly.

Standing on solid ground, 【AGI】 drops, but footing remains stable. They decide to endure any unfavorable conditions, offsetting them with buffs, and begin to walk.

—Hmm... Feels like a battle’s about to break out, doesn’t it?

—Yeah. That’s probably why the passage is this wide.

—Speak of the devil. It’s already here!

From the far end of the corridor, a single figure glides forward atop a glowing magic circle, careful not to sink into the water. In hand, a long staff crowned with a large blue gem.

Above the head, an HP bar. The eight draw weapons, watching the first monster of the dungeon appear.

—One opponent.

—Yeah. No follow-up in sight...

No vanguard. No rear guard. Just a lone mage. Unnerving. Maple and the others watch the monster’s movements without flinching.

Immediately after.

The magic circle beneath expands, wide and sudden.

The still surface swells violently, dozens of water currents spiraling like a whirlwind, lashing out at once.

"Maple!"

"Love That Offers the Body!"

Sally judges instantly that a single defense will not suffice. Almost as Maple deploys Love That Offers the Body, a torrent of immense force strikes with a piercing blow.

"……!"

A sensation of being swept away. Submerged entirely. Direction lost. Up. Down. Nothing clear.

Love That Offers the Body protects only within its range. If swept away, it cannot shield those left behind.

Maple panics, but stops abruptly upon hitting a wall, barely managing to break the surface.

"……Haku! Thanks!"

"Good. Managed to encircle everyone?"

"Nice work, Kasumi. Saved us… Honestly, ten floors deep, and even the weak ones aren’t holding back."

What shall we do?

Without Maple, we’re truly…

But she’s in that state—difficult to work with.

Haku, now colossal, coils around the eight, shielding them from the torrent. The roar is like that of a waterfall’s basin, echoing from beyond Haku’s massive form. Love That Offers the Body applies to Haku as well. Haku takes no damage, but the knockback from the disruption formation imposed on the current continues. This is what keeps Maple pressed against Haku’s body.

Hmm. Constant knockback. Hard to move forward with the others.

Every time someone shields another, they are thrown backward. Defense falters.

There are options… but the opponent seems treated as mere fodder. We should conserve resources. Aim for a stable victory.

"Haiku can be protected by me... how about this instead?"

Maple proposes, her body thrown backward and repeatedly struck against Haiku's form.

"...Indeed, victory seems stable."

"Good, let's try this approach."

"I'll handle forward reconnaissance."

Iz pulls a long, tube-like item from her inventory and extends it slowly upward, past the coiled Haiku. The tip now reaches forward, allowing her to check the area ahead.

"Perfectly clear. Amazing... the water shows no sign of stopping."

"Always carrying something useful."

"Not everything, just what I made."

"Let me know if you see anything suspicious. Haiku!"

Kasumi gives Haiku an order. The massive form stirs with a deep rumble. Still coiled, it inches forward, slowly advancing like a whirlwind toward the monster.

"At this distance, it should work!"

"Haiku!"

Kasumi gives Haku another command. Haku extends its long body, shielding the faces of the maple tree while slipping through gaps in the flowing water, swiftly attacking the mage.

Crack. The closed mouth splits the mage in two, at the waist. Surprised, yes—but it is merely a rear-guard monster that came alone. Once the distance is closed, it can deliver a killing blow.

As the mage falls, the raging current subsides. The water calms, returning to stillness.

"Fortunately, the passage is wide. Haku, follow me as we are."

"Indeed. We can handle the next one the same way."

"Truly, you're a lifesaver..."

"Of course, Kasumi-sama!"

But that was a troublesome monster. Water that lowers AGI, followed by a knockback surge. We managed only because of Maple and Kasumi. If we’d been swallowed by the water, it would’ve been dire.

I’ve memorized its appearance. Be cautious if it emerges with other monsters.

Next time, let’s strike first before it can hit us.

Indeed, that would be wise.

Fortunately, its durability is low. If Maple’s 【Machine God】 attack lands, we’ll gain the advantage in combat.

This is still just the entrance. Let’s press forward, keeping an eye on the remaining depth.

Yes, ma’am!

After turning the first monster’s attack back on it, Maple and the others advance deeper into the dungeon.