Defense specialization and the tenth layer—three.

Maple is gently caught mid-air after being knocked back, and the battle resumes several times.

For the enemy, whose formation is being systematically shattered by a torrent of magic, Maple's willingness to take everything upon herself—and the means to hold her in place—proved a sharp, painful blow.

Having successfully locked the enemy into a winning pattern, Maple and her allies advanced through the dungeon with ease.

……? It’s getting shallower, isn’t it?

Looks like it.

Fuuu… finally, movement’s becoming easier.

The dungeon had been little more than a flooded passage, but as they pressed forward, the water level dropped. Eventually, the water receded entirely, revealing a dry floor.

A bit narrower now. Hak must reverse it.

Supreme Gigantism is powerful, but due to spatial constraints, it cannot be used anywhere. Particularly indoors—most places are unusable.

"Still, if there's no knockback, it's fine. We can support even just a plain attack."

"I hope it's gone."

Maple has done nothing but either been pinned by Hak or moved between combat zones.

Still, she proves useful—her compatibility with the enemy is neither clearly good nor clearly bad.

"Thanks for the defense, Maple. There's still a long way to go."

"Yeah! I'll keep going!"

"The atmosphere has changed..."

"Will the monster change too?"

"Could be. If it's the same, no need to alter the terrain."

After walking for a while, the water behind them vanished completely. Ahead, in the dimness of the passage, a faint light appeared. Maple tensed, expecting an enemy. The light did not move. Its nature became clear in time.

"Oh wow... incredible..."

Before Maple’s eyes lay a chasm descending into darkness, and stone pillars standing as platforms within it.

At the bottom, magma bubbled with a red glow, its sound like soft, steady pulses. To fall would not leave Maple unharmed.

The space between pillars was sufficient, not impossible to cross—but the footing was unstable.

“Continual damage… not instant death, right?”

“Shall I test it? I’ll secure you with a rope.”

“Better not.”

“Even as a joke, it’s high. Returning after a fall would be difficult.”

“Jumping across… the fear of failing is real. I’ll make the platform.”

Sally used her 【Path of Water】 to connect one pillar to the next with a bridge of water.

“【Frost Domain】”

Pakkin—high-pitched, sharp. The water shot forward freezes instantly. A broad bridge of ice connects the platforms. They move across the magma, careful not to slip. Eight of them step forward.

“This should be safe!”

“Yeah… well, not quite.”

Sally raises her weapon. Maple lifts her gaze from the ground and turns forward.

The magma below is not the only enemy.

Two masses of crackling electricity approach from ahead—riding on wyverns. The platform shifts beneath them. Fighting is unavoidable.

“Kasumi! Maple!”

The two respond to Sally’s call and step forward. Being outmatched in the air is unacceptable. They strike before the enemy fully attacks—just enough to shift the balance.

Kasumi and Sally launch into the air, and Maple follows, covering them with Love That Offers the Body.

"Hydro Cannon!"

The ice field effect continues, freezing the water as it forms. Kasumi sprints across the protruding ice, then leaps.

The monsters react. A wyvern spits flame swiftly, and lightning crackles violently in sync, scattering arcs.

Kasumi takes it all upon her body, descending toward them.

"Leave it to me—!"

Maple’s voice comes from behind. If she can take the attack, there is nothing to worry about.

"Samurai’s Arm — Blood Blade"

She summons two arms before the wyvern, directing their assault, and swings the liquid blade in a wide arc, engulfing all the monsters.

“Necro—weight of death!”

Crom slows his movement, supporting Kasumi’s attack.

“—First Cut: Mirage.”

A rebound, initiated mid-fall, propelled by skill. The skill guarantees a direct ascent toward the enemy’s front.

Airborne movement, sustained by skill, grows familiar. Kasumi activates —Third Cut: Lone Moon—, circling the sky multiple times. She eliminates the weak electric charges first, then lands upon the remaining wyvern’s back.

“—Fourth Cut: Cyclone!”

The barrage, delivered in tandem with —Warrior’s Arms—, lands flawlessly. The wyvern collapses, lifeless. Before vanishing, Kasumi leaps away, using its body as a platform. She lands upon a stone pillar.

“Phew… here we are.”

“Nice one. Surprisingly smooth.”

The fall would be dire, should it happen. Be careful.

Yes.

Maple and the others join the two ahead. The greatest threat here is the battlefield itself. Stay calm. Check your footing. The monsters are not so fearsome if you fight with care.

Be careful as we go!

She looks ahead at the still-continuing stone pillars. Maple calls out to all, crossing the ice bridge.

After Sally, Iz also lays down a board, stabilizing the path. The ground is now firm enough. Mai and Yui can focus, attacking with their iron spheres. They pass through the pillar area.

Before them, after navigating the path with careful planning, stands a grand door adorned with carvings.

Proof of the Boss Room. The final obstacle before reaching the tenth floor.

Shall we apply buffs first?

That is true. If we are erased, then there is nothing to be done about it.

"Please take care of us!"

If the item is lost, another can be prepared. To win, one must enter with every precaution in place.

The Love That Offers the Body used en route is left deployed. Buffs are applied to Mai and Yui. A single strike, guaranteed to kill—one of the invincible patterns of the Maple Tree.

Maple and the others finish their preparations. They enter the chamber to defeat the boss.