Defense specialization and mana collection.

Days pass as exploration continues. To Maple and her companions, who have acquired various skills along the way, the monsters of the tenth layer are powerful—but not invincible. No major setbacks occur. Progress is steady. The basic first-layer quests are, for the most part, completed.

Of course, hidden events may exist. But they do not directly relate to the quest leading to the Demon King. For now, they are set aside.

The two gather their gear and exit the classroom. Today, they return home.

“Hey, Maple. Think you can make it today?”

“Yeah! Hehe, I studied ahead for this!”

“Nice.”

“Is Mizari okay?”

“I won’t make a mistake like that now.”

“Then I’m relieved!”

Then let’s meet in the game when we get back. I could feel the presence of a strong boss coming up, just about now.

Let’s bring our resolve.

The two hurried home, changed quickly, and plunged into ‘New World Online.’

When Maple arrived at the guild home, Sally was already waiting.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Just got here myself.”

Maple rushed toward Sally and noticed something unique to the tenth-floor guild home.

“Oh, they’re all connected already.”

“Looks like it. Thanks to everyone. I’ll thank them later.”

The magic circles linking each town. Thanks to the scattered efforts of 【Maple】 in exploring, all towns could now be reached freely.

Now, at last, the groundwork for the tenth-floor exploration was complete.

“Now, today we’re taking on a quest that’s likely to face a formidable boss.”

Still no full information gathered.

The quest name confirmed it—likely a major boss. Yet, last login, time ran short, and the details remained unclear to both.

Exploration can proceed from any town. Freedom increased, but overall information remains sparse.

If order were set, everyone would go to the same place. Easy to reference. But for the tenth floor...

That’s the case.

Shall we ask someone for help? For thorough preparation, you know?

We do want to win. That’s not a bad idea. Who among those Maple can contact might come today?

Anyone Maple can message is a reliable presence. Her circle, grown beyond normal bounds, naturally filled with strong individuals. Maple sent a message and waited.

...They’re coming!

Yes, now we can face even a formidable boss.

After a while, the magic circle flared with light. Two players arrived at the guild home.

"Maple-san!"

"Is the raid progressing smoothly?"

"Mai, Yui! Thank you for coming to help!"

"Let us handle the boss!"

Maple addressed Mai and Yui. Since their first meeting, when she had scouted them, much time had passed. Now they had surpassed the limits of the 【Maple Tree】 guild, ranking among the top attackers in the entire player corps. They had grown into reliable main damage dealers.

"Are your explorations proceeding smoothly?"

"We’re currently exploring near the third layer, alongside Kanade and Izu...!"

"There are several conditions to meet. Once achieved, we may be able to operate aircraft-like constructs similar to the third layer!"

Restricted to the tenth layer, among other limitations, but if we had boot-shaped flight machines capable of moving freely through the sky, combat would be unrestricted—unbounded in every direction.

"Was it correct to conquer the machine first?"

"We can teach you the most efficient way to acquire it!"

"Saved! Just having those boots made combat in the third layer a different realm entirely. Regardless, we should keep them."

Even now, unexplored places remain rich with allure. There is never enough time.

"This side is going smoothly too! We’ve gained a skill from the exploration."

"~What kind of skill is it?~"

"Um… it lets me split and create a duplicate of myself, made of poison."

"~?~"

"Then it bursts, scattering poison everywhere!"

"~???~"

"Not wrong, just… unusual."

In the minds of the two, images of Maple splitting apart and moving independently, then bursting from within, played out. A poor imitation of some imagined alien.

“Seeing it firsthand would be quicker. For now, I need the two of you to help with the boss hunt.”

“Y-yes!”

“It’s fine…!”

Startled, they regrouped. The four set off toward the quest.

“Wait—can both of them even accept the quest?”

Maple’s current quest had only appeared after completing several prerequisite quests. Mai and Yui had not completed those prerequisites.

“About that—it’s fine. You can’t accept the quest, but you can follow along and assist. You’ll be able to take part in the final defeat of the Demon King.”

“Really!?”

“Really, really. So just go ahead and advance through the quest without worry.”

Sally said nothing about why, but Maple’s unease had vanished. Now they could advance toward the boss’s defeat without hesitation.

“Then let’s go take the quest!”

Maple led the three others to claim the quest. The destination was the same building as before. The route was familiar. They moved without pause toward their goal, and upon entering the usual interior, spoke to the male leader present.

“Good to see you. Thanks to you, the threat has been steadily eliminated. We truly appreciate it. Now, I have a request to make of you.”

The report was that the most powerful of the Demon King’s lieutenants was now rampaging. The task was simple. Defeat it.

“This will not be an easy opponent. We have conducted our own investigation and prepared countermeasures, including items. There are few, but take them. They may help.”

Thank you!

Maple takes the items from the man. Three black spheres, each the size and weight of a baseball, rest on her palms.

We can prepare more later. If they are lost, ask for replacements.

In other words, the supply is limited to three, Sally adds.

Handle them with care...!

Let’s check their effects later!

They should be effective against the boss.

I believe in your strength. Other monsters that have become active—we will contain them here. We will not interfere with your battle.

Yes!

The quest’s completion condition is the boss’s defeat. The reward bears the unfamiliar term 'Demon King’s Magic Power • I'. Regardless, Maple and the others exit the building, speaking as they head toward the field.

"That 'Demon King’s Magic Power • I' seems to be the key item leading to the boss on the tenth floor."

"I see."

"This makes it easier to know how far into the quest we need to go."

"Will the item be obtainable at the final quest in every other area...?"

"That part isn’t clear yet. For all its flaws, this town seems to be the most common starting point for players, so information on the other areas is quite limited."

If any location can be used to begin the run, it’s not strange that players prefer this town—close to the dungeon exit on the tenth floor and lacking any particular bias.

"Let’s leave that for now... For this run, riding with Tsukimi and Yukiimi will be the fastest."

Like Maple, Mai and Yui cannot ride dragons due to their stats being too extreme. There is no alternative but to rely on the power of the tame monsters.

"Tsukimi!"

"Yukiimi!"

Racing across the field atop Tsukimi and Yukimi. Mai and Yui circulate the large mallet they hold in 'Hands of Salvation,' surrounding themselves. Monsters approaching one by one vanish instantly.

This should present no issue to reach the destination.

"Marvelous!"

To defeat the monster is

This is my specialty!

No falsehood in those words. Even tough monsters cannot endure it. No swift monster can evade all of the great maul’s strikes.

Ordinarily, the field's unremarkable monsters existed solely for leveling up—now, they could not even pause for a second.

Maple and the others had no intention of halting here. Their goal was the boss’s side—nothing more. The four ran toward the quest’s destination marked on the map.