Defense specialization and annihilation.

Several days after Maple and the others assisted Iz. The hidden quest, reached after multiple quests, advanced through branching paths in the third layer area.

As planned, Kasumi and Crom were summoned. Progressing steadily, the quest advanced smoothly.

With five members, adaptability increased. The addition of another great shield user was a significant change. Stability improved. When enemies bearing piercing defense appeared, Sally’s burden decreased.

Since Iz could not proceed without her, the priority was clearing quests. The hidden portion of the quest was nearing completion.

On days like today, when Iz was absent, they continued exploring separate areas individually.

The Demon King’s power remains. Given the possibility of hidden elements, like those in the third layer, even ample time would not be enough if all were to explore together.

Today, the two had temporarily paused their search in the third layer, using the opportunity to reinforce the flying machine. Now they had returned to Town.

Though no hidden skills were unlocked, the flying machine had advanced further. Mobility and control had improved.

“What will the other areas be like?”

“Kasumi seems to be progressing quite steadily through the fourth layer. Her quests differ—unlike the third layer, where each cleared quest reliably triggers the next.”

“Hmm, interesting!”

Crom is working hard on the sixth layer... that part, I’ll leave to him. There are various things depending on the number of monsters defeated, or not? Since Crom has his limitations, I sent Mai and Yui to join him.

I’ll keep an eye on that side!

I’ll leave it to you!

The sixth layer is Sally’s forte. It is stronger than the hundreds of bullet patterns the boss unleashes.

Kanade is on the eighth layer, right?

Yes. But she’s already made significant progress. That’s why I sent Mai and Yui toward Crom’s direction.

Oh, Kanade’s impressive!

If we move on next... hmm, the fifth layer?

We should advance wherever we can. From the goal of the Maple Tree, acquiring the Demon King’s power only requires one player who can accept the quest.

Efficiency dictates the next destination should be an unexplored area.

—And... the Second, Seventh, and Ninth Layers seem to lack clear area divisions. The First Layer had a distinct area, marked by the introduction of the Demon King’s power...

Each of the layers Sally listed formed rich, diverse landscapes composed of varied terrains. They were centered on tamed monsters or player-versus-player combat, with little defining characteristic in the fields themselves.

Thus, in the Tenth Layer, no distinct location clearly marks it as such. It is merely a broad field, serving as a connecting passage between layers.

There is still much to explore. As the two speak of their past and future, a familiar figure passes by in the Town and calls out to them.

"Hey, progress going smoothly?"

"Judging by the timing, we were just returning."

Arriving was Wilbert and Lilli. Masters of the Rapid Fire Guild.

"Progress is smooth! How about you, Lilli and the others?"

"Moderate. Currently conquering the third layer... but we're encountering some difficulty."

The secret unveiled by Kanade had not yet been reached by Rapid Fire, it seemed. There appeared to be something to discuss regarding that.

"Over the past few days, I heard from Wilbert about strange aircraft occasionally flying through the sky—undoubtedly overpowered. I suspect I know what it might be."

Lilli was referring to Iz's flying machine. It differed clearly from those ridden by other players. That was to be expected. The number of completed quests and acquired parts was different. Output would naturally vary.

"Something's beginning to come into focus. That's my thought."

"Still keeping a sharp eye, I see."

"Of course, I won't insist. That said, we do have leverage of our own."

The Rapid Fire dungeon was progressing smoothly through the fifth and sixth layers. In exchange, they offered to share information from those areas, and to assist in combat there.

"Of course, if you believe you can solve it entirely on your own, then that is your choice. In that case, we will withdraw."

"I see..."

"Hmm... Maple, what do you wish to do?"

Sally turned to Maple. She had her own thoughts, but decided to leave the decision to Maple. This was a moment for the guildmaster to decide—she wanted Maple to make a choice she could accept, one without regret.

"Understood! Let's cooperate."

"I thought you'd say that. Then, perhaps we can make use of something I prepared in advance."

"Really? Thank you!"

Sally displays the compiled information she prepared for sharing with the members of the Maple Tree scattered across the area.

"Then, let's move to a place easier to talk. There's a shop just ahead."

"Yes!"

Maple is highly proactive in guild exchanges. She formed an alliance with the Gathering Holy Sword swiftly and has previously cooperated with the members of the Flame Emperor's Nation to complete a conquest.

Maple is not inherently opposed to proposals and generally favors cooperation. The others, aware of this, have approached her with negotiations. For Maple, active exchange provides opportunities to learn new knowledge and established strategies she lacks—something not unfavorable.

Maple and her companions enter a nearby café and take their seats to begin speaking.

"Let us start from here. It should feel safer."

"Thank you."

With that, Lily began speaking about the two areas. She knew much about the Sixth Layer, as Crom was currently advancing through it. The Fifth Layer, however, held only unknown information. Maple nodded, listening carefully, making notes to remember.

She suspects it, but the essence of the fifth-layer zone lies within the cumulonimbus cloud floating in the sky. Beneath the cloud, the town on the ground can serve as a base. It may already have been opened. Yet, though one may fly toward the cloud, approaching it remains impossible.

The aircraft of the third-layer area—indeed, even machines created through the skills of the tame monsters or Lily—could not be accessed.

It is not difficult to imagine that even Shiroppu or the [Machine God] would yield the same result.

There are several magical arrays that connect to the clouds. Let us mark the ones we found on the map.

Several routes lead to different points within the clouds. Magical arrays are guarded by monsters, each of varying strength. The stronger the guardian, the better the destination of the transfer.

"Objective of the fifth layer is simple. Climb upward without pause. Move toward the peak, overcoming monsters and various mechanisms."

The fifth layer operates not through quests, but as if the clouds themselves form one vast dungeon.

"Monsters guarding the arrays... well, a creature like [Maple Tree] is no threat. Once defeated, one may pass through without further concern."

"Hmm... I see."

Lily continued speaking about the clouds. Fortunately, the world does not suffer from widespread penetration of defenses. The dungeon remains passable if Maple handles it appropriately.

"Then, let us pause and discuss the third layer next."

Ah, I'd be grateful if you did.

Maple speaks while reviewing Sally’s summary of the hidden quest lead she learned from Iz about the third-layer area.

Indeed. That explains it… then.

Yes, that’s right. Once we understand that, the quest itself feels manageable in difficulty.

That’s true. Understood. Thank you. Thanks to you, we can now begin tackling the third-layer area.

I’m glad I could help!

The fifth-layer area starts from the position of the slowest player if the same group doesn’t explore together. Just keep that in mind.

What should we do, Sally?

Hmm. We could all go together, but there are other areas too—eventually we won’t be able to gather many people…

Eight is too many if their steps do not match. The number of people required to clear 【Maple Tree】 does not align with that idea. Entering together loses meaning.

"Shall we go in for now? I can help with that."

"Really!? Thank you!"

"Of course. But there is one condition."

Lily speaks, conveying the condition to the two.

"If that is all...?"

"Yes! We can manage!"

"Alright. Then let's go now. Seize the moment—good deeds must be done without delay."

"We'll transfer from the guild home. Head toward the town beneath the clouds; the map shows the way. That route is the shortest."

The two of 【Rapid Fire】 bid farewell to Maple’s group and return to the guild home.

"Your help is welcome. We can move forward quickly now."

"See? We might conquer the fifth layer area too!...But is that really enough as thanks?"

"Should be fine. They were the ones who suggested it."

"True. Then let's hurry!"

"Right. Better not keep them waiting."

Maple and the others exit the café behind them, launch their air machine, and soar above the Town, returning directly to the guild home before transferring to the Town beneath the fifth layer area.

Arriving at the location described in the map Wilbert had mentioned beforehand, they find Lilie and Wilbert waiting there. Upon noticing them, the two wave their hands lightly in greeting.

"Arrived!"

"Then let's begin. The cave lies ahead. No need to worry about the path. Just follow the boss's instructions, and we'll be fine."

Four of them enter the cave opening in the mountainside, with Lilie leading as the front-line heavy-armor unit.

The cave, such as it was, ended abruptly after a few meters. At the far end stood a single, glowing white magical array.

"This place exists for this purpose."

The four step onto the array together. They transfer. The destination is a dome of pure white, soft clouds forming walls, floor, and ceiling.

From the wall emerges a white horse, about five meters long. Its mane and tail are made of cloud, its blue eyes shimmering like sky through clouds.

"Maple, shall we? Prepare."

"Understood!"

The boss notices them as well. With a deep, resonant cry, it stamps its front hooves onto the floor. Cloud-formed horses emerge one after another around it.

A battle of numbers against Lily's soldiers. No—this is not that.

"【Reversal Rebirth】"

This is not so simple.

"【Darkness of Rebirth】!"

Under Lily’s floating throne, Maple spreads darkness.

【Swarm of Sand】 — 【Army of the Unliving】 — 【Toy Soldiers】

The countless soldiers summoned by Lily. Not strong individually, but allowed in such numbers. All sink into the dark. In their place emerge figures of monstrous scale. One against a thousand. Black aberrations, magnified beyond measure.

Maple and Lily’s greatest synergy. Maple reshapes the endless stream of weapons.

Black invades the white space. The aberrations trample and devour foals, then surge toward the boss.

They kick aside, soar through the air, and close in—using the previous aberration as a stepping stone to snatch the space from the fleeing white horse.

“Uhn! Utterly satisfying. Heh. I’ve longed to be on this side once.”

“Last event, Lily was the one on that side.”

"Indeed. If I can secure it… Maple, where is this?"

"I—cannot tell you!"

"A wise choice."

Possessing it would allow one to start a combo alone—a threat too great to ignore. Maple clearly did not understand this, and Lily had not meant it seriously. She watched the white horse being subdued, satisfied.

"Ah, good. Good."

Satisfied, Lily watched the boss vanish, then left with Wilbert, murmuring she’d try again another time. That explained why she’d offered help so casually. If victory came quickly and easily, and the act of subjugation was enjoyable, following along made sense.

"Phew, thanks to you, I’m saved!"

"Once we finish the third floor, shall we head here next?"

"That might be perfect."

"Kanade and others could probably summon skills as needed. It might be worth using them actively when the time comes."

"Was really strong, huh."

Unlawful aberration, infinite generation. Not quite to that extent, but something similar should be possible with the 【Maple Tree】.

Feeling anew the value of bonds built over time, now that progress had been made toward conquering the new area, the two set aside the fifth-floor zone for now and turned toward completing the third-floor area before departing the Boss Room.