Defense specialization and Mai’s latest obsession.

Several days after assisting Iz. The aircraft machinery of Iz, accumulating attachments daily, had become an awe-inspiring contraption surpassing even Maple’s 【Machine God】 in sheer quantity of weaponry. Maple, Sally, and Iz stood before it, no longer able to recognize its original form, and sighed in wonder.

“Remarkable how far it’s come.”

“Yes. It would be ideal if we could carry it to other areas like this.”

“Is that impossible?”

“It can’t be done. Not like this.”

A hidden quest from the third layer. Apparently, the extraordinary attachments obtained there lose much of their power when removed from the third layer.

The third layer’s unique energy affects it… there’s a note about that. The power weakens when one moves too far from the town. Hmm. Here, at this central location, it can be used more freely. Still, it remains quite useful.

Even weakened, the enhanced ranged attacks and mobility boost are invaluable for production workers like Izu, who lack such abilities and struggle with field combat or gathering materials.

With a flying machine, one could stand against the powerful monsters of the tenth layer.

“Perhaps the third layer was always meant for production workers.”

“Indeed. I recall being pleased before when new items and materials appeared.”

“Today, finally, it begins.”

The advancement of Iz's aerial machinery to the level surpassing the Machine God indicated that the quests within the third layer were finally nearing their climax.

"‘Demon Lord’s Power II’... we’ve finally reached the quest that will grant it."

"Since the number is II, it seems the second layer area is indeed not clearly defined."

"Indeed... it does appear to be in order."

"Hey, we’re here!"

"Looks like the progress is smooth."

"Quicker than I expected. Both of you are impressive."

"We’ve made it this far into the third layer already!"

"We’ll do our best today."

Today was the scheduled day for completing the final quest in the third layer. Members scattered across various areas had gathered. They would now proceed together, certain of victory.

"How about your area?"

"The fourth layer... well, it’s been enjoyable so far. Progress has been smooth, as it turns out."

The atmosphere of the fourth layer area is identical to the fourth layer itself—Kasumi’s favorite. Unlike other areas, there are no similar environments from other layers. The Japanese-style dungeon and fields are nearly nonexistent. She appears to be enjoying the new implementation immensely, after a long absence.

“The sixth layer area, Mai and Yui came to assist. Thanks to them, progress has improved.”

““We’re doing our best!””

The number of monsters defeated is crucial. Mai and Yui are well suited for that role. As a result, the eighth layer area is being explored alone by Kanade. No issues have arisen so far.

“Puzzles are nearly solved. If you want the answer, I can tell you. If not, you might try listening to a hint and attempting again from the beginning.”

Kanade is unlikely to defeat a boss solo. Avoiding minor battles as much as possible, she has continued underwater exploration. She has secured tangible results.

"Then we’ll have to tackle the eighth layer too, won’t we!"

"Fu fu, I’m waiting."

Progress on the area clears proceeds smoothly. At this rate, Maple might complete the game before the 'Demon Lord’s Power' is fully collected.

"Boss of the third layer—still no information, right?"

"None yet. The side quest was first discovered by Kanade, so she’s likely the first to find it… even if not, no precise details have surfaced."

"Then… we should proceed as usual."

As usual. Mai and Yui apply buffs. Transport to boss position. Chain attacks.

Few can withstand this even against a boss. If one can endure their assault, the rest of the attackers stand no chance. Such bosses do not appear often.

The strength of being an outlier. Prepare ample backups. Crush the enemy with power they cannot withstand.

"The quest has already been accepted. Let us board the aerial machine and depart at once."

"I want to clear it in one go. Hehe, Mai, Yui is counting on you."

""Yes!"

"Come on, get in! Eight people fit with ease!"

Izu stepped into the cockpit first and began fiddling with the controls.

The compact frame of the machine extended with a metallic groan, splitting down the center into a long-bodied form resembling a limousine.

"Ah! It can do that?"

"With modifications. No need to rely on large transport beasts. Quite convenient."

It cannot be used in combat—too unwieldy for tight maneuvers. But perfect for travel.

The airship allows Hakku and Shiroppu to preserve their giant form skills—convenient.

Maple and the others follow Izu aboard. The airship rises slowly, drifting through the sky toward its destination.

—I went ahead alone, so I’ve done a little preparation. I was felled just inside the entrance, so it’s only a small amount. Don’t expect much, please?

The airship can be damaged beyond repair if struck with excessive force during battle. Izu has undergone countless modifications, so any extensive damage would make repairs an endless task.

Thus, despite the weapon’s proven effectiveness in past battles, Maple and the others refrain from using it now. They advance instead with conventional explosives.

The teleportation circle brought them through. Beyond it… a factory? A research facility? That was the impression. Gray, smooth walls and floor. A long corridor stretched ahead.

Waiting just beyond the entrance was a humanoid robot, no taller than Iz. On its head, instead of facial features, a single flat screen displayed a distorted expression.

It showed anger when it saw me. An alarm sounded. From deeper within, a large number of robots emerged. No escape. Laser attacks from all sides—quickly overwhelmed me.

Iz’s defense is not high. Even so, the power was considerable.

But this time, no penetration. I switched equipment several times, confirmed defense values each time. There is no mistake.

Thank you!

That eases one worry at least.

Yes!

Few common monsters possess penetration attacks, but such cases exist in the third layer. Thanks to Iz’s careful verification, it was confirmed that Maple’s Love That Offers the Body remains effective—this made progress vastly easier.

“Be careful. We don’t know what lies further inside.”

“Understood!”

After continuing control for a time, Iz halted the aircraft in the middle of a desolate plain. There, a gray floor spread across the ground, half-buried in soil.

“This was the final place. Yes, there was something resembling this in the library…”

“If we’ve accepted the quest, it should react.”

Following Iz, they stepped forward. The ground responded. With a faint tremor, a section of the floor slid open, revealing a staircase descending into the earth.

“Shall we enter?”

"Three people side by side should fit. Let me and Maple, Kasumi take the front for now."

"Understood."

"Front line—Love That Offers the Body!"

Quickly securing the defense with Love That Offers the Body before the memory fades. Positioning the two with highest frontline suitability ahead, just in case.

Lamps that emit no heat are spaced evenly along both walls. Light is sufficient. After descending the long staircase for some time, they reach the featureless corridor Izu had mentioned.

"Ah, this stretch is wide."

"Enemy forces were said to be large. This space must be for them."

A passage wide enough for The Maple Tree members to stand side by side with room to spare. No need to worry about weapon clearance when forming ranks in combat.

Yet, as Kasumi said, the same holds true for the enemy.

"Maple, be careful with knockback. It’s wide here."

That’s right. Otherwise, we’ll be blown away.

Maple advances inward, conscious of the activation of 【Heavy Body】 and 【Throne of the Heavenly King】.

Movement speed, combined with the range of 【Love That Offers the Body】’s effect, means she leads the advance. After moving a short distance down the passage, three robots come into view ahead. Their expressions are unreadable, but on the panels affixed to their faces, a blue light hovers against a black background.

When that turns red, it means we’ve been spotted.

So we’re still outside their detection range.

We still have room to act—whether to launch a preemptive strike or prepare for the coming forces after an alarm is raised.

How should we fight? It would work to have Mai and Yui take them down with iron balls.

Three figures stand at a distance from one another. A single attack with three iron balls or a weapon throw must be used to eliminate them all at once.

An attack will surely trigger the alarm, regardless of distance.

The target is small, but Mai and Yui, having practiced, could still hit it.

"I can protect you. Isn’t it easier to break through all at once?"

"True. That makes sense."

A plan to ensure safety. Yet if one could crush everything without thought, if one were overwhelmingly strong, then no plan would be needed.

"Then it would be better if enemies came in large numbers and were easily defeated."

Have Mai and Yui take them down. That would work. But seeking a more automatic method, one that would ease their burden.

Maple decided to use the tactic she had just learned.

"Oh, that sounds tasty."

A confectionery bought from the Fourth Layer. A new product not found on the Fourth Layer.

Hmm. The Eighth Layer has fresh fish, though.

The Sixth Layer... not much of that sort of thing.

Mmm. Not many places feel like sightseeing.

Iz's aircraft shifts to limousine mode. Souvenirs from each layer are taken out and arranged on the central table.

"Are you alright, Iz?"

"Yes. No issue."

"Go on, go on!"

From the cockpit of the slowly moving craft, the view is entirely black.

Not darkness. A mountain of aberrations born from the [Rebirth of Darkness].

After the incident with Lilie, this method had just become a sudden trend in Maple's mind.

Watching only the wreckage vanish with a cracking sound, Maple concludes it is safe. Sally returns to her seat.

This will not become a new standard for efficient dungeon exploration among players.

That much is certain.