Defense specialization and the fourth-layer zone.
While waiting for equipment, leveling up was also an option. Yet, for the sake of caution, avoiding combat, the two had chosen to visit a base in an unexplored area, and now they stood in the town of the fourth-layer zone.
“Wow… It’s really different from how it looks from outside.”
“Like a barrier, maybe?”
The sky above the two, having just left the guild home, was a clear night sky, stars shining brightly.
The tenth layer is not always in darkness. From afar, it appeared as a normal field, cherry blossoms lining the path.
But once inside the fourth-layer zone, the landscape transformed entirely. What was visible from outside was only a temporary facade. A night-time, traditional Japanese-style town, teeming with strange creatures, greeted them as if from another world.
“It’s amazing, really.”
“It’s beautiful. In this game, only this place and the fourth layer itself.”
Maple savoring the rare traditional-style zone, Kasumi arrives at the agreed meeting point.
“I heard. Retreat? Unusual for the two of you.”
“Better to face it with full preparation.”
“True. We can’t rely on 【Pierce Guard】 every time. This layer, being a full break point, isn’t just about piercing attacks. Buff removal and debuffs appear more often than before.”
“Kasumi, progress on the strategy going smoothly?”
“Yeah. Smoothly. The fourth layer area makes it enjoyable to advance.”
“Isn’t this place different from just moving through quests normally?”
“Exactly. Quests do spawn, but it’s rare for a new quest to immediately follow after clearing the same one. That kind of chain is uncommon.”
“Huh… so what do we do then?”
"Clearing quests, reaching specific areas... achieving such conditions accumulates points. I believe the ultimate goal is to fully accumulate those points."
Even after exploring a location once, changes in the number or type of areas reached, the items held, or the amount of gold can trigger new quests.
Thus, exploration required considerable effort.
Yet Kasumi did not seem to mind. She explored every corner, enjoying the quiet rhythm of the town's layout—how NPCs reacted differently depending on progress made.
"I've heard about this. Since you're here on a visit, I'd like you to help us clear some quests within the town itself."
"Leave it to us!"
"There's also a chance another quest might appear just by our presence. After all, Izu mentioned she had various materials."
She expects it. There are things one cannot find alone, after all.
I'll do my best!
Ah, I rely on you.
Forming a party would contribute to completing the client’s quest. The two, wishing to avoid combat if possible, searched for ways to help from within the town.
This quest is simple, but mildly interesting. I’ve planned for the two of you to do some shopping… it’ll be quicker if you see for yourselves.
Kasumi enters a shop a short distance ahead, having checked the map first, intending to show a sample once.
I'm intruding—…
"Antique shop... perhaps?"
Following Kasumi, the two entered the shop. Their eyes met rows of pottery and displayed weapons. Surveying the interior, unlike a typical NPC shop, Kasumi examined each item in line. She took up the final piece of pottery.
Hmm...
"Buying this?"
Maple examines the pottery. The description field is blank. The item name reads 'Rare Ceramics.' Its true nature remains unknown.
"Indeed. This time, this one."
Kasumi exchanges words with the NPC shopkeeper. In the presence of both, she negotiates skillfully. The price settles to a satisfactory level.
"Look closely, both of you."
As the item enters the inventory, its true name reveals itself. 'Rare Ceramics' becomes 'Goblin's Lantern,' a proper name.
"Oh—so this is the genuine article we were after?"
"Sharp as ever, Sally. Precisely. The quest this time is to locate and purchase the required number of genuine pieces from the various antique shops in this Town."
"Um… seems difficult…"
"I could do it alone. But the quantity is too great. Besides, I thought it’d be a good break for the two of you."
Indeed. It does seem difficult, just as Maple said... but we fought without pause even on the tenth floor.
A quest that requires thought as a break is not unwelcome. Yet, as the two of them feel, if one cannot tell the difference, the difficulty will only grow.
I have notes I prepared for myself. Each genuine feature is recorded by authentic type. Of course, there are still imperfections. But by looking at this, it should make things easier.
I see. Then—
Yes, let's try it!
I’ll give you the necessary gold. Don’t worry about it. It’s the gold given at quest acceptance, usable only in this quest.
You can’t waste it, Sally…
Of course, buying a fake will still cost gold. Heh. You’ll have to be careful to tell the real from the false.
She shared the note with the two of them. The cost would be their own, if supplies ran short. They checked Kasumi’s note again. No more mistakes. They could not afford to repeat errors.
“Leave it to us… huh?”
“Huge number of pages!”
Their eyes widened at the number of pages in the note. The thought of Kasumi memorizing all of it— and still managing the current purchase— made them dizzy with the sheer number of distinctions to be made.
“Are you saying we’re supposed to buy all of this and sort it?”
“No. I used the library’s resources in other towns. A book with hints on identification was found. Kanade’s efforts had already proven the library’s worth.”
“But we must try hard!”
“That’s right. Even if it’s a break, too many mistakes aren’t good.”
“Then we’ll rely on you both. The shops we seek are scattered across the Town. A carriage will make it easier to move between them.”
Just right. I’ll review the notes during the travel.
Yeah. As it is, we understand nothing.
Parting from Kasumi, the two began their tour of antiquities shops across the four-tier district.