Defense specialization and the four-layer zone four.

Maple arrives at the fourth-layer zone in haste, joining Sally and Kasumi who have already been waiting.

"Sorry I'm late! Sorry!"

"It's fine, it's fine. I was waiting here, listening to Kasumi explain the layout of this zone."

"Has your gear been completed?"

"You can't tell by looking, can you? Izumi-san made it this way!"

Maple lifts her ears, revealing the silver earrings and her newly updated ring.

"Ah. That way it won't show in your hair."

"Seems like we're ready. Then let's get going."

Leading the upgraded Maple, their first destination is an area with stronger gravity. Kasumi checks the map, then activates the aircraft mechanism.

"Haku's [Gigantification] will be held in reserve for now."

"Right. Depending on the situation ahead, it might be useful to let it run wild."

"Then let's fly!"

Three people leave the Town and fly beneath the sun, landing shortly after reaching their destination.

Nothing… is here, right?

An endless expanse of grassland stretches before them. The wind passing through is pleasant. Herbivore-themed monsters run across the field. Yet there is no strong gravity, as had been described beforehand.

"Before Maple arrived, I heard about the fourth-floor area. It divides the space in a way different from a magic circle."

"...?"

"Seeing it is faster than hearing an explanation. Wait here for a moment."

"Okay!"

Kasumi draws a single card from her inventory. She extends her hand into the air. A violet flame rises. A large red door appears.

A distinct boundary line. It feels like a divider between here and somewhere else, similar in atmosphere to the Boss Room door.

The fourth-layer area consists mostly of quests revolving around this sealed otherworld, sealed off for combat. Shall we enter? Beyond this point, it should be just as we’ve heard.

Kasumi turns back. Are you ready? Maple and Sally draw their weapons, nodding in silent agreement.

Very well. Let us go.

Kasumi opens the door. A surge of violet flame spills out. It wraps around Maple and the others. In an instant, the world around them has changed to a wild, eternal dusk.

Oh… wait—!

A sharp creak comes from behind Maple. The massive red door, heavy with age, slams shut. The connection to the original world is severed.

To return to the normal route, one must defeat the boss or come back here. Otherwise… one might be ejected by logging out, or by perishing completely.

Then our next goal should be to clear this path and exit from the deepest part.

To aim for completion rather than retreat is natural. Neither of them disagrees.

"That is so. But... it is undeniably heavy."

"Gravity, was the term used. Yet reviewing the debuff details, it is more accurately described as reduced movement speed and forced descent. Kasumi and Hinata both had similar magic. The mechanism may be the same."

The effect stems from two types of movement restriction. Yet this alters the nature of describing it simply as gravity. This field is undoubtedly designed to favor the enemy. Before combat begins, first verify the finer details.

"Maple, confirm this. How effective is the 【Mechanical God】's gunfire?"

"Let me test it. Just a moment... there—【Barrel Extension】【Attack Initiated】!"

The shell flew with a sharp sound. It fell to the ground after barely one meter. Exploded.

This is less than one-tenth of its intended range. It is no different from Kasumi's blade in reach.

“Ah… let’s skip the [Poison Dragon] for now.”

“Mm. Yes…”

Its long range makes the formation of the poison swamp possible without issue.

A direct hit would risk unforeseen accidents elsewhere.

“I’ll try it myself. [Path of Water]! [Ice Spikes]! [Threadweaving]!”

The [Path of Water], meant to stretch upward into the air, fails to maintain its form. It collapses downward like a thread pulled from above, splashing into the ground and shattering into nothing. The [Ice Spikes] themselves function as usual. But when attempting to scale them by threading through their bodies, the thread snaps immediately. She falls to the ground.

“Won’t work… then I’ll have to fight on the ground.”

Sally had considered that, though she should have fallen to the ground, if she remained tethered by thread, she might still hold her position. But if the skill that kept her aloft was undone, it was clearer to focus on fighting on the ground than to seek a way out. After verifying the points of concern and completing their preparations, the three turned their backs to the door and finally set out.

The sky machine exists within the environment. There is an answer for air, prepared even on flat ground.

Take control of the skies, and such monsters can be sealed off completely. There are plenty of them. It cannot be helped.

The enemy is unknown. But there is nothing we cannot overcome. That is why we have prepared our gear.

Defense is mine.

Yeah. I rely on you. I can heal you instantly if needed. Stay calm.

Healing was not a projectile, but acted directly upon the target. That it functioned without issue was fortunate. Throwing potions in emergencies was difficult. They decided to prepare in advance, deploying Iz’s specially crafted healing mist. To assess the enemy’s strength, the three set out to find the first monster in this area.

“Should head… that way, probably.”

“Likely.”

A violet cross of light, shining like a first star in the sky. In the absence of other landmarks, its glow seemed to mark their path.

“No other signs. Let’s go check it out!”

“In any case, nothing starts without moving.”

“Given the size of this place… we could call Hak? Having everyone move at the same speed would make things easier.”

The movement speed itself has been reduced. It appears even Maple, with her 【AGI】 at zero, is affected. Maple’s rapid movement was due to the recoil of her self-destruct, and now that she is grounded, she cannot advance properly. Hak, who does not need to cover his hands, is a better choice than having Sally and Kasumi carry her on a cart.

“Let’s do it. Hak, 【Awaken】!”

It was fortunate that Hak had preserved 【Super Gigantism】. Kasumi called Hak forth and activated 【Super Gigantism】, securing both a means of movement and a reliable combat force.

Soon after beginning movement, six glowing purple mana circles unfolded around Maple and the others. From each circle emerged a beast wrapped in lightning, crackling with violet sparks, accompanied by the sound of thunder.

Larger than a wolf by more than a full head, its deep growl alone was enough to convey overwhelming pressure.

“Maple! Kasumi!”

Fighting atop Haku is difficult. Responding to Sally’s brief call, Maple leapt from the platform. The beasts charged in.

Fast…!

Maple!

Love That Offers the Body — Residual Light of Salvation!

Heal!

Ignoring slowed movement and forced descent, she darted forward, trailing lightning, closing the distance. Maple extended six pale wings across her back. Two layered defensive fields unfolded.

Sally activated Love That Offers the Body, restoring Maple’s HP. She hurled the item to the ground. A green mist erupted, granting sustained healing.

Damn…

Strong movement.

Cassumi and Sally narrowed their eyes as the beast leapt, dominating from above.

At this range, closing in to strike is difficult to fault.

Sally and Maple aim to counterattack as the beasts charge in, but the creatures unleash violent purple lightning from their fur, erupting in a roar.

Even as mere mid-journey monsters, their combined force is immense—sixfold—equal to Velvet’s own, the air thick with violet light.

Sally, judging evasion without skills impossible, abandons it entirely and turns her focus to checking Maple’s condition.

“Fine! Not piercing!”

“Okay, relieved!”

“Then attack! Sally, one at a time!”

“Got it!”

The strongest fortress of 【Maple’s Tree】 stands unshaken by the thunderous assault, shielding the two without falter.

If that truth is confirmed, there is no cause for worry. Now it is their turn.

【First Cut: Mirage】!

Speed is irrelevant. A zero-distance combat, without question, using a skill only Kasumi can perform. Kasumi leaps into the enemy’s embrace as it lands, strikes with a flash, inflicting massive damage, then twists her body to circle behind.

【Seventh Cut: Shatter】!

A heavy blow lifts the beast and sends it flying. Though not under forced descent, the body arcs cleanly through the air, landing perfectly in Sally’s waiting position.

All lightning aimed at Sally is blocked and nullified by Maple.

【Fog【Fire Child】!【Water Wrap】【Quintaple Slash】!】

Flames. Water. Damage effects. All scatter through the lightning with equal brilliance.

The quintuple strike skill, amplified by two weapons into ten strikes, each strike augmented by three additional effects. Forty consecutive hits. The dagger, heavier than it appeared, obliterated one of the beasts.

"Keep going!"

"Uh, clean this up quickly."

"Wait just a moment. Next, I'll take the other!"

"Sync!"

Overwhelmed by the futility of breaking through Maple, the three advanced through the encirclement with one-sided, individual eliminations.