Defense specialization and the four-layered Area Five.

The thunder ceased. The two confirmed they had defeated all six. They sheathed their weapons.

"Surpassing! This monster, we can handle it!"

It is only because of Maple’s defense that this is possible.

If we have this protection, we can handle it no matter how many times it appears.

Please, I beg you!

Kasumi's skill-based teleportation is exceptionally strong against movement speed reduction and debuffs to AGI. It is a strength that Sally, despite also being a swift attacker, lacks.

Get on. We’ll move again when the next enemy appears.

She mounts the head of Haku, which has descended close to the ground, and begins moving once more.

The fourth layer area is expected to reach the 'Demon Lord's magical energy' within a short while.

Everything is proceeding smoothly!

They had been running through the fourth layer the entire time the two were clearing the second area.

Thanks to this, progress is efficient. I truly appreciate it.

From what I heard yesterday, Crom’s sixth-layer area is also proceeding smoothly. Of course, unforeseen events may still occur, but it might be more manageable than expected.

With the goal of defeating the Demon King by the end of March, time is limited. Still, this is the grand culmination of the ten-layer trial. Rushing through it all in one direction feels a little dull.

Take the free time to explore various areas. Heh, the fourth-layer area is particularly good.

That’s true… When the end finally comes into view, I might circle back around at the end. Maple might find some skill just before the final battle.

Will you find one?

No, it’s already started to split apart…

Y-yes, truly…

She possesses sufficient skill to face any enemy, though more can never hurt. The Poison Split was found by chance, but the main area quests likely hold few such peculiar abilities.

"I shall look forward to Maple’s unknown final evolution."

"I hope Sally finds a good skill too."

"Yes. Well, attack skills can always be borrowed via Inversion of Void and Truth, and with greater freedom now, the current state is not so bad."

Sally herself has no objection to gaining more skills.

Rare skills and hidden quests are always found in secluded places, easily missed if one does not seek them out. Beyond mastering the game, one must simply keep an eye open for such places. After that, it is only a matter of fortune.

"Ugh, again?"

As they spoke, thunder roared again. The beasts from before had doubled in number, encircling the three.

"Too many... I can win, but..."

"No damage taken. Can we get Hak to help? Circle them! Spin them into a cage!"

"True. Safety confirmed. Let's do it."

"Understood. Maple, draw them in!"

"【Taunt】!"

Twelve beasts surged toward Maple, blazing with electric light.

A normal shieldbearer would be overwhelmed by such numbers. Maple faced them without flinch.

"Hak!"

The enemy that lunged at Maple was trapped—three at a time—sealed within a coiled circle.

The cage could not be opened without defeating Hak or Kasumi. That was Maple’s doing. No escape from this prison.

"Both of you—cover your ears!"

Maple speaks, then scatters a vast number of bombs across the ground at her feet.

"Light them—!"

Nearly a hundred bombs detonate simultaneously within the sealed space, incinerating friend and foe alike in a single blaze.

Yet the summoned monsters and party members under Maple’s protection escape the inferno. Against foes incapable of harming Maple, all rules are suspended.

"Is it over?"

"Collect only the materials. I have no memory of seeing this monster elsewhere."

"Alright, success!"

"Let’s keep doing it this way. No need for expendable bombs. Simply having Hak surround us makes things far easier."

"Remove the enemy’s mobility, and our debuffs become meaningless. If the boss follows suit… well…"

"Indeed."

"Quite."

The monsters along the way are not of a single kind. A battle worthy of the name remains. No slackening of focus. Win easily against opponents who yield, maintain concentration, and advance efficiently, drawing ever closer beneath the radiant cross of light.