Defense specialization and stun.

Then, several types of enemies appeared. A bird that flew through the air and attacked with a dive. A earth dragon that moved beneath the ground, striking from blind spots, and firing lightning from holes it had dug in all directions.

Yet, they were now charred and blackened before her eyes.

"Strong..."

"Perhaps it is the opponent's fault for having no countermeasures..."

Maple, having turned the area around Hak's encirclement into a hell of flame with the items she scattered—herself included—remained unharmed within the burning flames.

The earth dragon, fleeing into the ground, could escape this hell. Yet Maple, using the very holes meant for lightning attacks, deliberately funneled explosives into them and detonated them from within—eradicating it completely.

"Alright!"

"Nice one. Hak's been a great help too."

"In a tight dungeon, there's nothing to do but guard the rear. So, in situations like this, we rely on them to shine."

The enemy here seems well-matched. Their style emphasizes volume and mobility. They’re betting on the weight of a single strike, not penetration.

If it’s not a piercing attack, we’re fine!

One of Maple’s strengths remains unchanged—she can seal off an opponent she’s well-matched against.

Now, they’ve come quite close… is this how it is?

The three reach the source of the star-like light. They begin to accurately discern what it is, seen from afar.

A tall rock, its color indistinguishable from the night sky, its surface dotted with star-like glimmers. At a distance, it blended with the heavens, invisible. At its peak, a violet glow intensifies, pulsing in rhythm with thunder.

Was that light itself thunder?

Looks like it. Maple, be careful. The boss should arrive soon.

Understood.

Looking up at the sky, checking the surroundings step by step, the lightning spirals down the rock like a spiral staircase, sliding smoothly to the ground.

A sense of familiarity strikes the three. Recognition comes without delay.

The lightning shifts in texture, forming a long body covered in glossy purple scales, a red tongue flicking out from its mouth—eventually taking on the form of a great serpent.

"Like a mirror match, isn't it?"

"This time, unlike when we met Hak, it's a serpent we can defeat."

"Bigger than Hak, and hard to surround—Maple, watch your distance!"

Sally and Kasumi raise their weapons toward the boss, its head raised high. This is the real test. Maple’s support will decide the outcome.

"Leave the attack to us!"

"Assigned!"

"【Provocation】!"

Maple at the center. The two step forward, aware of the range of Love That Offers the Body.

But due to the debuff, the boss strikes first.

A crackling boom. The boss’s body accelerates violently, becoming lightning once more. It slips past Sally and Kasumi, unleashing an electric attack. Maple, automatically taking the hit, is stunned. The boss closes the distance in an instant and lunges.

A massive serpent’s mouth materializes before them. The range should allow a counterattack, but the stun prevents it. Maple drops her short blade and large shield. The serpent bites down, immobilizing her. Electric strikes crash into her.

“Dai—jōbu! Be careful!”

Maple understands she is forcibly separated from the two. She calls out to them.

Without proper spacing, Love That Offers the Body will not take effect.

The great serpent ascends into the sky, circling as it goes.

"Just a body of lightning...!"

"【Mind's Eye】! Sally, something's coming down!"

"Got it."

In Kasumi's vision, triggered by foresight of the enemy's attack, a cylindrical red zone stretches from sky to ground.

Sally's prediction, as always, is beyond this world's precision. But Kasumi now sees the answer.

To avoid the strike with certainty, Kasumi gives a brief, safe position. Sally moves.

A storm of lightning strikes the ground a moment later, scorching the earth.

"Good thing Maple is holding on. Let's strike as we pass."

"Can't reach. That's how we'll do it."

A counter-electric strike awaits at the head. Yet as long as Maple holds on, that moment is undeniably safe.

With thrown weapons forbidden, it is better to exploit the current state than force Maple’s rescue.

The enemy attacks with thunder-based area strikes and massive body blows. Kasumi and Sally cannot shield each other effectively, so they must keep distance to avoid simultaneous impact.

Anticipating the surge of electricity, the head charges forward—thunder still echoing—closing in on Sally’s position with a speed akin to teleportation, jaws wide open.

“That’s seen.”

The clear difference between Maple and Sally. Using her evasion, she avoids the bite and slashes deep across Sally’s mouth with the dagger. The lightning streaks across the ground, fierce sparks catching Sally. This is within the range of Love That Offers the Body.

“Ah—!”

“Ah. So this is where it breaks free.”

Maple, having opened her mouth wide to attack Sally, rolls to the ground. Sally, having evaded, floats upward without a player to hold her.

Kasumi returns to Maple, who is stunned, and endures the falling thunder.

“If it catches anyone other than Maple, we’re in trouble.”

“Yeah. Probably Maple can’t keep up. And we can’t endure it.”

“The body took no damage. Feels like the lightning itself.”

“Good to confirm. Then we’ll have to proceed slowly. Thanks to Maple, this is already much easier.”

“…hah!”

Good morning. Thank you, Maple. But… I’m sorry to say this, but that attack might have to be taken by you.

…

Maple?

The lightning is neutralized by Maple. If there’s something troubling me, I should resolve it before it attacks again.

Stan resistance… could I possibly obtain it?

I see.

The boss at the tenth floor looks formidable. In fact, just now, Maple was struck with a stun.

Given that the final battle’s Demon King may use varied attacks, it’s worth testing this now. Acquiring it would eliminate another vulnerability for Maple here.

Sally and Kasumi—are they alright…?

While Maple is restrained, her position continues to shift due to the restraints. The benefit of Love That Offers the Body becomes harder to receive.

That also means the two of them are constantly exposed to lightning.

No problem. I should be able to withstand a single strike. If we prepare a recovery method, we can create time.

Kasumi, a player who initiates close combat, possesses damage-cutting methods to endure damage trades in melee.

Maple, receiving a positive response from Kasumi, turns toward Sally.

Of course. I can avoid it.

Thank you!

With a smile, Maple offers herself to the approaching boss—her signature play of the 【Maple Tree】—and the two watch as she is carried into the sky.