Defense specialization and stamina resistance.

As Maple is relentlessly dragged by the boss, as expected, a different game begins for Kasumi and Sally—avoiding lightning. There is no time to worry about Hak, so Kasumi quickly returns the ring and focuses on evasion.

"Sometimes it's falling directly at us. Sometimes it's targeting where we’ll dodge."

"I understand...! Truly impressive skill."

"Keep going. Healing is ready."

Kasumi’s movements are not slow. But even when the mechanism is clear in her mind, she cannot avoid perfectly without the support of her 【Mind’s Eye】. That is why every player defaults to allocating points to HP and 【VIT】—because it is impossible otherwise.

Still, the battlefield remained intact despite the boss efficiently targeting the three players, thanks to Sally’s flawless evasion and Maple’s unyielding resistance.

"Just as good a drill as any? HP drops will make the boss’s attacks sharper."

"Indeed... that’s true!"

The more they acclimated now, the easier it would be to endure the boss’s ferocious assault later.

By the time Maple had been restrained again and the flow of her body rolling from her mouth to the ground had repeated countless times. By the time Kasumi, like Sally, learned to avoid the lightning and began to wait calmly for Maple’s restraints.

A cry of joy rose from Maple.

"Got it—cheers!"

"Ah, finally?"

"Seems my evasion has improved without me even noticing."

The words 【STUN IMMUNE】 blazing brightly in Maple’s skill menu. The skill secured at the cost of several hours had freed Maple from being a high-priced item or mere ornament against stuns.

"Now then, it’s time for retaliation. I’ve grown accustomed to their attacks. Show me your next move."

"Right. Wouldn’t Maple be caught now? Come on, then!"

"Got it! Here it comes!"

Maple does not dodge the boss’s attack, swift as lightning. She does not wish to. Instead, she throws her arms wide, as if offering herself.

Sally and Kasumi strike at the jaws as they snap shut, delivering damage.

Now that the objective is achieved, there is no reason to let her go. The same holds true for Maple, who has been taken. No shield, no damage. Maple is no longer restrained. Thanks to her defense, she is now locked in at zero distance—worst possible situation for the boss.

【Barrel Deployment】【Attack Initiated】!

The extending weapon scatters a barrage of projectiles into the mouth. Range is irrelevant at this distance—only one meter.

A torrent of damage effects pours from the mouth, indistinguishable from a fire breath. Even a boss with high resistance cannot survive such an onslaught unscathed.

【Ancient Weapon】!

"Amazing... truly impressive."

"Only one can stand at that range."

Blue and red light streaking across the night sky like fireworks. Explosions. Damage effects. Counterattacks in the form of lightning. The boss cannot withstand this violence. Not this time.

Sally and Kasumi focus on evasion, prioritizing safety. They watch the boss’s HP and movements. The violent tremors began the moment Maple reduced the boss’s HP to half, after the seventh restraint.

“Kasumi, down!”

Sally and Kasumi sense the change at once. Maple, still falling after her restraint released overhead, reacts in the same instant.

Purple lightning, thick as a tree trunk, burst from the ground, writhing like a serpent, rushing toward the three of them—just after Sally’s call.

“……!”

“Don’t worry about it!”

“【Eight-Blade: Gale】!”

Reaction varied among the three. Maple chose to endure the attack, confident in the predictable unfolding. Sally, certain she could evade the wide strike, prepared to dodge. Kasumi, fearing her options would narrow if she took damage, sought a sure evasion.

Each movement succeeded as intended. The colossal lightning struck only Maple as she fell.

A thunderclap. The world turned violet. Her vision filled with light. One-third of her HP vanished, accompanied by the damage effect.

“…Ow.”

“【Heal】!”

As Sally’s immediate recovery took hold, Maple landed on the ground, caught mid-fall, lifted, held close, moved without pause. Eyes narrowed at the piercing damage, yet she wore a quiet, satisfied expression— as if the blow had met her expectations.

The equipment's working, then.

Yeah! It was the right choice having it made!

Then let's push harder in the second half.

Yeah!

The attack pierced through— that is fact. Sally lifted Maple onto her back and dashed forward without pause.

Carrying another person while under debuff should hinder movement. She should not be able to fight.

Yet Sally’s evasion maintains higher precision than Kasumi, despite the constraint. There is nothing left but astonishment.

Respect… Sally! Strike when close.

I’m counting on you, Maple!

Got it!

Sally, burdened with Maple on her back and her hands occupied, entrusts the attack and focuses solely on closing distance.

Sally compensates for Maple’s lack of mobility. Maple defends against all but piercing attacks.

The burden on Kasumi and Sally lessens if only the majority of attacks are nullified and the new assault—surging, writhing lightning—is avoided.

Thanks to Maple being freed from the boss’s grasp and returning under Sally’s control, the protection of Love That Offers the Body has been reclaimed.

From here, victory is merely a matter of swift pursuit.

“Where is the [Malevolent Feast]?”

“I used it in my mouth.”

“Coming in close—please attack with the [Ancient Weapon]. The [Mechanical God] is hard to balance.”

“Understood!”

“Maple, draw their attention!”

“[Provocation]!”

A black cube hovers beside them. To bring the enemy within range, Sally sprints while carrying Maple on her back.

The lightning strikes all at once, as Sally intended. Not a doubt—only certainty.

She bears Kasumi’s burden as well, certain she can evade.

“Saved! [Nine-Edge: Yasha]!”

Free now that the two have drawn attention, Kasumi sacrifices HP and [VIT] to increase damage output, closing distance at high speed, beginning with [One-Edge: Mirage], timed perfectly with the boss descending to the ground.

The boss charges straight at Maple.

But this time, one difference—absolute, literal. Sally is Maple’s feet.

Sally steps perfectly, evading the charge by a hair’s breadth, positioning the boss just within range of Maple’s weapon, sandwiched between her and Kasumi’s head.

“I’m counting on you both!”

“[Warrior’s Arm][Violet Illusion Blade]!”

“[Ancient Weapon]!”

The boss’s wide-open mouth is struck from both sides by devastating attacks. The damage effects scatter in overwhelming quantity, slicing through the boss’s HP until it vanishes with a sharp, high-pitched *pariin*, leaving behind a violet lightning flash that blots out the entire field of view.

“Got it!”

“Damage calculation was flawless.”

“Maple’s damage pattern was visible. I could calculate with ease. Still… I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait until I return to normal. My current form… it’s not suitable for outside.”

“Of course.”

“Alright! We’ll wait leisurely!”

“Appreciated.”

To ensure the necessary damage was dealt, Kasumi, now reduced to a small size, could not return to full form immediately. The three of them relaxed, letting the exhaustion of the boss battle fade, as they passed the time slowly.