Defense specialization and mineral two.
Deeper and deeper. Branching paths, multiple attribute gimmicks—none of it mattered. Maple and the others had reached the door indicating the Boss Room.
"Shall we review the gimmicks?"
"Uh-huh! So... Fire is straightforward area attack. Water causes status down. Then, farther in, the green mineral wind and yellow mineral earth gimmicks we encountered."
"Wind causes knockback from gusts. Earth turns the ground into swamp, trapping players above."
"Non-fire attributes are strong, but lack direct killing power."
The earth gimmick held no purpose unless monsters were positioned beside it. That was why the three deduced this gimmick had been revealed in advance, and that it would function effectively only in what amounted to the main battle.
No mid-boss appeared. They swiftly cleared the moderate wave of weak monsters, advancing deeper while studying the gimmick, until they reached the front of the Boss Room. The main fight was undoubtedly ahead, within that chamber.
"Love That Offers the Body — confirmed. Residual Light of Salvation — confirmed. Equipment — confirmed. Double-checking the water gimmick debuff removal — confirmed!"
"Fully ready! I can go anytime!"
"Opening it."
Kasumi pushes open the massive door and leaps into the Boss Room. No ore serving as the origin point for elemental gimmicks is visible, contrary to expectation. Instead, a massive form rises from the depths, raising a cloud of sand.
A golem formed from a massive crystal pulsing with four colored lights representing different attributes. Though it did not appear agile, and Maple had gained considerable experience battling golems, she looked slightly relieved as she regarded the boss.
However.
“Wha—!?”
The boss leapt. With agility beyond expectation.
The sandstorm rose, thick and blinding, filling the room—closer than Maple and the others, yet still beyond reach. It struck the ground hard, driving dust into the air.
"Maple, calm yourself."
Yes...?
Sally’s voice steadies. She watches the dust storm, alert to the boss charging through from the other side.
“……!”
Maple noticed it only because she remained calm and alert. A faint green light glowing on the ground within the sandstorm. The origin point of the wind’s mechanism.
“Heavy Body!”
Immediately after Maple applied her no knockback effect, a violent wind surged. Though battered by the gale that swept away the sandstorm, Maple managed to open her eyes. What she saw was the green ore scattered across the ground, and the boss’s blazing fist closing in before her.
Normally, this would be a sudden assault after breaking formation. The pressure from the opening move was overwhelming. Yet Maple drew the wind’s knockback effect toward herself entirely through Love That Offers the Body, maintaining formation, and firmly blocked the fist with her great shield.
Not merely blocking. The activated Malicious Feeding tore through the boss’s fist, countering with such force that it stripped away the boss’s HP in return.
“[Full Armament Deployment][Attack Initiated][Ancient Weapon]!”
That was not enough. Immediately deploying two weapons, they roared to life—red and blue lasers piercing the boss’s torso.
Mutual optimal movement. On top of that, Maple’s response and output surpassed the others.
While Maple’s attention remained fixed, Kasumi and Sally lunged forward in a single motion.
Ninety percent chance the dive and dust cloud coincide with the scattering of ore.
““[Hyper Acceleration]!””
Closing the distance in an instant, the two leap again—too fast for the boss to retreat. A direct punch would not shake Maple, so no need to concern oneself.
“[Battlefield Rakshasa][Warrior’s Arm][Fourth Katana: Whirlwind]!”
“Oboro [Fire Child]! [Water Wrap][Quintuple Slash]!”
The close-range slash severs both legs—shattering impact erupts, legs collapse, boss falls instantly.
Clear opening. All players leaning forward. Yet the scattered fragments intensify their light. The boss’s body itself is a mineral origin for elemental attacks.
By the time awareness dawns, the four elements spread with terrifying speed.
Flame burns. Water calms. Earth binds. Wind disrupts.
Boss’s own deadly counter. Luring players in with the fall—ambush, total capture.
Still.
“Too bad. We’ve got Maple, after all.”
“Should’ve prepared a new element.”
Six-winged guardian angel at the rear, absorbing everything. The gimmicks shown along the way were indeed powerful—but not effective against Maple.
【Nine Sword・Yasha】【Four Sword・Cyclone】!
【Quadruple Slash】!
【Ancient Weapon】【Oozing Chaos】!
Counter by down as bait. If the counter does not land, it is merely a down. A flurry of powerful skills, driving deep, shattering the boss’s body, triggering the next elemental gimmick. A troublesome design: counter guaranteed with every attack. Yet before the lawless monster that crushes all in its path, that formidable counter fails to hold—crumbles weakly, utterly broken.