Defense specialization and the final act.

The two successfully assisted Kasumi with her quest, accompanying her as she carried back the exceptionally large ore dropped by the boss, thus completing the quest. The remaining smaller ores of various attributes could be used to cast weak elemental attacks, but to pursue greater potential, they were handed over to Iz. With this, the planned questing was concluded.

"May need to call on your help again depending on the next quest... but in any case, I'm grateful."

"You're welcome!"

"Truthfully, we're the ones who received help."

In preparation for the upcoming challenge against the Demon King before the deadline, the members of [Maple's Tree] have provided considerable assistance.

"Thanks to the two of you, we managed the quest smoothly. Well done."

"Kasumi also performed excellently!"

"Haha, I'll show even greater performance next time."

"I'm counting on it."

"Then count on it."

The quest concluded smoothly. Kasumi set out toward the Town in the fourth layer, searching for the next task.

The two watched her depart. They exchanged glances.

“What now? We could return to the fifth layer. Or we might try searching for a hidden area… Well, it’s not impossible.”

“Hmm… Yeah… Probably the fifth layer. We had gear made for that very purpose!”

“Alright. It’s our duty to press forward there. If things go well, we might clear the remaining areas all at once.”

“Then we’ll be just in time for the final battle against the Demon King!”

“We’ll need to keep advancing, then.”

“Yeah!”

“So, to the Town in the fifth layer… Wait?”

“A message.”

They each checked the screen. The message was not from a member of the 【Maple Tree】 guild. It came from the game’s administrators.

"About the closing event for us."

"Eh... choose either PVP or PVE to participate... hmm. Wait—just participating gets you one gold medal!?"

"Ah—quite the milestone event, then. Generous. Probably means the difficulty of the next area to be added will jump sharply."

Possibility of acquiring a skill that can become one's foundation if a gold medal is obtained.

One could say the player's strength shifts by a full level before and after this event.

"PVP is duos... up to two people if forming a party... space is divided upon battle start, skill usage count also restored."

"Feels like duels."

"Perhaps close enough. Also, if a certain number of players gather within a set range, a limited battle royale begins."

"Ah. Are there rankings?"

"No. It's more like a festival event. No forced retirements. Everyone gets a gold medal as a participation prize. Just fight hard and have fun. Players who are knocked down are sent to a designated area for defeated combatants. If they still wish to fight, they may teleport to any location and resume."

"Hmm. I see."

They are not forced to fight for rankings. Each player tests their current ability, reassesses what is lacking, and considers which skills they wish to acquire—measured by the gold medal.

That aspect exists, but above all, it is a space meant for enjoying combat.

"PVE is straightforward. You're meant to prove your strength in fields overrun by powerful monsters that are very hard to defeat."

"Here, you can form a party of up to eight and participate."

A full party, as usual. Some of the monsters we’ve seen here might appear in the new area too.

Could be.

They’re enemies that are very hard to defeat. Not like the bosses that show up in quests. They’ll use piercing attacks, remove buffs without fail, and spam area attacks.

Exactly. They said clearly it’s very hard to win.

Sally speaks, her voice low. The operators might want to track the players’ locations. How far a boss can be defeated. Which bosses no one can defeat.

The reward is promised. There is no risk in losing. Challenges can be attempted as many times as needed. The difficulty is stated in advance. Any party can approach a powerful monster with ease.

"Either way... Maple, what about you?"

"Hmm... If it's eight people, then PVE. Everyone can join, exactly! For PVP, maybe with Sally?"

"...Everyone should have received the message. We'll ask again somewhere else."

"Uh-huh! Yeah!"

"In any case, the event is still far off. We should succeed in defeating the Demon King first."

"Yup! We'll work hard until the event! First, the fifth-layer area!"

As spoken before the message arrived, they walk toward the guild home to transfer to the town in the fifth-layer area.

"…………"

The dream she once saw remains distant still.

She pressed a hand briefly against her mouth, unable to shape the words she needed. Sally walked ahead, her back moving forward. The motion was followed.