Defense specialization and the fog beyond.

With Maple and Yui on his back, Sally in his mouth, Crom leading the way, the six-layer area assault continued. The six-layer area often deployed mass tactics exploiting undead immortality or debuff strategies through spirits, making Maple’s wide-area defense and Mai and Yui’s annihilation power a perfect match, significantly lowering the difficulty of the assault.

The three specialists, heavily focused on one stat, were inherently resistant to moderate debuffs, unable to be weakened effectively by minor effects.

Thus, as before, nothing halted Maple and her companions as they cut down spirits and corpses. With momentum intact, the dungeon where 'Demon King’s Power' could be obtained became the final target for conquest.

Yet on this day, they did not advance. The five reconvened at the guild home in the six-layer area the next day, beginning their strategy meeting.

Now that we have come this far... there is one piece of bad news.

What... what is it?

Hmm, could it be that our compatibility with the boss is very poor?

No. The boss is not an easy opponent either... but the real issue lies in the journey itself.

The journey... so, you're saying even Mai and Yui's attacks won't work?

No. The journey is simply narrow in spots. We cannot enter with [Brutality].

"Ah..."

[Brutality] cannot be used. This means the strongest skill—capable of combining movement, attack, and Sally's transport—cannot be employed.

What about [Hair Growth]?

There are some skill dispels... given it is the final layer of the six-layer area, there are numerous troublesome debuffs and unpleasant tactics. [Love That Offers the Body] cannot be used as before.

Mmm...

Two shield bearers are present. With Mai and Yui each protected, the defensive performance remains secure even without [Love That Offers the Body]. The issue is Sally.

“How shall we proceed, Sally? If it seems too difficult, you may stay behind. It’s fine.”

Sally hesitated for a moment, as if uncertain. Then, with resolve, she turned back toward Maple.

“I—I’m not just waiting here, speaking nothing! I’m not!”

“Huh?”

“The boss’s attack range. The skill activation. The room’s size. I’ve memorized them all.”

She closed her eyes with black cloth, a mix of fear and determination in her expression.

“I can avoid the boss’s attacks even without seeing.”

“Huh? Seriously? I mean… Sally, you…?”

Crom reacted instinctively, doubting. But the words came from Sally. The impossible claim settled into his mind with sudden credibility.

“We’ve decided to take down Maple. So we’ll do it the way we can now.”

“Just like you, Sally! Then it’ll be fine!”

“M-Meet Maple-san?”

“H-Honestly, are you sure about this…?”

It was possible with Sally. A part of him thought so, even as he struggled to accept the impossible skill that lay beneath the claim.

Yet while the other two faltered, Maple seemed to swallow Sally’s words without question.

“…Alright. If you say you can do it, I won’t doubt you. You’re Sally, after all…”

The conversation moved forward as Sally—dragged into battle despite her fear—was folded into the plan like a path already worn.

“Since I don’t remember the way, I’ll cover it with Maple.”

“Leave it to me, Sally. And if it gets dangerous during the boss fight, I’ll protect you!”

Then, if you’re capable, we’ll build our strategy around that. Indeed, if Sally can move, there are countless tasks I’d have her perform.

Her presence expands the range of combat options. Something only she can do, beyond the brute force of Mai and Yui.

Though she is trusted, the choices she makes carry greater risk than usual. The plan is refined. The enemy’s attacks are anticipated. Only then do they leave the guild home.

Sally, her eyes covered with black cloth, is led by Maple and placed upon Shiroppu’s back.

Then, let’s go!

All aboard confirmed. Maple’s command—Shiroppu lifts into the air. The airship moves faster, but carrying everyone together on Shiroppu reduces the risk of injury to Mai and Yui, and ensures Sally’s safe transport.

“Sally, get inside for now!”

“…Yeah.”

Sally’s only functional location remains the Boss Room. Even with her eyes covered, her face is pale. To expect her to serve at this point is unreasonable.

Maple is the type of player who naturally becomes a cannonball in any plan. She keeps several containers in her inventory for Mai and Yui to use as launch platforms.

This time, the platform is unstable—Shiroppu’s shell. She chooses a rectangular, stable form over a circular one. She places Sally inside.

"Monsters rise from the sky too. Handle the defense."

"Leave protection to us!"

" Yes!"

The ghosts drift slowly, swaying, toward Maple and the others. For Mai and Yui, this level of threat is no obstacle.

" Fly Shot!"

The shockwave releases in an instant, guiding the ghosts to peace. With the aid of [Healing Hand], they safely extend their range. They will not fall into danger by exploiting the cooldown of Fly Shot.

[Healing Hand]—still strong. Simply more slots, that’s all. Still... I always wonder how well you manage it.

The weapons Mai and Yui wield number eight. The status favoring attack works well. The fact that any hit counts as a success lowers the difficulty. Even so, handling them remains far more difficult than simply swinging a weapon.

"I thought becoming a master would be useful!"

"I practiced hard...!"

"No, really, I think you've become such a skilled player that every guild would want you."

"Unh-unh! Both of you are amazing!"

"“Hehe... thank you so much!”"

The two, smiling with faint embarrassment, one after another cut down the weak monsters. The field was clear of enemies. Ahead lay the dungeon. Maple and the others took flight into the sky.

Shiroppu landed at the edge of a marsh shrouded in eerie purple mist. Beyond this point, attempting to fly would result in being swallowed by the mist and expelled back to the outside. A shortcut was impossible. They would have to advance properly, without cutting corners.

"Exactly as I said—the mist looks poisonous, but it's harmless. Ah, though there are poisonous swamps, so be careful."

On the other side of the mist, squinting, a purple swamp bubbles with a distinct poko-poko sound. Mai and Yui must watch their steps carefully.

“Yui, stay as you are. I’ll have Tsukimi carry you.”

Mai alters her ornament, reducing the two great hammers and summoning Tsukimi instead. She ties Sally’s box to her back with rope.

“The path is long. I do not wish to cut open the Love That Offers the Body yet. Proceed with care.”

“““Yes!”””

Crom and Maple surround Mai and Yui, scanning in opposite directions, vigilant.

The danger is sudden preemptive strikes. With the Love That Offers the Body not yet activated, there must be no such thing as being caught off guard.

“Maple!”

“Yes!”

A loud pop. Purple spirit forms in the thick fog, rising around Maple and the others.

Maple and Crom move swiftly, exchanging a glance, then raise their great shields into defensive formation.

““Cover!””

With two shieldbearers, the attackers—barely more than minimal skill—can be kept at a distance from the spirit souls.

The spirit souls themselves are not monsters. When Maple’s shields block them, they dissipate like flame magic in mist.

“Good reaction. You’ve grown quite skilled with the great shield, Maple.”

“Really?”

“Mm. Fighting strong opponents teaches more than anything.”

“Maybe.”

PVP or PVE—Maple’s opponents are always formidable. Whether she notices or not, the environment itself sharpens her skill.

“…! No time for talking. The core has arrived!”

Three semi-transparent ghosts drift through the thick fog. Human bones, translucent within faint light, are clearly visible. This is the one who released the previous spirit soul.

Before Maple and Crom can act, Mai and Yui swing their blazing great hammers—empty air as the ghost dissolves into the mist just before impact.

““Cover!””

Maple and Crom, anticipating the next move, step in front of Mai and Yui. The ghost materializes instantly before them, spewing flame from point-blank range. They hold it back. They watch as Mai and Yui’s hammers strike, crushing it—this time for good.

First strike: evaded by teleportation. The ghost closes distance with unblockable movement, delivering a powerful counter. But with preparation, it becomes a manageable opponent.

The shieldbearer selects her weapon to counterattack. Whether she understands the enemy’s attack patterns determines the battle’s outcome.

"One more left. We’ll stop it. Take it down!"

"Leave it to us!"

"Defend for us, please!"

"Of course!"

"Got it!"

Even one each, they handled their foes perfectly. Two against one could not fail to hold the line. Maple and her companions defeated the final ghost unharmed. They continued, dispatching the ghosts that emerged, the skeletons crawling from the poison mire, and other undead types without difficulty, moving toward the boss.

"Once we clear the sixth floor, we’ll reach the open eighth floor."

"Yes! That’s it! We’re almost done!"

"Right? The Gathering Holy Sword said defeating the demon lord usually requires three parties. Even though it’s the end, that’s where it gets tough."

"Of course the others from Maplewood are incredibly strong and dependable. But Sally—this is still beyond even her, isn’t it? Right?"

"Uh… yes."

A faint voice came from within the sealed box.

"Gathering the Demon Lord’s magic for multiple cycles takes time and manpower. If we must break through in one attempt, I can reach out to someone I know. If you need three full parties, ask me."

"Thank you!"

"You all from the Flame Emperor’s Kingdom are nearly at the Demon Lord’s threshold too."

"Thunder Storm and Rapid Fire will surely not take long."

"We can’t fall behind everyone else!"

Thinking of her rivals, she steadied her focus. First, securing the Demon Lord’s magic before her.

Now the path ahead is cave for a time. Not that the enemies are strong, but... because of this one, the [Ravaging]...

Uu… there’s nothing to be done about it, is there…

It would have been better if there had been some way to manage it.

A skill to alter the shape of a dungeon... I have never heard of such a thing.

Even with Mai and Yui’s strength, the dungeon’s wall cannot be broken.

Maple and the others stepped into the cave, moving forward as planned, preserving the power of [Violence] in reserve.

Crom had said the enemy was not strong, and so the cave was passed through without particular difficulty.

As previously stated, the only concern was that 【Brutality】 could not be used.

Maple and the others advance steadily, step by step, deeper into the interior. They set foot in the marsh once more.

Amidst this, Maple and the others feel a sudden, deep tremor. They glance at one another. A silent certainty settles.

Maple, next one’s coming! The one we’re waiting for!

Understood! Full Armament Deployment!

Maple unfolded her weapon, aimed the massive barrel forward, and fired a laser.

It strikes a large fragment hurtling through thick fog, detonating before impact.

The target was not the enemy, but the rubble itself. Fragments did not reach Maple and the others. The threat was eliminated before it could manifest.

Yet this was only the first strike deflected. The enemy who launched the rubble toward Maple and the others waits concealed in deep fog, seeking an opening.

Mai and Yui focused on操控 the large mallet, standing with their bodies turned outward to guard it, Crom and Maple positioned beside them.

The signal indicating the enemy's approach is visible for only an instant. To preserve vital skills until the boss, this moment must not be missed.

Crom stared motionless into the mist. He caught the instant a small red light slipped swiftly through the haze.

"Necro! [Awakening]! [Weight of Death]!"

Reacting to Crom's voice, Maple and the others understood the enemy's location. They turned in unison, following Crom as he led them through the mist.

Crom slowed the enemy's movement. Closing the gap from their side. The enemy moved as well, but the distance between them shrank sharply. The enemy's form, hidden in the thick fog, became visible.

A mass of enlarged muscle fibers. A large corpse with coarse breath. The arm, thicker than Maple's torso, could have flung debris aside with ease. A mid-stage challenge, a step stronger than before.

"Necro! [Phantom Armor]! [Multi-Cover]!"

Crom at the front engages the enemy. Necro wraps around him, reinforcing defense. He shields Mai and Yui behind a great shield. The massive fist, swung with force, is met squarely at the shield's center. The shield deflects the blow, shattering the enemy's balance.

"«[Aerial Strike]!»"

"[Ancient Weapon]!"

Mai and Yui release shockwaves. At the last moment, the enemy performs a high backflip to evade. Maple's blue laser targets that moment. The enemy twists their body, swings a powerful arm, and cancels the beam.

"Damn, quick on their feet."

"Shiroppu, [Awakening]! [Great Nature]!"

"Nice!"

Maple commands Shiroppu. Thick, massive vines burst from the ground, wrapping around Maple and the others, enclosing the enemy. No escape. No room to dodge.

"[Provocation]! [Activation]!"

Crom uses a skill to draw aggro from the foe. HP falls quickly under heavy, rapid strikes. Recovery speed is astonishing. Crom fights knowing he will take damage—his self-recovery ability makes it possible.

Crom’s grip holds firm. From beside him, a great mallet slips through, pressing in from both sides to crush.

Just as she tried to dodge with a backjump, she struck the cage forged by Shiroppu’s Great Nature with a heavy thud.

"【【Weapon Throw】】!"

The great mace, flung into the air, shattered the enemy's body, severed the long thick vines, and sent them flying far away.

It would end there. The enemy had managed to deflect attacks skillfully, but this contest belonged to Maple and her companions, who had swiftly cut off the enemy’s escape.

—Fuh. A one-hit kill is still the best. I had more tricks up my sleeve, you know? Arms that stretch, for instance.

It is a significant advantage that they could be felled without triggering形态 change, provided they lacked damage reduction beyond a certain threshold. When形态 change or shifts in behavior patterns are triggered by HP loss, the creature tends to move with a certain calmness before the shift.

She confirms no more enemies remain nearby. She sheathes her weapon and exhales.

—If we keep moving like this, the path ahead won’t be hard. Stay alert.

—“““Yes!”””

More players than not must remain untouched by attack. Victory comes with the tightening of the helmet’s cord. Maple and her companions reconfirm their tactics against enemies along the way. They step forward into the mist beyond.