Defense specialization and wish.
Two days after Maple and Sally touched the final area. No answer was unattainable despite Kanade's presence. Puzzle-solving progressed smoothly and pleasantly. Several dungeons were cleared.
Due to the focus on underwater and lost ancient technology, enemies were either mysterious machines powered by Maple's ancient mechanisms, or sea creatures.
The underwater setting required movements different from those on land. The experience of three-dimensional combat using flying machines in the tenth layer had clearly benefited their underwater battles.
Exploration. Progress. The long dungeon rush was nearing its end. On their way home from school, the two girls' conversation centered once more on 'New World Online'.
"Wasn't the last dungeon incredible!"
Swallowed by the great vortex and carried along without choice. Never thought we’d face a forced-scroll dungeon here.
Just the part where we trekked through coral, though!
Heh, remember diving into that giant anemone, pretending to be a clownfish? Maple, you don’t have to worry about poison.
Heh heh, that’s right. I even took a photo!
Ah, right. Only Maple could afford to be so relaxed during the walkthrough. Hey, show it to me next time we play, okay?
Yeah, of course!
Mm-hmm. It’s best when Maple looks happy.
Eight layers were enormous, yet there’s a dungeon and a boss that wasn’t even there. That’s incredible.
And there must be several hidden dungeons still undiscovered.
Not just Maple and Risashi—no, not even any player has found the boss yet. It’s still out there in the game.
Any person might suddenly encounter something unknown. Two who, by fortune, have repeatedly touched that delight, have been drawn this far by its glow.
“We can’t see everything, can we.”
“Not in time, nor by luck. Ah, no… luck might be sufficient.”
“Huh? But maybe I have some confidence?”
“Maple might resonate with the game’s dungeons. She’s more like a boss than a player. The dungeons seem to call to her, as if they’re her companions.”
“Could that really happen?”
“No, it shouldn’t. It shouldn’t… yet somehow it does.”
Meeting in the same virtual world, sharing the same days again in the real world. The conversation remains lively, even when repeated. Because the days they’ve raced together shine so brightly for both of them.
“Maple, is there anywhere you’d like to go? The gathering of the Demon King’s power is progressing smoothly, but still, the time we have left isn’t much.”
“Hmm…”
Even with the determination to clear the Demon King in one go, there was a limit to how long the two could play freely.
Risa had suggested they go to places Maple wished to visit now, before time ran out. She wanted Maple to give her all and leave no regrets.
That was why Risa widened her eyes at Maple’s next words, her hand still pressed to her lips, eyes closed in thought.
“Risa… what would you like to do?”
“Huh?”
A question returned in place of an answer. Risa turned her face toward Maple.
“Ah… well…”
She told herself there was no deeper meaning to it. Yet the gaze fixed straight upon her seemed to see through her heart all the same.
If you want to fight, just say so.
No, that was merely her own conclusion, Risa thought, shaking her head slightly to dismiss it. Maple did not operate that way. That was something Risa knew better than anyone.
…………
Still, even if Maple’s words carried no intent. To speak her desire aloud here and now would likely bring it to pass.
It only remained to speak it.
……Where would Maple like to go?
Mou, you say that again.
It’s true.
Hehe, then maybe I have a few places I’d like to visit!
Good. Tell me.
She understood, with her sharp mind, that fixating only on worst outcomes, or delaying decisions, were not valid solutions. Yet, precisely because of that sharpness, Risa could not bring herself to take the final step.