Defense specialization—and someday, too.

A flash of darkness, then the sudden awakening of eyes as if from sleep. The event has already ended. The two stand together in the spectator area.

Before them, other players speak with fervor, or return satisfied to the tenth floor.

"Wait… what? Did I just… die?"

"Haha, both of us together. So that's what it feels like when you die."

"No way! I was sure we'd done it right! How'd you do it?"

"That's because..."

Leaning against the tall flower bed behind, she begins to explain how it was done.

"【Break Core】 is enduring 【Bomb Eater】, right? So it wasn't 【Discarded】."

"Of course!"

"Before the explosion, I quickly accessed my inventory from behind and retrieved an item."

"An item?"

"Fu fu… you'll see."

—Hmm… hmm…

—Hint is the fourth layer.

—Fourth layer… ah! The talisman!

—Correct.

The sealed talisman purchased at the fourth layer.

An item that can only be held in three copies, each capable of sealing one random skill upon attachment.

At the final moment, she had affixed it to her back, sealing the 【Bomb Eater】.

Without 【Bomb Eater】, 【Break Core】 would have functioned as a true self-destruct, reducing HP to zero.

—But wasn’t the sealed skill chosen at random?

—Yes. So it depended on luck.

—Exactly!?

—But… I felt today, more than anyone in the world, I was fortunate. I asked. I hoped she might listen.

—Indeed… I promised to repay her. Hmm… hmm…

The content was unexpected. Yet, having been asked a second time, she had unintentionally fulfilled her promise.

But I couldn’t manage it without remembering how to manipulate the inventory directly mid-combat. Probably couldn’t reach the pouch at all.

Ah! Then I shouldn’t have shown it, huh?

Thanks to that, I’ve gained a new technique.

Mmm, fighting’s difficult, isn’t it?

Heh… maybe.

A dense exchange of techniques, parrying attacks again and again. Yet neither spoke of finer details afterward.

Perhaps because they felt all necessary communication had already been made within that fight.

Hey… can I ask one thing?

Yeah, what?

In a serious tone, as if about to speak something deeply important.

Beyond the dark hair tilted downward, their eyes showed not the fierce fire of resolve from battle, but something opposite—doubt, hesitation.

Yet she cast aside her doubt and hesitation. A deep breath. Her lips formed words.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"...Yeah. I did."

Smiling at that, her expression brightened instantly.

Her joy, brighter than her own, seemed absurd. She laughed, unable to help it.

"Hey. Can I ask my third wish now?"

"Wait—really? You’re going to ask something like that? There’s no deadline, you know. You’re not in a hurry?"

"Just before I forget."

She did not say it—about the fervor that drove them toward victory.

"Sure. Anytime."

"...Will you play with me again?"

"Of course. I’m not a master, but I’m not a beginner either. Maybe intermediate? But I know there’s joy in it. That’s what matters."

She said it with a smile even wider than before. Locked eyes. Spoke clearly, full of energy.

"Then, let's play again?"

"I'll find more hidden ones for you! Yes... so wait for me. Always."

"Yes!"

The end of the story. The end of one dream.

Stars began to blink across the sky as the sun sank below the horizon.

Next time, the final chapter.