BOFURI (1 100) Light

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Table of Contents
Prologue: Defense Specialized and Before that
Chapter 1 Defense Specialized and First Login
Chapter 2 Defense Specialized and First Battle
Chapter 3 Defense Specialized and First Damage
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 Defence Specialized and Concentration
Chapter 5 Defence Specialized and First Intermingling
Chapter 6 Defense Specialized and Dungeon Attack
Chapter 7 Defense Specialized and Poison Dragon Battle
Chapter 8 Defense Specialized and Secret Training
Chapter 9 Defense Specialized and Event Start
Chapter 10 Defense Specialized and Event Results
Chapter 11 Defense Specialized and Status Discussion
Chapter 12 Defense Specialized and Material Collection
Chapter 13 Defense Specialized and A Friend
Chapter 14 Defense Specialized and Fishing Day
Chapter 15 Defense Specialized and Underground Lake Capture
Chapter 16 Defense Specialized and New Knowledge
Chapter 17 Defense Specialized and Stage Capture
Chapter 18 Defense Specialized and Maintenance
Chapter 19 Defense Specialized and Under Preparation
Chapter 20 Defense Specialized and Friend Strengthening
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Chapter 21 Defense Specialized and Second Event
Chapter 22 Defense Specialized and Boss Extermination
Chapter 23 Defense Specialized and Exploration Resume
Chapter 24 Defense Specialized and Underground Exploration
Chapter 25 Defense Specialized and Climbing Mountain
Chapter 26 Defense Specialized and Teleport Destination
Chapter 27 Defense Specialized and Conclusion
CHAPTER 28 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND MIDNIGHT EXPLORATION
CHAPTER 29 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND THE THIRD DAY OF THE EVENT
CHAPTER 30 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND VALLEY EXPLORATION
CHAPTER 31 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND WHAT’S INSIDE THE EGG
CHAPTER 32 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND DOWNSTREAM EXPLORATION
CHAPTER 33 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND IMITATION BATTLE
CHAPTER 34 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND IMITATION SUBJUGATION
CHAPTER 35 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND DESERT EXPLORATION
CHAPTER 36 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND UNDER THE QUICKSAND
CHAPTER 37 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND OUTSIDE THE GAME
CHAPTER 38 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND ENCOUNTER
Chapter 39 Defense Specialized and Crystal Cave
Chapter 40 Defense Specialized and Escape Plan
Chapter 41 Defense Specialized and The Fifth Day of the Event
Chapter 42 Defense Specialized and Sea and Sandy Beach
Chapter 43 Defense Specialized and Coastal Exploration
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Chapter 44 Defense Specialized and Ruins Exploration
Chapter 45 Defense Specialized and Ancient Heart
Chapter 46 Defense Specialized and Squid Subjugation
Chapter 47 Defense Specialized and Squid Subjugation 2
Chapter 49 Defense Specialized and The Sixth Day of the Event
Chapter 50 Defense Specialized and Event and Mid-Boss
Chapter 51 Defense Specialized and Event Finished
Chapter 52 Defense Specialized and Skill Selection
Chapter 53 Defense specialization and sighting information
Chapter 54 Defense specialization and skill contents.
Chapter 55 Defense specialization and loot.
Chapter 56 Defense specialization and major failure
Chapter 57 Defense specialization and new elements.
Chapter 58 Defense specialization and production materials
Chapter 59 Defense specialization and quest
Chapter 60 Defense specialization and quest 2
Chapter 62 Defense specialization and skill acquisition.
Chapter 63 Defense Specialization and Dedicated Affection.
Chapter 64 Defense Specialization and Assistance
Chapter 67 A Specialisation in Defence; Growth of a Follower Spirit
Chapter 68 A Specialisation in Defence; Joining the Team?
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Chapter 69 Fur Cut
Chapter 70 Defense Specialization and the Current Status
Chapter 71 Defense Specialization and the Third Event
Chapter 72 Defense Specialization and Derailment
Chapter 73 Defense Specialization and Big Derailment
Chapter 74 Defense Specialization and Demon Battle
Chapter 75
Chapter 76 Defense Specialization and Savagery
Chapter 77 Defense Specialization and an Invitation
Chapter 78 Defense Specialization and Demolishing a Boss
Chapter 79 Defense Specialization and Grinding
Chapter 80 Defense Specialization and Apprentice Training
Chapter 81 Defense Specialization and Supporting Role
Chapter 82 Defense Specialization and Conversation
Chapter 83 Defense Specialization and the Bottom of the Cliff
Chapter 84 Defense Specialization and Succession
Chapter 85 Defense Specialization and a Crafting Role
Chapter 86 Defense Specialization and Offensive Supporter
Chapter 87 Defense Specialization and Information Gathering
Chapter 88 Defense Specialization and Probing
Chapter 89 Defense Specialization and Event Notification
Chapter 90 Defense Specialization and Final Adjustments
Chapter 91 Defense Specialization and the Fourth Event
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Chapter 92 Defense Specialization and a Cunning Scheme
Chapter 93 Defense Specialization and Protecting the Orb
Chapter 94 Defense Specialization and the Reconnaissance Team
Chapter 95 Defense Specialization and Two Enemies
Chapter 96 Defense Specialization and the Two Similar People
Chapter 97 Defense Specialization and Orb Collecting
Chapter 98 Defense Specialization and Ifrit's Country
Chapter 99 Defense Specialization and the Flame Empress
Chapter 100 Defense Specialization and Full Member
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「U〜n……I haven’t played a lot of games though〜」
While looking at the game package that her friend Shiromine Risa pushed onto her, Honjou Kaede lets out
a sigh.
「Risa is always leading me by the nose……」
It can be seen that men and women holding swords and staffs were drawn on the package of New World
Online, which was also written with colorful letters.
It was the VRMMO, a kind of game genre, that has rapid increase on sales recently, and Kaede has the
hardware to move this, although it was covered with dust.
And that hardware also, she was invited by Risa, and it was something she bought during that time.
「Ha〜……it’s not like I can refuse her, right……」
A memo, on Kaede’s hand. This was given to her by Risa, and it was written there what to do to start the
game.
「If I see those *KiraKira* eyes…I can’t say that it’s impossible…」
Risa had already believed that Kaede would start without doubts. Kaede who thought that not starting
would be a shame, couldn’t do anything about it.
「It can’t be helped…! Configuration, I should start huh」
She swept off the dust, and plugged the hardware.
It’s not like she hated games.
Playing with her a bit, is just fine.
She thought of that, and Kaede started the first configuration.
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Kaede ended the first configurations of New World Online with memo on one of her hand. Thanks to the
memo, the configuration was proceeding very quickly.
「Fu〜……it’s okay with this right…」
And then, it became the time to dive into the cyber world. It’s a feeling after a long time. I closed my eyes,
and the next time I opened them, it was already the game’s world. Even though I said that, there are still
configurations remaining, and it couldn’t be in the middle of a town from the start.
「First is……name huh〜. U〜n, choosing Kaede as it is, it’s my real name so it’s somehow…what should I
do…」
Kaede thought for a while, and after that, she chose Maple as her name, and pushed accept. On the panel
that floats in air, the contents that were shown had changes. Next is, looks like it was needed to choose
the beginner’s equipment.
「Large sword and…one-handed sword…mace…staff…u〜n…I’m not good at moving around you

know…and also, I don’t want to receive something like an attack…then, maybe it’s staff to be a magician
huh〜」
Just like that, Kaede was looking at some equipments, but there was one equipment that stopped on her
eyes.
「Large shield and sword? The attack power is low though, but…the defense power is number one
huh…Eh?! If defense power increases the damage is nullified?!」
Kaede who was reading the explanation, decided that was it, picked large shield and short sword as
beginner’s equipment.
By the way, increasing the defense power and nullifying the attack is only for the very start, and it would
be better to increase strength after that, that was the evaluation of that within the game, well, it just
means, it was an unpopular equipment.
In the first place, there are only a few people who chooses their equipments intentionally, in the
assumption that they are going to receive an attack. In addition, even if was impossible with a large
shield, if it’s a shield, it is possible to equip a one-handed sword or a mace.
There are a lot more people who chooses that because it is easier to swing around.
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「Next is status point huh…here is, all defense power, here you go」
It was what you call a pure build. If you do this with a large shield, your seemingly trash attack power will
become more sad, and since you are not placing anything on speed stats, your movement speed could
only be how fast you are in reality.
Who wonders if there is any high-school girls that could win against charging animals in the real world.
「Ah〜…you can’t change height huh…I wanted to make my height taller…」
Kaede’s height is about 145 cm. She also has slim figure, and with that lovely appearance and stature, she
was secretly being liked at school, but Kaede had no ways of knowing that. Height was her complex, but it
seems that changing the body, height, and weight different from the real world originally, you cannot play
very well so it couldn’t be helped.
「Then, it’s okay with this huh. Yosh!」
Kaede’s body was enveloped with light.
The next time she opened her eyes, that was the vibrant castle town’s square.
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「Here should be…uhmm. Status!」
*Vuon* with the sound of that, a transparent blue panel emerges in front of Kaede.
Maple
Lv1
HP 40/40
MP 12/12
【STR 0〈＋9〉】
【VIT 100〈＋28〉】
【AGI 0】
【DEX 0】
【INT 0】
Equipments
Head【ーーー】
Body【ーーー】
Right hand【Beginners Short Sword】
Left Hand【Beginner’s Large Shield】
Legs【ーーー】
Shoes【ーーー】
Accessories【ーーー】
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【ーーー】
【ーーー】
Skill
None
「U〜n…? VIT is defense power right? If I’m correct. A-re…this, I’ve done it?」
Even Kaede who doesn’t play a lot of games, guessed that having 0’s lined up on your status isn’t good.
Even if she looked from her life until now, there’s more things that wasn’t good that it was 0.
What Kaede noticed after checking her statuses one by one, is that her STR could only, somehow, let her
hold her weapon, but she had no INT, she had no AGI, and she also didn’t have DEX.
「Ahaha…I’ve done it〜…what should I do…Risa isn’t here too」
*UnUn* she was groaning like that, and after a few minutes of thinking, the idea she went up, was to go
fight monsters one time for the time being. And if it couldn’t really work, then it cannot be helped. At that
time I’ll make it once more, Kaede thought.
「Yosh, let’s go out of the town…!」
There was one thing that Kaede thought while going towards outside of the town.
「The people nearby……so fast?!」
Here appears the effects of 【AGI 0】 that didn’t show while she was on a stop.
But, without being discouraged with that, *TekuTeku* she walked towards outside of the town.
Her goal, first subjugation.
Even the outside of the town, although not as many as inside, but there were people. If she fought here,
there would be at least one who might witness her.
「I don’t want to show my uncool side though〜…I’ll go a little more distant〜」
Just like that, *TekuTeku* Kaede walked to a forest that seemed to have no people in it.
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「Yosh, it’s okay if it’s here…Monster-san, you can come from wherever you want!」
It is unknown if it reacted to Kaede’s voice, but a White Rabbit with a pointed horn on it appeared from
the bushes. The White Rabbit tackles with a good speed. If you ask the question, does Kaede who has only
the same speed in real life can dodge a charging rabbit, then the answer is no.
「Cho!! Wa! I’m Sorry!!」
It is unknown on what part she was apologizing for, but when Kaede instinctively said that, her large
shield had shifted strangely. She received the charging attack with a pointed horn to her stomach.
「It hurt…! ……It doesn’t?」
The rabbit was confused because it didn’t inflict the damage that should’ve been a critical hit.
「Ohhhh! Amazing! It doesn’t hurt! As expected of 【VIT 128】! Fufufu……how’s that, Usagi-san. How’s my
abs?」
*Ghu* Kaede puts force on her stomach. It’s not like it was muscular. It was rather *PuniPuni*.
It looks like the rabbit took that thrusted, defenseless stomach that as provocation, and charges once
again.
Kaede received that without using her large shield.
The White Rabbit was relentlessly charging again and again, *Fufufu* and Kaede who receives that while
laughing.
If a person who didn’t know what was going on passes by, it was a profound and mysterious situation, so
that person would probably write that down on the BBS in an instant.
That something, that is very doubtful if it should be called as battle, lasted for an hour.
「Come here, come here〜, put a lot more power in it〜?」
Kaede was provoking the White Rabbit a lot, but a system sound flowed inside her head.
『Skill【Absolute Defense】had been acquired』
「n? What’s that?…Please wait a minute, Usagi-san」
Kaede left that rabbit charging alone, and checked her skills.
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Skill【Absolute Defense】
Makes the VIT of the skill’s owner times two. The point needed to increase 【STR】【AGI】【INT】 will be
three times of normal.
Skill Requirement
Receive attacks continuously for an hour, and not receive damage. And, not afflict damage using magic, or
weapons.
「n〜? Then it means,【VIT 256】?! This, isn’t it a very good skill?!…I was only playing with Usagi-san
though〜…」
Kaede was thinking that she gained this skill very easily, but the VIT wouldn’t be enough for normal large
shield users. Being that said, there isn’t anyone who would make a full build knowing that it would be a
trash build later on. In addition to that, there’s no way, that person who made a full build, would play
around for an hour with a White Rabbit.
It means, it is not said enough that it was a miracle she was able to acquire that skill. And furthermore,
the only one that holds that skill right now, is Kaede.
Although, there’s no way that Kaede herself would know about that.
「Yo〜sh Usagi-san, I’ve kept you waitin……Usagi-san?」
「Kyu…」
The White Rabbit injured its body every time it hit the ground after charging. And, a HP Bar-like thing
was appearing on the top of its head.
That, right now, from red gauge, it became zero.
*Parin* with that sound, the White Rabbit, turns into shining light particles, and disappeared. Without
dropping not even one drop item, it disappeared without any trace.
「Usagi-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!」
『Your level had risen to 2』
「Usagi-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!」
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The scream of a girl echoed in the woods.
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「Ha〜…why did you die by yourself…although, I didn’t want to defeat you anymore…」
Kaede was mourning with the death of the White Rabbit, but after a while, she regained herself, and
started to check about the level up.
「Ah! The point that can changed into status had increased by 5!」
If she changed these points, she can say goodbye to the zero status safely.
「U〜n…but, even if I increased any other than VIT right now…」
It looks like it cannot be turned back after changing it, so Kaede thought about it very carefully.
「Yo〜sh…I decided! I’ll change it into VIT!」
After Kaede placed all five points into VIT, and once again, she moved deeper to the forest to find a
monster.
「Ueee…so disgusting…」
Right now, a Huge Caterpillar is clinging to Kaede’s heel. Surely, there is no person that wouldn’t think of
that as disgusting.
Kaede took out the short sword from her waist, *ZakuZaku* and stabbed its body. This caterpillar has
poison, and it pours its poison after biting its opponent, but even if it had bitten Kaede’s body, it couldn’t
make a scratch so there’s no way of inflicting poison.
In addition, it didn’t have loveliness like the White Rabbit.
It means, she wouldn’t think of anything, even if she defeats it.
She could only defeat it after stabbing it ten, few times because her STR was so low.
「Level, it didn’t go up huh…」
Kaede was at this point, thinking twice if she should go back.
But, deeper and deeper she goes, and after a while, she wandered into the place where the strongest
monster was in these surrounding area.
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And, that monster’s misfortune, right now, it appeared in front of Kaede.
It was a bee that flies with noisy feather sounds.
That, was going towards Kaede.
「No way…this is the worst…」
Kaede became frightened to that unbelievable large sting on its back and made a stance with her large
shield.
But, Kaede who was【AGI 0】couldn’t keep up with its movements.
It went to her back in an instant, and stinged…
she was not.
The Giant Bee also seemed it was confused, and tried to sting her neck many times.
「Ahaha…it’s tickling you know〜」
Kaede who regained her composure, returned to her usual self.
Even so, the Giant Bee still tried to sting her a few times, but it seems it knew that it had no effect, and
started to spray venom.
「n………?!!」
Kaede felt like her skin was being burned, a little, but she really felt the pain. It was the same level of pain
when entering the bath after having a sunburn.
When she checked her status, her HP was reduced by 1. It means, Kaede would die if she receives the
venom only after 39 times.
「………Strategical retreat!」
Kaede showed her back to the Giant Bee, and ran away. But the big gap on AGI wouldn’t let her do that.
The Giant Bee sprays venom to her continuously.
「Khu………」
At the time when Kaede’s HP was cut in half.
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『Skill【Poison Resistance (Small)】had been acquired』
After hearing that system sound, Kaede stopped receiving damages. If this was the usual Kaede, she
would’ve had joy with it, but it was different this time. She received damage for the first time from the
Giant Bee, so she was a little angry.
「I can’t, no more…」
*Batari* Kaede collapses on the ground, pretends like she wanted to go away from this place even a little,
she crawled.
Right, it was an act.
When she did that, the Giant Bee showers her with venom as if it is only a little before it ends. When
Kaede gradually slows her movements, it also increased the amount of venom as if it was putting an end
to her.
『Skill 【Poison Resistance (Small)】 had evolved to 【Poison Resistance (Medium)】』
*Niyari* Kaede smiled. Right, this was her aim. Countermeasures are perfect with this, since poison was
her only concern right now.
And, Kaede stopped moving completely, she feigned death. The Giant Bee, wanting to snibble that Kaede,
approaches with its head.
「Fufu, you fell for it! Giant Beee!!」
She turned her body around, and stabbed the short sword she had on her hand into its mouth that was
widely opened. From the mouth that didn’t have armor, the blade that was stabbed made a sound
like *GoriGori* and pierced its head.
*GuiGui* Kaede moved that further and moves it sideways. The HP Gauge that was shown in the top of the
Giant Bee’s head was surely being shaved.
The Giant Bee became mad with anger, and stings her with its sting, but damage couldn’t get through.
And finally, after the Giant Bee convulsed, it turned into light and disappears.
*Poto* and it dropped a silver ring on the ground.
「Fufufu…it’s my victory!」
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『Skill 【Giant Killing (OomonoKurai)】 had been acquired. Your level had risen to 8』
After Kaede picked up the ring, she checked the skill and ring she gained this time.
Ring of the Forest Queen Bee【Rare】
【VIT +6】
Auto Recovery: Recovers 10% of maximum health every 10 minutes.
「Ohhhh! This is amazing. HP Recovery! It says rare, it means I was lucky huh?」
To Kaede who had only basic stats on MP, and haven’t learned magic, HP Recovery is very valuable. And
the 【VIT +6】 that was with is was plainly large. Because Kaede who have 【Absolute Defense】 it would
mean that it would become VIT +12.
She wore that after removing the glove that she was wearing in the first place. The glove wasn’t an
accessory, it was just only a fashion item, so she wore it again above the ring.
「It was written in the memo that valuable items or skills shouldn’t be said or shown to other people right
」
Risa wrote about the countermeasures for PKs. Even so, there wouldn’t be many PKers appearing, that
could kill the Kaede right now.
「Lastly, skill huh…」
【Poison Resistance (Medium) 】
Nullifies strong poison.
Skill Requirement
Receive strong poison 40 times.
「It doesn’t felt that strong though〜…maybe VIT also reduces the damage for poison huh…」
In fact, that was correct. The damage that she should’ve received was being reduced.
Even so, because she didn’t have resistance against poison attack, she received 1 damage.
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「Then, next!」
【Giant Killing (OomonoKurai) 】
During times when you have more than four stats, other than HP/MP, lower than the battle opponent,
stats other than HP/MP will be doubled.
Skill Requirement
If a player, who have more than four stats, other than HP/MP, lower than half of the battle opponent’s
stats, should subjugate the targeted monster alone.
「It’s because four of my stats are at zero…a-re? Then, most of the battles, my status will always be
doubled? That means…VIT is four times totally!」
As Kaede had said, most of her stats were zero, so the effect would be VIT times two.
In addition, she gained status points after raising her level.
「A-re? I only gained 15 status points……maybe I can only get it in multiples of two」
Kaede, this time, placed all of it into VIT without hesitation.
Even if she thought about the 【Giant Killing (OomonoKurai)】 , this was for best.
Right now, Kaede’s VIT stat is 616.
「n〜…I somehow got tired. I should stop it here and call it a day huh. I got more into it than I thought」
Kaede went out of the forest, and when she returned to town, she logged out, and returned to the real
world.
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Chapter 3
Author Note
The hero’s cheat comes out for the first time
Let’s check equipment and skills!
When I opened my eyes I was standing in a place like a big plaza.

People appear one after another whenever I look around, so i run away from the open space. There was a
guy who saw me on the way and trying to talking with me but i ignore it. Then, suddenly there a pong
sound on my head, so when I opened the menu I got message and read it.
《Come to the north gate to join》
Since the message came from that idiot, I ran toward the north gate.
– As I got to the north gate it was so noisy that I got to think some foolish thing.
Some people around me are staring at me like some idiots while making a noise.
「Oy, are you sure that beta tester is the strongest [god speed]?」
That what i heard. Well ~ If some beta tester It’s the strongest. Well, I’d like to fight it ~
I while approached it without revealing my true identity. Of course, while acting like one of my favotire
aitsu girls.
「A , ano! i, i am um…,Wont someone fight me!!」
Then, some stupid type people, replying while flushing their cheeks.
「But you are a beginner who just started off, I’m taking over the equipment of the beta test, with your
initial equipment, you won’t win this fight? Is that okay?」
「The..,then, could i change my equipment? Please give me a minute.」
「Understood」
Without any hestitation i equiped the unique equipment that i got!! Well, because I didn’t see the details
so let’s check it
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[Black Dragon Hairpin] VIT 500 AGI 350 MID 400
Skill: Indestrucable Non-Transable Wings of black dragon infinite growth
Set Effect: Physical / Magical Damage Reduced by 20% Intimidation of black dragon
[Black Dragon Shirt] VIT 400 AGI 200 MID 350

Skill: Indestrucable Non-Transable Black dragon strength infinite growth
Set effect: STR 20% rise
[Black Dragon trousers] VIT 400 AGI 500 MID 400

Skill: Indestrucable Non-Transable Divine Protection of the black dragon Infinite growth
Set effect: physical / magic damage reflection 30%
[Black dragon boots] VIT 300 AGI 700 MID 300

Skill: Indestrucable Non-Transable Black dragon aura
Set effect: AGE 40% rise
[Indestrucable] Equipment will not break

[Non-Transable] PK can’t drop or steal
[Wings of black dragon] Make the Black dragon wing appear on the back of user
[Black Dragon Strength] STR 50% rise
[Divine Protection of the black dragon] Damage Reduction 20% State Abnormality Invalid
[Intimidation of black dragon] When Lv is lower than yourself grant abnormality condition: Fear
abnormal condition: Disorder state abnormality: Randomly induce stunning
[Black Dragon Aura] All Status 20% Rise Black Aura Effect
[Infinite growth] Experience value comes in equipment and the performance grows indefinitely
Un, this is cheat ☆ I’m sorry I got carried aw ay. Performance of this equipment are dangerous. Especially
[Intimidation of black dragon] it just cheat, if you are weaker than me you not even a match
Should i change the weapon too? That’s right, let’s check the skills i got as well
[Demonic Aura = Final form]All Status 100% Rise Damaged Reflection 50% Magic Damage Invalid
Expanding the magic square that controls the demise on the back and wears a red aura
[God Eye]Appraisal · understanding · analysis,Chance to grant enemy a bad status paralysis · toxicity ·
sleep · stunning · fear · petrification effect
Blue flame effect on the eye
[Emperor of darkness] Darkness magic damage Rise 50%, Multipe the Status by 3 time at Night
grant night vision
That’s right! Let’s check the race skills and the skills i choose as well
[Blood sucking · God Lv 1] 20% of damage dealed recover HP · MP

[Dark Kin Lv 1] Summon black bats and wolves (status varies according to skill Lv)
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[Dignity of God] The power of sacred magic rise 20%, damage from sacred magic Nullifed
[Bloody Magic] Can consume one HP to use magic
[Immortality] HP automatic recovery 2% / s, recovering HP that was consumed as MP at death
Death penalty does not occur
[Dual Sword] able to equip sword with both hands. STR 10% rise when equipped with both hands
[Strength doubling] STR is doubled (always invoked)
[Super Acceleration] 3 minutes double AGI , increase recognition speed by 3 times
Wa ~ What the fuck is it, HAHAHAHA! Its broke!

Especially do i not become invincible with [immortality] and my [MP automatic recovery]!
OK, I am ready Let’s Battle!
23
Chapter 4 Defence Specialized and
Concentration
「Yo〜sh! Let’s also do our best today!」
Continuing from yesterday, Kaede logged in to New World Online.
「Let’s go to the forest today too〜! I also want new skills」
Kaede wasn’t the type who is engrossed on levelling up, but still, she is attracted by the exciting feeling
that you get when you gain a new skill. Like filling a bookshelf with books, it is a moment of fun.
「I should get skills that will raise VIT mostly right!」
And, with Kaede’s usual slow walking pace, *TekuTeku* she went towards outside of the town.
「I wonder what should I try〜…」
She thought like that, and the first thing that came to her mind was sensory awareness. If you can be
aware of the enemy’s presence from the start, there shouldn’t be a more convenient thing than that.
「Yo〜sh! I’m going to do it〜!」
Kaede placed her large shield on the ground, closed her eyes, and searched for presences.
Actually, this approach.
Is wrong, big time.
The real approach is written on the conqueror’s bulletin board, hit the unseen enemy with an attack
using bow and arrows or throwing stones as if you know that it is there.
It was like that, although it seems that there is a hole in the system. In the first place, if Kaede acquires it
in this approach, Kaede would be able to use Sensory Awareness in the real world.
Kaede wasn’t that kind of superman.
And Kaede who doesn’t know about that closed her eyes and concentrated mindlessly.
She just did that, after three hours.
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To Kaede’s ears who had just exerted patience for unknown reasons, a system message had arrived.
『Skill 【Meditation】 had been acquired』
「A-re, 【Meditation】 ? It wasn’t Sensory Awareness…I see, that’s too bad…」
Just like that, when she tried to stand up, she noticed that her body was heavy. She opened both of her
eyes, and when she checked her body, from centipedes and caterpillars that are small fries, to wolves that
were a bit stronger, they clinging to Kaede’s defenceless trying to attack it.
「Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!!!」
With a scream, *ZakkuZakku* she defeated the centipedes and wolves by stabbing them with her short
sword, to the 【STR 9】 Kaede, it was very difficult. The enemies couldn’t be defeated at all. But, they are
too weak and cannot wound Kaede’s body, so she can stab the blade to her body without worries.
But, seemingly caught by Kaede’s scream, monsters were coming out one next to the other from the back.
『Skill 【Provoke】 had been acquired』
She is happy because of the new skill, but first she needed to escape this crisis.
And finally.
「Fu〜…it was a difficult fight…well then, let’s check the skill〜!」
【Meditations】
If used, 1% of maximum HP will recover in 10 seconds. Duration of effect is 10 minutes. No MP

consumption.
While in 【Meditation】 you cannot take any attack movements.
Skill Requirement
Not lose concentration while in all kinds of pain and meditate for three hours.
「It’s not like I was meditating though〜…well, strong skills are welcome you know!」
25
Next, she also checks the provoke.
【Provoke】
Draws the monster’s attention into one point.
Skill Requirement.
Steal more than 10 monsters’ attention at once.
「This would also be nice during levelling up」
The original way, of being used by a person with highest defence powers in the party to tank, it was a
skilled used in parties, but Kaede didn’t look at it like that. For the reason, her AGI was so low, that even if
she tries to catch up with monsters during grinding, she couldn’t catch up to them. And the only person
who had that kinds of worries, even in all of the players, is Kaede.
Anyways, with this, she would be able to raise her level any time.
「The only left is to place the status points to VIT…n? There are 10 status points!」
Right, you can receive twice the usual status points given at the multiples of tens. This was created that
way, but to Kaede, it was an unexpected gift, and she was somehow happy with it.
Maple
Lv11
HP 40/40
MP 12/12
【STR 0〈＋9〉】
【VIT 130〈＋34〉】
【AGI 0】
【DEX 0】
【INT 0】
26
Equipments
Head【ーーー】
Body【ーーー】
Left Hand【Beginner’s Large Shield】
Legs【ーーー】
Shoes【ーーー】
Accessories【Ring of the Forest Queen Bee】
【ーーー】
【ーーー】
Skill
【Absolute Defense】【Giant Killing (OomonoKurai)】【Poison Resistance (Medium】【Meditation】【Provoke】
Kaede confirmed her status lastly, nodded very satisfied and logged out.
Meanwhile, in a certain internet bulletin board.
【NWO】I saw a “bad” large shield user
1. Name : Nameless Large Sword User
This is bad
2. Name : Nameless Spear User
>1
kwsk
3. Name : Nameless Magician
27
How “bad” is it
4. Name : Nameless Large Swordsman
Dunno. it was for some reason sitting while being surrounded by tens of Big Centipedes and Caterpillars.
5. Name : Nameless Spearman
Ha? wtf.
you’d die by that, lol. even if you equip large shield.
6. Name : Nameless Archer
>1
with strong equips? what about there
>6
it looked like it was beginner’s equips
just thinking of it makes my hair stand.
I wonder how you can be calm being surrounded by caterpillars and centipedes.
I can only say……probably nullifies the attack if not dying by that…
you can do that?
>9
if I’m correct, someone tested VIT full build. it probably had endured the attack of White Rabbits
trash build
28
13. Nameless Large Shield User
I probably know who’s that
>12
kwsk
14. Name : Nameless Large Shield User
I dunno the ign but it’s a bishoujo not reaching 150 cm
from her walking speed, her AGI is almost zero
btw, if I do the same thing, I’ll melt in an instant
really full build? well, but might find hidden skills or something
Ah〜something like that you say, I mean a girl, and a bishoujo on top of that
Hou, that’s where you look huh
I second you
n〜 well, can only find information later huh
if she becomes a top player, her name should probably be showing somewhere
19. Name : Nameless Large Shield User
if I find something, I’ll post it
Thank you very much for the information provided!! (Salutes)
29
Just like that, in places where Kaede doesn’t know about, Kaede became a topic for a while.
30
Chapter 5 Defence Specialized and First
Intermingling
「I also came today huh〜…」
With this, it’s the third day of consecutive login. Although saying that it was for playing with Risa, but she
got hooked to the hilt.
The feeling of success at the time she gained a skill, and the feeling of success of increasing defense
powers made her addicted, and before she noticed she turned on the hardware.
And Risa at the time, she was told by her parents to study so she couldn’t play.
「Fufufu〜…I’ll just enjoy by myself you know」
Just like that, Kaede was about to walk, but she had an idea when she looked around.
「I…I’m still on beginner’s equipment!」
Shield that has no decoration at all and very weak-looking short sword
that it was it. When she looked around, there are high-level players here and there, and those people are
wearing good equipments with decorations.
*KyoroKyoro* she looked around for those kind of people for a while, and saw a man who had equipped a
cool large shield.
*ToteTote* Kaede approached that man and called out to him.
「Uhm〜where should I go to get that kind of cool shield?」
「n? eh? m-me?」
The man was surprised because he was suddenly had been called out to.
「Yes! That large shield, it’s cool right!」
「Y-Yeah. Well, thanks……this is, an order-made you know. You can pay money to a non-combat class user
and make it for you」
31
「Mumumu…I see…」
「Let me think…you want me to introduce someone? As the kinship as same large shield user」
「!! Please do!」
「Well then, come with me」
There exists the possibility of this being a fraud, but Kaede was only thinking about the large shield right
now, so she wasn’t able to think about that at all.
It was lucky for Kaede that this man was really only being a friendly man.
Because.
「No way…to think she will talk to me……I should write this on the bulletin boards later」
Right, this man was the Nameless Large Shield User from some bulletin board.
After walking for a while, they entered one store.
Inside, a woman was working ahead of the counter.
「Ara, welcome, Crom」 What happened? The maintenance of the shield is still early though?」
「Ahh, I just saw a new large shield user so…I took her impulsively」
And from behind of Crom who said that, Kaede shows her appearance.
「Ara, what a cute girl……Crom, did you bring this girl with you impulsively? Should I report this to the
police?」
Saying that, the store owner woman emerges a blue panel in mid-air.
「W-Wait a minute! That, what can I say, it’s just an analogy!!」
「Fufu…I know. Just joking」
「Ha〜…that’s too bad for the heart so stop that」
32
Crom said that, *Ho* and let out a sigh.
「You also, you shouldn’t come with a suspicious person like that you know?」
「Au〜…I understand」
「I’m not suspicious!?」
「Fufu, well, chatting is enough with this, then, what’s the real talk?」
「This girl was saying that she wanted a cool large shield, so I thought I should just let you see her face」
「I see now. My name is Izu. Like you can see, a non-combat class, and within that, I specialize on
blacksmithing. I can also create something like a potion though」
「He〜…you’re amazing desu ne! Ah, uhm, I am called Maple!」
It was her first intermingling inside the game, so although Kaede was nervous, she was able to say her
name without biting her tongue.
「Maple-chan huh. Why did you choose the large shield?」
「Uhmm…I don’t like painful things, so I thought I’d increase my defense powers desu」
「n〜…I see, I see. Then VIT specialized equipments would be good…but…budget, you don’t have right」
Kaede checks her budget. Because she hadn’t bought anything so her money was still 3000G, the default
money.
「W-Would three thousand gold be enough?」
Kaede asked to be sure.
「Fufu…it’s not enough with that. At least around one million gold is needed」
To Kaede right now, it was a dizzying amount.
「Ugugu……being fashionable will be postponed for a while huh〜」
33
「There is also the way of entering dungeons you know? There are a lot of treasures in dungeons. Also as a
way of collecting money, you can go for once you know? Well, I don’t know if there is a powerful large
shield though」
After that, she registered friends with Crom and Izu, to be able to contact them anytime.
To the friendly two, *Pecori* she bowed her head and left the store.
Kaede for the meantime, decided two things, to collect money and go to the dungeon.
「I want a cool equipment〜!」
241 Name: Nameless Large Shield User
I encountered the large shield girl, I mean, I registered friends with her lol
242 Name: Nameless Spearman
Ha?
243 Name: Nameless Archer
How?
When I logged in, she was like *KyoroKyoro* a lot, and when I thought that our sights met, she runs
towards to me and talked to me lol
245 Name: Nameless Large Swordsman
large shield user girl, communication level is too high
246 Name: Nameless Magician
>244
then? what happened?
I was told cool large shield
when I told her I’ll introduce her to a non-combat class user she followed from behind
34
her AGI was too low and she took a hard time following me so I stopped a few times for her
>247
how high is your AGI
wait a sec I’ll summarize it now
here it is
Her name is Maple
She had not entered any party
The reason she chose large shield was because she didn’t like painful things so she increased her defense
powers
A very honest and active-type girl
Overall Evaluation
She was a very good girl
Ah〜watch and take care of her〜
Lastly, I am thinking of exchanging information about Maple-chan with you guys so I’ll show my
information
For the mean time, I’m playing using the name Crom
Then, my AGI is 20
I want to register friends with you guys so I’ll be happy if those who can come would go to the front of the
plaza’s fountain at around 22pm
thanks for the info, I mean, aren’t you Crom!
Aren’t you completely a top player!!
35
you’re too famous I’m too scared lol
Yossha, then I’ll go at that time lol
I mean, Maple-chan, being left behind by AGI20, maybe she really is full build
253 Name: Nameless Large Swordsman
then, from now on also, is the plan warmly watch and protect Maple-chan, alright〜?
I agree〜!
I agree〜!
I agree〜!
I agree〜!
Of course, there’s no way that Kaede would know about this bulletin board.
36
Chapter 6 Defense Specialized and Dungeon
Attack
「Exploring a dungeon huh〜I feel like my adventure had begun!」
Using the only three thousand gold, she bought potion to be sure.
HP is only 40 so even the lowest kind of potion is enough.
There is the ring of the giant bee and there is also 【Meditation】.
She finished preparing and went to the dungeon. Her aim was the 【Maze of the Poison Dragon】 that was
written in the information bulletin board.
「I have 【Poison Resistance (Medium)】 so it is alright!」
Dungeon, here I come, with that feeling she jumped outside of the town.
*TekuTeku* she walked towards the opposite direction of the forest. If this weren’t a game, Kaede who
was only holding a large shield and short sword can only be seen as an elementary school student.
She was attacked by a few monsters on the way, but they did no damage so without defeating them, she
ignored them.
The monsters in this area seem to be more intelligent than the monsters in the forest, so went they
understood that the attack wouldn’t go through, they went away.
There was no witnesses so Kaede’s abnormal defense power wasn’t found out.
When Kaede was walking like that, the trees around had gradually withered and she noticed that the
landscape was becoming deserted.
She also saw swamps that sound *PokoPoko* on their ground.
She walked like that by ten minutes.
She saw that there was one part of the ground was opened wide like a mouth.
「Is that it huh?」
37
Kaede entered inside, the inside had a taller ceiling that she thought, so she could properly make a stance
with her large shield.
When she enters further, slimes with poisonous hues and lizards was crawling from the walls and the
ground and charges an attack.
「Ei!! ya!!」
She stabbed the blade to the slime but she couldn’t aim its core that was moves around in its body like it
was drifting so she couldn’t deal damage. But, the slime’s tackle also, doesn’t deal damage.
「Mu……this had become my last will. Eat this! Large Shield Preeeeess!!」
Together with the large shield she fell over the slime and covered all its body. There wasn’t a skill or
anything so power couldn’t be expected, and it’s an attack that makes a lot of chances because of falling
down on enemy lines.
But, that wasn’t relevant to Kaede who only receives no damage to normal attacks or venom.
Shield attack had very little damage, but it seems it was enough to destroy the slime’s core.
「Yo〜sh! Let’s go further more〜!」
Finding out how to deal with the slime, Kaede went further and further to the back. By the way, Kaede
gave up on defeating the lizards. Her AGI was not enough, and before she attack, *SuruSuru* it ran away
and because she couldn’t hit it.
Wondering how many times it had been, she falls to the ground with the shield. At that time.
『Skill 【Shield Attack】 had been acquired』
Kaede immediately read the skill’s explanation. She guessed the contents of it from its name, but to be
sure.
【Shield Attack】
Attack using a shield. Power is dependent to STR. Knockback effect (Small).
Skill Requirement
Using shield attack, deal end damage to monsters 15 times.
「It doesn’t seem very useful…but knockback looks strong!」
38
While she moved further and further inside, there was like a violet flower that released a very clear
poisonous-like mist, and spits poison.
Like fishes that were swimming on poison swamps.
And while getting past those, she reached the deepest area.
In front of her, a door three times higher than Kaede’s height.
She put force to that double door to open it.
*GiGiGi* while sounding like its oil had dried, the door opened completely, and the inside of the room
became clear.
There was poison swamps here and there, and was full of light violet liquid.
At the same time that Kaede entered that room carefully.
Behind her, the door closed with momentum.
「Hyan!?」
As if to erase that short scream, a dragon that has its body melted in some parts appeared from the
poison swamp.
「T-This is the Poison Dragon?!」
Without caring about Kaede’s distress, a very deep violet breath was shot.
Kaede herself was almost without scratch, but her equipments couldn’t go that way.
「T-The large shield and short sword……」
Corroded to tatters and broke down, those wouldn’t mean anything as an equipment anymore.
Fortunately, the ring that she was wearing under her glove was fine.
And on this instance.
Kaede’s large shield【VIT 28】 is quadrupled by the effect of 【Absolute Defense】 and 【Giant Killing
(OomonoKurai)】. It means it dropped by 112.
With that, the damage from the breath shot by the Poison Dragon passed through further.
39
Every time she receives is it was 3 damage. Kaede’s HP had been reduced by 1 by the first breath shot.
It means, if it goes like this, she would surely be killed within 13 shots.
「Fu〜……concentrate! 【Meditation】!!」
Kaede closed her eyes and heightens her concentration.
This time, it would be a 【Meditation】 while pain is going through her body. 【Meditation】 wouldn’t show
its effects if concentration isn’t heightened.
The ring and 【Meditation】, and the potion that she bought with all her money. Using all of that, her only
chance of winning is to get the higher 【Poison Resistance】.
While she uses 【Meditation】, the fear had gradually disappeared. Just as if Kaede’s body was melting, she
stopped feeling anything.
Just like that she continuously endured, and by the time her HP is under 20% left, she drank the potion.
She repeated that.
The amount of recovery couldn’t catch up. Is it the potion running out, or will she gain the resistance.
It is whichever was faster.
After she endured for a while, a voice echoed in her head.
『Skill 【Poison Resistance (Medium)】 had evolved to 【Poison Resistance (Large)】』
With that voice that she was wishing for, but Kaede was not glad.
The pain of her skin being burned still remains.
Her resistance is still not enough.
It is unknown whether the resistance will grow further, but Kaede could only bet on that.
By the time that the last potion bottle was emptied.
「Haha……I did it……」
What echoed to Kaede’s head was the skill acquisition of 【Poison Nullification】.
40
If it was right now, the breath that fell to her felt good.
But, she couldn’t help it just resting. While recovering her HP, Kaede thought.
Right. In this time that her weapon is destroyed. What should she do to defeat the dragon, it was about
that. The dragon’s attack was no damage. Kaede’s attack was also no damage.
It won’t get anywhere.
In addition, she could only kill it or die to get out of this room. This is was a happening that the developer
did not expect.
「Ugugu…well, let’s try a lot of things! Tomorrow is rest day too!」
Right, fortunately, it is still rest day for the students tomorrow. She can take a lot of time slowly.
This and that, Kaede thought and tried, and finally, she did a specific move.
「Dragon’s meat, looks tender and juicy…maybe I could eat it with 【Poison Nullification】!」
While being exploited to its breath, she approached the body of the Poison Dragon.
And. Kaede placed her palms together.
「……Itadakimasu」
Chomps at its back.
41
Chapter 7 Defense Specialized and Poison
Dragon Battle
「Uu……it’s not that tasty」
Kaede frowned her face.
After observing it for a while, she found out that the part she chomped off would not grow back. But, the
principle is unknown but if it was only stripped off, the meat that fell returns to its place like a video
played backwards.
「I have to eat it after all huh〜…」
The meat of the Poison Dragon had a small bitter taste, and Kaede recalled green pepper with it, which
she didn’t like.
Even so, she cannot get out of this room, so she pinched her nose, and while swelling tears on her ears,
she ate it. The only ally for Kaede was that in this game, satiety doesn’t exist. Even if she can taste it, her
tummy would not be full.
「*MoguMogu*…Ah! Poison Dragon-san…thank you for throwing a breath out. *MoguMogu*…the bitter
taste that was green pepper-like disappeared, so it helps〜…」
Just like that, she moved forward to eating the torso part. And there result of eating like that for five
hours. The torso part became only its bones. Next is the tail, Kaede thought, but when she was sliding
down to its tail, *PoroPoro* the Poison Dragon’s bones collapsed and shattered, and the Poison Dragon
had stopped its movement.
At the same time, behind the Poison Dragon, a magic circle shining with light and a large treasure box
appeared.
『Skill 【Hydra Eater (DokuryuuKurai)】had been acquired. Together with this 【Poison Nullification】 had
evolved to 【Hydra (Dokuryuu】』
Kaede first placed her 20 status points to VIT as usual.
With this, the basic stats of VIT had become 150.
42
「Yosh…my defense had hardened again!」
Continuing, she checked her skill. Even Kaede didn’t think that there would be a skill like 【Hydra Eater
(DokuruuKurai)】.
【Hydra Eater (DokuruuKurai)】
Nullifies poison, paralyze.
Skill Requirement
Defeat the Poison Dragon with HP Drain.
It looks like eating is treated as HP drain. Although it’s doubtful that a player other than Kaede would do
that.
It is true that her HP had recovered for a small amount.
It was clear that it was not the normal way to get it. The difficulty taking it using the normal way is lower
compared to that. Who would want to purposely eat the rotting meat of the Poison Dragon.
【Hydra (Dokuryuu)】
Be able to use the powers of the Poison Dragon as you will.
By consuming MP, Poison Magic can be used.
Skill Requirement
Defeat the Poison Dragon with HP Drain with Poison Nullification acquired.
Seeing this, Kaede trembled.
「I-It’s my first proper way to attack! Plus, it’s poison so it has perfect compatibility!」
After hitting it, she only need to endure after that, it can make use of Kaede’s VIT to the fullest.
「But, the problem is MP huh〜…but I want to increase VIT〜…」
*UnUn* Kaede was groaning like that, she remembered the existence of the treasure box, and paused her
thinking.
43
It was quite large. It was a rectangular with 3 meters in width, 1 meter in length, and 2 meters en height.
To her first treasure box, *Gokuri* Kaede swallowed her saliva. With nervous and excitement, her heart
beats get loud.
Slowly raised the cover, and checked what’s inside.
「Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!」
To Kaede’s excitement, she shouted with a loud voice.
What inside was a large shield with black as a base and decorated with a vivid red decor.
Reflecting a dull shine, an armor that has roses carved on it that doesn’t stand out too much but properly
shows its presence, it was clear that it matched the large shield earlier.
And, a jet-black short sword that has a calm feeling with it and a sheath that has beautiful shining garnet
laid in it.
「Mou!…this is the best! So cool!」
Taking that, one by one she looked at the explanation.
【Unique Series】
Sent to the person who broke through the dungeon by defeating the boss alone and the first time as a one
of a kind equipment only for the dungeon capturer.
ーーLimited to one per dungeon.
The person who acquired this equipment will not be able to trade it.
『Mirror of the Dark Night (Yamiyo no Utsushi)』
【VIT +20】
【Destruction Growth】
Skill slot ー
『Armor of Black Roses (Kurobara no Yoroi)』
44
【VIT +25】
Skill slot ー
『New Moon (Shingetsu)』
【VIT +15】
Skill slot ー
It was exactly Kaede’s exclusive equipment. Even the short sword has VIT boost, it was equipment that
will not display full potential if other players use it.
「Let’s look at skill slot and 【Destruction Growth】 after I go back〜!」
After Kaede carefully placed the three equipments to her inventory, she was enveloped by the light from
the magic circle, and from the dungeon, she was teleported to the town.
When Kaede returned, she swiftly moved away, and using her remaining money, with only one day, she
borrowed a room in an inn.
In this game, sleep can also be taken so there are facilities like the inn, but Kaede’s aim this time was not
to stay in it.
「First is checking huh」
As this equipment is destroyed, it will become more powerful after being destroyed and return to its
former shape. Repair is done instantly so there is no effect in stats during breakage.
Skill slot
In exchange of the player’s skill, it can be infused to the weapon. Skills that are infused by this cannot be
acquired again.
The skill that is infused can be used five times a day without MP consumption.
45
Subsequent use will consume MP that is required normally.
Slots will be released every 15 levels.
「Fufu!…very cool! and strong!」
Kaede who had checked that slots were added infused 【Hydra (Dokuryuu)】 to the short sword 『New
Moon (Shingetsu)』 without hesitation. With this, her problem with MP consumption was resolved.
「And then, what everyone has been waiting for〜Equip!」
Kaede equipped all of the equipments and confirmed how it looked in a mirror.
「Ohhhhhhhhh!! I’m so cool!」
Just like that, with also the reason to be used to that equipment, she posed in front of the mirror for about
an hour.
「Fufufu…and then, outside, here I come!」
It was just like wearing her best clothes to go outside, Kaede was quite nervous.
As expected, that equipment that emits an overwhelming presence gathered the attention of many
people.
It had become late in the night, but she wanted to go for a hunt once more, so she places her foot towards
outside of the town.
46
Chapter 8 Defense Specialized and Secret
Training
Clad in jet-black equipment, sitting on the edge of the fountain, Kaede was troubled.
Her level won’t go up that easy.
Right now, Kaede’s level is 18, and the top-level right now is 48 they said. Kaede had no interest in this
game in the first place so she had been late to start. If it continues like this, the level gap will only open.
Well then, the reason for Kaede not having an easy way to level up was her AGI was so low, that she
couldn’t go to the places where strong monsters are in a short time.
「U〜n…」
She was staring at the information bulletin board thinking if there was a skill that would be useful.
The reason why she is thinking about it seriously right now was because of the announcement the game
staff about an event.
Right, after one week, an event will start. The event’s contents is point valued battle royale. Every
participants will fight for the number of defeated players and death count.
Also, points will be received with dealt damage, and damage not received.
And to the top ten, limited event items will be sent.
「Limited, only called by that I want it already……!」
Kaede was the type of person that buys merchandize, even if it was useless, if there was a limited edition
written on it.
That’s why, she is thinking of ways to deal with the level gap.
「Uu〜……for the mean time, let’s go!」
Kaede stopped staring at the bulletin boards, and walked towards the north.
Right, Kaede didn’t knew.
How abnormal her defense powers was.
47
「Tomorrow is rest day too…I’ll sleep outdoors and get a skill!」
In Kaede’s inventory, a sleeping back was in. With the money she finally earned by selling loots she was
able to buy it.
Her equipments were grand, but she had no money.
And, she arrived at the north forest.
Staying here for the night, one of the prey that she targeted is Explosion Ladybug, a ladybug that self-
destructs as attack.
And, another is a monster that is familiar in many games, it’s goblin.
「Yosh…【Provoke】!」
From Kaede’s body a circular light was released, and monsters were coming. Kaede only took within
those, goblins as the opponent. The number of goblins are five. Other monsters than that, she didn’t care
because even if she was attacked it was no damage.
The goblin slashes at Kaede using its rusty sword. But, even if Kaede is 【AGI 0】, it’s not like she cannot
use the shield that was larger than her to attacks that were done head on.
*Gacchiri* she stopped it, and blocked it away. It was plain, but she repeated that. Five Goblins. The
efficiency was five times.
『Skill 【Knowledge of Large Shield I】 had been acquired』
Because that was a basic skill that was written in the information bulletin boards, Kaede also acquired it.
It reduces the damage received from the enemy by 1 when a large shield is equipped. Instead of
increasing her VIT, she plans to take every damage reduction skill to increase her defence power.
「【Provoke】!」
With adding goblins to a total of ten and make them hit her, the efficiency was raised further.
The 【Knowledge of Large Shield I】 grew to 【Knowledge of Large Shield IV】 in only few hours, and
reduces damage by 4 right now.
In addition, she also got the skill 【Body Manipulation】 and 【Attack Diversion】 Their effects were both
reduction of damage received by 1.
48
「This much is good huh」
And using 【Shield Attack】 she crushed the goblin that was doing it’s best right now.
『Skill 【Abominable (Gokuaku Hidō】 had been acquired』
At this time, Kaede gained a skill that she wasn’t expecting.
Kaede’s play style was completely different to other players, she endured and endured with long periods
of time, so she gains skills that are not easily obtained by other players.
【Abominable (Gokuaku Hidō】
Every time an attack was received from an opponent intentionally, 【VIT +1】
But skill effects will only be available one day starting from the activation of the skill.
Limit is 【VIT +25】
Skill Requirement
Intentionally receive attacks from opponent that can be defeated continuously and exceed an amount of
time.
And, not receive death penalty until skill requirement is met.
「What a happy miscalculation!」
She endured that she almost danced, and went deeper to the forest.
Right, in the first time since Kaede started this game.
She is going to find for unconfirmed skills.
The Explosion Ladybug, as its name says, is a ladybug that explodes, and its size is around double of a
normal ladybug. Experience gained is very bad, takes a lot time to encounter since it’s deep in the forest,
and it is hard to dodge it since its body is small and the damage is also huge. That’s why, Kaede could
monopolize the hunting grounds that are unused by herself.
When Kaede reached their spawning place, she used 【Provoke】 to call the ladybugs. Because they are not
hunted at all, there were a huge amount of ladybugs that flew, but to that, Kaede only took out the blade
of Shingetsu a little from its sheath.
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「【Paralyze Shout】」
Although it was called shout, a silent, but a clear sound, *Kin* echoed.
The skill that in infused to Shingetsu is originally the Poison Dragon’s, and the names were almost the
same with the dragon.
It means, its sound just needed to echo, that’s why Kaede used the sound *Kin* that comes out when
sheathing it as a trigger.
The reason is, it’s very cool.
Kaede looked at the ladybugs that fell to the ground randomly very content.
And, Kaede squatted, closed her eyes.
And started eating the ladybugs one by one.
「Ah!…it’s like the candy that was cracking and popping! Its nothing when I close my eyes huh. I mean, I
already eat the Poison Dragon, being intimidated with just this……」
It’s not like Kaede had not thought about anything since she’s doing this.
It was proven that Kaede’s idea was right at the time after she ate 50 ladybugs.
『Skill 【Bizarre Eater (Akujiki) 】 had been acquired』
『Skill 【Bomb Eater (BakudanKurai)】 had been acquired』
「Then…it’s okay if I stopped eating right」
Kaede checked the skills that she gained.
【Bizarre Eater (Akujiki)】
A skill that changes everything that was devoured as power.
Will devour even magic, and can change it to the user’s MP. When the magic powers overflows, will be
stored inside the body as magic crystal.
Skill Requirement
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Oral ingestion of a certain amount of lethal substances.
【Bomb Eater (BakudanKurai)】
Reduces explosive-type damage by 50.
Skill Requirement
Defeat Explosion Ladybug with HP Drain.
「It’s a good skill!! Ha〜 There was a good reason I did my best eating〜」
Kaede infused 【Bizarre Eater (Akujiki)】 to 『Mirror of the Dark Night (Yamiyo no Utsushi)』.
【Bizarre Eater (Akujiki)】 is a passive skill so the use limit had nothing to do with it. In addition, with
eating the magic attack and the direct attack dealt with weapons, it can completely nullify it.
「And it would change to magic crystals and I can release a big magic with 『New Moon (Shingetsu)』
! Fuhehe…so cool…」
*Ba*, she drew out Shingetsu, thrust it forward and made a pose. Her image training was perfectly
perfect.
「I was searching for explosion magic coming here but…Kekka Alright huh!」
After that, she only needs to raise her level until the limit.
Who knows what will become of Kaede’s first event.
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For the last status check, she releases the blue colored panel.
Maple
Lv20
HP 40/40
MP 12/12
【STR 0】
【VIT 160〈＋66〉】
【AGI 0】
【AGI 0】
【INT 0】
Equipments
Head【ーーー】
Body【Armor of Black Roses (Kurobara no Yoroi)】
Right hand【Shingetsu】
Left Hand【Mirror of the Dark Night (Yamiyo no Utsushi)】
Legs【Armor of Black Roses (Kurobara no Yoroi)】
Shoes【Armor of Black Roses (Kurobara no Yoroi)】
【ーーー】
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【ーーー】
Skill
【Absolute Defense】【Giant Killing (OomonoKurai)】【Hydra Eater (DokuruuKurai)】【Bomb Eater

(BakudanKurai)】【Meditation】【Provoke】【Abominable (Gokuaku Hidō】【Knowledge of Large Shield IV】【
Body Manipulation】【Attack Diversion】【Shield Attack】
「Yosh! Everything’s prepared. I hope I don’t receive damage〜…」
The times that she received damage was so few, she still not used to the feeling of receiving damage.
And, it would be her first pvp. She’s not to be blamed being nervous.
After waiting for a while on the first plaza, participants continuously gathered.
In addition, a gigantic screen appeared in the sky. With that, they should be showing interesting players.
That will be watched by non-combat users and players that had not participated.
「Well then, the first event! Battle Royale will be started!」
From here and there, the noise like Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!! echoed. Kaede also raised her fist up although she
was shy, and shouted.
There flows an announce with loud volume.
「Well then, the rules will be explained once more! The time limit is three hours. The stage will be a newly
created event map!
The number of players defeated and the times being defeated, damage dealt and damage received. Using
this criteria points will be computed, and will be ranked! Furthermore, event items will be sent to the top
ten players! Please do your best!!」
After saying that, the countdown before the teleportation was shown on the screen, and when it became
zero, Kaede was enveloped by light and teleported.
「n…where is this?」
Kaede noticed that the blinding light had disappeared and opened her eyes slowly.
It looks like she was in the center of the plaza of a crumbling ruins.
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There was no one around when she looked with a glimpse.
「Even if I move, I’ll be caught by someone…let’s just wait here!」
Kaede sat on a decently large brick stone, and waited for other players to attack.
After waiting while she was drawing on the ground with a stick, sounds were heard from here and there.
「You’ve come!」
She thought and raised her head, it was too late and the sword that was swung was already in attacking
distance.
「I got you!」
If it was the Kaede before, she couldn’t block that, but the Kaede right now has 【Knowledge of Large
Shield IV】 with her. Her body moved more smoothly than before, and received the sword with her large
shield.
Devoured, and erased it.
「Ha? U-uwaaaaaaaaaaaa!!」
The man who had attack, because his sword wasn’t bounced by the shield, just like that, starting from his
arm that held the sword, he plunged and when half of his body was devoured, he became light particles
and disappeared. Now that he lost his main weapon, he couldn’t return to the battlefield anymore, and
can only be an observer.
And, with his life, a beautiful red crystal emerged in the shield as decor.
「Let’s continue drawing!」
Just like that, Kaede showed her defenseless look and drew in the ground.
Right, Kaede who was having fun drawing was really defenseless. It’s not like she was doing that on
purpose, but the result was, she caught a party of three this time.
Making a party is not against the rules. It is probably the result of wanting to make one of the party
members on the top ten.
The male swordsman ran. It was a straightforward dash. But still, to Kaede who was 【AGI 0】 it was quite
quick.
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But, the speed of emptying the distance of 10 meters is too different to the speed of Kaede making
sheathing sound with Shingetsu.
「『Paralyze Shout』」
*Kin* with a very good sound, the three players collapsed suddenly.
*Parin* with that sound, the red crystal on the large shield shattered. Kaede took the large shield and
stood up.
「Mufu〜…It’s my victory!」
This time, she pushed her large shield to their head to not destroy their main weapon. The next instance,
the swordsman player became light particles and disappeared.
The other two who was collapsed was defeated the same way.
Three new crystals emerges from the large shield.
「Large shield is…stronger than I thought!」
There’s no way you can call this as a bad equip, Kaede nodded with that once, and went back to her place
again.
That kind of monster large shield user is only you.
A person who could have said that, did not exist on that place.
55
Chapter 10 Defense Specialized and Event
Results
【MWO】First Event Spectator Seat 3
241 Name: Nameless Spectator
Is Pain the champion after all?
He’s has game’s highest level, probably matchless
That’s the worst
his movements are too inhuman lol
But, the ones that are continuously winning are famous names after all
well, that’s natural for top players to be strong
Ha? what’s with this…isn’t it bad?
Uwaa the ones that are showed too op
Interim Results Ranking
a large shield user named Maple
crushing 120 people with no damage received
56
Fhuaa?!!
cheat? no…impossible huh
I mean, rampaging like that, it’s about time that it’s shown on the screen
is this it? the one shown right now
the shield’s eating the sword lol
wtf lol
too splatter, although she’s cute
with stat debuff and with that shield they’re crushed with no resist
but, isn’t her movement too slow?
only countering ever since
yeah, with the way she move, it’s normal to be dealt damage
look, just when I said i…ha?
ha?
ha?
57
that, didn’t the large sword that swung on her head repelled?
eh? can you really do that?
if it is, everyone’s doing it
about rather than the large shield, or the stat debuff, the player itself was the most strange thing
Changing places to the event area, being tired out of sitting around, *TekuTeku* Kaede was walking in a
one way street.
In front of her was were a lot of players. Their numbers, about 50.
She saw a lot of players that made a party, but she hadn’t seen a 50 person one.
It looks like most of them were magicians, and as soon as they saw Kaede, they released their magic to
her.
Probably, they had hunted players on a one way street like this a lot.
Their movements had no hesitation on it, and felt they were used to it.
「With a big magic, I’ll blow you away!」
The magic crystals were accumulated too much that the black large shield became a red large shield.
Kaede was also thinking that she should consume it soon.
Because she didn’t need magic crystals anymore, she received the magic shot by around 40 magicians
without doing anything.
At the time their magic has ended. Kaede drew the short sword from her waist.
Her most powerful attack needs the blade to be completely shown.
From the blade, a violet colored magic circle was created.
「【Hydra (Dokuryuu】!!」
58
The Poison Dragon with three heads that has its body made with lethal poison, in exchange for all the
magic crystals on the large shield, it changed the three direction in front of it into a sea of poison.
Including the players that were caught up, around 500 players were blown away.
that’s too much of a monster
strange places
without activating defense skills, she received all the magic with only her base VIT stat
a ridiculous powered magic
her stats, wtf has happened with it?
the reason she received magic was maybe because of the armor or some OP skill?
almost all large scaled skills had effects with them, so because the armor wasn’t shining there’s nothing
on it
i think
i’m not sure tho
Un
I also think there’s nothing wrong with the armor right now…I think
seriously, wtf was that walking fortress lol
that’s really a freaking walking fortress
59
The time remaining was only one hour left. After one hour, all ranking will be decided.
Within that nervous situation.
An announcement with large volume echoes.
「Current #1 is Pain-san, #2 is Dread-san, #3 is Maple-san desu! In an hour starting now, when the top
three is defeated, 30% of the point gained by them will be transferred!! The position of the three will be
shown in the map! Please do your best until the end!」
「Looks like they’re not going to end it simply」
Pain who didn’t seem to feel a sense of crisis.
「Ue〜 that’s too much of a pain〜 really?」
Dread who was really showing dullness.
「I did it! I’m number 3!」
Maple who was glad.
While the three of them showed different reaction on their places, the event was moving towards its
climax.
Players that were aiming for their head was running towards them striving to be first.
「There she is! That’s her!」
*WaraWara* the players came out from the forest.
Within them, there were of course players that had increased their AGI a lot.
Without being able to keep up with that, the knife was swung towards the nape of the neck.
「Ha? W-Why?!」
But, that wouldn’t get through Kaede.
Before the player that was sure she was defeated moves, it was eaten by the large shield. And even after
that, a lot of players jumped towards her and got eaten while saying complains to the blade that wouldn’t
go through.
60
Having seen that scene a lot of times, the movements of the players had become cautious, and they slowly
lessened their distance. There were a lot of them who was especially being cautious of the killing
technique of the large shield.
But, the players had forgotten that Kaede didn’t only have the large shield as an attack but she also had a
short sword.
「【Lethal Poison Breath】」
Kaede drew out half of the blade of Shingetsu, and a deep violet mist poured out from the sheath.
「【Paralyze Shout】!」
*PataPata* the players that were collapsing one next to the other, had no ways of escaping the lethal
poison. From the front line, they became particles in order.
In the end. The players only became Kaede’s points.
「The End! The result, there was no change of rank from #1 to #3. Well then, we will now proceed to the
awarding ceremony!」
When Kaede thought that the front of her whitened, she was at the same plaza at the start.
The #1 to #3 was told to climb the stage so Kaede also got on the stage. Kaede was standing while looking
straight forward, but with the amounts of sight, she somehow got shy, and her face blushed.
And, she was passed the microphone when her head had whitened with nervous.
「Next is, Maple-san! Please say something!」
She was saying next, so the two should have already talked, but Maple was too nervous that she wasn’t
listening.
「eh! ah! eh! e〜to, uhmm, I endured a lot sho it wash okay deshu」
Kaede bit her tongue.
She bit her tongue grandly.
And she also didn’t know what to talk about so what she was saying were also ridiculous.
Kaede, had been so embarrassed she couldn’t look forward, so she didn’t notice that a lot of players were
recording and had that on video.
61
When she got the event prize, Kaede had returned to the inn’s room swiftly.
That night. The bulletin board’s Maple is too cute thread, and Maple too OP thread was on fire.
62
Chapter 11 Defense Specialized and Status
Discussion
【NMO】 The mystery of Maple-chan 【Discussion】
I made the thread, there
2 Name: Nameless Large Sword User
Yeah
The agenda is about our Maple-chan
3 Name : Nameless Magic User
honestly, I think she’s worse than Pain
why that #3?
4 Name : Nameless Spear User
because she was drawing in the start at the ruins
5 Name : Nameless Bow User
she was too cute lol
I start to get worried if that is really a large shield
Ah! btw I’m #9
As expected
how can you do that using a large shield
(Looking away from Maple-chan)
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8 Name : Nameless Large Sword User
Well then, this is the summary of Maple-chan this time
First Event
Maple #3
Death Count 0
Damage Received 0
Number Defeated 2028
Her equipments are the mysterious large shield that devoured enemies, the ridiculous short sword that
releases status debuff, and a dark armor.
The dark armor doesn’t seem to exhibit ridiculous specs.
She had ridiculous defense powers, could receive concentrated attack from 40 magic users.
how much I look at it, I can only say crazy
Large Shield → well, there might be that kind of equipment…un
Short Sword → well, there might be one
Maple-chan herself → Ha?
The number one mystery is her stats and skill build
Maple-chan, how high is your VIT…
she’s really a walking fortress you know
A WALKING FORTRESS
it looked like she received it with only her VIT stats right〜
64
I mean, isn’t there someone who has an idea on what skill Maple-chan have?
like the time when she received the magic attack, she was shining brightly, so it’s sure that she used some
kind of skill
Status debuff → idk
defense power + → if there was a skill that makes it that hard I got it
Large Shield → dunno
>13
this
it is unknown what skill Maple-chan have but she probably got the basic ones
but Maple-chan’s unique skill is really unknown
maybe the strongest 1v1?
that’s probably true
something must be done with that AoE status debuff or else its impossible to win
she was saying lethal poison so probably high-level magic
there’s a question there, what happened to her MP?
using that magic so lightly, and she’s probably VIT full build right?
MP isn’t enough right, normally
that is〜…the large shield is probably used as a tank
like charging what it eat as magic power
65
then, that red crystal is probably that
I’m sure that it shattered when she used magic
It means, Maple-chan is
She herself have a ridiculous high defense and makes all kinds of damage to zero
and trying to strip that armor, attacks and players are changed to MP
be crushed with status debuff
That means like that huh
wtf is that last boss
yeah…freaking devilish〜
but it is said that she might have a skill still hidden
its unknown because there’s no one who dealt damage to her, but her HP might recover
wasn’t it promised from a long time ago that the HP of the last boss won’t recover right!!?
when I wrote that, I had a weird laugh
in addition, she had just started playing
a very huge OP rookie
66
in the next event, the armor also has ridiculous specs!
see that
in reality, she’s already a top player right〜…
that’s too OP
she’s cute and she’s strong, she’s the best huh
let’s watch and protect her yo
even if her stats are highest level, the player is a beginner
I agree
I’ll count on you guys with individual investigation from now on too yo
ROGER!!
ROGER!!
ROGER!!
ROGER!!
67
Chapter 12 Defense Specialized and Material
Collection
The next day of the first event. Kaede was taking notes in front of the BBS.
To take the task of taking damage reduction skills once again, she is recording all the damage reduction
skills that have been found until now, and their skill requirements.
And right now, it had been just three months since the New World Online was released. Together with
that, there will be a large-scale update tomorrow. A few skills and items will be added. That also made the
internet on fire, but that was not the highlight.
The highlight was, the players that had defeated the dungeon boss on the north end of the map, will be
able to move forward from there towards the new map that is added in the update.
Of course, even it was challenged by solo or by party, there is no problem.
In simple words, the players that cleared the first stage will be able to go to the next stage.
Kaede also, was thinking of going there after she gained skills.
「Today will be…let’s go acquire 【Large Defense】!」
Kaede eagerly said that, but she found one problem. The Mirror of the Dark Night has the deadly skill that
devours everything it touches. Because of that, she wouldn’t be able to receive attacks that are needed for
the skill requirement of 【Large Defense】. After all, before she could receive it they will be erased.
「U〜n…but I think I don’t need it if I have this large shield though〜…no, but still〜… I want to have a lot
of skills〜…」
Kaede who was thinking for a while, she started walking as if she had an idea.
「I wonder if it would go well?」
Saying that, she went towards the Izu’s store that she was taken by Crom before.
「Ara! Welcome. You surely had become famous huh〜…when you came here, you only had beginner’s
equipments though〜」
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「Thank you very much! And then…there’s something I want to talk today…although it’s okay if it was
impossible……」
Saying that as prelude, Kaede started talking about it. And Izu who heard what Kaede was saying until
she ended, started reciting it as to check.
asdsa
「You want an equipments that with its specs not considered, you want it white and detailed. And to make
that, how much will it take…huh. Let me think…if there are some materials that you will have that can be
used, probably about one million gold for one set. Depending on the materials you bring, the specs will
get higher though」
The Mirror of the Dark Night is a large shield for battle that is not suitable for taking skills.
Because of that, Kaede decided to have a large shield that is for skill taking, but she wanted to consider
how it looks. That’s why she didn’t think think of buying cheap shields. Now that she had gathered
attention, she wanted to be fashionable.
That’s why she wanted to have a complete set of equipments.
After the jet-black equipment, next is pure-white equipment.
*Mufufu* Kaede laughed. Inside her head, she imagined herself being clad in those equipments.
「I understand! I will come and bring the money and the materials!!」
Just like that, Kaede jumped out of the store.
To find out where to get the materials needed for the equipments that she wanted for herself, Kaede
came back to the information bulletin boards.
First of all, a pure-white material that have a certain hardness is needed. Kaede picked up two materials
that are fit for that from the BBS.
The first one is White Crystal. But, Kaede knew that she couldn’t mine it with her 【DEX 0】.
That’s why, Kaede decided to go for the other one.
The location is the wide underground lake south from the town. It is being told that this lake has some
kind of secret, but suspicious things like that hadn’t been found.
69
Her target in there is a fish that swims with a group, that has snow-white hard scales. One of them is a
blue-colored leader that is almost transparent in water.
「There was that kind of story in elementary school right〜! That’s nostalgic!」
After buying new fishing tools, Kaede eagerly started walking towards the underground lake.
「Well then…Fishing, Let’s go!」
*Pochan* with the sound of that, that was the start signal for fishing. After that, she should only wait
silently until the prey get caught.
And, after 20 minutes.
「I-It hooked!」
Kaede puts strength and pulled the fishing rod. The splashing waters echoed through the silent
underground lake.
And, finally caught a pure-white fish, and it *PichiPichi* flopped behind Kaede.
After leaving it like that for a while, leaving about a one 5 cm scale, it became light and disappeared.
The original scale was smaller, but it’s she thought about it as the game’s setting and put it in her
inventory. She still needs to fish a lot, but Kaede has school tomorrow.
「To think, that it would take this much time…gugugu…after fishing the last two, I’ll just have to go back
for today huh…」
Fishing was set to be relevant to the DEX and AGI status, so Kaede’s efficiency is the lowest. If it was a
non-combat player’s status, they probably can fish one every minute.
It couldn’t be helped, so Kaede ended it there and logged out.
She couldn’t neglect the real life just for the sake a game.
「Fuu…I’ll end it here today! I have to prepare for tomorrow!」
Kaede turned off the hardware, and stuffed her bag according to tomorrow’s schedule.
「Well then……good night」
70
After laying in bed after a few minutes, *Su〜Su〜* Kaede started to sound asleep.
She is surely seeing a good dream.
71
「Well then…I’m going!」
She wore her uniform and went to school.
In these few days, the sunlight had gone stronger, and the warm sunshine feels good. It can be said that
spring has finally come.
Kaede’s seat was by the window so if she let her guard down she might fall asleep. If it goes like this, Risa
who was two seats apart will be on a sleeping course in the afternoon class.
And, while thinking of that, she was walking on the road to school. Kaede’s house is near the school, so
she come to school by walk. That distance, it is only a five minute walk.
Pleasant wind was blowing, and it is not a bother to walk.
Because she didn’t suffer from hay fever, Kaede liked to walk during this season.
「Yosh! Let’s also do our best today〜」
Passing through the school gates, went towards her classroom, and she arrived to her seat. After this, she
would have started reading books, but when she started New World Online, it was the time to think about
skills. If there was this kind of skill, what are the requirements to get it, just thinking about things like
that, she was having fun.
「I wonder what you are grinning at〜!」
*Supakoーn* a tsukkomi to Kaede’s head.
The tsukkomi was mostly Risa.
「I-It’s nothing at all!」
「Really〜? Oh, that’s right. I didn’t come for that today, ehem……fufu…by the way, Kaede-kun. I have a
very important announcement today」
Saying that, Riza bended her waist and swiftly approached her face. Clearing her throat, and went on her
way of saying it, to Risa who made a mystery character, Kaede also went with that.
「Mumu!…What is it, Risa-kun. Your tension is high today ne」
72
「Right, that’s right, you wouldn’t believe it! It was because the permission to play the game, I got it
today!!」
*PachiPachi* Kaede clapped lightly.
She probably did her best on studying, Kaede knew how happy she was. And only seeing her expression,
Kaede also became happy.
「With that, the game that I only pushed on to Kaede, I can finally play if from today〜」
「Then, we can be in a party right!」
「Un, yeah yeah. Party huh……I mean, did Kaede already started playing?!!」
It looks like Risa was surprised, and said that in a loud voice.
By the way, these two goes to school early so there are only the two of them in the classroom. They didn’t
need to care about the surroundings.
「E…Ehehe…」
「That Kaede, that Kaede that reluctantly plays with me on the game that I pushed on her…」
「You knew you were pushing them on me?!」
「Iya〜I’m so happy〜…I thought that playing together was impossible, but to think Kaede was willing to
play…」
And then, Risa continued the talk.
「Up to what level did you raise it? Or did you only made an account?」
「E〜to〜…uhmm…t-to level 20」
Risa was astonished in an instant, but as soon as she understood what Kaede said, she started grinning.
「Ohhhh〜…it looks like Kaede was more addicted than I had expected」
「Muu〜…」
73
Kaede was glaring at Risa while blushing. Risa was still laughing merrily, but it’s not like she had a bad
intention, so Kaede didn’t say anything.
「Ahaha, sorry sorry, it’s just a joke, but, if you had levelled it that much, then your character build has
been decided right?」
「Un! I’m a full defense build large shield user you know! And then〜…if it’s Risa then I can tell huh〜」
Kaede talked everything about her skills and status to Risa.
「What’s with that monster character! As expected of Kaede, the direction of the play is too different」
「Eh!…Really?!」
「Un, I mean, what you got in that different direction is too OP. Ah〜…it would be hard to catch up to
Kaede with this huh…」
「B-But, if you do the same thing…」
When Kaede said that, Risa crossed her arms in front of her chest, making a cross sign, and shook her
head.
「Kaede is Kaede. I am me. I don’t mean to brush off the skills that Kaede told me as a friend! Well…I’ll use
it as a hint on getting strong skills though. Let’s keep that as it couldn’t be helped」
「Then, what will Risa do?」
「Kaede is a tank defense specialized, so I thought that a magician would be good, but if I paired with
Kaede with that on a party, that’s too normal. And, I won’t be needed if I chose that」
Mu〜, groaning like that while thinking, Risa probably had an idea, and she grinned.
「Yosh! I decided! I will…become a 『Dodge Shield』」
「Dodge…Shield?」
「Un! I’ll make the enemy’s attack focus on me, and I’ll nullify their attacks by dodging」
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「Ohhhh!! So cool!……but, if it’s shield, I can do it?」
Kaede thought about that question and said it. Right, it cannot be helped if shield classes gathers.
「A party with Kaede, whatever fight it is, no damage! We’re always unscathed! How is that? Isn’t that
cool?」
Hearing those words, Kaede imagined that scene, and *BunBun* swung her head vertically. She was so
excited even her arms are *BunBun* being swung.
「I want to make a party with that concept so I will aim for the dodge shield!」
「Do your best! I’ll just increase my defense powers right!」
And, with promising to play together tonight, the two’s conversation ended. Risa also went back to her
seat.
「Dodge Shield…the difficulty is the highest level? But, that’s why I get fired up…!」
She mumbled that with a small voice, so it didn’t reach Kaede’s ears.
It was probably the nature of a gamer.
Risa tend to prefer selecting achievement requirements that are difficult.
What Risa said earlier, to achieve an undefeatable unscathed party, the first prerequisite is for Risa to
continuously dodge enemy attacks.
Magic that are shot tens of times.
High speed combination attack.
Dodging those with a very fine line and defeating the enemy, just imagining doing that.
「I get shivers in my spine…!!」
Risa couldn’t help but pray for today’s class to end very quickly.
75
「Ohh! The town looks like this〜!」
Risa looked around, and raised a voice happily. Looking at Risa to herself at the start of the game, she
thought about it nostalgically.
「Kaede’s…oh-to……that’s dangerous. The difference between the looks of Maple’s equipment are too high
it feels bad」
Risa rephrased it to her player name and talked.
Kaede also need to be careful to not call Risa by Risa.
「Ahaha, well you only have beginner’s equipments」
Risa and Kaede immediately registered as friends, and when they made a party, she showed Kaede her
status.
Sally
Lv1
HP 32/32
MP 25/25
【STR 10〈＋11〉】
【VIT 0】
【AGI 55〈＋5〉】
【DEX 25】
【INT 10】
Equipments
Head【ーーー】
76
Body【ーーー】
Left Hand【ーーー】
Legs【ーーー】
Shoes【Beginner’s Magic Shoes】
【ーーー】
【ーーー】
Skill
None
「You raised many kinds of status huh」
「This is normal you know! …I didn’t raise VIT,MP, and HP for the mean time right now」
「Why?」
「Dodging everything, if it was no damage, HP and VIT isn’t needed right! I’m still not sure if I’m going to
use magic…so MP and INT is okay if its low for now. STR is because I want to use some weapons」
「You’re thinking a lot huh〜」
Because Kaede only needed to raise her VIT after levelling up, so she doesn’t need to think about
anything.
「Fufufu…there are a lot of things needed to be thought about compared to a person who has no damage
from attacks. Now that I think about it…wasn’t the 3rd prize an equipment?」
Risa was curious because they were still the equipments that she had heard.
77
「That was commemoration medal. I was expecting that it might’ve been an equipment though〜」
「Well…it’s not sure that it would still be like that the next event〜……oh-to, then? …where are we going
right now?」
When Kaede said that the destination was to the underground lake, *FumuFumu* Risa nodded. Looks like
she has an idea.
「If it’s that, leave it to me! I have a great idea…」
Kaede listened to her honestly.
Risa was sprinting towards the underground lake. Even inside the game, moving a lot will make the brain
tired and the movement dulls, but this has individual differences with players.
Depending on how good the brain works, differences between reaction and stamina will have effects on
player skills.
The reason why Risa can run this much was because she was used to VR.
And Kaede at that time.
She was clinging on Risa’s back.
She removed all her usual heavy equipments, so there might be more people who wouldn’t know it was
Maple.
STR stats are not relevant on equipping armors, but
if it was carrying, STR is needed the more armor there is.
That is the reason that she removed her equipments.
「Three wolf-type monsters ahead! Maple!」
「I understa〜nd〜!」
Saying that, Risa put Kaede down and took a distance.
Risa who has high AGI carry Kaede and runs to the underground lake, and if there is an enemy encounter
she puts down Kaede to fight them, with that division of roles, they arrived at the underground lake one
fifth of the time it would take for Kaede to go alone.
78
「Ohhhhh! It was very fast!!」
Kaede, re-equipping, said that.
Risa was proud because she was useful immediately.
「Fufufu…kneel before me〜!」
「Ha,haー! Sally-sama〜!」
With the farce moderately, the two started fishing. Risa also bought her fishing rod, so they lined and
waited together after hanging a thread towards the lake.
And an hour after they started fishing.
「I-It’s finally the third one!」
「Oh, it got hooked again!」
The fishing result was, 3 fishes for Kaede.
And 12 fishes for Risa.
「Thanks to coming here on level 1, just killing the fished fishes, my level went up」
In fact, Risa’s level rose to 6.
In addition.
「【Fishing】skill get〜! …my first skill is 【Fishing】huh…I can’t say that Maple is weird huh〜」
【Fishing】skill requirement needs more than 20 DEX so it a skill Kaede wouldn’t have forever.
「Won’t Sally use the status points?」
「I will do that after taking a few skills. Fighting style can be decided by skills…so I thought I should keep
the status points. I can fight decently with base stats too」
「You’re good〜 you advanced player〜!」
79
「Well, it’s true I played a lot of games」
After saying that, they continued fishing for another hour.
Kaede’s fishing result hadn’t changed.
But Risa who gained the skill 【Fishing】 her fishing results became 20 fishes.
「How is it? Is it enough?」
「U〜n…last hour…is it okay?」
「It’s okay〜! But, I want to test something…so instead of fishing, can I go hunt by diving?」
「It’s okay, but can you do something like that?!」
「I think it’s possible. I mean, it is Maple who was testing ridiculous things up until now you know? I think
that if it’s with my AGI, I could probably kill at least one fish in a school? Since, I’m good in swimming」
After saying that, Risa jumped to the underground lake.
「Then, do your best〜!」
「Un! I’ll go hunt a lot〜」
After saying that, Risa dove. And just like that, Risa who swam around the underground lake returned
after an hour. She was breathing heavily, but you wouldn’t think that she was sprinting earlier with her
stamina that was left.
「After getting 【Swimming I】 and 【Diving I】, it got easier!」
After saying that, Risa took out 80 pure-white scales from her inventory.
「C-Can I have this?」
「I don’t need it too…in exchange, you should help me the next time」
「Then, with that! I promise I’ll help you」
80
Kaede thankfully placed the 80 pieces of scales to her inventory. And there, Risa started talking with a
serious face.
「Ne〜…Maple. If I was correct, wasn’t the dungeon found right now only two?」
「Uhmm…Un, that’s right」
「At the bottom of the underground lake, there was a small side hole」
「……! That is!」
Risa who couldn’t hide her excitement nodded.
「It might be a dungeon’s entrance…but…」
「Un…I can’t go right」
With Kaede’s status, she wouldn’t be able to dive decently. If she drowns, its her first death.
「That’s why, I’m thinking of capturing it carefully. I might also get a unique series just like Maple…that’s
why…」
When Kaede understood what Risa was trying to say, she said, interrupting her.
「Un, I’ll help you to come to the underground lake! I can return the debt instantly!」
「I thought that you would tell that! As expected of Maple!」
「Ehehe〜it’s not that much〜!」
They only needed to logout to return, so to increase the level of 【Swimming】 and 【Diving】 Risa once
again, started swimming.
81
Chapter 15 Defense Specialized and
Underground Lake Capture
did everyone already went to second stage? I entered the second stage safely
Yeah
I just won earlier and entered second stage
I also safely won
I also
I won
I did it
somehow, I also reached second stage
a-re? aren’t we pretty strong
when I was raising my level so that I can follow Maple-chan when she goes to the second stage…
I arrived the front lines
the same happened to me
82
and Maple-chan though
it looks like she’s not yet on second stage
I mean, it shows that she’s in a party in my friend list though
I saw probably saw that
>540
give us more details with that
I dunno the name but she’s wearing beginner equips so I think it’s a friend irl
what’s her weapon?
it was short sword yo
that’s surprising
I was thinking it was a magician or an archer
same
well, that formation isn’t good fighting with a pair
but…it’s Maple-chan’s friend right
who knows if she really is a normal beginner
83
maybe she is also the same “beginner” type as Maple-chan
that’s possible
Maple-chan「Full build is strong you know!」
Friend「Really?! Then I’ll do that!」
this
a party with two Maple-chans huh
there’s nothing that can be done with that
hey guys, calm down
it’s a short sword user you know
ahh that’s right
somehow, I instinctively imaged a large shield
if it’s short sword, then AGI specialized?
but, that doesn’t seem very strong
well, no defense powers so it ends with one hit right
on top of that, zero fire power
84
well, she will probably show that by herself soon
when’s the next event again?
about a month from now, it looks like their going to accelerate game time from real life
then, even is for two hours, and because of the time acceleration, they said participation and leaving isn’t
allowed
it looks like the game management shortened the span time of the previous event
game management, super competent
if it’s still a month, she probably would train
and play style will show too
we can determine with that
ah〜next event, come faster〜
I’m so curious about that girl’s skills〜
Not having any clues of that conversation being held.
Kaede and Risa was spending their time fishing and swimming at the underground lake. Even that is said,
Kaede sometimes goes outside and lays around, and do the strange movement of using 【Provoke】 and be
attacked by monsters.
She was thinking of taking the damage reduction skills after her new shield is made so she was looking
for a new skill.
By the way, today, it was already two weeks since Risa had started.
85
It’s not like the two are logging in at the same time.
Risa also plays in different times, and gains a lot of skills that are very easy to take other than 【Swimming
I】 and 【Diving I】.
While the two of them are steadily readying up for the event, they are staying the underground lake that
might have a dungeon in the bottom of it.
「Puhaa…! Ha〜…Ha〜…how long did I dove?」
Risa raised up to the water surface and asked Kaede the time.
「I-It’s amazing! 40 minutes!」
「Having the 【Swimming X】 and 【Diving X】 means…this is my current maximum limit…so if I don’t reach
one way within 20 minutes I’ll drown huh…」
「How about I’ll send a message using the friend chat after 20 had passed? The notice sound echoes inside
the head so I think you’ll notice」
「Nice idea, Maple! Then…can I count you on it?」
「Leave it to me! Enjoy diving〜!」
「I’ll be going!」
Risa dove in the water with amazing speed and entered the side hole.
As expected that hole goes through its back, and it stretches deeper and deeper, and Risa was swimming
there as if she was a mermaid.
But, seeing that the roads are branching, Risa stopped her movements. It was because she was thinking
that it was a one way path to its deepest part.
Risa was thinking that it was going to be hard, but going left and right, she was mapping on her head.
After moving forward for a while, the notice from Kaede reached her head.
Because monsters didn’t appear on the way, without irregularities, she was able to go back to where
Kaede was.
86
「Ha〜…Ha〜…」
「How was it?」
「There were a lot of branching paths…so I’ll end it for today after last one. Since I don’t know how deep it
is」
「Then, I’ll notify you again okay」
Risa once again went to the bottom. Last time, she was able to go to the maze up to the middle, so she was
moved there in the fastest way.
One more time, she checks every possibility and went deeper and deeper.
And just like that, at the same time the notification from Kaede came.
Risa saw a large pure-white door ahead of the passage.
Yosh, she made a small guts pose, and returned the way she came from. Risa needed to be fully prepared
so that she wouldn’t let away the unique series.
「The boss room! I found it!…ha〜…ha〜…」
As soon as she emerges, she said that and did a high-touch with Kaede. The only thing left is whether she
could win safely.
「I will charge to the boss room after taking a small break! Since, I had found it. What will Kaede do?」
「I think, I should logout soon for today」
「I see…I’m sorry making you go with me」
「I don’t mind at all! Do your best and win」
「Un!」
After saying that, Kaede was enveloped with light, logged out and disappeared.
The silence made Risa’s concentration higher.
87
「What should I do with the status…」
Sally
Lv12
HP 32/32
MP 25/25〈＋10〉
【STR 10〈＋11〉】
【VIT 0】
【AGI 55〈＋5〉】
【DEX 25】
【INT 10】
Equipments
Head【ーーー】
Body【ーーー】
Left Hand【ーーー】
Legs【ーーー】
Shoes【Beginner’s Magic Shoes】
【ーーー】
【ーーー】
88
Skill
【Status Debuff Attack II】【Slash】【Double Slash】【Gale Slash (HayateGiri)】【Muscle Strengthening (Small)】
【Consecutive Attack Strengthening (Small)】【Double Attack】【Powered Attack】【Switch Attack】【Body

Arts I】
【Knowledge of Short Swords II】
【Fire Magic I】【Water Magic I】【Wind Magic I】
【Earth Magic I】【Dark Magic I】【Light Magic I】
【Fire Ball】【Water Ball】
【Wind Cutter】【Thunder Cutter】
【Dark Ball】【Refresh】
【MP Strengthening (Small)】【MP Cut (Small)】
【MP Recovery Speed Strengthening (Small)】【Knowledge of Magic II】
【Fishing】【Swimming X】【Diving X】【Cooking I】
【Mining Speed Strengthening (Small)】【Sensory Blocking II】
【Sensory Awareness II】【Stealth Move I】【Leap I】
【Poison Resistance (Small)】
「The 35 status points, I won’t place them yet……I’ll win by dodging」
The ridiculous skill set was what Risa collected by cutting off her sleep.
About MP, there was 7 MP consume cut.
Recovery speed +50%. MP +10
89
In strength
STR +50%
When consecutive attacks, the power increase is maximum STR +100%.
「Yosh! Let’s go!」
After Risa made her strategic plan, she returned quickly to the large pure-white door.
The door opened slowly. Inside was a spherical room, and half of it was submerged in water.
The most happy thing for Risa, was there was oxygen. With this, she didn’t need to prepare for a quick
fight to end.
「Puha…well then〜…Come!」
Risa’s eyes were dyed with serious color. And as if to answer that, a light concentrated and made a shape,
and a giant pure-white fish appeared.
The giant fish uses its giant body for a charge attack.
Risa completely saw through that with its movements, twisted her body to dodge it in a fine line, and
while passing through she used her red shining short sword to cut through the scales and meat a little.
「【Slash】!」
Under the red light, what dyed the blade with a poisonous violet was 【Status Debuff Attack II】
That will fill the body of the giant fish with poison.
It was only a little damage, but the giant fish’s HP was surely being shaved slowly.
The giant fish turned around, and charged again.
Risa dodged that the same way, and shaved its body.
「【Wind Cutter】!」
A few red damage effects shone in the water. The magic that has the strongest power Risa had, has
enough powers to slightly damage its scales.
With the charge that was done repeatedly, Risa couldn’t be injured.
90
And the giant fish’s HP bar had been reduced to 80%.
In this time, Risa heightened her concentration, and focused on the giant fish’s movements.
The charge that was repeated the same might’ve looked the same for normal players looked very
different to Risa. It was clearly, slower.
The giant fish stopped the charge in the middle of it, and released a AOE attack to its front using its tail.
But, that also didn’t reached Risa.
Risa had predicted the timing of the movement pattern changing by looking at the reduction of the
enemy’s HP bar on the top of its head.
She saw through the AOE attack precisely from its body length, and by stepping back once, the tail fin
passes by in front of her. And she cuts through that tail fin with a skill.
「【Double Slash】!」
Risa who didn’t receive an attack from the giant fish until now has her consecutive attack damage up on
its maximum.
Deeper until now, the red effect entered the giant fish’s tail fin twice.
And at the same time. It’s movement were slowed by the paralyze poison poured to the enemy by the 【
Status Debuff Attack II】.
「【Power Attack】!」
To the giant fish that dulled its movements, the short sword was stabbed to its hilt. Risa quickly pulled it
away and took distance. The giant fish’s HP was cut to 50%.
It was the time its movement pattern changes.
In the both sides of the giant fish’s body, a white magic circle emerges and bubbles emerges from that.
「【Water Ball】!」
When Risa hit the bubbles with magic, the bubbles exploded with loud sounds. That bubble couldn’t be
touched.
While running away from the giant fish, Risa made the bubble explode with water magic and made an
escape path.
91
Risa who was running around noticed that the giant fish’s movement pattern was to run after her where
she had gone through just like a tracking type.
If it was like that, she thought.
While running away she turned back and made the bubbles explode using water magic. Risa adjusted her
body through that instant opening.
「【Power Attack】!」
The red effect remained one a one straight line on the giant fish’s back.
The giant fish that was deeply cut from its head to its tail lost 20% of its HP bar. And turning back just like
that she cut the tail fin with blade a few more times.
In that instant when it turned back to run after Risa. The barrage of bubbles that couldn’t follow the
speed of its body became thin.
And Risa wouldn’t let that go away.
The blades of winds that passed through the bubbles made a deep wound on the giant fish’s head. And
finally, the giant fish’s HP Bar was cut to %20 and was dyed red.
And at the same time. The magic circle on the side of the giant fish disappeared, and the room was
submerged in water.
A magic circle that spawns exploding bubbles appeared on the walls in all sides.
*Kapa* the giant fish opened its large mouth. From inside of its mouth a magic circle that shines stronger
than the bubble magic circle.
Risa’s sensor from all the games that she played made her body move instinctively.
Soon after, a high-speed water laser was shot straight where Risa was before.
Risa got anxious. To dodge that the next time, luck will be needed.
And the bubbles were catching up.
This is bad. This is bad.
The anxiety stops her thinking.
92
It should be calm at times like these.
Risa said to herself. Calming her anxious heart and focused deeply.
Just as if time had stopped.
The bubbles, the laser, and even the giant fish’s movement.
Slow, it had become slower.
The dangerous place, the safe place, she knew it as if they were in the palm of her hands.
The subtle movement of the enemy’s body, its sight.
She predicted where will be the laser shot.
She predicted where the barrage of bubbles would go next where it would be dangerous with the position
of the bubbles right now, and she went earlier to make an escape route. Comparing it with her experience
before, create the next, next move for the most efficient path to survive.
That can already be called future prediction.
Overwhelming player skill that was almost a cheat.
「【Wind Cutter】」
The magic that was silently shot, got through the bubble curtain beautifully and hit the giant fish every
time.
And finally.
The giant fish’s HP bar became empty.
93
Chapter 16 Defense Specialized and New
Knowledge
After the water that have accumulated disappeared completely, a large treasure box appeared in the
middle.
Rather than being happy first, Risa laid down in the ground faced up.
「Ah〜…concentrating seriously is tiring after all…」
Notification of level up and skill acquisition echoes, but as if to say checking that is for later, Risa
continued to lay down.
If possible, she didn’t want to enter that mode, but even if it was Risa that barrage and high-speed laser
was too hard.
After laying back for a while, Risa returned her tension to normal, and went towards the treasure box.
「Here I come, Open!!」
She quickly opened the cover with both hands.
What’s inside was a muffler with a vivid blue base just like the sea, and to its end there was white that
reminiscences bubbles.
A thick coat that a little darker color on the white fur on its neck line, and top and bottom garment that
matches that.
And two daggers that were dark blue as if it was the deep-sea where light does not reach, and a dark blue
belt that can sheath those with.
Risa checked the specs of all equipments.
『Muffler of the Surface Water (Minamo no Mafura)』
【AGI +10】【MP +10】
Skill【Mirage (Shinkirō)】
【Indestructible】
94
『Coat of the Ocean (Taikai no Kōto)』
【AGI +30】【MP +15】
Skill【Ocean (Taikai)】
『Leggings of the Ocean』
【AGI +20】【MP +10】
『Dagger of the Deep Sea (Shinkai no Dagā)』
【STR +20】【DEX + 10】
『Dagger of the Bottom of the Water (Minasoko no Dagā)』
【INT +20】【DEX +10】
「This is…maybe the way I took skills had an effect? Fufufu…equipments that I like. I have more
equipments than Kaede…but I don’t have 【Destruction Growth】 and skill slots huh」
Equipped them with the equipment window, and cheerfully made a turn. As a belt equipment, it a part of
the leggings, and did not fill a slot on the accessories.
Different to Kaede’s time, wearing unique skills that have a big increase in status, Risa left the cave.
While thinking of checking the skills tomorrow with Kaede. She was that tired.
The next day.
95
「Ohh〜! You became cool!」
「I know right〜! I didn’t get shoes so I bought black boots…with this, the uniform appearance is perfect!」
And, the two checked the skills that they gained one by one.
First was the skill that was with the equipment.
After that, the two new skills acquired will be checked. But even that said, one of them was a skill even
Kaede knew.
【Mirage (Shinkirō)】
When activated, the opponent’s visual information on coordinates and the true coordinates can be
distorted.
Target is everyone excluding the user.
Can be used 10 times a day.
The effect duration is 5 seconds. Also, if an attack was received by the vision 【Mirage (Shinkirō)】 created,
the effect of 【Mirage (Shinkirō)】 will be lost.
【Ocean (Taikai)】
When touching monsters, players, water that reduces AGI by 20 will be spread thinly on the ground in a
circle around the user. Cannot be used in air.
Area of effect is fixed at a 10 meter radius.
Only the user will be excluded to that effect.
Can be used 3 times a day. Has a 10 second effect duration.
【Jack of All Trades】
Damage dealt reduced 30%. 10 MP consumption cut.
【AGI +10】【DEX +10】
Skill Requirements
96
10 Weapon・Attack skills acquired
10 Magic・MP skills acquired
10 different skills acquired
Within that, more than 10 skills are in their lowest level.
After completing these requirements, attack a monster.
The last one is 【Giant Kill (OomonoKurai)】.
「Oh〜…I see I see. If I got 【Jack of All Trades】 before that giant fish it would’ve been bad」
After that, *U〜n* Risa groaned.
「I didn’t need 【Giant Kill (OomonoKurai)】 I think〜…」
「Eh?! Why?!」
「Well if it was Maple it would’ve been useful…but I’m not a full build so depending on the opponent, the
AGI raises or not raises, that would make my senses weird you know」
When the status suddenly increases regardless her intention, the sense for dodging would be distorted so
it would be troublesome for Risa’s play style.
「Ah〜I see…」
「This would be 【Discard】 huh…」
「What’s that?」
「Eh?」
「Eh?」
The two of them looked at each other.
「【Discard】skills…that was possible…」
97
「I’m rather surprised that you didn’t know thought? Well, but to regain the skills are used with 【Discard】
a special facility will be needed and 500k gold is needed to be paid, so it’s really only for the time it’s not
needed」
After saying that, Risa 【Discard】 the 【Giant Kill (OomonoKurai)】.
Her level that was 12 raised to 15.
There is already 40 status points with this, but it looks like Risa won’t use it yet.
「Yosh, it’s enough with this I think! Also, that’s right! What happened to Maple’s equipment?」
「n〜I don’t have gold so I asked for a large shield for the mean time. Short sword and armor will be
postponed」
「I see! Event is close too…I want to gather more skills a bit〜」
「If it’s that…you want to go to the second stage?…what do you want to do? Probably, there’s unique series
there though…」
The requirement to go to the second stage is breaking through a『Dungeon』. Equipments would probably
be gained in solo breakthrough.
「U〜n…I think I’m fine with it〜…I also like the equipments right now」
「If Sally was fine with it, then I’m fine too. I can gain a large shield normally too」
The two went towards the dungeon that goes through the second stage. The way of moving is the same as
the time with the underground lake.
「It’s fast as I’ve thought〜!」
「Grab on firmly?」
Their destination is the north.
With this pace, it shouldn’t take too much time.
98
Chapter 17 Defense Specialized and Stage
Capture
「Arrived!」
「Yo〜sh, let’s enter right away!」
In front, there is the entrance of the stone ruins.
If the information was correct, this should be the dungeon connecting to the second stage.
Kaede, in the lead, walked in the path. Just by holding the Mirror of the Dark Night while walking, the
defense is perfect.
After walking just like that, they encountered a monster.
What appeared in front of them was a boar that was a little huge.
Risa took the first move and shot magic. But that only decreased its health bar by 20%
「Mu…the power was decreased a lot. This is, I think I should raise my status debuff skill huh〜」
While she was saying that, the boar regains its posture and charged again. It was colliding towards Kaede
with a lot of momentum.
It was devoured by the large shield.
「n〜…can I count on you during fights with the boar?」
「Okay〜!」
Because the path was narrow, the boar charging was suicidal.
The boars that doesn’t know about Kaede’s large shield jumps in by themselves.
While going through left and right of the forks, they were slowly moving deeper.
「Oh! A different one came!」
99
When they entered a corner, what appeared in front of them was a bear.
The beat would also jump in just the same, so Kaede made a stance with her shield. But, though.
When the bear swung its huge arm strongly, claw shaped white effects flew.
That was devoured and disappeared because of the large shield, but it was enough to make Kaede
surprised.
「I-I was surprised」
「To think that it would attack in long-range. In addition, its blocking the way while taking distance」
The bear that had a complicated movement pattern compared to the boar, is probably a monster of a
higher rank than the boar.
「I will try to defeat it. Take a straight stance and make the large shield stand」
Kaede dropped the large shield to the ground by herself.
It looked like that.
That was the same with Kaede and the bear, and the bear thought that it was a chance, it charges.
Kaede also, if there wasn’t the touch of the large shield in her hand, she would probably reached down to
the ground.
At the same time the bear reached where the large shield was in the first place, it’s body disappeared.
And, as if nothing has happened, in the place where there shouldn’t be anything, the large shield
appeared. The large shield that fell on the ground also disappears.
「The test of 【Mirage】is a success, I think?」
「【Mirage】huh〜! I, when the large shield suddenly fell to the ground, I was really surprised」
「This time I tried it as a test, but there is limit on its use and I want to save it for the boss, that’s why I’ll
count on you during the fights for a while!」
「Un! Leave it to me!」
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Kaede and Risa once again moved deeper to the back. The dungeon looks like it wasn’t that deep, and
with only about 10 fights with the monsters, they were able to reach the boss room.
They opened the large door and entered.
A wide room with a high ceiling continues to the back, and in the deepest part, a large tree was standing.
After a second after the two entered the room, the door behind them closed with a sound.
And.
*MekiMeki* the large tree changed its shape with that sound, and became a giant deer.
The horns that the large tree had changed to had a lush vivid green leaves, and bright red apples also
grew.
After it shook its body made with trees, it stamped the ground and glares at the two.
「It’s coming!」
「Okay〜!」
Where the deer was standing, a green colored magic circle appeared and started shining.
It was the start of the battle.
When the deer stamps the ground, the magic circle shines, and giant vines appeared by piercing from the
ground, and attacks Kaede and Risa.
「Yo! to……」
「Haha! You’re too slow!」
Kaede’s large shield received the vines head on and devoured them. Risa, with her impressive dodging
skills, she evades the attacking barrage of vines easily.
The main fire power was Kaede’s Shingetsu.
Kaede, as if to counter, she released the dragon made with poison.
That devoured the vines, melted and erases them, and pressed into the deer.
But, the poison dragon was blocked by a shining green wall in front of the deer and disappeared.
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「Eh?!」
「Probably, it’s that magic circle! The damage won’t get through!」
The deer once again stretches its vine and attacks. The silver lining was that itself was no problem for the
two.
The two endured like that for a while, but Risa who thought it had no ends suggested.
「I’ll go inspect for a bit, so can you tank for a while?」
「I got it!…【Provoke】!」
The destination of the vines clearly changed to Kaede. In that chance, Risa went to do tests.
After attacking it continuously with magic and making its wall appear, Risa finally noticed something.
「Damage goes through to its horns! …also, it looks like the wall was supported by the apples!」
Risa pointed at the shining apples within the tree leaves. When the wall was activated the apples were
clearly shining red.
「Then…leave it to me! I will make them blow away altogether!」
「Un, I’m counting on you!」
Kaede thrusts Shingetsu. The poison dragon that appeared again, this time without being blocked by the
wall, devoured all of the tree leaves and melted them.
This time, without being blocked by the wall, the attack reached the deer properly. The red damage
effects appeared.
「Yosh! It got through!」
「I’m going with a huge one!」
*ParinParin* the crystals that emerges from the large shield shattered with that sound, and a giant purple
magic circle formed from Shingetsu at the same time. That increased its light for a while, became a poison
dragon with three heads, and attacked the deer.
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The deer’s body melts, and the red effect flows continuously. It was surely a deadly damage.
But, the green magic circle that the deer was standing noticeably shone brighter and healed its wounds.
When the HP bar recovered to 20%, the poison status debuff was cleared, and the magic circle, as if it was
done with its work, faded and disappeared.
「That one earlier, can you shoot it again?!」
「I can, but it would take for a while!」
While consulting, there was no way the deer would wait for them, and the deer that changes its
movement pattern attacked with blades of wind and vines that got one size bigger.
In addition.
「!!」
「Uwaaaaaa!!」
The ground suddenly raised and attacked the two from the ground. Risa precisely sensed that and
dodged it but Kaede was thrown to the air.
It was no damage, but when Kaede hit the ground, she received the status debuff 【Stun】 and couldn’t get
up. Normally, she wouldn’t have chance to survive, but after that, even receiving the blades of wind,
seeing that her HP Bar was not reduced, she probably would endure it until she stands up.
But, it was sure that the activation for Kaede’s skill would be delayed.
「It can’t be helped…it’s a pain though…」
Risa held daggers with both of her hands, and ran.
Regardless of her words, her expression was very happy.
「I should do(kill) it huh」
Completely seeing through the enemy’s attack.
To Risa on her concentrated state, attacks this much was almost nothing. Tracing the narrow paths
surely, and when she approached where the deer was standing with 【Leap I】 she jumped to the front of
the deer.
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That was the only safe point on the battlefield that has nonstop blades of winds.
「I know that it’s safe her you know?… 【Double Slash】!」
Spinning her body, with the daggers in her both hands, she released a four consecutive attacks.
By holding two weapons, she could release twice the attacks with one. Each one of the attack damage
would fall compared with only one, but it overwhelms with the number of attacks.
And Risa, with her face just like that, runs towards its back.
「【Power Slash】!」
A two consecutive attacks that slashed through the nape of its neck from its forehead.
In addition, she burned its back with Fire Magic.
Blades of wind flew towards Risa who was running around its back.
But, it was easy to dodge.
「n? This wasn’t a safe spot huh」
*HyunHyun* she moved while she dodging the flying blades of wind. Finding chances and when finally its
HP Bar was erased with consecutive attacks.
「nn!……t-that’s right! I have to fight…」
Kaede finally stood up and looked at the deer.
Although, she could only look at the deer that became light and disappeared in front of her face.
「Ehhhhhhhhhhh!?」
「I ended it while you’re asleep」
Risa returned and said that.
To Kaede, it became a somewhat unconvincing dungeon capture.
But anyways, the two were able to get the rights to move to the second stage.
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「Auu〜…」
Kaede and Risa started their activities in a new base town in the second stage, but Kaede was groaning
with a dark face.
「U〜nn… I also didn’t think that there would be a maintenance two weeks before the event. In addition…
」
Right, the two logged in immediately as soon as the maintenance ended……but they were stunned by the
contents of the maintenance.
Mainly, Kaede.
The contents of the maintenance were about nerfing of some skills and buffing the AI of the field
monsters.
The targeted skill name, in the settings of the game, was not cleared, so only those who have them knew
it.
And, there was also one thing that changed.
That is.
The implementation of defense ignoring attack skills, and the reduction of pain.
There are three to five kinds of skill per weapon
And its power was very decent
The problem was the skills.
「Ugugu……」
「Well… that happens all the time for somebody who stands out」
Don’t mind it, Risa tapped her shoulder.
There are mainly two adjustments related to Kaede.
But, Risa said that thinking about it with a roundabout way, it was three of them.
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First, in skill fixes, 【Bizzare Eater(Akujiki)】 was fixed.
After the fixes of 【Bizarre Eater(Akujiki】 its abilities was limited uses of 10 times per day, and the MP
that will be absorbed will be doubled.
It hadn’t changed that it was a passive skill, so after receiving attacks ten times with the large shield, the
Mirror of the Dark Night will return to a normal large shield. The MP that can be absorbed became double
so it can somehow become a magic power tank, but it hasn’t changed that it was nerfed.
Next, the buffs of monsters, they are now able to attack from behind, in some cases, they are now able to
run away.
This is for stopping Kaede, Risa told Kaede. To Kaede who doesn’t seem to understand, Risa explained in
details.
「Because…if the AI is buffed, the origin of Maple’s 【Absolute defense】, the loophole of the white rabbit
couldn’t be used again right? The white rabbit with buffed AI wouldn’t charge for one hour… and maybe it
was also an unexpected way of taking that for the GMs?」
In this maintenance, it prevented the occurrence of an irregular called Kaede, but according to Risa, they
couldn’t do a maintenance that was clearly aimed to reduce Kaede’s specs.
「For example… deleting the 【Absolute Defense】. That wouldn’t happen I think.
「Probably though… some of the powerful skills that the top players was also nerfed, I think. And it means,
one of those is Maple’s 【Abominable】」
「n〜… well, I also think it can’t be helped. 【Abominable】 is very powerful after all. But… that fix, huh〜…」
Figuring out what Kaede wanted to tell, Risa continued to talk.
「With this, Maple will now also receive damage right huh…… that adjustment is probably
countermeasures against Maple〜」
「Ugugugugu…」
Maple’s endurance was clearly off the balance, so the management side’s last resort was only to
implement this fix.
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「Well, ignore defense attack is a very common skill, it was until now that it was very few」
When Risa said that, Kaede stuck together her hands and talked apologetically.
「Ah〜… I’m sorry! I stopped being invincible… with this, we can’t be an invincible party… although you
became a dodge shield」
Saying that, Kaede apologized to Risa. The two’s ideals were a party that both of them has no damage. If it
was like this, they can’t do it.
「That cannot be helped. And, you are now able to receive damage… but it’s not like you’re going to
receive no damage anymore at all…… “Although the damage effects are being grinded, she wouldn’t die
even after grinding this much!”, that would emphasize the feeling of invulnerability. If you just smile
fearlessly, you’re still going to be so cool!」
Kaede imagined that with an opponent, their only hope was they were able to deal damage, and while
laughing like *Fufufu*while receiving their desperate attacks, defeat them when they are exhausted.
「Oh〜…… it is certainly nice…」
「You’re making a dark smile you know?」
「Wawa! Y-You didn’t see that right now! You did not!」
Saying that, *BunBun* she swung her arms. Risa continued while laughing pleasantly.
「n〜… but if it’s like that, I need to increase my HP. Being damaged with defense ignorance is not
good……… is the pain okay?」
「Well… it’s not that, painful though? It’s nothing much compared to real life… in addition, the pain is
being reduced too, so」
「I should do my best to get better player skills and block attacks as many as I can…… and also recovery
type skills and equipments, maybe I also need the MP and HP types huh?」
If she had those, in the end, it would be like she was invulnerable after all, Risa said.
「I’ll help you gather equipments! Also, I’ll find skills that looks good」
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「I-Is it okay?」
「It’s the game I invited to, if I can play together with Maple, I’ll do that at least you know? I mean, you
want to go right now?」
「Thank you!」
「Well, there are also times when I need help, so…」
「Un! At that time, I’ll do my best!」
Kaede answered with a wide smile.
「Well then… let’s first acquire skills that can raise HP. That’s the most important one. I know a little too,
and after that huh. The event’s also near, let’s hurry!」
「Oh〜!」
The two jumped into the field.
To acquire new skills, cover Maple’s weaknesses, and leave good results in the second event.
They are going to do what they can today.
108
Chapter 19 Defense Specialized and Under
Preparation
It has been a week after she started gathering skills with Risa.
It means, at the time where there is only one week left before the event, Kaede logged in alone and was
searching for skills.
「I noticed it first after being said, but… the skills that a person that uses a large shield in a party, I don’t
have all of them」
Risa told her that the skill tree of the large shield that is for defense power and about defense is very
abundant, and she was basically trying to acquire those skills when she logged in alone since they
couldn’t log in at the same time.
By the way, she already gathered some skills that she wanted for mostly HP strengthening and MP
strengthening together with Risa.
Kaede, while checking her status, searches for skills that she probably needs.
Maple
Lv24
HP 40/40〈＋60〉
MP 12/12 〈＋10〉
【STR 0】
【VIT 170〈＋66〉】
【AGI 0】
【DEX 0】
【INT 0】
Equipments
109
Head【ーーー】
Body【Armor of Black Roses】
Right hand【Shingetsu : Hydra(Poison Dragon)】
Left Hand【Mirror of the Dark Night : Bizarre Eater(Akujiki)】
Legs【Armor of Black Roses】
Shoes【Armor of Black Roses】
【Toughness Ring】
【ーーー】
Skill

【HP Strengthening (Small)】【MP Strengthening (Small)】
She acquired the skill 【HP Strengthening (Small)】and【MP Strengthening (Small)】, increased her HP by
30 and MP by 10.
In addition, thanks to the Toughness Ring that Risa gave, her HP increased by 30 in addition.
It would seem like it was very little, but for the meantime, Kaede’s HP was raised to double with that.
Risa said that she was going to quickly acquire the ignore defense attack before the event.
The reason is, to measure roughly the damage to Kaede. Because they couldn’t afford on testing it without
practice.
「I gained a lot, so, I need to have skills that would be useful…」
110
And just like that, Kaede puts an eye on one skill.
「【Cover Move I】and【Cover】… the large shield’s basic skill huh〜… although I didn’t have it」
The skill used to protect party members, an exclusive skill for the large shield. A skill that can be said, all
players using the large shield and that is in a party have.
Kaede also, since she is in a party now, was now interested in the skills that she thought she wouldn’t
need when she saw it before.
【Cover Move I】
Ignoring the AGI stat, will be able to move to the party member within the radius of 5 meters.
After use, damage received will be doubled for 30 seconds.
Can be used maximum 10 times.
The maximum times usable will recover every hour.
Skill Requirement
To be purchased from the Skill Shop.
【Cover】
Cover the party member besides the user from attacks.
When used, VIT would be increased by 10.
Skill Requirement.
To be purchased from the Skill Shop.
Skill Shop is, the NPC shop that is selling the basic skills for the different types of equipment.
Other than【Cover Move I】and【Cover】, 【Slash】and【Double Slash】can be bought there.
From the lots of gold that she was able to have from selling the white scales obtained from the
underground lake, she could easily buy at least two.
「Let’s go buy it!」
Kaede walked towards the NPC shop.
111
With this, she thought that it was needed because she might be able to save Risa when she’s in a pinch.
Kaede left the store while holding a bag in one hand after buying the skill. Inside the bag, was two scrolls
that have the skills in it.
After Kaede sat down on a bench, *GasaGasa* she took it out and spread it while making that sound.
And together with that, the letters that were written shines with light, and as if to match the dissipating
light, the scroll crumbles down, becomes a light and disappears.
『Skill 【Cover Move I】 has been acquired』
「Ohh〜〜! So pretty!」
Kaede took out the 【Cover】scroll, and spread it out very quickly.
That released the same light, crumbles, and disappeared together with the light.
「Ahh〜… it has ended already. Do I still have some skills that I need……」
She had researched about the skills that she needed to get right now so there wouldn’t be something like
that.
「Well, whatever…… I might need to increase it again someday… rather than that, maybe I should go and
get better player skills as Sally said!」
After saying that, she went towards the second stage’s field very eagerly.
「Uu〜… it’s slow. It’s very slow. My walking speed, was it really this slow……」
Being told by Risa, the place where she came to was a desert. And after walking a while there, she
stopped. Risa told Kaede that the place she is right now is the best place in the desert.
「n〜…… I can’t see any enemies though〜……… Uwaah!?」
From the impact from behind, Kaede almost fell forward.
Damage was of course zero, so there wasn’t any danger of dying.
「W-What is it!! Hey, is that it!」
112
Kaede saw the Pillbug type monster that seems to have tackled her from behind rolled around.
After rolling for a while, it returned from its round body, and crawls down beneath the desert sand.
「I see… practice defending with that huh〜」
Kaede changed her large shield to a pure white shield.
The pure white large shield that seemed like the fresh snow, was sprinkled by blue jewels in some parts.
The name of the large shield is 【Snow White】, and it was a large shield made by Izu.
【Snow White】
【VIT＋40】
Compared to the Mirror of the Dark Night, it was simple and didn’t even have a skill, but its VIT increase
was higher than the Mirror of the Dark Night right now.
From this, you can really see how good Izu’s skills are. It is the best non-combat players that are
supporting the top players in the front lines.
「Yosh… let’s do our best!」
After saying that, to the back of the head of Kaede who was making a stance with the large shield, the pill
bug hits.
「Uwah! W-Wait a second, hey!」
It is not like the monsters would wait for her, and another one hits Kaede who was shouting.
「Ugh!…… I-I’m going to get angry!」
Stands up, made a stance with the large shield, and focused her ears.
Risa said, it is important to find the enemy from the sounds that come from the enemy’s movements.
「n〜…… here!」
Kaede adjusts the large shield to her right. And at the same time, *Gatsun* the pill bug that jumped out
hits the large shield and was reflected.
113
「Yosh!…… Kyaa!」
From behind Kaede who was content being able to block it, another pill bug hits her.
「I-I see. It’s not only one. It’s very hard huh〜」
After that, for two hours fighting, the maximum that she was able to block was about 40%.
From what Risa had said, if she was able to block all of them, she would probably not receive the ignore
defense attack for most of the time.
「40% huh〜…… well, I did my best with that huh〜, really, how can Risa dodge that much…」
While her friend that seemed like the enemy attacks were the one who dodged comes to her mind, she
logged out for the day.
Back in the in a little time, the time when Risa logged in alone.
「Yosh, it’s about time I used my status points. I already decided my plan. n〜… it’s better having a lot of
ways to attack… so 15 to STR and 20 to AGI, and the left to the INT… with this, I’ve used all of them!」
Sally
Lv18
HP 32/32
MP 25/25〈＋35〉
【STR 25〈＋20〉】
【VIT 0】
【AGI 75〈＋68〉】
【DEX 25〈＋20〉】
【INT 25〈＋20〉】
Equipments
114
Head【Muffler of the Surface Water (Minamo no Mafura) : Mirage(Shinkirō)】
Body【Coat of the Ocean (Taikai no Kōto) : Ocean(Taikai)】
Right Hand【Dagger of the Deep Sea (Shinkai no Dagā)】
Left Hand【Dagger of the Bottom of the Water (Minasoko no Dagā)】
Legs【Leggings of the Ocean】
Shoes【Black Boots】
【ーーー】
【ーーー】
Skill
【Status Debuff Attack III】【Slash】【Double Slash】【Gale Slash (HayateGiri)】【Muscle Strengthening (Small)

】

Arts I】
【Knowledge of Short Swords II】【Jack of All Trades】【Divine Break】
【Fire Magic I】【Water Magic II】【Wind Magic II】
【Earth Magic I】【Dark Magic I】【Light Magic II】
【Water Wall】
【Wind Cutter】【Wind Wall】
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【Thunder Cutter】
【Dark Ball】
【Refresh】【Heal】
「After raising the Light Magic to II, I am now able to use【Heal】… and after raising the【Status Debuff
Attack III】it’s now easier to place status debuff… I also got an ignore defense attack, it feels like good on
attack and support」
After saying that, Risa closed her status and went towards the field. Her destination is far within the deep
forest that is a little far.
「I’ll acquire a cool skill and keep it a secret to Maple, I will surprise her〜!」
Risa is trying to capture one of the events with the NPCs that is currently being generated at all times in
the game.
There is a small house far within the forest, and succeeding an event there, she could obtain【Super
Acceleration】.
「The requirement to breakthrough is【AGI 70】, so it’s good that I made it enough!」
Risa, in Risa’s way, was strengthening herself towards the first event with Kaede.
116
Chapter 20 Defense Specialized and Friend
Strengthening
「Yosh, I’ve arrived!」
Risa arrived at a small house inside the forest. It was a log house.
Right beside the house, there was a water wheel that was slowly turning to the flow of a clear river.
In front of the house were a small field and some unchopped firewood that was probably left there are
after chopping firewood.
The sounds of the small birds echo pleasantly.
Risa approached the house, “KonKon” she knocked the door and waited.
After a while, the door opens from inside.
Who came out, was white long beard man using a staff.
「For someone to come here, how rare…… for the meantime, come inside. In these places, there are a lot of
dangerous monsters」
The old man said that and let Risa enter the house. Risa obediently entered the house.
If the AGI stat, the old man will not be in his house, and the event will not occur.
Inside the house, there was only a few furniture.
If asked which one was the most interesting, on the top of the shelf around the ends, there was an old
small sword that was emitting a very certain presence.
After that, Risa without saying anything, sat in the chair that was near to the table.
The old man placed a teacup with tea in front of that Risa.
「You should drink, your body should get relaxed a little」
「Uhm… thank you very much. Itadakimasu」
Risa drank the tea. As the old man had said, her body really got relaxed a little.
117
Precisely, her MP was fully recovered.
It is unknown since her HP was full, but in the information, it is said that it would recover.
「Fumu…… you should rest for a while. I will go to draw 【Magic Power Water】」
【Magic Power Water】is the water that is drawn up from the springs that recover magic powers. And the
place of that springs can be heard from the NPC in the town of the second stage.
It was about 30 minutes far away in her current position.
Right here, Risa started to talk as if she was waiting for that.
「Yes, then, I will go draw it instead」
「n, really?… I’ll leave it to you here huh…… recently, the condition of my feet had worsened」
When the old man said that, he gave Risa a glass bottle.
A blue colored monitor appeared in front of Risa.
It was stating, Yes, No.
Risa pushed the Yes, and accepted the quest.
The【Magic Power Water】was immediately checked by the non-combat players as soon as they get to the
second stage, but they couldn’t draw it up from the spring whatever they did.
They were able to drink it in that place and recover MP, but it is impossible to bring it back currently.
The only way it could be drawn up, was using the glass bottle that is passed during this event.
But, that also disappears from the inventory after drawing it up after an hour.
It means, it was a spot that was prepared for this event.
「Well then, I’ll go now!」
「I’m sorry… I’ll count on you」
And, Risa jumped out of the log house towards the springs.
The monsters that are inhabiting around here are mostly 3 types.
118
The first one is the Big Spider.
As its name is, it was a large spider. Its size is about 1 meter and it’s spider thread attack that binds the
target is very troublesome.
The second one is the Sleep Beetle.
It is a beetle that has status debuff attacks that make its target asleep. Its size is only a little bigger than
the normal beetle, so it is a scary monster that is easy to be overlooked and receive a surprise attack
from.
The third one is the treant.
It is mimicking a tree, and is good at surprise attacks.
But, it has a characteristic that it is the only one tree that has a red fruit inside this forest.
Knowing that beforehand, the chance to avoid it will surely go up. But, even without that, the attack range
of the branches and roots is long, and there are a lot of players that are blocked on all sides and loses.
Risa is running through the forest.
As she has preliminarily investigated, there are not one monster appearing.
And, she properly arrived at the springs for about 30 minutes.
「It’s beautiful……」
The waters that are clear as it can be was shining faintly and shimmers to the surrounding trees and
flowers.
To that fantastic spectacle, Risa stopped her feet for a while and viewed the springs.
And, after she drank the spring waters to recover her MP, she heightened her concentration.
「It’s from here… huh」
Risa drew the water to the glass bottle, and put it in her inventory. The time limit is one hour.
If she cannot reach the log house within the time limit, the event will end as a failure.
And, the monsters that did not show up at all when she got here, flows out from the forest as if they were
waiting for this moment.
119
「I should go…」
Risa looked back, and jumped to the forest and ran. The unpleasant sounds of the spiders echo.
The event really starts from here.
The path that took 30 minutes without monsters, return from there with monsters within an hour.
To obtain【Super Acceleration】, she must go through this test.
*HyunHyun* the threads of the spiders sounded while they shot from the top of the trees. If these hits,
she would be bound and it would be the end.
「Yo, tto! ……!! 【Mirage】!」
Risa runs through, and to her body, a ton of Sleep Beetles hit.
But that got squashed and distorts its shape, and melts in the air.
While glancing at that, Risa broke through the swarm of the Sleep Beetle.
「That’s bad, that’s bad… tto!」
From Risa’s feet, sharp tree roots reached out.
With Risa’s status, she would surely die with one hit.
While Risa was dodging the tree roots, she checked the surrounding.
There were three trees that have red fruits with it. It was no doubt treants.
「【Fire Ball】!」
The blazing ball of fire hits the slow moving treant, and burns violently its trunk.
The treant’s angry voice echoes throughout the forest.
「This is…!! That might’ve been a miss…」
Risa had caught on the monsters that were approaching, attracted by the treant’s voice using【Sensory
Awareness II】.
120
「【Mirage】!」
Risa made a phantom of herself run towards the direction of the springs.
The beetles got easily lured by that, but that wasn’t the case with the spiders. They probably have some
kind of skill, they were moving towards Risa’s direction.
「It wasn’t effective! 【Slash】!」
While dodging the spider threads, two consecutive attacks.
Their HP bar surely was reduced, but there’s still 70% of it. She had no time at all to defeat that.
「Damn it!…… the treant is also too annoying…!」
In addition to the enormous number of enemies, they were moving as if each of them different purposes.
On top of that, the spider’s AGI was quite high. It wasn’t that much different with Risa.
In the first place, that was natural since it was a quest made for AGI Specialized to challenge it.
「【Ocean】!」
From Risa’s feet, water thinly spread. The spiders that were chasing her plunged into that and
decelerates.
「【Slash】!… 【Wind Cutter】!」
Slashing through the roots and branches of the treant, Risa continued to move forward.
The distance between the spiders gradually opened.
But it also wears out Risa’s nerves.
She would be caught if she stops running, but this is inside the forest.
The trees that were crowded, the bushes beneath the feet, and there might be mud somewhere.
If she was caught on her footsteps, the situation would only be the worst.
Risa heard a flying sound with her ear, and turned around.
「Beetles again?!…… no way」
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The monsters that inhabit this forest are “mostly” three types.
Right, there was another type of monster that was rare to encounter.
Approaching from behind, was a giant dragonfly.
And its name, Wind Dragonfly.
Its name comes from the way it flies at high speed as if there were no trees at all, while accelerating with
wind magic.
「That’s too unlucky!…… damn it…! 【Wind Cutter】!」
She threatened, shooting blades of wind to her back.
In this situation, there was no time to fight. She should do something and run away somehow. Even now,
their distance was gradually closing up.
Highly mixed wind magic passes through Risa with sounds of cutting wind. While dodging the wind magic
using the trees as a shield, she spreads out the 【Ocean】and checks the spiders.
She diverts the Sleep Beetle that flies from the side with 【Mirage】. Just like that, while she was running,
she was once again surrounded by monsters.
Impatience appears in Risa.
「Spiders coming from the front… treant from the left. I’ll go left!」
Using【Sensory Awareness II】at its fullest, she gained the information the most she could get, and chooses
the best route.
To the direction where there are more trees, to where it is hard for the dragonfly to fly. Three treants in
front of her. Of course, there was no time to make an opponent of them.
「【Mirage】!」
The treant easily fell for it, and pierces out tens of its sharp branches towards Risa’s phantom.
The treant, seemed to have felt it clearly, it was having a creepy laughter triumphantly.
「Thank you! You really saved me!」
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Risa, with relief, mumbles.
What it pierced through wasn’t Risa.
It was the wing of the Wind Dragonfly, one of it.
Even if it was the Wind Dragonfly, it couldn’t completely dodge the unexpected attack.
The Wind Dragonfly that had its wing broken drops its speed.
The distance with Risa opens up.
*GachiGachi* the Wind Dragonfly shot wind magic to Risa while sounding creepily, but that kind of
desperate attack had no way of reaching Risa.
「Ha〜…ha〜… Arrival!! Ha〜! Seriously, maybe this is the most exhausting ever…」
There was the log house in front of Risa.
She took 52 minutes, and reached it just below.
Risa opened the door of the log house.
「I have returned!」
「Ohh! I have been waiting for you, thank goodness that you’re fine, thank goodness…」
Risa who broke through tens of deadly situation made a subtle face, but the old man did not care about
that and continued to talk.
「Fumu… I have to give my gratitude… let me see, come here for a second」
After saying that, the old man brought out one scroll from the drawers.
「You can learn the skill【Super Acceleration】with it. It should help you somehow… you don’t need abstain
」
After saying that, the old man’s appearance blurs and disappeared.
「It is something I don’t need」
A voice came from behind Risa, Risa turns back in a hurry.
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There was the old man, smiling happily as if a boy who has succeeded his prank.
「Fufu… you should devote to your training」
「Y-Yes!」
She instinctively replied, and Risa left the log house.
Gaining a new power.
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Chapter 21 Defense Specialized and Second
Event
Risa and Kaede were in the town of the second stage.
Because today was the day for the second event, their fighting spirits were perfect, they also did all they
could do to prepare.
And right now, the announcement from the administration came.
「This time’s event will be an exploration type! The highlight is the 300 pieces of silver medal scattered in
the field after teleporting! Gathering 10 pieces of these will make it into a gold medal, and you are able to
exchange the gold medal to skills or equipments when the event is over!」
The announcement flows like that and the status window opens by itself, and shows the gold and silver
medal.
Within those, Kaede was familiar of the gold medal.
It was the gold medal that Kaede received as a commemorative gift for the last event.
「The players in the top ten of the last event already have 1 gold medal each! You can defeat and steal it
from them, or you can ignore and do your best on exploring!」
Some accessories such as luxurious rings and bracelets, weapons like large swords and bows are shown
one next to the other in the window, every one of them is sleeping somewhere in the field that they were
about to go.
Of course, there was also large shields.
「Even if you die, you will only drop medals! Your equipments would not drop so please do not worry!
The only time that the medal would drop is when you are defeated by a player. Please do not worry, and
do your best exploring! After death, you will respawn at the initial point that you are going to be
teleported!」
For the meantime, it was a relief.
If the equipments wouldn’t be stolen, it would be at ease to some extent.
They could do their best on exploration.
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「This time’s event will last one week in game time, the time that would pass outside the game would only
be two hours since we will be accelerating the time! There are some spots inside the field that monsters
would not come inside so please take advantage of it!」
It means, even after sleeping and spending time inside the game for one week, it would only pass two
hours in reality.
「How can I say this, that’s a strange feeling」
「They said, once you log out you’re not able to join the event again, that’s why, we can’t log out if we want
to join the event until the end. After that… they said that party members will teleport on the same place」
Risa and Kaede heard the explanation, saw it in the status window, and after discussing, decided to try to
not log out.
「Medal enough for two, I hope we get it」
「Un, let’s do our best!」
The body of the two became light, and disappeared from the town of the second stage.
「n…… we’re here?」
「Looks like we’ve arrived」
The feeling of earth that is sensed from the feet.
The two was in the middle of an open grassland.
You can see islands floating in the sky as if gravity had no effect on them, and you can also see
mountainous areas far away. And in the wide open sky, you can see the appearance of dragons flying
elegantly.
The field that the administration prepared this time, was a very rich and natural, utopia for monsters.
It was a fantastic world that was as if taken out from anybody’s fantasy world dream.
「Ohh〜! Beautiful!」
「Amazing… it’s so beautiful shiver came down on my spine」
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The two were walking on the grassland while talking, and even though they walked for 20 minutes, they
didn’t encounter other players. Thinking that Kaede immediately had an opponent last time, maybe this
time, the stage that was set this time might possibly very wide.
「Will we be able to find a medal〜…」
「Who knows? Well, let’s do it slowly? There’s still a lot of time」
The two was talking like that, but they a goblin pushing aside the small grass on their right. It looks like it
has targeted the two, and chases after them even though they went left.
「If the opponent is only a goblin… Snow White is good enough huh」
Kaede reequipped her large shield. Because she could not be wasting 【Akujiki】.
「Can I use this equips for a while? I’ll just change it to the Mirror of the Dark Night in case of anything」
「Okay〜! I’m counting on you. This time, I’ll defeat them okay?」
Risa approached the goblin very quickly and swings her dagger. The goblin tried to receive it with the
club in its hands, but there was no way that the weapon with bad quality could stop Risa’s dagger.
*Supa*, the club was cut off together with the very deep red line in the goblin’s body.
And, the first attacker easily became light and disappeared.
「Oh〜! You’re really fast!」
「Fufufu〜 thanks! I wonder if this is the area for weak monsters?… there might not be any medals」
「n〜… maybe so. I think that the medals are in a place more difficult to see」
It looks like Risa agrees on Kaede’s opinion and for the meantime, searched around caves or forests,
terrains that seem to have a lot of monsters.
And walking about an hour after that.
「Right, Grasslands! Left, Grasslands! Behind, Grasslands! In front, Grasslands!」
Risa couldn’t help but be shouting. Wherever you look, it was all grasslands. It was definitely grasslands
up to the horizon.
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「It’s too wide〜… for a while now, only goblins come out… see, it came again…」
As Kaede had said, the goblin was walking while dragging a rabbit that it probably caught as prey. It
doesn’t seem to have noticed Kaede and Risa, *GugyaGugya* it was laughing happily with an annoying
voice.
And while Kaede and Risa were looking at the goblin, it “walked” into the ground.
「「……eh?」」
The two was astonished and petrified, but when they regained their senses, they quickly moved to the
place where the goblin disappeared.
「T-There’s nothing?」
「No… there’s definitely something! There should be!」
Risa had some kind of idea, and shot the space around there with【Wind Cutter】.
It cuts through the distorted space, and that scene returned to its normal state.
In the two’s feet, there was a staircase leading to the underground.
「A skill like【Mirage】… it was hiding the entrance with that. Maybe, there’s another entrance. This
grassland, are wide after all…」
「You want to enter?」
「Of course! a cave that is hidden very carefully… there should be one or two medals for sure!」
「Yo〜sh! Then, let’s go!」
The two entered inside the cave.
「Yo…tto!」
Risa slashes through the goblin’s face with her dagger.
It was not like the monsters inside were especially strong, so they were defeated easily with Risa’s
attacks.
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The path was wide enough for the two to walk side by side, so she is free to swing around her weapon.
「Another branched road…」
Kaede whispered.
As Kaede had said, this cave had quite a lot of branched road. It was stretching to a lot of paths just like
the ant’s lair, and there were also a lot of dead ends and small rooms.
「Which way should we go… Maple, what do you think?」
「……then, to the right! It is going down to the right, so I think that if there was a boss it would be in a deep
place!」
「Okay〜, then right it is」
The two moves ahead of the path. And entered a little larger room.
That time.
A roar echoes through, and the ground trembles.
The two felt instinctively. That this was the boss’s roar.
And with that, footsteps and metal sounds approached the two. And with it, unpleasant cries.
「The boss might’ve commanded something, the goblins are gathering!」
「What should we do?」
To Kaede’s question, Risa said while making a stance with her weapon.
「This room is only connected to two places, I’ll leave the other one to you!」
「Okay〜! Leave it to me!」
Kaede still doesn’t exchange her large shield.
She was thinking of saving it for the boss.
Kaede drew Shingetsu.
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It was the start of the fight.
「【Hydra(Poison Dragon)】」
She attacked full force from the start. Because the more she increased the number she attacked, the more
that Kaede loses her attack power. If it was possible, she wanted to clean it up with one shot.
The Poison Dragon that was shot towards the goblins rushing inside the room, was stopped by shining
barriers in front of the goblins.
In the back of the passage.
There were three goblins that were taking a stance with their staff in the back of the horde of the goblins.
That is probably, the magic of those three.
But, it seems like that was their trump card, the three was breathing with their shoulders.
Kaede’s attack was just that strong.
In regardless of that, the damage dealt by the Poison Dragon was not only that.
Even if it was blocked, the poison itself that was scattered around wouldn’t disappear.
The goblins that touched that poison agonized, collapsed, became a light and disappear.
Even so.
The goblins stepped on their allies that collapsed before they disappear, and came across the sea of
poison.
They couldn’t go against the command from the boss.
They were just, moving towards the enemy in front of them.
「【Shield Attack】!」
Kaede’s attack had almost no damage directly, but it pushes the goblins to the sea of poison with the
knockback effect.
Kaede only repeated that, and the number of goblins was decreasing. The three goblins that would’ve
originally support them with magic was already exhausted.
「【Shield Attack】! It’s the end, with this!!」
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When the last goblin sank the last time. It looks like Risa also had ended fighting and went towards
Kaede.
And, she noticed the magician goblins and started to attack with magic.
「【Fire Ball】! And, 【Wind Cutter】!」
It looks like it didn’t have any defense, the magician goblins were defeated easily.
「Good work, Sally!」
「You too, Maple. That being said, you really did it very flashy〜」
Risa was looking at the sea of poison with surprise and astonishment.
「Ehehe… rather than that, let’s go! There is surely a boss in here!」
While making a shy laugh, Kaede changed the topic.
「I guess so, let’s go! …yo!!」
Risa jumped over the goblin that was agonizing in the sea of poison. Kaede of course, walked over it. Her
poison resistance was perfect.
「If I was to touch it, I’m out with one shot」
She wouldn’t receive damage from friendly fire magic, but the effects that it does is different.
It means that if a branch burned by an ally by Fire Ball was touched, there would be damage.
「I’ll be careful okay」
「Please do」
The two went deeper and deeper to the cave.
The final battle, is very near.
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Chapter 22 Defense Specialized and Boss
Extermination
「Boss room-like room, I found it!」
In front of them was a door that didn’t exist until now.
Opening the wooden door which was about 5 meters, they entered.
Inside was wide, and dim.
It was about 10 meters to the ceiling, and looking around, the width is about the same.
And the depth was about twice, and a huge throne was placed in the deepest.
And, on that, a giant goblin that has a hideous face was sitting.
It was sitting, so its size was not clear, but it was about as large as the door earlier. It was about three
times of the normal goblin.
The goblin noticed the two, and roars.
To its tremendous volume, the two scowls.
「Let’s defeat it already! It’s too noisy!」
「I agree, let’s go!」
Risa nodded.
Kaede changed her large shield to the Mirror of the Dark Night, for the final battle.
The distance to the goblin was about 20 meters.
Risa closes that distance with her top speed.
But, the goblin did not see that off.
Beside the throne, it took a giant saber that was placed in it and stood up, it was drawn violently while
moving forward.
The impending deadly blade together with its tremendous sword pressure.
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「【Cover Move】! 【Cover】!」
Risa didn’t knew if she could dodge it. Because Kaede received the saber that was twice her height with
her large shield without being intimidated, and erased it. The enemy’s main weapon with overwhelming
destructive powers was removed from the start of the fight.
The saber became light and disappeared.
「Nice! Yosh……!!」
Risa approached the boss further, and from this, Kaede’s movements were unexpected for Risa, and
maybe even to the goblin.
「【Cover Move】!」
To Risa who was running, Kaede was able to keep up by suddenly accelerating. The attack from the goblin
hasn’t come.
Risa, while being surprised, approached the boss.
Kaede forcefully keeps up with Risa. With this, the two of them arrived in front of the goblin together.
The goblin swings down its muscular arm together with a roaring sound.
But that attack did not hit Risa.
With her proud dodging skills, she did not receive the simple attacks of the goblin. Risa, just like that,
jumps up and aimed at the goblin’s stomach.
When Risa’s dagger was at the distance when it can reach the goblin’s body.
Risa made a wry laugh because of the way she uses Cover Move was already ridiculous it could be called
its name.
Kaede was now close to the goblin, and entered the distance where the large shield can reach.
After Risa dealt an attack, she left that place.
Kaede twists her body and swings the large shield.
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「How〜is〜it!! This power!」
A flashy damage effect the width of the large shield was ground on the goblin’s abdomen, and its HP bar
was reduced by 30 percent.
And as if it provoked the anger of the goblin, it hit Kaede and fell to the ground.
「Fufufu… two times damage? Two times zero is zero!!」
The two times damage received demerit of the 【Cover Move】became nothing in front of the erratic
defense powers of Kaede. But that being said, her armor wasn’t like that, and it had cracks and crumbled.
「Ue!?」
Kaede was surprised, but when the armor shines faintly, it immediately
came back to its former shape.
「Ah!! I see,【Destruction Growth】!」
The destroyed equipments would grow more robust and solid.
Risa called out to Kaede.
「Can you do it one more time?!」
「Of course!」
Kaede stood up, and looked at Risa’s movements.
And, the instance that Risa was about to be hit by the goblin’s fist.
「【Move Cover】! 【Cover】!」
She stood in between the fist and Risa and adjusts her large shield.
That hand was devoured to from its fist, became light and disappeared. It was swung down in full force to
catch Risa who was quickly so its momentum wouldn’t stop.
The HP bar decreases tremendously again.
There was only remaining 40% left.
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Kaede draws out Shingetsu.
「I should at least do something right! 【Super Acceleration】!」
Risa’s body blurred, and accelerates.
Risa moves behind the goblin in high speed.
「【Double Slash】! 【Wind Cutter】! 【Powered Attack】! 【Double Slash】!」
Combined with the speed of the 【Super Acceleration】, it was hit with high speed consecutive attacks.
Even doing all of that, the gauge only fell by 15% so it was really clear how ridiculous Kaede’s large shield
was.
After being attack by this much, the goblin couldn’t help itself to face Risa’s direction.
As the goblin turns around, as if to overlap the red damage effects, golden effects envelopes its arm and
punches.
That attack didn’t hit Risa but the ground it hit was caved..
「Its power is rising, but… it’s too slow!」
Risa moves away from the goblin, and the goblin tries to chase Risa with blood-shot eyes.
「Is it okay? Chasing after me? I’m sure… that one’s scarier?」
「【Hydra(Poison Dragon)】!」
Kaede’s voice calls out a three-headed poison dragon.
The goblin that left behind the huge threat trying to chase after Risa received the attacks of the Poison
Dragon from behind.
In addition to the huge damage of the Poison Dragon, the top level poison damage.
Even so, the goblin was somehow standing, probably because of its pride as a boss.
But that couldn’t last long, and its huge body changed into shining lights and explodes.
「Good job〜!」
135
「You too… and? what was that weird movement?」
「Weird movement, oh you mean【Cover Move】? That’s great right! It had moved as I’ve thought so I was
able to use it for attacking!」
「The only one who can live using it like that, and be able to deal decent damage, is Maple alone you
know……」
In reality, if a large shield user was to copy that, he would probably sink after receiving two times the
damage.
In addition, the only person who have that ridiculous attack power is about Kaede alone.
If it was only fire power needed, it doesn’t need to be a large shield.
「Sally was also so fast! That last one!」
「Well, it increases AGI by 50, so. I can’t use it because of its 30 minutes cooldown, but… it’s enough I
guess」
「But, I can only use 【Akujiki】7 times left… I tried to not use it that much in the short term decisive
battle…」
「Well, the Maple right now has bad fuel efficiency huh. This time’s skill acquisition, let’s get good ones!」
「Un, I guess so!」
After saying that, the two went towards the throne where the goblin was sitting on.
There wasn’t much decorations but it was a huge treasure box.
「I’ll open it?」
「Okay〜! Open it!」
Risa opened the treasure box.
Inside was, a saber that looks just like the one that the goblin had.
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And, two pieces of silver medals shining.
「We did it! It’s a medal!」
「In addition, two of them, it’s two of them!」
The two didn’t care about the saber and was crazed about the medal. In the first place, the two cannot
equip the saber, so it was natural that they weren’t interested.
「If there is two medals per dungeon, then… there is 150 dungeons…?」
「The difficulty might be different? Having a stronger boss for example! Other than that… something like,
it is hidden but it has no boss…」
「Ahh, I see, there’s something like that huh」
Risa stopped thinking of it, took the saber and looked at its specs.
【Saber of the Goblin King】
【STR +75】
【Damage Acceleration】
「Uuo〜… that’s a pretty brain muscle weapon〜…」
「How does it look?」
「It’s easy to get destroyed so it’s not for long fights, but it has STR+75」
「We can’t equip it right?」
「Un」
「The equipment’s a miss huh〜…」
「Do you want to search for the next dungeon? There’s a magic circle in the back of the throne, I think we
can go outside when we stand on it」
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「……if it’s only one, maybe we can do it today? I also think that the skills can take it!」
After discussing, the two stood on the magic circle.
Thinking of Kaede’s【Akujiki】, it would be better using all of it in a day’s exploration.
It couldn’t be carried over tomorrow, so the number that they can capture would decrease.
And when the light disappeared, they were at the grassland earlier.
「I forgot…… for the meantime, we should start from getting out of the grasslands…」
「W-Where do you think we should go?」
「Forward! Probably that is the best way. It shouldn’t be all grasslands up until the tall mountains that we
saw on the start」
「Well, that is true!」
The two started walking towards the mountainous terrain.
138
Chapter 23 Defense Specialized and Exploration
Resume
After the two walked through the grasslands for an hour.
They could already see the forest ahead.
The two regained their liveliness and increased the pace they were walking.
「W-We finally made it!」
「What a deep forest…」
The two entered into the forest.
The dense forest was not letting most of the light pass from the sky, and was very dim.
And, it has a lot of bushes making it a terrain well suited for the surprise attack from monsters.
「I will protect you alright〜!」
「Really, I can count on you more than anyone else」
The attack that would make Kaede collapse, anybody wouldn’t be able to endure it. Risa, while being
cautious of the surroundings, hid in Kaede’s shadows while moving ahead of the forest.
And after 30 minutes.
There wasn’t one surprise attack that the two was worried about after all, and their exploration
continues peacefully.
「Nothing’s coming out?」
「Instead, it’s too eerie that nothing’s coming out」
「Ahaha… that’s true…」
*Shin*, the forest that was very silent was as Risa had said, very eerie.
The more they move deeper, the sounds were really disappearing.
139
「C-Can we talk about something?!」
Because of the anxiety beyond description, Risa shouts.
「Eh?! I-It’s okay though? Uhmm…」
At the time when Kaede forcefully started to talk to change this atmosphere.
The two heard *Po*, a sound of igniting a fire.
Because it was the first sound since they came here, the to sensitively reacts, and looked towards where
the sound came from.
And, the two saw a few blue supernatural fiery balls, floating, and approaching them.
「This is a game, this is a game, this is a game……!! Yosh, it’s okay, it’s okay……」
Risa mumbles to herself.
「That’s not okay at all, right?!!」
「You want to run? Let’s run? Let’s do that?」
It was proven that it was not okay.
「Well, using【Akujiki】is also a waste, so……」
「T-Then remove your equips! I will let you ride okay!! It’s coming you know!」
Kaede left Shingetsu equipped just in case, and rode on the back of Risa.
That instance, Risa started to run without saying anything.
After that supernatural fiery balls appeared, the monsters also became lively, and.
Floating skulls, supernatural fiery balls with different colors, zombies, and transparent humans, various
kinds of ghosts and specters started to appear.
「Khuu……! We shouldn’t have entered this forest!!」
「Oh〜! What a beautiful flame! There’s also a green one there!」
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The two who have an intense difference in temperature just as a desert and a tundra, ran around the
forest without fighting.
And, they finally found a crumbling deserted house, and jumps in it like an emergency escape.
「It’s crumbling… you want to search around?」
「I’ll leave it to you」
「Well, you’ve always been bad with ghosts right〜」
「That’s impossible getting used to that. It’s inside the game, so it’s better since we could run away from
them……」
Risa, seemingly very exhausted, sat on the chair in the deserted house. Kaede started to search around,
but in the first place, there wasn’t many furnitures inside the deserted house.
There was only a worn out table, and the worn out chair that Risa was sitting on.
The dirty carpet placed beneath the table.
And an old chest of drawers.
In this room that there wasn’t even a bed, a person couldn’t live in it.
The windows are shattered in some parts, it was barely closed shut with the remaining shards of glasses.
「Inside the chest of drawers if… there’s nothing huh〜」
Kaede had a faint expectation that there might be a medal, but it couldn’t go that easy.
Kaede opened her status, and checked the current time with the clock that was with it.
「What do you think? It’s already past 6 in the in-game time… it’s evening soon」
「Ah〜… maybe that’s why the ghosts came out… we had the wrong timing to enter…… we have some food
that we had brought so we can do something about it though. I think I’d hate to stay here〜…… but〜」
Risa silently took a glance outside of the window.
There were silhouettes that were clearly not of the players outside.
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Since the monsters were not entering the deserted house, it seems to be safe.
But if they go outside, it would sure be a pandemonium of hell for Risa.
「It can’t be helped… I should bear with it……」
Kaede who finished searching around sat beside Risa. Because there wasn’t a chair, directly on the floor.
「Re-equip just in case, there… large shield is, Snow White is good huh…… after that, you want to play
trump cards?」
Inside the game, a few simple entertainment items exist. That was one of those.
「It might distract us for a while, but… we’re only two so it will end fast you know?」
「Ah! I-I see! I was not thinking of that!」
Risa saw that Kaede, *Fufu* laughed.
It looks like she regained herself a little, and received the trumps card that Kaede was reaching out, and
begins to distribute it.
The night had just started.
「Yo〜sh… it’s this!!」
「There, too bad, it’s joker desu」
「Gugugu……」
Kaede groaned.
The two were playing games, trump cards, Othello, and chess that Kaede brought out one next to the
other.
In the middle of it, they ate dinner, and continued the game.
It has no problem even if they didn’t eat inside the game, but Risa said that she wouldn’t be at her best if
she didn’t eat just like in the real world while in spending time inside the game, so they brought a lot of
food.
Risa gave food to Kaede, and the two ate.
142
What Kaede brought was only about entertainment items.
「n〜… this one! Yosh, I won!」
「Damn it〜…」
It was like a scene cut out from a school trip, but it was a sea of trees around the, and they were inside a
deserted house.
「That took plenty of time huh… it’s already 10」
Kaede checked the time, and returned the trump cards and the rest into her inventory.
「They’re still eagerly walking around outside, so… this is, sleep the night here huh〜…」
「I think that’s good. I think that there’s probably medals or equipments inside this forest, so… isn’t it okay
in the morning after the monsters disappeared?」
「I’m sorry, we couldn’t explore」
「It’s okay, right! But, you should do your best tomorrow!」
「I understand!」
The two took out their sleeping bags, and spread it on the floor.
They said greetings to each other, and got on the floor.
Because the possibilities of monsters attacking weren’t zero, the two slept two hours alternately.
First, it was Kaede’s turn to sleep.
「It’s quiet〜…」
Inside the deserted house where Kaede’s sleeping sounds could only be heard, Risa sat on the chair and
got cautious of the surroundings.
Their worries were only a pointless concern because the monsters didn’t attack.
And at the time when it’s 12, when she was about to wake Kaede up.
143
A low, unclear voice was heard near the table.
It was intermittently, but it can be clearly heard.
「Uuuwwwaaaaaaaaa!!」
Risa who stood up to wake up Kaede, fell towards where Kaede was.
Kaede was sleeping because of the defense powers that she had even with that, but she woke up with the
triple combination of the loud sound of the armor hitting the floor, Risa’s shouting voice, and the low
voice.
「What happened……?」
「I-It came out!! In the table! In the table!」
Leaving Risa who had lacking vocabulary because of the fear and impatience for the meantime, Kaede
approached the table.
She really could hear a voice from there.
Kaede focused on hearing to find out the place where the sound comes from.
「The table… beneath it?」
There, was a tattered carpet spread.
Since Risa had curled in a corner, she moved the table with full force.
【STR 0】means something like that.
And she flips out the carpet and checks what’s below.
「This is… there is underground?」
The floor had a cut in it, and had a handle.
Kaede immediately opened that.
「It opened easily! …stairs huh」
The voice was getting louder, the source of it was below there for sure.
144
「I’ll go exploring okay?」
「I will…also go. It would be bad if Kaede got defeated…」
Risa stood up slowly, and stuck closely to Maple from behind.
「Ahead, leave it to me〜!」
「Thanks… yosh…! Let’s go!」
Risa regained her fighting spirits, their destination is where the echoing voice from the underground
comes from.
The two went down the stairs.
145
Chapter 24 Defense Specialized and
Underground Exploration
The two were walking one step at a time, and cautiously went lower and lower.
The voice was getting louder and louder. Kaede was in front to prepare for a surprise attack while going
down the stairs, then saw a door ahead.
Kaede placed her hand on the door knob.
「……it isn’t locked. I’m going to open it」
「Okay〜. Yosh, come!」
Kaede made a stance with her large shield while opening the door. Because the door was opened, the
voice could be heard clearer.
「It hurts……it hurts………ahhh…ah」
Kaede showed her face from the large shield, and peeked inside.
Inside the room, was a candle melted to half placed in the middle of the ground.
And what it shimmers was, a bloody man that was tied to a chair.
「He doesn’t seem to have hostility……? But he isn’t a player either」
Following Kaede, Risa carefully showed her face from Kaede’s back. And she scowled with his painful
appearance.
「What should we do?」
「n〜… he’s saying that it hurts, so… I want to cure him〜…」
「I have【Heal】though? You want me to try?」
「Un… please!」
Their plan was decided and Risa used【Heal】.
146
A kind light enveloped the man, and his wounds healed a little bit. It was still too far away from a
complete cure.
「One more time!【Heal】!」
Risa, while checking how the healing of the wounds, used【Heal】repeatedly.
After using the two MP Potion that she brought, the man’s wounds finally healed completely.
The two made a very content smile.
「Thank……you………」
The man with his wounds healed smiled pleasantly, and slowly, his body changed into a white light,
gradually dissipates, and finally disappeared.
「Did he went to heaven……it means?」
「Isn’t that the case? Probably, he isn’t living at all at the first place, though……n?」
Risa saw that there was something left in the chair that the man was sitting on. Inside this dark dim room,
it was receiving light from the candle, and shines faintly.
Risa picked that up.
「This is……a ring?」
「Oh〜! I wonder if it’s that man’s thanks?」
Risa checked the specs of that deep black ring.
【Ring of Life】
【HP＋100】
「n〜… probably the upgraded version of Maple’s Toughness Ring? The requirements to get it was simple
so there wouldn’t be that great of an equipment huh…」
After saying that, Risa gave the ring to Kaede.
147
「Maple should get it. There’s nothing much for me increasing my HP」
「Eh!……but, is it okay? It might be an event-only item you know?」
「If you really, don’t like to have it for free, then I’ll put it on your tab. Maple would also probably get
equipments that you don’t need too, so, if you’re like it that way…」
「I got it! At that time, I’ll give it to Sally then! ……then, let’s equip this thankfully, there…」
With this, Kaede’s HP from 100, became double, 200.
It had finally become a reliable count, it could be said.
At the same time, her accessories slot was full, so it would be going to be hard to increase her HP from
now on.
「Then, let’s go to sleep again…」
「The event in this forest, I wonder if it’s only this?」
「n〜… I wonder? There might be at least another one, but… the time period probably has something to
do with it. This also, it seems like it’s an event that appeared at 12」
Other than that, the time of appearance of the ghosts is most probably also was because of the time
period of the event, so, they had the conclusion that they needed to explore around here for a few days to
have a proper result.
「Then, the plan tomorrow is to get through this forest」
「Un, let’s do that」
For Risa, this forest was not a place that she wanted to stay for a long time.
When the two came out of the underground, they returned the furniture to its original position, and when
to their first plan of sleeping alternately.
「Then, good night, Maple」
「Good night〜! I’ll keep a tight watch so sleep without worries!」
148
「Fufu… thanks」
And just like that, while alternating the lookout, the night had passed.
The second day.
「Yosh, let’s also do our best today!」
「Oo〜!」
After the two ate a light breakfast, they moved ahead from the deserted house towards outside the forest.
To decrease the time spent, it was the usual style of Risa carrying Kaede.
From time to time, Risa climbs a tree and checks the direction of the mountainous area, and running just
like that for an hour.
They finally saw the end of the forest.
「Yosh! We got through!」
「n〜! It’s been a while where it’s bright, so it’s blinding…」
Kaede re-equipped and stretched,
In front of them, barren lands with only a few grass growing spread ahead. And that continuous up to the
mountainous areas.
「This change of environment, if it’s not a game, it’s impossible right〜」
「Not knowing of what scenery comes next is really exciting right!」
The two chatted while advancing through the barren lands. It was a terrain that was easy to know if there
was a monster getting closer, so it was easy to scout.
That is why, they were able to see the silhouette that was most probably players from far away.
「Maple. There’s someone」
「Which equipment should I use? Is it better to have【Akujiki】?」
149
「I think that you shouldn’t use【Akujiki】yet, if it was a battle in an instant… it’s better to charge using【
Cover Move】… other than that…」
Risa told Kaede with a small voice the other tactic.
「I understood」
The two advanced while strengthening their cautiousness. Since Kaede was 3rd in the last event, most of
the players should know her face.
With some people, there is the possibility that they would attack to steal the medal.
And after advancing just like that, their side had also noticed of the two, stopped and started to discuss.
And without holding their weapons, the three moved towards the two.
All of the three players were male, and they were a sided party with a large sword, short sword, and one-
handed sword.
When they reached the distance where their voices could be heard, the three of them started to talk.
「I can’t believe it〜, when I thought that it’s the first time to see a person… I didn’t think that it would be
a ranker from last time…」
「I was really terrified… we don’t have the will to fight so please let us go…!」
「We’re just going to climb mountains from now〜… so we don’t want to waste skills」
「I see〜. We’re also just about to climb mountains. I’m sure that there’s something in that mountain……」
With what Kaede said, it looks like the three had the same opinion, and asked if they could come with
along.
「What do you think, Sally?」
「………isn’t it alright?」
Just like this, the five of them advanced towards the mountain.
「Then, I’ll go in front… so Maple should stand in from of the three, just like protecting them」
150
「Okay〜! I’ll protect you whatever monster would come!」
Kaede made a strong post with her large shield.
「You look really reliable」
「Really true」
Behind them, they started to walk while hearing the three whispering with themselves.
On the way, they encountered monsters for a few times, but without Maple needing to protect, Risa
defeated it.
And, their already near their destination.
「Yosh, let’s do our best a little more!」
Kaede made a big stretch.
In that instant.
「Attack now!【Amor Crush】!」
「【Defense Break】!」
「【Ignoring Blade】!」
The three who was behind Kaede attacked at once.
Defense ignoring skills, loomed to Kaede.
As if they were checking for a chance for Kaede, their combination was really smooth.
It can be said that there was no better surprise attack than that.
But, their deadly blades would not reach Kaede.
The other tactic that Risa told, was for Kaede show the three people who went with them a chance
purposely, and to show what the three people really wanted.
151
Risa had guessed that there was a high possibility that they were going to attack if they asked for
accompaniment.
As long as Risa was nearby, Kaede had the fastest way to dodge.
She didn’t say that she was sure that it would be safe, but Kaede agreed to Risa’s suggestion.
And she was being careful of the three.
The men didn’t notice that Kaede and Risa were observing them.
They were to focused on aiming for their prey, so their head couldn’t turn enough to think that they might
be also aimed at.
「What!?」
The men were surprised that their surprise attack ended with a failure, and stopped at their feet.
They had probably an absolute confidence.
「【Hydra(Poison Dragon)】!」
The Poison Dragon that was released as a counterattack devoured the three without mercy, and their HPs
had been scraped off.
「To think that they’re really going to attack…」
「Well, there’s a reason for Maple to be targeted, so… it’s good that we had caution right?」
「It’s because I was able to activate【Cover Move】immediately! If I didn’t have that, it might’ve been
dangerous…」
「Other than that… is there a medal? They might’ve dropped it」
Being told by Risa, Kaede advanced to the sea of poison. She searched around where the three collapsed,
but there was no medal dropped.
「It means not to aim for getting rich quickly huh」
「That’s really true」
152
In this event, Kaede and Risa’s first PvP ended with a victory.
「Then, once again… let’s go climb the mountain!」
「Oo〜!」
The two, once again, started to walk towards the mountain.
153
Chapter 25 Defense Specialized and Climbing
Mountain
The slope of the ground appeared.
It looks like they’re starting to enter the mountainous area.
「This mountain, other players should probably be moving towards it, so we should not let them go ahead
of us」
「That’s right, let’s hurry as much as possible」
The two climbed the mountain very quickly. The mountain that the two were climbing right now was the
tallest. Right now, there weren’t any other players around.
Although, there is the possibility that they are climbing from another direction.
「Maple! Monsters are coming!」
「I got it!」
She exchanged her large shield to Snow White.
Assuming that there is a boss monster, she is planning to save【Akujiki】.
Very different with the sea of trees, there was a lot of monsters, so their battle count is increasing.
「Oh! I leveled up. I’m 19 with this! Status is… I’ll put it all to AGI」
There are big boulders here and there, and monsters suddenly jumps out from there so it was a situation
they couldn’t let their cautious down.
By one of them being always cautious of the surroundings alternately, they prepared for surprise attacks.
Because bird-type monsters attacks from the sky from time to time, they could only deal with it with
magic, and their MP was taken away.
The land monsters were wolf-types, they attack with quick movements.
「The ground is also really bad, so it’s hard to do it〜」
154
「Let’s hurry up and climb!」
Two and a half hours of advancing while defeating monsters.
There was also snow that have started to stack on the ground. *ZakuZaku*, they walked forward will
making that sound.
「Pretty much, we’ve advanced」
「Un, probably only another hour before the peak?」
Risa looked up to the peak.
Because of that, she was able to notice monster ahead.
About twenty meters ahead, there was a monkey that had a white fur covering its whole body.
That monkey charged down while kicking off the snow.
「Un!」
The two braces themselves.
Near the monkey, two bluish white magic circles emerged.
There was a difference point with the monsters until now and the monkey.
That is right, it could use magic.
「【Cove】!」
Kaede instinctively covered Risa.
Kaede felt from the large shield continuous blows.
It was a continuous attack with ice gravels like a machine gun.
When the monkey approached with that, it made the magic circle disappear and enveloping a white shine
to its fist, it punched.
This time there was a heavier blow that runs to the large shield.
155
「Sally!」
While Kaede was getting the attention of the monkey, Risa slips beside the monkey, and slashes at it from
behind.
The monkey scream, but without collapsing, it turned to Risa with anger in its eyes, and swings its fist.
The snow on the ground was a hindrance so it was hard to move, but Risa dodged with no problem.
「【Powered Attack】!」
The two consecutive attack counter cuts the monkey’s stomach deep, but it still wouldn’t collapse.
*Gapa*, from its opened mouth, a white shining magic circle can be seen.
「【Super Acceleration】!」
Risa draws one of her trump cards with an instinctive decision.
A large number of sharp ice pierced the place where Risa was an instant ago.
「【Slash】!」
The counter after evading the breath of ice, finally sinks the monkey.
The monkey’s body became light and disappeared.
「Fu〜… I used【Super Acceleration】huh……」
「After all, maybe I should participate too…」
「No, Maple should just prepare for the boss. I will be able to use【Super Acceleration】again, so… leave on
the way to me!」
「n〜… I got it. But, if it becomes dangerous I’ll【Cover】you okay?」
「Thanks! That’d be helping」
156
The two once again advanced to the ice mountain. The monkey seemed to be something like a mid-boss,
they did not encounter it again.
Instead, the monsters that appears was a mole that was moving through the snow with zigzag while
raising a cloud of snow, and a while armadillo that rolls while taking the snow with it.
「We should be careful with the mole, but… the armadillo just continues to roll after dodging it so it’s very
easy right」
「I think that it would be instant death if the armadillo hits though… well, if it was Maple maybe it could be
endured」
While talking about that, they climb up.
And, they finally reached the mountain peak.
The mountain peak was shaped as a clean round, and there was a shrine made of stone at the center.
There is a white shining magic circle in front of the shrine, and it was shining as if to lure the two.
It was a teleportation magic circle that they saw many times.
When the two started to get close to the magic circle.
From the opposite side of where the two climbed from, a party of four climbed up.
It was a party of a large sword, large shield, and two magicians.
They also noticed Kaede and Risa and looked towards the two.
Risa prepared for a PvP, but that didn’t happen.
「Ah!… Crom-san!」
「Oh? ……Maple huh… I didn’t think I’ll meet you here……uhh, we don’t want to fight. I don’t even think
we’d win」
Crom said that and took away his weapons and the rest also followed, and raised both of their hands.
「I also don’t want to fight. ……it’s okay right, Risa?」
157
「Well, I guess so. We also don’t want to be exhausted, so… it should be good to be cautious at least, but…
probably it’s okay… I think?」
Because it could be hardly said that it would be absolutely fine, Risa continued to talk without letting her
guard down.
「And then… what should we do with this shrine? Both of us can’t receive the rewards right?」
What Risa said was reasonable, since it would be either Crom or Kaede who enters first, if they were able
to successfully capture it, the rewards might disappear.
Kaede thought of it for a while, then started talking.
「n〜……… Sally. Can we give it to Crom-san and the rest?」
To Kaede who told that apologetically, Risa was surprised, then answered while making a pleasant smile.
「……if Maple is good with that, I’m okay with everything you know? But, you shouldn’t regret it! Promise
me that okay」
「Un……I got it! ……then, please go on first!」
Kaede told towards Crom and the rest.
「I-Is it okay? In this case, it’s normal for it to be first one’s first though…」
「It’s okay! You should hurry up and go before I change my mind you know?」
After Kaede said that, Crom said thanks and stood on the magic circle and disappeared.
The two were left behind on the mountain peak.
「You’re really fine with that?」
「Un… if it became a battle here and we used our skills, it would be bad after all if it became a battle after
teleporting, so… most of all, I didn’t want to fight with a friend too」
「Un! If you’re not regretting it then its fine……right now, I wonder if they’re in a battle?」
158
Risa said while looking at the magic circle that had lost its shine.
「Maybe」
「What should we do? You want to go down? That or, if they’re fighting they might lose, so… since we even
saved our skills, you want to wait?」
When Risa suggested that.
The magic circle regains it shine again.
It was the sign that it was possible to enter again.
「「Eh?!」」
The two were surprised.
It hasn’t been a minute since Crom and the rest entered.
It was an unexpected speed.
「W-What does this mean?!」
To Kaede who was confused, Risa started to talk what she had thought.
「For start, there are two things that I had thought of. One, the possibility that it ended very quickly since
it was only needed to collect the medals or equipments after teleporting. The other one is…
Risa stopped her words there once, and whispered with a very unpleasant air what she didn’t want to
happen in reality.
「The possibility that they were defeated by a very strong monster without being able to do anything」
「That is…」
「If I were to choose, it is the latter……I think. The reason why the magic circle is still lighting is because it
can be challenged again, I think. Then… what inside, should not be an equipment……probably」
Fortunately, there was no sign of any other players climbing. The two checked each other’s status and
decided to make a strategy before challenging.
159
「It’s only about, my armor became【VIT +40】because of【Destruction Growth】, and my HP increased.
Skills are perfectly reserved」
「I also didn’t change a lot. 【Super Acceleration】had recovered too, and there is still【Mirage】remaining」
Maple
Lv24
HP 40/40〈＋160〉
MP 12/12 〈＋10〉
【STR 0】
【VIT 170〈＋81〉】
【AGI 0】
【DEX 0】
【INT 0】
Equipments
Head【ーーー】
160
【Ring of Life】
Skill

【Cover Move I】【Cover】
Sally
Lv19
HP 32/32
MP 25/25〈＋35〉
【STR 25〈＋20〉】
【VIT 0】
【AGI 80〈＋68〉】
【DEX 25〈＋20〉】
【INT 25〈＋20〉】
Equipments
161
【ーーー】
【ーーー】
Skill

】

Arts I】
【Knowledge of Short Swords II】【Jack of All Trades】【Divine Break】【Super Acceleration】
【Water Wall】
【Thunder Cutter】
【Dark Ball】
162
「For start, as soon as we entered, I will ready my large shield so hide behind me」
「Understood. And then, after that…」
The two discussed after that for about twenty minutes, then stood up and walked towards the magic
circle.
「Yosh! Let’s go」
「Un!」
And, the two’s appearance became light and disappeared.
163
Chapter 26 Defense Specialized and Teleport
Destination
The light that covered the two’s sight disappeared.
And at the same time, Kaede readied her large shield to be alert for the pre-emptive attack, but the
powerful attack that they were fearing of did not come.
All the more so, there was no monster anywhere.
The two continued to be on alert while confirming the surroundings.
In there, was a very wide circular space.
The walls were covered by blue shining crystals, and the ceiling was open.
From the sky, snow was falling.
And, one part of the crystal on the wall ahead was protruding, on it was a huge bird’s nest.
But, it seems that the nest’s owner was not there at the moment.
「Okay〜…… I got it. A bird-type boss would absolutely come. Maybe I can’t use【Ocean】」
「What should we do? You want to approach the bird’s nest?」
「……but carefully. Probably, it would come when we approached」
The two, while on alert, advances towards the bird’s nest.
There were only five meters left before the bird’s nest.
At that instant, together with a roaring sound, something was shot at high speed towards the hall from
high up in the sky.
But, the two who was on alert could barely jump back and was able to dodge.
Those were sharp-edged ice.
And following that, a monster bird that has feathers white as snow swoops.
164
Glaring eyes, sharp beaks, and talons, bearing the dignity of strong beings, the monster bird descended to
the hall.
The path of reconciliation does not exist from the start.
It was the start of the battle.
The monster bird emerges a magic circle on its sides.
From there, ice shards that were shot, covering almost all of their sight.
「【Cover】!」
Kaede lowers her large shield and stood in front of Risa.
If she received these shards, it was because that the number of uses of【Akujiki】would disappear in an
instant.
「Yosh! It isn’t piercing!」
Kaede received those shards with her body, and nullified it.
It seems that the monster bird was more intelligent than normal monsters, after it understood that its
attack wouldn’t go through, it combined the magic circles into one, and shot ice that was the same with
what it shot from the sky.
In exchange for power, a chance appeared.
Risa jumped into that chance.
「Maple!」
Forcefully catching up to Risa, there was only a distance of three meters between the monster bird.
When it was only one step before the monster bird, the monster bird raised harsh cries.
The white magic circle, spreads out the whole floors of the hall.
「This is bad……!」
165
With explosive sounds, piercing through the hall’s floor, large thorns of ice grew. It reached one meter in
height covering all of the floor.
But, in the exception of Kaede’s surroundings.
Within the snow clouds were fluttering down, Kaede adjusted her large shield towards the floor.
「…………I’m saved! Nice, Maple!」
「There’s only 6 times left of【Akujiki】okay!」
「Okay〜!」
Risa kicked the thorns of ice and approaches the monster bird as if to jump.
Because the footings were bad, she was not able to stop somewhere.
The monster bird tries to capture Risa with its talons, its speeds was even equal to that of Risa’s.
The sudden acceleration made the monster bird react late for an instant. And, in this rapid changing
battle situation, that was a fatal mistake.
The large shield that Kaede swung who closed the distance in an instant, devoured its talons together
with its feet that were used to attack Risa.
The monster bird cries in a loud voice because of its anger and pain.
But, that movement only opens a chance.
The three-headed poison dragon devours the monster bird.
Kaede landed on the top of the melted ice that was melted by the poison that fell, and Risa looked at it
from a place a little far away.
An unbelievable cold air was emitted from the monster bird, and the poison that covered the monster
bird was frozen.
166
And, *Parin*, together with that high-pitch sound, it shatters and fell down with a glittering shine.
「It’s HP Bar was only decreased by 10%?!」
「No way…!」
For the two who had planned to finish it quickly with Kaede’s fast attack, its HP amount was higher than
expected.
Without minding the two who were surprised, the thorns of ice that grew around the monster bird broke
and gathered.
And after a few instances, it was shot as a bullet.
Kaede who moved in front of Risa lowered her large shield and received the deadly bullets.
Red effects were emitted from her body.
「Kuu!… it’s piercing!【Meditation】!」
Because of the【Cover Move】’s demerit, the damage would be doubled if it goes through. With each attack,
Kaede’s HP Bar was definitely decreasing.
「【Heal】!」
The method that they took when there is a piercing attack that could not be helped with was, Kaede
would【Meditate】and Risa would repeatedly use【Heal】from behind.
With this, she can endure until there’s a chance.
Twenty seconds of endurance.
The blizzard of ice had stopped, and the rugged grounds only remains.
「Let’s go!」
「Un!」
The two ran in opposite directions.
167
It was Risa which the monster bird targeted. The monster bird charged with fierce speeds.
「Concentrate!」
Saying cheers to herself, she fixed her eyes on the monster bird.
Together with it charging, shards of ice flew.
But, because it was while it was charging, so there were many open holes within those shards.
If it was Risa, it was easy for her to dodge them.
「【Leap】!」
Risa saw through the monster bird’s charge, and jumps over its body at the last minute.
「【Slash】!」
In that chance, using【Status Debuff Attack】, she did not forget to inject paralysis poison while slashing
through it.
It is because if this paralysis poison piles up stacks, it might create a fatal chance.
The decrease of its HP bar was very little it couldn’t be seen in it, but its not like it was not decreasing.
The monster bird turns around, spread its wings and fluttered.
With storm winds, the ice shards on the ground were caught up and closed in irregularly.
Risa jumped sidewards with leap to escape the range of the storm winds.
Waiting for Risa to get through, the poison dragon closed in to the monster bird.
The monster bird that was targeted after it fluttered, was not able to face Kaede’s attack with a perfect
condition.
One of the three heads of the poison dragon hit its body.
「【Wind Cutter】【Fire Ball】!」
168
If there was a chance, Risa also changes to the offense. They need to accumulate as much damage as
possible.
The poison that entangled it once again became ice and was shook off.
Probably feeling that the poison dragon was a threat, the monster bird charged to Kaede.
Because shards of ice do not have an effect to Kaede, there should be no problem with this movement.
It’s charged closed into Kaede who didn’t even seem to dodge.
Its talons, was swung intended to tear apart Kaede’s body.
The large shield, was swung devouring the body of the monster bird.
The monster bird bent backwards while scattering flashy damage effects.
Kaede swings again her large shield in pursuit of a chance.
From Kaede’s body also, there was a small red damage effects scattering.
The monster birds’ attack was able to deal even a damage to Kaede who had more than 1000 VIT without
using piercing skills.
But, it was clear to anyone which one paid a greater sacrifice.
The HP Bar on the top of the monster bird’s hear was decreased to only 70%.
「【Leap】!」
There was no way that Risa would let that chance escape, and jumped to the back of the monster bird that
was stunned by Kaede’s attack.
「【Ocean!】」
The monster bird’s back as its center, water had spread.
That steeped the monster bird in an instant.
When the monster bird starts to go on a rampage with its angry voice, Risa had already jumped off.
The monster bird’s speed fell.
「【Hydra(Poison Dragon】!」
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There was no way for the monster bird that had its speed falling to dodge that attack.
Its HP decreased furthermore.
「【Double Slash】!【Fire Ball】!」
Kaede grinds the monster bird in-fight.
Risa checks for chances while injecting paralysis poison by hit-and-away.
And there, Kaede’s large shield once again devoured the monster bird.
The monster bird’s talons also had ground Kaede’s HP bar to half, but it wasn’t enough to be fatal.
The monster bird’s HP bar was cut in half.
At that time.
The monster bird took distance from the two, and pierced its talons to the ground very deeply.
Its beaks were greatly opened, and a magic circle that was about double Kaede and Risa’s size spread.
The two instinctively sensed the danger after that.
「【Cover Move】!【Cover】!」
The next instant that Kaede shouted.
The two’s sight were covered completely by a silvery-white laser.
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After a few seconds, the silvery-white fades and dissipates.
The ground was battered and gouged by the laser, and it really teaches the laser’s strength.
On that battered ground, Kaede had stood while holding her large shield.
Risa also was able to escape the laser with sure death because of that solid protection.
Risa recovers Kaede’s HP with【Heal】.
While hiding behind Kaede, she recovers her MP by drinking MP potion.
「【Akujiki】, there’s only one left」
「Un, I know」
To stop that laser, she could only cut her【Akujiki】.
Although they were able to survive, it was in exchange for her precious damage source.
The battle situation is getting worse.
「If the laser would come again,【Cover Move】with full force. Don’t get too far away」
After Risa said very quickly, and ran towards the monster bird.
Kaede followed Risa and approached the monster bird.
While Risa was taking the monster bird’s attention, she is planning to hit it with【Hydra(Poison Dragon)】.
The monster bird violently pulled out its talon from the ground, and shot shards of ice while flying up.
Its target was Risa.
Risa knew about it.
That if the shards of ice that Kaede was able to receive easily hits her, it was the end for her.
Just like the time she fought with the giant fish, her concentration heightens to its limits.
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The feeling of the shards of ices gradually getting slower, she was getting able to see slight gaps.
Risa twisted her body and dodged.
At times, bending, at times, leaping, and at times, blocking down those shards, she closed in to the bosom
of the monster bird.
While Risa was dodging its talons and shards, she doesn’t weaken her offense that is done with skills
mixed.
The monster bird’s talons closed in to take Risa’s life, but they were dodged by Risa by paper’s width.
The more the monster bird attacks, the more its feet get slashed.
「【Slash】!」
Small wounds that are continuously dealt.
The paralysis poison that gets stacked and piled up ties up the monster bird’s body.
That gap that Risa made while risking her life on it, there was no way for Kaede to let it get away.
The paralyzed monster bird that moves slowly cannot dodge the Poison Dragon.
For Kaede to be able to hit her huge skill, Risa supports with her full force.
And, Kaede answered to that properly.
The monster bird’s HP became 40% and a few.
「【Venom Cutter】!」
Kaede continued to attack. That that was shot from the magic circle in her sword’s tip, was far inferior to【
Hydra(Poison Dragon)】but it certainly deals damage.
Risa also continues to shoot magic to deal more damage.
When the monster bird’s HP cuts 40%, the paralysis got cleared.
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It targeted Kaede, and shots barrage of shards and strong winds.
Because these attacks doesn’t go through Kaede, she lowers her large shield to save her precious【Akujiki
】.
While Kaede was receiving the shards attack, Risa was able to attack safely, so it can be said as a chance.
With Risa’s rush, the HP decreased to 35%.
But, for Risa to release firepower, the MP consumed was severe.
If she wouldn’t manage it properly, she wouldn’t be able to attack with full power at the best time.
The instance its HP was 35%.
The monster bird stopped its storm attack, and flew to the sky.
Kaede and Risa felt a bad feeling at the same time, and gathered in the middle.
The monster bird that flew up the sky where snow was falling, its white shining wings was dyed to jet
black that would even swallow darkness.
At the same time, the monster bird’s HP started to decrease gradually, and when it became 10%, it
stopped decreasing.
The monster bird raised a cry that made the atmosphere tremble.
「I got it!」
To be ready for anything that would come, Kaede had the resolution of using the last【Akujiki】and made a
stance with her large shield.
The jet black monster bird folded its wings and charged.
Even leaving behind its sound, it collided with Kaede’s large shield.
The last【Akujiki】took half of its HP bar, but there, the strongest large shield that protects Kaede lost its
effect.
The monster bird’s talon attacked Kaede at high speed.
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The large shield that she held broke.
Her armor was torn into pieces.
And her HP Bar was grinded to below 10%
「u, a……!」
To the too much of a damage, Kaede groaned. A black light overflows from the monster bird’s beaks.
「Maple!」
Risa jumped.
Kaede’s best salvation, was that Risa did not stop thinking.
「【Cover Move】!!」
Using all her will power, Kaede’s body moved towards where Risa was, and dodged the laser that
followed at the nick of time.
The monster bird charged to pursue.
Unreasonable and violent speed that even Risa’s forecast couldn’t catch up.
The instant before that attack pierced through Risa.
「【Cover】!」
Kaede stood between the monster bird and Risa.
Although her HP Bar was only 10%, Kaede chose to make the most probably her last movement for this
fight to protect Risa.
It’s just that, she wanted to do that.
The monster bird’s talon crushed her large shield and armor that got more sturdy with【Destruction
Growth】, and tore Maple’s body.
A tremendous amount of damage effects scattered.
But still, Kaede didn’t collapse.
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Only one millimeter of her HP bar remained, and a white effect covered her body.
「【Leap】!」
That monster bird’s talon that was swung, Risa understood that that was the last chance in an instant,
how Kaede was able to endure it or anything, she stopped thinking about Kaede and jumped towards the
monster bird.
Kaede followed that with high speed.
In the short sword that she was holding, a violet colored magic circle shines.
After the monster bird swung its talon, it lost its balance. It, wouldn’t be able to dodge.
Risa became sure of victory.
But, in the instance when the monster bird’s eyes shined suspiciously and a jet black magic circle was
created between the two, she understood that that was false.
An expression that could be taken as surprise and impatience emerges to the two’s faces, but they could
not move any longer in the air.
Jet black magic bullets that were shot before the Poison Dragon.
The monster bird’s last trump card flew while swallowing the two.
The two got swallowed, and their appearance disappeared fleetingly.
That’s right, just like.
It was an illusion in a dream.
「How was my trump card?」
One instant after the magic bullets goes through, the space blurred and Risa appeared.
The last of the last.
For this one instant, 【Mirage】that she did not show.
And the monster bird that saw that for the first time was not able to see through the illusion.
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The real Kaede came close to Risa.
It was a zero range attack where the time for the monster bird to dodge does not exist.
Devoured by the Poison Dragon.
It raised a cry that echoed for long.
The monster bird already had its body sunken in the ground.
The white light that overflows from the monster bird was shining as if you bless the two.
「We did it……we won…」
「I’m tired… I want to sleep」
While collapsing in the battered hall, the two whispered.
「That’s right. What was that Maple’s skill? The one that endured the last attack」
「Wait a minute okay… it’s the skill called【Unyielding Guardian】, it’s a large shield exclusive skill that can
be taken when covering an ally when HP is below 10%. Only once every day, it would endure any attack
with 1 HP, it says」
「Ahh, I see. That kind of skill huh……I only raised my level by the way… I mean, Maple’s HP is only 1 right
now?! 【Heal】!」
A warm light enveloped Kaede, and recovers her HP.
With this, she wouldn’t die from something sudden.
The two stood up and started exploring.
「The monster bird is in the sea of poison, so exploration, I’m counting on you」
「What would Sally do?」
「I’ll go look at the bird’s nest」
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The two separated and starts their own exploration.
A treasure box did not appear, so there should be a reward that has the same worth somewhere.
Kaede advanced in the sea of poison while splashing, and went towards where the monster bird was.
「Ah!! Materials are dropped!」
What was dropped, were four black talons that even pierced through Kaede, and three pieces of white
feathers.
It could be guessed that all of them were high-graded materials.
「Maple〜! Come here for a bit〜!」
Risa shouted from inside the huge bird’s nest.
Kaede ran with a trot, and asked Risa from below.
「Should I go up?」
「Un! Come with【Cover Move】」
「Okay〜! 【Cover Move】!」
Kicking the wall and jumping, when Kaede reached where Risa was, what she saw were two eggs, and five
medals.
「This… the monster bird’s?」
「No, the size and colors are different… maybe it picked it up from somewhere…… I can’t tell what egg is it
from」
「Will we also take this back?」
「That’s right. There’s an indication of whether it is going to be placed in the inventory or not, so… which
one do you like better?」
「Can I choose first?」
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「It’s okay〜! Please do what you like」
One was an egg with a deep green shell. The other one was an egg with a faint violet color.
「Then……I like green so this one!」
「Then, this one’s mine」
The two checked the egg’s information.
【Monster Egg】
Will hatch if incubated.
「There’s only few information」
「I agree. I’d hate it if a monster would only hatch, but… maybe we’ll be able to tame it〜…」
In this game, there is no summoners or tamers to the possibility is low, but thinking of the monster bird’s
subjugation difficulty, it might be a special reward.
The two, for the meantime, decided to bring the egg with them.
The materials are two talons each for the two, and in return of being able to choose the egg first, Risa took
two feathers.
The two went out of the nest, and walked towards the magic circle.
「There’s three magic circles?」
As Kaede has said, there were three magic circles that appeared.
It should be proper to think that they are connected to completely different places.
「Sally, which one should it be?」
「There’s also no【Akujiki】, so a place where few battles would be good…」
Risa walked around while thinking for a while, and stopped in front of one of the magic circles.
「This one!」
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「Okay〜! Then, let’s go!」
The two entered the magic circle, became light and disappeared.
What remained was the battered ground, the proof that a fierce battle happened here.
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CHAPTER 28 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND
MIDNIGHT EXPLORATION
The two’s appearance emerged from the magic circle.
Even though she had no【Akujiki】, Maple was making a stance with her large shield for surprise attacks.
「It looks okay……huh?」
The two confirmed the surroundings.
Surrounding them were ruins that had spread. There was plenty of marks of buildings being destroyed.
Guessing from the mountainous area’s position, it looks like their location is on the opposite location of
their starting point.
「For the mean time, we got to a good direction huh?」
「But, somebody might’ve already explored it」
「It’s only the second day… the hidden ones shouldn’t be found yet… here, there’s probably nothing. It’s
right in front of the magic circle after all」
Nevertheless, there’s no way that the management would place a medal right in front of the destination
point.
While searching for a safe place, the two walked around the ruins, they decided to at least search too.
「… there’s three players. What do think?」
「If possible, I don’t want to fight……there’s no【Akujiki】too… it’s bad if we lost」
「I got it. The, let’s go here」
The two passed through the ruins, and entered inside the forest quietly.
The monsters that were coming out were spiders and owls.
If you look at them after the monster bird, whatever monster it is, it looks like a small fry.
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Their movements are slow, they also have no attack powers, and their HP is low too.
「Easy win, easy win」
They moved forward inside the forest. What they are searching for is a place that they can spend the
night. They took plenty of time climbing, so the sun is already setting.
The two continued to explore the forest while defeating monsters.
「Muu……there’s nothing〜…」
As Maple had said, surrounding them was only a forest that was spreading, and there seems to be no
special buildings or caves.
「For the meantime, let’s climb on top of a higher tree. I think it’s better than being on the ground」
Sally chose a tree that only had branches in high places and jumped using【Leap】.
Maple followed her and reached the top of the tree.
There would probably no players that would prefer climbing one without branches on the lower places
appearing.
The two rested their backs on the trunk of the tree and took a breath.
After doing that, the fatigue from the battle against the monster birds suddenly came.
「Sally… after 12, 【Akujiki】would recover though. What do you think?」
It means, what Maple wants to say is, after taking a break for a while until 12, if she would like to explore
in the middle of the night or not.
There was also the thing with the jungle in the other day, so there should be and event that is set to
appear by during time periods.
The two’s goal is 20 medals.
For that, they need to test many things, and there is a need for them to explore the places that they can
explore.
On top of that, they need to find it before other players.
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Rushing to explore during the last stage of the event is not good.
「If it’s good with Maple」
「Un, then… let’s continue exploring after 12 had passed!」
The two decided to use the status point that they gained from leveling up.
「Let me see〜… AGI and STR huh?」
「One vote for VIT!」
Maple
HP 40/40〈＋160〉
MP 12/12 〈＋10〉
【STR 0】
【VIT 175〈＋141〉】
【AGI 0】
【DEX 0】
【INT 0】
Equipments
Head【ーーー】
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【Ring of Life】
Skill
【Absolute Defense】【Giant Killing (OomonoKurai)】【Hydra Eater (DokuryuuKurai)】【Bomb Eater

【Unyielding Guardian】
Sally
Lv21
HP 32/32
MP 25/25〈＋35〉
【STR 30〈＋20〉】
【VIT 0】
【AGI 85〈＋68〉】
【DEX 25〈＋20〉】
【INT 25〈＋20〉】
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Equipments
【ーーー】
【ーーー】
Skill

】

Arts I】
【Knowledge of Short Swords II】【Jack of All Trades】【Divine Break】【Super Acceleration】
【Water Wall】
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【Sand Cutter】
【Dark Ball】
In Maple’s status【VIT+5】and【Destruction Growth】, with both of those it’s 【VIT +60】.
【Unyielding Guardian】 is added in her skills.
In Sally’s status its 【AGI +5】and【STR +5】
Maple ate the food that she received from Sally.
They needed to rest their body before 12.
In the middle of the night where even the sounds of the monsters moving got quiet, the to climbed down
from the tree.
Since【Akujiki】had also recovered, their battle preparations are perfect.
And with that, Maple changed her shield to Snow White. It’s to avoid wasting them.
「The forest, or the ruins. Which one?」
185
「U〜n… the forest! There were also players in the ruins earlier so it probably got explored」
「Un. The forest then」
The two advanced deeper and deeper into the forest.
From time to time, owls were charging without sounds, but Sally easily dodged with her own dodging
skills, and Maple was ignoring them since there would be no damage after all.
And, after an hour and a half walking around the forest.
「Ne〜, Sally? There… isn’t it shining?」
Being told by Maple, Sally looked at it carefully.
As Maple had said, far ahead of them, she saw a faint light.
「It might be a player, so… cautiously」
「I got it」
The two hold their breaths and approached.
In Sally’s case, she even made sure and used【Sensory Blocking】.
「This is……」
「……bamboo?」
What was there, was a bamboo forest.
And one part of one of them was shining faintly.
「W-What do you think…? Should we split it into two」
Maple asked Sally.
「If there was a person inside, it would be very troublesome though……」
Bamboo that shines in the middle.
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Whoever it is, they should imagine Kaguya-Hime. In fact, Sally was also like that.
「But… there might be a medal… there is also medals that can be gained from exploring right?」
After the two talked for a while, in the end, they decided to split it into two.
Sally swung her dagger.
*Supa*, the bamboo got cut and increased its shine.
Nothing that they feared of had happened.
What’s inside, was one medal that was shining with a silver color
「Yay! Nothing troublesome happened, and we also get a medal!」
「Yosh! With this, only 12 pieces left!」
The two got happy, but it was wrong that there wasn’t a troublesome thing.
*GasaGasa*, after the bushes around sounded, rabbits that had long horns jumped out one next to the
other.
「Is it the moon’s Usagi-san?」
「Maybe……that horn, it might be piercing damage. Be careful」
「Understood!」
The two prepared for battle.
Maple, compared to the time when she just started the game, she really became like a normal player.
Even that is said, it is only about the things other than her status.
Comparing something like a rabbit to the monster bird, it’s only very cute.
The two started the battle against the rabbits that had jumped towards them.
After a while when the battle had finished, the place where the bamboo forest was changed to a sea of
poison, and the bamboos that grew straight upwards were cut in the middle, it was that kind of a terrible
situation.
187
Each one of the rabbits wasn’t that much, but their numbers were tremendous.
「T-There’s too many…」
「A hundred?… two hundred? I’m tired…」
Defeating all the rabbits that were jumping within the bamboo forest as if it was their own garden took
them plenty of difficulties.
「Let’s rest on the top of some tree……」
「Un… I agree」
In exchange for one medal, they got really exhausted.
The third day of the event, it had just started
188
CHAPTER 29 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND THE
THIRD DAY OF THE EVENT
The two who had alternately slept on the top of the tree went down from the tree when the sun had
started to rise.
They were deep in the forest, so it’s hard to find the next place to explore.
「Maple. Where do you want to go?」
「Then……let’s go straight and get out of the forest!」
「Understood! Let’s go with that then」
The two advanced through the forest to the opposite direction from the ruins.
After 30 minutes of advancing, Sally secretly told Maple with a small voice.
「Maple. Behind us, there’re players that are targeting us from the right brush」
Other than【Sensory Awareness】, Sally senses the monsters or players by even using the sounds created
from the brushes and the metal sounds of armors.
To not get suspected, the two continued to talk with a small voice while walking.
「They doesn’t seem that strong… but they’re aiming for a chance」
「For the meantime, do you want to catch them?」
「You can do that?」
「Un」
After answering short and quickly, she drew Shingetsu by a few centimeters.
「【Paralyze Shout】」
*Kiin*, the sound created from returning the sword to its sheathe echoed in the quiet forest.
189
A groaning voice could be heard in the brush behind them.
「What do you think?」
「Perfect. As expected!」
The two approached the brush with no problems.
In there, there were two players that received the powerful paralysis and collapsed.
「Having the resolution to be hunted instead, please come anytime, huh!」
Sally’s attack easily sunk the two players.
There was no medal.
「I think that it’s reckless to aim for Maple though〜… if it was me, I’d never target her……」
With this, it’s the fourth time they encountered a player since the even have started.
And the two of those, a battle had started, but there was no problem at all since the opponent weren’t
that much. The only one, Crom’s party was probably a strong enemy but they did not have a battle, so
they haven’t had a hard time against players yet.
「Including today, only five days remaining… we might meet strong players somewhere」
Since they had encounters four times in two days, on simple calculations, they should have ten
encounters.
Within those, there might be a player that has a high ranking in the previous event.
If they don’t be cautious, they wouldn’t know when they would be attacks.
That’s right. They also, have the same skills as the two have.
Another hour advancing the forest.
When the sunlight started to reach from the gap of the trees.
Finally, they were able to see the scenery outside the forest.
「Oh〜……」
190
「Awesome……」
It was a valley that spread before the two.
The place where the two is, is on the top of the highest cliff.
There was a lush of plants, and you can hear the bird’s voices.
The bottom of the valley was covered by a deep fog, and you can’t grasp the whole picture .
If someone is to explore here, they first need to do something to be able to go down.
「Here, I wonder if someone had already explored?」
「I don’t know, but… if it’s this huge, they might’ve some place they forgot to explore?」
As Maple had said, the valley was very huge.
There are more than a hundred meters for sure from the place where the two is right now.
On top of that, its width is also wide.
This also seems to have easily more than a hundred meters.
「I guess so. Then, let’s do something to go down」
Sally, she checked the cliff ahead of her for a while, and slowly went down while finding places that can be
a foothold.
「U〜n… there’re no footsteps that can hold Maple huh〜…」
The distance where【Cover Move】can reach is limited. Since Maple cannot go down the cliff by herself,
Sally searched for big bulges nearby, but it looks like there was nothing like that.
「U〜n… for the meantime, make a sign if there’s a place that I can land! If there’s nothing, you can go
down okay!」
Was Maple checking the time, she said while looking at the blue panel.
「Eh?!… I-I got it〜!」
Sally easily went down with light feet, but there isn’t a foothold that seems to be able to hold Maple.
191
Sally spent about two hours to completely go down the cliff.
「In the end, I went down huh… I should send a message to Maple again and…」
Even when Sally was going down, she was teaching Maple her current place from time to time.
This time, she sent a message to report that she had completely gone down.
After not even a minute since Sally had sent a message, a reply message was sent from Maple.
【Go away, just a little bit!】
「W-What is she planning to do…」
After Sally sent an “Understood” reply, she went away for a bit as she was told, and watched what Maple
will do on the top of a tree.
「Uwa〜… what is that……」
The thing that Sally saw on the top of the cliff was a violet colored ball that has 10 meters in diameter.
And that, while Sally was watching it.
It rolled to the front slowly, and fell from the cliff.
The one part of the cliff that it hit changed its appearance to a melted mess, and while that was getting
smaller, that fell.
And when that had reached the bottom, one part of that bursts with the impact of the fall, and splashed
its sticky liquids to the surrounding.
「M-My eyes are spinning〜〜………」
Within the center of the sphere that got messed up, Maple came out swaying.
Sally went down from the tree and approached Maple.
But even though that is said, she’s covered with very poisonous liquid so she won’t go near her side.
「So? What’s that?」
192
「That’s, well… it’s a skill called【Venom Capsule】… it locks in its target inside a venomous capsule…… and
makes them unable to get out」
Just as it says that it’s for locking things up, its durability is considerable.
There wasn’t cheerfulness on the way Maple spoke since her eyes were turning, but Sally understood the
real way to use it.
「It gradually decreases the HP if you don’t have【Poison Nullification】, so Sally should be careful when
using it okay?」
「No, I won’t use it you know」
Because Maple who had gradually regained herself was finally able to walk, the two walked with the
bottom of the valley as their destination.
The inclination still continues, and there’re large steps in places here and there. That kind of steps is very
dangerous since you cannot see ahead properly because of the thick mist.
「We can’t see ahead at all……」
「If it’s like this… there might be medals that are missed. Be careful with surprise attacks and the steps
okay, Maple」
「Un! I got it」
But even though that was said, it wouldn’t be easy for something like steps to decrease Maple’s HP.
Because of that, they need to get ready for cliffs ahead of them.
They carefully advanced within the thick fog where they cannot even see a few meters ahead.
「n〜? A water sound…?」
「Eh?!…… it’s true! I wonder if there’s a place with water nearby?」
The two went towards the place where there’re water sounds.
On the way, the bat-type monsters that came out was clearly a small-fry.
193
It looks like the level of the enemies around her is not that high.
「There it is!」
There’s a small river in front of them.
That clear river, it was making sound from the water that was flowing to the slight step.
「Look, there!」
The place Maple pointed to. You can barely see that there was a crack in the boulders and had been a
cave.
Thinking that it might be a dungeon, the two approached that and entered inside, but they found out that
it’s only a huge crack that was not that deep and has not many signs of monsters.
「… let’s make this our camp. It seems like valley exploration would take time too」
Although it was only a huge crack, as Sally had said, it was enough conditions to be a camp. At least, it
would be far better than the top of a tree.
「Un. I agree! Also… we should also check the eggs」
「Ahh, I see. We needed to warm it huh」
The two decided the cave to be their camp, and take a little break.
And at the same time, they also decided to check their eggs.
194
VALLEY EXPLORATION
「Well then, first is the egg huh?」
Sitting on the edge of the rock wall, Sally said while taking out the egg from her inventory.
「Doesn’t this, disappear or something if it wasn’t put away?」
Maple asked Sally.
Items like equipments or potion, they disappear after two hours of being left alone after taking out of the
inventory.
「I wonder?… to be sure, let’s put it inside once before two hours passes」
There was no way they could lose the eggs that they might never obtain again.
「This, how will we warm it?」
「n〜…with our skin after all?」
Maple removed her armor and large shield, and hugged the dark green egg gently.
「I wonder what will come out?」
She stroked the egg’s surface with a smile, as if she couldn’t wait for it to get born.
Sally also warms the egg like Maple.
「What’s important is love! It is love!」
「Well, that’s true」
The two made their plan for exploration while stroking their own eggs.
「First, let’s go by the river to explore. If there, we can return to our base after all」
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Within the terribly thick fog where they cannot see ahead properly, they would get lost if they didn’t have
something like a landmark.
It was already a field that has a lot of surprise attacks, so if they were to lose the place where they can
take their breaks, they would gradually lose their concentration, and receive attacks directly.
Attacks that doesn’t mean much to Maple, but it wasn’t like that for Sally.
Sally who only had a few HP might get defeated with one attack.
Dodging uses a lot of concentration.
The fatigue from it is immeasurable.
「Okay〜! Along the river it is」
They warmed the egg for an hour after that, but in the end, it didn’t hatch this time.
The two returned the eggs to their inventory, and went out to explore.
「Yo〜sh! Let’s go find medals!」
「Oo〜!」
The two who had started exploring cheerfully walked towards the upper stream of the river.
Sally says.
「I think that there’s a lot of times where there are things in the places where the flows of these kinds of
places start」
Maple also thought that that might be true. Because she thought that if she would place something, she
would put it in a place that has a meaning.
It would be great if there were starting points and ends.
「I’m looking forward what’s there〜」
「It’s not like there would be absolutely something there so mind that okay?」
「Un! I got it」
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Because they were advancing to the upper stream, the rocks started to gradually increase, and it changes
to an area that is hard to walk on.
「Maple〜, climb up using【Cover Move】〜!」
「Understood! 【Cover Move】!」
In places where it was difficult to climb, they got through it by Sally going first, and Maple followed using【
Cover Move】.
Advancing just like that for an hour.
Because their base was placed near the upper streams, the two were able to reach there faster than
expected.
The thing that was there was a clear spring that has a diameter of three meters.
That which had a beautiful circular shape, gave the two mystical, as their first impression.
The thick fog also was an element that gave off a mystical atmosphere.
「It seems…very deep」
Sally whispered while taking a peak in the spring.
The size of the spring wasn’t that much, but it looks like it was decently deep.
「You want to try and dive?」
「I think that it’s worth trying I think that there are only a few players who have 【Diving】and【Swimming】
…they might’ve let it pass after going here」
Unfortunately, Maple isn’t able to dive, so she decided to wait for Sally’s return.
「Be careful〜!」
「Un, I’m going〜!」
Sally entered the spring, and dove at once.
She advanced deeper and deeper into the waters where light didn’t reach.
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And after ten minutes of swimming. She found a tattered treasure box that sank on the bottom of the
spring.
While being cautious of traps, Sally carefully opened the treasure box.
What’s inside was a silver colored wand. There were red and blue jewels engraved on its tip.
After she had the last check that there were no medals, Sally floated towards the water surface.
「Ha〜! Yo! Tto!」
*PashaPasha*, while making water sounds, Sally went up from the spring.
「How was it?」
「A miss. Only a wand was inside」
「Uu〜…I see〜……the abilities are?」
「Wait a minute………it only has【Water Magic Strengthening】and【Fire Magic Strengthening】」
「For the meantime, we don’t need it huh」
「Well, yeah. What do you think? You want to go explore somewhere else?」
「U〜n…then, let’s do it like checking the nearby while returning to the base」
「Let’s go with that then. It’s a valley this big, it isn’t strange that there’s at least one more」
The two carefully checked while going to the path to their base.
Along the way, they had explored on both sides of the river to the distance that they wouldn’t lose sight of
the river, but in the end, they weren’t able to find something.
And, while this and that happened, they had returned to the rift that was their base.
「What do you think? I think that going to the lower streams are good too, but…it’s a little hard」
「Let’s see〜……then what about concentrating on warming the eggs for today?」
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Sally seems to be exhausted after being cautious inside the thick fog, and exploring with【Diving】, so she
accepted Maple’s suggestion.
「Egg, egg…there it is」
「Yo, tto」
The two took out their eggs from their inventory, and stroked it while hugging it.
「Ah〜…it’s smooth and feels good to touch〜…」
Sally whispered while leaning against the rocks.
Maple thought that she wanted to stroke it as long as she could because of its texture that was like a well-
made porcelain.
「It wouldn’t hatch〜」
「Well, it isn’t something that would hatch that quickly right」
Three hours of repeatedly placing the eggs to their inventory from time to time, and warming it.
The two stroked their own eggs while chatting.
「What do you think would be born?」
「Mine is violet and Maple’s is green right〜…n〜……wouldn’t something like a herbivore animal get born
from Maple’s? Something like a deer」
「Deer…from an egg?」
「Isn’t it possible since its a monster? I really don’t know what’s going to be born〜」
It was as Sally had said, anything could be born from an egg as long as it had been set since it was a game
world.
「I hope that it’s a cute one〜…」
Maple thought of several animals, she thought a lot of cute creatures. She also thought as much of the
uncute creatures though.
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In particular, she wanted to refrain from some insects.
「I wonder what would be born with mine?」
The color of Sally’s egg was purple.
Maple imagined creatures that might be born from that egg.
「Violet, violet……n〜…? ………poison dragon?」
「Ah〜…that is, I want to refrain from that〜」
In the case where a poison dragon was born, if they were to fight together, Sally’s surroundings would be
sunk into a poison sea for sure.
If that happens, it will become a situation where Sally wouldn’t be able to move around.
「Poison dragon…poison dragon huh〜…if possible, I want something more peaceful〜」
The two imagined what was inside the egg.
This is good, I don’t want this, while chatting with each other cheerfully, they warmed the egg with love.
Even though they were saying this and that, the two thought that they would treat the monster that
would be born kindly whatever it was.
Did those feelings reach it.
*Bishi*, the egg the two have cracked.
「「Uwa!?!」」
「W-W-W-W-What should we do?!」
「F-F-F-For the meantime, leave it on the floor!!」
After the two had placed the egg to a steady ground, they stared at the eggs as if to lay down.
And at last, the egg broke.
The appearance of two monsters emerged from inside.
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WHAT’S INSIDE THE EGG
「Ohh〜!」
「It got born〜!」
The two smiled happily.
The one that came out from the deep green egg was a tortoise just a little larger than the egg.
Its body has the same deep green color as the egg and its movements are calm.
The one that came out from the purple egg was a fox that has snow-like white fur.
After stretching for a few times as if to check its body, the fox started to watch its own magic that was
purple flames flying around it.
「Ohh〜…fox from an egg huh〜……that’s surprising」
「It’s a monster so that probably doesn’t concern it」
When the two was talking to their selves, the tortoise approached Maple, and the fox approached Sally.
The two cautiously patted their monsters, and the two monsters closed their eyes as if they felt good
about it.
And at the same time, the egg started to faintly shine.
Its brightness gradually got stronger, and the eggs changed to a purple ring and a green ring.
The two reached out their hands to pick that up.
「The item name is……【Bridge of Bonds】. It says……equipping this makes it possible to fight together with
monsters!… I can’t leave this away anymore〜」
Sally’s explanation is the most important ability of the ring. Maple used her own eyes to check that ability.
【Bridge of Bonds】
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While equipped, possible to fight along with monsters.
Possible monsters to fight with is one with each ring.
After the monster dies, it would return inside the ring and enter sleep, it cannot be called out for a day.
Seeing that they won’t disappear immediately after dying made the two relieved.
If the settings were like that, they can’t bring them to battle without caution.
「Mu〜… a ring huh〜. My equipment slots are full, so I should probably take off【Forest Queen Bee’s Ring
】. I can also regenerate Hp with【Meditation】after all」
When the two equipped their rings, the two monsters happily rubbed themselves to them.
「Ahaha, it’s ticklish〜!」
「n〜……mofumofu〜……」
And just like that, the two played around, but then, Sally noticed something.
「I’m able to see this child’s status」
It’s probably the effect of the ring, under their own status, there’s another status.
The two checked that.
No Name
Lv1
HP 250/250
MP 30/30
【STR 30】
【VIT 150】
【VIT 150】
【DEX 10】
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【DEX 10】
Skill
【Bite】
No Name
Lv1
HP 80/80
MP 120/120
【STR 10】
【VIT 15】
【AGI 70】
【DEX 75】
【DEX 75】
Skill
【Fox Fire】
The top one’s the tortoise’s, and the lower is the fox’s status.
Just like a monster’s offspring, their status was quite decent even though they were just born.
「No name, that means… we should give them names!」
「I see, well, I guess so」
The two carefully thought of names.
While they were thinking for a while, the monsters played with themselves.
It looks like the monsters get along.
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「Yo〜sh, I decided」
「Un, I also did!」
The two thought of the names, and approached their own monsters.
The two kneeled down, matching their eyes with the monsters.
「tortoise-san’s name is Syrup! Mufufu… combined with me, it’s Maple Syrup!」
Maple felt very good for no particular reasons.
Did the tortoise like its name, it rubbed its body against her.
One girl and one monster were happily playing around.
「Then… how about Oboro? You don’t like it?」
Sally said to the fox as if to ask.
It looks like the fox was satisfied, *Pyon* it jumped and hugged Sally as if to roll around her neck.
Sally’s neck was very warm with her muffler and fox.
While the time was passing with a peaceful atmosphere.
Maple suddenly shouted.
There’s a blue panel that shows the status in front of her.
「A-A-re?! M-Maybe…」
「n? What happened?」
Sally thought about it strange and approached, and took a peek at the panel.
「Eh?! Ah! D-Don’t look!」
「n〜… ahh, I see……」
It was only about five seconds that Sally was able to look at the panel, but she understood what Maple
was thinking about.
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The thing that Maple opened was Syrup’s status, and because she was focused on one part of it, Sally who
was very good at her perception knew what Maple didn’t want her to see.
「Maple… to think that your status is lower than a tortoise」
「Ughu!!!」
Syrup has【AGI 15】and Maple has【AGI 0】
「Tortoise and Maple huh〜…」
「Don’t say it like the hare and the tortoise!! I can win if we did a race! The length of our feet is different!」
「Then… you want to try?」
「Eh!…………I-I think I’ll hold back from it〜. Ahahaha……」
She might not regain herself if she lost.
If that happens, she might throw away her full defense build and put【AGI】to her status.
Maple felt like that.
She thought that there’s no need to go on her ways to do that.
But if you say that she ran away from it, then that’s all about i.
「Their status, I wonder if it’s affected by their parents somehow? Both Maple and Syrup is defense
specialized, and Oboro has a high speed too」
「It might be so」
The two continued to look at the two monsters’ status.
「They can’t equip equipments, but… their levels can be raised huh?」
「I wonder if they would get status points when their level goes up? Or is it that, their status raises on its
own?」
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Information about those isn’t available in the ring’s explanation so they didn’t know.
「For the meantime, you want to raise their levels?」
「U〜n…… it would feel bad if they got killed……」
Sally said while touching the fox that moved from her neck to her head.
「Then, how about I go catch some monsters?」
「Good idea… is it? For the meantime, let’s raise their levels like that」
Maple said to Syrup “Wait a minute okay”, patted it and went to go catch some monsters outside the rift.
And after ten minutes.
Maple returned with bats in both of her hands.
It was probably paralyzed, the bats couldn’t move at all.
Maple placed those on the ground.
「Uhmm…… Syrup! 【Bite】!」
「Oboro!【Fox Fire】!」
Syrup bit off the body of the bat.
Oboro burned the bat with purple flames.
The red effects lit the rift, and the bat became light and disappeared.
「Ah〜… their level didn’t go up」
「My side too」
「Probably… their children of quite strong monsters. That’s why, the experience points they need is
probably high?」
If they defeat bats, level 1 players will surely raise their levels.
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「Probably need some more?」
「Can I ask you for it? I don’t have skills that can catch them……」
「Un! It’s what they say the right place for the right people! But, while I’m not around, I’m counting on you
to take care of Syrup okay?」
「I’ll protect them very well!」
Hearing Sally’s reply, Maple went outside once again.
It was twenty minutes later when Maple returned.
She returned hugging a total of eight bats.
「How can I say this, the feeling of a parent bird」
「The things that we’re doing is the same with bird parents after all」
*DosaDosa*, she dropped the bats to the ground.
Syrup and Oboro defeated four each, and the two monsters’ level raised up to 2.
Syrup
Lv2
HP 300/300
MP 30/30
【STR 35】
【VIT 180】
【AGI 15】
【DEX 10】
【INT 20】
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Skill
【Bite】【Shell Protect】
Oboro (朧 – vague)
Lv2
HP 85/85
MP 130/130
【STR 15】
【VIT 15】
【AGI 85】
【DEX 80】
【INT 95】
Skill
【Fox Fire】【Fire Pillar】
「It looks like their status goes up by themselves」
「It seems so. I mean, they rose quite well」
For the two monsters that seem to have a bright future, Maple went out to hunt after that for a few times.
However, because there were only a few monsters nearby, their levels did not go up.
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DOWNSTREAM EXPLORATION
In the end, they spent the third day with hatching the egg and playing with the two animals.
The time is 10 pm. It is the time that is troublesome to go explore once again.
「Ah〜… what should we do〜…… you want to go exploring?」
「I think it’s enough for today……」
「I also feel like that……」
The two pats their own partners and decides the plan for tomorrow.
「Tomorrow, let’s go explore downstream, and climb up on the opposite side we went down」
「Okay……n? Climb up?!」
「Just like when we went down……ah!」
Maple was completely not thinking of what would happen next.
That’s right, Maple doesn’t have a way to escape this valley.
「W-W-W-W-What should we do?!」
「…………what should we?」
Maple asked Sally for an answer, but Sally also didn’t have a solution.
「Well then, let’s go downstream tomorrow while finding ways to go back. I think that there’s a way at
least」
They only planned on exploring downstream, but because of the problem that they didn’t anticipate, they
would take longer time exploring than expected.
It couldn’t be helped that if they didn’t find a way to go up, they would’ve wasted their time.
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「Then, we should leave early huh」
「We want to go up on the fourth day after all」
They decided the time they would leave would be four in the morning, and the two started to sleep
alternately.
「Good morning」
「Good morning」
The two exchanged greetings and went to explore.
It is already the fourth day of the event, the second half of the fight.
The players who have obtained medals also have increased.
Fight for stealing and getting robbed are happening here and there.
And that is not something unrelated from the two.
They have to be prepared that there would be a battle anytime.
「Did something happen?」
「No, nothing, at least for now」
Even though they observed the surroundings very carefully, there wasn’t any dungeon or magic circles.
And just like that, two and a half hours of going downstream.
They had a few battles along the way, and Syrup and Oboro’s level raised by 1 and learned a very
interesting skill.
The skill names are【Dormancy】and【Awakening】
【Dormancy】is the skill that makes them sleep inside the ring and safely recover their strength with the
two’s command.
【Awakening】is the skill that makes them come out with the two’s command.
Right now, the two animals are sleeping inside the ring.
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It is because the fog is getting deeper and they almost lost sight of them.
And just like that, thirty minutes of walking.
The two finally reached the end of the river.
The two had felt it even before they reached this place, but that changed to conviction when they came
here.
「This is the source of the fog huh」
「Un, there’s no mistaking it」
The dense fog became thicker, and Maple already had a hard time seeing Sally who was beside her.
The two approached the river.
And then.
*Bufu*, the fog was blown away by the wind, and the scene in front of them was exposed.
There was a spring there just like in the upper streams, and a pot in the center.
White fog comes out from the pot without rest. It looks like the pot absorbs water from the spring and
creates fog.
「That pot… you want to check it?」
「………that’s the only way huh」
The instant the two entered the spring.
The wind stopped as if it was aiming for it, and the dense fog instantly covered the surroundings.
「Sally! Are you there?!」
There was not one reply from that voice of Maple.
Maple increased her cautiousness.
「Uwa?! Ku!! Ahh!!」
Sally’s voice could be heard.
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*Gakin*, *Gakin*, the sound of metal hitting each other could be heard. Sally’s voice seemed to be
flustered and increases Maple’s worry.
In front of Maple who was going towards the direction appears a black hole.
She couldn’t see anything even if she took a peek.
However, she was sure that she could hear Sally’s voice from inside that.
「Yosh! Let’s go!」
Strongly closing her eyes, Maple jumped inside the hole.
When she opened her eyes, there was Sally who was scattering red effects from her body.
And.
A knight wearing a platinum full armor holding a shining white sword.
「Sally!」
Maple couldn’t help herself shouting to the surprise.
She couldn’t be blamed. It was the first time Maple saw Sally receiving damage.
It looks like Sally also noticed Maple and went towards her in a hurry.
「A-Are you okay?!」
「Un, somehow…」
Sally’s body was enveloped by the【Heal】’s light.
The painful red effects also disappeared.
「Stay behind me! I’ll stop it whatever happens!」
After Maple strongly said, she drew Shingetsu.
A purple magic circle appeared from its blade.
The knight casually held its sword.
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「【Hydra】!!」
The three-headed poison dragon closes in to the knight.
The knight swung its sword downwards.
That sunk into the poison dragon, and cuts it into halves.
However, it was only one that it cut off.
The remaining two directly hit the knight.
The knight groans, and fell to its knees.
Even so, it tries to stand up with the support of its sword.
However, that did not happen.
From its tattered armor, a white light started to overflow.
It looks like the knight gave up on standing up, it let go of its sword.
And with that, it became a flow of light that doesn’t lose out with the platinum armor and raised up.
「Super weak compared to the monster bird!」
In fact, its ability to cut off the poison dragon was very strong, but it didn’t have the HP and defense
following that.
On that point, it can be said that the monster bird was abnormal.
「We defeated it!」
「Fufufu〜! I’ll take a look if there’s any medal okay?」
Just as usual, the place where it was defeated was sunk in a sea of poison.
Maple could only go.
「There’s one at the least right?」
Maple walked towards the place it was defeated.
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「【Defense Break】」
A voice was heard suddenly.
Pain suddenly runs from her back.
The thing Maple saw when she looked back was a deep blue dagger that cuts her endlessly.
「Eh? Eh?」
「Aha! Ahaha, ahahahahahahah!!」
It was Sally who was laughing like crazy.
「W-Why?!」
Maple noticed her own HP that was being grinded.
If this continues it would be dangerous for herself.
A strong paralyze status ailment.
Maple noticed.
What was in front of her was something in the shape of Sally.
That was, definitely not Sally.
It was because damage couldn’t be dealt directly towards party members.
「Aha! Ahahaha」
「It doesn’t have an effect?!」
Very strong resistance to paralysation.
She was now sure that it was not Sally.
However, its speed was the same as Sally, no, it was much faster.
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「It’s being strengthened?!」
With a crazy laughter, its appearance disappeared and red effects comes out from Maple’s body.
「Kuu!… I can’t catch her!」
Even her proud poison dragon, even her large shield, there’s no meaning if it doesn’t hit.
Fortunately, its attack power wasn’t that high.
Whether health would completely drop first or thought of something.
Maple was fighting against a fake.
And, that is the same with Sally.
「Ku!… it also has abnormal defense just like Maple!」
Sally passes her by the side and cuts through its body, but its HP bar wouldn’t go down even a millimeter.
The despairing defense power was despising.
「It’s the number one that I don’t want to fight against you know…」
「Ahahahaha!!【Hydra】!」
From that thing that has Maple’s shape, poison dragon was shot out. Sally dodged that.
It was very easy dodging the poison dragon that wasn’t especially fast.
However, it wouldn’t be easy to defeat that.
「This is……so tiring〜」
Maple against Sally, Sally against Maple. They trust each other’s traits quite well.
And that is very troublesome changing into an enemy.
The fight against the knight was only the opening.
The fight against something with the same appearance and abilities with the partner they trust starts
now.
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IMITATION BATTLE
「【Hydra】!」
Hydra was shot from Shingetsu.
However, that is not something aimed towards Fake Sally.
The poison dragon that flew out from the blade pointing towards the ground splashes, and scatters
around Maple.
If she step on even one of those, the original Sally should die with one hit.
To approach Maple who was currently standing on the middle of the sea of poison, it would need give her
a huge opportunity.
Fake Sally who took distance to evade the poison dragon runs.
Maple observed that intently.
And she noticed.
That in fact, it was approaching while avoiding the poison.
「You don’t have【Poison Nullification】huh」
When Fake Sally used【Leap】to jump, she collides using her large shield.
That, it clearly hit her body, however, there was no feeling from it.
「【Mirage】?!!」
Fake Sally slashes through Maple’s torso that was full of openings, kicked Maple’s body while using【Leap
】, and went out of the range of the sea of poison.
「【Venom Cutter】!!」
216
Fake Sally easily dodged Maple’s attack. However, from how it dodges, Maple felt something strange.
「I see… it’s not like it is like Sally herself」
Most probably, Fake Sally is faster that Sally.
Her ability to dodge is also high.
However, that is only because it is fast.
The dodging with skin’s length then counter attack like Sally does, doesn’t exist.
If it’s Sally, she should’ve been able to approach while dodging all attacks.
Fake Sally, it is only dodging by relying on its speed, but doesn’t have the combination of attacking and
defending while dodging.
「Even so, it wouldn’t hit in the end〜……【Meditation】」
As if it didn’t care about Maple who whispered that, the ground surrounding Maple raises.
A few pillars of earth raises making her vision bad.
And that became Fake Sally’s stepping stone.
「U〜n, its magic is better than Sally huh」
She turns her large shield from where the voice came from.
She didn’t care even if it was a【Mirage】.
She still have a lot of HP.
As she expected, that was an illusion made by【Mirage】. Maple’s back was slashed.
She swings her large shield while turning around but she only hits air.
「It can’t be helped……let’s go with an attrition war」
A magic circle comes out from Shingetsu.
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Fake Sally saw that and took distance.
If it takes distance, it wouldn’t receive any attacks.
「It’s okay. Let’s test our endurance」
Maple whispers silently.
「【Venom Capsule】」
A purple-colored sphere that has a diameter of two meters. Maple soaks into there.
「【Meditation】」
The HP Fake Sally took off started to regenerate.
However, Fake Sally’s weapon are daggers.
If it attacks Maple, slashing through the poisonous sphere, it would be also poisoned.
On top of that, a sea of poison is spreading on the ground.
Maple’s surrounding is a top-class dangerous place.
It’s an area of hell that poisons all of those who approach.
Even if Fake Sally has【Poison Resistance(Large)】, it doesn’t have【Poison Nullification】
It can’t completely nullify the poison of【Poison Dragon】.
「【Cyclone Cuter】」
【Wind Magic】that has a higher level than what Sally has.
Swirling winds appeared around Maple and tries to break that poison barrier.
However, the level of【Poison Dragon】and【Wind Magic】is too different.
Some of it falls and splashes to the ground, but it couldn’t reach Maple.
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Answering to that voice, the capsule that envelopes Maple increased to a diameter of four meters.
The thickness of the poison wall increases.
For Sally who has a lot of tricks but has low power, it’s a poisonous wall of despair.
「I’ll patiently wait until Fake-san’s MP is completely lost」
If Fake Sally loses all of her MP, her proud tricks would also decrease.
With that, it would be more difficult to get through the poison barrier.
The MP cost of【Venom Capsule】is 20.
She has nothing to change into MP from【Akujiki】.
Because of that, she doesn’t have stocks for MP.
There is also no more five times zero MP activation per day.
Maple silently waits for the automatic regeneration of her MP.
Fake Sally shots magic to the poison barrier.
That scene continuous for a long time.
「【Poison Capsule】」
Maple strengthens the barrier without mercy.
The capsule increases its thickness to six meters.
Maple has only one aim.
「If I can’t hit it normally……I will sink this whole room with the capsule, and defeat it」
It was an attrition war.
To grab victory, Maple pushes off Fake Sally to the corner of the roo.
If there’s no place she could run to, the speed it was proud of does not have any meaning.
On the other hand, Sally was taking a hard time attacking.
219
After all, it was an overwhelming defense.
On top of that, attack powers that any careless movements would lead to death.
「The only silver lining, is that it’s more stupid than the original Maple huh……」
Fake Maple’s attacks is completely ‘defeat using【Poison Dragon】’.
On top of that, it doesn’t choose not to use the large shield with weak attacks unlike Maple.
Because of that, Fake Maple had already lost all of its【Akujiki】.
The problem is, that【Poison Dragon】.
Fake Maple has skills that Maple doesn’t have.
If it activates that skill, all of the remaining poison after shooting out【Poison Dragon】would gather to
where Fake Maple is, and would be able to immediately shoot【Poison Dragon】again.
It can continuously attack without cooldowns.
For Sally to win against Fake Maple, she thought she needed to make it use all of the skill it has that have
limitations, so it was outside of her expectations that it wouldn’t not be able to use【Poison Dragon】.
「Well, it wouldn’t use something like【Paralyze Shout】, so it might be for the better」
Right now, Sally is thinking of a way to defeat Fake Maple while dodging the three-headed poison dragon.
「Ah〜……what should I do. I don’t have a decisive blow……」
For Sally, dodging【Poison Dragon】is very easy so there’s no problem thinking about it.
Sally tried using【Defense Break】to attack, but her attacks were regenerated by the skill that was
probably【Meditation】.
「It has a troublesome skill that’s left〜…」
And while she is saying that, the poison dragon attacks again.
While dodging nimbly, she thought about Maple.
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「I wonder if Maple is also fighting against my imitation? Has she already won?」
Sally thought that if it’s Maple, she should be able to do something about it.
Right now, Sally herself doesn’t have an attack that can be a decisive blow against Fake Maple, so there’s
no way that her fake would be able to defeat the original Maple.
Because it’s Sally who had been saved a lot of times by Maple’s ability, she strongly believed that.
「Well then… let’s try a lot of things. I might be able to at least find one right」
Sally got resolute, and makes a plan while remembering her skills.
Right now, Sally can’t win.
But, what if she grows.
What if she gains a new skill.
Since Sally can’t bring down Fake Maple’s HP, Fake Maple’s movement pattern doesn’t change.
As stupid as it is, it’s an easy enemy that is just continuously shooting【Poison Dragon】.
Fake Maple that does not have any change, and.
Sally who have the possibility to change.
Sally decided to bet on that possibility.
「Losing to Fake Maple, I’d hate it ’cause it would be frustrating! Let’s go with this skill first」
While wearing shining effects, Sally attacks Fake Maple.
On this side too, a very long attrition war starts.
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IMITATION SUBJUGATION
Four hours had already passed from the start of the battle, and it is also noontime on the fourth day.
Maple’s attempt had succeeded, and the【Venom Capsule】had already reached the ceiling.
Also, the wide room, only one quarter of the room was not yet eroded by the capsule.
Together with Maple’s voice, the capsule’s size increases.
「Fuu〜…… just a little bit more…」
Fake Sally is still unscathed.
However, that doesn’t matter.
If the capsule fills the room, she would be defeated without being able to recover.
The biggest problem was that attacks couldn’t hit it.
The result is already decided.
Fake Sally doesn’t have the means to break through this situation.
And, after another hour.
「【Venom Capsule】!」
That was the end of a long fight.
Fake Sally was engulfed, and disappeared while scattering flashy red effects.
To be sure, Maple got careful about【Mirage】, but Fake Sally didn’t have a place to go to in this room that
is filled with poison.
And most of all, the medal that fell in the place where Fake Sally disappeared tells the story.
Maple released the capsule.
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The capsule broke and a poisonous rain falls and splashes to the ground.
「Haa〜……I’m spent」
To the different type of fatigue from the battle against the monster bird, Maple sat on the ground.
「Thank goodness it’s inside a room……I couldn’t have won if it was outside……」
She couldn’t use this tactic if there weren’t a limit on the space of the room.
If the environment wasn’t her ally, she couldn’t have won.
「I should collect the medal and step on the magic circle……I wonder what happened to Sally. Is she
fighting with my imitation after all?」
Maple picked up the one medal that fell on the floor.
「I wonder if she could win〜… if it’s Sally, it would be easy for her to dodge my attacks though……」
While worrying about Sally, Maple stepped onto the magic circle.
The light fades, and what appeared in front of her was spiral stairs.
When she looks up, there was light.
It looks like it is connected to somewhere.
「Sally is… she shouldn’t have gone first right」
Maple stayed there for a while.
The two had decided to contact each other when they have died.
Since a message had not come from Sally, she knew that she hadn’t lost and returned to their starting
place.
If that is so, there is only either Sally is still fighting and would teleport anytime soon, or they were
completely separated.
Separated, meaning, in the case when Sally didn’t fight an imitation.
Sally might’ve been left behind in the fog and only Maple had fought.
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However, Maple felt that Sally was still fighting.
「Sally should’ve been fighting too…… I know! Syrup,【Awakening】!」
The ring shined and Syrup appeared.
「Let’s wait while cheering for Sally」
An hour of staying with Syrup to cheer after Sally while staying in her place.
That place was enveloped by a shining light.
To be sure, Maple readied her shield and looked what would happen.
「Haa〜… I won……」
The light fades, and Sally was there.
「…………you’re the real one……right?」
Sally also noticed Maple with her voice and made a stance.
「………let me confirm if you’re the real one」
「Alright?」
Maple looked at Sally doubting, and figured out that Sally fought against Fake Maple.
If that is so, it is normal for her to confirm so she agreed.
「Are you Maple who I saw crying out loud during our sixth year of elementary after getting vaccinated?」
「Wha-W-W-W-W-W-Why do you remember that?!! Forget it!!」
A way to confirm that Maple didn’t expect.
Saying something that only the person itself knows.
It’s logical, but with those embarrassing contents, Maple hides herself behind her large shield with
embarrassment.
Sally knew that this Maple was the real one, but she thought of teasing her just a little bit.
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She fooled around because she was tired.
「Fufufu… you’re the real one! Well, I knew it though」
「………wait. Let me confirm it too」
Maple looked at Sally with serious eyes.
「Eh!……」
Maple started to talk without letting Sally say anything.
「……are you not Sally who couldn’t stand up from fear inside the haunted house during middle school
that was taken out through the emergency door by the clerk while crying?」
「Y-You don’t need to remember that!」
「Are you Sally who had played games too much that wrote killing moves in your notebook?」
「Wait, I’m sorry! Forgive me!!」
「I retaliated just a little bit」
「……haa〜… it was a hornet’s nest huh〜」
Anyways, the two was able to safely reunite.
「How was it with you, Maple? I fought against Fake Maple」
「I was against Fake Sally. I won probably an hour ago.」
It looks like Sally also got a medal and gave it to Maple
With this, they have ten of them.
「How did you win against Fake Maple?」
Sally was about to answer that, but she stops midways.
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「If……if there’s a tournament-like event, I don’t want to lose easily against Maple, so can I make it a
secret?」
「It’s okay! n〜……then, it’s also a secret how I defeated Fake Sally! I also don’t want to lose after all!」
Sally says that it was a secret, but she shows her her status.
「You can guess with the skills though〜!」
「I will thankfully look then」
Maple slowly looked at Sally’s status.
Sally
Lv21
HP 32/32
MP 25/25〈＋35〉
【STR 30〈＋20〉】
【VIT 0】
【AGI 85〈＋68〉】
【DEX 25〈＋20〉】
【INT 25〈＋20〉】
Equipments
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Accessories【Bridge of Bonds】
【ーーー】
【ーーー】
Skill
【Status Debuff Attack III】【Consecutive Sword Attacks I】
【Gale Slash】【Muscle Strengthening (Small)】
【Consecutive Attack Strengthening (Small)】【Double Attack】
【Powered Attack】
【Switch Attack】【Body Arts V】
【Knowledge of Short Swords II】【Jack of All Trades】【Defense Break】【Super Acceleration】
【Fire Magic I】【Water Magic II】【Wind Magic III】
【Water Wall】
【Wind Cutter】【Wind Wall】【Cyclone Cutter】
【Sand Cutter】
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【Dark Ball】
「Some of them have changed」
「I might use them in the remaining time」
「You’ve become quite reliable after this short time!」
「From now on, we can fight together again」
Sally smiled happily.
Maple also returns a smile.
「Then, let’s go up stairs」
「Alright. I still want medals」
The two climbed up the spiral stairs towards the light.
The place they went up to was the other side of the valley.
The two were tired after a long fight, but there isn’t a lot of time left, that they could rest for.
It’s already afternoon of the fourth day.
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The one who gets the medal first is the winner.
「We should explore the forest」
Maple said while looking at the forest that spread in front of them. It is unknown how deep this forest it.
It is also unknown if there are dungeon within it.
「Let’s cheer up and go!」
「Ohh〜!」
The two entered the forest searching for a new dungeon.
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DESERT EXPLORATION
Compared to up until now, the scale of the forest was small.
「Oh, we’re already out!」
「Oh〜……it’s a desert」
It was a vast desert that spread in front of the two.
There was sand while cactus can be seen everywhere.
There was no appearance of players.
「Let’s go」
「Alright」
The two stepped into the desert.
「It’s good that we don’t get thirsty」
「That’s true, if that is so, we can’t explore after all」
Dehydration symptoms don’t exist in this game.
Just because it’s the desert, it is not like they would receive damage from the temperature.
But since it is hard to walk on sand, it was difficult to say that it is easy to explore, but the two passed
through the sand dunes, and moves forward slowly but surely.
「There’s nothing〜」
「From how it looks that is」
Because there are many sand dunes, there might be something if they passed through them
「For the meantime, let’s move ahead」
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「Okay」
They didn’t let out Oboro and Syrup.
Firstly, even if Syrup comes out, it couldn’t climb up through the sand dunes.
Because on the way, it was pushed back by the breaking sand.
And looking at Oboro, seeing that it was covered with sand, Sally returned it.
According to Sally, she feels bad for it.
And the two who had climbed over ten sand dunes, they finally saw an oasis.
「We finally see it!」
「Let’s go quick!」
In the scenery that was full of sand, they could see that greens vibrant and shining.
The two went to the oasis with light steps.
「How is it? Does it connect to a dungeon?」
「Let’s split up and search around the corners. It’s not that big so it would finish quickly」
The two searched all of the corners of the oasis, but they only figured out that there was nothing.
「Mu〜… there’s nothing」
「Unfortunately, it seems so」
「You want to take a little break?」
「Let’s do that. I’m also a little bit tired」
Sally took a stretch.
Both Sally and Maple had already gone through a long battle today.
They couldn’t be blamed if they were tired.
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Maple lied down and sloppily looked around.
「n〜……n? Sally! Someone’s coming!」
Maple stood up and readied her large shield.
Sally also reacted to that voice, and stared at the player that was going towards them while holding her
dagger.
「Ohh… someone’s first huh. On top of that, it’s Maple…… my luck isn’t that good」
The person who came was a girl wearing Japanese clothes.
She wears a sakura-colored kimono in her upper body.
Also, a purple hakama.
And she is equipped with on katana, so it’s easy to figure out her features with a glance.
「That person, she’s sixth ranked in the last event」
「Eh?! Really」
「I’ve checked quite a bit, so I at least know that」
「Ahh, excuse me while you’re talking, but……if it’s alright, can you let me off」
It looks like this girl doesn’t have the will to fight.
Although it is unknown if she really feels like that.
「……what would you do if we say no?」
「In that case……it can’t be helped. I’ll make sure that I’d take one of you with me」
The girl said ‘one of you’, but her consciousness was towards Sally.
Maple was readying her self so that she could attack or defend anytime.
「With that, the one who remained would get all the medals so it’s quite favorable for us」
Sally whispered.
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「…………ah!」
「Let’s do it?」
「Let’s do it, huh?」
The two looked at the girl at the same time.
The girl escaped with full power.
She ran away without looking back as fast as she could.
Sally chased after her with full strength.
She chased after her as if to look at a prey.
「W-Wait for me〜!」
Maple chased after them with her full strength.
She chased after them with the speed of a tortoise.
「Why do you have【Super Acceleration】……!!」
「Did you look down on me?」
The two’s super acceleration ended. The place where they are was a valley surrounded by sand dunes.
There’s no place to escape.
The girl also reluctantly drew her katana.
In fact, she thought that she could win if the opponent isn’t Maple.
After all, she was sixth.
「【First of the Blades・Kagerou】」
The girl’s appearance shook and disappeared.
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And, the next instant, she appeared in front of her.
The katana that was swung sidewards cuts through Sally’s torso.
「Ha…?!!」
The girl was surprised.
The thing that Sally was disappeared in front of her as if she melted into air.
「Everyone, they react like that at first you know」
Red effects scatters from the girl’s body.
Because Sally doesn’t have that much attack power, the damage isn’t that big, but she slashed through her
stomach while passing through her side.
And, Sally once again took distance.
「If you don’t defeat me before Maple comes, it looks bad」
Sally said to the girl.
「Ku!……【First of the Blades・Kagerou】」
The girl once again approached Sally with fast speed.
And, her katana slashes through her just like before.
「That, I saw it before」
It was a strange sight.
The katana that slashes through close distance was dodged by Sally by charging while crouching making
it only cut the air.
Sally continued like that and ran towards the woman’s left side with a low posture.
「Gu……!」
Red effects scatter from the woman’s feet.
「I didn’t think, that you were this strong……」
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「Well, thanks」
The two turned around and faced each other.
Sally didn’t attack from her side.
It was to aim for when her opponent breaks its posture when she dodges the attacks.
If she receives a counterattack, it would be over.
Although, her opponent doesn’t know about that though.
「……I can only use my whole strength huh」
The girl who said that with a low voice changed her air.
No, even her appearance changed.
Her beautiful black hair changes to a snow white, and her black eyes were dyed in scarlet.
Around the girl, effects with sakura colors just like in her kimono shines.
「………」
Sally also stops saying gibberish and heightens her concentration to the limit.
This is Sally’s best trump card.
An absolute power that anyone else couldn’t imitate.
「【Last of the Blades・Oborozuki】」
Invisible consecutive attacks had attacked Sally.
Because of their speed, the blade trembles, as if they disappeared.
It would be impossible to see those blades through vision.
「……!!」
The one who whispered softly was the Japanese clothed girl.
The invisible consecutive attacks couldn’t catch Sally.
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She could only follow the somewhat decided movements until the skill ends when consecutive attack
skills are activated.
“Hit”, “Hit”, she swings her blade while praying.
Sally had dodged these consecutive attacks.
The movement of her feet.
The movement of her eyes.
The movement of her arms.
The movement of her shoulders.
The sound of the blade cutting air.
Using all of that information, she predicted the movement of the blade, and dodges within skin length.
For her opponent, it should be weird as it can be. The attacks she did was being dodged using the least
amount of movement right in front of her
That’s right, it was as if.
She could see that the blades were dodging Sally instead.
The twelve consecutive attacks that each have killing strength ended.
After the girl had looked at Sally, she smiled pleasantly and collapsed to her back.
「I lost. Do it with a single thought」
The color of her hair and eyes also returned.
The aura also disappeared.
「In my part, it was quite dangerous」
「Next time, I’ll make sure I hit you」
At that time, when Sally was about to swing down her dagger.
「AHHHHHHHH!! Wait, I cant stoppppppppppp!!!」
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The two instinctively turned towards the place where the scream was coming from, and there they saw a
black object rolling down the sand dune while catching up sand.
「Eh! Wait! Maple! W-Wait!!」
That’s right, that object was Maple.
The only thing that she could be praised for was that she had unequipped her large shield.
And, it is already not a situation that she could stop even if she were told to wait.
Maple flies to were the two was.
She collapsed while catching up sand big time.
The three of them, it took a long time for them to do something about this situation.
And, within that blank instant, a change happened beneath their feet.
「Ha?!!」
「Ku! I can’t escape!」
「Eh?? Eh??」
The three reacted in their own ways, and got devoured by quicksand with tremendous speed.
There was two who was able to fall on their feet after taking their balance mid air.
One of them was thrown into the ground while her armor echoed.
Of course, it’s Maple.
Fortunately, it was not that high so the damage was zero.
「W-What happened?」
「A dungeon that reacts with the number of people… I guess〜. It suddenly responded when Maple fell
after all」
Looking at Sally who tried to hold her head to think of what to do, everyone noticed.
To the fact that the three’s hand were connected with a black chain.
237
「「「Eh?」」」
Sally’s right hand to the Japanese clothed girl.
Sally’s left hand to Maple.
The only hands that were free were the girl’s right hand and Maple’s left hand.
The length of the change was a meter and a little bit, they shouldn’t be able to move as usual.
And for the three, it took a little bit of time to understand the situation.
238
CHAPTER 36 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND UNDER
THE QUICKSAND
「n〜……it doesn’t seem that it can be removed」
*GashaGasha*, Sally tried pulling the chains, but it did not seem that it would get torn off.
「There is a button in my hand you know?」
「There’s also in mine」
「I also have……I didn’t notice because of panicking」
The result of talking with the three of them, they decided to push the one Sally had.
When the button was pushed, a blue plate that is similar to status screen floated in the air.
【Chains of Restraint】
Cursed chains that connect three targets.
The three targets who is connected has only one destiny, and one death connects to everyone’s death.
「Uwa!… so severe」
Currently, the one who has the most danger is Sally. Not only it is a situation where she is not able to
properly dodge, her HP is also low.
The same thing was shown even if someone else pushed the button.
「I’ll protect you for sure」
Maple said while readying her large shield.
「Un. I’m counting on you」
The two nodded at each other.
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It was like their trust can be seen with the naked eye.
「I’m really out of place here. Un」
「……a temporary truce then」
「Ahh, let’s do that. Honestly, I don’t want to fight anymore……」
The japanese clothed girl took a breath, and introduced herself.
The girl’s name is Kasumi.
Just like how she appears, she is good at fighting using a katana.
Since it would be a waste of concentration for the fight that would be hard, she stopped speaking
formally.
「Then… should we explore for the meantime?」
「Let’s do that!」
「Ahh, that should be good. Nothing will happen if we stay here after all. And also, the chains might get
removed after clearing the dungeon」
The three decided to go down the stairs made of sandstone in front of them.
「Depending on the boss, we might be finished」
「Let’s just pray that it doesn’t have an area attack」
Kasumi and Sally went down the stairs while being cautious. Maple was restlessly looking around.
「Doesn’t it feel humid?」
「Eh? Ah〜… it might be」
「The walls also became a cave’s walls. It was made well up until earlier, but… this is uneven」
The place where the stairs connect was a wide space.
240
Rocks that can be seen in limestone caves covered the ceiling, and the droplets of water falling down from
those echoed.
The ground made with rocks with blue hues, and the slimy walls don’t look very pretty.
Because even the floors were slimy, it was hard to walk on it, and it looks like they would have a hard
time exploring.
「From how it looks, there’s no monsters?」
「I, guess so. Doesn’t seem to be any of them?」
They could not hear any sounds in the wide space other than the water dripping.
「Let’s move forward. I don’t know where the goal would be… but it looks complicated」
There were several forks extending from the from the space they are in right now.
And each of them has high ceilings. It has the same height with the space right now, about 10 meters.
「We need to be careful from surprise attacks from above huh」
「I also think so. The probability of that is probably hih」
「Then, I’ll be ready to block alright!」
They chose one of the forks, and advanced deeper. After advancing for a while, the three came to a wide
space again.
「This place too… there’s nothing」
「Does it only makes us cautious? The encounters are too low. For it to be zero……」
「It’s an exploration type dungeon, and in exchange for having only a boss monster, it would take long?」
Maple said what she had in mind, and the two nodded to that possibility.
「There’s a lot of forks too……it really does seem to take a lot of time」
The three walked once again.
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To the right, to the left, up and down, they walked around, but they couldn’t find the boss room at all.
And, they had not encountered any monster even once.
「Ah〜……it’s a dead end……」
「Fuu〜……let’s turn back, huh」
「………n? Wait, the two of you!」
Maple stopped the two.
The place she pointed at was a small water puddle right next to the dead end’s wall.
Bubbles were appearing from there. It is something that one would miss if they were not being attentive,
but Maple felt the slight difference within this cave that has no change.
That was also a coincidence, but it was a huge achievement.
The three approached and looked at it, and in there, one medal was shining with a silver color
submerged.
When Maple picked that up, the bubbles stopped appearing. It’s probably a setting for it to be found.
「Uwa… I didn’t notice it at all」
「It’s also the same with me」
Kasumi said that it is Maple’s since she was the one who found it, and made that stance continuous from
here on.
Meaning, the one who found it shall have the item.
「With this, there’s now the possibility that this dungeon doesn’t have a boss」
「That’s true, the possibility of that is now higher」
「What do you mean?」
「After all, if there’s a boss, they should probably place the medal there right? It was like that up until now
」
242
「I see, now that you said it」
Because of that, the reason why they found a medal here, means all the same that this dungeon might be
more of an exploration type.
「We’d need to check carefully the walls and the floor from now on huh… fuu〜…… so tiresome〜」
「I’ll also do my best to search. I want to at least bring back one after all」
This time for real, the three turned away from the dead end.
This cave has many dead ends, and on top of that, the scenery does not change so it is easy to get lost,
making the exploration not go well as they have thought.
「I’m probably more good at dungeons that can be easily ended with fights〜」
「Especially in my case!」
「Ahh, I’m also better at fighting」
They talked while walking, and the three came to a wide space once again.
Its structure was as if it was an ant’s next.
But although that was said, there was not even one ant anywhere.
「Ah!! Something’s shining!」
「Is it a treasure?」
「It might be」
The three went to the middle of the open space.
And in there, there was ground that is shining like the milky way. It is very different from the rocks up
until now. The three crouched down and observed that which extends as if to divide the room.
「It’s beautiful, but… it is not a gemstone. It might be similar to gold sand」
「Ahh, that’s true. But, it doesn’t seem like we can get it」
243
Kasumi tried to do something about it using her katana, but just like when she would attack an
indestructible thing, it was deflected.
If there were able to mine this shining ground that is also quite wide, the three of them would surely get
materials for each of them.
Since it is a huge amount.
「U〜n…… something like it would be able to be taken depending on the time? Just like the time in the
bamboo forest」
「That possibility is high」
「Bamboo forest?」
Kasumi does not know about the bamboo forest, so Maple explained it.
「Limited to night time huh… I didn’t walk during the night so I didn’t notice」
「What’s the time right now?」
「Wait a minute……it’s five thirty. Even if we were able to get out of this cave, it’s probably already in the
evening」
「If that is so, we probably need to stay for a night here huh」
「That’s quite hard huh」
They had not found means for escaping so it could not be helped.
The three left the space, and went exploring once again.
They walked while checking the walls or floors, but they had not seen any medal after that once.
「n?」
「What is it? Sally」
「Did you saw something?」
244
「No, right now, I felt like there was a small earthquake……」
「Really? I didn’t notice it though」
「I also didn’t. Is that true?」
「U〜n…… I might be just tired. I fought with Fake Maple today after all」
「Fake Maple? What is that?」
「Ahh, you know, that isーー」
Maple told her about the doppelganger boss.
Kasumi listened to that very curiously and interestingly.
「Well, that is… quite a hard boss fight. Exploring was all I did after all〜」
「Then, I want to hear about your explorations〜!」
「Hahaha, alright. Well, let me think… where should I start……」
Circumstantially, the bond between the three who was connected by chains deepened.
They had gotten along with each other, that even Sally thought of stop defeating Kasumi.
Six hours has already passed.
The fifth day is right around the corner.
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OUTSIDE THE GAME
This is the real world that is slightly back in time.
About this room where the ones who managing the game controls each game so that there would be no
trouble.
「AAAaAAAaaAAHHH!!!【Silver Wing】was done in!!」
One man shouted.
Everyone in the room reacted to that voice.
「Ha? 【Silver Wing】? That guy wasn’t set to be defeated by players right?」
「Yeah, we even packed it skills with high killing abilities, it has high HP, high MP, and high status. It’s the
lump of our malice」
「Who is it? Who had defeated it?」
「I’ll show the video now……」
When the man operated the machine, the video plays on one monitor.
Monster bird with white shining wings.
Against it, a duo of a girl wearing black armor, and a girl wearing a blue garment.
「Maple?! Are you serious?! Oi, oi, 【Silver Wing】is impossible for her right?!」
「She should be lacking mobility! I’d understand if she’s against【Earth Dragon】though……」
“Impossible, impossible”, with those words flying back and forth, the battle started.
「The shards… well, that’d happen huh」
「Such a crazy defense as usual」
246
Everyone in the room, they were taking glances at that screen while managing the events.
After a while, the scene in question played.
「She’s the problem! This blue coat had become Maple’s mobility!」
It was being shown in the screen Maple moving at high-speed using【Cover Move】.
It looks like that was out of their expectations.
Everyone looked at the screen intently.
「……that girl is【Sally】, places importance on AGI, and her skill composition is very wide and shallow. The
strong abilities she have are only【Mirage】and【Ocean】」
One man checked Sally’s information and provides it.
「Well, it’s normal huh. No, if compared to Maple, everyone would be normal」
「That’s true」
In front of everyone who was having a wry laugh.
Sally’s abnormality shows itself.
「……I’ll take that back. This one’s also awful. Maybe, she’s even worse than Maple」
「She has no prediction type skill right?!!」
「Y-Yeah. She don’t」
Sally who was being shown in the video was dodging Silver Wings’ attacks with inhuman evasion ability.
With those movements that were as if she had really predicted them, voices of surprise were raised from
here and there.
「How is she dodging that?」
「Even if the if the shards are on a stop, it’s difficult to get through there, oi」
And, everyone in the room watched that fight finish in a daze.
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And there, finally, one of them raised a voice.
「This is bad!! Doesn’t this mean they would be able to take【Mythical Beast’s Egg】?!」
「What’s inside?!」
「It’s fox and tortoise. Well… it’s still better」
「What about the bird and wolf?」
「It’s in the【Sea Emperor】’s place. It’s set that that guy wouldn’t leave from there… well, that should be
alright…」
After saying that, he leaned his back against the chair as if he was exhausted.
「Ah〜…… impossible〜, it’s impossible that that’s even like that after being nerfed〜」
「Oi, one’s who are free, re-check the medal skills! Re-check if there are skills that can be used strangely!」
「「Understood!」」
「………they should be good enough to be the last boss instead……」
「Ahh… that might be true」
Fatigue could be heavily felt from that voice.
Maple and Sally never knew about this happening.
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ENCOUNTER
「I think that we can’t leave this cave today……」
「If so, we need to find a place to sleep then」
Adding a safe place to sleep in the exploration objectives, the three went through right and left through
the hallways.
「I just wish that we can coincidentally find the exit〜……」
「I also think that’s for the best… I’m already tired for today」
Maple and Sally were very tired. They even want to stop exploring right away and sleep.
And, when they saw another wide room through the hallway after numerous times.
「E-Earthquake?!」
「I can also feel it now!」
The ground shook so much that they could feel it with their body.
And, *GuchoGucho*, a disgusting sound could be heard from the wide room ahead.
While preparing to fight, the three looked at the wide room.
And from a different path from the three’s path, “that” appeared.
Judging from the height of the ceiling, it has a height of more or less 5 meters, and length of more or less 7
meters.
A giant snail crawls out to the wide room.
It seems like it didn’t notice the three, it disappeared into another path.
「………this is bad. That thing’s bad」
「It didn’t have an HP Bar……」
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「H-How bad is it?」
Maple cautiously asked the two who were having a serious face.
「Since it has no HP Bar……it means, it can’t be defeated」
「If we don’t find a safety area and encounter it……it’s the end」
The three’s body is connected by chains.
They can’t let anyone become a decoy.
「For the meantime, let’s leave this place. Before it returns」
「Then, that way should be good?」
The three went through a different way from where they came from, and different from the way that the
snail came from very quickly.
「I see……that’s why this dungeon is in this shape」
Sally whispered.
This dungeon is like an ant’s nest where there are a lot of extending paths and dead ends.
And all of the places have high ceilings, without any unneeded obstacles.
And, the players are connected by chains.
It means, it is made that it would be easy for the snail to move, and hard for the players to run away.
「Maybe, this dungeon’s difficulty would change depending on the time」
It was as Kasumi has said.
This dungeon would change into a monster’s nest where the snail lives in after 6 pm.
And the time which that would end also exists, but the three doesn’t know when.
And, as the time passes, the sound of the ground shaking becomes louder.
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「I-I wonder if there’s more than one?」
「………maybe」
Sally heightened her hearings, and tried to find where the sound comes from.
She can’t hear the *GuchoGucho* sound nearby.
It seems like it isn’t anywhere near.
Even so, it is also true that they need to be continuously on guard.
And that thing, is the reason that reduces Sally’s concentration.
And when they have advanced through several branching ways, that happened.
「……!!」
The instant that they turned to the corner.
The snail was there.
「Run! We’re turning back!」
Kasumi and Sally started to run, but Maple couldn’t keep up with them.
「Oh……god!!」
Faster than Sally pulls up Maple, the snail closed in.
The snail shook its body while splashing out a liquid that was very sticky.
「Ku!!」
Thanks to the large shield devouring the liquid, Maple was barely able to avoid the liquid.
「Sally, we’re running! Use【Super Acceleration】!」
「!! I got it!」
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The last resort they had decided in the case where they cannot escape by any other means.
「「【Super Acceleration!】」」
The two’s body accelerated.
Maple’s body was dragged.
A typical player would receive damage from this and die.
If so, they would all die.
However, Maple is different.
If it is Maple, she can survive receiving no damage.
But even so, it isn’t something comfortable.
That is why, it is the last resort.
*GachanGachan!*, the armor sounded.
Maple instinctively put away her shield, but she couldn’t make it on time to operate to put away her
armor.
「How is it from behind?!」
「It’s alright! It isn’t able to keep up!」
The three could somehow successfully run away.
However, for a while, they can’t use【Super Acceleration】. They would probably be ready to die when they
encounter it while it is on cooldown.
And in that situation, they started to hear the *GuchoGucho* sound without any time to rest.
「……ku!… it’s also coming from a different direction!」
「Here!」
They ran through left and right of the branching paths.
Maple removed her equipments and was carried by Sally.
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It was their usual style.
「As I’ve thought! That snail, it’s reacting to sounds!」
When the sound of Maple’s armor disappeared, the *GuchoGucho* sound that they could hear started to
go away.
「How is it? Is it there?」
「……I think it’s not anywhere nearby, I guess?」
「Haa〜……we’ve escaped……」
The three leaned against the wall.
It cannot be said that it is said in the middle of a path, but it is many times better than sitting on a dead
end.
「We should somehow… find the exit」
「Un, I guess so……」
Their goal was decided without any need to consult.
The longer they stay, the more dangerous it will be.
And for that, they need to find the exit quickly.
「It seems like this dungeon doesn’t have a boss……we should be content just finding a medal or an
equipment just like Maple……」
「Ahh, let’s do that. There is that snail… this dungeon’s concept is probably exploration」
「You mean like……this whole dungeon is a boss room?」
「Well, I guess so」
Finishing their conversation, Sally prepared to depart.
「Let’s go before we’re found. The entrance is from above……so I think that the exit’s below, I guess?」
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「That might be the case. It isn’t for sure though……」
「Then, let’s go down. It should be better than going up」
There were some paths that were slightly going down. They were planning on advancing through those
paths as soon as they find one.
The three went deeper and deeper.
Along the way, they were able to see the appearance of the snails.
Seeing them, Sally became sure.
To the fact that those snails are faster than Maple.
Meaning, they cannot escape them by running away normally.
In the case where they meet it in a corner.
There is a time lag before Sally carries Maple.
And if they are caught by its sticky liquid in that instant, they would get caught.
However, Sally would not be able to carry Maple if she was holding her large shield.
They wished that they would not encounter it at a very close range.
「Fuu〜……I should concentrate……」
Forcing her tired body, Sally heightened her concentration.
Sally’s reconnaissance is the three’s lifeline.
And after advancing very carefully trying to not make any sound, the appearance of the cave started to
change.
「How pretty……」
「Ahh…that’s true」
「I somehow feel a little at ease…」
The violet crystals in the walls were shining.
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Those things here and there could not be gathered, but the three’s third heart became a little healed
because of their fantastical light.
And in addition.
「The ceiling…became lower?」
As Sally has said, the ceiling became lower in some places. It was barely enough height for the snails to
pass through.
「But……the sound of the ground shaking became louder」
「Just thinking that the environment changed while their numbers increased, it would be more of an
advantage for us」
The three advanced.
The three wished to escape from this place today if possible.
While praying that they would not hear the *GuchoGucho* sound, they started exploring while being
careful of a pincer attack.
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「Well then… if there’s a safety area or not…」
Sally whispered.
Sally realized that she is starting to lose her concentration.
It is not strange if a fatal mistake would occur anytime.
And, the meaning of Sally who was in charge of reconnaissance having a mistake means the death of
everyone.
「I need to do my best…」
*PechiPechi*, she slapped her cheeks, tries to regain her spirits and heighten her hearing.
「I hear a faint sound from the left. There isn’t any problem to the right」
The other two tried to hear it, but they couldn’t hear it at all, hidden by the sound of the ground shaking.
It seems like they could not act as a substitute for her.
「Let’s hurry, it would be bad if it appears on the right」
「Ahh, I got it」
「Un, let’s go!」
The three of them advanced to the right path with a fast pace.
The appearance of the snail wasn’t there, and they were able to advance deeper.
If they had advanced to the left, at that time, they would have been found by the snail.
Sally’s reconnaissance had barely not lost its effects.
Advancing for a while, the three ended up in a dead end.
However, it was not completely a bad thing.
「Something’s there!」
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The place where Kasumi was pointing at was a large purple crystal.
And as if it was sealed within it, there was an old key and a cherry blossom shaped earring.
When the three approached it, that purple crystal had an HP Bar.
It means, it is possible to destroy it.
「It’s likely that we need the key… I think that we should take it…」
「Un, I think so too」
「Then… I’ll do it」
Kasumi drew her katana and made a stance.
「【Fourth of the Blades・Whirlwind】!」
She slashes twice upwards and twice downwards.
The high-speed consecutive attacks hits the crystal as if it was sucked into it.
The crystal was not able to endure those consecutive attacks, *Parin*, it broke together with the sound of
a glass breaking.
Kasumi picks up the key and earring that fell to the ground and checked it.
「The key……it doesn’t have a description. The earring is just an equipment. It doesn’t seem like it has
something to do on how to escape from here」
She said that, and let the other two check it.
「Un, it really seems so」
「The key… where should we use it?」
「Who knows…? For the meantime, this earring will be Kasumi’s」
Sally gave the earring to Kasumi.
After that, they talked for a while, and the key was also given to Kasumi.
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「Well then… let’s continue exploring」
This place was a dead end, it doesn’t have a place to runaway to.
The three moved back to where they came from in a hurry.
And, what the three found after turning back and continue exploring for a while was a side hole near the
ceiling.
That thing that was in the middle of the pathways was something that they did not see before.
It was natural for the three to think that there is something inside that.
「That, can we enter it?」
「U〜n……I think that we can’t reach it using【Leap】…」
【Leap】was not enough to enter that side hole placed 10 meters from the ground.
And when the three was thinking, that time.
「………wait, be quiet! …it came!」
Sally had heard the *GuchoGucho* sounds with her ears.
On top of that, it was coming from both sides.
「I was cautious to not get in the middle!」
They were not caught in the middle not once up until now, the chances of meeting them were slim from
the start, and Sally had completely read their positions.
The sounds where the sounds of the ground shaking were coming from, she had guessed their distance
from them using that, and she was able to choose the best pathway.
And right now, that crumbled for the first time.
She had read wrongly the movement of one snail.
「We can only enter through that hole…!」
「Sally, use【Leap】! I’ll do something about the rest!」
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There was already no time on hearing what Kasumi was planning.
The snails have appeared from both sides.
「【Leap】!」
Sally prayed that they might have reached it, but it was really not enough, counting the weight of
additional two people.
「【Third of the Blades・Lone Moon】!」
Kasumi’s body accelerated mid-air.
Being supported by the system, Kasumi’s body launched upwards.
Of course, pulling the two with her.
Kasumi’s body spins once in the air leaving the effect of the slash, and fell while advancing forward.
That was just exactly where the hole was.
The three plunged into the hole as if to roll in it. Sally immediately checked the snails below.
The snails tried to spurt out their sticky liquid, but it seems like it couldn’t reach them.
「Doesn’t seem like they have ways to come up… I think」
Sally was relieved, fell to the ground and leaned her back on the crystal wall.
「Haha… thank goodness it worked……」
「Thanks, Kasumi. We couldn’t reach it with just my【Leap】」
「Un! It was amazing!」
「The time of getting stiff when Lone Moon misses is very long, you know……if we couldn’t reach it, I
wouldn’t have been able to move and we’d get defeated by the snails… it was also a gamble for me」
Her gamble paid off.
Thanks to that, the three were able to have their long awaited break.
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The hole wasn’t large enough for the snail to enter.
「It’s also good to rest, but… would you like to take a glance ahead? There’s no guarantee that there would
be no other monsters…」
「………I guess so. That should be good too. I have completely thought that there are only snail monsters
here」
「Un, I also agree with that」
The three agreed.
The three stood up, and advanced through the hole.
The hole was connected to a circular hall.
It was about 5 meters away from the ground, and the room has six pathways.
Just looking from far away, one can tell that it was high enough for a snail to pass through.
And, about right ahead of the hole the three were in, there was a wall with a door.
Its size was 2 meters high.
It wasn’t a giant door for boss rooms up until now.
「Is that the exit?」
「Wait a second. 【Far Vision】! ………there is a keyhole. Most probably, the key earlier should be for that.
I’m sure that there’s something in there」
「Then……you wanna go? There isn’t any sound of snails coming from the paths too」
「Really?」
「Are you sure?」
Being told by the two, Sally checked again with her ears.
She couldn’t hear the sounds coming from any pathways.
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She listened carefully for several minutes, but in the end, she couldn’t her the sounds of the snails.
「It’s alright. I couldn’t hear anything」
「Then……let’s go」
The three jumped down to the ground.
Maple and Kasumi trust Sally’s reconnaissance ability.
Sally have absolute confidence in her own ability.
And there was no mistake from the answer that she had using that ability.
There were no snails coming from the pathways, noーーthere was no monsters at all.
However, as a conclusion.
They should have really taken a break in the hole they were before.
They didn’t notice that their thinking had narrowed.
That’s right.
The three did not think that the environment would change as soon as they go down at all.
The crystal grew at a fast pace, blocking the hole.
And from all the pathways, they started to hear that sound.
That disgusting *GuchoGucho* sound.
「T-This is bad!」
「What should we do!」
「Let’s run for it! That’s all we can do!」
Maple was fully equipped right now.
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However, they have no time to wait for her to remove her equipments. The snails had already started to
crawl out of the pathways.
The distance to the door was 25 meters.
It was not a significant distance, but the three felt like it was so far away.
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「「【Super Acceleration】!」」
Sally and Kasumi’s body suddenly accelerated and approached the door while pulling Maple. Three snails
appeared on each side, and two snails appeared diagonally ahead.
There was no way that those two snails would let the three of them go toward the door, and obstructing
their way by scattering their sticky liquid.
「Ku…! to the left!」
「Yeah!」
Sally and Kasumi instinctively changed their direction to the place where the ground is okay.
Maple was being dragged so she is unable to do the same thing, so she took care of the sticky liquid by
using【Bizarre Eater(Akujiki)】.
The snail’s speed is above Maple’s but they far off Sally and Kasumi’s speed.
As long as they could avoid the sticky liquid, it is very easy to reach the door.
「Yosh! Kasumi!」
「Yeah! Leave it to me!」
Kasumi quickly took out the key from her inventory and tried to put it in the lock.
But at that time.
「Uwwa!!」
*Picha*, with that sound, something reached out from the snail.
That thing that is best described as tentacles stole the key from her hand.
After the tentacles had placed the key on top of the its head, it went back inside its body.
「W-We need to take it back!」
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「We can’t reach it with【Leap】…!」
It was a possible height if it was only Sally, but it is impossible with Maple and Kasumi.
「We can’t just stay here! It’s coming!」
The snails slowly approached. They would get hit by the sticky liquid if they just stayed there. Also, those
tentacles might reach out again.
「Kasumi! What about【Lone Moon】?!」
「It’s impossible unless there’s a chance! I’ll get defeated while I get stiff!」
While that happened, the ground gradually got covered by sticky liquid.
There is not much time left.
「………Sally! Let’s charge straight towards the side hole!」
It was Maple who raised her voice. Sally looked at Maple, and she saw a certain confidence in her eyes.
「…I got it, let’s try it!」
She dashed together with Kasumi.
To return to the side hole, they must pass through the snails.
The snails have already surrounded the three.
「Leave this one to me! 【Sixth of the Blades・Homura】!」
The blazing blade was swung down and the flames broke through the snails.
There was no damage but she knew that it would have an intimidating effect for an instant. It was only for
an instant, but it was enough for this situation.
After the three had broken through, the snails followed them.
「As I’ve thought! Their movements are simple!」
It was exactly as Maple said.
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The snails followed exactly the route that the three passed through.
The other two understood without saying what Maple wanted to do after that.
「【Leap】!」
「【Third of the Blades・Lone Moon】!」
「【Hydra】!」
Each of the three’s skill completed their own task.
Maple made the snails flinch, and at that chance, they reached the snail’s shell part thanks to Kasumi and
Sally.
Maple’s skill helped Kasumi pass her time of getting stiff.
「If it’s here, there’s no sticky liquid! …also」
Sally looked ahead and saw the snails approaching, moving similarly.
One of them has the key on its head.
By running at a straight line, the snails chasing after them and the door are almost in the same line.
Luckily, the snail that has the key seemed to be late, and its body is a little on the side.
「We’re going to go and get the key without being obstructed by the shell now!」
「【Leap】!」
Because the position of the shell is higher than its head, they were able to steal the key by jumping down.
「Yosh!」
「Hurry!」
However, the state of the ground that they landed on was too bad so the loss of time was inevitable.
They were able to reach the door but they allowed the snail to give time to reach out its tentacles and
scatter sticky liquid.
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Even so.
「【Cover】!」
Maple blocked that using her large shield.
Maple who is defending would not allow any attack pass her by.
「I won’t let it happen twice!」
「Yosh! It opened!」
When Sally opened the door, they entered the room as if to roll inside.
The next instant they entered the room, the door disappeared, and the possibility of being attacked by the
snail from earlier also disappeared.
And, at the same time, the chains that bound the three broke into pieces and disappeared.
That only means that they have cleared the dungeon.
「Fu〜……we survived…」
「Yeah… I’m tired……」
「I don’t want to see snails anytime soon…」
There are four treasure boxes in this room, and one magic circle.
「The treasure box……let’s open it」
「Yes! Let’s do that」
The three of them opened a treasure box each.
「It’s a spear here〜!」
「I got a large shield」
「It’s a staff in mine」
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The three of them took out what’s inside and showed it to each other. The only thing that is useful within
the three is the large shield.
「Maple, it’s Maple who should get this. There’s nothing that I can use it for…」
Kasumi said and gave the large shield to Maple.
「Is it okay?」
「Yeah, I do not mind」
Although it is not enough for an exchange, Maple and Sally gave her the spear and the staff.
「Fumu……it’s a good equipment」
Kasumi whispered seeing the equipment’s stats.
It had stats that players who can equip it would really like.
「There’s still one treasure box remaining too」
Sally went to the remaining treasure box.
The other to followed her as well, and peeked behind Sally who is opening the box.
「n〜… three scrolls, that’s it」
She checked whether there is a medal, and took out the scrolls from the treasure box.
「They’re all the same scroll. It can make you learn the【Encourage】skill」
Sally gave the two scrolls.
Putting that on their inventories, the work in this room is finished.
「Well, let’s go out then?」
「Alright… this cave was so troublesome〜… I’m tired」
The three of them entered the magic circle and left the cave.
The reason why they were able to safely leave this cave was thanks to each of their uniqueness.
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If they were not able to cover their missing parts, the results might have been different.
The three returned to the desert before.
「Haa〜… it’s the night sky…」
「It’s not like we were in there that long though」
「Yeah, but for some reason, I’m happy」
The night sky that they were not able to see inside the cave is full of the sense of liberation.
「Oh wait… we, we planned on fighting Kasumi but…… I don’t feel like fighting anymore」
Sally did not feel on asking for a fight after cooperating with each other.
Of course, Maple thinks so as well.
「I also don’t feel like fighting… well, I didn’t do so in the first place」
「I know! If it’s like that, let’s register as friends!」
「n, I do not mind」
After finishing registering friends with each other, the three of them lied on the ground and looked up to
the sky.
Whether is it because of their tired or from relief, they thought of being like that for a while.
「Kasumi… what are you planning after this?」
「Let me see… for the meantime, I think I’ll go on different ways from you two. We registered as friends
too, so we can still meet after this event」
「It’s okay to go with us though…」
「Un, it’s okay!」
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「Haha… I’m happy, but I’ll refrain from it. If two golden medals are in one place, the amount of battle will
increase too」
What Kasumi said were right.
Other players know that Kasumi and Maple have a golden medal.
Of course, there are many who targets that.
The more it is if there was two of them.
「I see… it’s too bad, but it can’t be helped huh」
「Yeah…… yo, tto! I’ll go now」
Kasumi stood up and brushes of the sand.
「Do your best okay!」
「The two of you too」
Kasumi waved her hand to the two on last time, and left them.
Just like that, the strange cooperative fight closed its curtains.
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Chapter 41 Defense Specialized and The Fifth
Day of the Event
「Let’s go too」
「I guess so」
A while after Kasumi left, the two stood up.
Their goal is to find a place to sleep tonight.
「We must leave the desert first…」
It is very dangerous to sleep in the desert where they do not have anything to protect themselves.
The two started to walk.
「It’s so vast〜……」
「I agree……」
Although they went over and over sand dunes, the same scenery only continues.
There are huge sand dunes here and there making it hard to see far away so they do not know where to
go to leave the desert.
Also, it was not like there were no monsters.
Honestly, the two of them were wishing to avoid battles.
「You like to rest for a while after going over this sand dune?」
They used their hands to climb the steep slope.
And after that, the scenery there was a little different to that up until now.
「There’s no sand dunes?」
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「It’s so flat!」
It is a desert that has no undulations that have spread ahead of them.
There is not even one sand dune, and if it was during the night, they must have been able to see far away.
「You want to go this side?」
「Let’s do that! This one looks easier to walk on」
With their opinions agreeing, the two of them slid down the dune and started to walk again.
「If it was during the day, we might have seen something」
「That’s true. How many days are left in the event again?」
「Three days. And our goal is to collect 9 more medals within that」
「U〜n… isn’t it a little difficult?」
「It might be so, if we don’t PK or something」
「U〜n…… I see」
There was no other way if she insisted, but the difficulty would be the same as finding dungeons because
they do not know whether the opponent has a medal or not.
「Well, let’s think about that when we meet players. If they are planning on fighting, we only need to
defeat them instead」
「Un, I guess so」
The two continued to walk on the very vast desert.
It is dark so they cannot see well ahead, but because they started to hear the sounds of shaking leaves,
they were able to guess that the end of the desert has come.
「We don’t know what kind of monsters are there, so be careful」
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「Okay〜!」
About 30 minutes advancing inside the dark forest.
The two found a cave.
「Let’s go inside. And if it is shallow, let’s us it as a base」
「I’ll go first」
The two thought that it might be a deep cave, but it was only a simple cave extending 5 meters deep.
The two laid down, finally able to take their rest.
「Ah〜… I’m so tired today」
「Me too……」
The two of them called their own partners.
There is the reason for removing stress, but it is also because they felt sorry for them, neglecting them
because there were no opportunities to call them out.
「I’m sorry for not letting you go out」
「I’ll let you level up seriously after the event ends okay」
The two said that, and patted their two familiars, making it happy.
「How about stopping for today, with the forest exploration as the start tomorrow?」
「I’m fine with that」
They decided to take turns on sleeping, and slept early. They wanted to rest as much as they could in this
day.
Each of them hugged Syrup and Oboro and fell asleep.
6 o’clock in the next day.
They are somewhat relieved from their fatigue, and the two’s motivation for exploring returned.
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After finishing a light breakfast, they left the cave and started to explore the forest.
「Turn over a new leaf! Let’s go with fighting spirits!」
「Ohh〜!」
They have explored forests many times up until now, but this forest was an ordinary forest.
And the reason for that is, searching for about two hours, they were not able to find anything.
「We don’t know the special condition it needs too……」
「Would you like to, leave this forest now?」
Sally thought for a while with Maple’s suggestion, and nodded to show affirmation.
「Where should we go?」
「It’s not like we can turn back so, let’s just move ahead. There might be places that have yet to be
explored too」
The two’s way of exploration is to explore the deep parts, so they do not know whether or not there is
something in near the entrance of the forest.
However, it could be said that that would be wishful.
Whether it be dungeon or a normal field, important things are hidden in the deep, and with strong
monsters protecting them.
There is no reason to place medals in treasure box near the entrance.
And when they approached the entrance of the forest, the two felt something.
「The sound of waves?」
「Un, I can also hear it」
They saw the end of the forest, and up ahead, the two saw completely white sand and a magnificent sea.
Various kinds of fishes joyfully swam deep under the clear sea, and there were beautiful corals as if they
were flowers blooming, coloring the sea.
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A small island could be seen far away.
The light of the sun reflects on the sea surface, it was shining.
「Oh〜… it’s the sea this time huh〜… this field is really wide〜」
「There’s so many things so it’s fun!」
Within this 5 days, the two explored many places like grassland, forest, snow mountain, and caves.
But even so, they were able to meet new landscapes so it is very worth exploring.
The reason why the two were able to meet so many sceneries was mostly because the two of them are
eager to explore.
Every day, the continued to explore for many hours, and as a result, they are able to meet new dungeons
and landscapes.
And it was because the two of them were lucky that the dungeon was yet to be captured.
「But… I can’t explore in the sea〜」
「For the meantime, I’ll go explore underwater okay」
「Un, do your best」
*BashaBasha*, Sally entered the sea and after taking a deep breath, she dives.
Sally can dive for a maximum of 40 minutes.
She would not be coming out for a while.
「What should I do while waiting… I can’t fish properly too〜… we explored the forest as well… u〜n,
should I search around whether there is something buried in the sand?」
Saying that, Maple started to digging sand.
Changing places, under the sea, Sally was fascinated by the jewel-like fishes.
It was such a beautiful sight.
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And because all that she could look at the day before were sticky snails, the more that they looked
beautiful.
However, she cannot be just looking at them. She investigates the spaces between the corals and under
the sand in the bottom of the sea.
It’s a work that will take a considerable amount of time without skills, but with Sally’s skill build, it is
possible to do it quickly.
「Puha…! Yossh, 1 medal get! Are there only a few people who have【Diving】and【Swimming】? It looks like
it would be hard to explore in the deep parts」
There was no need to dive to her limits, so she came up once to take a breath.
There are several places in between the corals that continue deep, and the medal from earlier was fount
there.
Sally searched those places intensively.
Because it is that kind of places that has medals or equipments.
The shallow parts seem to have been already explored, so she searched in the deep parts.
As a result, she was able to find another medal.
「Fuu〜…… after that is… that island, I think?」
Sally swam towards the island.
That island in the distance where it is impossible for Maple to come to is small, and other than the stairs
that continue underground in the middle, there was only one coconut tree.
「For the meantime… let’s go and check」
Sally carefully went down the stairs.
Going down for about a hundred steps, there was an ordinary wooden door.
It does not look as if it is sealed nor has a lock. There is also no magic circles.
Sally carefully opened that.
And, she was surprised to the scenery inside.
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There is a beautiful semicircular dome inside.
And in the middle.
There is a familiar old shrine standing silently together with a magic circle.
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Chapter 42 Defense Specialized and Sea and
Sandy Beach
「Uwwa… there’s still something like that……」
Sally whispered as she checked the magic circle and the shrine.
What she points with “that” is of course, the monster bird. Honestly, she wanted to avoid fighting at that
level of enemy if possible.
「For the meantime, I should return and… ask Maple’s opinion」
Sally walked back to the stairs, and went above the ground.
Sally have been very focused on her diving exploration that she had never turned around, so here for the
first time, she noticed the beach’s situation.
「Maple… what are you doing……」
She could tell even from the small island.
There was a huge sand castle that easily exceeds Sally’s height created there.
「I should… return first…」
*Bashan*, Sally who dove into the sea returned to the beach in a hurry.
「Uwa…… looking closely, it’s big〜」
It is twice Sally’s height.
And from inside, she could hear sounds of people having fun.
When she reached its entrance and peeked from there, there was another person besides Maple.
Red curly hair and spade-shaped earrings, white fair skin and red eyes the same with the hair color.
Height is only a little taller than Maple.
Other than the earring equipments, all of the other equipments look as basic gear in a glance.
The characteristic is that, it seem that there is no weapon equipped.
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There is no large shield nor sword or staff.
From how it looks, there was weapon equipped.
And that person that Sally have never seen is playing Othello with Maple.
「Ah〜! No!」
「Here, perfect〜」
The board is full of white.
The color Maple chose is the same color with the equipments that she is proud of.
In short, black. She completely lost.
Maple who was frustrated about it noticed Sally and stood up.
「Welcome back, Sally〜!」
「Eh, ahh, un. That’s good but……who?」
「I’m Kanade. I played with Maple from earlier making a castle of sand」
「It was really fun right〜」
「Right〜」
Sally felt somehow that the two of them are similar.
Their thought patterns must be similar and the two got along with each other instantly.
「Is it okay?」
「I think it’s fine. Right, Kanade?」
「After all, I’m level 5 you know? I’m not bragging but, I’m weak you know?」
Saying that, Kanade showed the status to Sally.
Being level 5 was true.
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「I-Is it okay? Letting me see so easily?」
「It’s fine, it’s fine. You’re Sally-san, Maple’s party member right? Then it’s alright!」
Sally did not know what happened while she was exploring, but it seems that Maple has earned
significant trust.
And it was also the same otherwise.
Sally also registered as friends with Kanade being pushed by Maple.
Saying that Maple and Kanade are already registered as friends.
「n〜…… you can just call me Sally. Well, if Maple says that it’s okay, fine then. Also……」
「Also?」
「If you attack us, it seems that I can defeat you easily」
Saying that, Sally showed her dagger.
「I-I’ll swear I won’t do such a thing, un」
There is also Kanade around, but Sally told Maple about the dungeon from earlier.
「Eh〜…… I don’t wanna go……」
「I feel the same. But, no one knows what’s inside so… it’s worth entering」
「U〜n…… I see」
The two thought deeply on what to do, but the one who broke the silence was no other than Kanade.
「If so, I’ll take a look for you! The start point only has a distance of 100 meters from here too」
It was a suggestion with dying as a prerequisite.
The other two said that it was all right without doing that, but Kanade went quickly.
*BashaBasha*, swimming until his appearance became small.
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「There’s the【Swimming I】too… so I think that it’s enough to reach there though…」
「W-Will it be okay?」
「I don’t know〜…」
The two, seeing the appearance of reaching the small island, thought of something.
「I think that there should be a terrible monster〜…」
「Just like that monster bird from before?」
「That’s right!」
However, those were only prediction. Maybe, the destination after teleporting is a room with overflowing
treasures.
「If they’re treasures, then Kanade would take it huh?」
「Well, that’s true」
There is no choice of not taking it back if one is in front of a treasure.
And the next teleport destination after that cannot be predicted so they cannot chase.
「Ah〜, I died, I died」
At that time, Kanade came out of the forest.
Without hearing the report, the two understood the abilities of the monster inside.
It was because the situation is very similar to the time with the monster bird.
「I shall start my report, Maple-dono」
「Hohou, I’m listening?」
It was a weird flow, but Sally also does it sometimes so she could not say anything.
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「The destination after teleporting is underwater. Adding to that, my movements became dull when I was
in that water, so I was crushed by a giant squid without being able to do anything」
「I see……then it’s impossible!」
First, if it is underwater, on top of Maple being unable to participate, if the stage is filled with water just
like Sally’s【Ocean】, then Sally’s evasion skills would not be of use.
They did not need to force themselves to challenge.
Courage and recklessness are different things.
「Let’s give up this time」
「I also think so」
「Let’s end it here after exploring the sea for a while」
Sally looked at the sea while stretching.
There should be some places that she has yet to explore too.
「Want me to help you? I can give you the medals if I find some?」
It was a no-risk high-return suggestion, but normally, such a good suggestion does not exist.
「Kanade, are you serious?」
「Well, I’m fine as long as I have this」
Saying that, Kanade took out a Rubik’s cube.
「That is?」
「This is, my reward from an event you know. There was a magic circle connected to a flying island flying
around the forest behind…… though it already disappeared since I cleared it. Anyways, it’s a staff that I
got from there」
「That rubik’s cube is a staff?!」
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「That’s right. The teleport destination was an ancient library and… there was a jigsaw puzzle in certain
room there. This came out when I finished it. It took me 4 days though」
The Rubik’s cube floats on top of Kanade’s palm while releasing a faint light.
「This adds a skill」
「He〜… it’s the same with out equipments huh」
「It’s skill name is【Akashic Records】, it’s an interesting skill」
「What does it do?」
Kanade was about to answer Maple’s question, but thought twice.
「If there’s a time where we could become party members, I’ll tell you」
To that mischievous smile, Maple understood that asking furthermore was useless.
「n〜… party right now is, impossible I think〜…」
「I see〜, that’s too bad」
Kanade smiled joyfully.
Did not look down at all.
Kanade is a different kind of player compared to those that they have met up until now, Kanade is a
player that has an ungraspable unique air.
「I want to meet after the event ends too〜」
「It’s fine though? At that time, let’s play Othello again!」
「The discussion is finished too, so, I’ll go explore okay」
「I’ll go too, I think that I would be some help?」
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Sally and Kanade walked towards the sea.
This time for sure, Maple seriously explored the beach.
The result, there was nothing.
The exploration both to the sea and the beach has ended, but they did not find a significant thing.
If so, it could be said that the two has finished all their tasks in this area.
They parted ways with Kanade, and searched for a new place to explore.
「Do your best〜!」
「See you later〜!」
They said goodbyes and left.
「What an interesting but mysterious person〜」
「Is that so? I’m used to looking at Maple after all〜…」
「W-What do you mean by that?!!!」
For the meantime, the two decided to advance as the coastline goes.
It was because it is the best judgment where they would not have any place to get lost into.
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Chapter 43 Defense Specialized and Coastal
Exploration
Sally and Maple are walking on the coastal line.
This is the outer circumference of the island of the event this time.
This island is surrounded by the sea.
And, there are several floating islands in the sky.
「There’s a library on one of those huh〜… that place is also a part of the field huh」
Maple whispered while staring at the sky.
Although it could be said that they are floating around the island, the floating island that is at a distance
far away, 6 of them could be seen from their place. There might be others hiding behind the mountain
area where the monster bird was so they cannot tell the specific number.
In other words, excluding the island where a library is that Kanade said, there are still five floating islands
that could be explored.
「Well, it might have already been explored though」
「If it’s dungeon clear just by finishing the【Jigsaw Puzzle that can be completed within four days】… it
might end quickly with the two of us!」
「Though we don’t know if there’s a similar dungeon」
「That’s true, but… I just thought that there’s also dungeons like that huh〜」
Maple and Sally have only encountered battle-type dungeons, so it seems that Maple wants to go to a
dungeon that could be cleared by exploring or solving puzzles.
「It depends on our luck whether we’ll find one, I think」
「That’s true」
While continuing their conversation, the two continued to advance through the coastline.
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A normal forest is only continuing on their side and there was no monster that appears.
The only change was the battle against the huge crab-type monsters that comes out from time to time.
Other than that, they are just walking.
And one hour advancing just like that.
The beach ended and the ground started to have a slope.
They gradually took distance from the sea and it changes to a cliff.
「Maple, don’t fall okay?」
「I-It’s alright〜!」
The path is not narrow at all and the other side is just a forest.
It is not like they are walking as if they were sticking to walls so as long as nothing absurd happens, they
would not fall.
「Well, Maple won’t die even if she falls though」
「But, I can’t climb up」
Anyways, the only need to not fall.
Another two hours of walking.
The forest that continued for a long time on their side disappeared, and ruins made out of old stone
bricks with moss appeared to their right.
It was a terrain that really seemed to have something.
The stone bricks that have extended from the ruins passed ahead of the two and continued up to the edge
of the cliff.
And there, several stones were standing, surrounding the pedestal in the center.
「There’s something right?」
「Unless it’s already been explored」
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The two walked towards the ruins.
They searched each of the tattered buildings but could not find anything.
But even so, they continued to explore thinking of the possibility of a hidden room, and finally, a change
happened to the two’s exploration.
「Oh… to」
When Sally was about to come out of the ruins, she suddenly hid her body.
Maple also followed Sally.
There were three players there.
Compared to the players that Maple and Sally have met up until now, they seem to be wearing good
equipments.
Although it cannot be compared to the unique series, their equipment was decently good.
Their levels must be decent as well.
They are quite close. Maple and Sally might be found if they make some noise.
「What will we do?」
Maple whispered into Sally’s ear.
Doing such, they would not be able to hear.
「It’s fine to fight them, and it’s fine to not… if we’re going to fight… it’s fine with me alone, and it’s fine to
fight together with Maple」
It looks like the choice where Maple would go by herself does not exist.
And there, the players started to say interesting things.
「Hey, that book, do you know what it says?」
「No, it’s too tattered that only parts could be read… I can tell that it has something to do with water, but
the place of【Ancient Heart】is……」
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「Man, I’ll count on you alright, that book is a special item that drops during death… hurry up and decode
it」
「I know already」
Saying that, they walked towards the place that seems to be their base.
It looks like they did not notice Maple and Sally.
They went away.
「Maple. I want to defeat those players… but, they have that book so they’re probably going to focus on
running away. That’s why…」
Sally quickly whispered the plan to Maple’s ear.
「……I got it. Is it alright?」
「Fufufu, of course!」
The players were walking away.
If they took any more distance, they would lose sight of them.
Maple and Sally started their plan.
「Yay〜!! It’s the fifth medal〜!」
A girl’s voice echoed in the ruins.
Hearing that voice, the three players hide into the shadows while turning around.
If it were true, they would want to hunt it.
However, they do not know the strength of their opponent.
Because of that, they were planning on observing the owner of the voice.
It was one girl who came out of the shadows while skipping.
The girl who had a wide smile was equipped with a blue muffler and leggings with a darker color. With
her beautiful equipments, there was no doubt that she would gather attention.
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However, when it comes to her whole body, it was not like that.
The other equipments are that of a beginner.
It is the clothes when one has not equipped anything.
There is no status bonus at all.
They also knew that her shoes are that of a beginner.
「It’s obviously beginner equips. She has some good equipments in parts… but she probably just got them
from this event. I can still remember when I was a beginner. That randomness of the equips is……」
「But… we don’t know whether or not she really has a medal」
When the players were continuing to observe her like that, the girl operated her monitor and took out
something.
Those were, 5 medals.
「Ufufufu… only half more, only half more〜!」
That must be her daily routine.
She sat on a broken stone brick and observed the medals one by one, and after gripping it delightfully,
she returned them to her inventory.
「It’s for sure now. Let’s go」
「Yeah, let’s crush her」
When the three jumped out of their covers, the girl was startled and looked towards the three.
The girl stood up and slowly took distance while she holds her dagger.
「W-What is it?」
「Sorry okay? We also want medals」
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「………!!」
When the girl was about to run away, the three surrounded her to block her escape route.
The girl seems to have no ways to take care of the players who were slowly closing in on her, she was
looking around with her knees shaking.
「Attack!」
「「Yeah!」」
The three swung their own weapons.
There was no way that the dagger that was swung desperately could block that and their weapons sunk
into the girl’s body.
The three of them pictured about the medals.
However.
The medals were not there.
The girl disappeared as if she was an illusion.
「「「Ha?」」」
As if to cover up their surprise, damage effects were raised from one of the players.
Twice, thrice.
He was slashed continuously while stunned.
And that, became a fatal wound.
「Sorry okay? I also want the book」
Saying that, the one who was about to pick up the dropped book was the weak girl that they thought of
hunting.
「Ha? D-Don’t mess around!」
To the absurdity of the situation, the player lost his composure and slashed using his skill, but it was
avoided as if it was the sword that dodged.
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The girl is holding a dagger with each hand.
And using those, she cuts the hand that slashed towards her while dodging.
「GHUAA?!」
When he flinched, the girl picked up the book, placed it in her inventory and ran away.
「W-Wait!」
The man who chased after the girl while scattering damage effects,
In the next instant, he scattered fresh blood-like effects from his abdomen and became a light.
The girl who was running suddenly disappeared and appeared playing with her dagger in the place
where the man was killed.
「It isn’t good to get fooled twice you know〜」
「Ha? Eh? W-What just……」
The remaining one was whispering something, unable to accept the situation.
And in that situation, the girl.
Or rather, Sally, there was no way that she would get defeated.
「Byebye」
After a while, the remaining one became light and disappeared.
Sally does not know where their starting points are, but she knows that they would not be able to recover
the book.
「If you can’t win against me… you can’t defeat Maple after all」
Maple ran towards Sally.
「How was it? I did it well right?」
「Un! Sally who was a bit different from usual was interesting!」
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「You don’t need to look at that!」
「Ne〜, can you say “Yay〜!” while skipping again!」
「I won’t do that! I won’t! Rather than that, let’s check out the loot?」
「……I’ll let it pass for just now〜」
「…that’s great. ……acting differently than usual is really embarrassing〜」
Sally decided that she will not do such thing unless she really needs to.
The two started to check the things that they got from the battle just now.
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Chapter 44 Defense Specialized and Ruins
Exploration
The things that they got from the battle this time, first is the book which is their foremost objective.
And other than that, 3 medals.
It could be said that they were very lucky.
It is because players who have 3 medals would avoid battles with high-level players as much as possible.
They probably ran away if Sally appeared wearing her usual equipment.
The five medals which were more than the three medals that the players who lost have, it succeeded in
stealing the three’s composure.
They probably could not resist the temptation of having three times the medals at once.
「The hunter, gets hunted……I guess」
After saying that, Sally took out that old book from her inventory.
「Well then, let’s read it?」
「Un! Let’s do that!」
The two girls sat on the stone bricks and took a peek at the book.
It was in tatters, and they were not able to read each page properly, but when they skimmed the pages,
they found a part that they were able to read.
「【Ancient Heart】, guided by the spring water, within the faint lights, that shall appear. Oh Hero, cast out
that evil, bring peace to the sea」
「What does it mean?」
「Spring water has something to do with the【Ancient Heart】… we probably can go to a dungeon if we
have that? It’s like there would also be a battle」
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「……since it’s saying spring water… a fountain or something?」
The two girls found four fountains as the result of exploring the ruins.
There is a huge fountain in the middle of the ruins, and small fountains a little far from there.
The top of the fountain was made out of a diamond-shaped red crystal and was very beautiful.
Although, it has withered without the sign of any water.
「For the meantime, let’s test the huge fountain in the middle」
The two girls reached the huge fountain after a little walk.
And then, Sally seemed to have thought of something and stood on the basin herself.
「【Ocean】!」
Water spread from Sally’s feet.
It fills the basin.
Together with that, the fountain started to shine with a faint blue color.
「Ohh?!」
「How is it?」
However, that light gradually faded away.
The water that filled the basin also disappeared as if it was absorbed by the fountain.
They tried to listen with their ears, but there were no sounds of something activating.
「n〜… nothing happens?」
「… I guess so. But, I think there’s something in this fountain」
「Un, I also think so. Let’s test the other fountains」
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The two girls tested that on the other fountains, but other than releasing a faint light, no change
happened.
「Sally, we haven’t read that book till the end right? Let’s try reading it again?」
「……let’s do that. There might be other hints」
The two started to read the book once again after being stuck. They carefully looked at each page, but
still, they did not find words that they could read.
And, they finally reached the chapter where they stopped reading.
「The faint light is that light of the fountain, and that was enough for the spring water…」
They were not able to think of anything new although they tried to think about it, and turned the page to
leave that aside.
「Oh?!」
「This……a picture?」
The last page.
Although it was in tatters, there was a picture drawn there.
「A pot? …no, a water jar?」
Around the four fountains, people were drawn while holding a pot-like thing. Some round thing is floating
on the top part of the picture. That was dyed with red.
「This is, the【Ancient Heart】?」
Maple said as she pointed at the red circle.
「……it might be so. n〜 …we need to place water jars around or something? I don’t get it…」
The two girls thought deeply while they groaned, but the information they got from the picture was too
vague that they could not connect it to an idea.
「Let’s take a break. We won’t be able to think of anything if we continue like this」
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「That is true」
The two girls sat in the center of the ruins and loosened up.
It is easier to relax being in a place with a clear view rather than hiding in a weird place because it is easy
to notice the approaching players.
「Including today, there are only 3 days left in the event huh〜…」
Sally whispered.
The event has passed its turning point. There is only a little time remaining.
「I think that it was a very, veeery dense four days you know? It might be denser than the playstyle we did
up until now!」
「Ahaha, that’s true!」
Defeating the Goblin King, spent a night in the forest where wandering ghosts appear, fought and defeat a
monster bird with overwhelming strength in the snowy mountains and receive Syrup and Oboro, and
after that, exploration in the bamboo forest.
There was also the fight against their imitations, and they explored the dungeon in the desert while
running away from the snails together with Kasumi.
They were able to get a new connection with the encounter with Kanade at sea, and they also gained a
medal.
Just like Maple has said, these two girls have spent the event with very dense contents.
「Exploring this ruins… and another dungeon should be enough」
「We’re going to use the whole fifth day at this ruins?」
「Un, let’s move with that in mind. It might take just that long」
The two girls ended their break moderately and started to explore the ruins again.
Unlike the first time, they were planning on spending time and find underground or hidden rooms.
The reason is the old picture from earlier.
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The two girls guessed that the water jugs that was drawn in the picture might be somewhere in the ruins.
The water jugs are going to be needed to reproduce the situation in the picture.
They cannot tell whether that picture is absolutely right, but that is the only clue that the two girls have
right now.
They continued to explore with the two of them or split from time to time, but in the end, the sun was
about to set without them being able to find anything.
「Let’s stay under some roof」
「Let’s do that」
The two girls took their meal while disappointed that they were not able to get results like they expected.
「There was really nothing〜」
「……there might be a different change when the night comes, so… you want to take turns and explore?」
「Un, okay!」
The reason why the two of them are not exploring at the same time, with one of them resting, is because
the exploration for tomorrow still remains.
They learned very well during the escape from the snails that they must move with leeway or else they
would make mistakes.
After they had talked for a while after eating dinner, Sally went out to explore first.
「Be careful〜!」
「I’m going」
Maple called Syrup and played. There was nothing else to do.
However, resting is a proper job for certain times.
Since the two of them decided it, she cannot break their promise and go explore by herself.
After a while, Sally returned.
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And from how she seemed, she did not have any result. Her expression did not look well.
And after that, Maple departed after a while.
They repeated that many times and Maple’s turn came again.
「I’ll go now okay」
「Un, I hope you find something…」
Maple explored inside the ruins.
The first place she went to is the huge fountain.
She went to the huge fountain first, every time.
And after that, she would check the smaller fountains while walking around.
Maple looked up to the sky.
「What a beautiful moon……」
The full moon in the sky showered the ground with a faint smile.
She would not be able to feel the moon shine so bright like this because the world in reality is full of the
light of electricity.
Maple walked towards the passage connecting to the huge fountain.
「n?」
Maple stopped.
The huge fountain has the change that they have been waiting for.
The fountain, it faintly shines without the two girls doing anything.
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Chapter 45 Defense Specialized and Ancient
Heart
Maple immediately called Sally using the message function.
Sally rushed up to the huge fountain without a minute passing.
「Oh〜… it’s shining〜」
「Un, I thought that there’s something」
Sally entered the basin and activated【Ocean】.
「The light got stronger, but… it looks like there’s no use」
All of the【Ocean】got sucked in.
Sally drops her shoulder because there was no advancement again, but Maple seemed to have thought of
something and started talking.
「What about… the same time? Look! There are four fountains drawn in the picture too!」
「That’s true… but, it would be impossible to catch up making water. It’s impossible even if【Super
Acceleration】was used」
「Since nothing’s gonna change like this… would you like to try?」
「Eh? What?」
「It’s not only Sally who can make【Liquids】」
Maple said and told Sally about the plan she thought of.
「Eh!……I, see. Un… that’s right. Let’s just try」
Sally activated【Ocean】in the basin once again.
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But a moment before that, Maple shouted.
「【Hydra】!」
That is right, poison is also liquid.
And this Poison Dragon has three heads.
Each of them shot towards the small fountains that the basin itself was sunk.
On top of not knowing whether it should be at the same time, the two girls do not know whether it must
absolutely be water as well.
However, even so, they still had to test it.
The reason for that has something to do with the time that this event occurs.
The time is almost 12 midnight.
Since they do not know when the lights shining would end, the next one will be the sixth day’s night.
They could not afford to wait that long.
Maple’s plan was full of holes, but it would seem that God was their ally this time.
「Uwwa?!」
「So bright…!!」
A flashing light reached out from the three fountains to the huge fountain.
The huge fountain’s light became stronger and stronger, and its red crystal flew up to the sky.
That crystal gathered moonlight, and when its light increased, it showered a red light and broke.
「n…?」
「W-What happens?」
The two girls carefully looked around but suddenly, a huge explosive sound echoed behind them.
The two turned around while getting surprised at the sound that echoed throughout the silent ruins.
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「W-What is it?!」
「There…!」
The former main street that extended from the square with the huge fountain.
That continued to the cliff.
In there, there are a shrine and stone pierced to it.
However, what could be seen from far away was a white, shining something.
The sound from earlier included the sound that the shrine and stone getting destroyed.
The two girls approached to check that white shine, and found a magic circle that they so for many times
in this event.
The two girls checked the place where the stone was pierced before, carefully not to step on the magic
circle, but noticed something.
「Uwa……」
「T-This is……」
It is true that the sound of the stone getting destroyed was included in the explosive sound from before.
However, it was only included.
The explosive sound’s identity was.
It was the sound when an abysmal hole that tore the sea to connect to the dark deep sea had opened.
「There’s something down there, right……」
「Well, that should be the case. Maple, you want to jump down?」
「N-No way! That’s scary!」
It is currently midnight.
The courage to jump into the night sea that was eerie from the start and became a more frightening place
was something that Maple did not have although she might withstand the damage.
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「If so… we should step inside the magic circle… I think that it’s connected down under that hole too」
「It’s connected to an unexplored somewhere right?」
「Un」
The two girls counted one to two and entered the magic circle at the same time.
Just like up until now, the two girls’ appearance became light particles and disappeared.
「This place is?」
「Sally? It’s too dark I can’t see…」
「Wait a bit okay?」
Sally took out a torch from her inventory and lit up their surroundings.
「Inside the sea… I think?」
「…ah!! Look up!」
Sally followed Maple’s voice and looked up. There is a small starry sky that could be seen there.
「There’s no doubt that we’re inside that hole」
「The path continues」
A beautifully made semi-circular passage continues.
The walls are all sea water.
Some kind of power had torn the sea and made a path.
「Let’s hurry up and pass through? It’s the end if it returns to normal after all」
「Un! That’s true」
They advanced through the undersea tunnel in the darkness with a fast pace.
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It might have been a beautiful scenery in the morning, but there was nothing that could be done because
the event was during the night.
The two seemed to get worried being in the darkness with only a torch is their light, they instinctively
held each other’s hand.
「Ah!! There’s a light!」
「I-It’s true!」
The two accelerates their steps towards the light. The light gradually became bigger, and it had exceeded
the two girls’ height when they reached it.
The source of the light was the sea.
It was a bright morning sea, as if the time had advanced for only that place.
The fishes merrily swam and bubbling sounds could be heard.
The sea that spread out like it repelled the deep dark sea changed the two girls’ mood after being worried
within the darkness.
And, stairs made of corals were extending from there as if to penetrate through that sea.
And up ahead, there is a huge door decorated with corals. There was no doubt that it is the boss room
that they have seen many times.
「【Cast out that evil】huh……are your battle preparations finished?」
「Un! I’m ready anytime!」
Maple made a stance with her large shield and appealed that she is all ready.
Sally took a deep breath and opened the door.
First, she checked what is inside the room with a glance.
Combat will start the instant they entered the room, so they won’t be able to leave if it does start.
Being able to check the terrain inside first might enable them to fight in an advantage.
The room’s condition is a very important thing especially to Sally who is focused on evading.
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「Maple, it’s a half circular dome inside, and it’s bright. I mean, it’s similar to the place we are right now」
「Hou, hou」
「Also… it’s very wide. It has about……50-meter diameter. Even the ceiling is high」
「If so… maybe the boss is big?」
It is normal to think that the boss is big because the room is big.
「The ground is a dry stone floor for now… and it doesn’t seem that there are traps」
「Okay〜… well then, let’s go」
「Let’s enter!」
「Un!」
The two girls rushed inside the room.
Maple did not raise her large shield so that she would not waste any【Akujiki】.
Just like Sally said, there were no traps, and there were no scattered attacks that would consume【Akujiki
】as well.
「………! It’s coming!」
「Un!」
*Bashan*, a huge sound was made and several tentacles extended from the ceiling.
The two girls saw those tentacles like that of a squid.
No, it was really like that.
A giant squid swimming in the ceiling reached out only its tentacles and attacked.
「That dungeon’s?!」
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「But, we’re not under water you know?!」
The two girls were surprised but the giant squid attacked.
The tentacles longer that the two girls’ height was swung towards Maple.
「It doesn’t… work!」
The large shield devoured the squid’s tentacle, but the squid’s HP Bar that could be seen from afar did not
decrease.
It did not mean that it has a lot of stamina.
It completely did not work.
「We might need to attack the main body!」
「Eh?!!」
「This is……difficult…」
Sally muttered while taking a glance at the squid swimming on top of them.
The squid did not mind them, and continued to attack from a safe area.
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Chapter 46 Defense Specialized and Squid
Subjugation
Thirty minutes have passed since the battle started.
「Well… what should we do……」
「Sally〜! Have you thought of something〜?」
「n〜… not yet〜」
Sally thought while standing still.
The reason she can do that is because the attacks have concentrated on Maple who attacked the tentacles
first.
Maple is being tickled by the giant squid’s tentacle attacks.
「As usual… what an absurd defense……」
The attacks that would push normal players to either death or heavy injuries was the same as a rabbit’s
tackle for Maple.
Even now, Maple is being hit by the tentacle attacks and was being thrown around like a ball.
「Maple〜! I’ll go and swim to take a look at the squid nearby〜!」
「Un, be careful〜!」
She tried things like Wind Magic, but it was blocked by a thick layer of water and did not reach the squid’s
main body.
There was also the idea of killing it with poison by Maple shooting【Hydra(Poison Dragon)】 into the
water, but if that fails, Sally would not be able to enter the water as well, so they left that as the last resort
if they cannot do anything anymore.
Sally quickly entered the water wall. She got on her guard because it might be the same water as her【
Ocean】but it was normal water.
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Sally swam towards the squid.
Of course, it was not like all of the tentacles was attacking Maple.
There were tentacles remaining that would attack those who approach.
Of course, it attacked Sally.
「Ohh〜… as expected of Sally〜…」
What Maple who was being thrown around by the tentacles saw when she looked up was Sally’s
appearance of approaching the squid’s main body while evading the tentacles as if it was easy.
「Oh! It’s HP Bar decreased!」
It was just that time when Sally’s dagger slashes the giant squid’s body while releasing effects.
Maple was being attacked by the tentacles while that happened, but Maple also started to get leeway from
being used to it.
「n〜? It’s HP is lower than I thought…」
After Sally released five consecutive skill attacks, its HP Bar has already decreased by 10%.
「n?!!」
Maple fell to the ground because the tentacle attacks suddenly stopped.
The tentacles’ attack target changed to Sally from Maple because she inflicted damage on the main body.
Sally seemed to have noticed that as well and started to quickly swim back.
Even if Sally is great at evading, there are super wide ranged attacks that cannot be dodged.
There would be nothing left of her if all of the wide tentacles attacked her at once.
「Puhha…!」
Maple did not use【Akushoku】here. She received the tentacle attacks that aimed towards Sally and her
armor pounded.
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「【Hydra】!」
The eight tentacles that were about to attack them were devoured by the poison dragon.
There was no need to make a plan for the poison dragon to hit the giant squid that lacks speed compared
to the monster bird.
It did not have the speed to dodge it.
「Well, it would regenerate though」
There was no effect on its HP Bar, and its tentacles would regenerate no matter it was destroyed.
However, it was not like that action was completely useless.
By destroying all of those eight tentacles, its target changed to Maple.
She was thrown around like a ball again.
「Sally, I’ll leave it to you!」
「Thanks! I’ll count on you!」
Sally entered the waters again.
Sally attacks and Maple would receive the enemy’s attacks.
Each time the attack target shifts to Sally, she would return to Maple and make it so that the attack target
would return to Maple.
They decided to repeat that, at least until the pattern changes.
It looks very simple, but it is impossible to endure the eight tentacles’ concentrated attacks if it was not
Maple.
If it is not someone like Sally who have【Diving】and【Swimming】, it would be difficult to approach the
squid, and it would be hard to deal damage.
It is because the two girl’s abilities were good against the giant squid that they could be at an advantage.
However, they were unable to continue that until the end.
When Sally damaged it until there was 70% left, its movement pattern changed.
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Magic circles appeared around the squid and fishes came out of there one next to the other.
They were monsters without a doubt.
The fishes approached the directions that each of the two girls was in.
The tentacles that attacked Maple changed its target again and returned to the waters.
「……they’re swimming in air」
The place where Maple was in was not underwater, but the fishes plunged out of the water without care,
and swam in the air with blue effects.
It was a fantastic scene, but the fishes are monsters. There was no time to be moved.
The fishes tackled from each direction.
「n〜…【Paralyze Shaft】!」
*Kin*, a clear sound echoed and the fishes lost their abilities to move their bodies and fell to the ground.
The giant squid and the fishes in the water were outside of range so they were not paralyzed.
「As I’ve thought, this is convenient!」
「Haa〜……! I finally got away」
*BashaBashaBasha*, Sally went out of the water while making sounds.
Of course, the remaining fishes and tentacles followed after Sally.
But even so, the reason why Sally could declare that she had got away is because Maple is there.
Maple is near, that means it is an absolute safe area.
「Maple!」
「Okay〜!」
Maple drew out Shingetsu that she just sheathed earlier.
A purple magic circle came out of its blade.
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It is Maple’s strongest attack that she had activated many times, as well as her favorite.
「【Hydra】!」
That melted all of the fishes that went towards them, devoured even the tentacles that followed, and.
It plunged into the water.
「「Ah!」」
The poison dragon that jumped into the water gradually melted its body into the water.
It should be not their imagination that the water became slightly purple colored.
It is unknown what would happen if Sally entered there.
「H-H-H-Hey, what will we do?!」
「W-W-W-What will we do?」
「T-That’s right! The squid! The squid’s HP Bar!」
They stared intently, but its HP Bar did not seem to decrease.
The melted tentacles started to get revived as well.
The paralyzed fishes also started to float up with blue effects.
New fishes were added as well.
「F-For the meantime, run around, Sally!」
「I’ll defeat the fishes while I’m at it too!」
「I’m really sorry!」
The overflowing fishes.
The eight tentacles that attacked.
It looks like the fishes did not only have tackles as attacks, they started to scatter water with the same
color of the blue effects.
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「Maple! It might have the same effects of my【Ocean】!」
「I-I already got wet! …my movements gets slow……or not?」
「I-I see, you have【AGI 0】so there’s nothing left to decrease huh! No, if so, there’s also the possibility that
it’s just water… I-I don’t know anymore!」
Because of Maple’s simple miss, their stable cycle collapsed without a trace, and there were poison liquid
and unknown fluids on the ground. The fishes flying around and the tentacles that swayed around.
Maple who was being thrown around.
Within that situation, the two girls panicked screaming “wa〜, wa〜!” while they thought of their next
plan.
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Subjugation 2
「I know already, it’s that! If it comes to this, let’s attack the water with more poison!」
「Then… I’ll,【Akushoku】the tentacles〜!」
「Do it!」
Maple’s【Akushoku】devoured the tentacles.
And every time, red crystals appeared.
This is her last MP charge.
And for Sally, she had already regained her composure, and started to think of the fishes that appeared
infinitely as just experience points after she got used to them.
They only give small experience points, but they only have a small HP so it was easy for Sally to hunt
them.
On top of that, it connects to not letting the fishes get on Maple’s way.
「I should leave it to Maple and do what I can」
Sally ran around as usual and fought against the fishes with hit and away.
Sally left all of it to Maple.
And that Maple.
「Well〜… I hope it goes well〜…」
Maple approached the wall of water.
The tentacles have just been erased earlier, so there is an absolute time of peace for a moment.
The fishes did not care and continued to attack Maple.
「Oh〜… they look cute when closer!」
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Maple reached out her hand towards the fish and that fish tackled towards that hand repeatedly.
Because of Maple’s smile, the scene of her being attacked by a monster changed to a scene of her playing
with a fish.
「It’s better if you get away you know〜?」
Maple stabbed Shingetsu towards the wall of water.
「【Hydra】!」
The poison dragon that was not aimed at anything jumped into the water.
Of course, it melted in the water and was unable to deal direct damage to the squid.
「The beautiful sea〜, to a poisonous sea〜!」
The area of the sea is quite vast and she still needs to shoot a lot of them.
However, the water is gradually turning purple. The color is darker than before.
「I should get away from the wall so that it can’t shoot me tentacles」
Even the water that the fishes scattered, it surpassed the poison that Maple herself created and return to
the middle.
She needs a little more time to use【Hydra】.
And before that, the tentacles would regenerate as well.
Sally has not attacked the squid at all since earlier, so of course, all of it would go towards Maple.
「Whatever… do what you want!」
Maple laid down on the ground.
She thought that it is useless to resist since she is not able to run away and would be played like a ball
again.
「Oh?!」
After she had laid down, the tentacles slapped her from above.
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Unlike when she was standing, she was not being bounced around.
「This is good! So good!」
「Uwwa… she’s doing something again…」
Sally is also pulling the fishes behind her to a marathon, so it was something similar.
「【Hydra】!」
After a while, Maple stood up and shot into the water. And, she laid down once again.
She found out that she would not be thrown around by the tentacles while lying down, so she laid down
on a place where she only needs to reach out Shingetsu to the water wall.
And just like that, Maple planned on waiting until the next time.
But a certain change happened.
That was the same with Sally
「「n?!」」
They saw the squid’s HP decreasing for a bit.
It was a small change might have been a misjudgment, but they were able to see the instant when the HP
Bar decreased.
「It decreased a little!」
「Un, it looks like so. But…」
The time until it decreased again after it decreased once was very long.
It was five minutes. On top of that, its HP only decreased by 1mm.
Waiting for it to lose all of its HP like this would be very difficult.
It means, the poison is still too weak.
However, just knowing that it works is a good harvest.
「Do your best!」
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「Un! I’ll do my best!」
After that, the reduction of its HP bar accelerated after a few【Hydra】s were shot.
They succeeded in removing 10% of its HP after an hour has passed.
The squid has still 60% remaining on its HP Bar.
If this goes on, it will take them 6 hours.
「【Poison Lance】!」
Maple has no bullets left for【Hydra】, so she shot a different skill thinking it might add to it even a little.
「Running for six hours is a little…」
「What should we do…」
They thought and thought of it, but there were no means that could change the current situation
instantly.
And just like that, one hour has passed again. The squid’s HP decreased to 50%.
「Uwwa?!」
Maple was laying down beside the wall of water, so she understood instantly.
She found out that the area of the water has spread.
The walls and ceiling are approaching.
And when it stopped expanding, there are only half remaining of the space where the two are currently
in.
Additionally, the squid started to spit out squid ink.
Because of that, they cannot see the squid’s appearance.
It will have been a very troublesome attack if they have tried to clear it straightforwardly.
After all, it was already difficult to move in the water, and the vision would be stolen on top of that.
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However, it had nothing to do to the two who were doing something far away from a straightforward
way.
「Maple! How many【Akushoku】do you still have?」
「Only one!」
「……reserve it!」
「Got it!」
Maple did not understand what Sally is planning, but she decided to reserve it, and continued to receive
the attacks.
Because the water has approached, the speed that the fishes entered accelerated.
It means that it would be more difficult for Sally to run away.
「【Provoke】!」
It was a good plan for Maple to receive them because it was difficult for Sally to run away.
She would lose everything if she dies just for experience points.
「Thanks!」
「It’s nothing much!」
It seems that the squid ink was not being released continuously, and just like Maple’s poison, it spread
and started to dilute.
It looks like there was no second squid ink attack, it only returned to swimming elegantly.
「There huh… I think it barely reaches…? Yosh! Maple!」
Sally called Maple.
Of course, Maple stood up and approached her.
「What will we do?!」
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「Follow me! 【Leap】!」
Although she leaped towards the squid that became nearer, she lacked 15 meters.
Maple followed her just as she was told.
「Let’s go!【Shoulder Throw】!」
Sally grabbed Maple and threw her towards the water’s surface.
「Ueeeee?!!」
「【Impact Fist】!」
A bullet of air was released from Sally’s fist and broke the water surface while pushing Maple.
Maple who was thrown straight towards the squid swung her shield.
Its HP Bar decreased suddenly.
「This is Maple Cannon!」
「H-Hey, what about my landing?!」
「……I didn’t think of it」
It was just a little ahead in the future when
316
Subjugation 3
「My attack was that, so…」
Sally muttered while landing down.
Maple fell to her side.
She did not receive any damage although she fell 25 meters high.
What an amazing vitality.
On the other hand, the squid’s HP and defense are relatively lower.
That is proven because even Sally’s attacks are able to wither it down.
It was not strange at all for that giant squid to lose 20% of its HP after receiving an attack from Maple.
「With this, we shortened it to three hours」
「But there’s still 3 hours〜…」
Maple does not have【Akushoku】anymore. They cannot do the same thing again.
「Ah, it spat out squid ink again」
「The sea, it was beautiful, but now……」
There was nothing that remained from the beautiful blue sea that is now full of squid ink and poison.
「Well then, I’ll run again okay?」
「Un. 【Provoke】!」
Maple pulled the fishes.
It is possible to dissipate the water that was scattered by the fishes using flame-type attacks, so Sally ran
around while making the least needed path she needs.
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「It’s amazing you can run that much〜…」
It is possible to lessen the fatigue in-game by getting used to VR games.
One needs to get used to playing for long periods of time to not get tired running around.
That is something that a skill cannot cover.
And after two hours of waiting.
There is only 10% left of the squid’s HP.
「A-re? The fishes…」
The fishes lost the blue effect that they were clad within and withered in an instant after losing their
moisture.
The effect that disappeared floated up and got absorbed by the squid’s body.
「Something’s coming!」
「I got it!」
Maple raises her large shield.
Since there are no stacks left of the【Akushoku】, she is finally able to use it as a proper shield.
The giant squid shook once, and jumped out of the water while being enveloped by the same blue effects
that the fishes had.
That strong blue light firmly supports its giant body.
It was the same time that Maple shouted and the squid charged.
Sally was able to dodge while Maple who used【Cover】to be sure got thrown back after receiving the
attack.
The squid that jumped out of the water entered the other side of the wall of water.
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Maple’s HP Bar was decreased by 40%.
The damage she receives was doubled because of【Cover Move】/
This is only the second time Sally saw an opponent that was able to get through Maple’s armored defense.
「It powered up…?!」
Sally used【Heal】on Maple and followed the giant squid with her eyes.
It was also a chance to attack because it would get near them.
「I’ll dodge… and slash!」
Sally pumped herself up, but the squid’s target was Maple.
Sally targeted the squid that targeted Maple.
She swung her dagger while she received speed reduction.
「【Triple Slash】!」
Sally passed through under while releasing six consecutive attacks.
「【Poison Lance】」
Maple’s poisonous lance stabs into the squid’s head.
Maple also received damage from its charge, but the squid also received huge damages.
It jumped into the water again.
「We’ll defeat it in the next one!」
「Just a little bit more! Let’s do our best!」
The two followed the squid’s movements while getting ready for its charge.
It is to make something out of the valuable chance.
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And while that happened, the squid was about to jump out.
「Un!」
When the two girls raised their weapons.
The squid’s HP Bar which was infested with poison finally disappeared.
「「eh?」」
The squid’s body became light and dissipated.
The soiled water was purified.
Its shine sparkled like sun rays that reached the waters and gradually disappeared.
「………for real?」
「………I get that feeling」
The two won in an unconvincing manner.
However, a win is a win.
A deep blue magic circle in front of them.
「You want to get it?」
「What about the reward?」
「n〜… there might be something, so, I’ll go search the waters okay?」
「Please do!」
Sally entered the waters.
It is possible to explore thoroughly since the poison disappeared.
「I would’ve sent Syrup too if she was a sea turtle〜」
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Maple watched Sally swim around, but Sally returned after a while.
「There was one squid tentacle」
「What about a medal?」
「U〜n… I think that there was none. I searched properly around the corals too… most of all, I don’t think
that the rewards would be placed in a place that is hard to tell」
「That’s true…」
The two girls stepped into the magic circle although disappointed that there were no medals.
The two of them who thought that they would return to the top of the cliff did not expect that they would
be teleported underwater.
「I-I can’t breathe! W-What should we do?!」
「n, n? Maple! You can breathe!」
「Eh?! Ah, a-re? It’s true…」
She can also say her words properly.
It looks like there was no possibility of drowning although there was the feeling of water.
「What a mysterious place…」
「Is this the【peaceful sea】?」
Just like Sally has said, the place where the two girls are was a silent sea.
It was a blue sea that if the two of them did not say anything, they could hear the bubbles in intervals.
It seems like they are in the bottom of the sea, as well as near the water surface.
In that space where calming blue has ruled, where one might fall asleep anytime, there was a blue
treasure box that seemed to be enveloped by corals.
「I’ll open it okay?」
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There was two medals and two scrolls inside.
Maple kept the medal.
Sally took the scroll and looked at its information.
「What’s the skill name?」
「【Ancient Sea】, it can be learned if you have water-type skills… it looks like you can summon the fishes
enveloped by blue light from earlier」
What Sally meant by the fishes earlier were the fishes that they saw schools of when they fought against
the squid.
Sally read it, and found out that there was really【Decrease 10 AGI】ability included with those water.
It is a skill that Maple has no use of, but Sally would be able to increase the range of strategies she could
take with it.
「Ah〜… is【Hydra】no good?」
「Well, I think that that’s not water-type」
「I guessed so」
Although they tried to be sure, Maple was unable to learn it.
Maple decided to leave it aside for now and put the scroll into her inventory.
The two girls laid around after closing the treasure box.
They are very tired after the long fight and the ruins exploration on the fifth day.
The fifth day started with meeting Kanade.
The two girls really felt that today was a day full of happenings.
「It might be okay taking it slow for one day」
「Ahaha… that’s true」
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The two girls decided to sleep while thinking that it might be possible to take some leisure time if they
have enough medals.
It was a good place to sleep as well.
「Let’s rest… for a bit」
「I agree…」
The peaceful sea that enveloped the two girls was the most comfortable bed that they had up until now.
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Chapter 49 Defense Specialized and The Sixth
Day of the Event
The two girls stood up after a while.
They stepped into the magic circle and teleported to the top of the cliff.
They saw the ruins when they turned around.
The deep hole that seemed to pierce through the sea already disappeared.
「With this, the capture’s finished right?」
「Probably… we don’t have enough medals though」
「Ah〜, I see… two more」
The two girls have slept for quite long, and it is currently 9 am of the sixth day.
「Dungeons that have not yet been captured… it would be either it has very high difficulty… or haven’t
found yet」
「I see… then, we should start walking right away」
Maple was about to walk forward.
However.
「Un. About that? Maple doesn’t have【skills for today】right?」
「Eh?!……ah! That’s right!」
They have fought the squid after midnight.
Both【Akushoku】and【Hydra】cannot be used anymore on the sixth day.
One of Maple’s weaknesses is that she has a lot of cooldowns.
Fights soon after the day have passed would greatly limit Maple’s movement in that day.
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「Well, I’ll do something about players too, so… we should just think about it when we find a dungeon」
The battle against the squid might have resulted in a different way without Maple fighting with all of her
strength.
It was something done so there was nothing that they could do.
「For the mean time, let’s trace the coastline. It still continues after all」
The two girls left the ruins and advanced.
「After we get two medals, would you like to raise Oboro and Syrup?」
「Oh, that sounds good!」
Maple and Sally had fought only strong enemies, so they were unable to raise their two pets.
Because of that, their level is still low.
「Dungeons… we can’t enter it again after it’s captured once right?」
「Kanade was saying something like that」
The two girls believe that there was no more sea dungeon.
It has not changed that the sea is to the left, and the forest only continues to the right.
「This, maybe we should start seriously targeting other players」
「Mu〜… it can’t be helped huh」
Maple was not very assertive towards PK, but she decided to reason it out, that it cannot be helped in a
hunt or be hunted environment.
The two girls have met many players who tried to defeat them.
Because of that, she guessed that it was a common way of thinking.
「If so… let’s enter the forest. Maple? Can you see that mountain?」
「n〜? I can see it」
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「Let’s go there. I think that players would gather in a place that stands out like that」
What Sally pointed at was a different mountain from the mountain terrain that they climbed on the
second day.
It looked like there might be a dungeon there, but it also looks like it would be easily captured since it is a
terrain that stands out.
「Well then… let’s go」
The two girls walked towards the mountain.
After three hours since the girls decided their objective.
They were inside a cave that can be found half way of the mountain.
Although they were able to see several players from far away, they ran away from the girls at maximum
speed.
“If I would need to leave Maple whose fighting power had decreased to the lowest extreme, then……”,
Sally thought and gave up chasing those players.
「And so… can Maple stay here and hide?」
「Understood! Sorry?」
「It’s okay, it’s okay! You did great during the squid battle too」
Sally operated the blue panel and hands the ring that she equipped to Maple.
It was the ring that connects her with Oboro.
「Your HP would go down but… I’ll leave Oboro as your bodyguard too okay?」
Maple removed her Toughness Ring and called out Syrup and Oboro after wearing the ring.
「Well then… I’ll go now!」
「Do your best!」
Sally left the cave.
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Both Syrup and Oboro has abilities equal to normal players.
Abilities that should be enough for a certain level of guarding.
If Maple gets defeated, the medal that they gathered up to now will disappear.
「The responsibility is huge…… I know!」
Although there was no boss room, was this a dungeon before? The cave was very wide.
It was a cave that was similar to an ant’s nest.
Maple is in the deepest part of that cave.
「【Venom Capsule】!」
She unsummoned Oboro and Syrup to prevent self-destruction and spread the poisonous capsule.
It was an ability that Maple can use even in a normal state.
「Until Sally returns… I must live」
Maple’s poison fills the narrow path of the cave at a regular interval.
The dungeon was started to get covered by a poisonous swamp gimmick.
That scene was as if Maple turned to the new boss of this dungeon.
「Don’t come〜! Don’t come anybody〜!」
Maple expands the capsule.
While Maple was releasing poison, Sally was outside the cave.
「If it’s only me… there should be lots of players that would think they could defeat me」
Many players know of Maple’s appearance.
The players who ran away saw Maple’s unique equipments and ran away.
They all understood Maple’s danger.
However, it is different for Sally.
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Sally was completely unknown.
Sally has the same level of abnormal ability as Maple, and more aggressive than Maple.
There was almost no one who knows that.
And, right now, Sally does not have anything to lose.
Maple is keeping all of the medals.
「It looks like…… I can go on a rampage after a long time?」
For Sally, fighting with Maple is fun, but there is a different charm with fighting alone.
Sally runs down the mountain.
The time is still in the afternoon and visibility is also good.
「Oh! There they are」
Sally found a two female pair walking in the forest. They were being vigilant of the surroundings and
noticed Sally’s approach.
「Let’s go!」
「Okay〜!」
They were equipped with a one-handed sword and a spear.
The one-handed sword was also equipped with a shield.
「【Gale Thrust】!」
The player equipped with a one-handed sword had entered her next movement while calculating Sally’s
reaction towards the spear that thrust forward.
She seemed to be dagger-equipped so hitting her after she lost her balance should be good.
She probably planned it that way.
If it were a normal player, they would have pulled back or dodged to the sides.
The one-handed sword woman expected that her opponent this time would fall back and zeroed the
distance dashing.
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By doing that, she would also be able to react if the opponent dodges to the side.
That is, if Sally was normal.
「Eh?!」
Sally’s evasion is different.
She twisted her body and advanced while barely avoiding the spear. Her dagger draws near to the
spearwoman that was completely caught off guard.
Red effects scattered but the woman somehow survives.
She instinctively pulled back her spear then swung it horizontally.
「No way?!」
Sally dodged that spear by bending backwards. The woman’s thought process stopped after seeing that
inhuman reaction speed.
「Okay, it’s the end」
Sally’s dagger zeroed that woman’s HP Bar this time for sure.
「【Power Blade】!」
A quick vertical cut approaches from behind Sally.
“I got her.”
The woman thought.
「………!!」
It was as if she had eyes on her back.
Sally turns her body sideways.
Just because of that, the sword that aimed towards Sally passed through as if it was the one that dodged
Sally.
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「【Slash】!」
Sally crosses with the woman while cutting her flank.
The woman felt it was very eerie.
She would get more disadvantaged the more she attacked.
「Ku…!」
Sally’s magic attack caught the woman who was trying to think of ways of how to land an attack on Sally
off guard.
She was just that panicking against an abnormal opponent.
「Ku!!」
The woman dodged to the side.
And then, the woman noticed while she loses her balance that it was as if her plan earlier was happening
only to her.
「Goodbye」
It is very difficult for a normal player to win a head-on battle against a player defies common sense.
This time, a miracle did not happen.
「Well then, there’s… no medal huh」
Sally started to walk, searching for her next prey.
Coincidentally, there were many players around here on the sixth day.
And those players started rumors after the event ended.
They said, 【she disappears like a phantom】.
They said, 【the sword dodges on its own】.
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They said, 【it’s a ghost】
The massacre that will be called 【the nightmare in the sixth-day】 later on has just started.
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Chapter 50 Defense Specialized and Event and
Mid-Boss
「Well…… I should go back…」
Sally muttered within the fluttering red effects and player dying effects.
If the attacking effects in this game were gushing out blood, her beautiful blue equipments were probably
dyed with red.
The massacre act that was doubted as a randomly appearing cleaner-type boss after the event has ended.
It is because Sally has found two medals.
「As I’ve thought; there are only a few people who have them… I guess we were just lucky」
Evening is nearing.
It has been five hours of moving and fighting.
From far away, the mountain where Maple is could be seen, illuminated by the setting sun.
That is probably already 10 kilometers away.
Sally has defeated more than a hundred players.
But even so, she only obtained two medals.
Just like Sally has said, the two girls were lucky.
They have the strength to clear the dungeons that have yet to be found, and that was what separated
them from other players.
「I should take it back properly」
Sally started to run.
The players that she met along the way turned into light and dissipated, but that was something
inevitable.
「Yosh! I’m here!」
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Sally immediately entered the cave.
She remembers the way, so she hurried to where Maple is, but stopped halfway.
「Uwwa……」
A wall of poison was made in the passage that connects to where Maple is.
Even if it were destroyed, those who destroyed it wouldn’t be able to advance, since the floor and wall
would only be full of poison.
「Maple huh… I should send her a message…」
After a while since she sent a message to Maple, Maple passed through the wall of poison.
「I got the medals」
「Ohh! Amazing!」
Sally passed the medals to Maple.
With this, the two of them has 20 medals.
They only need to protect them.
「What would you like to do? I think it’s good to raise our two pets too」
「Ah! I know! I wanted to say something about that!」
「What?」
「Follow me!」
「No… that’s impossible though…」
Passing through a passage full of poison was something impossible for Sally.
「n〜… then, ride my shield?」
Maple deactivated the Poison Capsule making the wall of poison disappear, then placed her large shield
on the ground.
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「I’ll get on, but what will you do?」
Sally got on the large shield. It was just like riding a sled.
「I’ll do my best to push」
「Eh?」
「I’ll do my best to push」
「Isn’t that too hard?」
「I can do it!」
Maple did her best to push.
She stopped after the large shield moved for about 50cm.
「……I can’t」
「Un, I thought so. And then? What did you want to say again? I want to hear that first」
「Ahh, e〜to… there’s a room in another dead end different to where I was earlier, and a 20cm sized ant
monster came out from there, but they’re weak, so I thought they’re just enough for Syrup and Oboro!」
The two girls have not explored the cave properly, so they did not notice at first.
Maple had been bored, so she was able to find it when she went for a walk after she finished applying
poison.
「Is it continuous?」
Sally asked.
She thought that it might be a good place to level up their pets if monsters would spawn endlessly.
「There’s 3 monsters appearing every 10 minutes!」
「If so… I’m sorry, but can Maple do it herself? I don’t feel I can get there…」
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「I got it! I’ll do my best okay!」
Sally got off the large shield and Maple re-equipped it and went deeper into the cave.
「U〜n, I don’t have anything to do」
For the meantime, Sally decided to go back.
It was not like the whole cave was covered with poison, but at least a third of it was.
After going towards the entrance for a bit, Sally sat down when she reached a hall.
It is a square room with 20 meters on each side, and the walls are also decorated.
Sally thought that it might be originally a mid-boss room.
「I’ll protect Maple」
This is not a dungeon where one can use a magic circle to teleport.
Since the dungeon was already cleared, there was fewer monsters spawning.
Just like Maple has said, there are only a few places where there are still monsters.
Although, Sally only knew about a few places.
If so, what would Sally protect Maple from?
That is, she would protect her from players.
Right now, there are only a few dungeons remaining. If players found a dungeon-looking place, there is no
doubt that they would enter to look for medals.
「It’ll be the end if there’s someone who has【Poison Nullification】after all」
Right now, Maple cannot defeat players who have【Poison Nullification】.
Since Sally does not have anything else to do, she thought of protecting Maple to be sure.
「This place is also… a dungeon-like place too…」
There is Maple as the boss, Sally as the mid-boss, and there is a whopping reward of 20 medals.
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There are almost no monsters as well.
It is a very alluring dungeon.
「I need to protect this place until the sixth day ends……」
If they reached the 7th day, the cooldowns that weaken Maple would disappear.
As long as Sally endure up to that, Maple would revive.
「Thinking of that… it’s like Maple is a Demon God waiting for revival or something……」
Sally thought that since there are many players around this area, the exploration of the other side of the
mountainous region must have mostly ended.
「I wonder if they’d come here if they finish exploring over there?」
Sally waited for a while, and she heard someone talking from the passage ahead.
「There’s something!」
It was a four-man group holding their weapons that entered the hall.
Sally quickly checked their weapons.
Spear, Large Shield, Staff, Large Sword.
They are probably a regular party, their party balance is quite good.
「Why have you come here?」
「You’re… a player… right?」
They couldn’t be blamed to have doubts, seeing a well-equipped girl staying in a really boss room-looking
place.
Her HP Bar can be seen, but that is no different from a monster.
If Sally says she’s a monster, then Sally is a monster.
「Fight?」
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Even if Sally reveals that she is a player, they will fight still, since they need to get her medals. And even if
Sally says she does not have any, they would not believe her.
Also, if these four who are planning to explore deeper were ignored, they would reach the poison passage
that Maple made.
There is no doubt that they would think that this is an un-cleared dungeon if they saw that.
It would be the end if they were able to pass through the poison passage.
Defeating them is the safest.
If so, it would be more interesting acting like a monster, or at least, that was Sally thought.
To do that, she answered with a fixed sentence.
「It looks like… we’d hit the jackpot!」
The party of four completely thought that Sally is a mid-boss, and believed that this was a dungeon that
was yet to be explored.
「I just hope it’ll be a good fight」
Fishes clad with blue light appeared around Sally.
The reason why Sally acted like a monster.
It was because she was still excited after finishing a massacre.
She could not help but want to fight a little more.
If they think that she is a monster, they will battle without a doubt. Her opponent would show their best
as well.
Since she would need to defeat them in the end, she wanted to do it in a fun way.
For Sally, having fun is what a game is all about.
「Fufufu… this is really fun」
「Be careful! Let’s go!」
「「「Yeah!」」」
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For people playing games, there is no doubt that they are asking for pleasure different from reality.
Both Sally and the group of four players were not an exception.
Changing places, Maple lied around in a room and cheered after Syrup and Oboro.
「【Bite】! Go〜! Do your best! 【Fox Fire】!」
Sally smiled pleasantly seeing the ants getting defeated.
「That’s great〜! That’s great! Do your best to level up okay!」
Maple stood up and patted the two.
It would be a scene of a girl being friends with animals if Maple were not wearing full equips.
That was a commonly seen scene in the real world.
Maple was completely clueless that Sally was fighting.
Maybe, Maple was a type of player that is an exception.
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Chapter 51 Defense Specialized and Event
Finished
「Guha!!」
「Byebye」
The players transformed into light and disappeared.
Sally sheathed her dagger then sat on the ground.
There were many invaders that came, but none of them were able to injure Sally.
The sixth day has almost ended.
「Only 30 minutes left huh…」
Since the last attack, there was no one who came for a while, so it is currently 11:30 pm right now.
As long as Maple regains her abilities, they would be able to freely roam around.
It is also alright to stay in this dungeon just like now, or go out as well.
「Today’s… last opponent…?」
Sally stood up and drew her dagger.
She heard someone coming.
「n?」
「……n?」
Sally and the intruder faced each other.
There was only one intruder.
Her equipments were beautiful Japanese clothes and katana.
「We… met again!」
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「Haa〜… what have you come here for, Kasumi?」
That’s right. The intruder was Kasumi.
Kasumi has not even placed her hand on her katana.
It just shows that she does not plan on fighting.
Sally does not have the eagerness to fight her as well.
She would retaliate if Kasumi were to attack her, but they opponent was someone she cooperated with to
clear a dungeon.
Sally was not thinking of attacking from her side at all.
「I’m also someone who possesses medals after all. I just thought of hiding myself」
「It’s the same with us huh」
「As I’ve thought; Maple’s around right? I don’t see her though…」
「Maple is staying deep inside」
「Is it alright to go and see her?」
「You’ll die in an instant if you can’t walk on poison you know?」
Hearing Sally say that, Kasumi seems to have guessed the situation inside, so she did not look like she was
going.
「Well, I think she’ll come out sooner or later. I asked Maple to keep my medals, so… it’s like, I’m defeating
the players that target the medals here」
Hearing that, Kasumi suggested one thing.
「If so, can I stay here as well? It’s full of battles when I’m walking outside, so…」
Many players can recognize Kasumi, so there should be a lot of instances when she needs to fight when
walking outside.
「Okay. Kill them if anyone comes」
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「Understood. I also want to take back my gold medals with me」
The mid-bosses became two.
However, there should be fewer players who would think that Sally’s a monster, since Kasumi joined her.
However, instead, the allure of getting medals was added, so probably, the possibility of a fight was not
less.
When the two girls have guarded the passage ahead while talking, Maple came from the back passage.
「Sally! They leveled up〜! Look, look〜! ……a-re?」
Syrup and Oboro were following Maple by her side.
Maple and Kasumi’s eyes met then.
「Kasumi?! Why are you here?!」
「n〜… that’s, well, it’s to protect my medals……but, what’s up with those two?」
Kasumi is the first person other than Maple and Sally who have seen Syrup and Oboro.
「They are our partners〜!」
They hadn’t talked about the monster bird when they had met before, so Maple told her.
Kasumi was surprised by the unbelievable strength of the monster bird, and the fact that they had
defeated it.
「The rewards are eggs huh… right now, only the two of you should have them. I had also met a lot of
players, but they did not have one」
Kasumi had guessed right.
Currently, only Maple and Sally have pet beasts.
It is unknown what will happen in the events from now on, but probably, clearing a high difficulty
dungeon should be a requirement.
「Oh, right, I’ll return Oboro okay?」
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「n, thanks」
The two girls returned their equipments.
「What do you want to do? You wanna leave this cave?」
Since Maple has resurrected, they should be able to survive even if they do not hide in this cave.
However, it seems like Maple was not eager to go out.
Maple thinks that it is more important to protect their medals carefully.
Maple told her thoughts to Sally.
「If so… it would be great if you block the passage」
「n, I got it!」
Maple walked towards the entrance of the hall and drew out Shingetsu.
A huge violet magic circle was created.
「【Hydra】!」
The poison dragon messed up the passage while advancing towards the entrance.
Maple was clueless about the fact that along the way, it devoured one party, and crashed into the players
in the entrance.
Maple then walked through that passage, and after walking for a while, she used【Venom Capsule】and
returned.
「With this, we should be safe!」
「Kasumi and I, won’t be able to get out anymore though〜」
「Ahh, I see. That’s true…… I believe you okay?」
Kasumi is unable to escape in this situation.
It means, it is possible to steal her medals.
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Without needing to be asked, the other two girls did not plan to do that.
「With this, we only need to spend one day」
The time, it had already passed midnight.
It should be better to sleep here once.
There is no need to intentionally wait for the 7th day to end while tired.
To be sure, the three of them took turns to guard while sleeping.
In the end, there was not even one intruder who appeared, and they were able to wake up well.
Occasionally, there were also players who have poison resistance who entered but still died.
「Good morning」
「Good morning!」
「Good morning. It’s the last day huh」
The long was finally about to end.
Maple and Sally were able to clear their goal, and it was a fascinating event.
「Ah, that’s right! We don’t know when the medals would be needed, so I’ll give Sally her share okay?」
Maple took out Sally’s share of medals from her inventory and gave it to Sally.
「Thanks」
Sally carefully received that and kept it.
Kasumi did not spend all of her efforts to search for silver medals, and was fine as long as she had her
gold medal, so she does not have silver medals as much as Maple and Sally.
「But, it’s somewhat, right? We don’t have anything to do today right?」
「That’s true」
「Then, you want to play with Maple’s toys? You have a lot right?」
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Maple agreed with Sally’s suggestion and took out the things that she had one by one.
Within them, there was also Othello.
「Kanade was really strong〜」
Maple remembered when she played with Kanade. They promised to play again when they meet each
other again.
「Kanade? Who is that?」
Kasumi did not know Kanade, so Maple told her.
And because of the flow of the conversation, she also told Kasumi about the fight against the giant squid,
so she was very surprised.
Players like the two who have continuously fought against strong enemies should be rare.
「Isn’t Maple just weak?」
「Mumumu… you’ve said it〜? Then play with me okay?」
「Alright?」
The game started with Maple choosing black and Sally with white.
The result.
The board was almost covered with black color.
「Eh…? Maple, aren’t you too strong?」
「I’m quite good at it you know? I lose to Kanade though…」
「Then, let’s do a different game! Something that we can play with the three of us」
Sally could not bear to lose as well, so they decided to play a different game.
She understood that she did not have any chance of winning with Othello.
And just like that, while the three girls were playing, not even one player had disturbed their time.
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And, finally.
The end of the event has come.
An announcement echoed throughout the field, and the players would be teleported to the place they
were before after five minutes.
With this, the two girls must part with Kasumi again.
「Then, when we return」
「Yeah, let’s meet again」
A new encounter and new powers obtained.
The second event ended with the two girls full of satisfaction.
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Chapter 52 Defense Specialized and Skill
Selection
The event ended and they were returned to their original location.
The accelerated time returned to its original flow as well.
An announcement was broadcasted by the management and exchanging skills and medals would be 30
minutes from now, so they were told to transfer the medals they possess if needed.
Maple had already given Sally her medals so there was no problem.
「I wonder what kind of skill there is?」
「Who knows? We can only wait and look……」
And after 30 minutes.
The management broadcasted an announce once again and told the players that they would be
transported individually to a specialized room. It was also said that they cannot consult with others, so
the individuals must choose the skill that they think they need.
And, finally, those ones who possess more than ten medals were enveloped by light and disappeared.
Maple’s vision is currently filled by the same blue color as the status plate.
One panel is floating in the middle of the exitless room that Maple is currently in.
Maple approached that and found skill names aligned in it.
It could be operated to show the detailed explanations of each skill.
「E〜to… there’s about, a hundred?」
Combat-type skill, production-type skill, status increasing-type skill, and other skills that do not belong
among them.
Those were aligned in order.
「There doesn’t seem to be a time limit, so… I should take my time and decide!」
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Maple has to types of skill that she can choose. Maple does not need skills that are blatantly attack-types
so she ignored them.
They are the skills like【Divine Swordsmanship】or【Dragonic Spear】whose effects are obvious from their
names.
And if you mention production-type skills, Maple’s DEX is too low so it would only be a waste.
With those in mind, the skills that Maple could choose is limited.
It could be said that among those who possess medals, Maple is the player who has the most number of
skills that would prove useless even if she learned them.
With that reason, the time that she would be hesitating is reduced accordingly.
「【All Resist】… no,【Fortress】looks good too〜… even choosing【Magic Powers Increment】is quite, as
well…」
Maple took her time choosing which one she should choose.
「n? ………nn??」
Maple’s eyes landed on a certain skill.
She took her time staring at that skill’s explanation that a hole was almost opened.
「T-This! This should be the first one!」
A eureka flashed in Maple’s head.
She abided that and chose that skill.
「The last one, I wonder which I should choose…」
Maple started to select a skill once again. She is planning to decide immediately if a eureka like earlier
appears.
「Which〜 should〜 I〜 choose〜? n〜…」
Maple did not found a skill that lit a light bulb, so after some deep thoughts, she learned【Fortress】.
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【Fortress】is a skill that multiplies VIT by 1.5x.
Its activation requirement does not have a demerit as well, making it a skill that is worth the precious
medals.
Maple possesses a skill that is equal to that, but that is because Maple is a little, no, quite far away from
the norm.
Anyways, after finishing choosing her skills, Maple was once again enveloped by the light and
disappeared.
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Chapter 53 Defense specialization and sighting
information
One day after the event is over.
The usual people gather at the BB. [TN : BB means Bulletin Board for anyone that don’t know]
542 Name: Anonymous shield user

Finally The event has ended.
It’s packed with speaking, too (TN: not sure about this line anyone have a sugestion 話すことも満載だぞ)
543 Name: Anonymous Largesword user

At last It finished.
That was long
544 Name: Anonymous Spear user

It was only two hours In RW. [TN : RW means Real World if this strange should i change it back]
It’s a strange feeling.
545 Name: Anonymous shield user
Da yo na– (TN : I leave this line to your imagination, but i want to know using the romaji japan or english better)

Does anyone have ten medals?
I can't get it.
547 Name: Anonymous wizard

Impossible
Dungeon is pretty cool
how should I put it seven days of exploring are pretty tiresome

Indeed

I climbed the highest mountain but when I got there. There was nothing
550 Name: Anonymous Shield user

Say If the top of that mountain a circular mountain?
Was there a shrine?

It indeed circural
Do you know something?
349
I Don't mind hearing about it
I want to hear about it
Yoshi
It will be a bit longer but I will explain
I also climbed that mountain
So there was a magic circle in front of the shrine at the summit
Then I using the magic circle and getting transferred to a place with big bird-shaped monster and get a
beating
As Tank I was knock out last merely to be defeat crushingly (TN : not sure about this one so i make it as
logic as possible but i apreciating a help so here the raw それに乗って転移した先ででかい鳥型モンスターにボコボ
コにされた
完膚なきまでに叩き潰されたんだ)
The other party members died just by hitting one of the ice gravels that filled the field of vision
Seriously the firepower is absurd
So when you arrive at the summit there is nothing, that mean someone has defeated it

Wha..?
That unreasonable .
If the enemy’s HP is 1 or so, then maybe… you know
Who can endure if it is impossible for chrome …
No, There is .

Am I the only one who think about it

The story has not ended yet
At that time there was another party at the summit
It was Maple and her friends, if i am not wrong the player name should be Sally
Sally-chan is a cute girl with the whole body of blue equipment
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So, if the magic circle were gone
There a high Posibility the two captured it
I guess they are going after us

Oh it may have been the two of them knocked down
Maple pushing
Or that Sally? Is it a mimicry?
Which is it? (TN : Same again not sure about this too あーそれは二人が倒したかもしれんな
メイプルのごり押し
もしくはそのサリーちゃん？も化物じみてるか
どっちかな？ I stil hoping a helping hand here)
560 Name: Anonymous Archer

A bit late
Instead I brought two interesting information

What kind of information is it?

Comfortable
Surprising

The first one
It seems there was a place where a tragedy occurred on the sixth day of the event
A wandering monster of a human type who wrapped herself in blue clothing?
Or a player?
In any case it seems that it does not seem to be using skills and everyone gets killed as it approaches
avoiding all attacks
Suddenly disappearing It is said that the sword avoids it
There is so many victim
He seems to have been a middle boss in a nearby cave thereafter

Incidentally there were also writes saying poison dragons jumped out of the cave

I see
Well blue clothes
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a poisonous dragon.
I think i have heard of it.

It is definite whether the poisonous dragon is like Maple-chan.
I wonder if there are two of us like that
So what is that?
Is the blue clothes Sally?

The possibility of Sally is likely to be high
Sally is also going to be bad
It is not like people trying to break off the sword being swung down

It is not a medal skill in the event
Either an unknown acquisition skills
Or there is a possibility of pure PS
If the latter is true

I remembered with a medal skill choice
Skills that seems to be based on Maple’s super high defense were in it
【Fortress】
Skill that VIT becomes 1.5 times
There is a high possibility that I have more than one of these

I think that defense power is not one
It’s about 1.5 times faster to do it from my VIT value

Maybe Maple-chan might have taken it
Or rather Maple-chan would take it
I do not have a medal.
soo,It will still be hard?

Back to the information the second.
I saw Maple and Sally after the event in a popular desert
Maple-chan who show herself after a long absence
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Flew around on the back of the flying turtle around the sky, and creating rain of poison

Wait my brain can't handle it

There shouldn’t have such a skill
In the first place skill like that never existed.
Wonder if it was not there.
Mouwakakekaran (TN : This line writed in katakana so im not so sure what the meaning)

Seriously, How many medal did he get?
What is the phenomenon like?

I don't know
but the problem is?
The turtle
flying
and, the Poison rain
These three thing
well,The poison rain is [The usual] but the remaining two are the problem
What the hell happened during the event

there’s nothing like Taming, Right?
No
is those an items somewhere during the event?

Maple-chan has been called by two names
The First one are【Fortress (Yōsai) 】That pretty much true
the second name is.
【Floating fortress (Fuyū yōsai) 】
587 Name: Anonymous Wizard

she will fly upward obliquely if I take my eyes off a bit.
I would like to see his skill column and equipment column
Seriously, he became a【Floating Fortress】
Maybe there's a time limit or something
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Sally is also important watching over
People and things gathered around Maple have a tendency to change in general

I already think Sally is not an ordinary player
I want to fight him once
It may be an AGI skill that avoiding attack
I won't know unless I try it

Let’s try it soon
I already friends registered with Maple chan
At that time I will see Sally’s ability too

I’m expecting a good report

I’m expecting you.
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Chapter 54 Defense specialization and skill
contents.
「What kind of skill did Sally choose? 」
The two who finished selecting the medal skills were sitting on the bench of the second town.
「Hmm … I got lost a lot, but I made it to a 【Addition Blade】(Tsui ha)」
「【Addition blade】(Tsui ha)」 [TN : the skill name come form 追刃. 追(Tsui) : Additional
and 刃(Ha) : blade if anyone have another the please tell me i am open for any opinion]
Maple, who does not even see the content of offensive skill, so she do not know what kind of skill it is.
「Etto … it a Skill that triggers additional attack of one third the weapon power when the attack succeeds」
「Etto……?」
「It doubles the number of attack. Because I am a dual-sword, [double slash] will become eight
consecutive shots」
「Sugo ~tsu!」 [TN : want me to put Thats great or just stay like this]
「Well, they have a [poor dexterity] There are also two swords have less damage per stroke, so I still can
not do a full-scale operation yet」 [TN : I am not sure about this line but, so what no one read this anyway]
Sally tends to prefer attack methods with a lot of hands and fast attack methods.
Maple tends to increase durability.
「So, What kind of skills did Maple chose?」
「I don’t know if I can use it properly」
「Huh?」
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Sally did not quite understand what Maple says.
Why would it be possible to choose a skills that he don’t know well for why?
「Well then let’s go to the desert. I would like to try it out of sight.」
「U,..un. I understood」
I did not have a surprise at what kind of skills Maple chose.
「Yo ̄ shi, Let's go syrup.」
Maple called syrup
「syrup! 【Huge】!」
In response to Maple’s voice the syrup’s body is enveloped in light and grows.
When his first height was around 3 meters.
Now It’s about 5 meters and a half.
This is the skill that the syrup gained level up on the sixth day of the event.
【Huge】
Doubles the HP.
After become huge and double the HP Syrup become more susceptible to damage.so, it was a skill that
can't be effectively used in current slow syrups.
「it’s gonna be fine…. it’s gonna be fine」 [TN: Anyone has any idea what 上手くいけー (Umaku ike ̄) This
means]
Maple closes his eyes and prays while holding hands.

Maple who had been doing it for a while shouted and opened his eyes.
「【Nenriki (Psychokinesis)】」
When he say that, Syrup body began to floating.

The giant did not feel any weight and stopped as it floated about 10 meters form ground.
「E ~e…?」
「Yatta! Yatta! It worked.」
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Maple who jumped and excited about his success.
On the other hand, Sally, who is silent under the battle stage against the monster birds, is stunned.
He know from what happened, his mind stopped thinking in this mysterious situation.
Maple chose his skills by an intuition.
It was something Sally could not do.
That’s why 【something He do not know well】 is born.
The performance of the other skills chosen by Maple did not look like something that maple will chooses.
【Nenriki (Psychokinesis)】
You can float a monster.

Success rate of skill changes according to resistance probability set for each monster.
Once failed, one hour can not be reused for the target monster.
It does not act on other than monsters.
Consumption of MP at the time of skill use varies with resistance probability.
After,looking at maple skill sally showing his confusion.

From this skill explanation, she could not understand why maple takes this skill at all.
As Sally’s saw, this was to detain enemy monsters, but it was confirmed that the enemies could not be
restrained but consumption seemed to be big.
「Why did you take that skill?」
「Because I thought that I could fly with syrup」
「Oh, Hai.」 [TN: I leave this line to your imagination if you already learn japan you know Hai has many
meaning]
There is no good reason there.

I think Maple just wants to have fun. He takes the skills for what he wants to do.
And as I mentioned earlier, maple intuition sometimes causes too a heinous phenomenon.
「Ne~e Maple? … Syrup? Until when it stay flying?」
「eh? ……that? Is true」
Maple looks at his MP, but it is not decreasing at all
「……. No way!」
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「what? Did you understand something?」
「Syrup is not an ordinary monster. Thank too bond created by【Bridge of bond】syrup has been connected
to maple 」 [TN: Beat me I am not sure about this line and i don’t know how to make it merge with the story
「シロップは普通のモンスターじゃないよね。【絆の架け橋】のお陰でメイプルと絆で結ばれている」]
「Yup! that’s right」
Maple naturally still wears the ring.
「【Bridge of bond】It is? If the monster is tied by bond … … How about the resistance probability … how
much percent is it?」
What Sally wants to say is that the syrup that is tied to Maple by 【Bridging of the Bond】 [resist].
If the resistance probability is 0%, how much is the MP consumption ?
Sally came through because this skill had no explanation about it.
There was no need to throw away medals and go to bet on Sally [TN: This line too. seriously i really need
an editor (このスキルはその辺りの説明が無かったためサリーはスルーしたのだ。
サリーにはメダルを投げ捨てて賭けに出る必要などなかった。)]
「In other words, it seems like you can fly for a long time with syrup, do not you?」
「Well, that’s right」
「Well fine things are fine. syrup! Come back!」
Maple recalls syrup
「I am gonna ride on your back.」
Responding to that syrup gripped Maple’s head gently and threw it to the top of his shell.
「Yo~tsu!」
Maple falls over with Gashan sound on the shell. The widened shell is also comfortable to ride.
Maple raises altitude to seventh meter and looks around.
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「Maple! A group of Dung beetles is coming!」
Maple who heard sally screaming look around his surrounding

and he see the dust generated when the dung beetle moves around.
「Sally! Get away!」
Sally realized that Maple started something, and escaped with [super acceleration].
It was because she had no idea what to do.
「【Acid Rain】!」
Maple thrust shingetsu at the new moon in the sky.

A mass of purple water of 15 centimeters in diameter jumped out of the magic circle, the water spreads
randomly at a position about five meters away from Maple.
「Yay!Rainy Rainy」
The rain that maple gave down stopped the movement of the beetle, every time it hit.
the quick movement of the beetle can't be undone, as their only fate to be destroyed by the poison rain.
Two people were watching such a spectacle from afar.

One is Sally.
The other person was a man with a bow
「「Wow……」」
Those who saw the mysterious behavior of Maple seemed to be highly punctuated and their vocabulary
become poor.
A little later.
At the moment when the number selected during the skill selection displayed on the monitor became
zero, they leaned back on the backrest and reclined.
in the room of the management.

The color of fatigue appears outstandingly on the face of everyone.
It seems like everyone gonna pass out right now.
「Ushi,all the skill has been selected.」
「Well … the second event got me … It was good that a bug did not occur」
「Ha~a … that’s right! He is? What did maple choose?」
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「If it is Maple, maybe[Fortress] or somethind aroud it. Right …? I think like that …」
「Oh, taking 【Fortress】. no problem. Defense power and something is already crazy so if going to increase
it from here … … … Psycho … kine, cis?」
「I have a bad feeling」
「Me too」
「Find Maple! Make it to the monitor!」

Maple is immediately displayed on the monitor.
Maple …
..Was flying around on a huge turtle and casting a poisonous rain
「「…… Akan」」 [TN: Don’t know what to say guy the raw only give this line (……あかん)]
「I told you to check the skills! right? I told it!」
「I did it! But, as Maple does not take that skill, that adjustment is okay with that adjustment …」
「「Say it in a sense of perseverance! !」」
「Maple will alway come with anything! That is [normal] 」
「Uwa ā ā! Uwa a ā!」 [TN: Rest in Peace the management of the Game team]
Can't, tolerate with the shock the image showing and together with tiredness several people stunned and
getting knocked out.
Then, as soon as the picture of the monitor was erased along with giving up, everyone’s energy has run
out.
Well how the translation guy i don’t know if i put it right or not. and in the first place i am translate it for
my on need. so if you want to be my editor just email me in singgihaja2@gmail.com.
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Contents fluent.
Excuse me.
「Yo ̄ shi, finally finished! 」
Maple lowers syrup altitude.

She was trying to get off while slowly clinging to syrup feet, but of course it slipped down.
After returning syrup to the ring, maple headed to sally.
「Tadaima ̄ !」
「Sometimes Maple changing to something that I can't understand 」
「really ? 」
「yeah」
What they got in the second event is a big shield and scroll.
That was acquired in the cave where the snail was.
Because they had forgotten to confirm it, they decided to check the item now.
Depending on the item performance maple can evolve further.
「First is the scrolls」

It the scroll that let you learns skill 【Encouragement】.
Sally and Kasumi possess this.
【Encouragement】
Raise your party member ‘s [STR] [AGI] who was within 15 meters in radius by 20% for one minute.
There is no effect to the user.
「It’s for parties … is it meaningless if I use it? 」

It is pointless even if Sally raises the status of Maple.
No matter how many percent zero is raised, it is zero.
if [VIT] rised, it will be different, but these skill still not be necessary for the two of them.
even so, Sally still learned the skill.
and, naturally Maple learn the skill to.
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「Well then, next is the Great shield」
The Great shield exchanged by handing a staff and a spear to Kasumi, the shield was made of purple
crystal.
Maple reminds vividly of the cave full of snails by looking at the shield.
「It was such an obstacle right? 」
「That right … I would like to go again if there is no snail. 」

Maple confirms the capability of the Great shield.
『Mass of the Violet Crystal』(TN:I don't get a got name for this one the raw say 紫晶塊 and I check the
romaji it show me "Murasaki Akira Katamari" so Any suggestion for the name)
【VIT + 30】
【Crystal wall (Suishō kabe)】
Maple checks the skills.

The value of this Great shield depends on this skill because the rise value of 【VIT】 is lower than the【
white snow】.
【Crystal wall (Suishō kabe)】

Make the wall with HP the same value as the HP of the player who activated the skill within 5 meters in
radius.
After use, it is five minutes to be reusable.
「Oh … I do not seem to be able to use it like that」

If it was the same as the value of [VIT], it would have been horrible.
Every five minutes obstacles with the same defensive power as Maple will spring up to protect Maple.
「If maple’s HP is high it may have been quite usable. 」

By one status point to HP, HP will increase by 20. The same is true for MP.
Therefore, if you acquire the skill of proportion recovery like [meditation] by adding the skill point to HP
rather than【VIT】it will make viability higher.
That's the reason【VIT】 getting outspokenly.
Only after going like Maple the damage reduction of 【VIT】 becomes a thing.
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「Should I try it out later? 」
Maple puts the Great shields into her inventory.
Because Maple had【Crystal wall (Suishō kabe)】, I thought that it would not be never used at all.
「Because Maple’s big shield is enough … 」

Sally’s saying that, of course, 【Mirror of the Dark Night (Yamiyo no Utsushi) 】.
There will not be such a Great shield above that.
「That remind me … my level has rised」
「Me,too. I was killing the fish while Maple was playing with the squid」
Maple
Lv29
HP 40/40〈＋160〉
MP 12/12 〈＋10〉
【STR 0】
【VIT 180〈＋141〉】
【AGI 0】
【DEX 0】
【INT 0】
Equipment
Head 【blank】
Body 【Armor of Black Roses (Kurobara no Yoroi)】
Right hand 【New Moon (Shingetsu): Hydra (Dokuryuu)】
Left hand 【Mirror of the Dark Night (Yamiyo no Utsushi): Bizarre Eater (Akujiki)】
Foot 【black rose nose】
Shoes 【Black rose nose】
Accessories 【Bridge of bonds】
【Toughness ring】
【Ring of life】
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skill
【Absolute Defense】【Giant Killing (OomonoKurai)】【Hydra Eater (DokuryuuKurai)】【Bomb Eater
(BakudanKurai)】【Meditation】【Provoke】【Abominable (Gokuaku Hidō)】【Knowledge of Great Shield IV
】【Body handling】【Attack diversion】【Shield Attack】
【HP Enhancement (Small)】【MP Enhancement (Small)】
【The indomitable guardian】
【Psychokinesis】
【Fortress】【Encouragement】
Sally
Lv24
HP 32/32
MP 45/45〈＋35〉
【STR 30〈＋20〉】
【VIT 0】
【AGI 85〈＋68〉】
【DEX 25〈＋20〉】
【INT 30〈＋20〉】
Equipment
Head 【Muffler of the Surface Water (Minamo no Mafura): Mirage (Shinkirō)】
Body 【Coat of the Ocean (Taikai no Kōto): Ocean (Taikai)】
Right hand 【Dagger of the Deep Sea (Shinkai no Dagā)】
Left hand 【Dagger of the Bottom of the Water (Minasoko no Dagā)】
Legs 【Leggings of the Ocean】
Shoes 【Black Boots】
Accessories 【Bridge of bonds】
【Blank】
【Blank】
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skill
【Status Abnormal Attack Ⅲ】【Sword Fencing II】
【Gale Slash】【Muscle strengthening (small)】
【Small Strengthening】【Down Attack】
【Power Attack】
【Switch Attack】【Taijutsu V】
【Knowledge of Daggers II】【Dexterity】【Defense Break】【Super Acceleration】【Ancient Sea】
【Addition blade】【Encouragement】
【Fire Magic I】【Water Magic II】【Wind Magic III】
【Water Wall】
【Wind Cutter】【Wind Wall】【Cyclone Cutter】
【Sand Cutter】
【Dark Ball】
【MP enhancement (small)】【MP cut small】
【MP Recovery Speed Enhancement (small)】【Knowledge of Magic II】
【Speed Enhancement (small)】【Hiding Presence II】
【Sense Presence II】【stealthy steps】【Leap III】
【Poison resistance (small)】
「Almost reaching level 30 」
「I tried quite well but I still can't look the difference」
「How many people are at the highest level now? 」
「I think 61 before the event? Was it? Level 100 is the limit now, but maybe the maximum will be released
if someone reaches it」
365
「61! What? U wa~a… suggoi…! It seems impossible for us right now」
「Because those people are in a different dimension … no … … Maple is another dimension, 」

Sally who say that don't know that she getting certified outside on the net.
Unlike the previous event, the picture has not publification yet so it has not become famous so far, but it
is only a matter of time.
until she joining the existence of another dimension.
「Tomorrow is a school … It feel like a long time ago」
「Sōda ne. We shall Log out earlier today?」
「Un! Let’s do it」

They logged out respectively.
The sight is enveloped by light
Kaede who returned to the real world confirmed the time.
「… … Seriously only two hours has passed … 」

She realize again by looking at the clock in the real world.
In the seventh day during the event, if she close her eyes and think abou it, it floats clearly in the head of
Kaede.
There were also a lot of serious fights, but it remained memorable mote than that she had a good time
with Risa.
「I wonder if there is an event like that again … I wish I could stay with Kasumi and Kanade this time … 」
Kaede was immersed in his thought for a while, but switching to prepare for tomorrow and move on to
study.
「Is Risa studying properly? … I’m about to sleep … 」

Kaede also realized before saying that she should study properly before being banned.
「True … has gotten into trouble」

The idea of playing a game with Risa was similar to Risa before Kaede started the game.
It is likely to interact with my best friend.
“If it is now … maybe I understand a little feeling of Lisa that I invited so much”
When I met again tomorrow, Kaede decided to talk about various things started to concentrate on my
studies.
366
Chapter 56 Defense specialization and major
failure
next morning.
Kaede wake up from the bed.
“I am getting excited and could not sleep well … ”

Kaede was unable to get a good sleep for the first time.
Kaede started walking towards school when she finished dressing up.
“It’s pretty hot today,”

Kaede advanced the way to school in a hurry to avoid the heat.
As she enters the classroom, Risa is already there.

Since they are going to school early as usual, there are only two people in the classroom.
“Good morning Kaede”
“Good Morning Risa!”

Kaede approached Liza after putting her luggage in her seat.
“I manage to come to school somehow, it don’t feel like seven day has passed!”
” Indeed. well, that will happen if you stay inside for seven days … Oh yeah, Kaede should be careful to.”
“Huh? What?”
Even if she has been told to be careful, Kaede did not know what to watch out for.
“In game you always guarded against monster and player all the time, right? That might become a habit in
real world”
Risa says that in case if a habit of maple or sally come out when they are out of control.
“But, I have played quite long already, but i still haven’t ever done that?”
“Well, just in case, Kaede had never logged in for seven days in a row.”
367
“That's true … un, got it! I am gonna be careful for it.”
While talking about that, Chirahora and other students come into the classroom.
Kaede cut back the story and returned to his seat five minutes before the class started.
The way home on that day.

Kaede arrived at his room with unsteady step and fill his face with a pillow.
“…… I’d like to say that I did not have today Good”
Kaede looks back on the day today.
First Period
“…… Su~u… su~u”

Kaede who was unable to sleep well yesterday was falling asleep unusually.
As her seat close to the window, the moderately sunny environment also increased the drowsiness.
And those who rarely fall asleep are still acting as usual.
Risa is a human being of that type.
A girl in the seat next to Kaede is told by the teacher and wake Maple form her drowsiness.
” N … n?… Fu ~a… is it time to change lookout? … Are? ”

While stretching out and saying it in a loud voice.
The classroom laughed at Kaede’s remarks.
Then, Kaede remembered where he is now, but it was already late.
“That's way I told you to be careful.”

Risa murmured with a low voice as she saw Kaede.
” concentrate on the lesson”
368
“Ye… Ye…s, sorry”
This is one of them.
Next was a break time after the third Period.

A corridor on the way home from the toilet to the classroom.
There were many people going out from the class,So the corridor full of student.
At that time, it happened that the girls walking behind Kaede collided when passing with other students,
dropping the textbooks and pencil case that they had in their hands.
Of course, when it falls to the ground, there is a sound.
“… !”
Kaede decides to turn neatly and thrusts his left hand and brings his right hand to his waist.
It was a move that has been repeatedly practiced repeatedly by Risa.
If this was the right place it would have been a perfect reaction.
But neither big shield nor dagger is here.
“E…? e..?”
The girls studded hard by looking at Kaede who suddenly posed in front of her.
When Kaede slowly pulled his arm, he fell awkwardly with an awkward smile and quickly left the spot.
At this point Kaede’s mental is already drenched.
If anyone makes a big mistake in front of people , anyone will tension down.
Kaede will pay attention to his actions not to fail anymore.

However, if something happen twice it will happen again.
It is common to fail as much as you think if you try not to fail.
After lunch, physical education.
It’s Dodgeball at the gym.

Kaede and Risa are on the same team.
At this point the annihilation of Kaede’s team has ceased.
Whatever you do your best does not match Risa.
Although the opposing team is obsessively targeting Risa, it does not hit.
Unlike in the game, there is no need to avoid it in a moment, so she can evade it.
“As amazing as ever …”

If she stopped watching Lisa at this point, the biggest failure this time could have never occurred.
“… … Kaede!”
If the opponent team who aimed at Risa suddenly changed the aim, the probability of being caught will
rise.
It was Kaede who was aimed this time.
Because Kaede was watching Risa, Her responds was delayed.
369
When Kaede saw the ball in response to Risa’s voice, the ball was already flying straight towards Her.
If it was a former Kaede, it would be crouchingly squatting and jumping sideways.
However, the way Kaede avoiding something that flew at her way recently was not the case.
“【Cover mo … … ah!”
Although she noticed it at the moment, and closed her mouth with both hands, but in that state she could
not avoiding the ball.
Face-safe was not applied.
“Kaede! Are you alright?”
“I am okay…”
For Kaede, there was no problem except for suddenly shouting something.
Because the girls here were not playing NewWorld Online except Risa, it was happiness in unfortunate
event that no one understand what Kaede said.
“I need to take a break for a while …”
“It's fine”
Kaede was able to drop in with his back on the wall.
This is all today’s mistake.
“… … I should stop playing the game for a while”

For three days straight, Kaede never logged in just in case.
Did the result come out or did the matter has been decided?
Three days later, Kaede will not fail at all.
This “Three Days” Kaede has not got any information about NewWorld Online.
Risa also took a lot of attention.
370
Chapter 57 Defense specialization and new
elements.
Maple logs in after three days and waits for Sally at the open space.
After waiting for a while Sally comes.
[Sorry, did you wait?]
[No, I have not waited so long, what are we going to do today?]
[U ̄ n … Thats right, how much maple know about these three days?]
[E? … I don’t know anything at all, I made it so that I could freed from the game influnce.]
Maple does not know what happened in this game in the last three days.
Not only not log in to the game, she even shut down the game information.
[Then, I will explain it one by one]
[Un, please.]
[First of all, the big shield has a newly added skill, it was a skill to resist penetration attacks] (TN: Game
Management has Dug their own Graveyard)
[Oh!]
Maple was very happy hearing it.
According to Sally, the method to obtain it was informed by the operation.
Maple decide to look at the skill later, and Sally speaks the continuation.
[That’s why this is important, but before that maple after the event done … a new element was added]
[New element?]
[A golden insect called【light insects (Pikachū)】came out somewhere in the field]

According to Sally, various kinds of insects appear in the field, and when it’s defeated it will definitely
drop 【proof of light insects (pikachū no akashi)】. (TN: A Pikachu has appeared. no its not my doing i
just write the romaji that goggle-sensei show)
[What do you use that for?]
[It is necessary to buy the new element【guild home】]
[Guild … home?]
371
[There are lots of buildings that you can’t enter in this town right?]
[Yup]
Just looking around the map they are many building.
But, You can’t enter most of this building .
Except for the NPC shops and blacksmiths that players borrow by paying money to NPC.
[You can buy one for one proof, the rank of the guild home that you can buy depending on the type of
insect you have]
[Fumufumu, Now I understand]

Sally talks about the benefits of status improvement as a good thing of [guild home], then begins to talk
about the number of ‘insects’.
[There are limits to the number of the【light insects (Pikachū)】… there are only a same number of
buildings available]
[E e!?]
[The operation seems to gradually increase the number of buildings little by little]
But that does not lead to an increase in the number of current 【light insects (Pikachū)】.
in other words, it won’t compesate for any insect that maple missed.
[the… Then, We must hurry up and search for it!]

For Maple who want to experience 【guild home】.
If she can’t acquire the certificate this time, she don’t know when the next will be.
And, she could not waited it forever.
[Maple]
[Wh…What?]
Sally manipulates the blue screen and take out something from her inventory.
[I already have it, I think that Maple want it.]
[Oh … Oh! Thank you!]
[But … this can only get the right to buy 【guild home】and you need money to buy it.]
[That … how much?]
[5 million gold]
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[5 … !?]
Maple confirms his money.
Maple did not need money, so she did not save for it.
Therefore, the possession money of Maple had only a little as 50,000 gold.
[Well … let’s make money today, I want 【guild home】as soon as possible]
Then Maple tries to walk out of town
[Maple]
[What?]
Sally approaches maple while showing her status screen.
Point a part of it partly and show it to Maple.
In Sally’s possession money column there are five, one zero with six zeros.
[I have already prepared this]
[that’s amazing! Sally is amazing!]
[Hehe … … more praise me more]

There was nothing outrageous to earned this amount of money, it just collecting and selling drop items
with full power for three days repeatedly.
After being praised for Maple for a while, Sally speaks.

Sally says to head towards the house that can be bought by Maple and Maple agrees with it.
Maple also began walking along following Sally who knew the place.
[Money, can i return it this time?]
[Well … well you don’t need to return it so much. If you really want to return something, just find
something suitable to me?]
[I understood, I gonna search it!]
[Anytime it’s okay]
Sally stops his foot when walking near the edge of the town.
It would be inconvenient to use central plaza and NPC shops.
[It should be around here?]
[You walked a lot,]
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[The proof that I got is low in rank … you can buy a guild home in the center of the town if the proof of a
better rank is available]
[Just getting it is enough!]

Maple did not care about the size of 【guild home】 etc.
According to Maple’s personality, thought, it was normal to think so.
While walking for a while Maple found a 【guild home】.
[Here … Should be fine]

The back of a road with no traffic.
A quietly existing [guild home] had a hideout atmosphere.
[Surely, I hear that they like maple.]
[Is it OK here?]
[Yeah, it’s okay,]

Then Sally took out the【proof of light insects (pikachū no akashi)】and pressed it against the door.
The white glow filled the alley and the door slowly opened.
The two go inside.
[Oh … quite wide]
When inside they confirmed the interiors at once, wooden furniture of calm color at the center.
In the back of the room, a blue panel was fitted in the wall, and so they could register the guild member
by entering the information there.
Because Sally gave the guild master position to Maple Maple is a guild master.
Sally declined the guild master to say that she will stop this time.
[This is still the lowest class guild but … you can still register up to 50 people,]
[Its two stories, but … how much can fit?]
[Well, it may not be comfortable because it has a limit value … who shall we invite? If we not hurry
everyone will enter another guild?]
[… … Shall I ask Kasumi and Kanade!]
[I thought about it too, I think it’s good.]

Maple sends a message to them.
Reply comes from two people in a few minutes.
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Fortunately neither of them belonged to the guild.
And they are happy for Maple invitation.
[Yatta! Sally! I am gonna going to the square for a while!]
[Take care]
Maple opened the door swiftly and ran away. (TN: with 0 Agility)
Maple arrives at the square.

They were sitting on the edge of the fountain in the center, but when they noticed Maple they came
closer.
Maple talks about Kanade and Kasumi introduced them.
[Thank you for both of you! I’m glad you accepted it]
[I am glad you invited me, too]
[Oh, thanks]
while thanking both of them and walking together.
At that time.
[Wha …]
When Maple was staring at the person in peace, the other side came near and noticed it.
[Oh, it’s been a while after the event]
[Chrome-san! It’s been a long time.]

That person was chrome.
The person that Maple meet at the top of a snowy mountain.
[How was the event for Maple? You also entered the snowy mountain after us, right?]
That is, of course, the dwelling place of the monster.
[It was strong, but, I managed to win]

He was expecting that Maple has been defeated it, but he was more surprised by actually hearing it from
the person’s mouth.
Well, I guess she defeated 【that】.
[Well, with that strength you can join any guild you want … Well … There are places that have some
conditions too …]
[Guild … … That’s right! Would you like to join my guild too, if you don’t have any plan yet?]
Chrome had a party at the 2nd event, so Maple thought it was impossible.
Therefore, she didn’t send a message, but she thought that she would talk to him if she meet him.
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[Is it okay? If Maple is good, I am willing to enter …]
Chrome said that the last party for the event was only once at that time.
In other words, chrome is free now.
With that, Maple took Chrome and four people headed to [Guild Home].
[I’m home!]
[Welcome back, are you brought Chrome too?]
[I meet him by chance and ask him to join!]
[Well, let’s register all of them]

Three newly people finish inputting their name to the blue panel at the back of the room.
[By the way … Have you decide the Guild name?.]
[Maple decides, because she is the Guild Master]
[I think that is good as well]
[Yes, I agree.]
Maple tries to think from four people.
After a while Maple entered the Guild name in the panel.
【Maple Tree】
This guild named by Maple acts as a small guild.
And later it will be called 【Outer Devil’s】 or 【Makai】, but that is still ahead.
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Chapter 58 Defense specialization and
production materials
Maple flies past the fields on the back of syrup.
We are going to faraway place and it much faster than walking,so it can be helped.
「Kanade! Best regards for today」
「Leave it to me!」
The reason why she riding with Kanade today is for gathering materials.
The next day, after cofirming the guild formation the new guild finally started.
Today, they are going to the mine to stock up material for the workshop inside 【Guild Home】.
The other three people, Sally, Chrome, and Kasumi are heading to different places to collect wood and
drop items.
Because Kanade poured all her ability for production, Battle was cleared by Maple.
Originally,Kanade not good at exercising, so she can't fight properly.
Instead, the level of production skills is high.

Weapons, cloth products, accessories, furniture.
Everything is possible.
「Because I can have an escort,can I go 【Mining】! 」

Since Kanade had 【Mining V】, she decided to head to the mine.
to excavate an ore.
Because the golem also comes out on the mine, golem material collection is Maple job.
「This time 【 God Archive (Akashic Records )】was helpful」

Kanade explains this skill to all guild members.
【 God Archive (Akashic Records )】

Acquire a total of nine skills, randomly from production skills, combat skills, and other skills, three each
at a time.
Skill level is medium or fixed.
Acquisition skill disappears after one day of use.
Skills already acquired are not chosen.
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「Weapons skills other than canes are useless, so it will be up to you whether you will be able to fight or
not.」
When Kanade level up, she got enough strength to fight even without this skill, But, this skill has a secret
value.
It is the key to creating a new strategy.
Kanade can use different skills every day.

Sometimes, It exerts a terrible effect.
「I can see it!」
「yōshi! ikō!(Let's go!)」

Even though magic and arrow flew several time on their way, every time it happen Maple took care of it
by jumped in to the front of the player.
The reason why the attack stopped was not because Maple’s attention was working but it was because
they surprised at maple that suddenly appeared, but such thing was unknown to Maple.
「Because we are going to the mine interior,please stay close with me」
「ryōkai! (Roger!) 」
They advance in the cave which continues into the mine.
Although there are no beautiful crystals like in the snail cave, but you can find the ore exposed in many
places, so Kanade will use 【Mining】as soon as she finds it.
「Let's keep going!( dondon ikō!)」
「Un, let's do that」

As syrup is put back in the ring, Maple only protecting Kanade.
Since golem did not use big shields and 【poison dragon (hydra)】, she was able to beat them with a weak
poison attack.
While collect the golem’s drop items as well.
There are various types of ores in this mine, but high-quality ores don't come out so often.
「Iron ore, ash crystal, stones …」

The sound of Kanade Pickaxe echoes.
Every time an ore is obtained, nothing noteworthy to mention.
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The two advanced steadily down the division road and finished mining from the mining point at the far
end.
「Well… let's just focus on quantity than quality!」

Says Maple.
「No … if it like this …」

It seemed that Kanade could not approve of drift.
Ore is better than quantity.
「A, how about the way back? ….. Will we able to come out properly?.」
「I remember everything if it’s a way back so it’s okay?」
「o ！not bad, then … please give me a guide」

Kanade went on without any hesitation in the cave with many divisions, and she was able to go outside
without mistaking the way.
Sally were in the forest.

Here is the main battle, collecting drop items.
「Aren't Sally-chan really amazing?」

Chrome mocks.
Before Chrome’s eyes there is a sally that attacking enemy while avoiding.
Although it seems like some attack will hit her, it does not hit even once.
「O … amazing … Aura」
It's Sally that mutters.
A pale aura overflows from Sally ‘s body.
Sally defeated the monster for Maple and sold the drop item and prepared a large amount of gold.
At that time the level rose.
And she got a skill.
【Sword Dance (ken no mai)】

Every time you attack, STR rise 1%
Up to 100%
Rising value disappears when damaged.
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The acquisition condition was no damage until reaching level 25.
A pale aura is due to this skill.
When against Sally. (TN: not sure サリーを相手にする場合 here the raw)
She have to attack in order to beat it, but it will be disadvantageous if she attack.
「I can't do maple with this」
「E… how much is maple’s VIT value?」
「Should i ask Maple? I think she will tell me?」

While saying so, Sally glanced at Chrome.
Chrome’s battle would be a steady if it represents in a single word.

Take the attack with a big shield and damage it by cutting with a dagger.
How he use big shields is good,and playing the attack properly.
Furthermore, he stood while checking the state of the game so as not to be surrounded.
「Is that the original way to use shield」
「Yeah…」
There was no flashy move like Maple, but PS definitely exceeded Maple.
As Maple does not need to take attacks with a shield like Chrome, how she use the big shields is not good.
The body is harder than the big shield.

Rather, there are many people who are pulling big shields to leave bad snacks.
「This guild is a minority 【normally】that is..」

Maple, Sally, Kanade are abnormal frames.
Kasumi, Chrome is a normal frame.
it sticking one foot into an abnormal frame in terms of production.
Chrome also finished the battle safely and three people arrive on the way back.
「Me too….. would I become abnormal in this guild?」
「Am I supposed to be that way?」
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「Maybe it will tint into maple colors」
It is a subtle place whether to be obediently pleased.
This time it is the number that is exerting power using the materials that each brought back.
The two pairs meet outside the town, and went in together.
It is a conspicuous five persons.

Maple is quite obvious.
Chrome and Kasumi are the winners of the first event. Equipment is also luxurious and eye-catching.
Several people reflexively withdraw their weapons when looking at Sally.
Kanade collapsed and assembled with Rushikashaba at high speed with Rashikashube repeatedly to kill
time. (TN: i don’t get this line right. cause i don’t know any right word to describe it so Anyone want to
check it for me)
It would be unavoidable that there were those who followed the five people heading to the edge of the
town.
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The Day after material gathering, Maple was walking around in town alone at the 2nd stage because the
other members are unable to match her login time today. Because of that she has no choice but to go solo.
During the 2nd event, Maple didn’t have the chance to explore the 2nd town properly. So she is thinking of
exploring this town to some extent today.
「It’s not good to force them to accompany me ne~」
Besides that, Maple also wants to leisurely explore alone.
Her First goal is to search for Sally’s equipment.

Next is to search for a skill or equipment that will make her stronger.
Maple still doesn’t have head equipment so her target is something for her head.
Maple talked with the NPC that she sees, one after another.
But with her status, she was not able to trigger any event.
It is the case where event requires status other than VIT.
For example in Sally's 【Super Acceleration (chō kasoku)】, even if she talks with the key NPC for that
event, nothing will happen.
「Maybe I should try to go and see the edge of town」
Leaving from the town’s center, the number of people who walk around decreases.
There are buildings that can be seen as【Guild Home】, because of that Maple can’t go inside.
She tried to go around the back alleys and was able to find few buildings that she can enter but they are
just empty houses.
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「Oo! I can go in here too」
Maple made a cracking sound on the door when she opens it.
Inside the room, there is a girl lying on a tattered bed being taken care of by a woman who looks like her
mother.
「ara?Okyaku-san(a guest)? pardon me」
「A-, don't worry (TLN: ie mean no but i can't find good one to translate it)」
「Are you okay?....Sorry, It's painful right?」(TLN: I don't know who talk here)
Because Maple is getting awkward with the atmosphere, she tried to get out silently but,
The woman after taking care of her daughter goes to Maple’s place.
「Ano... Are you a Kishi-sama?(a Knight)」
「e(Thinking for a while)? U-un, Wa- what about it?」
If you look at Maple’s Equipment, instead of a magic user or a swordsman, being called a Knight actually
fits her appearance.
「Kishi-sama(knight)! Please! Help My Daughter! I can't give anything back but... Please, please....just
please」
In front of Maple’s eye, a Blue color panel is floating.
Quest【Benevolence Knight (Hakuai no Kishi)】
Under these words, there is a Yes and No being displayed as well.

Maple press "yes" once.
Because Maple is being asked for help, she can't press "no".
Even if there is no compensation, she doesn't mind.
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「Th-thank you very much! We need my daughter’s medicine... but it looks I can't go alone... I will guide
you so please take me with you.」
「....Understood! I will protect you!」
The woman approach Maple.
Above the woman’s head a HP Bar is floating. It seems like if the quest is not properly handled, the quest
can't be repeated.
And here Blue monitor/windows appear, the details of the quest are explained in there.
Maple made sure to carefully read the details and the quest goal.
The Goal is to make sure that the woman is alive till they arrived at the destined place.
There no time limit.
「For now, isn’t it fine to take her outside?」
When Maple steps outside of the house the woman began to talk.
「We will go to the【Tree of Life】, from here go straight to the east」
「Okay」
Maple called out Syrup and like always she got on its back.
Because the woman had a setting that she must stand within 2 meter radius with Maple as the center,
when Maple got on Syrup back, using Syrup’s leg as a foothold the woman jump following Maple.
「Aren't you actually strong? You're more powerful than me isn't it?」
「We aim for the east」
「a, yes....【Psychokinesis (Nenriki)】!」
Like always Syrup is floating and they smoothly fly heading east.
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「Now that we can see the forest, There’s the Entrance, go in from there」
「This, Can't we just go flying?」
Maple get off in front of the forest and called back syrup into the ring.
「Saa, Let's Hurry up!」
「Un(yes)! This way is good right?」
There was a small path in front of them.
Because the woman points at that path, there should be no mistake.
Maple goes deeper and deeper.
Because the woman is always at the range of【Cover】, protecting her will be easy.
Originally there should be battles before they can reach the forest, but because Maple has her own special
way, she was able to avoid that.
Of course, that way is Syrup.
Because Maple’s attack doesn't affect the woman, even if Maple is surrounded, she just needs to use this
skill calmly.
「For now its okay not to beat them right?」
But Maple is different from other players, she is slow.
And it increases the chance of being attacked.
Guided by the woman, when they arrive at the middle of the forest, her skill "Bizarre Eater (akujiki)"
already run out of use.
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「Let's change to crystal shield」
Changing equipment with a shield that emits purple color, Maple followed the woman.
「That’s! That’s the 【Tree of Life】!」
The tree that the woman came over to was only half as large as the surrounding trees
「Nanka(It Looks), different from what I thought」
What Maple imagined was a huge tree that emits holy light
「This Leaf work well for illness」
Woman takes several leaves from branches and shows it to Maple.
「hee.... Is that so. Is it okay if I take some too?」
Maple tried to take some but was blocked by an invisible wall. She can't go near the tree.
It looks like players can only collect it as a limited event item.
「It's okay now」
「Jaa(Then), Let's go back」
Maple summons Syrup and make him fly. After that she uses "Kyodai-ka/Enlarge" because there is not
enough space down there.
「Syrup Please!」
Syrup’s altitude is higher than the usual.
Maple thinks of what to do for a moment but she came up with a good idea.
It's not climbing the tree.

Of course, it's not a jump too.
「【Crystal wall】!」
From Maple Feet Purple Crystal extend and bounce maple up.
Of course it's not how this skill is originally used
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「Syrup!」
Bounced up Maple was bit by Syrup from head till around her shoulder.
If other people see this, it will become a shocking spectacle for sure.
Doesn't matter how you see it, Flying Turtle that eats people can only can be seen in paintings.
And like that Maple was thrown away into Syrup’s back and got in place.
「A.... What should I do with her...?」
When Maple wants to check the woman NPC under her, she just jumped from up the tree and fly to
Syrup’s foot.
「EEEEE!?」
「Let's go. My daughter’s already waiting」
「Ye-yes」
Maple Fly up to the sky.
That time Maple muttered what comes inside her mind
「This person can absolutely go alone....」
It can't be helped if you think with that woman’s power, she can go to the forest normally
And After that when they flew out from the forest.
「Haa.... Haa.... Thank you for protecting me. If it’s like before, I must be already done for...」
「Ee!? W-What are you talking about so suddenly?」
Maple didn't do anything special.
She just fly in the sky.
Nope, just flying in the sky is already counted as abnormal.
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Originally, stronger monsters will be their opponents. Large Shield Equipment with lack of Attack power
will be easily defeated.
The woman words, can be heard after overcoming that.
Because Maple just goes through it without encountering any, it became a weird.
「Kishi-sama(knight) you sure are gentle」
「Ee...to....Somehow, I'm sorry」
Maple somehow feels sorry but she doesn't say anything.
Because Maple can't bear the atmosphere, she hurry up to go back to the town
「Yoshi! Arrive!」
Maple Get down from Syrup in front of the town, and unsummon syrup back to the ring.
Next aim is this woman’s house.
「Thank you very much! I will go first」
The woman hurried up and run towards her home.
Maple speed can't follow her.
「....Let's go slowly」
Since the event will not continue till Maple arrives in there, it's not like everything will be done before
that. This is how the setting is set up.
After walking for a while, Maple arrives at the woman house.
When Maple opened the door, the woman was just about to let the girl drink something.
A Dark Deep Green Liquid is in a container.
For Maple, just from seeing it, it looks bitter and makes her doesn't want to drink it. The girl who drank it
also makes a stiffed face.
「....Dou?(how?)」
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「Kehoo,kehoo.....Un... I feel much better..... gohoo,Gohoo」(cough voice)
「What a terrible cough...! aaa! What should I do!」
The woman Mourn/grief/sorrow (EDN: can't find good one)
That time, in front of maple a blue window appear.
Quest【Benevolence knight (Hakuai no Kishi) 2】
A new quest skill occurred.
Of course Maple accepts it.
「Kishi-sama(knight), do you still want to help me?」
「e,un...as expected I can't leave it alone.」
Even now the girl is still coughing non-stop, it looks her condition is getting worse.
「Then ... please take me to the 【fountain of demons】the Place is northwest after you go out from the
town!」
「un, Understood」
After saying that the woman go out first to the town.
「N?...I acquired a skill」
【Benevolence knight (Hakuai no Kishi)】
Even though the name is already at her skill column, it doesn’t have any effect. What in there is just the
name of the skill.
「Nn? There’s no effect?.... is it because the event is not done yet?」

If it’s like that, then Maple right now can't just drop the quest.
Maple goes out to the town.
「It's to the Northwest!」
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「Ookee. Northwest dane (right)」
It's already become natural for Maple to use Syrup and fly and head toward northwest.
Surrounding players too are not surprised, as the number of people who saw it and the people who hear
the rumors about Maple already increased.
Oh, it’s just Maple like always.
It became that kind of way of thinking
When you always come across with unnatural things, it will become a natural one.
Maybe the day where all players will think something like, “aa today, Maple is flying in the sky huu”, is not
that far away.
「It will not end with the 2nd right.... there must be a third...」
Maple muttered
Because it felt like it will be a half-hearted quest if it ends at number 2. And the content of the quest
doesn't change at all. It doesn't seem it will end with this one.
「Aa!?【Bizarre Eater (Akujiki)】still not recovered!」
Maple noticed something while at Syrup’s back.
It will probably become dangerous if she needs to fight.
「uun.... If it doesn’t look good, we can just go and retreat.」
It will be meaningless if the woman dies.
For now Maple will just go toward their destination and after that she will check from sky the situation
around the fountain before going down.
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While flying, Maple saw the fountain below her.
This time, the woman didn’t say anything, so she came to the location straight from the top.
The fountain that she saw is surrounded by rocks and most of those rocks are standing tall.
「For now, let’s go down near it」

After dropping off near it, she called Syrup back into the ring and head for the fountain with the woman.
There seemed to be no monsters around the fountain, so we arrived at the fountain without any trouble.
The woman looked back to Maple after she collects the fountain water.
「Kishi-sama(Knight)! Thank you very much!」
「No.., I am not doing anything praiseworthy...」
「Let's hurry home!」
「A , un. That's right.」
We go back to the spot where we got off from Syrup. Maple then summons Syrup and starts to fly with it.
They returned safely back to town and the woman gave her daughter the water.
Maple is just standing there watching them.
「How do you feel?」
「D- Don’t worry, I’m fine」

although the girl says so, her complexion is bad and her body is slightly trembling.
She didn’t seem to be OK.
Naturally, the next quest appears before Maple.
Quest【Benevolence knight (Hakuai no Kishi) 3】
「Un, Like I thought」
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The next quest occurs as Maple expected.
Maple tries to check the skill【Benevolence knight (Hakuai no Kishi)】,but the skill is still displayed only as
a name. So, she decided to take the quest.
「Kishi-sama(Knight)! Thank you very much!」
「It’s alright, it’s alright」
「There is a huge town far away from here and I've heard rumors that there are rings to heal your body
just by putting it in ... ... I'm sorry for asking again, could you bring me there?」
「Huge ... Town, maybe the first town?」
The first town when Maple starts this game.

It was the only huge town in Maple’s mind.
「That means(tte koto wa) ... The ring is maybe that…」

Maple takes one ring out of her inventory.
A Rare drop that Maple got in the first stage.
The【Ring of the Forest Queen Bee】.
「Knight!( Kishi-sama!) You brought it! Oh, How can I show you my gratitude ...」
「A ... this is OK」

Maple thinks of giving away the ring which has not been equipped recently to the lady.
The Ring is a rare drop, she didn’t know when she can get it again.
Maple gives the lady the ring that she has.
「I give it to you ...」

The Lady puts the ring on her daughter.
Then a quest clear notification shows in front of Maple. That proves that the ring is the correct item.
「U, gu~… ga,」
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「…are you fine? ... is there any pain?」
「Gu~……!」
The girl had a distorted face because of the pain, then suddenly she jumped out of bed, opened the door
roughly and ran outside the house.
「Wa, wait!( Ma, matte!)」

The lady also chase her.
A notice of new quest appears in front of the Maple who was left by the mother and daughter.
Quest【Benevolence Knight (Hakuai no kishi) 4】
Maple naturally takes it.
「For the time being ... Let’s chase after them」
「There! (Ita!)」
When she got out of town, Maple saw the woman sitting down.
When Maple approaches, the woman starts talking.
「Ū ~…Knight (kishi-sama)…! My daughter……」
「Where did she go? Is she Safe?!」
「My daughter goes to the 【Temple of Everlasting (tokoyami no shinden)】 .. It is dangerous there!」
「...... I will take her back!」
「I will guide you there…! This is to save my daughter ...」

Maple wanted to go alone but since she can’t refuse the lady, Maple decided to take her.
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Following the Lady guidance, she came further to the place in northwest, passing the fountain that they
were at earlier.
There, was an old temple that looks like it will collapse anytime.
There is no doubt that this is the【Temple of Everlasting (tokoyami no shinden)】.
Maple enters the temple after returning Syrup to the ring.

The daughter was at the very deep of this simple structure with only one hall surrounded by walls and
ceiling. The lady is about to run over there, but a jet-black fog blows out from the daughter’s body.
The fog attacked the lady while it had a humanoid shape.

It was confirmed at the first quest that【Cover Move】and 【Cover】is can be used for the lady.
Maple suspends the fog attack with her shield when she moved between the two.
「......! 【Bizarre Eater (Akujiki)】ga~ ...!

Maple had forgotten that 【Bizarre Eater (Akujiki)】 has not recovered because quests have progressed so
well.
The fog shaped humanoid whose attack was prevented keeps his distance from Maple.
「【Poisonous Dragon (hydra)】I never think about using it…」
「Gugi… gagagaga」
「...... That is not good, is it?」

Maple regarded the humanoid who raises a creepy voice despite having no mouth as a monster.
「Gigigi……!」
「【Cover】!」
The jumping movement of the enemy is monotonous, so she defend against it securely.
However, Maple has limited means of attack. Since she cannot defeat it right away, she carefully observes
the timing of using her skills. Naturally, the battle was prolonged.
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Then when Maple was enduring for a while, the humanoid suddenly began to cry scratching his head.
「Gugaaaaa…a a ~aa a! !」
As there were no parts on its face there was no facial expression, but it seemed to be suffering from pain.
The humanoid's arm change shape to something like a spear.
「!! 【Cover】」
Although she quickly move to protect the lady, she was only able to sparingly defend against it. The
sharp attack on both arms was apparently a defense penetration attack.
「Ku u……u!」
It was impossible to Parry both arm's attacks with a big shield.

Maple 's HP is being scraped away, but Maple did not stop using 【Cover】.
It was obvious that the lady is in danger if she got hit by it.
「Gugaaaaa! Gaga… guga…」
「E……?」
The humanoid shape fog that attacked Maple suddenly stopped attacking and took distance from Maple.
「Gugi… gugu…」
the humanoid shape fog who stuck to the ground with his head gradually blurred and eventually
disappeared.
「I, I was saved ... ....?」

Maple 's HP bar has around 20% remaining. She was aiming for a counter - clock counter, but it would
have been dangerous if the battle continued.
「Is that ... The work of the【Demonic Holy Water】」
「Is that ... from the fountain before?」
「Maybe my daughter is... being possessed by a Devil」
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This happened because Maple was not attacked at 【Benevolence Knight (Hakuai no kishi) 2】, so she
successfully cleared it.
If that woman or player can go back to town without dying, that quest will be successful. If you die, the
quest will fail.
In either case the quest will move to the next stage.

However, it is difficult for players with large shield equipment to fight against the fog humanoid without
clearing the Fountain Quest.
「A ... Quest Clear ...」

although I cleared the current quest, no new quest occurred.
and, the Skill is still the same.
「Let's go to my daughter!」
「A, un. That right (Sōda ne)!」

Maple and the lady rush to the girl.
The girl was asleep as if he was dead. It does not respond at all even if she was rocked to wake up.
「For the time being ... let’s take her home」

The lady lift her daughter and left the temple.
At the same time a blue panel appears in front of Maple.
【Benevolence Knight (Hakuai no kishi) 5】comes up。
Again, 【Benevolence Knight (Hakuai no kishi) 】 Damage to mothers in Quests 1 to 4 is lower than the
reference value.
Extra Quest 【Dedicated Charity(Mi sasagu jiai)】occurred.

Please choose either route.
「N n?」
Maple tilt his neck in an unexpected situation.
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398
Chapter 62 Defense specialization and skill
acquisition.
After choosing the extra quest route, Maple went out of the temple to look for the lady but the lady was
nowhere to be found.
「they seem to have go home first ...?」

After exploring around the temple for a while, Maple also head back to town with Syrup.
Upon arriving, Maple headed for the lady’s house immediately.

「... ... How is it going?」
Maple opens the door of the lady's house quietly.
The girl was asleep.

The hurt expression that she had so far disappeared, it was a calm sleeping face.
「Knight(Kishi-sama) ... ... My daughter ...... My daughter won’t wake up ......」

Maple approached the girl to check the situation, but it showed that the girl was not breathing.
「Er, ... No way? Huh?」
「I ... I'm buying an apple for my daughter ... Because my daughter likes apples ......」
The lady went out as she said so, with a gauntly footsteps.
she did not seem to be in a normal state as she won’t accept the current situation.
「E… e!?, the quest has advanced!」

Maple has confirmed the current quest that she had, but noticed that the girl's body began to shine
lightly.
Maple stands right next to the girl.
Maple checks the girl and was observing as to what was going on.
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「Letters ...... of light?」
Yellow light overflowing from the girl formed letters in the air.
「Three days later ... 【A corrupted church】?」

After Maple took a little look at the letters, the light overflowing from the girl faded away and
disappeared.
「I wonder if I should go there ...? But where is that place ..... There was a library in this town ... Shall I look
it up in there?」
Maple went out outside, and as if to replace her the lady came back.
Maple came to the library as intended.
「Well ... There is a map, right?」

Maple looks for books with maps on the second layer.
Although she found some map, there was nothing written in detail.
At most it is enough to learn the terrain.
「U ̄ n ... it was different from what I thought ... ...」

As there is still much time left for the quest, Maple decided to stop the game here and cut out the
investigation for today.
Next day.
Maple came out of the library after investigating.
「Was it on the history shelf?… I must have missed it……」

Maple discovered some note written about the church in the corner of the book about the history in this
game.
「Three days later ... I do not know what’s in there, I guess I should buy some potion」
Maple was getting ready for anything that gonna happen three day later.
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「It is comfortable thanks to Syrup!」
Maple praise Syrup while heading south.
She get off from syrup at the entrance of the forest which spread to the south, and goes into the forest.
「I can afford it if there is no one to protect」

Occasionally appearing monsters hit her armor and make a Gashan Gashan noise.
But, they cannot damage Maple.
It was nothing new for Maple
However, Maple did not use Syrup and she was incredibly slow so it took about two hours to get to the
church.
「Ha~a ... I have not walked lately ...」

Maple was tired and thought that she should walk to explore occasionally.
In front of Maple there was a ruffled church at last.
「Yoshi, Let’s enter it!」

The door has already gone away, and the interior has been eroded by ivy and vegetation.
Maple walks in the center of the room where the chair is lining up.
On the front wall there is a large cross which is tilted, and even if it is old it still exists.
Maple noticed something shining sparkling on the floor beneath it.
「this……?」
The identity of the light was a small bottle of glowing gas.
Maple looks at the information of the vial.
【Archangels' fragments】
「It is somewhat amazing ... ... (Na, nandaka sugo-sō)」

Maple took it as an important item and headed for the girl as soon as possible.
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Maple gently opens the door of the lady's house and enters inside.
「Knight(Kishi-sama) ... What's happen?」
「There is something I want to try for a bit」

Maple standing right next to the sleeping girl, took out the small bottle from the inventory and opened
the lid.
At that moment, the girl's body starts to shine dazzlingly.
「Uwa! ?」
「Knight(Kishi-sama)! What's happening!」
「E, i, I can’t see it! ?」

The glow that overflowed from the girl formed a beautiful woman shape this time the same manner as
when the light shaped the letters before.
While staring at the lady where Maple is standing she began to speak.
「Thank you. I was about to take away this child's life」
「Wa, ha~a…so, that was happening?」
「To you, a part of my strength ... with this I can finally return home...」
In the end the light rushed to heaven and disappeared.
At the same time the girl wake up.
「What ... Mother(Okā-san) ...?」
「A, a…… āaa!」

The lady hugs the girl.
The girl seemed have no idea on what is happening.
「I wonder if it is a onetime occasion...?」

Although the way it ended was not understood by Maple, she was convinced because the display of Quest
Clear was out.
402
Maple gently got out and confirmed the skills she got.
「【Dedicated charity(Mi sasagu jiai)】 ... uwa ...... What is this」

Maple murmurs while checking the details of the skill.
And she thought of something and started running toward the guild home.
「Izu-san!」
「…What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry」
「I want you to make a set of equipment, but ... can you do it?」
「Well ... I can do it but I want to know what kind of equipment it is ... is there something wrong?」
「...... Because I do not understand it well, will you come with me for a while?」
「Seriously ... What happened ...?」

Maple headed for the field with Izu.
And Maple used the new skills.
Five days from that day.

When Izu logged in she thought about the equipment at the workshop and kept making prototypes until
she was satisfied.
「Not like this ... Equipment suitable for 【Ale】 is not like this ...!」
such voice was echoing in the workshop.
403
Chapter 63 Defense Specialization and Dedicated
Affection.
Five days had now passed since Maple asked Izu to make a full set of gear for her.
Just as Maple finished logging in and appeared in the guild home, Izu came walking out of her workshop.
"Maple, your gear…it's ready."
"Really!"
"Yes. Here, I'll show it you."
So saying, Izu pulled out a full set of white armor, a large shield, a short sword and a platinum tiara.
Each piece of gear was set with precious blue stones in different places.
Overall, it had the look of a holy knight, minus the tiara.
"Have I become a knight now?"
Maple put on all of the new gear and then checked her stats.
(Arcangel Tiara X)
HP + 250
(Archangel White Shield IX)
HP + 300
(Archangel Holy Sword VIII)
HP + 200
(Archangel Holy Armor IX)
HP + 350
"What are these numbers like X and IX…?"

Maple asked.
404
"Those are numbers you get from the 'reinforcement' which can only be used with gear made with
the 'forging' skill. Gear made with 'forging' cannot use skills like other gear used in other events, so it's a
merit that makes up for it."
"Oh, I see…"
"The success rate of 'reinforcement' changes depending on the 'forging' skill… It takes a lot of luck to
reach the biggest number that is X."
Izu had somehow made a top-class set of armor without compromising.
After that, she spilled that it was two levels stronger than the set she had made for Chrome, but Maple
was too busy checking her gear to notice her say this.
As Maple continued with her inspection, the rest of the remaining four guild members arrived at the guild
home.
"Hm? …Oh! So that's the gear Izu has been making. It really suits you. It makes me want some new gear
too…"
"It makes me scared just thinking of what caused Maple to want new gear…"
"Ah, that's it…"
"Maple, you look really good in white!"
Chrome, Sally, Kasumi, and Kaede all said.
"So… Do you all want to go and fight? I'll explain just why I had a new set of gear made on the way."
Everyone agreed, as long as they could see the reason behind all of this.
Even Izu said she would go, as she wanted to see the gear do 'it.'
"Is this a good spot?"
Maple put everyone on board the Syrup and flew towards an area that was known to have monsters in
large packs.
"Well…here I go! 'Dedicated Affection'!"
A red damage effect burst from Maple's body.
As soon as it cleared, a circular area around Maple that was ten meters in diameter began to glow.
And that wasn't the only thing that happened.
405
Two wings that were pure white grew from Maple's back and a white, glowing ring appeared above her
head.
Her hair had turned into a brilliant gold, her eyes were now a deep blue.
"WHA…?"
"I was surprised too, at first."
"Ahaha… My appearance changes… Ah, here come some monsters."
For a moment the other four were too stunned to move, but then they realized that anything could
happen when it came to Maple, and so they changed their mode of thinking.
They had gotten quite used to her by now.
131 Name: Anonymous Magic User
Please
132 Name: Anonymous Great Shield User
Okay
First, about Sally
Sally is a PS non-human
From what I saw, she doesn't seem to be using any skills
She fought with quite a lot of monsters, but I didn’t see her taking any damage
Also, there was some kind aura added
133 Name: Anonymous Bow User
I guess that thing for the event will be Sally after all
134 Name: Anonymous Great Sword User
She's even evolved
An aura he says
135 Name: Anonymous Spear User
406
Hmph
Sally does seem like she'd have some unknown skills
But not as much as Maple
Next, about Maple
For the past few days, Maple has been off somewhere all alone
And when she got back
Hurry up
Hurry
What happened?
She was an angel
We already know that Maple is an angel
You're late with that one
Maple is always angelic, right?
Of course, she is
407
Ah, well, alright
I will rephrase that
Maple returned with a skill that gave her an angel's halo, wings and blonde hair and blue eyes.
Wha
This is what happens when you leave her alone
Why? Where did she get such a skill?
I don't know
The skill name is 'Dedicated Affection'
It apparently has a skill that uses your HP to constantly 'cover' your party members
When Maple uses this
All the party members within the circle will become invincible unless she is defeated
So she finally got her second form
She should become the last boss, don't you think?
A scene of hell will seem lukewarm
If you leave her alone
408
Eventually, it will happen
She will return with a third form
Definitely
On top of that, I found out that Maple still has over 1,000 VIT when she removes all of her gear
I don't even understand anymore
1,000 without gear is crazy
Is her body made of steel?
Is she an orichalcum?
But, it hasn't even been that long since Maple first started
We weren't even at the second level when rumors about Maple started to surface
There must be something on the first level
I thought so too
But if that were the case, then there would have been a second and third Maple by now
That's just it
I don't know why Maple is the only one who can do it
After that, everyone thought long and hard about it. But they could not discover the reason that Maple
was able to gain those skills.
"Everyone! You will be able to block any attack now!"
409
"I'll do it… The others won't know how, yet…"
Izu said as she started to walk towards the monsters herself. A blow struck her body.
However, her HP did not move an inch.
"Huh? What does this mean?"
“It’s Maple’s skill… Apparently, everyone who is in this circle will constantly have 'cover’ activated for
them…”
"Though it will cost you a little HP at first."
Izu had made the set of gear to offset the HP cost.
Just like 'Hidora', 'Dedicated Affection' was a skill that came with several other skills. This meant that even
now, there were other skills that Maple hadn't shown yet.
And she had to pay the cost of each of those with HP.
Maple's previous set of gear did not have enough HP to offset the cost of all of them.
Furthermore, the new gear was completely forward compatible with 'Philanthropy Knight'.
The extra quests were not just for show.
“…So in other words, everyone had the same defensive capabilities as Maple… Woah..”
As long as they were in the area, no one could hurt the other members unless they defeated Maple first.
But it would be incredibly difficult to defeat Maple.
It won't even be a fair fight unless you could do piercing attacks repeatedly on everyone.
And you would have to actually be hitting all of your targets.
There was no way you could hit Sally, and Chrome would block the attack with his great shield, and
Kasumi was great at evading.
Kaede was the only fighter who could possibly be hit.
“But Maple, you changed your gear, right? Are you sure that you have enough defensive power to nullify
attacks towards us…?”
"Don't worry! Even if I wasn't wearing anything, my vitality is over 1,000!"
410
“Haha…1,000?”
Kasumi and Chrome thought that this was so crazy that they could only laugh.
The two of them decided that they would just stop trying to think about it.
As they rode Syrup on their way back, Chrome began to talk.
"I, I've been talking about Maple and Sally on the message boards, do you think that I should stop?"
"Hmmm… I don't really mind. Everything that I've told you can be told to anyone else."
"I agree with Sally, after all…"
"It won't change what we do just because someone knows about it."
Even if Chrome shared what he knew on the message boards, Sally's ability to evade wouldn't be affected,
neither would Maple's defenses.
Chrome didn't know how to acquire the skills, so he couldn't write anything too important.
It was not a big issue for either of them.
126 Name: Anonymous Shield User
Hey
Yo
So you joined Maple's guild…
I hate you! I'm so jealous!
That's so nice
I asked Sally to help me get close, but I don't think it's going to happen
Give us information
411
You must have something
But I won't ask for anything that you aren't supposed to say
It's probably harder to give information now that they work together
Just tell us what you can
412
Chapter 64 Defense Specialization and
Assistance
Stories focusing on Maple alone will come some other time.
Though, it will probably be after the eventual third level.
The day after Maple showed the other guild members her angel-like appearance and overwhelming
power.
Chrome and Izu were talking in the hall right in front of the entrance to the guild home.
"Maple just keeps getting stronger, huh."
"Really. I never get bored watching her."
"But…you know…"
"Hmm?"
"I'm an inferior version of Maple, right!?"
"…Well, I suppose so."
It was true that Chrome was below Maple in terms of both firepower and defense.
The only thing that he could say that he bested her with was PS.
"I need to find the meaning for my existence in this guild…!"
"Well, I can't blame you for feeling that way."
As the two of them talked, the doors of the guild home opened and Maple walked in.
"Speak of the devil."
"Were you talking about something?"
"Yes, kind of."
"I want to acquire some powerful skills like you, Maple."
Chrome added that he wanted to have different skills than the ones Maple had. Maple smiled and cheered
him on.
413
Chrome asked Maple for some advice on gaining powerful skills, but Maple just replied that she got most
of them from randomly looking around. So her advice was not of much use.
"Hmmm… I can't really help you today, but… That's it! You can borrow Syrup! I'm sure it will be of some
help…"
Maple said as she controlled the blue panel and removed the ring. She took the ring from her inventory
and handed it over to Chrome.
"Are…you sure? This is your important gear. What if I never return it?"
"Are you not going to return it?"
"No, I would never do such a thing."
Chrome denied strongly.
Chrome had no intention of doing such a thing.
"Then it's fine!"
Maple said with a big smile.
Chrome then repeated to Maple that she shouldn't lend important things so easily, even to guild
members.
But Maple said that she just really wanted to help Chrome out, so Chrome carefully accepted the ring and
left the guild home.
As Chrome walked in the field, he thought of what Maple had done a moment ago.
"Maybe I should ask Sally to warn her again later…"
Chrome was very happy that she put so much trust in him, but felt like it was a little too much trust. And
so he decided to ask Maple's friend, Sally, to repeat the same thing to her.
"…You have to be careful so you don't get tricked by bad people."
Maple was enjoying the game, but she still lacked experience.
She still did not know that much about happiness or sadness.
She hasn't truly felt the presence of bad players yet.
Keeping away players that would try to exploit Maple's lack of experience was one of the few things that
Chrome could do, that Maple could not.
414
"And I want her to be able to enjoy the game."
Chrome continued to move westward in the field.
"Well, as long as I'm borrowing it, I might as well use it. It would be rude to Maple if I didn't."
Chrome called for Syrup, but instead of making it bigger, he had it walk alongside him.
This was because he could not make it fly like Maple, so he felt there was no use for it to be so big.
The only players that were allowed inside of this dungeon were players like Chrome, who had died and
resurrected over 1,000 times.
Chrome is so overprotective.
"Oh…another monster."
Chrome unsheathed his shortsword and held his great shield in front of him.
Three boar-type monsters had appeared.
And Chrome only had one great shield to go against them.
Of course, this meant that he would be directly hit if they all attacked at once.
"Grr…Maple would have gotten through this without taking any damage!"
He slashed at the monster who rammed into him and moved out of the way with a backstep.
A red effect flew through the air.
The boars attacked him, but they bounced off his great shield.
"'Pierce'!"
Chrome activated the skill and released a sharp thrust.
His short sword hit the boar that had bounced off his shield, taking away its HP.
Furthermore, Chrome's own HP was recovering as this happened.
Chrome used a great shield which was not the greatest for an offensive stance, but it was not by chance
that he ranked number 9 in the first event.
Chrome had one skill that the average player did not have.
415
'Battle Healing.'
While in combat, his HP would recover 1% every 10 seconds.
With this skill, high defensive capabilities and his persistence to fight, Chrome was able to place 9th.
Chrome looked weak if you viewed Maple as the standard, but if the average player was the standard,
then Chrome was still quite formidable.
All the players who made it into the top 10 at the event had some kind of strong skill.
But Maple's skill was especially strong among them, which made her stick out the most.
Chrome allowed Syrup to attack as well so they could share the experience points. Then they continued
on to the west.
Chrome arrived at a western wasteland.
"I haven't explored this area yet, so let's start from here."
As Chrome continued to search the wasteland, he found a small, old-looking tombstone.
Any player would have inspected further if they found something this special, and Chrome was no
different.
And so Chrome walked towards the tombstone. He was not able to do anything when the ground
disappeared beneath his feet while he was one step in front of the tombstone, and so he fell into the pit.
Chrome picked himself off of the ground.
There was an endless tunnel leading out in front of him.
"Huh…? Is this a hidden dungeon?"
Chrome looked around and saw that Syrup had followed him down here.
"Really… I think some spirit could be haunting Maple?"
Chrome started to feel like anything that involved Maple had a tendency to turn very strange.
However, it was very much Chrome’s actions that got him in this pit, not any mysterious influence of
Maple.
Sally, Maple, Kasumi, Kaede, even Izu, they all had something that no one else had.
Even Chrome had something that no one else did.
416
That was his overwhelming number of deaths.
He had died so many times trying to master the great shield. Because of his low firepower, he could not
deal with the monsters quickly enough and would become surrounded.
It took him a long time to become adept with the great shield.
And that meant that his death count increased.
Even then, Chrome continued to train.
He made up for his lack of talent with time and effort.
'Battle Healing' was something he just happened to acquire during his many deaths.
All his skills, all his techniques were earned through death.
This dungeon's name was 'Grave of Ghosts.'
Maple and Sally would not have been allowed to enter this dungeon.
417
Chapter 67 A Specialisation in Defence; Growth
of a Follower Spirit
Chrome proceeded further into the hole, going deeper and deeper. Syrup walked by his side, matching his
steps.
"Guess I might as well check deeper. It's not like it matters if I die."
Chrome focused his attention towards the surrounding walls. The hole itself was in terrible shape, on the
brink of crumbling to pieces. All the more evidence that it hadn't been formed through human
interference.
"We're under a tomb. You think there might be undead?"
Chrome, at the very least, expected as much. His predictions were proven to be remarkably on point as he
ventured a bit further, as the very instant he moved to enter a new area a group of skeletons began to
crawl out of the earth. They wielded a wide array of battered lances and old, rusty swords, none of them
giving the impression that they were particularly powerful. They utilised a common strategy that saw
constant use by the monstrous riff-raff; overwhelming the enemy and dulling their responsive faculties.
Syrup assisted Chrome against the onslaught, noticeably lightening his burden, and Chrome finally
managed to cull the skeletons down to their last numbers.
"Would you look at that, Syrup? Your level went up."
Chrome offered Syrup a potion meant to countermeasure the loss of HP, and took the chance to look over
what new skills his companion had acquired.
"So you learned Cover, huh? Looks pretty similar to the Great Shield skill."
Maple was usually averse to the idea of involving Syrup in battle, which, in turn, hadn't resulted in much
opportunity that would contribute to a higher level. Acting in tandem with Chrome, however, had made it
all the more simple to do just that. By the time Syrup went back under Maple's care, the latter would
undoubtedly bear witness to a whole new slew of skills, and the former would be much stronger than
before.
"You know, I do owe her one for letting me take you along. Might as well level you up."
Chrome, now completely devoted to Syrup's support, went even further down the path. He allowed Syrup
to land the final blow on whatever monsters came to block their path, and gradually, the creature began
to evolve its capabilities even further.
"Hm? Did you get another one?"
418
Once the two had gone through a good number of encounters, Chrome decided to inspect Syrup and
found that it had gained two more skills.
Mother Nature: Gives the power to raise the earth and allow vines and shrubbery to sprout. Can be used
as both offence and defence.
Spirit Cannon: Can only be utilised when enlarged. Ranged attack. Fires straight ahead.
"Who knows, you might even be stronger than me now. Oh, boy… What I wouldn't do to have a partner of
my own."
They moved on, encountering even more foes along the way until Chrome finally reached the furthest,
deepest area. He was met with an enormous gate, one that likely served as the entrance to some boss
room.
"The dungeon took a while to get through, but the monsters haven't been worth talking about so far… Can
we do this?"
Chrome, having come to the conclusion that he wasn't dealing with some incredibly taxing high-difficulty
dungeon, entered the room. He noted that it was rather large, just the right size to contain Syrup's form
upon turning into a giant.
Chrome and Syrup had barely set a foot into the room when a skeletal pile at its very end began rising at a
sluggish pace. It was quite different from the skeletons they had encountered thus far. The ornamented
armour it wore and the longsword it wielded had, though splendid and extravagant, clearly succumbed to
the wear of time. A pair of blue-white flames, almost akin to wandering human souls, glowed brightly in
sockets that should have been void of anything.
"Phew… This is the first time I take on a boss solo. Oh, right… I'm not alone, am I?"
Chrome allowed Syrup to assume titanic size, then barked an order, mind set on taking first blood.
"Mother Nature!"
Astonishingly thick vines stretched out from the earth surrounding Syrup and charged towards the boss,
but every last one of them found its path obstructed by some glowing wall of bluish white that
encapsulated the boss in its entirety.
"We have to find a way to break through that before we do anything else."
Chrome rushed in the boss's immediate direction, leaving Syrup behind to guard his rear. The boss
returned Chrome's sentiment, drawing closer towards him.
"Shield Attack!"
419
Chrome's attack, though it had been stopped dead by the boss creature's defensive walls, had served a
purpose. He had meant to test whether inflicting direct damage would be sufficient to shatter the
defences.
"Yoh…!"
His greatshield repelled the lashing longsword, and he further slashed in an attempt to damage the
protective field. However, seeing as how this wasn't usually work meant to be undertaken by someone in
the shield class, he found great difficulty in breaking through. It was also worth considering that
Chrome's equipment, if exposed to more damage than it could handle, might completely break on him,
and if the weight behind the boss creature's assault was any indication, then he had to avoid any
prolonged, extended exchanges at all costs.
Chrome, his instincts screaming at him that thing were bound to go South, altered his position and made
sure that Syrup and the boss were connected by a straight line before he screamed.
"Syrup! Spirit Cannon!"
A pure white laser beam shot from Syrup's maw. Chrome, having had the foresight to test it once on their
path already, already had a clear grasp of the timing and range behind the attack. He jumped aside,
successful in his evasion.
"How'd ya like that?!"
When the light vanished, a shattering noise made itself known. The barrier had been destroyed. That
wasn't to say that all complications had been put aside, of course. The boss, its bones clattering against
each other, impaled the ground beneath with its longsword, and skeletons began bursting en masse from
the corners of the rectangular room.
Had Chrome been on his own, he would have, in all likelihood, fallen prey to the overwhelming hordes.
But as it so happened, he was with Syrup. Leaving most of the skeletons to Syrup's mercy, Chrome was
perfectly capable of giving the boss his undivided attention. While he made a note to keep an eye on
Syrup's HP levels, he nevertheless managed to inflict damage upon the boss. With Syrup's occasional
assisting manoeuvre, the damage was made only greater.
As long as he could avoid being hit by the boss itself, then he could stand to make it through whatever the
mob skeletons could dish out if he relied on his Battle Healing. He just had to wait for the right
opportunity to deal with them, and strike whenever the boss grew more lax in its own attacks. With his
penchant for standing steady, Chrome had given himself the upper hand.
"Shield Attack!"
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It was simple enough for his hit to make contact, especially since the boss had no shield of its own - a fact
that Chrome considered to be a true blessing. He seized the moment as the boss recoiled from the sheer
force, dealing another blow.
"Guess it just doesn't have that much HP… Hup!"
Well aware that focusing purely on the offensive could result in being on the receiving end of a powerful
counter, Chrome made a moderate effort to stave off its attacks. Still, he had managed to bring down the
boss's health to nearly half of what it had been. He had Syrup to thank for that. As it turned out, Syrup's
Mother Nature made for quite the formidable well of potential damage. When it came to mind that Syrup
was the one dealing with all the swarming skeletons, it became all the more apparent just how distant
victory would have been if not for the being's presence.
"Seriously though, I've gotta thank Maple for this later…! Blazing Slash!"
His shortblade, now draped in a shroud of fire made a diagonal slash across the boss's body. He had
finally managed to whittle down its HP to exactly half of its total.
The skeleton moved to its original location, calling for the swarming skeletons. The skeletons crumbled
away where they stood, and pure black spirit-like things left them and wandered towards the boss. The
skeletons that had been crawling out from the corners joined them in their cessation.
An aura spilled out of the boss in waves, black as tar, and birthed the form of an enormous skeletal entity.
In one hand, it wielded a sword so great in length that it could easily span at least a third of the room they
were in, and in the other, it clutched an axe.
"Your other form, huh? Well, guess what? Maple's way more terrifying than that. I think you could stand
to learn from her example, don't you?"
Chrome prepared his greatshield, undistracted by his own speech. His fight against the boss had finally
entered its second phase.
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Chapter 68 A Specialisation in Defence; Joining
the Team?
"Let's get this over with!"
Chrome advanced, his shield held aloft. He ducked and weaved through the path of the blade as it
descended, opting out of using his shield to knock it away. The axe swooped his way immediately after,
and he changed tactics by catching its bash with his greatshield. Though the blow itself had been
circumvented, the pure force of the impact had not.
"Kuh…!"
Chrome appraised the state of his greatshield. He couldn't go about things the same way Maple and Sally
did; overuse would burden his shield until it fell to bits. As things were, there still wasn't enough to fret
over, but there was a great likelihood of his greatshield being reduced to pieces if he had to keep blocking
all the heavy attacks that came for him. Chrome decided to pull back temporarily, retreating to a spot
where attacks had a hard time reaching.
"Spirit Cannon!"
Fully conscious that no attacks would have enough range to make it all the way to where Syrup was,
Chrome bombarded the boss with Syrup's laser-beam. In a more unfortunate turn of events, the boss
crossed his blade and axe in protection, and the beam bounced off of them in its entirety.
"Guess getting close is my only chance…!"
Now all the more certain that no long-range bombardment would be of use, Chrome resorted to
approaching the boss once again.
"Mother Nature!"
The boss crossed his blade over his axe once again, his intent to avoid the vines that had shot from
Syrup's direction bearing grand results. Now, however, he had no way of defending against Chrome as he
charged in beneath the crossed weapons. Chrome's proximity to the boss could only grow from there.
"Blazing Slash!"
As Chrome tore away at his opponent with a slash of his blade, the boss responded in kind and swung his
longsword back towards Chrome. He had forgotten, however, that Chrome was still in possession of his
greatshield. The attack made no contact with him. With the ever-looming prospective danger of the pitch-
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coloured skeleton swinging away at him the minute Syrup's Mother Nature lost its hold, he could not
allow himself the leisure of pulling punches in combat.
"Thrust!"
The shortsword pierced through the boss monster's protective garb, and its HP was further drained until
only a fifth of it remained.
That was when it happened. That was when a Stygian thorn burst forth, extending from the boss
creature. Acting purely on his instinct, Chrome raised his shield to protect himself. A sweep of the
longsword followed the thorn, and the shield finally shattered, the noise it made an echo.
"Come on, Izu's gonna get so mad at me!"
The thorn disappeared after a single hit, and Chrome slashed away in the vain hope of dealing just a little
bit of damage.
That was when the effects of Mother Nature chose to subside. Chrome, now left without his greatshield,
could now dodge neither sword nor axe as they came from both ways. He could only move as if to
intercept the sword, and made to slash away at the boss. Both his shortsword and the boss monster's
longsword connected with their respective targets, both sides reducing the HP-value of the other. The
very next moment, something powerful made an impact against his back, blowing away his set of armour
as well the contents of his HP bar.
Still, Chrome did not fall.
His Indomitable Guardian had left him with just a single point in HP, and nothing more.
"Blazing Slash!"
Chrome swiped away with his shortsword, putting as much strength behind the blow as he could muster.
Despite his efforts, the enemy boss had a full tenth of his health left. The sword and axe danced towards
Chrome yet again. Even if he were to use his Battle Healing, there was no way his HP would recover in
time.
"Light of Spirit!"
That was Chrome's chosen medal skill. His ace in the hole to end all aces; his absolutely final resort. A
holy light shone down upon Chrome. For the next ten seconds, any and all damage would be completely
negated.
"What's wrong? I'm not dying, not yet!"
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He cast aside even the barest notion of defence and dived straight in, charging with all his might. The boss
stabbed at him just as he did so, but try as it might, it had absolutely no way of whittling down that final,
lone point of HP. Chrome's shortsword slashed away, the angle of its strike slanted, running directly
through the boss's face. Almost immediately, the bluish light that roamed in the boss's sockets was
extinguished.
Both the boss and the black skeleton turned into light, both disappearing into nothing.
"Haah… That was tough… Should've known shields are just good for guard duty."
Chrome let himself fall onto his rear, and in front of him appeared a magic circled and a large coffin. He
wasted no time, jumping out of the way and calling for Syrup to come to him.
"If it's a monster, do me a favour and watch my back… Better take a potion."
While Chrome occupied himself with healing back his lost health, the door to the coffin slowly opened.
Inside lay a skeleton, its frame enveloped by a set of reddish-black armour. It didn't appear too keen on
rising from its slumber, either.
"Huh? I-Is this a reward?"
Slowly, carefully, daintily, Chrome rested his hand on the set of armour and stowed it away in his
inventory space.
"Unique… Series? What's this…"
Bloodied Skull:
- Soul Eater
- Indestructible
- VIT + 25
Bloodied White Armour:
- Dead or Alive
- Indestructible
- VIT + 25; HP + 100
Decapitator:
- Life Eater
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- Indestructible
- STR + 30
Barrier of the Vengeful Spirit
- Soul-Sucking
- Indestructible
- VTI + 20; HP + 100
"That's strong… They're all perfect, if you wanna ignore the cursed names and how they look like… Also,
no shortsword? That really doesn't look like a sword to me, more like a hatchet."
Even as he spoke, Chrome was already in the process of donning the entire set of armour. The bloodied
jaw of a skeleton covered the lower half of his face. The armour, which had, at some point in time, been
entirely white if the description was to be believed. The hatchet, whose size was a mite above average
and whose bloodied appearance matched its name quite well. The greatshield, which had been inscribed
with the image of a skeleton.
"I'll just check my skills… and go home, I guess."
Soul Eater: Ten percent of your HP is recovered for every monster or player you defeat.
Dead or Alive: When your HP reaches zero, you have a 50% chance of making it out alive with 1 HP left.
Life Eater: For every amount of damage dealt, your HP will be recovered by a third of the damage value.
Soul-Sucking: When damage is dealt by means of an attack, 3% of your total health is recovered.
Once he'd taken his time looking over his new skills, Chrome called Syrup back into the ring and stepped
into the magic circle, leaving the dungeon behind for good.
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Chapter 69 Fur Cut
A few days after Chrome had gone into the uninhabited area.
A small maintenance was carried out and a new skill Shear was added.
Shear was a skill to shave wool, just like the name suggests.
Along with that, sheep now appear in a certain area.
According to Izu, it is apparently quite good as a material, so she wants us to get it when we are free.
Maple and Kasumi, who were just free, went to search a section of grassland for it.
"We came 'cause we were free but… We only know Shear, will we be okay?"
"Not us, only you have it…"
There's no way Maple, who has poured her everything into defensive skills would be good at Shear.
Maple was in charge of slowing the target down using Paralyze Shout.
As the sheep's HPs is quite low to begin with, that ability is needed to stop them without decreasing their
HP further.
Maple was perfect for the role.
"Don't see any sheep with wool-"
"Right… The other players also probably came to gather wool."
Although they had already seen sheep which had Shear used on them, they couldn't find any normal ones.
And after 30 whole minutes of searching,
"Found them!"
There were three sheep in the direction Kasumi pointed.
"Paralyze Shout!"
Maple went to paralyze them immediately but because the other two were out of range, only one got
paralyzed.
By the time the two of them got close to the paralyzed sheep, the other two ran off.
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"Let's get one for now, Shear."
As Kasumi used the skill, the sheep's wool disappeared cleanly and 1 item called sheep wool was added
to the inventory.
"This is definitely not enough…"
"Yea… probably."
Even if they were to go back with just one bundle wool, it probably won't be enough to make anything.
"Hmm… If it's just me, I can probably catch up to the sheep which escaped. And as for skills to limit their
movement… well it's not like I don't have any. I will be back."
"Alright! Got it.
And so, Kasumi went running after the sheep.
There, only a paralyzed, trimmed sheep and Kasumi remained.
Kasumi chased after one sheep.
"Super Acceleration!"
Using her Super Acceleration, she chased at a speed with which she could catch up.
It would be difficult to use Shear if their movements aren't limited.
"Well, for what it counts… Shear!"
Kasumi tried using Shear while running as she had nothing to lose.
As Kasumi used the skill while running parallel to it, it's wool was shaved off cleanly.
Kasumi stopped in her tracks.
"Even if I don't suppress their movements, it works if I am just within range. As it's a game, that is."
She confirmed that the amount of wool had certainly increased when she checked her inventory.
The other sheep went running in the other way and couldn't be found.
Maple won't be losing a fight with monsters easily so Kasumi could go back without worrying.
And Kasumi returned to Maple but there was a mysterious, pure white globe enshrined there.
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"Wha?"
Kasumi drew her blade and cautiously approached the sphere.
"This is… wool?"
After touching the sphere, Kasumi confirmed that it was indeed wool.
"Shear!"
And so, Kasumi tried activating her skill on it.
It also worked perfectly on the sphere and it turned into 10 wool bundles in Kasumi's inventory.
And at the same time, with a loud sound, Maple fell to the ground.
"Maple? … You were inside that?"
"Well, I was inside that… or should I say I was that itself…"
"W-what do you mean?"
"….Just a sudden impulse."
Maple didn't talk about the details.
"I-I don't really understand what's going on but… I guess not asking further would be better."
Kasumi read the atmosphere and pursue the subject.
"I am now able to make wool for 24 hours so I will leave the shearing to you."
"Y-yeah, leave it to me."
The two got on Syrup and were returning to the guild home.
On the way, Maple reaffirmed her ability.
Sheep Eater.
After returning to the guild home, Kasumi sat down on a table and talked with Chrome.
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The topic was Maple and wool.
"It seems that while I was away for just a bit, she acquired a new skill."
"If I were to quote one of my acquaintances… stuff like that happens immediately when you look away."
Chrome added that he was already used to it.
"…You got used to it?"
"I also have my feet way deep in that side, after all…"
Chrome said while looking at his equipments.
Chrome was not different from the normal people.
"Then, what would it take to surprise you?"
Chrome pondered for a while.
After a bit, Chrome started talking.
"Hmmm… If she were to float up in the air, turn into a cloud and start dropping lightning, I might be
surprised."
Chrome said jokingly.
"Hahaha! That surely won't happen."
"Yea, I also think so. Oh, right. A message came from the management, did you see?"
It seems Kasumi didn't know since she shook her head sideways.
Chrome summed up the contents of the message.
"The third event. Two weeks later."
"They are making it quite a continuation… Well? What will it be about?"
"Limited-time monsters will appear and we will have to gather the items they drop. There are also guild
and individual rewards depending on the number of items picked up."
According to Chrome, the number of items required for guild rewards will differ depending on the size of
the guild.
Maple's guild is quite small so the required number will also be less.
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And a ranking for individuals on which the rewards will depend.
Moreover, you can't transfer the item.
That was because it will not add to the inventory, it will just be counted as a number.
"…Hmm, it might be tough this time."
"…Right."
The two were talking about Maple.
Maple has had her achievements in the events up till now but those were based on strength, not time.
It would be impossible to enter the higher ranks this time no matter what.
"I have also been doing it for a while but… there's always someone above you."
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Chapter 70 Defense Specialization and the
Current Status
A chapter about learning skills and future directions.
One day, Izu and Kanade were talking inside of the Guild Home.
"Generally, it seems that we will be relegated to supporting roles for those four."
Izu as non-combat support.
Kanade would be an important rear guard.
"I tried learning offensive magic as well… But it's not likely that they will need my help. So I tried
switching direction a little."
Because the four advance guards would end up defeating monsters before Kanade even had a chance to
attack, Kanade ultimately did little but use status raising skills or recovery magic on his comrades.
“I’m the only one who uses a staff, and there are skills that I can get that no one else can.”
Kanade was capable of learning a much broader range of magic than Sally.
That was what made Kanade unique within the guild.
"Those four will just deal with everything by themselves once I've buffed them up."
"That's true. They really count on you… Ahh, also, your equipment is ready now."
Izu tells him that this was the reason that she had called him today.
Kanade had only bought small additions since his very first set of equipment. His overall appearance had
barely changed since the 2nd event.
Izu passed over the equipment that she had made for him.
There was a red hat that was the same color as his hair.
The rest of the equipment came in mainly black and red, though they looked more like normal clothing
than equipment.
These also used Maple's sheep wool as part of its materials.
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Every piece of equipment had 'INT' and 'MP' raising effects, which meant that Kanade would be greatly
strengthened just by wearing them.
"Armor doesn't really suit me after all."
Kanade put on the equipment he received and left the guild home.
Today, he would go out in order to learn 'Magical Barrier.'
Currently, Kanade was learning more and more skills faster than anyone else in the guild.
Unless Kanade was defeated, the support and healing would never stop.
However, depending on the situation, you would likely have to defeat Maple in her Archangel form in
order to get to Kanade.
And Maple's 'VIT' would be strengthened by Kanade.
Maple's depleted HP would also recover.
It would not be long before avoiding a battle with Maple and the others became the norm.
No, perhaps it already was the norm.
In a different location. The edge of level two.
Sally was in a certain forest.
"Fu… I haven't received any damage yet… But I should probably make preparations for when I do."
Sally had already learned several skills within the past few days.
But even then, she still did not have nearly enough to reach what was her ideal.
"I also need to raise Oboro's level too."
Monsters kept appearing one after another as she walked through the forest.
This time Sally put more emphasis on evading. She would hurt the monsters a little and then allow Oboro
to do the rest so it could raise its level.
After fighting like this for a while, Oboro's level increased.
"Fu…I should check it out. Oh?"
Sally checked Oboro's skill level and then patted it happily.
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"Well…I may not need to prepare for receiving any damage after all."
Saying this, Sally stopped looking at Oboro's level and returned to the town.
Chrome was in the level two desert.
"This is crazy. I don't feel like I could die."
He blocked the monster's attack with his great shield and slashed at it with his Japanese hatchet.
That alone caused his HP to go way up, but he also had 'Battle Healing' which healed him too.
On top of that, he could just use 'Light of Spirit' if he started to run out of HP.
Chrome cut down the last of the monsters he was fighting and put his weapons away.
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Chapter 71 Defense Specialization and the Third
Event
Maple logged in and appeared in the guild home.
Sally, Kanade, and Izu were already inside.
"So the event has started!"
“It’s only been five hours, but isn’t it amazing? The top players are already in the 5-digits. Also, Chrome
and Kasumi have already gone hunting.”
"Woah… Everyone's amazing, huh…"
The four that were left there were still at 0 points. Izu intended to only do a little during this event before
stopping.
"I don't have any attack skills, but I have a little 'STR'."
Depending on the type of enemies, there was the possibility of defeating them with a smithing hammer.
Of course, her 'STR’ was higher than Maple's.
"We should go too."
"I suppose."
The three of them tried to leave Izu there and go, but she called after them.
Izu handed over some gear to Sally and Maple.
“I made this out of the sheep’s wool. Apparently, the item drop rate will increase depending on the
amount of sheep’s wool used.”
They had been able to acquire quite a lot of sheep's wool, thanks to Maple.
Kanade's gear was already using plenty of wool, so there was no need to change it.
The gear that Izu handed over to Sally was the exact same as her current gear, only it was completely
white.
Maple's gear was very sheep-like in appearance.
The entire set was pure white and all of it was covered in fluffy wool.
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“It would be quite impossible to make armor out of wool, after all.”
The great shield and Japanese short sword had to be black due to attack power. This did not really match
with the rest of the adorable look, but it could not be helped.
Izu didn't say it, but the only reason why the gear came out looking like this, was because Izu wanted to
see a fluffy looking Maple.
Even if armor was impossible, she could have made normal looking clothes.
This was just the result of her personal tastes.
The three finally left the guild home and all headed off in their separate directions.
It would only become harder to gain points if they stayed together, and this was the best method
considering the points they would need for guild rewards and personal rewards.
Maple was on the move as she rode Syrup and looked at the blue panel, inspecting the required points for
different rewards.
Visuals of the actual monsters also appeared on the screen. This one was a red cow.
"My speed of mobility is not a good match for this event…"
Even if she was riding Syrup, it was still not even close to Sally's.
Maple decided that she would just enjoy the event and collect enough points to receive the personal
rewards that she wanted.
"I need more points to get that one skill."
Maple looked at a certain skill before closing the panel and looking downwards. She saw that there just
happened to be a red cow right there.
"'Hidora'!"
Maple unleashed the Hidora from Syrup and checked her points.
The points had been added exactly.
There was no need to actually check if the monster was dead or alive.
That was how strong it was.
However, there was one condition in using this power.
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"Hmm… So there will be enemies with 'Poison Immunity' later on…"
Maple's options for attacks would become incredibly limited should an enemy with 'Poison Immunity'
appear.
In fact, it would be better for her to run in such a case.
Furthermore, Maple had used poison and paralysis so many times in her attacks, that every player now
knew of them. That was also a problem.
Eventually, there would be another event where players fight against each other, and by then many
would have acquired 'Poison Resistance’.
Taking measures against Maple had already become a normal thing for stronger players.
There were even players who would be able to beat her if they made the necessary preparations.
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Derailment
Maple was enjoying her aerial stroll when she suddenly heard the sound of her message alert ringing.
"Hmm…? Who could it be?"
She checked to see who the sender was and saw that three messages in total had arrived.
They were from Chrome, Kasumi, and Izu respectively.
The contents were all similar as if this had been planned.
All of them were basically about how they would do their best in the event.
“I’m killing every cow that I find…but I guess I don’t have enough speed.”
Maple replied to each one, saying she would do her best as well, and then continued to fly in the air.
“They’re supposed to be around areas other than the plains as well, maybe I’ll check out those mountains
over there.”
Maple started in the direction of some far away mountains.
The reason that the three had sent messages to Maple, was because they had realized something.
It was that they had left Maple to her own devices.
And so they had warned her not to stick her head into anything strange, and to do her best for this
current event.
They knew that something would happen the moment they took their eyes off her.
And not necessarily something good.
And so the three had wanted to restrain her in this roundabout way.
After flying for a while, Maple finally reached the mountains.
"Seems like no one is around here."
It was a steep mountain covered with trees, with only a few cows.
Like management had said, while the cows would spawn, they were still limited to certain spaces.
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As it were, it would not be very efficient even if no other players showed up.
However, Maple had already been topped by competing players and had the worst efficiency to begin
with, so this was a step up.
"Fighting alone in this area might just be the perfect thing for me."
She returned Syrup to her ring and started to climb the mountain alone, all the while killing any cows she
spotted.
Maple was also wearing her sheep's wool gear, so she was in a much better condition than other players
who didn't have that gear.
"I wonder if Kasumi and Sally will be in the top players?"
Those two had the highest mobility among the members of Maple Tree.
Both of them even had the sheep's wool gear, so they should easily be able to hunt two or three times
faster than Maple.
"I'll just take my time. I'm sure it'll be in time for the skill anyway!"
As she said this, the rock under Maple's foot moved.
"Ah!?"
Maple completely lost her balance and only barely grabbed onto a tree.
"Ah… Oh, no…"
However, that only lasted for a few seconds.
In that instant, Maple tried to think of something she could do but was not quick enough as she rolled
down the steep slope.
Maple's body hit into something and she stopped.
"It's a good thing I put so much into 'VIT'… I need to be more careful…"
Had she not put so much into VIT, then she would probably have been forcefully sent back to town right
about now.
However, she had lost 'Bizzare Eater' when she was rolling.
"Ah… Oh, well. I think I'll hunt just a little more and then go home…hm?"
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Maple stood up and looked at her surrounding, she then realized that she crashed into a huge tree.
"Woah… It's big….ah."
Maple realized something as she inspected the large tree.
At the base of the tree was a huge hole that was in the shape of her great shield.
It was clear that it had become a victim of the last 'Bizzare Eater.'
"I-I'm so sorry!"
Maple looked inside of the hole and saw that there was a smaller hole separate from the one that she had
made inside. It was just large enough for her to fit her head through, and inside of it Maple found one
rusted cogwheel.
She looked upwards inside of the hole and saw a faint light.
There was a long, narrow hole going through the inside of the tree. The gear must have come through it
and fallen down here.
Maple picked up the gear.
"Item name… 'Forgotten Dream'?"
It had no skills and was not equippable.
There was no effect or description either.
Maple could not think of any use for it aside from a decoration for the guild home.
"I'll just take it back with me for now. Also…maybe I can heal this tree?"
Maple switched to her white gear and drank a potion to restore her HP.
"Good! "Light of Affection'!"
An intense damage effect danced around Maple.
In the same instant, light poured out from Maple's hands and enveloped the huge tree.
“…It’s no use. And this was my best method of healing.”
There were several healing skills among the skills contained in 'Dedicated Affection.'
But none of those skills had the ability to heal yourself.
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"Truly…I am so sorry!"
Maple lowered her head again before leaving the scene.
And so, ultimately, the messages from Chrome and the others had ended up with little to no meaning.
"First, I need to get out of this forest and ride Syrup back home."
Mapple returned her gear back to normal and started to walk.
After that, she encountered several cows, which she quickly dispatched with her short sword as she
exited the forest.
During this time, Chrome was also walking around and killing cows, when he suddenly stopped in his
tracks.
"…I had a bad feeling just now."
Chrome's sixth sense had detected something.
He was on the alert, his great shield and Japanese hatchet were held ready, but nothing attacked him.
"…Was it just me?"
It wasn’t just him, but Chrome did not realize that he had sensed something that had happened in a far-off
location.
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Chapter 73 Defense Specialization and Big
Derailment
The time period for the third event was one week.
By the fifth day, Maple had acquired the skill she was wanted.
"Alright!! I got 'Counter'!"
Many people were probably afraid that Maple would acquire this skill.
However, they couldn't do anything to stop it from happening.
Maple was slowly but surely getting rid of her weaknesses.
However, the poison which was the best means of offense due to all the counterplans was also starting to
lose its effect.
In the case of Maple, this 'Counter' ability is quite the enhancement.
And so, with this Maple had achieved her goals.
Now that she wasn't going to gain much even if she aimed even higher, she stopped going all out when
searching for cows.
Another reason was that she didn't quite feel like doing it either.
Maple was almost done searching for cows.
This would lead to Maple taking course of her own action.
Players who would come to know of this will probably realize that going all out to search for cows is
actually good.
They might try to surround Maple.
However, at present, there were no players around Maple.
"Syrup? Where shall we go now?"
She asked, even though there would be no response.
She didn't have a particular objective now.
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She didn't completely stop searching as there would also be guild rewards but it felt like it would suffice
alone from Sally, Kasumi and Chrome's earnings.
"I wonder if there's something… something like a really big cow…"
Beneath her, the forest spread wide.
She stopped searching from the sky and jumped down.
"This is… the part of the forest where I acquired the fragment of the archangel… or is it? I don't remember
that clearly."
Sally could quite easily memorize the map.
She was also probably somewhat used to it.
Although Maple joined a group of strong players, her hours played itself was that of a beginner.
As this was also not a good place to search for cows, it was quiet here.
The stuff Maple was doing were also quite dull, like defeating cows when they occasionally appear.
And while she was wandering around doing that, she reached a place where she recognized a building.
"It's that church."
Maple entered the church which she didn't explore that much the last time.
As she had immediately left after acquiring the fragment of the archangel before, she decided to search
every nook and cranny of the place this time.
"Everything looks so worn-out… I wonder if they have any books lying around."
Maple searched for a book which might provide some hints like it did on the second event.
She searched everywhere around the place but couldn't produce much of a result.
"All that's left is… that place."
The place Maple headed towards was the point where the fragment was lying.
There, in place of the small bottle, something was written on the floor with small red letters.
She couldn't read what it said while standing so she sprawled and read while following it with her finger.
"Ummm… 'Summon'?"
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The moment Maple muttered the word.
The church's floor started glowing red.
The radiance just got stronger and stronger, dyeing everything in red.
"Eh…Wha?!"
Maple reflexively attempted to run away from the place but before she could, her vision was also covered
in red.
After a while, the light died down and Maple opened her eyes.
"……Eh-ehh?"
In front of her eyes was a place just like the church but everything was gray.
It was a weird place.
"Where…… is this place?"
She had to consider going back if this event were to last long.
She could just logout in that case but she didn't know if she could come back here if she did.
She had to proceed carefully.
Maple went outside the church for the time being.
"Uwaa… everything's in ruin…"
The grey world was also the same outside.
The fresh and green forest had disappeared and a vast, gray land had taken its place.
Debris was floating here and there, as if time itself had stopped.
"Sally will surely not like this place…"
Maple walked around the wasteland.
It wasn't as if she had a destination.
Maple had found one thing which was not grey in this grey world.
Maple headed towards it.
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Maple had reached the place where the not-grey object was.
It was a pitch black sphere.
As if reacting to Maple getting close to it, the black sphere started bulging.
And before long, the sphere burst open and something dropped outside along with charcoal.
A tail protruded from beneath the battered robe.
There was a rounded horn on its head like a sheep.
And it started talking while looking down.
"Food has come, eh?"
Alarmed by that statement, Maple brought out her big shield.
It looked up towards Maple and realized something.
"Ah? You are from that time? The one mixed with angel's strength… this one is lucky…!
My status as a demon will rise after I eat you. I was done in at the sanctuary but I can go all out here!"
Saying that, the demon roared.
No doubt that there's no path of reconciling here.
She had to fight.
Before even getting scared or starting to fight, Maple recalled something the demon had said.
"Eat? …Shall I do that too?"
Maple entered battle stance after spouting something disturbing.
After being derailed from the third event, further abnormalities lied ahead.
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Chapter 74 Defense Specialization and Demon
Battle
The demon charged towards Maple and punched her with intense momentum.
Maple took the blow without being able to react.
"Alright! No damage!"
But the demon's attack was unable to hurt Maple's body.
However.
"Mm?"
Dark red chains twined around Maple's body. It was easy to realize that it was due to the demon's attack.
"What is this…?"
And while Maple was wondering what it was, the demon came attacking once again.
Maple had also received this head on without being able to dodge.
"The chains are increasing…!"
Maple judged the chains to not be good and so she decided on keeping away from the demon's attacks for
the time being.
"Hair Growth!"
Pure white ball of hair appeared on the middle of the wasteland.
Maple shut herself in the wool and checked the chains while avoiding the demon's attacks.
"Mmm… Binding Spell…. That's the first time I have heard of that state."
Maple confirmed the details of her condition.
Binding spell could be used on someone 5 times at most and after using 5 times, their abilities would
decrease by 25%.
"So since I took two hits, mine has decreased 10% eh?"
Binding Spell lasted 2 minutes for each stage and so Maple would be stuck like that for 4 minutes.
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"Then I guess I will stay here."
Maple waited inside the wool for the chains to disappear and then after they disappeared, she peeked
from the top of the wool and called Syrup to fly into the sky as always.
"Enlarge!"
After going up for about 10 meters, she looked down diagonally.
And then, after confirming that the demon was still punching the wool, Maple shouted out her command
to Syrup.
"Soul Cannon!"
Reacting to Maple's voice, a very thick laser was shot from high above.
It was an one-sided attack, where she was outside the opponent's range.
The laser spread light to all of the wasteland and engulfed the demon.
"Mmm, tough, eh… Only a part of it has been shaved off."
Seems like the demon wasn't lying about going all-out here, as it kept attacking Maple in defiance of the
damage.
After shutting herself in the wool again, Maple started thinking.
"Should I just put out my hand and use Hydra? But it doesn't seem like poison would affect demons."
If it became a poisonous, wool sphere, Syrup wouldn't be able to carry it and so they would be trapped
there.
To avoid that, her usage of poison must be very careful.
Maple brought out her head and Shingetsu and waited for the demon.
And although the demon kept attacking Maple's head, Maple's head even flicks off swords.
There was no way a mere fist would be effective.
"Hydra!"
The poisonous dragon shot out from Shingetsu engulfed the demon and blew it away.
"It seems like poison doesn't work, as I thought."
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There was no extra damage from the poison but there was damage from the poison dragon.
It is much better than not using it at all.
"Let's leave it to Syrup!"
Having received the Binding Spell again, Maple returned inside the wool, just in case.
Using Spirit Canno' every few minutes, the demon's HP bar finally went under half.
"Spirit Cannon!"
Syrup's Spirit Cannon engulfed the demon again.
"Gghh…So annoying! Crush! I will crush you!"
A black light covered the demon's body and it started to expand, changing shape.
Its limbs enlarged and muscles bulged.
Its neck stretched and its face disappeared, leaving a big open mouth from which saliva kept dripping.
The ugly demon screamed.
"D-disgusting!"
Even Maple didn't seem to have a liking for monster-like monsters.
"Gegegeeh! Agaa!"
It spit out pitch black flames from its mouth.
It covered Maple and burned the wool.
"Ehh?! This wool can burn?!"
It was wool so it is extremely normal for it to be burn. No matter how strong the defensive skills are, it
doesn't change the wool's natural property.
The wall of wool protecting Maple disappeared and she fell to the ground.
The demon approached closer with its mouth open wide.
Maple immediately tried to run away but didn't make it.
"Ah-"
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"Ah……"
Maple was eaten up with a single bite.
The big shield and short sword fell in place.
"Gihigihihihi!"
The demon laughed happily in a creepy voice.
Maple, being swallowed whole, was moving through narrow places.
"Uuu… so-narrow! Uwaah?!"
Suddenly her foothold disappeared and she fell into some sort of liquid.
Maple grabbed something which was floating to not get wet.
"Uwaa… this is inside the stomach or something? ……Ahh my armor is melting!?"
Maple panicked but after a while, when she noticed that she didn't melt, she calmed down and looked
around her surrounding.
"Yep… no ways to attack. Ah, or maybe there is."
Maple muttered.
This boss was made in such a way that it swallowing its enemies whole would be most damaging.
They would keep taking damage even after being swallowed. Moreover, they would be dropped in a pool
of deadly poison at the end.
And on top of that, with time, the stomach also starts to contract so even if you're able to survive the pool
of poison, you will ultimately be crushed to death.
Normally, the slow, big shield users must dodge this.
But Maple broke through that from the front with her super defense and Poison Immune skill.
She didn't even receive the damage which would kill three people wielding big shields and the pool she
dropped to felt like lukewarm water.
At this point, it was like a somewhat cool bath.
On top of that, at this point where being alive itself isn't expected, Maple had gotten stronger after having
her armor melted.
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"I was eaten but… I can get out if I defeat this thing, right?"
Saying that, Maple swam towards a wriggling wall of meat.
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Chapter 75
One hour had passed since Maple was eaten.
The devil's HP bar was continuing to decrease.
In reaction, it's pattern of movement began to change. It struck out in varied attacks, but the enemy
herself was nowhere in sight.
The enemy was inside its body.
"I wonder how much…uumph…oomph…it's HP has decreased now?"
Maple mumbled as she tore at the walls of flesh with her teeth.
This was because the Archangel short sword that Izu had made for her, had lost so much of its durability
to the poison, that she gave up using it to attack.
She had also returned Syrup into her ring, so this was the only method of attack left to her.
"It's really going wild out there…"
Maple would sometimes be thrown from the wall or washed away, but it's HP was definitely getting
chipped away.
And after another hour.
Maple finally ate through the entirety of the devil's life.
In the same instant, the devil's body turned into light and then exploded. Maple fell to the floor.
"Woah…phew, it's finally over."
A notice arrived just as she picked up the great shield and short sword.
"I thought it was because of 'Devil Eater'…but it was because of 'Dedicated Affection,' huh."
This skill had certain requirements related to 'Dedicated Affection.'
In any case, Maple had got her hands on a new skill.
And this was a skill that could be a new way to attack.
"'Oozing Chaos'…This is… Hmmm… Oh, I see, I see. This is a similar skill to 'Poison Dragon.'"
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This skill had three other skills inside of it.
Maple inspected this skill and then set it into her armor without hesitation.
"Well then… I should get back and test it out."
Maple's vision was already enveloped in a red glow as she muttered this. By the time the light
disappeared, she was already back inside of the church.
"It doesn't use MP so I might as well try it out now! Umm… 'Predator'!"
Just as she shouted the word, the area around Maple's feet was covered in a pitch-black light. And from
that blackness, two black things came stretching out.
They were 3 meters long.
Appearance-wise, they resembled the devil she had just fought after it had transformed.
They had big mouths in the front, but unlike the devil, neither had any arms or legs. They looked very
much like snakes, and they were coming straight out of the ground.
"…Can you move?"
Maple tried moving forward, the black light on the ground followed with the two snakes in it.
"Then let's go!"
Maple left the church.
And so it was that two newborn devils left the old church building.
As Maple was walking, there was one thing that she was soon able to realize.
"Oh! They automatically defeat any nearby monsters for you!"
The two devils that were on either side of Maple, would bite and crush any enemies within their reach.
On top of that, they had their own HP, Attack Power and Defense Power independent of Maple, and their
firepower and speed were more than enough.
Furthermore, their attacks had a 'Binding' effect.
"Well then, I think I'll try a skill that uses MP next… 'Oozing Chaos'!"
Once Maple used the skill, a black light began to ooze out of her. This was followed by the two devils on
her sides becoming gigantic. They shot out to the front like 'Hydras'.
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If she ever had to fight against another player, and that miserable player was dealt such an attack, the
player would end up witnessing a 2-meter wide mouth closing in on them.
The range was also more than enough.
"The last one… I think I'll save it for next time. Okay then, 'Seal.'"
She said the word to seal the 'Predators,' sending the two eye-catching creatures back into the shadows.
And instead of testing out the final skill, Maple decided to walk inside of the forest.
"The third event…what should I do…maybe I've had enough…"
Because Maple had lost a lot of her interest in the third event, she ultimately did not hunt any more cows
before the time was up.
After that, the third event ended peacefully, without Maple doing anything in particular.
And after the third event was finished, everyone gathered together at the guild home.
"Hahh… I'm tired."
Sally leaned all of her weight on the backrest of her chair. She must have been incredibly tired because
she looked drained of all energy.
"Ahh…me too."
Kasumi's arms and head rested on the table.
Sally and Kasumi had killed an especially high number of cows, so their fatigue was strong.
After that was Chrome, then Kanade.
Maple wasn't tired at all.
With the exception of Izu, Maple would rank the lowest in terms of kill count. Towards the end, all she did
was play around with 'Predator' in the forest where no one could see her. So it was no wonder that she
was not tired.
"You didn't do much this time, Maple."
"I didn't really feel like it…"
"Well, it can't be helped. It was a really hard event for players like us."
As Chrome said, it was a difficult event for people with low 'AGI.'
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Even more so for someone like Maple.
"But, as far as guild rewards went, we went to the highest point, you know."
Kanade was right, the four others had covered for where Maple fell short, and together they had reached
the highest reward.
"It's already arrived here at the guild home."
So saying, Izu took out the reward.
It was the stuffed head of a cow that you could mount on your wall.
As far as effects went, it raised the 'STR' of all members of 'Maple Tree' up by 3%.
"It'll be more effective as we get stronger then."
"Yeah, that's true.
"It's pointless for me…no, wait, it's not!"
As soon as Maple said this, the faces of everyone except for Kanade changed.
Considering Maple's 'STR,' it was strange to think there was any point in it.
And so the four of them all thought the same thing.
"Maple…did you go somewhere during the event?"
"I was on the second layer? …I think."
Maple wasn't sure if she should call that ash-colored world part of the second layer.
She told them this, and Sally and Kasumi put their hands to their forehead in exasperation.
Chrome and Izumi had also thought that it was unstoppable.
"…The third layer will be added eventually, after all. If possible, could you show it to us when we enter
the dungeon when the time comes?"
By now everyone had realized that Maple had done something.
And it smelled of a rather dangerous skill.
Well, they were in fact, right.
453
However, the incredibly dangerous skill was not 'Predator' or 'Oozing Chaos,' but the last skill that Maple
had not used back there.
There were now three days left until the third layer would be added.
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After a short while since the day the third layer was added, Maple and the others arrived at the dungeon
that led to the third layer.
It was a party of six including Izu.
The maximum size of a single party was eight, so it was possible for all current members to form a single
party.
Though, with this lineup, they could probably storm through just about any dungeon.
In fact, it would have been more than enough with just Sally, Chrome and Kasumi, with Kanade as
support.
As they made their way through, Maple did not participate in the fighting at all, and only concentrated on
protecting Ize.
"Great, let's go to the boss room, then."
"Yeah, let's clean this up quickly."
"Yes, quickly."
So saying, Kasumi opened the doors and everyone went inside.
And then the boss appeared in the back of the room.
The boss had the appearance of a tree, and its trunk had a face on it.
Maple and company had broken through the first layer before, so they wondered if this boss also had
some kind of fruit hanging from it, but could not see anything like it.
"Okay, I'll go first. 'Provoke'!"
Maple headed straight for the boss.
The boss began to attack Maple with its stretched out roots and branches, but they had no effect on her.
And while it moved futilely like that, Maple reached its base.
"'Predator' 'Hydra' 'Oozing Chaos'!"
The monsters showed themselves from around Maple. The hydra spread its pollution all over the roots,
and then the roots were eaten by the monsters that sprung out afterward.
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It's HP bar was decreasing rapidly.
But the two monsters would not stop attacking.
The tree boss was now visibly furious, it began to launch its attacks at the two monsters.
"'Dedicated Affection'!"
Maple's HP started to drop just as angel wings sprouted behind her back. What she had done was to
receive the damage that should have gone to the monsters and make it harmless.
Then Maple quickly took out a potion to recover her HP.
The five others watched all of this from a corner of the room.
"What is that? No matter how one might deny it, she's practically a monster now… That's what I think."
"Right…it does seem like it…"
"How does she have new equipment every time we see her…"
"I'm relieved that nothing's changed with her."
"Ah, I don't care anymore as long she's an ally…an ally…"
Such were the things that the five members talked about, as they tried to accept this new evolution of
Maple.
However, Maple still had one skill left to show.
Maple had been meaning to test this skill here, so she couldn't finish the fight before using it.
"Okay… 'Savagery.'"
Maple muttered quietly, then a black light began to envelop her body.
It turned into a column of black light that stretch up towards the ceiling before turning into a monster
that resembled the two who were next to Maple.
The only difference was that this one had several arms and legs.
And the two monsters next to Maple had now vanished.
The new monster charged at the boss tree and grabbed it, then unleashed a torrent of fire from its mouth.
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The flames were very effective on the tree, now it was using its roots, branches and even magic to attack
the monster.
However, not only was the boss tree unable to defeat the monster, it was not even able to deal it a single
scratch.
The monster's claws cleaved into the trunk, its kicks caused the wood to cave in, and it bit into the tree
with a mouth that took up its entire face.
The two creatures fought like this for some time, but eventually, the boss tree could not take it anymore,
and collapsed to the ground.
The monster was now walking heavily in the direction of Sally and the others.
They stared cautiously as the monster opened its gigantic mouth.
"Argggh…this thing is difficult to control!"
The monster said. Everyone stood still and stupefied.
"Ma…Maple?"
"Yeah, you couldn't tell?"
There was noise mixed in with the distorted monster's voice, but it was apparently Maple.
While everyone else was bewildered, Sally asked Maple if should return to her real form.
"Hmm…wait a sec."
She said, and then a few seconds later, the monster's stomach tore open and Maple came tumbling out.
Once she was out of the monster, its body crumbled and then disappeared.
The five other members approached her.
"I'd be pretty happy for an explanation, or whatever you can provide…"
For once it seemed that Maple had exceeded what Sally was usually able to tolerate.
"Um…what it does is, in exchange for your gear's effects being taken away, your 'STR' and 'AGI' are
increased fifty times and your HP becomes 1,000. And even if you run out of HP, you just return to your
normal form…"
The demerit was that the ability boosts from your gear and your skills would become unusable and that it
only worked once a day.
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With this skill, Maple now had an emergency escape if she were ever close to death.
"Ahh…so you finally decided to stop being human, huh."
"Oh, she has. There is no doubt about it."
It wasn't just a figure of speech, Maple had really found a way to become an actual monster.
"It's so hard to control…it's like, I don't know. Being inside of a huge mascot costume?"
Apparently, Maple was not able to control it in a precise fashion.
"Well…the one before this was also quite strange."
Sally had already been feeling this was getting out of hand when she saw the two snakes grow out of the
ground.
"Even I know that this isn't really normal…"
"Mmm… It's faster than riding on Syrup, though…"
"I don't think you should use it for transportation."
It was no longer just a young girl dragging monsters behind her, the scene would be that of a hideous
monster suddenly roaming about on the field.
"I'll practice up in the mountains so I can use it better in combat, okay."
"I bet anyone who sees that will misunderstand…"
Though, there was no helping it since she had already got the skill.
Maple was already walking towards the third layer now, and the other went after her.
The third layer's town was covered by a cloudy sky and was a town of machines and tools.
There was one thing that the members of Maple Tree realized when they reached it.
It was a very obvious difference, something that anyone would have noticed.
"Everyone's flying, huh."
Like Maple said, almost all of the players here were using various machines to fly in the sky.
"Is it some kind of item?"
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"Hmmm… Isn't it those things?"
What Sally was pointing at were a variety of machines that could be bought with gold. As they watched,
one player bought a machine with blue lights on it, before using that machine to shoot up into the sky.
"This looks like it will be an interesting layer."
"Indeed. I suppose we'll also fly in the sky and explore."
Now that the members of Maple Tree knew what was the norm here, they set off for the guild home,
which existed on every layer, including this one.
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Chapter 77 Defense Specialization and an
Invitation
The six of them entered the third layer guild home and inspected the rooms and interiors.
After they had spent some time grasping the format of the place, they all gathered together in a large
room.
"Ah, Maple! There was something that I wanted to talk to you about."
"What is it, Chrome?"
"It's a message that just arrived from management. It says that there will be a combat event soon
between guilds. So we need to prepare. And the thing is…"
"What is it?"
"There will be time acceleration. If you consider the possibility that some guild members may not be able
to attend on the day of the event… I think it might be best to increase our members."
What Chrome was saying was right. Currently, 'Maple Tree' consisted of six members including Izu, who
did not fight.
It would be very difficult to compete if one member couldn't participate.
"Hmm…that is true. Yes, I think that is a good idea."
Maple agreed with Chrome's suggestion.
It was easy for Maple to understand the harmful effects of not having enough people.
"I could call over some of my friends… But it's better to leave it to the guild master."
Some of his friends included the people from the message boards who were following Maple from behind
the scenes, but Chrome wasn't a guild master and would not force any decisions.
"Well, then why don't you come with me tomorrow and we can go scouting?"
Sally said as she lightly slapped Maple's shoulder.
"Mmm… Yes! Let's go!"
Maple and Sally decided to go out and look for new members on the following day.
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The next day, the two were walking in the town in hopes of finding new personnel.
"How should we search?"
"We should check the message board first. They had invitations to guilds or postings for parties and those
sort of things."
"Okay, let's go there then."

Maple followed behind Sally as they made their way over to where the message board was.
Once they reached the place, Maple began to skim through the contents. As she looked through the latest
items, she saw that there were lots of occurrences of the words, 'Offense Specialization Wanted' and
'Poison Resistance Required.'
"I guess offense specialization is really popular now. It's so fun after all!"
"…Well, yeah."
Sally was looking through the message board as well, but they knew that the kind of person that they
would immediately accept into their party wouldn't be out here posting ads in the first place.
"Mmmm…maybe this won't work. There are only low-level players from the first layer on here."
Sally said as she finally looked away. Maple also stopped searching.
"Then why don't we try going to the first layer? What do you think…"
Sally thought the likelihood of finding someone in the first layer was very low, but she knew that they had
to do something in order to gain something.
"Alright, let's go. It's better than staying here."
It hadn't been long since they arrived on the third layer, but now the two of them were going back down
to the first.
Maple and Sally were now in the town on the first layer, which they hadn't been to in quite a while. Maple
realized something as they walked.
"I don't know…but doesn't it seem like a lot of people here are walking slowly?"
Just like Maple said, there were players all over the place who seemed to be very slow on their feet.
"That's because of your impact. Now a lot of people are putting their points into one place."
"What? Is that true?"
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"And a lot of them ultimately give up on that save data."
Sally was fully aware of the current situation.
Of course, Maple was not, and so she was shocked at hearing this.
"What!? But why?"
"They can't even evade attacks, but their HP is low, there are other reasons as well… But the biggest
reason is that people were reminded about how such players cannot do anything, and it's become
difficult for them to join guilds or parties. It's also less fun."
The reality was that the Maple was the only powerful player who survived with all of her points in one
place.
As it was impossible to replicate what Maple did, none of the increasing numbers of players who imitated
her were ever able to catch up.
"Oh, I feel a little bad for them now…"
"Don't worry about it. Everyone looks up to someone who is strong. It just didn't quite go as planned for
them this time."
"Yes… I guess it can't be helped."
"Ah… We should just leave a wanted ad on the message board, just in case."
"Yes, let's do that."
Sally was more fit to write such things, so it was her that went off to the message board.
Now that she was alone, Maple decided to sit on an empty bench and wait for Sally to return.
"Ahh… So it was my influence…"
Maple was a little troubled about this thing with the other players.
And so she had become sensitive to certain words that were related to that matter.
"Uhh… I was rejected by another party… Maybe it really wasn't a good idea to put all my points into one
place…"
"Cheer up older sister! …It hasn't been that long since you started. You can start over again?"
"But…"
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Maple turned in the direction of the voices.
She then stood up and approached the two girls who were still talking together.
"Hello! Um…could I talk to you for a second?"
Maple said and the two turned around at the same time.
The two girls were the exact same height with the same faces and the same weapons. Anyone who looked
at them would think that they were twins.
The only difference was that the one who was encouraging had white hair and the one who was being
encouraged had black hair.
The player with white hair answered Maple.
"Uh…wha, what is it?"
"Um, ummm…"
Maple stumbled over her words. She didn't have the most solid reason for approaching them in the first
place. She had just wanted to stop a player who was regretting their decision to dump all their points into
a single skill.
"We are in a hurry here…"
"Ah, uhhh… right, I know! My party, no, guild! Will you join my guild!?"
"…What? Oh, we're very grateful…but aren't you a high-level player? Judging by your equipment… Are
you sure?"
The girl had thought that since they were wearing beginner's equipment, they would not work well
together.
"It's fine, it's fine! I am the guild master! And we have plenty of empty slots."
Maple was allowed to decide on new members by herself.
And there was no one in Maple Tree who would complain about bringing these two in.
"I'm back, Maple… Who are these people?"
"Ah, hey, Sally! These are the people that I've scouted!"
"I see… If you're okay with it, then so am I. Also, no decision that you've made on your own has ever had
normal results."
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"Eh…really?"
"Yes. Well then, let's go to the layer one guild home. We can talk there."
"Okay. You two, will you come with us?"
"Uh, yes."
"Uh, yes."
The two quickly followed after Maple and Sally who was already walking away.
It was like a saving hand had come down from heaven to help these two who were about to quit.
An encounter with the sole person who had been successful with putting all her points into one skill.
Author:
Well, yeah. Of course, people would copy her.
464
Demolishing a Boss
The four of them entered the first layer guild home and sat down facing each other so they could talk.
Sally had run back to erase her posting on the message board before coming to the guild home, so they
would not be taking in anyone else.
These kinds of talks were usually handled by Sally. She would ask them questions and receive
information about them.
The white-haired player's name was Yui and the black-haired player's name was Mai.
They were both level 4 and neither had a single skill.
Their weapons were giant sledgehammers that were at least 1.5 x their height.
"So… you two put all your points into one place?"
Maple asked them.
"Yes. Both I and my sister put them into 'STR.'"
The reason that these two put everything into 'STR' was that they were physically weak and lacked
muscles in reality. And so they wanted to move around as much as they could inside of the game.
"Hmm… That's kind of similar to you, isn't it Maple?"
"Ahaha…I guess."
Just like these two, Maple was not fixated on what would be advantageous within the game.
That was why they did not recognize Maple, they had not put all their points into one place because they
wanted to be like her.
"So Maple… You are also like us?"
"Yes, I am. I put everything into 'VIT'!"
The two were very surprised by this.
Because they had never seen anyone who had done this successfully.
"Well…I'm not sure that Maple is…the best example…"
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Perhaps Maple secretly agreed, because she did not deny it.
"What do you think? Sally? Can I bring them in?"
"Yes. I think so… There won't be any demerits to their 'STR' build as long as you are there… There
shouldn't a problem once they can bring their level up within the month, anyway."
With Sally's approval, it was decided that Yui and Mai would join as members.
Maple registered both of them and so they were now a part of Maple Tree.
Now that this was done, they wanted to broaden the two girls' range of movement to include the third
layer, which is where Maple Tree was now active.
"Are you free today?"
"Uh, um, yes. I am. You're free too, aren't you, sister?"
"Yes, I am free as well."
"Then come with me and Maple and we can head to the third layer together."
"WHAAA!?"
"WHAAA!?"
The two reacted with surprise, but Maple and Sally were already on their way out of the town.
Once they were outside of the town, Sally turned around and looked towards Maple.
"Maple. The usual."
Following her request, Maple called out Syrup, much to the surprise of the two girls. Then they got on its
back and flew up into the sky.
"Don't fall off."
Maple warned them, but the two were so shocked that they were unable to react to anything she said.
"They are still very early in the game… It will take a while for them to get used to this."
Getting used to Maple that is. It was the first thing that every new member of Maple Tree needed to do.
The four quickly moved on to the boss room in the second layer and opened the doors to go inside.
"Uhhh… If we die, please forgive us."
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Mai groaned. It was clear that she did not want to be a burden to the others.
"Ah…that won't happen."
Maple shouted. Her hair then changed color and angel wings sprouted from her back.
The two girls froze, their thought process had completed halted.
They were no longer able to comprehend what was happening.
"I'll deal with this. You sit down and watch."
"Understood! Do your best!"
Maple said and then took the two girls to a corner of the room.
"…! Are you sure!? Sally is going to fight by herself! But, that's a boss, right?"
Yui asked as she got closer to Maple.
"It's fine, it's fine. After all, I've never once seen Sally take any damage."
"….What?"
"….What?"
"It's starting now."
Sally had called out Oboro in the direction that Maple was pointing. She was now running directly
towards the deer.
There was no chance that the same attacks would be effective on Sally. She twisted her body and lowered
her head as she dodged the deer's attacks and bridged the gap between them.
"Oboro! 'Shadow Clone'!"
As Sally shouted this, she split into five versions of herself. Each Sally ran separately from each other and
charged at the deer.
Even Maple was surprised by this.
"I didn't know that Oboro was capable of doing that now…"
"Sa-Sally is so amazing! How, how is she even dodging that!? And now she's cloned herself!"
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Yui was very excited as she talked to Maple.
"Who knows…? Even I have no idea…"
Even as they talked like this, the attack boost aura that surrounded Sally was getting bigger and bigger.
She was attacking with magic and daggers, in addition to the flames of Oboro. It only took a little longer
than ten minutes for the deer to fall.
Now that the fight was over, the three of them ran up to Sally.
"Oboro's advanced quite a lot, huh."
"Yeah. Let's hurry up and take care of the second layer boss."
The four of them quickly entered the second layer and went straight to the dungeon.
"I won't be fighting this time."
"Mm. Okay."
It was decided that Maple would fight the second layer's boss by herself.
Yui and Mai looked worried when Sally declared this.
It was not surprising. Maple's equipment was a large shield, and they had heard from her that she had put
everything into 'VIT.'
They understood the defense capabilities of 'Dedicated Affection,' but they still had not seen anything
that would suggest Maple was strong in terms of combat.
Oblivious to their feelings on the matter, Maple opened the doors to the boss room and casually walked
inside.
"Sally, don't you think that you should go and help her…"
"I, I agree."
"Hmm. What a refreshing reaction."
This might just have been the first time Sally saw another player be worried about Maple.
That was how famous Maple was. Mainly as a threat.
"Did you think my fighting was amazing?"
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"Uh…y-yes."
"Uh…y-yes."
Inhuman ability to evade. Powerful skills.
The battle with the deer was so amazing, that if it was viewed by 100 people, all of them would agree.
"In just a moment you two are going to see a fight that will seem ridiculous and should not be possible in
this world."
Sally told them to concentrate hard on what they were about to see. Then she herself looked towards the
walking Maple.
These two did now know it yet, but they would in just a few dozen seconds.
"Sally did tell me to show them everything… Syrup!"
Maple called Syrup out and blew it up to a gigantic size before making it float in the air.
All the while, she was being attacked by the boss but received zero damage.
"'Hydra', 'Oozing Chaos,' Syrup 'Soul Canon'!"
The three-headed hydra, the monster's mouth, and the shining beam all smashed into the Tree Boss.
While the boss was recoiling, Maple had now reached it. She pulled out her great shield, even as she
continued to nullify all damage.
'Bizarre Eater' gouged at its trunk. The bosses HP was falling rapidly by the onrush of special attacks.
But even then, Maple's attacks would not stop.
"'Predator'! 'Dedicated Affection'!"
Two monsters appeared beside Maple and immediately bit into the boss.
Angel wings sprouted from Maple's back, protecting the monsters.
The boss let out a great cry and thrashed with its branches and fired magic attacks at Maple and the
monsters, but all of it was meaningless.
"'Savagery'!"
A black pillar of light rose from Maple before materializing into a giant monster.
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It spat fire, it ground with its teeth, it tore with its claws, until the boss was in tatters.
It was a one-sided assault. It was no longer easy to tell just which of them was the boss.
"Hahh… It's done, it's done."
"Maple. You can return to your original form now."
"Ahh. Sorry, sorry."
Maple popped out of the monster's stomach and then it disappeared.
"Okay, let's go to the third layer now!"
"Yes, lets."
Maple began to walk on ahead as soon as Sally replied.
Sally looked towards Yui and Mai and said:
"She's the strongest in our party. See? I bet I look pretty normal now, right?"
"…"
"…"
Both of them were unable to process what they had just witnessed and could only stand there with
vacant expressions.
"But you two and Maple have something in common. So may you two will one day…become just like her."
Sally suggested as she took Yui and Mai's hands and led them towards the third layer.
Please understand that Yui and Mai are twins in the real world, so their names can be confusing. Yes.
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Once they reached the third layer, Maple introduced Yui and Mai to the rest of the guild.
After they had greeted each other, Izu went back to her workshop to create equipment for Yui and Mai.
Then Yui and Mai decided that they would log out for the day.
"Both of your levels have gone up a little, but you two still have a ways to go… Hmm… Maple, when will be
the next time you three can log in at the same time?"
The three of them talked about this so they could match their schedules.
"Maple. Lend me your ear for a second."
"Hmm, what is it?"
Sally began to talk close to Maple's ear.
"…Okay!"
"Great, I'll make preparations then."
"Alright, got it."
The two looked a little puzzled by this exchange as they called it a day.
The three of them gathered together on a later date as they had planned.
Sally then gave Yui and Mai an item each.
"Here, this is for you."
What Sally handed over to Yui and Mai were large helmets that covered their entire face.
"Follow Maple's orders when you use it."
They nodded in unison.
"Okay then, will you follow me?"
"Ye-yes!"
"Ye-yes!"
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Maple and the two sisters left the guild home. Sally was left behind, but she too had much to do and
couldn't immediately log out.
"Are you going too, Chrome?"
It was likely for a different reason than Maple, but Chrome was leaving the guild at the same time, so Sally
called after him.
"Yeah. Kasumi's already left."
The current season was summer. During this period, all monster's dropped the item 'Watermelon' at a
very low rate.
If you collected these, you could raise the guild's support functions.
In other words, a status up.
"As I've sent Maple off to help those two gain some levels, we should concentrate on strengthening the
guild."
"I wonder how they will be when they return… It's not like they are going to pick up a 'Unique Series,'
right?"
"Well, they are just leveling up for now. I told them to go to the first layer where they won't be seen by
others…"
There was a reason that Sally did not want them to be seen.
When she told it to Chrome, he chuckled and agreed with her.
Maple arrived in an area in the first layer that hardly had any other players in it.
It was right in front of the dungeon where Maple had once fought the Hydra.
"Are we going to invade this dungeon?"
"Yes, we are. Can you two put those helmets on now?"
The two sisters put them on as she asked.
Now their faces were covered, making them unidentifiable.
Angel wings sprouted from Maple's body and the color of her hair changed as she emitted a godly glow.
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As they had seen this transformation before, they were less surprised and now able to appreciate the
beauty.
"'Savagery'"
But that awe lasted only a second.
Now Maple had turned into a hideous beast. The only thing that remained was the effect of 'Dedicated
Affection.' Even the wings were gone.
"Ride on top of me! Oh, and hit the boss at least once."
Unlike Maple, these two had a lot of strength. They got onto her back and held tight.
"Oh, also, I will act like a monster if somebody sees us. So keep that in mind."
The reason that their identity was being hidden was so that no one would know which guild they were
from, which meant no one would know it was Maple. Everything would be recognized as just this
monster, and would not be connected to her.
They needed to hide this trump card until the guild tournament.
"What?"
"What?"
"Guga, gegega!"
Said Maple as she jumped into the cave.
That degree of acting was not really needed, but she still felt like doing it.
They killed all the monsters they met along the way, then opened the doors to the boss room and walked
straight towards the Hydra.
The pitiful Hydra met the same fate as it did last time, as it was torn to shreds.
As Yui and Mai had both hit it at least once before it died, they both gained experience from it.
What happened after this was the most important.
Unlike before, Maple could now see two different magical circles in her vision.
One led to the town, the other took you back to the entrance of the dungeon.
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Sally had told her that during the second invasion, a magical circle would be added to take you to the
dungeon's entrance.
Maple chose to go back to the entrance.
The boss would regenerate as soon as you left.
Yes, their objective today was to grind the Hydra.
The Hydra's dungeon was almost ridiculously difficult compared to the first layer.
Also, since it was quite far from the town and because there were more players who specialized in one
stat, it was a very unpopular location.
On top of that, the Hydra dungeon was quite short.
All of this made it very convenient for Maple.
They could rampage through the dungeon and tear into and rip the Hydra to shreds.
Yui and Mai's level increased rapidly.
Maple could not get lost as she had memorized the route, and there was nothing in the dungeon that was
the same level as her that could stop her.
Maple was able to run through the dungeon at just a little over three minutes each time.
As she continued to repeat these rounds, she looked at the time and a certain emotion grew within her.
Yes.
She wanted to make it under three minutes.
There was no real reason for it. It was just the fact that if she could scrape off a few seconds, she could get
it into the two minutes range.
As she repeated the same thing over and over again, she had found a new way to enjoy it.
Move tighter through corners, kill monsters in advance with fire so she didn't touch them and lose speed.
Open the boss doors as quickly as possible and kill the monster with everything she had.
As she concentrated on these things and made several more rounds, Maple was finally able to bring the
time down to the two minutes range.
But even then, she felt like she could do it even faster.
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Particularly the killing of the Hydra.
She had decided that she could shorten the time if she allowed Yui and Mai to go all out in the attack.
And after executing this several times.
When Yui and Mai had increased their attack power through leveling up, Maple was able to get it down to
two minutes and thirty seconds.
"Awesome!!"
Maple said in a voice that was distorted with noise.
There was no reward for this, but she felt a great sense of fulfillment regardless.
"Maple! Maple!"
"Maple! Maple!"
"Hm? What?"
"This…"
"This…"
The two sisters were showing their statuses, so Maple took a look.
There were no holes where their eyes were, but apparently, they could still see through.
"Let's see… 'King of Destruction'? And 'Invader'?"
"Uhh… 'Invader' is given when you kill a certain number of bosses within a time limit. You need a lot of
'STR' to accomplish this. 'King of Destruction' is for the clear time. You need a lot of 'STR' for this as well."
While Maple was using 'Savagery' to raise her status, it was not her real status, so there was zero
possibility of her acquiring it.
After that, Yui and Mai gave her a more in-depth explanation which allowed Maple to realize one thing.
'Invader' was essentially the STR version of 'Complete Defense.'
"Hmm… I doubt Kasumi would need it, neither would Chrome. Sally wouldn't like the demerits as well."
The other members may have been on the offensive, but they still cared about their other stats. It was
unlikely that they would want a skill that would limit their growth.
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"'King of Destruction' sounds…interesting."
It was a skill that allowed you to dual wield a weapon that you would normally only be able to carry one
of.
In other words, they could dual wield two hammers as if they were twin blades.
"Let's grind a little more before going back."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
The two returned from Maple's training, now several times stronger than they used to be. But the other
guild members just nodded as if this was the most obvious thing.
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Apprentice Training
After thoroughly beating up the Hydra and returning to the guild home on the third layer, Yui and Mai
found themselves with Sally the next day in a certain facility.
It was a very large room that was called the 'Training Room.' This facility was open to people who
reached the third layer and could be accessed through a magic circle.
Here you could use skills without your HP draining to 0, but you would not be able to acquire any new
ones.
First of all, Izu still hadn't been able to make satisfactory equipment for the two sisters, so they had to use
two spare giant hammers for now. Each of them was now waiting with the hammers in their hands.
"In this 'Training Room,' you will be able to train without anyone seeing you."
"What are we going to do?"
"You want to be able to use those hammers decently, don't you?"
"Yes…"
"Yes…"
The two had become much stronger now and had fought with two weapons in the first layer, but as they
had not raised their AGI at all, they could not evade attacks as they should.
While they may have acquired the power to deal a one-hit kill, it did not change the fact that they had the
HP to be one shotted as well.
"I will teach you how to evade attacks. And how to use two weapons. To be frank, as part of the guild, we
want you to be able to evade piercing attacks."
If they were able to do that, then they would be able to fight alongside Maple.
"But, but we aren't as fast as you, Sally…"
What Yui was saying was true. There was a huge gap between their and Sally's AGI.
Of course, it would be hard for them to evade.
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"You're right. I do think that it is difficult to evade an attack when you don't even know which side it is
going to come from. But…with skills, you are just tracing the fixed movements. So it should be possible to
avoid attacks by the millimeter."
"Th-that's…"
"Th-that's…"
Yui and Mai thought.
That's easy to say but hard to do.
If it was that easy, then everyone could evade any skill.
"Well, maybe that is going too far. But… 'Piercing Attack Skills' are different."
"Um… How is it different?"
"Among all the skills that I know of, 'Piercing Attack Skills' are the only ones that have a short 'windup.'"
According to Sally, other skills activate as soon as you finish saying their name, but skills with piercing
abilities have a brief delay that you need to watch out for.
After explaining this to them, Sally took out two sheets of paper from her inventory.
"These are the names of all kinds of 'Piercing Attack Skills' that I've gone around collecting. I want you
two to memorize all them in one month."
"Ye-yes!"
"Ye-yes!"
If you used the small amount of time it took for the piercing skill to activate, and also knew the names of
all the skills, then it would be easier to move first and evade the attack.
"But…even that is still not enough."
"Is, is that so?"
Mai asked with a concerned expression. Sally then took out one of the wooden items that were lined in
her inventory and answered:
"This is a spear-like staff that Izu made. I'm going to be using this…for some hands-on practice."
"Huh…? I thought you could only use skills for short swords…"
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"Yes. Movement and speed. I learned all of it and I practiced… And eventually, I was able to do it."
"Eh…?"
"Eh…?"
What Sally did was almost inhuman. But this reality was already so abnormal as to hardly be believable.
"The two of you said while on your way here, that you would 'do anything' to be of use. Didn't you? So…
Do your best until you can evade the attacks, okay?"
Maple was Yui and Mai's first teacher, and Maple had imparted her abnormalities to them, now Sally was
their second teacher and she was trying to impart the ability to evade attacks.
During this time, Maple was wandering around inside of the guild.
"Kasumi! Where is Sally?"
"She's at the 'Training Room' with Yui and Mai. Do you have business with her?"
Kasumi answered. She was sitting on the opposite side of the table with Chrome.
"Hmm… I wanted to go look around the third layer with her… Well, nevermind then."
Upon saying this, Maple went out into the third layer's town.
After seeing her leave, Kasumi and Chrome began to talk again.
"My instincts tell me that Maple will upgrade something again and return."
"Are your instincts…good?"
"I don't know… It just seems like she becomes stronger every time you look away. Yui and Mai are like
that too."
"They are… Now that I think of it… Have you seen Kanade recently?"
Kasumi and Chrome had noticed that Kanade was spending less and less time at the guild in the past few
days.
"Hm? Ah, I heard that she is absorbed by the books in the library in the second layer. Though, she was like
that when our base was there as well…"
According to Izu, she would sometimes visit it and read books.
“I just don’t know where most of our members are going, to get stronger…”
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Kasumi said and then looked hard at Chrome.
No, more accurately, she was looking hard at Chrome's equipment.
Chrome too had gotten stronger in some place that Kasumi was not aware of.
While she didn't say anything, Kasumi was just a little bit jealous.
"Maybe if you put all those wishes into Maple, you will become stronger? I'm kind of serious."
"…You should think about it even more seriously."
As Chrome and Kasumi were talking like this, Kanade was flipping through the pages of a book in the
library. A place where some second layer players never once stepped foot in.
She finished reading the book, that was not in Japanese, then shut it closed.
"…I see. Yes, that makes sense."
Kanade picked up the Rubik’s cube that was on the table and stared at it in her hands for a while. Then
she put the book away, stood up and mumbled.
"So…there are two left."
Kanade left the library and continued to walk in the second layer.
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Supporting Role
Kanade reached the end of the second layer by himself.
While he usually used most of his MP for support magic when fighting alongside other guild members, he
was also capable of some offensive magic for when he had to fight alone.
Furthermore, while it was slightly reliant on luck, he could also use 'Akashic Records' to give his attacks
more weight.
And so he was able to move around by himself without any problem.
"My luck with skills is pretty great today."
Just like Kanade said, he was able to get a powerful magical skill with 'Akashic Records' today.
Kanade dug through the sand so he could see the surface of the stone pavement.
He had been able to locate this spot through information he had found in the library.
"Oomph…"
When Kanade put a hand on the stone pavement, it disappeared and was replaced by stairs that led down
into the underground.
Kande went down the stairs.
Once he had reached the bottom of the narrow stairway, there was nothing but an incredibly ancient-
looking door.
When Kanade opened the door, he was greeted to a vast library.
It looked very similar to the library in the floating city, which was the only place that Kanade had beaten
during the second event.
"Well now, according to my speculation, it will be down…here."
There was an old desk that was covered in white puzzle pieces.
A milk puzzle.
Kanade gathered them together in a pile.
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There was a frame to fit the pieces inside, and there were letters written on the frame.
The trial of the gods.
It was just like the time he had acquired 'Akashic Records' at the floating island.
"This time it's…3,000, huh. That is a lot less than last time."
Kanade sat down in the chair and spread the pieces out. He scanned them all before he started to connect
the pieces from the corners.
"Hmm… This one goes here. This one is…here."
Kanade put the pieces together one after another.
It was almost as if he already knew the answer.
And after working on the puzzle for thirty minutes, he stopped his hands and moved back into the chair.
"Ahh…this is tiring. My head is starting to hurt…"
Kanade's powers were suited for learning things.
In other words, he had a high, perhaps too high, ability to remember things.
Normally these pieces would all look the same, but once Kanade had seen them all, they were all distinct
to him.
And of course, that meant he knew which piece should be connected with which piece.
The shape of the piece, the placement.
He remembered all of it.
However, it also required Kanade to reach the limits of concentration for him to be able to retain all of
this information.
And he was only able to do this for ten minutes at the most.
Kanade already had an excellent memory to begin with, but that would not be enough to complete this
puzzle.
And so he had no choice but to rest quietly for now.
"It doesn't look like I can take out the remaining books either… Hmm… It would be troublesome if anyone
besides me were to come here."
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What was different from last time was that he wasn't affected by time acceleration.
It would take quite some time for him to finish it, but it wasn't as if he could just stay here and sleep
either.
"I think I might just make it in time…But I will just have to come back later if I can't."
Kanade had a break for thirty minutes before going back to working on the puzzle.
And so as he continued to alternate between resting and concentrating, and the pieces started to come
together.
And finally, Kanade was able to put the final piece into place.
In the next instant. The white frame of the puzzle emitted a bright light, and a Rubik's cube appeared in
the center. It rotated slowly as it hung in the air.
"Well then…"
When Kanade took it into his hands, it turned into several different lights and then they were sucked into
his pockets.
"Ohh…Holding it makes it absorb into you."
Kanade checked his own equipment to confirm.
And then he saw that the Rubik's cube had been added as a new skill.
'Magic Record'
You can save magic and skills that use MP as 'magic books' in a special 'bookshelf.'
The saved magic and skills will not be usable until you use the 'magic books.'
You need twice as much MP to create the 'magic book.'
"I see…I will try it when I get back then…no, I won't do it today…I'm too tired."
Kanade climbed the stairs as he remembered the book he had read.
"Just one more…it's not on the second layer. The third layer…? Or maybe the…first layer? No, but where is
it?"
He would get that last remaining one. It was one of the few things that Kanade felt any determination for.
In the real world, the fact that Kanade had acquired this skill was also related to management.
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Their attention was first directed towards Maple Tree, and also the people who had been successful in
the first and second events.
"It seems that Kanade has cleared 'Our silly prank part 20'!?"
"It can't be helped. That guy even did the one on the floating island…"
"Maple Tree is full of people who have beaten these pranks."
Chrome and Sally with the unique series.
Kanade with the library system.
The newcomers Yui and Mai had their STR increase skill.
Maple had various ones.
Almost all of Maple's skills were a joke.
"Hmm…anything else?"
"We are looking at the people in and around the top 10 of the first event. Especially Maple…and several
others that are close. The newly joined players are also moving just as we expected."
"Depending on the event, we may have to isolate the top 20 somehow?"
"Ahh, that might be."
That was all that they said, as they looked back at the monitors.
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Conversation
Kanade had decided that he would not be testing his new skill today, but ultimately, he was not able to
fight his curiosity.
He headed for a secluded area as soon as he left the library.
"I have Destruction Canon with me anyway… 'Magic Record'!"
Kanade shouted, a light appeared in the sky and gathered together to form five different cube-shaped
bookshelves.
They all floated in the air and seemed to be able to go through each other.
At the same time, a blue colored panel appeared in front of him. It showed a list of MP using skills that
Kanade could currently use.
"For ones with multiple magic spells, like 'Fire Magic' you can choose by magic, and ones that do not, you
can choose by skills…"
For now, Kanade tried selecting 'Destruction Canon.' A thirty-minute timer appeared inside of the panel,
and the creation of the 'Magic Record' started.
He replenished his MP with items and continued to turn 'Fireball' into a 'Magic Record.'
This too also took thirty minutes.
And so these abilities were momentarily unusable to Kanade.
"So everything takes thirty minutes…I have to do these in advance then."
Kanade passed the time by reading some books.
When thirty minutes had passed, strings of light gathered together on the panel, and two books took
shape.
Kanade tried touching them, and then they floated upward and went inside of the bookshelf.
"Hm…Fireball!"
Kanade chanted, and at the same time, the red Magic Record flew out of the shelf and opened. And a
Fireball shot from it.
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And then the Magic Record disappeared.
"I guess it is possible to attack without cost if you pay it in advance… The only thing left to do is to see if I
can store the 'Akashic Records' skill… I wonder if there is a limit to how much can be stored?"
Kanade had tested what he had wanted to test, and so he logged out.
The next day, he checked 'Magic Record' on the field and saw that there was one book still in there. And
so it was confirmed that he could store the 'Akashic Record' skill.
And through this, Kanade was able to store all kinds of skills that used MP.
"Huh…I guess I will store them little by little. Eventually, there will be more magic than anyone could ever
guess."
Kanade said before activating 'Akashic Record' once again.
"My luck is pretty good…hehehe."
Thirty minutes later, another black book was added to the bookshelf.
During this time, Maple was about to start exploring the town on the third layer by herself.
Chrome and Kasumi were collecting 'watermelons', Yui and Mai and Sally were practicing.
Izu was making equipment, and Kanade had not been seen at the guild.
If that was the case, then she had no choice but to go out by herself.
"I think I will go and see those machines!"
Maple headed for the NPC store and looked at the machines that many other players used to fly in the sky.
There were machines that could carry multiple people, and also ones that just one person wore on their
back.
But those ones were quite expensive.
"Hmm…They are quite pricey for a necessary item… A little too…no, it's way too expensive."
Maple never really made an effort to make money, so she was always poor.
And so she came to a single conclusion.
"Yes, I won't get one. I have Syrup anyway!"
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Yes, Maple was capable of flying without those machines.
It was not as if she absolutely needed them.
However, she was still curious about new things, and so she stared at them for a while.
And that is when she realized something.
"There are no screws on these machines. It is very futuristic!"
As Maple said, there wasn't a single screw in any of them, and they were very light.
Light for Maple was incredibly light.
She stared at them for some time before moving off in a different direction.
As she walked with no real destination, Maple found an old NPC who had fallen near a corner of the road.
"Um…are you alright!"
Maple tapped the old person, and then the old person started to mumble.
"Can you give me some water…and food if possible…"
There was no way that Maple could say no to the weakened voice, and so she took out the items from her
inventory and handed them over.
The old person accepted them and the food and drink were gone in no time.
"Ahh…thank you. Now let me see, I shall tell you something to show my gratitude."
"Huh? Oh, okay."
Maple sat down and listened to the story.
"There is a great building in the middle of this town, is there not? There is a 'Machine God' in there. The
flying machines are made by this 'Machine God.'"
"'Machine God'…you say. Hmm."
"No one knows how this God creates these machines. Though some did try breaking and checking the
insides… But there is nothing inside, no screws, gears or springs."
"Huh!? That's kind of scary…"
"Well, it is common knowledge around here. It's what I say next that is important."
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Maple waited patiently with much interest.
"The thing is, that machine god is the 'second one.'"
"Second one…?"
"Yes. This town used to have lots of normal machines. The 'first one' gave us people who knew nothing of
machines, hopes, and dreams."
Like the old man said, giving machines to people who had no concept of them must have felt like a
miracle.
"But then…one day, it happened when I had been away from the town. There was a bright pale light that
burst into the town!"
"A-and then what!?"
Maple urged him to continue.
"I returned in a panic. I thought that something had happened. And then…The town was overflowing with
new machines, and everyone had lost their memory of the 'first one.' And all of the old machines were no
longer in the town."
"Did the light make them lose their memory? Is that why you still remember it? Because you were far
away?"
"This is the end of the story. We are the only people who know of the 'first one.'"
"Thank you for this valuable story!"
Maple said with gratitude. The old person walked down the road and eventually out of sight.
"I wonder if the 'second one' didn't like the 'first one'? …It's not a quest or anything, when will this story
help me?"
Maple pushed the story to the back of her mind and continued to walk through the town.
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Bottom of the Cliff
As Maple walked around the town, it was unsurprisingly the machines made by the 'second one' which
kept catching her eyes.
If anything, there was little else here that looked interesting.
"Hmm… Maybe I will go exploring in the field as well then."
There was lots of variety in the terrain, with places that formed cliffs and numerous mountains that even
reached the clouds.
It was as if those who could not fly had no right to explore this field.
"Syrup! Let's go!"
Maple used her usual method to fly in the sky.
The only thing that was unusual here was that there were other people flying in the sky as well.
"The second layer is the best for a stroll. Yes."
The most motivated players had already discovered a dungeon and were headed towards it now.
Maple was only following after them, she didn't even know that they had found a dungeon.
"Is there something there?"
Yes, she did not know anything.
Just why they were crossing deep, deep canyons full of mist and heading for the mountain up ahead.
Sometimes there would be strong gusts of wind that assaulted them from the side.
"Whaa! Ahh!"
There was no way that Maple could hold on to Syrup with STR 0.
And while the other players were strapped to their flying machines, Maple was just riding on top of
Syrup.
And so when the wind blew and she lost her balance, it was Maple alone that fell upside down and
dropped into the canyon.
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"AAaaaaaaa!? Sy-syrup! Syrup!!"
She could not see the ground. She did not even know if there was a ground.
Even Maple knew that falling from such a height would not be painless.
She called out desperately for Syrup, but it was not possible for it to catch up with her.
"Savagery!"
The only thing that was in Maple's favor now, was that the thick mist covered her as she transformed.
Now, no matter how much damage she received, it would have no effect on her body directly.
Far below, Maple moved inside of the thick mist. Her appearance was still that of a monster.
"Ah, huh? I didn't receive any damage?"
It wasn't because she had high defense power that she didn't receive any damage.
It was because the settings here had not included it, to begin with.
Maple returned to her normal form and started to walk through the fog.
"Hm? This…"
She felt her foot hit against something and bent down to pick it up.
It was a broken machine.
Or the remains of a machine that was made from many different parts.
Maple decided to check her blue panel for the name of this area.
"This is the… 'Dream Cemetery'? I wonder if it is related to what the old man said?"
There were many clues that were difficult to find.
And the second layer had parts that were difficult to find.
There were special requirements in order to come here.
Maple had blasted through all of these by coincidence, and so arrived here.
"Alright…I better move carefully."
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Maple went walking through the spaces between the piles of machinery.
"The mist is…thinning out?"
She walked towards the area where it was thinner, and finally reached the end.
A clearing that was surrounded by a mountain of broken machines, with blue lights that danced like
fireflies.
And in the corner was a man, sitting against the rubble.
His body was a machine.
But he looked too human to be a machine.
But then again, he also looked too machine to be human.
There was no light in his eyes, half of his arm was missing on one side, and there was a gaping hole in his
chest.
"Ahh!?"
What jumped out of Maple's inventory without her order, was the gear that she had found by accident.
It bounced out towards the man and was sucked into the hollow in his chest.
Nothing happened for a while, and so Maple cautiously came closer to the man.
"Are, are you okay?"
"Gg..gaa…"
The man started to talk just as Maple had let her guard down. She was so surprised that she hid behind
her shield.
"I AM THE KING…KING OF MACHINES…THE PRODUCT OF GREAT WISDOM AND DISTANT DREAMS…"
"…"
"I AM THE KING…THE OLD KING…HE WHO WAS REMOVED…"
Maple listened to the man quietly.
"I AM…WHAT AM…I…"
His voice grew smaller and eventually, he stopped talking.
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"Is, is he broken…?"
As Maple worried about him, the dancing blue lights started to surround the man.
They were sucked into the hole in his chest, filling it with light.
"Ggg…"
"Oh, good… So you aren't broken!"
Maple was happy at first but quickly realized that something was wrong.
"I AM…KING OF TRASH…THE KING WHO SLEEPS IN GARBAGE…DREAMS AND MIRACLES…ALL ARE
TRASH."
The man said, and then his body transformed.
The nearby garbage was sucked into his chest, he turned them into weapons that he stuck onto his body.
Swords, guns, armor, they were created one after another.
"YOU TOO…I WILL TURN YOU INTO TRASH."
"…I will return you back to normal!"
Maple held her great shield and pulled out her shortsword.
She had an idea of what had caused him to go mad.
The blue lights. The lights of the machines from the 'second one.'
"I will only attack that part!"
Just as Maple decided this, her vision was filled with bluish-white bullets.
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Succession
Because of the power of Maple's great shield, the bullets were temporarily sucked into it. However, she
lost Bizzare Eater in the process, and so was thrown into the wall right after.
"Ahh…! Was I knocked back!?"
The bluish-white bullets had a powerful knockback ability, and as Maple was not fast enough to dodge
them, she was pushed into the pile of rubble.
However, it was not powerful enough to puncture her armor, and she was only pushed back.
"Ahh…I can't move…"
The sensation of being hit by the bullets was no more than a minor irritation, but the knockback ability
prevented her from moving.
"Hydra!"
First, Maple tried unleashing Hydra on the machine god, but venom was not effective on machines. The
only damage it did was from the Hydra directly, and there was no additional damage from the poison.
"Agh…what should I do…"
She had already lost Bizarre Eater, and she had used Savagery when she fell down here.
Syrup was not included with Maple's other skills and had not been hurt when falling down here. It was
now inside of her ring.
But it would only become a victim to the bullets if she took it out carelessly.
The only options for an attack that she had left, were Hydra, the result of Bizzare Eater and Predator and
Oozing Chaos.
Maple had incredibly strong defense and instant firepower, but she had one clear weakness that could
not be changed.
It was efficiency.
Maple's skills depended on the 0 MP consumption of her equipment, and that had its limits.
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Maple's power was not something that could be maintained for long. With every skill that she used, her
attacks would grow weaker.
Once she had used all of her skills, Maple would not be able to defeat the monster. However, the monster
would not be able to defeat Maple either.
And Predator would not work here as it did against the Hydra.
A rusted machine could not be eaten.
She knew this very well.
"Dedicated Affection!"
She wasn't too sure about piercing attacks, but Maple decided to rely on Predator and Syrups attacks.
As Hydra's effects were minimal, Maple decided to change her equipment.
The tiara appeared on her head, and the pure white short sword in her hand. Then she used a potion to
replenish her HP.
Now her HP was 650.
While her defense capabilities were now lowered, the bullets still felt like she was being massaged.
"Good…Predator!"
Maple called out the twin monsters and Syrup, then took in a deep breath and concentrated.
"Syrup! Mother Nature!"
Hearing Maple's voice, Syrup caused vines to jump out of the ground and push up the terrain.
The obstacle that had suddenly appeared now blocked the bullets from reaching Maple.
In that instant, Maple rushed towards the machine god with all of the speed that she could muster.
Now that Syrup had fulfilled its purpose, it was returned to its original size.
However, before Maple was able to arrive at her target, more bullets attacked her.
"Fuu!"
Being immune to poison wasn't the only reason for Maple changing her equipment.
One of the skills of 'Dedicated Affection.'
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A great skill that used 600 HP.
"AEGIS!"
A dome of light surrounded Maple and the monsters, and for a few dozen seconds, all attacks would
become ineffective on them.
She was able to get close with 'Mother Nature' and closer again with this skill, and yet she was still too far
to reach her target.
The closer she got, the harder the attacks became. The attacks were what she needed to stop first.
The twin monsters bought Maple some time by eating the projectiles that came towards her.
These projectiles were supplied by the mountains of garbage around them, but nevertheless, there would
be a delay in restocking them.
"Cover Move!"
As the projectiles were destroyed in front of her, Maple only had to chase after Syrup, which had been
returned to its original size as it flew in front of her.
Then Maple dismissed the monsters and thrust her hand into the hole in the machine gods chest, which
was full with a blue light.
"It's this light that is bad!"
As if hugging the machine god, Maple thrust her hand deep inside of it.
It was in order to return it to sanity while leaving as much of its body intact as possible.
"Oozing Chaos!"
The monster that shot from Maple's hand pierced through the chest and came out the other side.
In a way, this was the right move. In another way, it was the wrong one.
It would not be possible to return him to sanity by attacking him there. However, as it was his 'weakness,'
it was possible to deal immense damage there. And as a result, a change came over the machine god.
"GG…KAHA…….I WILL BE GONE…BUT…"
Maple perked up her ears so she would not miss a single word that the machine god said.
"…NOW THAT MY CONSCIOUS HAS RETURNED FOR A MOMENT…I ENTRUST TO YOU…BRAVE ONE…"
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So saying, the machine god began to collect the blue light in its chest once again.
"…WITH…MY…POWER…KILL…WHAT WAS…ONCE…ME…"
And with this, the machine god threw the old gear at Maple.
It was absorbed into her body and disappeared.
"…ALLOW ME TO…SLEEP…"
And then the machine god changed again.
Its body was enveloped in a pale light as it gathered equipment from the 'second one' towards itself and
rose into the sky. Then it shot down blue bullets towards Maple.
Maple had no choice but to block them like before.
"GIVE AWAY YOUR POWER…WHAT A WASTE…"
She heard the machine's voice from above.
From the words, she realized that it must be the voice of the 'second one.'
The machine had been hijacked and was now moving against its will.
"…Machine God…"
The skill that Maple had received. The power of the former god. It was a simple power, there was nothing
mysterious about it at all.
Maple changed her equipment.
Just in case, she removed the tiara and Bridge of Bonds and returned her short sword as well.
"Machine God!"
As Maple shouted this, a certain image appeared in her head.
Maple selected the armor, great shield, and short sword.
While the second god could make machines out of nothing, the first needed the materials.
In other words.
It was a power that destroyed equipment and gave birth to weapons.
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Of course, the stronger the materials, the more powerful the weapons that could be created.
"Deploy All Weapons."
Maple said quietly. And a black set of armor began to form around her.
After that, numerous armaments that were as black as the night continued to be developed.
A gun noisily expanded from her shield arm, a giant canon grew out from her back like the branch of a
tree as it pointed to the sky.
Black blades came out of her sword arm, and even her legs and thighs were strengthened by machines.
There were small gears that spun along her torso, and there were intricate gears and wires covering the
right side of her face that went down to her neck.
"Wa-wah!? What, what is this!?"
Maple looked at the weapons on her in surprise. But then she remembered what she had to do.
"I need to defeat it…Provoke!"
Maple put Bridge of Bonds back on and called Syrup. The vines and boulders that came out of the ground
swallowed up both Maple and the floating second god and covered them with several layers.
As Maple was attacking it, the second god was surrounded by the vines, which pushed it even closer to
Maple.
"…Now…you cannot escape me."
Maple had inherited the powers of the first, so in other words, she was the third.
The newly born machine god positioned all of her weapons at the second.
"Commence Attack."
With an explosion, all of the weapons spouted fire at once.
While all of them may have looked like equipment, they were not.
They were skills whose power had been enhanced for a price.
In other words, this had nothing to do with Maple's STR numbers.
Each individual attack was not that powerful, and so this attack relied on the rapidity of the successive
attacks.
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Yes, at least for now.
Just as the cage of vines were blown away, the blue light that surrounded the first god disappeared.
The first god was carried by the machine that was Maple and slowly laid to rest.
Once Maple landed on the ground, she quietly leaned him against his other machines.
"…Good."
Now that she had confirmed that the blue light was completely gone, she looked back at him a few times
as she left the scene.
While Maple mournfully made her way back up.
Four players were having a discussion in a room of a certain guild.
One was 'Holy Sword' Pain.
One was 'God Speed' Dread.
One was Frederica.
One was the fifth in the first event.
'Ground Splitter' Drag.
They were all talking together.
About the others in the top 10 that they could not convince to join them.
And also about a certain guild that they were concerned by, Maple Tree.
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Chapter 85 Defense Specialization and a Crafting
Role
"Now, about the Guild Versus event… There are two guilds that we should be worried about. 'Ifrit's
Country,' the huge guild whose members have come in at 4th, 7th, 8th and 10th during the first event.
And the small guild, 'Maple Tree' whose members have come in at 3rd, 6th, and 9th."
Pain thought that if there were any guilds with players that could change the tide of battle, it was these
two guilds.
"Didn't Maple Tree have that kid in blue who everyone was talking about during the second event? That
was pretty crazy."
Frederica said.
But they weren't too clear on just how crazy, because they had very little information on Maple Tree, to
begin with.
They had especially little information about Maple and Kanade.
They knew nothing about Yui and Mai.
Not even their existence.
"It depends on the event itself, but we could just crush them with resources? At worst, Pain will do
something about it…"
Like Dread was saying, there was a big difference in number between their guild of four, and Maple Tree.
It there was one thing that smaller guilds had as an advantage, it was material superiority.
"Our guild is made up of strong people. There is no problem. We all have poison resistance, and those
who could manage it have even acquired paralysis resistance as well. I think the guild we need to be wary
of is Ifrit's Country, no?"
Drag suggested.
"Besides, with our guild, we have the crafters go out to the dungeon and make our equipment."
This dungeon that Frederica was talking about, was the second dungeon on the third layer. And while
only crafters could enter it, you could acquire materials that allowed you to make equipment with added
skills for the first time.
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And so they had made several rounds and prepared tons of equipment with high resistance.
"Maple, was it? Her methods of attack are status ailments and a shield I think? But she is slow? It's hard to
believe, but she apparently put all of her points into defense…I think we should be able to contain her."
"Hmm… For now, you should gather information, Frederica. We need to know more about Maple Tree."
"You worry too much, Pain. Not that I care!"
Frederica said as she left the room, staff in hand.
Dread and Drag followed after her.
Pain remained and mumbled.
"…There is nothing scarier than the unknown. There is too little information on Maple Tree."
They did not know the power of Chrome's equipment.
They did not know Kanade's magic.
They had never experienced Sally's ability to evade.
They did not know Yui and Mai's ability to destroy.
And more than anything…
Most of their members believed that Maple fought her enemies with poison and her shield.
They did not know about the angel or monsters or machine god or Syrup, or the light rays.
Pain alone felt that there must be something more to it, but there was nothing to support this suspicion.
As Pain was busy being cautious about Maple Tree, Izu was sitting in a chair at the guild home. Her long
blue hair went down to her waist, as she fidgeted uncomfortably.
Izu had heard stories about this new dungeon.
Izu rarely went out, but now she felt a compulsion to leave.
"Oh…I wish I could borrow them from Maple or Sally…"
By borrow, she was, of course, talking about Syrup and Oboro.
With those two, she would be a lot safer wandering in the dungeons.
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As a death penalty, you would not only lose gold and some items, but your stats would also be lowered
for a limited time.
She really wanted to avoid that.
However, the two were nowhere near the guild at this time.
And so she waited here for five minutes.
That was all the time it took to reach the limits of her patience. She took what she could in terms of
combat items and collecting items and put them into her inventory before flying out the door.
And then after she flew with her machine for about five minutes.
Izu jumped into the dungeon.
"Now…let's do some mining."
Izu gathered ore and crystals at an incredible rate.
Crafting jobs did not allow you to learn weapon skills or any combat magic. But they had exclusive skills
of their own.
It was skills like Smithing and Synthesizing.
However, those could only be used at the workshop.
An exception was Synthesize, which you could do anywhere as long as you were level V. But you still
needed the materials, and there were often time restraints in place.
For instance, one important means of attack for a crafter was bombs, but they could only be made at the
workshop, and only five could be carried at once.
As for potions, they could only make the second weakest ones.
Furthermore, any damage they dealt with weapons would be decreased, which was an annoying demerit.
On the other hands, they would receive experience points for creating equipment with the Smithing skill.
In other words, combat was incredibly tough for them.
So crafters were people who were so engrossed in their work, that this did not bother them.
And Izu was no different.
If anything, she was at the top of the crafting world.
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Every since release, she had mined ore in order to raise different skills related to crafting. Smithing,
Sewing, Cultivation, Synthesis, she would often do this into the late hours of the night.
The time spent turned into her strength, and now she was second to none in her craft.
But on the other hand, her 'Throwing' skill was very low in level. And it was an important combat skill for
crafters.
It was a skill that increased the damage of attacks such as the throwing of knives and items.
Izu had only focused on collecting items, and so her Throwing skill was very low.
"Oh, there is a fishing spot over here."
Izu pulled out a fishing rod and started to fish.
And the fish that she caught dropped materials that she had never seen before.
Izu's fishing rod was handmade.
The materials here allowed you to attach skills to equipment, but that was specifically for 'equipment.'
Thought, there were a few items that allowed this previously.
Izu's pickaxe and fishing rod had better drop rates for rare items now, and they were more durable and
faster. These were made through the immense amount of materials and time that Izu had spent, and it
was where she was ahead of the others.
Once Izu was finished fishing, she continued to go further into the dungeon.
"I haven't seen any monsters yet. Not that I'm complaining."
It wouldn't make sense to have monsters that Crafters couldn't beat since it was a dungeon that only they
could enter.
As an extension of this, monsters only appeared in designated spots.
It was also possible to avoid fighting anything including the boss monster.
Along the way, Izu encountered a monster with crystals on its back, but she avoided it.
The reason was that she already had information about the boss.
As soon as you entered the boss room, a teleport circle would appear near you. And so it was possible to
escape without fighting it. Izu was after the crystals that covered the boss, and she knew that she could
collect them with a pickaxe.
502
And so she wanted to save the pickaxe for this purpose.
She continued to collect materials while avoiding the weak enemies until she reached the boss room and
opened the doors.
The room was covered in beautiful, shining, white crystals.
And in the far back of the room, a giant lizard covered in crystals of the same color was slowly standing
up.
"I'm going to take some of your back crystals…okay?"
Izu said as she brandished her pickaxe.
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Chapter 86 Defense Specialization and Offensive
Supporter
"Ah…haa!"
Izu easily dodged the charging lizard and swung the pickaxe down into it, before stepping away once
again.
Maple was about the only one who didn't bother dodging attacks, and while she was a crafter, Izu had a
decent amount of AGI.
And so it was easy to move out of the way of the slow lizard.
When Izu looked at the lizard, she saw that its HP had decreased.
"Just as I had heard…I wonder if my pickaxe will last long enough?"
Izu's pickaxe was her masterpiece, made with time and luck.
She calculated her chances of being able to break all the crystals and decided that it was possible.
However, the lizards would become faster as it shed more and more crystals.
She wasn't sure if she could deal with that.
"If only I could evade attacks like Sally!"
She dodged the lizard attacks and collected the broken off crystals. Rinse and repeat.
After a while, the lizard's movements started to change. It would run on the walls, stick to the ceiling and
jump down and attack her with the crystals on its back.
"Oh? …You're going to poke into the ground like this? Don't mind if I do then…"
The lizard's crystals stabbed into the ground when it dropped. It would take a while for its to get back on
its feet.
In the mean times, Izu swung her pickaxe at it and threw bombs on its exposed stomach.
However, she could not deal it any damage with bombs.
"Oh my. Throwing bombs on your soft parts still doesn't deal any damage, huh?"
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She had heard that it was immune to such attacks, but she didn't know how far this had been tested. She
wanted to end the fight as soon as possible, but things would not be so convenient.
Izu continued to rapidly swing her pickaxe.
A pickaxe of inferior quality would have been broken by now, but Izu's pickaxe still had three-quarters of
its durability left.
Izu waited for the right timing when the lizard's back would be stuck into the ground, to attack.
Whenever it got back up, she would run away from it.
This was how you normally evaded attacks.
Sally, on the other hand, would always evade at the last possible second and move in for a counter attack.
To be honest, it was not normal at all.
"I hope that I can make auto HP regeneration armor for Maple…oomph!"
Another crystal broke off with a snap and fell into Izu's hands.
As this continued, the lizard became even faster. Izu was no longer able to avoid its attacks, and she was
thrown into the air.
"Tsk…I won't survive another hit."
Izu's accessories space was full because of the Item Pouch.
The Item Pouch had a feature that allowed you to store potions and other items for over two hours. And
Izu had stuffed hers with potions.
However, as it was just a pouch, you could only fit five items in there.
Still, it had merit, as it allowed her to heal faster.
"Hahh…once, no…twice…I'll need to do Simple Repair."
Izu thought as she looked at her pickaxes durability and the lizard's HP.
This Simple Repair was a skill that allowed you to recover a little bit of durability.
While it was just a little, Izu's pickaxe was durable, to begin with, and it was much more effective on
something of this quality.
"I'll do it when it stabs into the ground again."
Every time she was hit, she had to use one of her homemade potions to survive.
505
And then she would go back to hitting with her pickaxe whenever she saw an opening.
After a little while, the lizard got stuck in the ground again, just as she had anticipated.
"Simple Repair."
She recovered some of her pickaxes durability and struck the lizard.
This cycle repeated again, and then after that, she focused on attacking it and chipping away at its HP.
Izu's calculations were not wrong. Looking at the lizard's HP and the pickaxes durability, it was clear that
the lizard's HP would be the first to deplete.
"A few more rounds…! I won't let my guard down."
Izu declared, and she continued to fight without taking any risks.
She used potions without reserve, and cut into flesh and tore out bones.
And then the lizard finally crumbled to the ground.
"Hah…ha…! It's the first time I've done this alone…I'm really not cut out for combat…It was a good thing
that I chose this job…"
Izu said as she checked her inventory. She had collected quite a lot of crystals thanks to her trusty
pickaxe.
The pickaxe itself barely had any durability left, but this was all with her calculations, so it was no
problem.
"Hahh…This should be enough since its just our guild. I better go back now…huh?"
She was just about to step on the magic teleport circle when she saw a treasure chest nearby.
Izu cautiously approached it. She squatted down and tapped its surface.
"I didn't hear any information about this…but I might as well try opening it."
Izu slowly opened the treasure chest. What she found inside was an old, brown long coat that was
charred in several places, large goggles, and dark brown boots.
Izu tossed them into her inventory and checked to see what they were.
"I see…It's because of this that those three don't come to get things fixed."
'Alchemist Goggles'
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DEX + 30
Demonic Alchemy
Indestructible
'Alchemist Longcoat'
DEX + 20
AGI + 20
Magic Workshop
Indestructible
'Alchemist Boots'
DEX + 10
AGI + 15
New Frontier
Indestructible
'Demonic Alchemy'
Can trade for certain materials.
'Magic Workshop'
Can use the workshop in different places.
'New Frontier'
Can create new items.
Izu quickly put all this on and stepped onto the magic circle.
With this, Izu was now able to create gunpowder and herbs with the gold that she could store without
limit.
She could also create more difficult items now as well.
507
In other words, she would be able to create an unlimited number of bombs and 'Throw' them. Something
that was hardly normal for someone with a crafting job.
508
Information Gathering
While Izu was fighting the frog, Maple had returned to the guild home.
"Mmm… I have returned but… there's nothing to do so I guess I will go for a skywalk…"
As Maple was wondering what to do next, Sally came from the entrance, followeed by Yui and Mai.
"Ah! Would you three like to go on a skywalk with me? How about it?"
"Right… Yea, let's go."
""We'll come along too!""
As all three of them agreed, they went outside together.
As Yui and Mai decided to get on Syrup's back, Sally also did the same. It seems like Yui and Mai like
Syrup more than machines.
"Did everyone get on? Alright, let's go!"
After confirming that everyone was on, Maple lifted off the ground with Syrup.
"Where did you go, Maple?"
"Mm… At God's place."
"""Ehh…?"""
As her answer had far crossed what they could possibly imagine, their thoughts froze for a moment.
And among the 3, Sally was the first to speak again.
"Hey… what did you acquire there?"
Sally muttered and Maple answered after thinking a while.
"Mmm, it would stand out too much if I use it in its whole so I will show you just a bit. [Deploy-left hand]."
If she destroys her equipment once, she can produce a fixed number of weapons.
Maple deployed a few guns from her left hand.
509
"Uwwaa… eh?"
"I can shoot it! I won't shoot it, though."
"Th-that's amazing…"
Maple put in the guns before other players saw.
"I will be counting on you during guild fights then."
"Leave it to me! I will also work hard during the 3rd time event! Let's work hard, Yui and Mai!"
""Y-yes!""
"Well, you two are working with Maple, after all. I guess you would want some [devoting affection]."
"Monsters burst and scatter with just a touch of their attacks, was it?"
"Yes! We are also practicing two-handed moves!"
Not using the half-baked attacks they were using up till now, their attacks now literally kill the opponent
if it hits.
By just swinging around big mallet, all the monsters around get beaten up.
"Mm…… Maple, there's a lake underneath."
"Oho… wanna go check it out?"
As Yui and Mai agreed, she lowered the altitude and got off beside the lake.
The four of them sat down and splashed the water. If this was real, it probably would have felt nice,
touching the cool water.
"I wonder how the guild fights will be…"
"Judging from the fact that there's time acceleration, the time period for the event will probably be more
than a day…… now then."
Saying that, Sally slowly stood up.
"Is something the matter?"
"Something wrong?"
"Hmm. There's just a player following us."
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Sally went walking towards a boulder behind them and looked into its shadow. A blonde, ponytailed
player was hiding there. It was Fredrica.
"Ah… so you found out…"
"Following us? For what?"
Maple asked looking puzzled.
Yui and Mai also looked like they didn't understand.
"Well, probably to gather information for the guild fights. We have low members in our guild so much less
information leaks out."
Naturally, if members were to increase, it would become hard to manage the information. There's no
mistake that in guilds with many members, it is very common of someone to just leak information about
the guild easily.
"And so, I have something to discuss with you, as you were following us."
"Wh-what is it?"
"[Congregate Holy Sword], eh… If you have info on the [Flame Emperor's Country], would you tell us?"
Sally said in a low voice after getting close.
[Congregate Holy Sword] was Pain's guild. It is also the guild Fredrica belongs to. Fredrica slowly
backed off.
"Wh-why must I tell you even if I did?"
"If you were to tell us, I will let you have a [duel] with me. You want info on me too, don't you? You can
gather all you want during the fight, and… if you can beat me, I will tell you any one thing about myself."
Hearing that, Fredrica started to think for a while.
[Duel] is a PvP battle with determined rules.
Just as Sally said, information about her was uncertain and vague.
And considering that, Fredrica judged that she shouldn't let go of this opportunity if she can gather
information about her in a direct fight.
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Besides, if Fredrica gives them the information on [Flame Emperor's Country], the chances of [Maple
Tree] and [Flame Emperor's Country] fighting each other rise.
If that happens, these two dangerous guilds can be weakened at once.
If she just gives them the info, she will have achieved her objective for now.
It wouldn't be a problem even if Sally took the info and declined to [duel].
"Yeah, I will accept! I don't know about any other guild so I will tell you about [Flame Emperor's
Country]."
Fredrica told Sally everything she knew about [Flame Emperor's Country] without lying. After all, she
needs them to properly drain each other.
And among that info, something very important lied, as well.
"Hmmm… [Trapper], eh… I didn't know about that player."
"Then, as promised, let's do this."
Fredrica said that, thinking she wouldn't accept either way.
She thought it would be best for Sally to just run away here.
"Yes, I sent the request."
"Eh?…. Ah, ahh, yes."
Fredrica accepted the request in confusion.
The rules were to move to a different place and fight till HP reaches zero.
Both of them disappeared as they stepped into the magic circle which appeared in front of them.
And of course, Maple, being left behind, was surprised.
"T-they went somewhere?!"
"Maple-san! T-that's probably a duel! There's a system like that, I think."
"I-is that so?"
According to Yui, they will return after the fight ends so the 3 of them decided to fish while they waited.
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The two had teleported to a perfectly level arena. Fredrica, who had hardly ever been there, started
talking.
"You are going to tell me anything about yourself if I win, was it?"
"Yes. I am not lying, you know?"
Fredrica looked into Sally's eyes. It didn't seem like she was lying.
Not being able to understand what Sally was planning with this, Fredrica just casually tried to gather info
on Sally while not using her full ability.
She had thought that if she can defeat her like that, then she will.
"We will start, after 10 seconds."
"Understood."
And exactly after 10 seconds, the duel begun.
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One minute after the duel between Sally and Fredrica began.
Fredrica was constantly using magic, while observing Sally.
"… Mmm, it certainly doesn't hit, huh…"
Fredrica couldn't hit a single one of those.
However, she also didn't think that she can't hit it.
Sally was dodging with big movements which left several areas risky and so Fredrica judged that she
couldn't also shift to attack because of that.
"….I guess I will defeat her after observing a bit more."
As she thought, Sally's evasive abilities are certainly amazing.
None of her attacks or magic landed on Sally.
But Fredrica still wasn't giving her all.
"[Multiple Fire Bullets]!"
Along with Fredrica's voice, a large quantity of magic circles surrounded her and fire bullets were shot at
Sally one after another.
According to Fredrica's predictions, this should have been enough to beat Sally.
"[Attack Lure]!"
Fredrica could hear it clearly.
And then, the moment she said it, Sally's movements changed completely.
It even looked as if the bullets were avoiding Sally.
As if there was something there, protecting Sally, the bullets passed her millimeters apart.
Her weird, big movements from before had disappeared and before Fredrica realized, Sally had gotten in
front of her and was drawing her dagger.
"[Multiple Barrier]!"
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Multiple, golden, magic circles appeared in front of Fredrica and stopped Sally's dagger.
One-two-three-the barriers kept getting broken one after another and before she realized, the dagger had
crossed the fifth barrier.
To avoid counterattacks, Sally retreated and created some distance between them.
"I ended up using it but… I got to see [Multiple Barrier] so I guess I will let it pass…"
Fredrica was undoubtedly strong.
She had confidence in her strength.
And because of that, from her experience she thought of what Sally said, 'Attack Lure', as a skill.
Moreover, it was also natural for her to come to the conclusion that such a skill would have a long
cooldown time.
Fredrica also noted to herself that she should be careful of that abnormally strong dagger.
However, Fredrica still hadn't noticed.
That the skill [Attack Lure] doesn't actually exist.
The fact that that is a lie.
Sally just observed and dodged.
That was all there was to it.
"[Multiple Water Bullets]!"
Fredrica's next attack was using water bullets.
Sally barely dodged all of them running around, even using [Super Acceleration].
Seeing Sally even roll over the ground to dodge the last one, Fredrica was convinced.
She was convinced of the fact that there's a cooldown time to [Attack Lure] and that it is was at least a
few minutes.
The seed of falsehood Sally planted in Fredrica slowly grew.
"[Multiple Stone Bullets]!"
Fredrica had thought she would end it with this and go back after hearing something.
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And then, running out of breath, Sally had just lost balance and was in no position to dodge the stone
bullets.
"Alright, I win-"
Just as Fredrica relaxed, she could hear Sally's words.
"[Stream Blade]!"
Fredrica just stared as Sally repelled all of the stone bullets with her two daggers.
Seeing this and comparing it with the time she used water bullets, Fredrica understood that that skill can
only be used on physical things.
Although, that was also a meaningless comprehension.
And while she was thinking that, Sally had finished repelling all of the bullets and was nearing Fredrica.
"Okayy! I [surrender]!"
"Eh? …Ah, alright."
A word appeared in front of Sally indicating the end of the duel and they were returned to the original
location.
"See ya later~"
Fredrica waved farewell to Sally and disappeared.
And after going a bit far, she started talking to herself.
"Ah, I messed up by using [Multiple Barrier]… But, if I were to fight anymore than that, she would have
found out about me too… Yep, I think it was best to stop it there."
Fredrica was completely thinking that she was able to draw out information from Sally.
She thought she had gotten the upper hand.
She didn't realize who was the hunted mouse until the end.
Seeing Fredrica's back while she went away, Sally muttered,
"If you're stronger than the opponent, it is quite easy to act weaker, you know?"
Sally didn't overlook how Fredrica reacted and got on alert when she had first said [Congregate Holy
Sword].
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On top of that, since Fredrica spoke to Sally about the [Flame Emperor's Country], that just confirmed
that she was from [Congregate Holy Sword].
After all, if she did what she did, the [Congregate Holy Sword] would profit.
Sally was also thinking of making them crush each other so it was easy for her to guess what Fredrica was
thinking.
"Wrong information is much more scarier than no information…"
Sally got to know about Fredrica's magic's speciality, about how she has a lot of MP and that her
defensive abilities are strong.
And Fredica got to know that Sally could use the skills [Attack Lure] and [Stream blade].
Or rather, she was led to believe.
That's right, being too proud of her strength, Fredrica misjudged Sally's true strength as she acted weak-
which ultimately ended with Fredrica going back with false information.
Fredrica was surely strong but Sally was even stronger.
"Arrogance clouds the eyes… ah, how scary."
Saying that, Sally returned to Maple and the others.
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Chapter 89 Defense Specialization and Event
Notification
"I'm back."
"Oh, welcome back! Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, it went well, and she's gone now. Maybe I'll do some fishing too."
The four of them lined up with their fishing lines in the water.
It couldn't be helped that Sally's fishing pole was the only one that caught fish at an alarming rate.
"Now that I think of it, you haven't seen Yui and Mai fight, now that they are stronger, have you Maple?
Oh…I caught another one!"
"That's right. Are you prepared for the tournament then?"
Yui and Mai replied by saying that they just needed to be able to dual-wield a little bit better, and then
they would be perfect.
Currently, the two of them were like a diluted combination of Maple and Sally's abilities combined, and in
certain situations, they would be able to beat and crush everything.
"Do you want to watch them fight? We can go somewhere that is out of sight."
"We want to show you too!" "We want to show you too!"
"Well, let's go to a secluded forest then. I think there may be fewer people if we go in the direction that is
opposite of the dungeon?"
"Yeah, let's do that."
The four of them got on top of Syrup and floated off to go deep into the forest, where no one else was.
"We have arrived!"
Maple and the others landed in a small clearing in the middle of the forest.
It was wide enough for the two to be able to swing around their great hammers.
"Now then, we'll step back a little and watch you two."
"Okay."
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And then, little by little, monsters started to appear from the surrounding bushes.
Yui and Mai didn't use any skills, they just swung the weapons in their hands.
The four great hammers would cause instant death to any approaching monsters.
Some monsters were quick enough to avoid Yui's first attack, but Mai's blow caught them in the chest,
and they exploded.
Whenever Mai was open, Yui would cover her. The great hammers had a far reach. Sally had taught them
well, and since they were already well synchronized from the beginning, they were even more vastly
improved now.
And now there were no monsters who would attack them after taking damage.
It was very good for your mentality to be able to kill enemies with one shot.
It was about killing before you are killed.
"That is insane attack power…"
"That's how other people see your defense power, Maple."
"Oh…I see."
As they talked like this, monsters were flying through the air.
And after they had had their fill of watching the two fight, they went back on top of Syrup and flew back
into the air.
As soon as they were all in the sky again, they all received messages at the same time.
It was a message from management and was about the event.
All four of them looked through it.
"Time acceleration… It's just like before, there's no participating midway or discontinuing."
"A period of 5 days huh… It's gotten a little shorter then."
And here was where things got important.
The next thing that was written was the contents of the event.
You were to protect your guilds orb that you have been assigned. And steal other guilds' orbs.
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You will gain 1 point for every 6 hours that you keep your own orb.
Smaller guilds would receive 2 points.
You would receive 2 points for stealing another guild's orb and keeping it for 3 hours. The guild who lost
their orb would also lose 1 point.
If a guild has their orb stolen by a smaller guild, then they would lose 3 points.
If a guild has their orb stolen by a medium sized guild, they would lose 2 points.
Other guilds' orbs will return to their original place, as soon as the points have been processed.
If the orb is retrieved within 3 hours, no points will be given or deducted.
It is possible for guild members to see the position of their orb and other members on the map inside of
their panel.
Stolen orbs will appear in the items section.
Smaller guilds are easier to protect.
Players that are not part of a guild can apply to participate, and they will be separated into temporary
guilds.
On the number of deaths:
1 time. Status -5%
2 times. An additional Status -10%
5 times. Retire.
Your status would be -50% on the fourth death.
No orbs would appear in guilds that have been wiped out.
You can only steal an orb from the same guild once a day.
Those were the general rules.
"I see…so it's over in 5 deaths. Well, things would get pretty bad after around 3 deaths, I think?"
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Given that Maple Tree had few members, they couldn't sacrifice anyone.
The larger guilds, on the other hand, would have a sort of violence that didn't fear death.
"In that case, we would want to put people in charge of defense…but that won't be easy…Hmmm, but if
we could go on the offense and…"
"What's the hardest part?"
"First, we just don't have enough people to send out to attack. It's the same with the defenses…also, well,
this might be the biggest problem, but it's bound to take a toll on us. People will constantly be attacking,
including ambushes at night. The problem about having fewer numbers is that you barely get to rest."
The effect on their fighting force every time that Maple slept, would be devastating.
As long as Maple was there, they would easily be able to protect any orb that they brought back.
"I see…unlike the last time with the time acceleration, people will be attacking us. So it will be nonstop
fighting."
They wouldn't be able to rest if they had to keep fighting, which would affect their ability to make
decisions. And for Sally, it would directly affect her ability to dodge attacks.
Furthermore, there were problems for Maple as well.
"The weakening of Maple's 'Bizzare Eater' will surely get out within 5 days…and others will find out that
she has used all of her skills, and that most of her skills have limited use."
If Maple had to fight the entire day, she would without a doubt, be unable to use her major skills.
In other words, the end of the day would be the most dangerous time.
"That's true…"
"It all depends on how far we can hide Maple's abilities…I think."
There were several decisive factors to Maple's skills, and no one knew about them yet.
If they could hide them for as long as they could, then the other guilds won't be able to deal with them in
time. That would be their aim.
"So Maple, Yui, and Mai will be in charge of defenses. It's decided. Since he's not good at moving
around…maybe Kanade could be added as well."
"Well, maybe we can go back and discuss the details?"
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Yui and Mai agreed.
This was their first time acceleration event. Maple and Sally gave them an overview as they headed back
to Maple Tree.
522
Chapter 90 Defense Specialization and Final
Adjustments
Now that they knew the date and contents of the event, the members of Maple Tree discussed it and
began to make preparations for the event.
Luckily, it was a date that allowed all the members to participate, so they assigned roles to everyone.
Maple, Yui, Mai, and Izu would guard the home base.
Sally, Chrome, and Kasumi would go on the offensive.
And Kanade would go back and forth depending on the need.
Chrome and Kasumi would fight monsters and collect dropped items.
This was to increase Izu's stock of gold and also to sharpen their senses.
Sally left the guild, saying that she was going to practice evading.
Yui and Mai went to the second layer, so they can practice synchronizing while also staying out of sight.
Kanade was asked by Izu to go out into the field and collect materials in order to make the best quality
potions.
And since the guild members told Maple to go out and freely explore, she decided to wander around on
the third layer and pick up items.
Sally was alone as she went out to the second layer and into an area with lots of monsters.
There, she evaded attacks nonstop. This did not change even after the blue aura around her reached its
maximum size.
Sally was trying to lengthen the amount of time she could concentrate, as she continued to make precise
movements.
Thankfully, Sally was a high school student in the middle of summer vacation, so she was able to play for
long hours.
"…Hah!"
Her dagger held a shocking degree of power as it carved away the monster's HP, but they kept coming,
one after another.
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Sally continued to move, intent on reaching the goal that she had set for herself.
"…Hmm, I think I'll stay up all night."
Sally would continue for as long as she could.
Yui and Mai were fighting on the second layer.
Now that the plan for the event was decided, the two were excited to be given important roles to help
Maple save her energy.
Izu had given them new equipment too, so each had two great hammers that were the same color as their
hair, and their outfits were pure white and jet black to match.
Their accessories were two rings and a choker.
Bother were to raise their STR, ultimately raising their attacks to the absolute limit.
Currently, the two were moving to protect each other, but with Maple's support, they would be able to
focus on attacking, and create a real scene of carnage.
As no one knew Yui and Mai's statuses, there were apparently some who thought they could block their
attacks with a shield.
While it depended on the shield's strength, it was likely that they would be blown to shreds.
If that happened, it would be hard for those enemies to stay calm.
And before they could understand what was happening, they would be hit, and it would all be over.
"'Double Impact'!"
It was completely overkill to attack in quick succession with a skill.
Both had acquired a number of skills recently.
And 'Throw' was among them.
And Izu had given both of them some iron balls the size of basketballs to put in their inventory.
Though, they did not use the balls this time.
As they had told her to do whatever she wanted, Maple had Hydra destroy some weapons while she
raised Syrup's level.
Once she had destroyed all of the armaments, she would be able to activate 'Machine God' once again.
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Which meant her defense power would go up.
Maple decided to make this her daily chore until the event.
"Ah! Syrup, your level has gone up!"
Maple patted Syrup on the head and smiled.
"There is a new skill. 'Rampart'?"
'Rampart' was a skill that continued to create breakable walls around the person who had Bridge of
Bonds equipped for 30 seconds after activating.
Maple tried using it as a test, and a high wall immediately appeared around her with a 2-meter radius.
It looked like it would be hard for her to attack like this, but at least it would be the same for her
opponent.
From the enemy's point of view, it would look like she was in an egg.
No matter what came out of it, it would be monstrous.
"I wonder what kind of skill Oboro is going to learn…there's still time to grow, right?"
Once Maple was finished having Hydra destroy the armaments, she went off to buy the scroll for the skill
that she had been putting off.
The skill was 'Pierce Guard.'
In other words, it was a defense measure against piercing attacks to her shield.
With this skill, she would be able to nullify the effects of piercing attacks.
Maple had been too busy to be able to acquire it up until now, but she had not forgotten about it.
Strengthening of the guild was finished in time, and Kanade's books of magic only increased.
Izu was able to collect a satisfactory amount of gold, and she was able to make more than enough items
with New Frontier.
Though she was tired, Sally continued to work, until everything was perfect by the time they were
making final adjustments.
Chrome and Kasumi had raised the guilds abilities to its highest, Maple's defenses were stronger, and Yui
and Mai now had more firepower.
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And now that they were all finished with what they needed to do within the preparation period, the event
finally arrived.
This time, they would participate as a group of 8.
"Our goal is the top!"
"No objections!"
Maple and Sally had built this guild, and this was their first group fight.
They were eager to show the precision of a smaller team, as the eight of them were enveloped in a light
and were teleported to the battlefield.
526
Fourth Event
When the light faded, what the eight of them saw was a shiny green orb on top of a pedestal. They
immediately knew that this was to be their base.
It was a wide room with three hallways leading out.
Sally and Kasumi quickly went towards the two paths behind the pedestal. They returned after a little
exploring.
"This one was a dead end with some water. We could rest there."
"There was nothing through this one. Well, you might be able to lie down."
"Does that mean the remaining one will take us to the surface? This place will be easy to protect then."
If there was only one way in, they wouldn't have to worry about being ambushed.
"Okay, then we'll go out to attack."
"Alright, we'll move as planned."
As if not wanting to waste any time, the attack team trio flew out of the home base.
The remaining members put on the robes that Izu had given them. Izu put her on hers as well, and they
all sat down.
This material didn't have any defensive properties, its only purpose was to hide them.
Of course, this would be very effective on any unlucky players who came from afar and did not realize
that Maple was here.
Maple was a symbol of danger, after all.
It would be easier for them to attack an enemy if they didn't expect such a danger.
"We'll have Yui and Mai kill anyone who comes."
"Yeah. For now, let's just wait for those three to come back with an orb."
The five of them watched the entrance as they waited, so as to not deplete any of their energy.
"If we do see an enemy, it's alright to kill them without asking any questions, right?"
527
"Yes, that's fine… Let's do a little exploration first. We'll start by eliminating any danger that is close by."
Sally said as they made their way into the forest. Then she heard the voices other players.
"I'll go and beat them up a little and lead them back here."
"Okay."
"We'll be waiting in the bushes here."
Everyone waited in position as Sally skillfully jumped onto the branches of the trees, and headed for
where the voices were coming from.
The voices that Sally heard were coming from a group of five. They too had come out looking for orbs and
had lost no time in leaving their home base.
"I think there should at least be one nearby…"
"It's fine. Let's not rush this."
They said as they walked. It was just as the last person in the group had passed the tree that she was in.
Sally's legs wrapped around the branches as she swung upside down and showed herself. And in one
quick motion, used her daggers to cut the person's throat.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!?"
Sally's merciless attacks continued.
The guy screamed with confusion before turning into light. The other four turned around, only to be
assaulted by blades of wind.
The situation had changed in a flash, and the four enemies looked stunned.
"…"
Sally dashed away from the scene.
"He-hey! Wait!"
Confusion spread among them, and they could do little but chase after the person who had attacked them.
It was just when they thought that they could catch up with Sally.
A sword and a billhook swung out from behind some bushes and dealt a lethal blow to the guy in the lead.
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"Oh…no!"
They realized that it was a trap, but it was too late.
The third was slashed by Kasumi.
"Retreat…ah!"
A girl player tried to escape, but Sally sent a fireball into her back, and she lost her balance.
"Ooomph!"
There was no way that she could dodge Chrome as he swung down on her.
"…Good."
"Yeah, let's go then."
They purposely allowed one player to escape.
That player would have no chance trying to defeat other guilds alone, so they would have to return to the
home base.
However, it might have been better for that player to go down quietly.
Because the alternative was inviting some ogres into your house.
The two opened the map and checked Sally's position.
Yes, all they had to do was to follow Sally's icon on the map, as she secretly chased after the player they
had allowed to escape.
"Ah, you're finally here."
Sally called to them from on top of a tree.
"Is it that cave over there?"
Kasumi asked her, and Sally nodded.
There was an entrance a little ways ahead, that was slightly hidden by some trees.
"Yes. They must be a smaller guild like us. But I don't know how many are in there."
If they wanted to, Maple Tree could accommodate up to 50 members, so even smaller guilds could have
much more than them.
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It was really just that Maple Tree was ridiculously small.
"I'll go in the lead, as we planned. I'm sure it'll go well."
Chrome said, as he walked in front of them and entered into the cave.
After walking a little, they saw a pedestal with an orb on top of it.
Also, they could hear a player talking about a crazy encounter to an excited group of about 30 people.
As some players were looking at the entrance, they immediately noticed the intruders.
"Everyone, draw your weapons!"
A guy who was likely the guild master gave the order, and everyone pulled out their weapons.
"Well, let's go, eh?"
Chrome went first, with Sally and Kasumi following close behind.
The advance guard charged first, the whole group of them slashed at Chrome at once.
Chrome could not escape taking damage from it, and since they were a group, someone was always
guarding while the others were attacking.
The advance guard tried to move back when they finally noticed his HP was recovering every time that it
went down, but Sally and Kasumi immediately moved to the offensive.
Magic came flying, which was easy enough for Sally to evade, and Kasumi covered for Chrome.
Sally and Kasumi continued to carve away at the wave of enemies. Chrome took the opportunity of this
distraction, to go in for the attack.
The enemies could not heal in time under these concentrated assaults, and one by one, they fell.
"How, how is this happening?!"
"The shield-bearer has been paralyzed! Charge!"
Perhaps this was their final desperate attempt, as Chrome had taken too many status affecting hits, he
had become paralyzed. And he was no longer able to fight quickly.
And now he would not be able to heal in time.
Seeing that his movements had become sluggish, eight of them surrounded him, and they chipped away
at his health with magic attacks.
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However, it only ended in a close call.
A red skull floated behind Chrome, and his HP depletion stopped at 1 HP.
Chrome should have died. But due to Chrome's equipment, he was able to revive again and again.
If his luck was good, he could revive an infinite number of times.
"Ah, I must be lucky today?"
"'Heal'!"
Sally healed him with magic, and enough time had passed to cure his paralysis.
With their final attempt ending in failure, the remaining enemies were crushed by Chrome, who had now
regained his total strength.
"My previous equipment wouldn't have withstood that. It's probably only Maple who could be
surrounded like that and be able to stand it…"
Chrome was also at the top level, but he was not so strong that he could take being paralyzed and then
surrounded by people pounding away at his HP.
It was all he could do to make it stop before death.
In the end, it was Kasumi who killed the most players. She had the highest attack power and mobility in
the group.
As Chrome was so visibly overpowered, the enemy players had flocked to him like ants to sugar, which
caused Chrome's HP to decline to the lowest. But it was also necessary to make a few risky moves in
order to reserve energy.
This was only the first day, and they had decided to avoid using certain skills.
They were at least confident that they would not die, and so Chrome didn't use skills that were
guaranteed to protect him.
"Now, to grab the orb… Kasumi, could you take this with you and return to the base? I want to explore
this place a little. If the rest are like this, there may be more guilds nearby than we thought."
Sally decided to stay in order to find out how many guilds were in the area, Chrome and Kasumi would
take their prize back to the base.
While Kasumi and Chrome were making their way back, invaders(victims) were trying to enter the base.
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"Five! We can do this!"
The group of 8 people shouted as they excitedly charged towards Maple and the others. They were met
by iron balls being thrown at them, like in a snow fight.
"Oomph!"
Their cute voices echoed as they threw the metal balls. They came at the invading players with a
thunderous noise.
Those that raised their shields found that the onslaught of iron balls destroyed their entire shields.
Those who tried blocking them with their swords, found their swords bend and explode.
Those who tried to turn around and escape felt despair descend upon them, as the exit was so far. They
felt the impact on their backs before disappearing out the exit.
They escaped in tatters, however, they were still able to return to their guild with a warning that no one
should even get close to this guild.
And that in itself was quite an achievement.
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Chapter 92 Defense Specialization and a Cunning
Scheme
After separating from the two, Sally moved around, hiding up in trees and in bushes and behind rocks as
she searched the area for the other guilds.
Sally had found 5 guilds in all, after moving quite far.
And not all of them were small guilds, there were some that were medium sized.
Sally noted all of this with the locations on her map and then left the area, making sure that no one saw
her.
"The medium-sized guild is inside the ruins… There is a ceiling over the orb, but no walls…hmm."
Sally closed her map and leaned against the trunk of a tree in order to think.
They had achieved victory in the last fight while using as little energy as possible. But there was no
guarantee that things would go smoothly next time.
Furthermore, while Sally was exploring, she realized that there was hardly any items to be found.
The only thing she found were items that recovered equipment durability, which was made specifically
for this map.
That meant that they wouldn't be able to make potions once they ran out of the ingredients.
"Harsh battles are being waged all over the place…Will we even have any MP potions left by the fifth
day?"
MP potions depleted much faster than HP potions.
It was possible that support with magic would become more difficult by the fifth day.
"Hmm… But we won't be able to catch up if we don't rack up points early on."
"…Considering all that, we would need Maple to attack head-on, but that's not possible…so, what we can
do now is…"
Sally gathered her thoughts before covering herself with the robe. She jumped up to the top of the tree
and continued to look for other players.
Sally continued to explore for a while, when she came upon a trio of players.
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As she listened to them for a while from on top of the tree, she learned that they were on a
reconnaissance mission.
Their weapons were a staff, greatsword and one-handed sword plus shield. Sally moved away and
silently climbed down to the ground. She was careful to get on bushes and make sounds as she
approached them.
She even added an annoyed 'tsk' to express her emotion at being caught.
While they may have just been scouting, it was three against one.
And as she looked like she really didn't care to fight, it was obvious that these three would go in for an
attack.
Sally was looking hesitantly over her shoulder when a magic attack came flying. As if a continuation of the
attack, the greatsword wielder charged at her at top speed.
Sally dodged the magic and avoided the charge, but still lost her balance.
As if he were waiting for this opportunity, the guy with the sword and shield jumped at her. Sally blocked
his attack with her dagger, then she quickly rolled out of the way of the three shots of wind magic that
came hurtling towards her.
"'Leap'!"
Sally created some distance by using the skill, which allowed her to recover. She held her two daggers in
front of her and slowly moved back.
The enemies saw that she was ready to retreat, and they quickly pushed forward.
"'Leap'!"
"Heavy Charge'!"
The player with the greatsword charged forward, the player with the one-handed sword jumped and
landed behind Sally in order to block her escape. They were both continually supported by magic.
They were pushing without consideration for anything else.
They were so sure that Sally was close to being defeated.
It was just when they started to get suspicious at her ability to dodge every attack. Sally, who was covered
in dirt from so much rolling, darted out into the forest once again.
Part of it was due to the terrain, but the trio was not able to find her again, and so they gave up.
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"Let's go. Ignore that one."
"Ahh, yeah."
Now that Sally had shaken off her pursuers, she went looking for more players to repeat this process.
Sally's purpose was to accomplish one thing, which was to raise the effects of 'Sword Dance' to its limits.
And after twenty minutes. Sally succeeded in raising 'Sword Dance' to the highest level.
"Preparations complete. Oboro, let's go."
Sally stuck Oboro to her neck, then she headed to one of the guilds that she had found.
"…Okay, found the orb."
Both of the medium-sized guilds had orbs that could be spotted from outside. However, there were plenty
of obstacles there as well, and since there were players defending the area, it would be quite hard to get
through.
Sally had found two medium-sized guilds.
And she had arrived at one of those two.
And since it was a medium-sized guild, it was crawling with players.
"Hahh… Okay, I can do this!"
Sally slapped her cheeks to concentrate, then broke into the guild from an area that was the least
protected.
"Intruder! She's alone!"
A guard saw her, and the players who protected the orb immediately moved towards her.
"'Leap'!"
Sally used Leap to move diagonally to the left.
"Surround her!"
Some of the guards ran towards her in order to surround her. And they successfully fell on her with their
weapons.
But, she seemed to disappear into thin air.
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The shocked faces stared in disbelief. Someone shouted that they found her again.
The intruder had somehow appeared on the right side this time.
A second team moved towards her.
They too were perfectly coordinated and were able to surround her and pound her with their weapons.
But she had disappeared again.
Sally had used Mirage twice with Oboro to distract them, making an opening in their defenses. In reality,
she had only run straight ahead, but they had made a clear path to the orb by themselves.
"'Super Acceleration'!"
It was too late when they realized what had happened.
Due to Sally's final push, she was able to snatch the orb without killing a single player.
However, escaping this place was no easy task.
"'Slash'!"
She pressed in with attack skills and an assault with her two daggers. The enemy still had not completely
grasped the situation, and they easily fell.
Sally had raised the firepower of her daggers to their limits, and their bite hurt bad.
She cut through as many players as she could before the effects of Super Acceleration wore off, making a
path in front of her.
Thanks to preparing for this fight, was able to break their formation by damaging them.
Sally had understood that it would be very tough if she tried fighting them head on, and so she devised a
one-time scheme to steal the orb instead.
And Sally's powers were a good match for it.
It was a cunning scheme that worked because this was still the first day, and most guilds lacked
information.
"'Water Wall'!"
She created a wall of water to block the magic attacks, and finally, Sally was able to burst through a
weakened point in their line of defense and escape.
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"I won't be able to take orbs from here after this. Ah…here they come…!"
They had seen the orb snatched away right before their eyes, and they would not allow her to escape.
They had assigned most of their members to the offensive, but there was still around forty of them.
And now there was no orb to protect. All of them chased after Sally.
Sally ran.
She ran to the other medium-sized guild.
She ran so that they could not catch up with her, but also not too fast that they would lose her. She ran
until she could see the other guild.
They saw Sally and what they assumed was the rest of her team, and the guild prepared from a large-
scale attack.
The players that were chasing Sally assumed that she was running back to her own guild, and they went
in for the attack.
While both sides had it wrong, they had decided to fight against each other.
Sally's aim was to swipe the orb amidst the chaos of them clashing. That is why she had pulled them
together.
"Oboro, 'Quick Shadow'"
It was when the fight began, and everyone's attention moved away from Sally.
Sally used Oboro's skill to disappear for just one second.
And she hid in some bushes and watched the scene.
Both sides seemed to be pretty evenly matched. The players that Sally had led here were fighting their
hardest in order to retrieve their stolen orb.
There was no time for them to see where Sally had appeared at.
As Sally's pursuers had come from one direction, the players protecting the orb were all facing in that
direction.
Sally slowly made her way through the ruins, moving towards her target.
"… 'Leap'! 'Double Slash'!"
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She jumped out towards five guards and slashed at them before they could react.
'Sword Dance' was very useful here.
"Good!"
The orb was now in her hand, and she adeptly dodged and countered the oncoming attacks, and killed the
rest of the guards. She would now return to Maple Tree, the perfect safe area.
"Maple will be there when I return! It's over if I can…take it back!"
It would take a while for the continuing battle to end.
There would be no peace between these two sides. And they could not spare many players to chase after
her.
It was the easiest thing for Sally to escape.
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Protecting the Orb
After Sally had run away, she sent a message to all the other guild members at once. She told them that
she had taken another orb and that she wanted someone to receive it near the entrance.
She didn't want to take the risk of allowing her pursuers to block the entrance if she went inside. Because
if that happened, she wouldn't be able to go out and take other orbs.
The first day held the most opportunities.
And Sally wasn't about to allow this chance at victory to slip past them.
"Yes, I see it now!"
Sally headed straight towards their base, where Chrome now stood and waved at her.
Sally handed him the orb as soon as she reached him.
"Wow…in such a short amount of time…"
"…I'm going to do as much as I can on the first day, so you guys protect the orbs."
"Yeah, leave it to us!"
Three guilds had already lost their orbs to Maple Tree. And all of them knew the position of their orbs, as
it was on their maps.
And those orbs were all in the same place.
Would they cooperate with each other? Or they might crush each other before retrieving their orbs. Or
they may even give up on their orb, and attack other guilds since they now had nothing to protect.
Whichever way it went, this first day was guaranteed to be chaotic.
"Alright, I'm off!"
Sally didn't even enter their base for a little rest. She went straight back into the battlefield. She had to do
this, or the larger guilds would increase their lead.
There were still guilds left that she had found, so she headed to the next base to take their orbs.
Chrome took the orb and went back to Maple and the others, and placed it with the rest.
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"Woah, Sally is so amazing!"
"Yeah, she made it sound so easy…but it's not something that just anyone can do."
They talked about Sally and decided which members would be assigned to defense.
They decided on Kanade, Yui, Mai, and Maple.
"We'll be in the far back for now."
"If things get dangerous…oh, they won't."
"Yeah, the three of us will go out scouting and cut down some enemies."
As Izu could now engage in combat, she would be included in the reconnaissance team.
"Then I'll change my great shield so I can use 'Crystal Wall.'"
As Maple didn't plan on using any attacks, she decided to use Crystal Wall, which was more fitting for
obstructing.
"We will fight with just one hammer."
It was better to hide your trump card.
And so they waited like this for 15 minutes.
Murderous players came in, one after another.
Demonic faces from a medium-sized guild rushed into their lair and saw the four members ready to
defend.
The intruders thought to use magic attacks to destroy them before they bridged the gap, and they
succeeded in their attack.
However, once the explosive flames dissipated, what they saw were four people walking towards them,
completely unharmed. And one of the players had bright, shining angel wings on her back.
It was not surprising that the intruder's attacks focused on her, as she was likely the one who had
blocked the magic attacks. And so it was understandable that they didn't pay as much attention to the two
members who wielded great hammers.
"Crystal Wall!"
The charging intruders crashed into the wall of crystal that had suddenly appeared.
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And that left a deadly opening.
"Double Stamp!" "Double Stamp!"
The thunderous sound of something pounding on armor echoed, 1 player died with every swing.
The damage effects splattered like fresh blood, and the intruders understood their mistake.
Those two were the more dangerous.
'Double Stamp' was a common skill, and was usually not something that was hard to withstand.
More magic attacks came, but they continued to be useless.
In the meantime, the intruders who could not dodge the attacks in time were crushed.
Still, they had a huge advantage in terms of numbers.
And they refused to retreat.
As the great hammers were rather slow, and the fact that these two did not move outside of the area of
effect of the angel's skill, and considering too the size of the room, they decided that it was possible to
move around them.
"Everyone! Go around! We'll defeat the winged player first!"
As if following that order, another voice rose from the direction of the four defenders.
"You two! Do it!"
"Yes!" "Yes!"
The intruders did not know what they meant.
Then the two great hammer wielders started to run straight towards them.
"'Cover Move'! … 'Cover Move'!"
In a second, the ground that showed the area of effect changed positions.
And not just once, but twice.
And they noticed it, the part of the ground that was shining was now at their rear guard.
In other words, that is where those two would be.
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"That…Ah! Re-retreat!"
They shouted as they tried to see where the dangerous pair were. Then they noticed a player who was
quietly waiting in the far back. Shelves of books were now floating around him.
"'Shadow Stitching.'"
He whispered quietly, and those words had the power to sew every enemy in the room to the floor for 3
seconds.
"Wha…!? I can't moooove!"
They panicked and tried to move their feet, and then the two embodiments of despair reached them.
The swinging great hammers shattered their magic walls and turned the players into dust.
Those three seconds seemed like an eternity. And when it was finished, their rearguard was annihilated,
their commander killed, and the advance guard had no way to escape.
They then realized that these four players had destroyed them in a matter of minutes.
It would have been so much better for them to give up on their orb and attack a different guild.
And just like that, Maple Tree was able to turn other guilds against each other. Making their base safe,
while also cutting away at their enemy's forces. They had quickly accomplished two goals on the first day.
As for Sally, who had taken the orb in order to set up this situation, she was now looking at a small guild
that was underneath a cliff.
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Reconnaissance Team
"Hmm…this one looks like it only has a few members."
Sally looked down from the shadows of the cliff and saw that there were only 5 players here currently.
Unless they had someone like Maple, it was not possible for just one person to defend.
Usually, you would assign a lot more people to defend your base, and since they were not doing that, Sally
could guess that they were a similar size to Maple Tree.
"Alright…Let's beat them."
Sally slipped out of the shadows and moved, all the while keeping herself hidden.
Approaching a base in large numbers was bound to get you spotted, but she was alone and could stay
hidden if she was careful.
"Oboro, 'Quick Shadow.'"
When there was nowhere left for Sally to hide, she disappeared and in a second, hid in the bushes near
the guild.
She pressed her ear against the wall and listened. It seemed that the players had not noticed her yet.
When Sally had observed them from afar, she saw that they were not always looking up, only one of them
was. The others walked around and checked the narrow paths for any intruders.
"Now…here we go."
Sally quietly moved out of the bushes and approached the player who was on watch near the cliffs.
Sally was more than capable of killing the guard without allowing him to scream, but she purposely
delayed her attack.
"A-ambush!!"
The player screamed before falling down and dying.
As it was the player who watched from above that screamed, the remaining four all came closer and
looked up.
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They were close to the bushes that Sally was hiding in once again.
The four players' attention was focused above them, and it took a second for them to notice Sally dashing
forward in a low crouch and slashing at them.
As their level and equipment were far lower than Sally's, they were unable to retaliate, except for the last
person who was able to block her attack just once before falling.
"This is going well, I didn't even have to show any skills… And it won't be too much trouble if I get chased
by this guild. I think I'll do one more."
Sally snatched their orb and took the narrow path back to the top of the cliff.
She checked her map and thought for a few minutes.
As she had just taken an orb, the other players of this guild would know her location, so it was dangerous
to stay here for too long.
"The next one is also small… No, this one looks dangerous. Hmm… Maybe I should go and search a little
farther out? I would like to know where the larger guilds are located as well."
Sally decided what she would do and then ran in the direction that she had not explored yet.
Maple and the others fulfilled their role as defenders brilliantly.
The only important skill that Maple had shown was 'Dedicated Affection,' and no one had been able to tell
that this skill was weak to piercing attacks.
After beating all of the players into a pulp, Yui and Mai sat down next to Maple.
"Ahh…ha….I'm tired…"
"Hmm…haa…yeah…tired."
As Yui and Mai had been in charge of all of the attacking and moving around, their fatigue was severe.
"Well, I don't think anyone will come knocking here for a while. There is no way that they would come
back for more after being beaten so badly."
It was just as Kanade said, the other guild had already given up on retrieving their orb completely.
It was unthinkable to die twice when the first day had only just begun.
"The other three are out scouting, and Sally…is very far away, huh…"
Maple muttered as she looked at her map.
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Sally's icon was moving farther and farther away from the guild.
Maple closed her map and sighed.
"Okay, let's get some rest. It's not like we can go out and attack others. We'll leave that to the other four
members."
Three out of four of the Maple Tree members that Maple put her hopes in, who also acted as breaks and
guardians, were now scouting the area as planned.
"This thing is really useful."
"Isn't it? 'Doping Seed' is so strong."
'Doping Seed' was an item that Izu could make with 'New Frontier.' It allowed you to raise a single stat by
10% at the cost of lowering another stat by 10%.
You could use up to 5 at once, and its effects lasted for an ample ten minutes.
However, you only knew which statuses it would affect after making them, so she had to use an enormous
amount of materials to get the ones that they wanted.
Izu had acquired the materials in exchange for gold and was able to prepare the necessary seeds for the
guild members.
Izu had given Sally 10 Doping Seeds that raised AGI and lowered VIT.
Chome was given seeds that raised VIT or STR and lowed DEX.
Kasumi's seeds raised STR and lowered INT.
Kanade's raised INT and lowered STR.
As Maple, Yui and Mai were not affected much by lowered stats, Izu was able to give them the leftovers,
which made her job easier.
The amount gold that Izu had used to make all of these seeds was enough to create two guilds.
"Hehe…I expect you to make up for all the gold spent on these."
"Of course. Leave it to us."
Kasumi found some players through Far Vision, and so the trio went out to defeat the group of players.
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Chapter 95 Defense Specialization and Two
Enemies
While Kasumi and the others were exploring, Frederica and Drag from Assembly of Holy Blades were in
charge of defending their guild, which was far away from Maple Tree.
"Ahhh! I want to go out and attack!"
"It can't be helped. We're too slow on our feet."
As Drag said, both of them had not put much into their AGI.
Which meant that they would not be assigned to any scouting parties, where AGI was important.
Frederica sat on top of a large rock and swung her legs with a bored expression.
The Assembly of Holy Blades was a large guild, and so their orb was in a place that was difficult to defend.
It was a rocky area surrounded in flat terrain. The rocks made it difficult to see people coming, and there
were so many places an intruder could come from.
There was also no ceiling above the orb, so it was possible that someone could ambush them by jumping
off from the taller rocks.
However, there were also a few caves nearby, and while they could not hide the orb there, they could at
least use them to rest in.
As the two waited there, they received news from another guild member about an enemy attack.
The atmosphere changed immediately, excitement now filled the air.
"How many?"
"Nearly 40! The same number that we have for defense!"
"In that case, we should probably go. Pain was very insistent on minimizing any casualties."
"True… Let's go and crush them then."
"Yeah. Oh, that's right…all of you can stand back. We'll handle this."
"Wha-what? Just you two?"
"Yeah, it's no big deal."
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The messenger was sure that they were being arrogant, but no one could withstand their aura of
dominance, and so he backed away.
The two moved to the forefront, and as was reported, they could see 40 players coming right at them.
"Our scouts are very impressive."
"Yes."
Drag held his battle axe as he looked at the enemy, and just as they came within range, he swung
downward.
However, Drag's range was very different compared with the range of most battle axe users.
"'Ground Splitter'!"
It reached 20 meters in both directions.
The attack left cracks that went 50 cm deep into the ground, stopping the enemy in their tracks.
If they continued to run, their feet would get stuck in the crack and they would lose their balance.
And this attack was especially effective when Drag fought alongside Frederica.
"'Multi-Fire Bullets'!"
Magic circles appeared all around Frederica, and they launched numerous fire bullets into the air.
And they flew into the targeted players whose feet were trapped in the ground.
The special ability that Frederica had was 'Multi-chant.'
It was practically a cheat skill, that allowed her to use a magic attack numerous times for just three times
the MP. And as was shown during her battle with Sally, she could use Multi-Obstacle, giving her very high
defense.
"''Heavy Charge'!"
Drag charged forward as Frederica attacked with magic.
Drag's savage axe came out of the ground and slammed into the players who managed to escape the tear
in the ground.
"Aghhh!! 'Burn Axe'!"
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Drag's axe erupted into flame as he swung wildly. He no longer cared about defense, which left many
openings. Still, his attacks hit hard.
It would be hard for anyone to attack him as long as he continued to destroy anyone who got near.
Sometimes offense is the best defense.
However, they were against 40 players this time.
It could not be helped that he was eventually surrounded and attacked.
Still, Drag did not allow himself to focus on anything but attacking.
This meant that attacks that used skills started to fly at him in rapid succession.
"'Multi-Obstacle'! 'Multi-Water Wall'!"
But Frederica continued to create barriers to protect him, and the attacks lost their power, leaving Drag's
HP completely undiminished.
Drag knew that Frederica would protect him, and so there was no need for him to change his focus.
"'Grand Lance'!"
Drag slammed his weapon into the ground, causing six spears of stone to sprout from the ground around
him.
The players who were pierced by this attack squirmed and wriggled in an attempt to escape, but
Frederica's magic came quickly, killing them one by one.
"Is that all you got!? Ha!"
"'Cover'!"
A great shield wielder blocked Drag's battle axe, but when Drag's swing bounced off the shield, the
enemies behind it went flying back and hit the ground.
This was another of Drag's traits.
It was the 'Knockback' effect.
You would get blown off your feet if you blocked Drag's attack, and you would receive great damage if
you were hit directly.
"'Heavy Charge'!"
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The axe came back, mercilessly taking away their HP.
Once you fell, Drag would be able to hit you directly, the following impact would not allow you to recover,
and you would die.
Offensive power was the rule of the land.
However, it would mean nothing if the environment did not allow you to use it.
In that sense, Frederica was a masterclass rear guard, as she continued to support him and launch her
own attacks.
"'Multi-Light Canon'"
Four separate circles of light appeared around Frederica. Seconds later, lasers shot out and surrounded
the players.
They tried to retaliate with their own skills, but they were not effective, as they were unable to get close
enough to Frederica.
They could not show their backs to Drag in an attempt to attack Frederica.
Because that would mean death.
The reason that they knew that they couldn't turn their backs on this one player, was because Drag was
very famous.
In most cases, players were unable to use 100% of their power in a fight, once it becomes clear that their
opponent is better than them.
"'Water Wall'!"
Some of them had already retreated, and only about 10 players remained. And they too ran away at top
speed the moment that they saw their chance.
Drag tried to chase after them, but he quickly realized that they were faster than him, and so he returned
to Frederica.
"Hah…that was fun."
"You are as brutal as ever! So rough! You're always charging forward!"
"Sorry, sorry. But wasn't I useful?"
"Well, yes. You are easy to predict, which make it easier to support you."
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These two who had insisted that they would handle the enemies on their own did have a certain pride
that came from being strong.
But the truly strong operated at a different level.
And they would win, and rise to the top.
"You're like that too Frederica. How come you don't run out of MP? Huh?"
"Hehe! That's a secret!"
Frederica said as she returned to where their orb was.
Drag followed after her.
"But those guys sure were stupid. Why would they attack us, of all guilds?"
"We were in the cave until a moment ago. They probably didn't think we were around."
"Ah, that's right. What awful luck they have."
"Yeah."
The two returned to the other guild members, who felt both respect and a little jealousy towards them.
They surrounded the orb and started to talk again.
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Chapter 96 Defense Specialization and the Two
Similar People
As Frederica and Drag were protecting the Assembly of Holy Blades' orb, that meant that Dread and Pain
were out stealing orbs from other guilds.
Dread had a team of 30 members with him, and they had already succeeded in taking two orbs.
As Dread was not very good with wide-ranged attacks, they had suffered a few casualties, but things were
still going very well.
"Let's do one more…though, I'm getting quite tired."
He said as he looked in the direction they would be heading in.
Then he caught sight of one player who was quietly standing there.
Dread felt a chill go down his spine, and he could not explain why.
"…All of you, there's been a change in plans. Take the orbs and go back to the base. Now, hurry."
The other players looked taken aback by this sudden order, but they saw that there was something
different about Dread, and so they did as he said.
Once they were all gone, the person who wore a robe, came closer to him.
Dread unsheathed his two swords and called out.
"Hmm… You're a strong one, aren't you?"
"Maybe?"
"…I believe my instincts on this one. And I've always won until now. So…"
Dread sighed, he concentrated hard and muttered:
"While it is annoying to have to do… I better crush you here and now."
"I too…did not expect to meet you here."
So saying, the figure in the robe, who was Sally, pulled out her two daggers.
Dread looked at her weapons and squinted.
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"…Tsk. This will be worse than what her report suggested."
He cursed. Sally did not miss it.
Now she was sure about what she would do, and she moved closer to Dread.
These two monsters had only met by accident, and now they would fight.
Neither Dread nor Sally used attack skills.
It was because the activation of skills with a set path would create holes in their defenses.
After all, it was unthinkable for someone who fought with two short swords to not be able to dodge
attacks.
Dread blocked Sally's attacks, and Sally easily dodged Dread's attacks.
As Dread's movements were quicker, he was able to hit more times, preventing Sally from retaliating.
"'Super Acceleration'!"
It was Dread who did it first.
Now that his attacks were coming at an accelerated speed, Sally found herself dodging too late for a
second, and Dread pressed in.
"…!?"
However, just as Dread's sword was about to thrust in, he changed his movement and jumped back.
"…instinct…huh…"
"I would be dead if I ever doubt it."
It was nothing more than instinct that caused Dread to retreat.
Sally saw a much different style of evading than her own.
Dread now maintained a distance between them as he stared at her.
"Because I strongly believe that I have to defeat you here… 'God Speed'!"
This skill's name was also one of the names that Dread was known by, and as the name implied, it granted
him the speed of a god.
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This power was set with the belief that the speed of a god should not be something that a human can
process, and so he became invisible for 10 seconds.
"…Huh…"
Due to her information gathering, Sally was aware of this skill.
There was one reason that Dread did not keep this skill hidden.
It was because, just knowing about a skill, did not mean you could do anything about it.
With the exception of a handful of players, no one could deal with this skill.
However, Sally was among that handful.
"'Running Water'!"
Sally used the current of sound and wind to find the invisible Dread. Then she purposely left openings in
her defenses, inviting him to attack.
Then she shouted the name of a certain skill as she cleanly blocked his short sword.
"'Leap'!"
She leaped back in order to gain some distance, which allowed her some time to consider the direction of
her next attack. However, Dread was still not visible to her.
"…Did he leave? Well, at least I was able to show 'Running Water.' That's good."
Sally was sure that Frederica and Dread were from the same guild, and so she was satisfied to have been
able to gain some more reliable information.
"…But it looks like it will be really hard to have your attacks land on him."
Sally thought that she would try and practice Dread's methods of using fear and instincts as sensors in
order to avoid attacks. Then she went out to search for the next guild.
Dread chased after the other members who returned first and thought about what had happened.
"'Running Water'… Even without it, her ability to evade was impressive… Also, that feeling I got…"
There were only two other players in this game that had made Dread feel such a chill upon seeing them.
One was Pain. The other was Maple.
"If she was equal to those two…does that mean I barely survived?"
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Sally still had hidden powers, she had not gone all out in that fight.
That was the only explanation for what he felt.
But after thinking this, Dread grew tired of it all.
"I'll talk to Pain about it when I return. I'm not good at thinking about such things."
The two had met by coincidence and parted ways with something important acquired.
Dread had heard about Sally from Frederica, and now he felt something disturbing.
Sally had succeeded in making herself look stronger with the use of Running Water, but more than that…
She had found out a way to improve her evasion abilities even more.
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Chapter 97 Defense Specialization and Orb
Collecting
After having that experience which would lead to further growth, Sally crushed a small, little-known
guild.
It was after defeating the guild under the cliff that Sally encountered Dread, but she had also stolen yet
another orb before then.
In other words, Sally presently had three orbs.
Now that she had three, it was time to return to Maple Tree.
"I think it's almost time to receive points for the first orb we took."
A number of battles had occurred since the start of the event.
As was to be expected, the larger guilds had accomplished the most, and the medium guilds also
retaliated with their own strategies.
But with one exception, the smaller guilds were doing quite badly.
The starting time was set to noon within the time accelerated field.
The sun would start setting soon.
It was harder to see in the dark, which meant that the other guilds would probably attack each other even
harder.
And of course, Sally's own attacks would become more bold, as she was able to hide in the dark.
"I better get back."
As Sally rushed back to the base, Maple and the others were defeating players who stepped foot into their
cave.
As there were only three players invading, Yui and Mai only needed to throw some iron balls at them.
"Maple! We got a new skill!" "Maple! We got a new skill!"
"What! That's amazing!"
555
It seemed like Yui and Maple had no intention of hiding their skills from Maple, and they told her the
requirements and effects of it.
The skill was called 'Flying Attack', and the requirement for getting it was that you had to kill someone
with 'Throw.'
As for the effect, it was just as the name implied. An attack would fly out when you swung your weapon.
Swinging a sword would result in a slashing attack, hitting with a hammer would cause a circular shock
attack to fly forward.
It wasn't as strong as a normal attack but was still a one-shot kill in the hands of Yui and Mai.
"Are you going to use it in the next fight?"
"We won't. Sally told us that we should hide our trump card. We're going to test it a little in the back, and
that is all."
"Okay, you guys can go and do that then."
Yui and Mai left the orb to go and test the new skill, before quickly coming back.
It was clear how much they wanted to be of use, and there was a strong enthusiasm in their eyes.
"Sally, Chrome and the others seem to be returning."
Kanade said as he looked at his map.
Kanade had restricted the use of his magical books to 'Shadow Stitching.' Maple would only use
'Dedicated Affection' mainly for support, in preparation for the night.
This was all possible because Yui and Mai were working hard.
However, they were also starting to become tired.
Considering that they had to sit down and rest every time they finished defeating the intruders, they were
probably close to reaching their limit.
"Sally will come back soon, so will Chrome. You two should get some rest. You're tired, aren't you?"
The two of them were honest enough to agree, and they headed towards the back.
Enthusiasm wasn't enough to keep the body moving.
It was sometimes necessary to rest.
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"What about you, Kanade?"
"I've barely moved around."
As Maple and Kanade talked for a while, Chrome returned.
"Kasumi and Izu are currently attacking a small guild."
"Will they be okay…"
"Yeah. Izu is endlessly making bombs, and Kasumi is rolling them into the cave. It will all be over soon."
No one but Izu could have used such a strategy. And even if another player could do the same thing and
tried it on them with Maple in the cave, the result would just be loud noises, and Maple would remain
unhurt.
"And so I returned to help defend."
"That's good…Since Yui and Mai are quite tired now."
The two players who were the strongest and second strongest shield bearers respectively, would now be
defending.
Even if it was just them here, they would be incredibly difficult to kill.
It was because their guild wasn't worried about defense, that they could focus on attacking. That was why
Kasumi and Izu had the option of taking their time in order to destroy another guild.
"Here, keep them rolling."
"Sure. Leave it to me."
Large bombs.
Other players could only create them at a workshop, but Izu could make them anywhere.
The materials could be made from gold.
And as they had collected as much gold as possible, they had plenty left even after she had made a ton of
large bombs.
Kasumi continued to throw the bombs into the entrance, which happened to slant downwards.
The bombs rolled down the incline and after a short delay, exploded noisily.
The cries that had once been so loud, grew smaller and smaller.
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"…Are we done?"
"Let's go in. I'll walk in front of you."
Kasumi held her sword as if to protect Izu, as they walked down into the cave.
They entered into the room where the orb was located. The floor was covered in black spots where the
bombs had exploded.
The final surviving enemy was still standing on wobbly feet and holding a sword.
"'First of the Blades. Kagerou'"
The player ran forward but was struck down by Kasumi who used a skill to teleport right in front of the
player.
"Hah…Sally really is the exception."
Sally was able to dodge this attack while crouching, but no matter how many times Kasumi tried, she was
unable to dodge this attack and counter in the way that Sally did.
It was Chrome and Kasumi's characteristic to be able to reliably kill enemies.
Kasumi was the closest to being normal within Maple Tree, and she was dependable because she didn't
use any odd schemes.
She would always win against beatable enemies.
This was because no one had ever found her weakness.
This made things a lot more comfortable for Izu and Chrome.
Of course, it wasn't comfortable from the point of view of her enemies, as she was still ridiculously strong.
"Well, let's take the orb and leave. It will be annoying if they revive."
"Yes. Let's go."
Kasumi put the orb away and they decided to return to the guild.
They decided to bring every orb back to the base after getting it, therefore avoiding any possible
accidents.
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Chapter 98 Defense Specialization and Ifrit's
Country
Currently, it was the large guilds and one special small guild that were fighting for the top spot. And
among the larger guilds, Assembly of Blades and Ifrit's Country were doing especially well.
Maple Tree was hot on their heels.
Ifrit's Country was protecting their orb in a grassy field which had a few trees. The two that were there
were Marx, who was also known as 'Trapper' and came in at 8th in the first event, and Misery, also
known as 'Saint' who came in at 10th.
Misery was a specialist when it came to healing in a wide range, but she was also good at area attacks.
She could heal and destroy at will.
Trapper had hidden his ability to use traps during the first event, but Frederica had just happened to
catch this information when he was talking to other guild members.
This was one of the demerits of being in a guild with many members.
You could not place a door on someone's mouth.
Marx's other name was Trapper, and his specialty was using magic that created traps.
And there was a wide range of traps he could make, such as creating a smokescreen or a pillar of flames.
These traps would trigger if anyone who was not on their side, in other words, not a member of their
guild, entered the area.
As it was necessary to set them up in advance, he was not fit for attacking, and so he was assigned to the
defense team.
Flame Emperor, who was 4th and Destructor, who was in 7th were both out and attacking.
"I wonder if it will be alright…what if they get through my traps?"
"It should be fine. And even if they do get through, we have so many reliable members on our side."
The other guild members who overheard them gave them a look that said, 'No, you guys are the ones who
are reliable.'
"I'm worried…they will be so angry if our orb gets taken…"
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Marx said as he wandered around the orb. In spite of his worry, his traps were actually highly effective.
The traps were invisible until they were activated, and once they were, it was too late to avoid them.
Not only that, but he had set a large number of them, and in good places, which resulted in them catching
many players.
Whenever pillars of fire rose or they heard an explosion, they could tell that a player was coming from
that direction, which made defending the base easier.
"See, the attackers are in tatters once again. Your traps are working."
"I see… Well, that's a relief then."
The injured players were quickly killed by the other guild members, who were also backed by Misery and
her healing spells.
Once that was finished, Marx would take some guards with him and go back and set up new traps.
"Uh…maybe around here. Hmm…and one over here…?"
He mumbled as he cautiously placed the traps in different locations. Seeing this, the other guild member
wondered at just how he was able to defeat players so successfully.
It looked like he wasn't even sure what he was doing, yet players would step on his traps to the point
where it was entertaining to watch.
In a word, it was probably a natural talent.
Just like how Sally was good at evading, and how Maple seemed to just find things, and how Dread could
sense fear.
Most of the people at the top had something that was hard for others to understand.
Marx's ability to set up traps was similar to all of those, a kind of intuition.
Yes, he could just feel it.
Once Marx had finished resetting the traps, he returned to where the orb was.
There were fewer players who would challenge them now, and Marx could finally sigh and relax a little.
"Someone's coming here!"
Marx jumped up at Misery's voice. He looked in the direction that she was pointing, and saw that pillars
of fire and explosions were erupting in succession.
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"I will go and look!"
Misery left Marx, who was frantically considering what to do, and took five guild members with her to the
scene.
When they arrived, all they saw was a lone figure who wore a robe.
For a second, Misery could hardly believe what her eyes were seeing.
Once the person stepped on a trap, they smoothly dodged it as if they knew it was a trap all along.
"Hmm…the fear sensor. I want it to be more accurate but…maybe it is too hard for me."
The figure in the robe mumbled, then walked away from the scene.
"…That was a close one."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"Seriously…where did that monster come from? Was it a skill? Or just an ability…"
She was thankful that the stranger had left them. When she returned, Marx was so worried about what
had happened, that she had to stay with him as he reset all of the traps once again.
"Maybe around here…no, they might get through again…ohh…"
"It's fine. That player was just avoiding the right course."
"I don't know…"
As they talked, they were informed that pillars of fire had started to erupt in the opposite direction, and
players were being killed. And so Marx calmed down a little and continued to set the traps.
After some time had passed, Flame Emperor took 20 guild members and attempted to destroy another
guild that they had discovered.
And Sally, who kept telling herself she needed to go back to the base, was watching this unfold.
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Chapter 99 Defense Specialization and the Flame
Empress
The woman called Flame Empress.
Mi walked in front of the group as she approached the enemy players who held swords.
"Move. Your life will be spared if you do."
The air was tense and electric as Mi's clear voice rang.
However, this was not a proposition that these protectors of the orb could swallow.
"Kill them!"
The front guard charged towards Mi.
Mi's weapon was a staff.
She was dressed in a red, impressionable red mantle, but her defenses were weak, as was usual for the
rear guard.
"'Flame Empress.'"
She mumbled the words softly, and two balls of fire that were 1 meter across appeared around her.
The two balls of fire moved in sync with her arms, and the enemy was no match for their power.
Mi was in the forefront because that was the position that allowed her power to be the most effective.
As all could see, she burned her enemies with super firepower.
"How foolish. How very foolish."
There was something charismatic about the way she so easily disposed of her enemies.
"'Eruption.'"
The ground exploded, and pillars of fire shot up.
Mi could freely control the flames, and her attacks were usually flashy.
It made her power very memorable and caused the enemy to shrink back.
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"Explosive Flame.'"
Next, low damage but high knockback explosive wind assaulted the few who had withstood her attacks
and came closer.
It showed a tremendous difference in strength.
However, this method of attack was not the most efficient.
The flashier magic attacks consumed a lot of energy.
Due to this, the 20 players behind her all carried as many MP potions as they possibly could. In other
words, they were her supply unit.
"Ha…is that all? It's over."
The balls of fire disappeared when she had finished burning her last victim.
"Here is an MP potion."
"Ah."
Mi received the MP potion and recovered her MP with a sigh.
"Take their orb."
"Yes."
Mi closed her eyes and basked in the sense of accomplishment.
However, that was a terrible mistake.
"GAAAHHH!?"
When Mi opened her eyes, the player who had tried to take the orb had disappeared into light, and a
robed player was running away with the orb.
"What! …That one is strong. I can…tell. Take the orbs back to our base. It's possible that we might be
annihilated!"
The command from their charismatic leader had the right effect, and they returned with their orbs. Mi
decided to follow the robed figure.
"'Flare Accel'!"
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Mi chased after the robed figure as flames exploded around them, but it did not take long for her to
completely lose sight of the thief.
The reason was that the robed figure, who happened to be Sally, had used 'Quick Shadow' just as she
turned a corner.
Sally had left the area while Mi was trying to find the person she was chasing and had disappeared.
Mi did not understand what had happened and continued to look until she sat down in frustration.
"Ahhh…I messed up…I'm so sorry, everyone…"
The Mi that sat there now, seemed completely different than the Mi from a moment ago.
Her charisma seemed to be gone, and all that was visible was a weak person who felt bad about her
mistakes.
"Oh, I shouldn't have built up this character…"
Yes, Mi had been just acting until now.
She had acquired a very powerful skill, and with every word she spoke, she continued to gain attention,
which made her embarrassed to show her true self. Mi had decided to play up a character, but she now
regretted that decision.
The sense of accomplishment that Mi had felt earlier was actually about not having her true self exposed.
"Ohhh…this is the worst…damn it. Maybe I'll crush a random guild before going back.
She just wanted to lash out at someone.
However, Mi did have the power to put this into action.
And she had just happened to find a certain medium sized guild when she was searching for Sally. And
this guild had a manageable number of people guarding it.
"I need to take at least one back with me… Really, that robed person. I'll burn her the next time we meet."
And so Mi attacked the medium-sized guild with explosive flames, columns of fire, fireballs and even a
special paralysis trap that she had got from Marx. And with that, she crushed a guild all by herself.
This was possible because Mi was so exceptional with anything related to fire, which was not something
that most people could claim. In fact, there were those in the top 10 of the first event who could not do
what she did.
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The only ones who could do it with any reliability were Pain and Maple.
Mi put the orb away, and returned to her guild, as flames erupted all around her.
"Welcome back, Mi."
Marx stopped walking anxiously around their orb when he noticed that Mi had returned.
He had heard from the others that she had been out in order to retrieve the orb, and so he asked her
about it.
"I got a new orb. I wasn't able to get the other one back. I'm sorry."
The other guild members could never get used to the fact that she was able to destroy other guilds by
herself, and waves of surprise erupted around them.
"We'll be leaving again soon. Be prepared."
"Yes!" "Yes!" "Yes!"
They replied enthusiastically, but deep down, Mi did not feel like going out again.
This time, Sally decided that she would finally return to Maple Tree.
If the orbs she had were stolen, that other guild would get so many points from it. And she did not want to
risk that.
"That last one was very lucky for me."
Mi had looked away just at the right time, and she was able to take advantage of the moment.
"I need to do as much as I can on the first day…"
In order to achieve victory alongside Maple, Sally intended to work to her absolute limits.
565
Chapter 100 Defense Specialization and Full
Member
Just as she had decided, Sally returned to Maple Tree.
"I'm back!"
Sally came back just as Yui and Mai were picking up the metal balls.
Maple was about to help, but then realized that she wouldn't be of any use, and so she gave up.
They were so heavy that Kasumi could barely pick them up, so there was no way that Maple would be
able to.
"Oh! Welcome back, Sally!"
"Here are 4 orbs!"
"Woah!" "Woah!" "Woah!"
The trio all raised their voices in surprise.
If they could protect these, they would receive so many points.
Chrome and Kanade came out from the back when they heard the loud applause.
After that, Kasumi and Izu returned from their second scouting mission.
They had taken 8 orbs in all.
And they already succeeded in guarding 3 of them until they disappeared after giving them points.
One was the orb that Sally, Kasumi, and Chrome had taken together, and two were from medium-sized
guilds that Sally had robbed through a cunning scheme.
Now they had orbs that Kasumi and Izu had brought back, and orbs that Sally had brought back.
They needed to protect these five orbs now, which meant that they could not let their guard down.
However, the orbs were being protected by the strongest shield in the game.
Even if there were players that could get through, they could easily handle it without too much effort.
566
"Oh, that's right! I generally just the took the orbs and ran, so some guilds will probably come to retrieve
their orbs. Though, they're all small guilds."
"Really, no matter how many times I hear it, I find it hard to believe…"
Kanade muttered.
"Ah, speak of the devil."
Chrome pulled out his weapon and looked at the entrance. Players were pouring in now, and their
numbers showed clearly that this was not just a single small guild.
As the smaller guilds were having a hard time, they had quickly formed an alliance.
This situation meant that there were no merits to betraying each other until the end, and so they would
use each other until they knew whether or not they could take the orbs back.
The players that burst into the cave saw that there were 6 orbs.
And only 8 players protecting them.
Such a quickly formed alliance would not be very well organized, but they had 50 players in all. It was a
tremendous difference in numbers.
Furthermore, their morale was at its peak now that they saw what was essentially a mountain of
treasure. Some of them were already cooly planning on defeating their allies, once the enemy was gone.
Ah, how lucky they all were.
It was possible that they could snatch 6 orbs after just killing 8 players.
They would never have such a great opportunity ever again.
They all shouted and charged forward.
Magic flew through the air, dust rose.
Bloodshot eyes looked at the 8 players, who were strangely relaxed.
"Is this the first time that all 8 of us are fighting?"
"I think it is the first time that all of us are part of the battle. Especially with Izu."
"Maple, do the usual."
That was all Chrome needed to say, and everyone knew what he meant.
567
In the first place, Maple really only had one role when it came to this event.
"Understood! 'Dedicated Affection'!"
"Yes, 'Heal.'"
Kanade immediately healed Maple as her HP had gone down. They left no openings.
Maple started to walk forward now, and the others followed her.
The two groups crashed into each other, and their weapons slashed.
Yui and Mai were repeatedly hit by attacks that came from all over the place, but neither of them would
fall.
"'Double Stamp'!" "'Double Stamp'!"
With a thunderous noise, players flew into the air. The players that now moved away from Yui and Mai
were met by a billhook and sword.
"Hahh!"
"Oomph!"
The players who endured and dodged those attacks and tried to go for the orbs first were the smart ones.
They escaped the area of ground that was shining, as they hurried to the orbs. But a rain of bombs fell on
top of them.
"Oh, how naughty of you. Trying to just go for the orbs."
With Izu and Maple there, they were no different than the other fighters.
They were a huge threat.
And any that managed to force their way past them were invited to Kanade's library.
"'Paralyze Laser.'"
Kanade unleashed a low power, high paralysis-rate laser that spread throughout the air in an even layer.
Its added effect was powerful, which made up for the fact that it had a limited range.
Still, there was also a player here to finish their work, even if Kanade didn't kill them.
"Ggg..gaah!:
568
"Da-damn it!"
The players who were hit by the lazers groaned as they tried to escape, but their movements were
sluggish.
"Goodbye then."
The culprit who had stolen their orbs.
Kanade stopped the movements of the players, and Sally sent them back to their guilds.
As this was happening, players who were in the advance guard were falling one after another.
Before they knew it, the alliance army was destroyed, and those who had lost heart were running for
their lives.
However, there were still a few who continued to fight back.
"'Leap'!"
There was a player who had slipped through Chrome and Kasumi and jumped forward, seeming to have
no intention of surviving.
And then he swung his sword at the player who had supported the frontlines and had the wings of an
angel.
"'Defense Break'!"
"'Pierce Guard.'"
As if smashing with both the words and the sword, the last strike took all his remaining strength, but the
cruel declaration robbed it of all power, and his attack merely bounced right off.
He sensed the presence of two great hammers at his back, and the last thing he saw was a player whose
hood was so deep, that he could not see her face.
"Maple… We made a mistake."
He whispered in despair before the great hammer slammed into his body.
None of the final remaining players were able to touch the orbs.
It was a complete defeat for them.
Oh, and yet they were all so lucky.
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They had been the first people in history to see this team of 8 in action. They had experienced it.
Surely, this would be something that they could boast of when the event was over.
They had experienced a battle with the most ferocious party within the game.
Eventually, the sky became full of darkness, and the first night arrived. A night to be full of raids and
assassinations.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 Defence Specialized and Concentration
Chapter 5 Defence Specialized and First Intermingling
Chapter 6 Defense Specialized and Dungeon Attack
Chapter 7 Defense Specialized and Poison Dragon Battle
Chapter 8 Defense Specialized and Secret Training
Chapter 10 Defense Specialized and Event Results
Chapter 11 Defense Specialized and Status Discussion
Chapter 12 Defense Specialized and Material Collection
Chapter 15 Defense Specialized and Underground Lake Capture
Chapter 16 Defense Specialized and New Knowledge
Chapter 17 Defense Specialized and Stage Capture
Chapter 19 Defense Specialized and Under Preparation
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Chapter 20 Defense Specialized and Friend Strengthening
Chapter 21 Defense Specialized and Second Event
Chapter 22 Defense Specialized and Boss Extermination
Chapter 23 Defense Specialized and Exploration Resume
Chapter 24 Defense Specialized and Underground Exploration
Chapter 25 Defense Specialized and Climbing Mountain
Chapter 26 Defense Specialized and Teleport Destination
CHAPTER 28 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND MIDNIGHT EXPLORATION
CHAPTER 29 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND THE THIRD DAY OF THE EVENT
CHAPTER 30 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND VALLEY EXPLORATION
CHAPTER 31 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND WHAT’S INSIDE THE EGG
CHAPTER 32 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND DOWNSTREAM EXPLORATION
CHAPTER 33 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND IMITATION BATTLE
CHAPTER 34 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND IMITATION SUBJUGATION
CHAPTER 35 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND DESERT EXPLORATION
CHAPTER 36 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND UNDER THE QUICKSAND
CHAPTER 37 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND OUTSIDE THE GAME
CHAPTER 38 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND ENCOUNTER
Chapter 41 Defense Specialized and The Fifth Day of the Event
Chapter 42 Defense Specialized and Sea and Sandy Beach
572
Chapter 43 Defense Specialized and Coastal Exploration
Chapter 44 Defense Specialized and Ruins Exploration
Chapter 45 Defense Specialized and Ancient Heart
Chapter 46 Defense Specialized and Squid Subjugation
Chapter 49 Defense Specialized and The Sixth Day of the Event
Chapter 50 Defense Specialized and Event and Mid-Boss
Chapter 51 Defense Specialized and Event Finished
Chapter 52 Defense Specialized and Skill Selection
Chapter 53 Defense specialization and sighting information
Chapter 54 Defense specialization and skill contents.
Chapter 56 Defense specialization and major failure
Chapter 57 Defense specialization and new elements.
Chapter 58 Defense specialization and production materials
Chapter 62 Defense specialization and skill acquisition.
Chapter 63 Defense Specialization and Dedicated Affection.
Chapter 64 Defense Specialization and Assistance
Chapter 67 A Specialisation in Defence; Growth of a Follower Spirit
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Chapter 68 A Specialisation in Defence; Joining the Team?
Chapter 69 Fur Cut
Chapter 70 Defense Specialization and the Current Status
Chapter 71 Defense Specialization and the Third Event
Chapter 72 Defense Specialization and Derailment
Chapter 73 Defense Specialization and Big Derailment
Chapter 74 Defense Specialization and Demon Battle
Chapter 75
Chapter 77 Defense Specialization and an Invitation
Chapter 78 Defense Specialization and Demolishing a Boss
Chapter 80 Defense Specialization and Apprentice Training
Chapter 81 Defense Specialization and Supporting Role
Chapter 82 Defense Specialization and Conversation
Chapter 83 Defense Specialization and the Bottom of the Cliff
Chapter 84 Defense Specialization and Succession
Chapter 85 Defense Specialization and a Crafting Role
Chapter 86 Defense Specialization and Offensive Supporter
Chapter 87 Defense Specialization and Information Gathering
Chapter 89 Defense Specialization and Event Notification
Chapter 90 Defense Specialization and Final Adjustments
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Chapter 91 Defense Specialization and the Fourth Event
Chapter 92 Defense Specialization and a Cunning Scheme
Chapter 93 Defense Specialization and Protecting the Orb
Chapter 94 Defense Specialization and the Reconnaissance Team
Chapter 95 Defense Specialization and Two Enemies
Chapter 96 Defense Specialization and the Two Similar People
Chapter 97 Defense Specialization and Orb Collecting
Chapter 98 Defense Specialization and Ifrit's Country
Chapter 99 Defense Specialization and the Flame Empress
Chapter 100 Defense Specialization and Full Member
Guide
Cover
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1

Chapter 1 Defense Specialized and First Login

Chapter 2 Defense Specialized and First Battle

Chapter 3 Defense Specialized and First Damage

Chapter 4 Defence Specialized and Concentration

Chapter 5 Defence Specialized and First Intermingling

Chapter 6 Defense Specialized and Dungeon Attack

Chapter 7 Defense Specialized and Poison Dragon Battle

Chapter 8 Defense Specialized and Secret Training

Chapter 9 Defense Specialized and Event Start

Chapter 10 Defense Specialized and Event Results

Chapter 11 Defense Specialized and Status Discussion

Chapter 12 Defense Specialized and Material Collection

Chapter 13 Defense Specialized and A Friend

Chapter 14 Defense Specialized and Fishing Day

Chapter 15 Defense Specialized and Underground Lake Capture

Chapter 16 Defense Specialized and New Knowledge

Chapter 17 Defense Specialized and Stage Capture

Chapter 18 Defense Specialized and Maintenance

Chapter 19 Defense Specialized and Under Preparation

Chapter 20 Defense Specialized and Friend Strengthening

Chapter 22 Defense Specialized and Boss Extermination

Chapter 23 Defense Specialized and Exploration Resume

Chapter 24 Defense Specialized and Underground Exploration

Chapter 25 Defense Specialized and Climbing Mountain

Chapter 26 Defense Specialized and Teleport Destination

Chapter 27 Defense Specialized and Conclusion

CHAPTER 28 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND MIDNIGHT EXPLORATION

CHAPTER 29 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND THE THIRD DAY OF THE EVENT

CHAPTER 30 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND VALLEY EXPLORATION

CHAPTER 31 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND WHAT’S INSIDE THE EGG

CHAPTER 32 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND DOWNSTREAM EXPLORATION

CHAPTER 33 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND IMITATION BATTLE

CHAPTER 34 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND IMITATION SUBJUGATION

CHAPTER 35 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND DESERT EXPLORATION

CHAPTER 36 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND UNDER THE QUICKSAND

CHAPTER 37 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND OUTSIDE THE GAME

CHAPTER 38 DEFENSE SPECIALIZED AND ENCOUNTER

Chapter 39 Defense Specialized and Crystal Cave

Chapter 40 Defense Specialized and Escape Plan

Chapter 41 Defense Specialized and The Fifth Day of the Event

Chapter 42 Defense Specialized and Sea and Sandy Beach

Chapter 43 Defense Specialized and Coastal Exploration

Chapter 45 Defense Specialized and Ancient Heart

Chapter 46 Defense Specialized and Squid Subjugation

Chapter 47 Defense Specialized and Squid Subjugation 2

Chapter 48 Defense Specialized and Squid Subjugation 3

Chapter 49 Defense Specialized and The Sixth Day of the Event

Chapter 50 Defense Specialized and Event and Mid-Boss

Chapter 51 Defense Specialized and Event Finished

Chapter 52 Defense Specialized and Skill Selection

Chapter 53 Defense specialization and sighting information

Chapter 54 Defense specialization and skill contents.

Chapter 55 Defense specialization and loot.

Chapter 56 Defense specialization and major failure

Chapter 57 Defense specialization and new elements.

Chapter 58 Defense specialization and production materials

Chapter 59 Defense specialization and quest

Chapter 60 Defense specialization and quest 2

Chapter 61 Defense specialization and quest 3

Chapter 62 Defense specialization and skill acquisition.

Chapter 63 Defense Specialization and Dedicated Affection.