Defense Specialization and the Underground

  The next day, Maple and Sally decided to go sightseeing together again . They were currently talking in a cafe that was in a town with stone buildings, located on the second layer .

  “Huh, friends . ”


  “Yes! I just happened to be searching for the next place to go, and met them by accident!”


  These friends that Maple was talking about were Velvet and Hinata .

  “The guild is called ‘thunder storm,’ and she’s the Guild Master there!”


  “I’ve heard of that guild . They caused quite a scene during the fourth event . I think I remember seeing someone use thunder magic in the highlight reel . ”


  “Really?”


  “Yeah . There was this incredible pillar of lightning . It became so bright that you couldn’t see any players on screen . ”


  Velvet was likely in the center of that . And if you couldn’t see anyone’s face, then it was no wonder that Maple didn’t recognize her .

  “So she’s that strong . Ah! Also, she was punching down monsters . Just like you Sally!”


  Maple made fists and started punching the air .

  “Well, my ‘Martial Arts’ skill is related to dodging, and I got it by accident . So it’s a little different . ”


  “Oh, that’s right . ”


  Maple looked a little disappointed, realizing that she couldn’t copy it . Sally listened to Maple talk about the skills the pair were using, and she nodded .

  “They sound really strong . So, this Hinata kid focuses on casting debuffs, while Velvet deals with the enemy with her incredible firepower……”


  Both the high power fists and the lightning with wide range had weaknesses . The former had little range, and the later could be nullified with skills, or the enemy could escape the area of effect .

  However, it was a different story when Hinata was next to her .

  “It’s easy to hit opponents with skills if they don’t move . Right, Maple?”


  “Yes . But I doubt I could hit you, Sally……”


  “They’re strong because they can stop someone’s movements completely and hit them . ”


  “Yes, yes . ”


  “Well, in other words, I’m not a good match for them . ”


  At the end of the day, Sally mainly focused on close quarters attacks . That meant she would have to step within range of the lightning attacks and debuffs . And so if she were alone, it would be very tough for her to take on Velvet and Hinata .

  “Well, you said that she likes facing enemies head on . So maybe I can avoid fighting her if I’m careful . ”


  “She gave me a completely different impression when I first met her, so I was shocked when I talked to her after the dungeon . Do you want to meet them next time, Sally?”


  “Hmm . Yeah, I’m interested . Though, from the sound of it, she’s not the type who likes to go around and gather information . However, information is important . ”


  There was a limit to how much you could accomplish by dodging attacks and relying on your reflexes alone . It was important to know the attack range of a skill as well .

  “Okay, then we’ll go and meet them next time! They’re also a pair, so I want to introduce you!”


  “Hehe . Do you mean partners?”


  “Yes! That’s right!”


  Maple said without hesitation, and Sally couldn’t help but smile . Then she turned to Maple again and answered .

  “.……In that case, I better not disappoint them, as your partner . ”


  “Hehehe . I’m counting on you, partner . ”


  “Yes . Leave it to me, partner . ”


  After this casual conversation, the two got to the subject for the day . Their plans for seeing the second layer . Compared to the third layer and above, the second layer was not that different from the previous layer . Both the first two were considered to have very orthodox fields . As Maple had left the information gathering to Sally, she looked very excited as she waited for Sally to speak .

  “So, I found a place you might be interested in, Maple . That being said, it’s only open for a limited time, so we can head to it at a leisurely pace . ”


  “I see . ”


  “Yeah, and it’s kind of far away . ”


  “Oh, then we should buy some lunch boxes to take with us!”


  “Yes, let’s do that . ”


  Like this, Maple and Sally headed out into the field at night .

  The second layer was the same as the first layer, in that there were no enemies that were a threat to them . And so after changing into less recognizable clothing, Sally picked up Maple and ran towards their destination .

  “What kind of place do you think it is?”


  “Hmm . It’s a place you can only go to at night?”


  “Exactly . ”


  Maple had experienced a number of events in the past that had specific time frames . During the second event, there would be different monsters at night, and specific events occurred after fighting them . This was similar to that .

  “But, you wouldn’t want to go if there were ghosts . ”


  “.……Well, that’s true . ”


  “I think I have an idea?”


  But Sally wouldn’t confirm anything until they arrived, and so the two continued to travel through the field . Eventually, Sally stopped in front of the mouth of a cave . There was no light coming from inside, but they could see that the entrance led to a downward slope . Since there was no mountain behind the cave, that meant they would be traveling underground, unless there was a teleportation circle somewhere .

  “Huh? So it’s underground……”


  “Hmm? Were you not expecting that?”


  “Yes . I thought we were going to look at the night sky . You know, like when we ate that food that changes the color of your hair . It was also night time . ”


  “Hehehe…… Well, let’s go then!”


  “Yes!”


  “I’ll take out a light . ”


  Sally pulled out a lantern from her inventory in order to light up the cavern as they walked .

  “Also, there will be some monsters, so be careful . ”


  “Okay . ”


  That being said, it didn’t change the fact that they were at a level that they could just ignore them . And so Maple activated Dedicated Affection .

  “.……Do we even need the lantern now?”


  “Maybe not . ”


  Sally saw that Dedicated Affection caused the ground around them to glow, and so she started to put it away . Maple saw this and thought about it for a moment before making a suggestion .

  “.……Hey, Sally . What if we didn’t use Dedicated Affection after all?”


  “Hmm? Well, considering the monsters in this area, I don’t mind at all . ”


  However, Sally looked like she wasn’t sure why Maple had made this suggestion .

  “You know, our goal this time isn’t to conquer a dungeon, but to find a pretty location . I just thought it kind of ruins the atmosphere!”


  “So you want to enjoy it like a real cave explorer?”


  “Yes!”


  “In that case……sure!”


  Sally then took out a number of items from her inventory and lined them up in front of Maple .

  There was a torch, a helmet with a head light, a rope and pickaxe, a large backpack etcetera . All of them had to do with the theme of exploration .

  “I know we don’t need any backpacks since we have inventories, but you know . It’s more atmospheric, right?”


  “Yes! Yes! You’re amazing, Sally!”


  She had prepared two of everything, so both of them were able to be fully equipped . The backpack was similar to the pouch that Sally sometimes wore, that allowed you to carry items outside of your inventory . Maple put her rope and pickaxe inside, and then she was finished preparing .