Chapter 344

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 shes the Guild Master there!

Ive 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 couldnt see any players on screen .

Velvet was likely in the center of that . And if you couldnt see anyones face, then it was no wonder that Maple didnt recognize her .

So shes 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 its a little different .

Oh, thats right .

Maple looked a little disappointed, realizing that she couldnt 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 .

Its easy to hit opponents with skills if they dont move . Right, Maple?

Yes . But I doubt I could hit you, Sally

Theyre strong because they can stop someones movements completely and hit them .

Yes, yes .

Well, in other words, Im 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 Im 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, Im interested . Though, from the sound of it, shes 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 well go and meet them next time! Theyre also a pair, so I want to introduce you!

Hehe . Do you mean partners?

Yes! Thats right!

Maple said without hesitation, and Sally couldnt help but smile . Then she turned to Maple again and answered .

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

Hehehe . Im 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, its only open for a limited time, so we can head to it at a leisurely pace .

I see .

Yeah, and its kind of far away .

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

Yes, lets 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 . Its 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 wouldnt want to go if there were ghosts .

Well, thats true .

I think I have an idea?

But Sally wouldnt 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 its 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, lets go then!

Yes!

Ill 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 didnt 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 didnt use Dedicated Affection after all?

Hmm? Well, considering the monsters in this area, I dont mind at all .

However, Sally looked like she wasnt sure why Maple had made this suggestion .

You know, our goal this time isnt 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 casesure!

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 dont need any backpacks since we have inventories, but you know . Its more atmospheric, right?

Yes! Yes! Youre 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 .