I hate being in pain, so I think I'll make a full defense build

Chapter 511: Defense Specialization and the 4th Floor Area (5)

Bofuri

Chapter 511 – Defense Specialization and the 4th Floor Area (5)

As the thunder that had been echoing subsided, the two confirmed that they had defeated all six entities and temporarily stowed their weapons.

“As expected! With these monsters, we’re safe, right?”

“Thanks to Maple’s defense.”

“With this kind of protection, no matter how many times they come out, we can handle it ourselves.”

“Counting on you!”

Kasumi’s instant teleportation skill was exceptionally strong against speed reduction and debuffs to AGI. It was a strength that Sally, who served as a high-speed attacker in a similar manner, did not possess.

“Get on. Let’s move until more enemies show up.”

Mounting on Haku’s head as he approached the ground smoothly, they resumed their movement.

“It won’t be long before we reach the Demon King’s Magic in the 4th Floor Area.”

“Going smoothly, huh?”

“You two have been running around the 4th Floor Area while we’ve been tackling the 2nd Floor Area.”

“Thanks to that, it seems like we can progress efficiently. It’s really helpful.”

“From what I heard yesterday, it seems like things are going smoothly in the 6th Floor Area where Chrome is. Of course, unexpected things might happen, but surprisingly, we might have some leeway.”

With the aim of defeating the Demon King by the end of March, there was a time constraint. However, this was the long-awaited final summary of all ten floors. It would feel a bit unsatisfying to rush through it with only conquest in mind.

“It’s good to explore here and there in your free time. Hehe, the 4th Floor Area is nice.”

“Yeah… When we really start to see the end, should we go around once more before the final push? Who knows, Maple might find some new skill right before the Demon King’s defeat.”

“Do you think she will?”

“Because, well, she’s already started to diverge, so…”

“T-That’s true…”

They already possess skills sufficient to fight against whatever enemies may appear, but having more wouldn’t hurt. While they were lucky to find the Toxic Division skill, there wouldn’t be many strange skills popping up during the progression of each main area quest.

“I’m also looking forward to Maple’s yet unseen final evolution.”

“It’d be nice if Sally finds a good skill too.”

“Yeah. Well, if it’s an attack skill, she can make use of Reality Inversion, and with that increased freedom, the current situation isn’t bad either.”

For Sally as well, it didn’t matter how many skills she acquired—they were always welcome.

Rare skills and hidden quests always seemed to be found in remote areas that one might overlook while simply walking. If they kept an eye out for such places along with their conquest efforts, it would all depend on luck.

“Oh, they’re back again!”

As they were having that conversation, thunder echoed once more, and the beasts from earlier doubled in number, surrounding the three of them.

“There are a lot… We can defeat them, but…”

“We won’t take damage, and can’t Haku help us? We’ll just encircle them round and round!”

“True. We’ve confirmed it’s safe, so let’s go with that.”

“Got it. Maple, draw their attention for a moment!”

“Provocation!”

Twelve beasts surged towards Maple with dazzling electric shocks.

While the quantity would be a significant threat to a normal shield user, it was no problem for Maple.

“Haku!”

As enemies leapt at Maple, they were trapped inside coils by the three of them, sealed within.

They wouldn’t be able to escape from this cage unless they defeated Haku or Kasumi, but Maple prevented that. There was no way out of this prison.

“Both of you, cover your ears!”

With that command, Maple took out an enormous amount of bombs and scattered them at her feet.

“Great Eruption!”

Nearly a hundred bombs exploded simultaneously within the sealed space, incinerating everything, regardless of friend or foe, in flames.

However, the tamed monsters under Maple’s protection and the party members escaped unscathed from this blaze. Against opponents who posed no threat to Maple, any form of lawlessness was permitted.

“Is it over?”

“Let’s just pick up the materials. I’ve never seen monsters like these anywhere else.”

“Alright, success!”

“Let’s stick to this for the next one too. With Haku encircling them, we can handle it much more easily without using consumable bombs.”

“If we deprive the enemy of their mobility, the debuffs on us become meaningless. If we can keep up this momentum with the bosses as well…”

“Indeed.”

“That’s for sure.”

The monsters along the way wouldn’t be just one type. There were still boss battles to come that could be considered the real deal. They would continue to win easily against opponents they could defeat without letting their guard down, aiming to reach the shining cross-shaped light, maintaining their concentration and efficiency as they drew closer.