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

Chapter 499

Itai no wa Iya nanode Bgyo-Ryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu 499

Defense Specialization and the Third Floor Area (3)

After reminiscing for a while and relaxing while gazing at the underground lake, the two of them were satisfied. When they returned to town, they immediately proceeded with the upgrade.

With this, two important enhancements had been completed. Flight Speed and Flight Timethe flying machine had been upgraded by one level.

Although its only the first level, the flight time has increased considerably.

The 10^th Floor is so vast, so its helpful.

Quests, free explorations As the two of them were thinking about what to do next, they received a message.

Its from Iz.

She also forwarded the message to me. She asked us to come if we have time. What do you think?

Why not? Lets go!

Okay, Ive just finished my quest. Lets go right away.

After replying to the message, the two decided to head to where Iz was waiting.

Taking advantage of the flying machines enhanced flight speed, the two fly towards the center of the town.

Looking around the town that was still largely unexplored, they had high hopes for future tourism.

The sight of large gears meshing together, an elevator-like device that went up the walls of a tall tower, and the townscape, with its height differences due to the presence of flying machines, seemed to be just as rewarding to explore as the other terrains.

Of course, there were towns other than the one in the Third Floor Area that served as bases.

There are still many places to explore.

After enjoying the view from the skies, the two arrived at the guild home. They had promised to meet Iz there. Soon, they opened the door.

The first thing that caught their eye was Iz, who was reclining against the back of a large sofa in the guild home, seemingly dead tired

Iz! Here I am!

Thank you for your hard work It seems like something happened?

Yes, thats right.

Iz filled Maple and Sally in on what happened in the Third Floor Area before they got their hands on [Magic of the Demon King].

After a while, the four of us, including Mai, Yui, and Kanade, headed to the Third Floor Area, and the content of the quest became clear to an extent.

Everyone wants a flying machine.

Apart from the main quest on the 10^th Floor, the questline in the Third Floor Area would reward the player with a flying machine, so it was only natural for that particular area to become popular among the players.

Ive heard from Mai and Yui that the content of the quest is mostly incomplete.

Thats right. I dont think anyone has cleared it yet.

?

According to Iz, although there were some difficult quests, they werent something that a player who was able to smoothly reach the 10^th Floor couldnt win. Contrary to their imaginations, many of the quests had been completed by someone else at least once.

Amazing! Is that so?

So its unfinished Does that mean nobody has found the [Magic of the Demon King] yet?

Thats right. Thats just how it was. The Magic of the Demon King wasnt mentioned in any of the quests theyd taken

I see. In that case, it wouldnt be strange if there were some undiscovered quests.

The Third Floor Area had a huge number of quests. Nevertheless, it was a bit jarring that there was no [Magic of the Demon King] to be found there.

It was precisely because of that belief that many players, including Iz and the others, went on to comb the area in search for unsolved puzzles.

Then, how did it go?

I couldnt find anything. In the first place, if I can find it, someone else wouldve probably discovered it already.

Apparently, Iz wasnt able to achieve the results shed hoped for through her exploration, but that was only to be expected since no one had a clue.

Its just

What is it?

It isnt the case for Kanade.

When Iz spoke with a smile, the two waited for the continuation, waiting for a good report.

[Maple Tree], which consisted of dependable members, was an expert in solving these puzzles. A member with impeccable memory, who wouldnt forget what they saw. A member with reasoning ability that could decipher the creative language of the game. A member who could sense something out of place, which wouldve normally gone unnoticed.

Kanade discovered quests that otherwise wouldnt appear in the normal questline, and apparently, they were connected to the next quests So, they cleared some of them.

The questline that Kanade found was probably connected to the [Magic of the Demon King]. The difficulty level had also increased rapidly. There were quests that couldnt be completed with a party consisting of Iz, Kanade, Mai, and Yui.

Ah, come to think of it, what happened to the three of you?

Mai and Yui were the main attackers that Kanade relied on to solve the puzzle. The three of them were nowhere to be seen at the guild home.

They are on the Eighth Floor Area Its a place with underwater exploration. It seems like theres a puzzle-solving element there as well, so I asked them to go there first. (Iz)

You made the right call. When it comes to an unknown language, theres nothing we can do. (Sally)

I have to thank you again! (Maple)

Thats why Id like to ask the two of you to help me clear the quest. (Iz)

Of course! (Maple)

Lets be the first to find the answer before everyone else does. (Sally)

How reassuring. Im counting on you. (Iz)

Yes! (Maple & Sally)

The two girls had a wide range of abilities and were the top two of Maple Tree in both name and reality.

They had the strength to follow the path that their guild members had paved for them.

Then I want you to help me right away.

Let me take care of it!

Ill take you to the quest location. My flying machine can accommodate multiple people.

Oh, right

Back in the Third Floor, it was an unpopular type because it made it difficult to use weapons during battle. However, if it was only for moving around, then it wasnt so bad. Iz was also the type of player that didnt place emphasis on combat, so her choice made sense.

Hehe, its a little different from when we were on the Third Floor.

?

Youll understand once you see it.

Although they still didnt understand exactly what Iz was getting at, the three of them decided to go on the quest as they had decided.

The two of them left the guild home and immediately saw the flying machine that Iz was using.

This is my flying machine!

Ooh!

Uhm What is this?

What was in front of them was a foreign object that couldnt be thought of as a flying machine. If anything, it resembled Maples [Machine God]. A large amount of additional armor made it seem more like an armored car or tank than a normal vehicle. The flying machine had clearly been modified with attachments obtained by clearing many questsincluding multiple cannons, lasers, various elemental weapons, and boosters.

Because of the large body, it can be equipped with many attachments. It comes at the cost of reduced mobility, though

Advantages not found in boot types. With this, Iz could play a more active role in the fight than usual. At least, the strange-looking armored vehicle in front of them was impressive enough to make them think so.

Although it seems pretty strong, this alone isnt enough to guarantee that well win, right?

Thats right. Of course Ill support you.

Ill do my best!

No doubt, a powerful enemy was waiting. Maple and Sally boarded the flying machine while listening to information about monsters from Iz.

While the inside resembled a car, it also had a cockpit. Along with many levers and buttons. A bunch of radar screens were projected in the air, emitting light. However, it was unclear what they were showing.

Wow, it seems complicated

I modified it too much and it ended up like this. But once you learn it, its useful in many situations.

When Iz pulled the lever and operated a few buttons, there was a startup sound as the machine soared into the air.

Its a little far, but I dont think itll take long.

With that said, the flying machine piloted by Iz sped up through the skies at a speed that was incomparable to Maples.

Within a few minutes, Iz had reached her destination and dropped Maple and Sally off, before pressing a few buttons to alight from the flying machine.

Then, the flying machine carrying the three people suddenly became smaller and floated near Iz.

I can use this right away whenever we fight.

As expected, it has been remodeled anew

Basically that.

Uhm, what should I do here?

There were many large springs, gears, and things that looked like mechanical parts lying in front of Maple and her friends. At the same time, the complete lack of monsters made it difficult to guess what to do at first glance.

It looks like something is waiting to happen, but

Without any clue, its impossible to know what to do.

Actually, we need to supply the right amount of energy. Kanade found out the detailed numbers and The conditions themselves.

After saying that, Iz handed over a number of items while giving instructions to the two.

W-wait, there are so many?

Uh, yeah, I wonder if I can hold on to these many?

You might want to put them in a basket. If we put them inside our inventory, they might disappear.

Lets do just that!

Certainly, finding these by accident wont help.

All of the items given to them could be used for elemental attacks. Judging from the amount, if they were to find it by chance, theyd definitely use them up. Perhaps, there were no monsters in the area to make it less likely for that to happen.

Lets get ready. Kanade was the first to find it.

Uh-huh!

Maple and the others quickly finished their preparations, reported to Iz, and waited.

Fei [String of Water]!

With Feis skill, a thin layer of water stretched out, connecting the springs and gears like a fuse. It was the preliminary preparation for activating all items at once.

Ready. Lets go.

Once triggered, the items would take effect all at once. The electric shock that burst from the yellow crystal crushed in Iz hand ran through the extended string of water, scattering effects everywhere.

It was followed by a deep bass sound. After a while, the various parts started to move, scattering blue sparks right in front of them, conjuring a magic circle of the same color.

Itll disappear soon, so hurry up and get on it.

Yes!

Understood!

When they lined up the timing and jumped on top of the magic circle, a crackling, intense light illuminated the area, transporting the three to another location.