I continued to turn the pages of the maple notebook. There was a drawing of what looked like a beetle on it.

'This is a 'fake beetle'. This monster is like a large beetle, and if you approach it from the front, it will fly away, so we haven't been able to defeat it yet. I heard that they attack indiscriminately during the breeding season because they need to store their nourishment and so on.
Fearful.......let's kill all those demons from afar with Suzu-chan's arrows.
''Even with Arihito-san's sling, I guess I can attack him from a distance. But if you don't dare to fight him, should I leave him alone...?

　Perhaps because I only saw it from a distance, the picture here is not written in detail. 'I couldn't make out the shape as it flew away,' the note said - I think it was maple writing, but the shape and size of the letters were neat, and I could tell she was meticulous.

'We're up to the entrance on two levels - and when we get to the second floor, we'll find a sheep-shaped demon. Actually, the material we use for the racket is the intestines of the sheep demon.
'Come to think of it, 'gut' also means gut. I didn't know that's where the racket gut comes from, too.

　If the racket strings were originally made from processed intestines, then it makes sense that a racket could be made in the Maze Country. However, there will be very few users, so the only way to get a higher compatible racket is to make one.

''If you want to dismantle it, leave it to me. I've done a lot of material processing for demons.
''Thank you, there aren't many artisans who can process the demon's guts... if you just want to take the meat off, you can go to a butcher shop and they'll do it for you.

　It sounds grotesque, but leather armor and the like are also made from tanned demon leather, and it's not surprising that the racket is made from sheep's intestines that have been processed into guts, since that's the traditional process.

'I haven't encountered that 'sheep' yet, but I've heard they use lightning. What attribute attacks do you all have?
''Igarashi-san can also use blitzes, and Theresia can do wind attribute attacks. I can also do the kind of attacks that can penetrate the enemy's defenses, so I'll try to make it work.

　Oh," the "Four Seasons" guys marveled. We're finding a lot of magic stones, but if we're unlucky, they might not be easy to find.

　I changed from the flame-attribute 'Blaze Shot' to an ebony sling for its bare attack power, but I still want to have as many means of attribute attacks as possible. That way, my support will allow me to add all kinds of attributes to everyone's attacks.

(It's time to put "Support Attacks 2" to full use. It should be stronger than "Support Attack 1" depending on how you use it... but with the current weapon, it can shoot state-defying bullets, but it can't do attribute attacks.

　If you're lucky enough to get an attribute attack stone such as a burning stone, you can incorporate it into your equipment, but I'd also like to try activating "Support Attack 2" with the weapons you have with the "Pyrotechnic Stone," "Dragon Stone" and "Explosive Stone". This time, I'm going to do a little research without changing equipment.

　And as I was thinking about the equipment, I finally remembered - the harvest from opening the black box was too big, and I haven't even opened the two red boxes and the wooden box that Trent dropped.

'What's going on?'　Rear-guard. You look like you've done it.
'No, I was just missing something. I'll put this task on hold for now and digest it as soon as I get back.
Oh, he's so cool, like he can do it. I'm just saying that I'm going to get serious tomorrow. Yikes!
''Misaki's going to be included in another party, even if it's only temporary, so you'd better brace yourself a bit more...''
It's so wonderful, when they brush your hair back and forth like that.
It's great, it's like adolescence. I don't know if I've ever had anyone do that to me before but I don't remember any...

　I was going to warn them, but for some reason the Four Seasons people were looking at me with a blush on their faces. Was I dragged along by Misaki's tone, and did I also act in a familiar manner towards a woman - I have to reflect on it very hard.

''..........''
...Teresa?

　Theresia stares at me, then puts her hand on her skullcap. I can't stroke her head because of the hat - no, I don't know if she wants me to - but I'm not sure she wants me to.

'Oh, c'mon. Arihito-san and the others, can we go on a day trip this time?　There are a lot of parties from the Seventh Ward that dive into the labyrinth for multiple days.
Yeah, for now.
'If you ever need any camping gear, I can carry it in my inventory. Please remember that, brother.

　If there is a reason to dive overnight, there will be various problems in life, such as a change of clothes - the women seem to be prepared for this to some extent, so no one seems to be opposed to it if it is necessary.

''At the very least, a change of clothes is necessary~...don't you think so too, Kyouka sister?
'Wow, if you ask me I don't want to cover it up with perfume too much and I hope you can at least bathe in it.
Thank goodness for the people who think like that. Sometimes, you know, people who don't need to take a bath for days at a time.

　Is Elitia a bit of a germaphobe? But I don't think the opportunity to bathe in the labyrinth is going to come easily. I'm not going to be the only one who's been in the market for a while.

　◆ ◆ ◆.

　The entrance to the Bed of the Sheep God is shaped like a rock house. It was extremely bright on the other side, and the air around it changed as you passed through the rocky house, perhaps as a result of the transition.

　The first level of "Akebono's Field" gives the impression of a plain with little difference in elevation, but this labyrinth is undulating like a hill, the sun is bright and the sky is blindingly blue. And there are places where purple flowers as well as grasses grow in clusters.

'It's something like the lavender fields of Furano.
'Oh, I thought so too. I only went there once when I was a kid, so I have a vague recollection of it.

　I'm not sure if "scenic beauty" is the right word to describe the labyrinth, but I'm wondering now if this is one of the best parts of being an explorer. I'm grateful for this kind of bright labyrinth, as the atmosphere in the Calling Forest was eerie.

I'm not sure what to do," he said, "What do you want to do, Alihito-san?　Do you want to fight the demon first? But it's not a demon that I can relax about.

　When everyone is out on the plain, Ibuki asks me about it. I answered after confirming that there are no demons in Teresia's search range.

''For now, let's proceed towards the second level and return fire if we encounter an enemy.
We have more experience. We'll be the first to go.
''Brother Arihito, I'll be off then........Oh, Sion?　No - Zion-chan is your brother's group, so don't follow me.

　The fact that Misaki is ahead of the rest of the party seems to be a concern for Sion, who is an 'escort dog'. Certainly, even for me, this is more reassuring.

"Sion, if Misaki is targeted, can you 'cover' her within an unreasonable range?

　Theon replied, "Bau," before leading the way and taking up an escort for Misaki. Even if I'm mixed in with the rest of the party, as long as I can position myself behind my companions, I can support them on the spur of the moment.

　In front of me, who is in the rear-most guard, are Suzuna, Madoka, and Melissa. Madoka is able to use a weapon called 'sasumata', which is used to subdue the enemy rather than defeat them, but since she doesn't yet have a skill dedicated to attacking, I decided to not push her and have her use the skill of 'evacuation' to hide when the battle begins.

　After progressing for a while, Suzuna looks back at me and smiles. Perhaps as a leader I should tell her that it's better to focus on the search, but I remind myself that I don't have anything too rigid to say.

'What's up?　You seem to be in a good mood this morning.
Yes, thanks to you. You have such a beautiful view, Alihit-san.
'Yeah, sure. As long as there are no demons, I'd just like to take a normal stroll around...
Huh...!

　Teresia, who has activated 'Searching Expansion 1', is the first to react. I thought that the search range was only slightly extended, but it was earlier than the maple trees ahead of me noticed.

''Wha........what is this.......the ground is shaking......!

　Igarashi-san almost stepped on the tatara and activated 'Blink Step' out of danger. Elitia was also prepared to activate 'Sonic Raid' at any time.

''--Everyone, 'Let's get fired up!　The enemy is under the ground, watch out!

　'Support Uplift 1' to keep the morale of my friends up. As we were told beforehand, something is coming towards us while bobbing and raising the ground.

''--Oh no, the enemy is linked and a second one is coming too!
What...?

　The demon you encountered
　Grand Mall A Level 5 Drop: ?
　Grand Mall B Level 5 Drop: ?

　Another ringing that shakes the ground overlaps - and. In front of us, one eye was on the maples, and the ground rose up to cross from the right, and a second one attacked our party.

''--Gluooh-oh!
d*mn it...!
Elitia, 'support'!

　Current Situation

　Grand Maul B" attacks "Elitia".　
　Aricht's 'Support and Defense 1' is activated → Target: 'Elitia'
　No damage to "Elitia".　
　Grand Maul B hits Elitia with the Mad Blast

Ouch...!

　It was penetrated - the enemy exceeded the 11 damage that can be mitigated by 'Support Defense 1' - or the support attack didn't work for the second stage of the attack.

　Ryoko said, the earth crush (mud blast). Depending on whether this was an attack that did more than 11 damage, or if the support defense didn't work and 3 damage went through, the situation would be very different.

　We can calculate that the level multiplied by 10 is the approximate strength, so Elitia's strength is about 90. There's still room to spare, but even a single-digit damage would result in visible injuries in the form of scrapes and bruises.

No, it's better to 'block the attack' from the start.......!)

Don't you dare run away!

　Elitia tries to fight back, but it looks like the mole has grinned and smiled viciously - the guy runs away and dives back into the ground.

　Ahead, the maple is boldly attracting the enemies who are diving underground in all directions - how can he move with such agility in his armor over his hakama, which is probably a rare armor in the labyrinth country?

''Everyone stay back, we'll draw them in!　--Yeah!
"-Gluoohhhh!

　While leaping through the soil, the mole, which is one size larger than a human and looks like a bear, swings its claws - but just when you think it's going to hit, the maple moved backwards with its wooden sword at the ready, leaving an afterimage behind.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Maple Tree activates "Later on" → precedes "Grand Mall A".
　Maple Tree triggers a shout → Grand Mall A overwhelms
　Maple Tree activates Hikigote and hits Grand Mall A.
　Grand Maul A's attack power has decreased.

Goooooooooooo...!

　--Basin, there was a sound of a strike that seemed to pierce the blue sky. A fierce, beast-like voice that could not be considered a mole at all sounded, and the grand mole sagged wide open.

''--I'll take over, maple!
Oh no, we're not gonna make it in time.

　Current Situation

　Ibuki invokes the "tile splitter".
　Grand Maul A activates "Ground Diving" → nullifies the attack.

Oh, we were so close...
Get back, Ibuki!　I'm going to take my next chance!

　The enemy's evasion is too fast to put in a series of attacks, and the timing is too severe - Misaki is on the lookout for enemy attacks along with Sion so as not to get in the way.

''Well, um... yeah, if it's even slightly positive...!

　Current Situation

　Misaki activates the "Dice Trick".
　Misaki activates Lucky Seven and that's it!
　The speed of "Grand Maul A" has decreased.

...don't you think the enemy is slowing down a bit?
The next time you come out, it will be better....
Yes, sir.

　--Men who continue to move while diving in all directions. When you try to consider 'supporting' the members on the other side, your concentration is raised one level.

　Current Situation◆

　Arihito's Eagle's Eye is activated, and his ability to grasp the situation is improved.

(Okay, in this state, we can support the other party's opportunity... but this one first...!

Come on, Demi-harpy!

　Current Situation

　Arihito summons Himiko, Asuka and Yayoi.
　Himiko activates the "Sleep Song".
　Asuka and Yayoi activate the "Ring Singer".
　Grand Mole A" resists sleep.
　The "Grand Mall B" sleeps.
　The effect of Sleeping Song is continued by the "Circle Singing".

Wha....what the hell, did Aricht-san call the demon...?
'Don't worry, that harpy's one of us!　Don't worry about it, just fight!

　The Harpies jumped up into the sky above and began to sing as they circled, but they couldn't put either of them to sleep.

'-- Sink!
...!
Let's go!
Please, Mr. Aricht, please!

　The demon in the ground that was about to attack us has fallen asleep and stopped moving - we all understood without saying a word that we had no choice but to drop it with an all-out attack here.

(It's risky to try here, but........how far can we go with 'Support Attack 2'.......!

All four of us 'back up'!

　Imagining the scene of repeated chases against everyone's attacks, I pull the sling - I could choose the method of attack to use for support at will.

　Current Situation◆

　Arihito activates 'Support Attack 2' → Support: 'Force Shoot Stun'
　Elitia activates "Sonic Raid".
　Teresia activates Axel Dash.
　Elitia" activates "Double Slash".
　Kyoka launches a double attack.
　Theresa" activates "Wind Slash".
　Suzuna activates "Minnaka" → Two consecutive hits are required.
　Attack of the "Suzuna

(It would be awesome to use 'support coordination' with this series of attacks.......it's a skill I want after all......!

　I imagined such a thing - but before that, the sight of "Supportive Attack 2" being activated was something I couldn't even imagine.

　--I'm not going to be the only one who's been in this situation. It's as if the beam Misaki was talking about arose from nothing and was superimposed on her companion's attack.

　Current Situation◆

　Grand Maul B" is hit seven times → "Support Attack 2" occurs seven times.
　A stun occurs in Grand Mall B four times.

Goooooooo.........!

　Elitia slashes through with a two-step slash from the left, and then Igarashi thrusts two more spears from the front, while Theresia runs through with a wind slash from the right, and two of Suzuna's arrows stick out in rapid succession. The demon's sleep is released and it roars, but the stunned grand maul exposes its defenseless state.

　Elitia tries to cut back to put a stop to it - probably with the 'Blossom Blade' to make sure it's stopped. But that would diminish the meaning of her attempt to preserve her magic power.

''--Melissa!

　Melissa, who was supposed to be near me, was taking a big step - with the knife swinging, she stepped towards the mole at once.

''I can do it now.......break the 'helmet'.......!

　Current Situation

　Melissa activates Knife-wielding, which increases the probability of part destruction.
　Melissa activates Helmet Cracking → Grand Mall B part is destroyed
　The weaknesses of "Grand Mall B" are exposed
　Chase up with "Force Shoot Stun".
　Defeat one "Grand Maul".

Guh..............................

　A huge kitchen knife is slammed down and the helmet-shaped part of the grand maul's head is shattered - and that's where my support attack hits.

　It seems that the "Demolition Shop" is skilled at aiming at specific parts of demons in battle. The reason for her success is that she has a weapon called the 'Butcher's Knife' which is quite strong as a level 3 weapon.