Chapter 36: Chapter 35: Descent Into Battle (Part 1)
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The air grew colder as Ethan and Lili stepped beyond the threshold.
The long spiral path that led down to the 10th floor opened into a vast cavern, lit by eerie blue flames embedded into the walls. The moment their feet touched the moss-covered stone of the floor, a rumble echoed throughout the chamber.
"It’s awake," Ethan muttered, eyes narrowing.
From the dark, something began to move—heavy thuds shaking the floor in slow, deliberate rhythm.
Out of the shadows emerged a towering figure: a massive silver-scaled Goliath, its arms bulging like tree trunks, fists wrapped in jagged bone-like armor. Its eyes glowed molten orange, and its footsteps cracked the earth beneath them.
Lili stepped back instinctively. "That’s the floor boss?"
Ethan took a breath, body tensing. "Goliath class. Level two monster at least. Big, slow, but destructive."
He drew his sword and dagger in a single smooth motion.
Lili raised her crossbow. "I’ll hang back and hit weak points when I can. Be careful."
Ethan sprinted forward without hesitation.
The Goliath roared and raised its fist high, bringing it crashing down. The entire ground quaked—stone splintering like shattered glass. Ethan had already sidestepped, dashing along its flank.
He slashed across its thigh, the blade biting through its hardened hide. A deep gash opened, black ichor spilling out.
But the beast didn’t even flinch.
Instead, it turned, swinging its massive fist in a wide arc. Ethan ducked beneath it, his speed letting him close the gap again. He jumped, drove his dagger into its side, then flipped off its body and landed several feet away.
"Lili—now!"
A sharp whistle split the air.
Twang.
A crossbow bolt struck the wound Ethan had made, sinking deep. The Goliath roared this time, more in anger than pain, and slammed its fists against the ground. Pillars of stone erupted from beneath, one of them narrowly missing Ethan.
He clicked his tongue and sprinted again."He’s strong," he thought, weaving between debris. "But nothing like that mutant Minotaur. This one’s just... brute strength."Ethan focused on his agility, circling the monster in tight arcs. His strikes were fast, clean—aiming at joints and exposed skin.
The Goliath swung a backhand that clipped Ethan’s shoulder.
Crack.
He was sent tumbling, his body rolling across the uneven floor. Lili cried out, but he was already pushing himself up.
"I’m fine!" he growled, wiping blood from his mouth.
The shoulder hurt, but not broken.System Alert
Minor Fracture: Left Shoulder
Mobility: 85%"Guess I got too cocky," Ethan whispered, then grinned. "Still more than enough."
The Goliath began pounding its chest, sending out shockwaves of pure force. The cavern trembled, dust falling like snow. Lili backed away, using a wall as cover, reloading fast.
"Lili—next shot, aim for the eye!"
"Got it!"
Ethan sprinted again, gritting his teeth through the pain. His movements were a little slower now, but still deadly. He faked left, dashed right, and launched himself up the Goliath’s arm as it tried to crush him again.
He drove both blades into its shoulder, using them as anchors to climb up its back.
The beast screamed, twisting violently.
"Now, Lili!"
Twang.
The bolt flew.
The Goliath turned, eyes locking onto the movement—too late. The bolt struck its right eye with a wet, snapping sound.
It roared, flailing blindly. Ethan held tight, blades digging deep. The monster slammed into the walls, trying to shake him off. A loose stone pillar crumbled beneath its weight, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom.
Ethan took the chance.
He climbed up to its head, pulling his dagger free and plunging it down toward the remaining eye.
But the Goliath reared its head violently—he missed the mark and was thrown from its shoulders, hitting the ground hard.
He coughed, body aching."Damn... still too wild," he thought, standing up slowly. "Its movements are erratic now. Can’t get close like before."The Goliath thrashed, blood pouring from its ruined eye. Its breathing was labored. It slammed a fist into the ground—shockwaves cracking the floor.
One jagged rock shot out—piercing Ethan’s thigh.
He grunted, staggering.System Alert
Bleeding – Right Leg
Movement Impaired"Ethan-sama!" Lili shouted, stepping from cover.
"Stay back!" he shouted through grit teeth.
But the Goliath was coming.
It raised both fists high, ready to bring them down and crush him where he stood.
Ethan clenched his jaw, planting his sword into the ground to hold himself upright. His body was shaking—his vision slightly blurred—but he refused to fall here.Not again. Not like the last time.He reached for a potion, fingers brushing the glass vial just as the Goliath began to strike.
And then—
BOOM.
The entire floor shook again.
Not from the Goliath’s fist.
But something else.
A sound—louder, deeper—came from beneath the stone.
The Goliath paused, confused.
So did Ethan.
From the cracks in the far wall, a dark, misty energy began to seep out. The stone glowed faintly, and then something stirred behind it—an overwhelming presence that made Ethan’s heart skip."What... is that?"Lili’s face went pale.
Even the Goliath turned, backing away slightly, roaring in confusion.
Ethan’s body tensed.
This wasn’t part of the plan.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
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