Floor 17—the resting place of the Floor Boss, Goliath.
Beyond it lay Floor 18, the safest level nearest to the surface.
Adventurers lacking strength could only reach Floor 18 during the short window after Goliath was slain and before it respawned. Otherwise, once they entered this domain, Goliath would reemerge from the crystal walls, resurrected and ready to unleash a massacre upon any intruders.
Now, the Goliath on Floor 17 had already completed its regeneration cycle. At any moment, it could reappear. Anyone stepping into the floor had to be prepared to make a decision.
"Who's going to handle Goliath?"
Finn's gaze swept across the group—the two Level 4s from his own Familia and the eleven members of the Astraea Familia.
Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Bete were skipped immediately. They had already surpassed Goliath's level and no longer needed the Excellia gained from such a foe. But for the Level 4 Adventurers still striving for Level 5, this was the perfect opportunity.
"I'll do it."
Ais eagerly raised her hand.
Riveria sighed and covered her face beside Finn. Why did this child insist on joining every single thing? She helplessly walked over and pressed Ais's raised hand back down.
"Don't be ridiculous. If you want to test your strength, go to the lower floors. Don't use a Floor Boss as your testing ground."
"But—"
"No buts."
Riveria cut her off before she could protest further. She knew exactly what Ais wanted, but this wasn't the time to indulge her. This opportunity should go to others—to those who still needed to earn their Excellia and gauge their power.
After subduing Ais, Riveria gave Finn a small nod.
Finn withdrew his gaze from Ais and focused on the two Level 4s and the girls of the Astraea Familia.
"Then let me and Kaguya handle it," Alise said after a short pause, stepping forward. "Since we gained our new powers, Kaguya and I have only tested them in the Challenge Space—fighting Silence, and later that black Goliath. This time, give us the chance, Finn."
Her words drew puzzled looks from the Astraea girls and wide-eyed surprise from the Loki Familia.
That phrase—new power—struck a chord.
Over the past six months, those two words had changed everything. They had seen firsthand how one person's new power could reshape an entire Familia's standing. Naturally, when Alise spoke them now, everyone immediately thought of the same person—Tsuna.
Finn nodded slightly.
"Very well. I'll leave it to you two."
He stepped aside, signaling the start of Alise and Kaguya's show.
The two exchanged a glance, then turned and strode into Floor 17 together.
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
The roar came the moment they entered.
From within the crystal wall, the Goliath's massive form began to take shape. The inhuman bellow shook the entire cavernous floor.
Boom!
A single punch shattered the crystal wall, and the giant's upper body tore free. Its enormous bulk crashed to the ground, sending tremors rippling through the stone. The earth itself seemed to bristle, jagged and sharp where it had been struck. The creature's arrival radiated a raw, overwhelming power.
The colossal body landed without injury and immediately rose to its feet, baring its teeth in a vicious grin toward Alise and Kaguya.
"RAAAAAHHHH!!"
With a roar that mixed rage and exhilaration, the towering giant charged forward, shaking the earth beneath each stride.
Kaguya tightened her grip on her katana. Her heel lifted slightly—and then she shot forward like a launched arrow. Her speed was so explosive that most could only glimpse the afterimages streaking toward Goliath.
As she neared the monster, her fingers pushed lightly against the guard of her blade, and she murmured an incantation:
"Scourge of calamity—Fivefold Light!"
The blade flashed.
Five arcs of light carved through Goliath's body—legs, arms, and neck. Each strike tore away chunks of flesh, though the depth was limited, not enough to hinder its movement.
Still in full charge, Goliath swung its massive fist down at the ground where Kaguya had been.
The impact erupted with a deafening crash, shaking the entire floor and throwing up a storm of dust. A crater gaped where the blow landed. But when the smoke cleared, Kaguya's figure was already outside the dust cloud.
Goliath turned, tracking her—yet its movement had grown sluggish. Noticeably slower.
The adventurers watching from afar noticed the blue sheen spreading across its wounds, seeping into its flesh like venom.
"What's that blue stuff?"
"Could it be a new spell?"
Hearing the murmurs behind her, Alise glanced down at the ring on her finger. This was their first time using that power against a Floor Boss in the Dungeon—and its effect was astounding. No, more precisely, Kaguya was perfectly attuned to it. She could wield that destructive flame with remarkable control.
With this kind of suppressive force, even Kaguya alone could end the battle.
Alise's eyes shifted back to Goliath, her gaze cooling. Compared to the black Goliath they once faced, this ordinary one was almost… disappointing.
Thick hide, a giant's frame—nothing more. Beyond its size, it had no edge over them at all.
Even so, Alise couldn't resist the urge to test her strength—just as Ais had earlier. That same spark of curiosity and challenge burned within her.
As she thought that, her fading flame reignited.
Her heel lifted. A nearly invisible trail of red fire burst from her feet, propelling her forward at a speed the eye could barely follow.
"Kaguya."
Hearing her name, Kaguya glanced at the now-sluggish Goliath and lowered her blade. The next instant, Alise's figure shot past her, rushing straight toward the giant.
BOOM!
Crimson fire surged from Alise's ring, wrapping around her sword. She swung in one powerful motion, sending a blazing crescent of flame howling through the air.
The red arc tore clean through Goliath's massive body.
In the next heartbeat, the giant dissolved into white ash mid-motion, its enormous Magic Stone splitting neatly in two and crashing down on either side of Alise.
With just one strike, the battle was over.
The victor had been decided.