Footsteps echoed through the silent dungeon corridor.
Cao Ye stared at the massive crystal wall ahead.
Last time he had fought here and defeated the Floor Boss – Goliath, which helped him advance to Level 2.
Now he had grown much stronger.
Recently promoted to Level 3, he was ready.
Hopefully this time nothing unexpected would happen.
A roar suddenly erupted.
The crystal wall shattered.
The gigantic body of Goliath emerged once again.
"Looks like we meet again, Goliath."
A sword emitting black energy appeared in Cao Ye's hand.
Goliath attacked immediately.
A massive palm slammed downward like a giant net.
Cao Ye raised Excalibur and blocked the attack head-on.
Goliath possessed Level 4 strength, but Cao Ye's abilities came entirely from his divine blessings and system power.
"Ten-Stroke Spell – Break!"
In Cao Ye's eyes, cracks appeared along Goliath's arm.
He swung his sword.
The Sword of Promised Victory sliced through the monster's tough skin like tofu.
Goliath's entire arm was severed.
The gigantic limb crashed to the ground.
But it soon dissolved into black smoke as the Dungeon reclaimed its power.
Goliath roared again.
Energy gathered in its mouth.
A devastating shockwave attack formed.
But Cao Ye easily dodged.
Standing on a cliff of broken stone, he watched the raging monster destroy everything around it.
"Perfect timing… I've been wanting to test a skill."
He jumped backward, widening the distance.
Mana began gathering inside the Sword of Promised Victory.
The sword devoured magical energy like a bottomless abyss.
Then—
Dark light erupted from the blade.
A terrifying black radiance.
Goliath charged forward.
Cao Ye raised the sword.
"Excalibur—"
The Noble Phantasm activated.
This was not the normal holy light.
Instead, it was the dark version of Excalibur.
"Excalibur… Morgan!"
A torrent of black aurora exploded forward.
Everything in its path was annihilated.
Stone turned to dust.
Goliath's roar attack was instantly crushed.
The beam tore through the dungeon floor, carving a massive canyon across the 17th floor.
When the light faded, only ruins remained.
Goliath's enormous body had been completely obliterated.
Even the magic stone inside it was gone.
Cao Ye sighed slightly.
"That was only one-third of my mana…"
If he used his full power, the result might be unimaginable.
The 17th floor had practically become a wasteland.
Yet Cao Ye was satisfied.
The power of the Sword of Promised Victory was terrifying.
Still, he felt a bit regretful.
Goliath's magic stone had been destroyed again.
If he could absorb that giant crystal, his mana might skyrocket.
But there was no helping it.
Putting away the sword, Cao Ye looked deeper into the dungeon.
The monsters of the 17th floor were no longer enough for him.
It was time to go even deeper.
After all—
He was no longer the same person he used to be.