43 [43] Failed Monster Stealing.
August took out the Interpreter, took a deep breath, and stared at the giant Goliath in front of him.
*ROOOOAR*
Goliath roared and moved towards August.
With each step of its huge body, the ground trembled.
Boom~
Suddenly, a powerful attack came. The giant's arm rose, shattering massive rocks, sending them flying. Some of the debris posed the most troublesome threat.
Under the immense power, each piece of debris was like a small knife, capable of causing a cut with the slightest carelessness.
"Let me see how powerful my 'skill' is now."
August's eyes turned a crimson red, and a thin blood mist enveloped his body.
Eight Thousand Sword Styles, a path that walked alone in the abyss of death and slaughter.
If one got lost in it during this period, the outcome was evident.
"Armament Haki!"
A pitch-black Armament Haki wrapped around him.
Swoosh~
August was like a bullet fired at an extremely fast speed towards Goliath.
However, August was not yet adept at using Armament Haki, and using it rapidly consumed his stamina.
August never thought he would win against Goliath in this battle. If he couldn't handle a group of level 2 monsters, how could he defeat a level 4 floor boss?
This battle was August's test of his own strength from the beginning, not to defeat Goliath, but for a true all-out battle.
He exerted force in his legs, jumped, and landed in mid-air, directly across from Goliath.
The Interpreter was held high above his head, power gathering at a point as he swung it down towards Goliath.
Splurt~
The sword clashed with Goliath's tough skin, causing blood to spurt out, leaving a long wound.
Boom~
Goliath retaliated with a direct slap towards August.
In mid-air, August had no place to leverage, and he was sent flying.
Boom~
The crystal wall shattered with a sigh, burying August in the debris.
Splash~
However, August quickly crawled out of the wreckage.
Surprisingly, August himself didn't suffer much damage.
It wasn't that Goliath's power was insufficient or August was lucky, it was because, at that critical moment, August covered himself with full-power Armament Haki and managed to endure.
"Haha, the difference is so huge."
August looked at the distant wound that seemed significant but was merely a scratch compared to Goliath, feeling a bit bitter.
*ROOOOOAR*
However, Goliath didn't stop its steps because of August's contemplation.
The power and mission obtained from the Dungeon were clear: to kill all humans.
Within a few hundred meters, Goliath quickly closed the distance.
Then, it stomped towards August. If it hit solidly, August would not only be dead but also severely injured.
August roared, concentrating all his strength at one point.
Physical and magical strength were depleted in that instant.
"Slash."
A faint light emanated from the Interpreter's blade. Following August's swing, a sword qi rushed through the air.
Splurt~
*ROOOOOAR!!!*
Starting from Goliath's heel, the sword energy tore through the upper half of Goliath.
Blood splattered on the ground like it was nothing.
Angry roars echoed through the dungeon, audible on all three floors.
Ais was shocked witnessing this scene. Sword energy, a technique she couldn't even master. Even she, relying on the magical power of the wind element, could only achieve an external release of sword energy. But to directly slash out sword energy like this seemed unattainable.
Not only her, but throughout Orario, there were very few who could accomplish this.
Swoosh~
However, Ais noticed that August's slash was his final desperate strike.
So, in an instant, she moved.
Sword of Desperate at her waist unsheathed itself, and she turned into a streak of light, rushing forward.
Splurt~
The sound of flesh being directly torn apart.
Goliath's leg was severed.
Seeing this, August chuckled. It was Ais's slash.
Seated on the ground, August panted heavily, starting to recover his stamina and magical power.
Boom~
Losing one leg, Goliath's colossal body naturally lost support and crashed to the ground.
However, as the floor boss Goliath, its greatest strength was not in attack or defense but in recovery.
In the next moment, the junction between the severed leg and the body began to fuse, visibly restoring at a rapid pace.
Not only the severed leg, but even the damage caused by August's slash was rapidly healing.
As a seasoned Goliath hunter, Ais naturally knew Goliath well. She had personally taken it down the last time it respawned.
"Tempest (Awaken)!"
Wind's awakening caused Ais's speed to skyrocket.
Swoosh~ Swoosh~ Swoosh~
Next, Ais swiftly attacked Goliath.
Ais's agility was peerless even within the same tier, and with the wind's boost, her speed became even more agile.
On the other hand, Goliath, though tricky to deal with due to its recovery ability, had a significant weakness in speed. Its colossal body made its reaction and speed naturally lower than those of the same tier.
A problem arose at this point.
Goliath couldn't catch Ais at all. Ais continuously attacked Goliath, who could do nothing but angrily roar.
"It's over."
In an instant, Ais suddenly accelerated, wind gathering on the tip of her sword, and she charged towards Goliath.
Splurt~
Goliath's upper and lower halves were instantly torn apart.
A large magic stone was exposed. Although Goliath's severed part was rapidly recovering, the magic stone was the absolute core of all monsters, like the human heart.
Swoosh~
The Elucidator, radiating sharp sword light, shot out from the Gate of Babylon, targeting Goliath's magic stone.
This was August's original goal.
Killing Goliath was an impossible task for August at this stage.
However, with the right timing, August still had a slight chance to steal the kill, like now, just as Ais was about to make the final strike, he preemptively took it.
Click~
The pitch-black sword pierced Goliath's massive magic stone.
However, this strike was not fatal.
Goliath's recovery continued.
At this moment, Ais was also preparing for the final blow.
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