Chapter 51 - Riveria, I think I can beat it!
Even in terms of sheer strength, Noah would have no problem dealing with Goliath.
"But I must emphasize again! This is the Dungeon! The greatest danger is the unknown! It's possible that the Floor Boss's respawn was brought forward, or that an unexpected Irregular appeared."
Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, if an accident were to occur, Riveria, whose only means of attack is ranged magic, would have no way to provide timely assistance. Therefore, she wouldn't allow it!
The stern rebuke echoed through the cavern. Even just being on the edge of the situation made Ais tremble. She couldn't imagine what it would feel like for Noah to directly bear the brunt of Riveria's wrath.
However, when Ais turned her head and saw Noah, her eyes widened immediately.
Compared to the furious Riveria, Noah appeared remarkably calm, as if all the murderous intent he had accumulated on his body during his rampage had vanished.
"Riveria, I think I can beat it!"
Those eyes were calm and shining with a light that contained a strong will. Moreover, Ais also saw a smile on Noah's face.
Yes, a smile. That was an expression that had never appeared on Noah's face in the more than half a month since they met. The smile was charming, but it made Ais feel as if something had struck her body. As if she were standing in the biting winter wind, Ais couldn't help but shiver.
Because Ais understood, and perhaps only she could understand, the meaning behind that smile. That was an excited smile that arose from anticipating a fierce battle with a powerful enemy. To outsiders, Noah, like her, was a battle maniac. Ais knew this very well, without anyone else needing to say it.
But it was the difference between someone who picks up a sword out of necessity and someone who was born with one in their hand. Ais had learned to fight to survive; Noah lived to fight. For Ais, the gap between them was fundamental and absolute. Although they looked similar, their path was different.
The smile on Noah's face at this moment was the most powerful evidence. This was different from fighting against one's own hatred, forcibly suppressing fear and pain. Noah was enjoying the battle, enjoying the carnage, immersing himself in it with his body, mind, and soul. He longed for battle so much that he hadn't smiled once during the more than ten days he hadn't been able to fight...
Why? Why can you be so happy because of fighting? Fighting means facing terrifying monsters, suffering painful injuries, and possibly dying, right? Why did you even develop a liking for fighting?!
Sensing the gap between them, Ais's hidden weakness was uncontrollably exposed. The warrior mask she had built over the past year shattered, and she realized once again that she was just a weak and powerless little girl. The impact made her dizzy, as if her consciousness and body were about to separate. To combat the suffocating anxiety, Ais had to bite her lips so hard that a bitter metallic taste spread through her mouth.
Ais wasn't the only one stunned by Noah's smile.. Riveria was too. "Noah, you..."
Even though she wasn't sure what to make of that fleeting feeling of trepidation, Riveria knew she probably couldn't stop Noah.
"Riveria, if I don't fight this time, I'm afraid I'll have insomnia... I will definitely win!"
This guy was different from Ais...he always knew exactly what he needed. His will was unlikely to be shaken by anyone. Treating him like a kid was the biggest mistake of her life.
"...Honestly, you're always causing me trouble!" She took off her backpack and tossed it aside, then gripped her staff and stretched her shoulders, glaring angrily at Noah.
"It's decided. Whether you win or lose, I'm going to double your study load when we get back! If you dare complain, I'll beat you to death! Understand?"
Seeing the elf who, despite her cold expression, had already decided to support him, Noah smiled from the bottom of his heart. He took out the potion Riveria had given him earlier, frowned, and drank it all in one gulp. Unaware of Ais's strange gaze, he turned and entered the hall on the 17th floor.
Although Noah had entered a spacious hall with a wide field of vision, he felt a sudden stillness in the air. A strong sense of unease arose, as if he were an uninvited guest, an intruder.
Noah had experienced this feeling before, during a campaign to subdue a monster lurking in a deep lake. Compared to the surging, vibrant ocean, entering a tranquil lake always brought unease, as if being watched by countless creatures. The oppressive feeling that surged into his heart the moment he entered the silent lake was the most unforgettable part.
Fortunately, this time, the Floor Boss did not keep Noah waiting.
A sound echoed through the hall, and cracks appeared on the huge white wall. The cracking sound accelerated, gradually becoming as rapid as the roar before a storm, evolving into a deafening, trembling roar that made one's eardrums groan.
Awoooooo!!!
With a tremendous roar, the colossal Goliath looked down at Noah with scarlet eyes.
"...So noisy."
Although a slight smile remained on his face. Excitement, fear...these personal emotions completely disappeared. The only thing that stood out was pure murderous intent, so pure it seemed almost sacred.
"So, I'm going to kill you!"
Accompanied by the clear, resonant sound of a sword cutting through the noise, a bright, cold light appeared in the hall.
Meanwhile, in the cave leading from the 18th to the 17th floor, a group of eleven girls was slowly ascending. The lead blonde, masked elf was having a heated argument with her companions.
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