Aurelius and Tiona stood firm, their feet planted on the cracked stone floor of the Dungeon, as the thunderous roars of the twin Goliaths echoed all around them. The air trembled beneath the sheer presence of the two colossal monsters, their massive bodies radiating raw, unyielding power. The Goliaths towered above, their glowing eyes locked onto the two adventurers, staring them down like predators toying with their prey, as if daring them to move first. A heavy silence settled between both parties, tension coiling like a spring ready to snap.
Tiona clenched her fists, her breathing steady but heavy with anticipation. Her muscles tightened, heart pounding with adrenaline as the thrill of battle coursed through her veins. Then, with a sudden burst of motion, she was the first to lunge forward, her body a blur as she charged at her target with ferocious intent. There was no hesitation, no fear, only the singular, focused drive to kill the Goliath before her, to end it in one decisive strike and prove that no monster, no matter how enormous, could stand in her way.
She lunges toward the air, her body twisting with precision as she brings up her weapon, Urga, ready in her grip. The wind rushed past her as she soared upward, aiming straight for the towering figure ahead. Once high enough, nearing the left hand of the Goliath on the left—she reared back and, with a sharp cry, swung her Urga in a wide, forceful arc.
BANG!
The sound echoed like thunder across the battlefield.
The Goliath recoiled from the sudden blow. Its massive form shuddered as the impact forced it backward. Dust and debris kicked up from the ground as its feet scraped against the earth, leaving deep, jagged trails, long gouges marking the force of its attempted resistance. It staggered, struggling to stay balanced, its heavy weight causing the very ground to quake with each shifting step.
The second Goliath, its comrade, witnessed the impact the Amazoness made. Its glowing crimson eyes narrowed, and with an audible grunt, it turned and instinctively tried to catch the falling Goliath before it could collapse or stumble further. But just as it moved forward—
BAM!
Another impact. Louder. Sharper. Even more direct.
A thunderous sound cracked through the air as something, no, someone, struck its face with bone-shaking force.
The second Goliath flinched, its entire upper body whipping slightly to the side as its head reeled from the hit. For a brief moment, everything seemed to freeze. Then, the titan slowly turned its gaze to the side, confused and enraged, trying to understand what had just happened.
And there he was.
Aurelius.
The source of the blow.
His fist was still clenched from the punch, the residual force lingering in his arm. He hovered in midair for only a second, the afterimage of his movement still dancing around the Goliath's stunned expression. And then, slowly, almost calmly, he began to fall, descending straight down toward the ground below. His form dropped adjacent to the Goliath's face, the wind whipping around him as he stared back at the beast he had just struck.
The Goliath let out a low rumble, staggered both by the sudden hit and the defiance of the warrior who delivered it.
Both Goliaths were now wide awake, stirred fully by the battle unfolding before them. Their massive frames stood tall and imposing, the weight of their rage and power pressing down upon the battlefield like a storm waiting to be unleashed. With bloodlust burning deep in their eyes, they had now locked onto their respective targets. Their gazes, fierce, primal, and unyielding, spoke of only one thing.
Destruction.
No words were needed. No roars were let loose. Just the silent but thunderous intent to crush everything in their path.
Their muscles tensed, stone-like skin rippling as they prepared to charge. And then, like twin natural disasters, the two Goliaths lunged forward, slamming their fists into the ground as they kicked off with explosive might, causing the very earth beneath them to tremble.
"Here they come!" Tiona shouted, a wide maniacal grin stretching across her face, her heart racing with excitement. Her eyes sparkled, not with fear, but with thrill, as she saw the towering behemoths barreling toward them, their footsteps quaking the stone floor with each thunderous step. The overwhelming pressure radiating off the Goliaths came crashing forward like an avalanche of chaos, their very presence threatening to collapse the air around them.
Aurelius, standing firm beside her, grinned in return. His pulse pounded like a war drum, his senses sharpening as adrenaline surged through every inch of his being. The mere sight of the two charging monsters, the living legends of raw might, lit a fire in his soul. A fire that howled for battle. This was no ordinary fight. This was the kind of struggle he had yearned for, the kind that made his blood sing.
The two adventurers, not ones to cower or step back, answered the call with equal force.
Without hesitation, with excitement roaring in their chests, Aurelius and Tiona kicked off the ground in unison, charging straight at the oncoming giants. No words needed to be exchanged. Their hearts burned with the same battle spirit. Their eyes, like sharpened blades, locked onto their titanic foes with unwavering resolve. They were going to meet force with force.
Both Aurelius and Tiona then jumped up towards the two Goliaths, each charging up a mighty punch as they soared through the air in unison. The two warriors moved with synchronized precision, their eyes locked onto their titanic foes with unwavering resolve. Seeing this bold assault, both of the Goliaths responded in kind, rearing back their massive fists and gathering power for a devastating counterattack of their own. It was as if the very air around them grew heavy with pressure, the tension between the four fighters reaching its breaking point.
And then, impact.
The blows collided with each other, all four fists meeting in the centre of the battlefield with explosive force. A thunderous rumble echoed through the entirety of the 18th Floor, shaking the ground as if the dungeon itself had groaned in pain. The sheer magnitude of the impact caused powerful shockwaves to erupt in every direction, sweeping through the vast expanse of the floor like an invisible tsunami.
BOOM!
The explosive force cracked the air and made a deafening sound that slammed into the ears of everyone present. Adventurers all across the battlefield instinctively covered their ears, grimacing at the volume, while others dropped to the ground in panic, trying not to be swept away by the monstrous shockwave. The tremor was so violent, even some of the dungeon walls in the distance began to crumble slightly, dislodging pieces of debris that rained down harmlessly in the deeper woods.
Some of the less experienced adventurers, and even a few veterans caught too close, were sent flying like rag dolls through the air. Bodies tumbled and crashed across the stone-laden field, rolling and sliding to a halt as they groaned in pain. Equipment clattered, cloaks flapped wildly, and dust shot up from the sheer force of the blow that had rocked the entire battlefield.
Thankfully, by some stroke of luck or divine intervention, there were no casualties. The adventurers who were thrown had managed to survive, though many sported bruises, scrapes, and twisted joints from the landing. Some clutched their ribs, others groaned while holding their heads, but all of them knew they had just witnessed something beyond human, something they'd never forget.
A clash between titans, executed not just by monsters, but by people.
by Heroes.
And in the centre of it all, smoke and dust coiled in the air like rising spirits, hiding the aftermath of the incredible impact that had just taken place. Silence momentarily took over, broken only by the ringing in everyone's ears and the distant shuffling of bodies recovering.
All eyes turned toward the centre, toward the two humans and two Goliaths, as the fog began to clear.
"Incredible..." one of them whispered, eyes wide as they bore witness to the overwhelming power the two adventurers had just unleashed.
"So that's Tiona Hiryute's strength..." another Amazon muttered, her voice trembling in awe. The sheer force Tiona displayed was enough to make even a seasoned warrior hesitate. Her punch alone cracked the air like thunder, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
"And that guy fighting alongside her..." a dwarf said, narrowing his eyes as he tried to identify the other figure amidst the fading dust and shockwave. His eyes widened the moment realization struck. "Isn't that Titanborn?! How in the name of the gods is he strong enough to go toe-to-toe with that monstrosity?!"
Murmurs and gasps of awe rippled through the gathered spectators. The shockwave had just started to settle, but their hearts were still pounding from the impact. It wasn't just the force, it was the presence, the intensity, the unshakable confidence that both fighters exuded. Even among seasoned adventurers, their clash had left an unforgettable impression.
Two of the most recognized mid-rank hunters (one former), Asfi Al Andromeda and Ryuu Lion, stood frozen, their attention glued to the battlefield.
"What strength..." Asfi muttered, her analytical mind momentarily stunned. She could easily accept such power from someone like Tiona. After all, the Amazoness was known for her monstrous might. But for him? The one fighting by her side? "Tiona is an obvious one to have that kind of power, but that guy? How does he possess that level of strength? His blows aren't just matching, they're keeping up with hers."
She tried to rationalize it, to dissect the flow of combat like she always did, but the sheer, unrelenting ferocity she saw left her momentarily without reason. Her breath caught in her throat. She had seen many warriors in her life. But something about this one was different. Raw. Terrifying.
Ryuu stood beside her, silent as stone, her lips parted slightly in astonishment. Her normally composed expression had broken into one of visible shock. She had seen strength before, had fought beside the mighty and against the deadly. Yet the way these two adventurers clashed against such overwhelming enemies without hesitation… it made her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time.
It was awe.
And it wasn't just them. Even the warriors of the Takemikazuchi Familia, who had weathered their fair share of chaos, found themselves frozen in place. Their eyes locked onto the battlefield as if the image before them was too surreal to believe. The roar of clashing titans, the raw shockwaves sent from every exchange, the thunder of their movements, it all carved itself into their minds.
"That's insane..." one of them whispered, barely loud enough to be heard.
"Are they even human?" another added, unable to tear their eyes away from the scene.
There was a momentary silence among the onlookers, broken only by the distant rumble of the battle continuing on.
And still, the fight wasn't over. The two figures, Tiona and Aurelius, stood side by side, unwavering, as though this power they showed was merely the beginning.
"RAAAAHHH!" Tiona bellowed at the top of her lungs, her battle cry echoing fiercely through the air as she swung her massive weapon, Urga, with all the strength her body could muster. The colossal blade crashed against the thick, unyielding hide of the Goliath before her, the sheer force of the impact reverberating through the battlefield.
BOOM!
A thunderous, earth-shaking sound erupted the moment steel met flesh, the explosive collision sending a shockwave rippling outward. Dust and loose stone were kicked into the air as the ground beneath them trembled, bearing witness to the tremendous power behind Tiona's strike.
Many were thrown off balance from the sheer force of the impact created when both opposing sides clashed with unyielding might. The ground itself seemed to tremble beneath their feet, and the air quivered with the aftershocks of their collision. Yet, despite the staggering blow and the chaos it momentarily brought, there was a small blessing to be found as thankfully, no one suffered any injuries this time, unlike the harrowing incident that had occurred before.
As everybody gain themselves once more, they lay their eyes at the battlefield again as they saw both Tiona and the Goliath she is facing are at a stalemate with sparks coming off from the clash between Tiona's Urga and the thick, steel like hands of the Goliath.
"Nnggh!" Tiona gritted her teeth, a strained groan escaping her lips as she struggled against the overwhelming might of the towering Goliath before her. Every muscle in her body tensed, her arms trembling under the sheer force pressing down on her, yet she refused to yield. Then, in a desperate surge, as if some hidden well of strength had suddenly ignited within her, Tiona let out a fierce cry and drove forward with all her might, shoving the massive creature back with a force far greater than she thought herself capable of.
"RAAHHH!"
The Goliath staggered backward from the sheer, bone-rattling force unleashed by Tiona's ferocious strike, its massive frame swaying as though the ground itself had shifted beneath it. Without allowing even the slightest moment to go to waste, Tiona immediately surged forward, her movements a blur of speed and precision as she sought to press her advantage. Every step closed the distance between her and the towering beast, her eyes sharply scanning for any vulnerable point, any opening that could be exploited to deliver a decisive and potentially fatal blow before the monster had the chance to recover its footing.
Yet, just as she believed that this would be the end for the towering Goliath before her, fate itself seemed to conspire against her expectations, weaving a different outcome for the fierce amazoness and setting the stage for a turn of events she had not foreseen.
"!!"
Tiona fixed her gaze upon the towering head of the Goliath, her sharp eyes narrowing with predatory focus as she prepared to drive her weapon straight into its eye—a vulnerable point that, if struck true, would grant her a swift and decisive advantage in the battle, tipping the scales entirely in her favor. However, just as she was about to commit to her strike, the amazoness caught sight of a sudden, ominous movement. The Goliath's massive jaw began to part, its jagged teeth framing a deep, dark maw that now pulsed with a growing, swirling force. In the very next instant, she realized with startling clarity that the monster was not merely roaring in defiance but was gathering power, charging up a devastating wind blast aimed directly at her, threatening to shatter her offensive momentum in one blow.
Seeing the incoming threat, she raised her Urga high above her head, the massive weapon glinting under the light as her muscles tensed in preparation. With unwavering resolve, she intended to swing it down with such overwhelming force that the very air would quake, generating a powerful shockwave capable of shattering the momentum of the Goliath's fearsome wind-based charge attack that was rapidly gathering within its massive maw.
However, something, though she could not quite place what, had to intervene and halt her from carrying out her intended action.
Then, without warning, an attack, completely unknown and unfamiliar both to her and to everyone else in the vicinity, struck her with sudden and jarring force, leaving no time for preparation or even the faintest hint of where it had come from.
"Agghh!"
She was abruptly staggered in mid-air, the sudden force causing her grip to falter as her weapon slipped free from her hands and tumbled toward the ground. The attack she had been preparing came to a complete halt, her momentum shattered in an instant. Gritting her teeth, she swiftly turned her head, scanning her surroundings in search of the source of that unexpected and unseen strike. Her gaze darted from one direction to another, determined to find the culprit who had dared to interfere.
Yet, before her rising anger could fully take hold, the sharp sting of reality cut through her thoughts, reminding her of the far more dangerous predicament she was still in. Her eyes widened slightly as her focus snapped back to the battlefield.
"…Crap," she muttered under her breath, her voice low but edged with dread. In that fleeting moment, she caught sight of the Goliath—its massive frame already bearing down on her, the ground quaking beneath its final steps. Its charge was reaching its climax, a force of nature in motion, and she realized with a cold, sinking clarity that there was no time to evade. She was completely exposed, and unless some miracle intervened, she was utterly screwed.
BOOM
The wind blast erupted from the Goliath with a deafening roar, surging forward at a terrifying speed and carrying with it a crushing force that split the air. It raced straight toward her, the pressure alone making the very ground tremble beneath her feet, an overwhelming wall of destruction promising nothing less than fierce and inescapable doom.
Before she could fully react, the violent torrent slammed into her with the weight of a battering ram, the impact tearing her from her footing and hurling her helplessly through the air. The world became a blur of motion before her body collided violently against the jagged face of a nearby boulder, the stone shuddering from the sheer force of the blow.
"PUAGHH!" The cry tore from her throat as a spray of crimson burst from her mouth, the metallic taste of blood flooding her tongue. A searing wave of agony shot through every nerve in her body, each breath drawing a sharper edge to the pain, the remnants of the Goliath's devastating attack still echoing in her bones.
In the distance, while Aurelius was still locked in a fierce struggle against his own Goliath, the sudden, thunderous commotion from elsewhere on the battlefield caught his attention. His head snapped toward the source of the noise, and what he saw made his heart lurch—a short distance away, Tiona lay sprawled against the jagged surface of a massive boulder, her body battered and bloodied from the devastating blow she had just endured.
"TIONA!" Aurelius roared her name, his voice echoing with a mixture of alarm and fury. Without hesitation, he summoned every ounce of his strength, surging forward with a valiant burst of force. With a mighty push, he drove his own Goliath backward, sending the towering behemoth stumbling before it crashed to the ground in a resounding, earth-shaking fall.
"ROAARR!" The Goliath facing Aurelius let out an earth-shaking roar that reverberated through the cavern, its voice carrying raw fury and primal defiance. Moments later, its colossal frame gave way, collapsing heavily to the ground with a deafening "boom" upon impact. The sheer force of its fall sent tremors rippling across the battlefield, scattering loose stones and shaking the very air around them.
Aurelius immediately broke into a sprint, his eyes locked on the heavily bruised figure of Tiona as he pushed himself to move as fast as his legs could possibly carry him, the pounding of his footsteps echoing in his ears. Every stride was driven by urgency and concern, his focus solely on closing the distance between them before anything else could happen. Upon reaching her, he wasted no time, carefully positioning himself beside her battered form. With deliberate care, he began to help her down from the jagged boulder she had been resting against, his hands steady and movements slow, ensuring that every motion was as gentle as possible so as not to aggravate her injuries any further.
"You alright?!" Aurelius called out in panic, his voice sharp with worry as his eyes locked onto the amazoness's rugged, uneven breathing. Without wasting a second, he closed the distance between them and began frantically checking her body for any signs of serious harm. His hands moved with urgent precision, scanning over her arms, torso, and legs, only to find scattered patches of intermediate bleeding, small yet persistent wounds that painted her skin with streaks of crimson here and there.
"Heh, yeah..." she replied with a smug grin, the kind that tried to pass itself off as confidence, though the strain in her voice betrayed the truth she was desperately trying to hide. In reality, she was far from fine, yet she forced herself to stand tall, unwilling to show weakness. "I can still do this," she continued, waving off any hint of concern with an almost dismissive tone. "Don't worry about me—just focus on your giant and take it down."
Aurelius, hearing her words, didn't respond right away. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on her, his expression darkening with a quiet, unspoken disapproval. The solemn look in his eyes made it clear that he rejected her intentions entirely, seeing straight through her façade and understanding the risk she was truly in.
She attempted to push herself up from her seated position, her movements slow and unsteady, the faint tremor in her arms betraying just how much effort it took for her to even rise halfway. Aurelius, watching closely, immediately noticed her struggle as how each breath seemed heavier than the last, how her body wavered as if it might give out at any moment. And just as she began to shift her weight to stand, determined despite her obvious fatigue, Aurelius stepped forward and gently placed a firm hand on her shoulder, halting her before she could strain herself any further.
"Aurelius, what's the matter?" Tiona asked, her voice laced with both confusion and a faint trace of concern, her eyes narrowing as she tried to understand the sudden shift in his actions. The Amazoness tilted her head slightly, as if silently demanding an explanation for what he was doing in the middle of such a tense moment.
Aurelius met her gaze without wavering, his eyes locking firmly onto hers as a calm yet unyielding resolve settled over his features. "You've done enough for now," he said in a steady, almost commanding tone, the weight of his words carrying both authority and reassurance. "Take a moment to catch your breath, Tiona. From here on, I'll be the one to deal with these two monsters."
Tiona's eyes widened in disbelief the moment Aurelius's words reached her ears, her expression hardening almost instantly. "Are you nuts, big man?!" she shouted, her voice rising with a mixture of anger and frustration. The amazoness's hands clenched tightly around the hilt of her weapon as she took a step toward him, her tone sharp and unyielding. "I'm not letting you go and pull off some ridiculous suicide dive all on your own, you idiot!" she barked, the fierce glare in her eyes making it clear she had no intention of backing down.
Aurelius, however, merely regarded her reaction with a calm, almost unreadable expression. Seeing the sheer stubbornness burning in the amazoness's eyes, he exhaled slowly, choosing not to waste his breath on an argument he knew would lead nowhere. Without a word, he rose from where he had been standing, his towering frame casting a long shadow over the ground. Ignoring her protests as though they were little more than background noise and failing attempts to reach him, he began a steady march forward, his eyes locked solely on the massive, staggering Goliath that Tiona had been facing down only moments before.
"Sorry, wild girl… but I couldn't pass up the chance to try out a new skill I've recently acquired after my latest level-up," he muttered under his breath, his tone carrying both apology and a faint edge of anticipation. With deliberate steps, he began to advance toward the towering goliaths, each movement steady and measured as though savoring the moment before the clash. As he closed the distance, a faint shimmer began to radiate from his form—an otherworldly golden glow that slowly intensified, bathing the ground beneath his feet in light. It was then, with the glow swirling like living fire around him, that he began to chant the incantation for the newly obtained magic, each word rolling from his tongue with deliberate precision, as if calling forth something that had been waiting within him all along.
"O Crownless King of Titans!"
The two Goliaths, with the second one now fully rising to its feet, could feel the overwhelming surge of immense power building within Aurelius. That ominous and suffocating pressure pressed against them like an invisible storm, each passing moment feeding the primal instinct within their monstrous minds that this power was a threat unlike any they had faced before. Driven by a mixture of fear and fury, the colossal beasts roared in unison and charged forward, their thunderous steps shaking the very ground beneath them as they sought to crush Aurelius before his power could be unleashed.
However,
[RULER'S AUTHORITY]
With an unyielding will, Aurelius invoked his telekinetic might, the sheer force of his mana and mental power wrapping around both Goliaths like invisible chains. The air itself seemed to ripple under the weight of his authority as the massive creatures suddenly found themselves frozen mid-charge, their limbs straining yet unable to move an inch. The earth groaned beneath their halted momentum, dust rising around their immobilized forms. Unbothered by their futile struggles, Aurelius fixed his unwavering gaze upon them, his voice resonating with power as he continued the solemn and deliberate chant of his spell.
"He who shatters stars and silences storms-"
The restrained Goliaths, sensing the ever-growing surge of power radiating from Aurelius, responded in kind. Their chests began to heave, muscles tightening as they drew in great gulps of air. In perfect, almost instinctual unison, both of the towering beasts tilted their heads forward, their maws gaping wide as they started to gather a swirling mass of compressed wind within their throats, preparing to unleash a devastating wind blast at the same moment.
Yet, Aurelius remained utterly unmoved by their display. The looming threat of their combined assault did nothing to slow his steps nor break his composure. His boots struck the ground in steady, deliberate rhythm, each pace carrying an undeniable weight of confidence. Without a hint of hesitation, he continued his advance, his lips moving in measured cadence as he wove the words of his incantation, channeling the intricate flow of mana through his body. Not once did his eyes waver from the colossal figures before him, his expression betraying neither fear nor doubt, as though their attacks were nothing more than an inconsequential breeze against the storm he was about to unleash.
"Descend upon this flesh!"
His voice rang out like a solemn declaration, the syllables cutting through the howling winds that the Goliaths' attacks had begun to stir.
The colossal monsters, refusing to halt their assault for even an instant, ignored the human's seemingly foolish defiance. Their attacks were nearing completion, the roiling energy within their maws reaching a critical point. The very ground trembled beneath their weight, and the air crackled with the promise of imminent destruction.
"By my roar, THE WORLD SHALL TERMBLE!"
The Goliaths unleashed their power in unison. Twin hurricanes of compressed, razor-sharp wind erupted from their mouths, tearing through the battlefield and surging straight toward Aurelius with the force of nature itself made manifest.
But Aurelius did not falter. His eyes burned with unwavering resolve as he roared the final line of his chant, his voice carrying an unshakable dominance that seemed to shake the heavens themselves.
"GOLIATHIS AEGIS!"
As he uttered those words, two massive blasts of wind struck him square in the chest with tremendous force. The impact was so powerful that it sent a violent shockwave rippling outward, tearing through the air and kicking up loose debris all around. A towering cloud of dust and dirt erupted from the ground at the point of contact, billowing high into the sky and obscuring the scene in a swirling haze born from the sheer ferocity of the strike.
"AURELIUS!!" Tiona's voice tore through the chaos, a desperate scream laced with sheer terror as her eyes widened in horror. Her face twisted, contorted with the unbearable sight of her crush being struck by those two devastating blows at the exact same moment, each hit carrying the weight of lethal intent. For an instant, it felt as if the world slowed around her, the sounds of battle fading beneath the pounding of her heart. The others, who had also witnessed the brutal scene unfold, were left frozen in place, shocked, horrified, and unable to comprehend the possibility that Aurelius might have just been killed before their very eyes.
Though, it was not truly the end for the Titanborn....
Even amidst the suffocating shroud of dust that hung heavily in the air, a faint glimmer began to stir. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, a golden radiance seeped through the dense, swirling clouds, its brilliance cutting through the gloom like the first rays of dawn piercing a storm-laden sky, heralding that their tale was far from over.
And there he stood, encased from head to toe in resplendent golden armor, each plate meticulously forged to cover every crevice of his form, leaving no vulnerability exposed. The brilliant metal gleamed with a divine luster, as though it had been blessed by the very heavens themselves. From beneath that majestic helm, his hair spilled forth in a cascade of radiant, royal-gold strands, each lock flickering and dancing as if alive, shimmering with an otherworldly brilliance. It was not merely a color, but the embodiment of grandeur and authority, a living testament to the boundless power coiled within him. That power, untamed yet perfectly controlled, seeped from his very being as an invisible tide of raw energy that made the air itself tremble, poised to be unleashed in a display of overwhelming might, a spectacle that would carve its presence into the memory of all who bore witness.
"Heh," Aurelius let out a smug huff, the sound carrying both confidence and a teasing edge as he tilted his head ever so slightly as his now fully golden eyes looked towards the injured amazoness standing behind him. A woman who, only moments ago, had been worried to death over his safety. His golden eyes gleamed faintly as he spoke, his voice tinged with playful mockery. "Why are you acting all flustered and anxious like some damsel in distress, wild girl? Didn't I already tell you I'd handle this without a problem?"
Tiona could only stare at him, wide-eyed and breathless, as if trying to reconcile the man before her with the one she thought she knew. The sheer might he seemed to radiate at that moment, an unshakable, almost overwhelming presence, left her momentarily speechless. Around them, the other onlookers, whether friend or stranger, mortals or gods, shared the same expression as the amazoness, their gazes locked on Aurelius as if they were witnessing a figure who stood far above ordinary adventurers. Even the air seemed to grow heavier under the weight of his confidence, drawing every eye to him.
"Now…" Aurelius spoke, his voice carrying a calm yet confident edge as he slowly turned his head. His eyes narrowed, the faintest squint curling at the corners as if to hint at a sly, knowing smile—one meant not only for the amazoness standing just behind him, but for every single onlooker whose gaze had settled upon him. "Enjoy," he continued, his tone thick with anticipation, "the spectacle I am about to unveil for all of you… a display that will be etched into your memory long after this moment has passed."
He then turned his attention back toward the two Goliaths that still stood before him, their massive frames momentarily frozen in a mixture of shock and awe at what they had just witnessed. Yet, beneath that stunned silence, another emotion surged within them, one far stronger, far more consuming than either disbelief or wonder. It crept into their hearts like a shadow and gripped their very souls with an unrelenting chill, an instinctive response that no amount of brute strength or battle experience could suppress.
Fear.
"Well, well, well," Aurelius drawled, his voice carrying an almost mocking amusement as the sound echoed faintly through the air. Each deliberate step he took toward the two towering Goliaths seemed to press down on the battlefield itself, the weight of his presence washing over them like an unseen tide. Instinctively, as if driven by some primal sense of danger, both beasts found themselves taking a cautious step backward, their fierce gazes momentarily wavering under the crushing pressure he exuded. A faint smirk curled upon Aurelius's covered lips. "It seems," he continued, his tone low and brimming with confidence, "that the tables have well and truly turned now~"
One of the Goliaths, its massive frame trembling ever so slightly as it fought against the primal fear gnawing at its instincts, finally forced itself to move. With a hesitant snarl and a glimmer of defiance in its bestial eyes, it began a lumbering charge toward Aurelius. Each thunderous step shook the very ground, scattering loose stones and sending faint vibrations through the air.
When it reached him, the creature reared back, lifting one colossal foot high above its target. Muscles tensed and veins bulged as it gathered all its strength for a single, devastating stomp—an attack meant not just to wound, but to crush Aurelius entirely. The foot came down like a falling boulder, and upon impact, the ground quaked violently, a deafening concussion echoing outward.
BOOM
Dust and fragments of earth erupted into the air, briefly obscuring the battlefield in a choking haze. Through the settling debris, the Goliath's wide mouth curled into a savage grin, convinced beyond any doubt that it had just obliterated the human standing before it. However—
"Aww, how adorable." Aurelius's voice rang out, dripping with mockery and laced with a teasing, almost flirty tone, as if he were speaking to a child who had just tried to act tough. "How brave of you… to attack a predator~"
As the heavy dust cloud slowly dispersed, the scene that emerged was nothing short of startling. Standing there amidst the settling debris, Aurelius had effortlessly halted the Goliath's devastating stomp with nothing but a single hand. His five fingers, curled like the talons of a predator, gripped around the massive creature's foot, completely halting its momentum.
And yet, what made the sight truly surreal was the fact that his palm didn't even touch the sole of the monster's foot, only his fingertips pressed against it, as though the overwhelming force of the Goliath's strike had been stopped before it could even reach him. The sheer power behind such a casual gesture seemed to mock the creature more than his words ever could.
Aurelius, with a measured motion and only a mild of his true strength, pressed upward against the colossal foot of the Goliath. The sheer force behind his seemingly mild push was enough to lift the massive limb clear off him, shifting the monster's balance entirely. In the next instant, the towering creature was sent lurching backward, its immense frame momentarily suspended in the air before it came crashing down, tumbling and rolling across the ground with a thunderous impact that shook the surroundings.
The other Goliath, which had been standing on the sidelines, remained completely frozen in place, utterly stunned by the overwhelming spectacle that had just unfolded before its eyes. For a brief moment, it could do nothing but stare, its massive frame locked in hesitation. Then, out of the corner of its vision, a faint blur cut through its line of sight, so fast that its mind barely had the chance to register it. Instinctively, the towering creature turned its head toward the source of the disturbance, only to find Aurelius already there, standing directly beside its head, close enough that the Goliath could see the deadly intent burning in his eyes.
[POWER FIST]
Aurelius's hands became engulfed in a thick, radiant coating of gold, the luminous glow swirling around them like a dense, compressed aura of pure destructive force. The air around his fists seemed to ripple and distort from the sheer intensity of the energy he was channeling. Without a word, he drew his arm back and, with unrelenting precision, drove his fist forward into the side of the Goliath's head. The impact was immediate and catastrophic as the enormous skull exploded outward in a violent spray of fragments and gore, the sheer force of the blow sending shockwaves through the air and shaking the ground beneath them. Even half of its torso was blown to pieces by his blow, exposing its magic core.
The massive Goliath, now left with only half its body, has its colossal frame gave way, crashing down heavily onto the ground with a thunderous impact that sent tremors rippling through the area. Aurelius, his expression unwavering and his momentum unbroken, descended right after, his figure cutting cleanly through the air before he landed firmly on both feet, the ground beneath him cracking ever so slightly under the weight of his controlled yet powerful landing.
"Well… that was something," Aurelius muttered under his breath, his tone carrying a mix of dry amusement and lingering adrenaline as his eyes fell upon the towering figure of the Goliath—now half its size it was once before. Yet, to his mild irritation, the massive creature's form began to knit itself back together, muscles, sinew, and stone-like flesh writhing unnaturally as it sought to regenerate. Wasting not even a heartbeat, Aurelius surged forward in a blur of motion, closing the distance with purposeful strides until he stood before the creature's still-exposed magic core. Without hesitation, he reached out, his fingers curling into the pulsing crystalline mass, and with a sharp, unyielding squeeze, he crushed it in his bare hands, shattering it into glimmering fragments that scattered like dying embers.
The massive Goliath let out one final, guttural roar before its entire form began to crumble away, its colossal frame disintegrating into fine dust that scattered into the air. The once-terrifying monster vanished in moments, leaving behind nothing but a faint cloud of debris and a single, massive magic core that fell heavily to the ground with a dull, echoing thud.
"One down," he muttered in a low, steady tone, his voice carrying both satisfaction and lethal intent. Slowly, he shifted his gaze toward the second Goliath, his eyes narrowing into a predatory glare that radiated menace. The towering creature, having shaken off the disorientation from its earlier fall, was already regaining its balance and stance.
"One more to go," he declared, his words like a promise of destruction, each syllable heavy with unshakable resolve as he prepared to end the battle once and for all.
The other Goliath, now left without its counterpart, bellowed in fury as it turned its entire focus upon Aurelius. Driven by pure, unrestrained rage, the massive creature thundered forward, each step shaking the ground beneath it. Aurelius, witnessing the beast's wild charge, met its aggression with equal resolve. Without the slightest hesitation, he pushed off from his position in a single, powerful motion, his body soaring through the air like a spear aimed at the heart of the conflict. In the next instant, his figure collided squarely with the Goliath's abdomen, the force behind his lunge so immense that the towering monster was lifted from its feet. The impact reverberated like a thunderclap, and the Goliath's colossal frame was hurled backwards, twisting helplessly as it sailed through the air before crashing away from the battlefield and landed on to the distant ground.
Aurelius, still clinging firmly to the monster's abdomen, drove his hand deeper into the thick, sinewy flesh until his fingers wrapped tightly around the throbbing, pulsating magic core hidden within. The heat radiating from it burned against his palm, the raw magical energy surging like a wild heartbeat beneath his grasp. His gaze lifted toward the towering Goliath, locking eyes with the beast in its final moments.
"It's been a bit of fun, ya freak," he muttered, his tone a mix of mocking amusement and grim finality, "but this is where it ends."
With a sudden, violent pull, Aurelius ripped the gargantuan magic core free from the creature's body, tearing through muscle and sinew as the beast let out a deafening roar of agony. Without hesitation, he clenched his fist, the sheer strength in his grip shattering the massive core into fragments as if it were nothing more than fragile glass.
The Goliath's towering form began to disintegrate almost instantly, its colossal frame breaking down into fine dust that scattered into the air. As the remnants of its body faded away, a big, lustrous magic core, dropped heavily onto the ground, the final prize from its complete annihilation.
Everyone who had witnessed the spectacle remained utterly silent, as if the very air itself had frozen in awe. The crowd stood there, eyes wide and mouths agape, still trying to process the sheer magnitude of what had just unfolded before them. For several long moments, no one dared to speak, the weight of disbelief pressing down upon them like an unshakable fog.
Then, breaking the silence, a lone voice rose from amidst the sea of onlookers. It was an adventurer, his voice trembling with excitement and disbelief.
"H-he… he did it!" he exclaimed, his tone wavering between shock and exhilaration. "HE DID IT!"
That cry was all it took to shatter the stillness. One after another, the rest of the spectators found their voices, their hesitation replaced by an overwhelming rush of emotion. The quiet murmur swelled into a roaring wave as they began to cheer in unison, their voices mingling together in a thunderous chorus.
They were celebrating what they all knew, deep down, to be nothing short of a miracle—an impossible victory wrested from the jaws of certain defeat. In that moment, the cheers weren't just for the victor's strength, but for the unshakable proof that even against overwhelming odds, triumph was still possible.
After some time had passed, all of the adventurers who had taken part in the battle allowed themselves a well-earned respite, resting their weary bodies on the cold, solid floor of the dungeon. Some lingered there, savoring the rare moment of peace, while others, once they had caught their breath and gathered their strength, began making their way back toward the surface.
Foremost among them was the alliance led by the Hestia Familia, their members moving together with the quiet pride of those who had overcome unimaginable challenges. One by one, the remaining groups followed in their wake, their footsteps echoing through the cavernous halls as cheers erupted in unison as a shared cry of triumph born from the impossible odds they had faced and the miraculous victory they had somehow claimed.
at the surface, they celebrated their victory by indulging in the quisines prepared by the Hostess as they tell stories about a golden man defeating a Rex boss on his own....Mainly a drunk, flat chested amazoness, who was bragging on how her crush manage to be so cool and powerful....accidentally exposing his feelings towards the Titanborn.
As the night gradually came to an end and the lingering echoes of the day's events faded into a tranquil silence, they each made their way back to their respective homes, seeking the comfort and warmth of familiar walls. There, away from the exhaustion of their earlier endeavors, they could finally allow their weary bodies and minds to relax, granting themselves the well-deserved rest they had so thoroughly earned.
________________________
The next morning, Aurelius made his way toward the guild, his steps carrying a casual yet purposeful rhythm. Today's errand was a special one—he was going to officially submit his long-awaited level-up, and he intended to do so in front of none other than his ever-dutiful, lovely, and occasionally hot-tempered advisor, Eina Tulle.
Upon stepping inside the familiar building, his gaze instinctively found the half-elf stationed at her usual spot behind the counter. With an easy smile tugging at his lips, he approached and offered his greeting.
"Morning, Eina," Aurelius said warmly, his tone carrying the faint undertone of fondness he always seemed to have when addressing her.
"Hmm?" Eina glanced up from the stack of paperwork she had been diligently sorting through, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity before recognition sparked in them. The moment she realized who had spoken, her expression softened, and the faintest trace of a smile curved her lips, her face subtly brightening at the sight of her familiar and, if she was honest with herself, rather troublesome customer.
"Well, hello there, my dear troublesome customer!" Eina greeted, her voice laced with a tone that was half sarcastic and half weary, as though she were deliberately trying to annoy him in retaliation for all the stressful moments he had caused her in the past. Her expression carried that faint, exasperated smile of someone who had grown far too used to handling his antics. "So then, what may I do for you today?"
Aurelius responded with an almost childlike enthusiasm, his broad frame leaning forward slightly as a bright, wide smile spread across his face. "I am here to submit my level-up, ma'am!" he declared proudly, as though he had been waiting for this moment all week.
Eina, however, did not return the enthusiasm. She simply stood there in stunned silence, her gaze fixed on the towering human before her, trying to process what she had just heard. "...Eh?" she muttered, her voice betraying her disbelief.
Her eyes widened in realization, and then, without warning, she let out a loud, drawn-out, "EHHHHH!?" The exclamation echoed through the Guild hall, instantly drawing the curious attention of several nearby adventurers and clerks who paused their work to glance in their direction.
Without hesitation, Eina snatched the paper from his hand, her movements quick and almost frantic, as though she half-expected this to be some sort of elaborate prank. Her eyes scanned the document from top to bottom, and when she found that it was, in fact, genuine, her shoulders sagged.
With a long, weary sigh, she muttered, "I shouldn't even be surprised anymore, honestly…" Her tone suggested she had already given up trying to make sense of the absurd growth rate of this man. Turning sharply, she glanced toward the counter where his registration could be processed. "Alright, alright. I'll do the paperwork for you… mumble… mumble… mumble…" The last part was almost incomprehensible, her grumbling disappearing into the sound of her own footsteps as she walked away.
Left standing there, Aurelius let out a small breath, thinking he might use the quiet moment to collect his thoughts. But before he could drift into his own musings, a soft, hesitant voice reached his ears from just beside him.
"U-Um… g-good morning, Aurelius."
He turned toward the source, and his eyes met a familiar sight—a red-haired, blushing werewolf demi-human standing shyly with her hands clasped in front of her.
Rose Fannett.
"Oh! Morning, Rose!" Aurelius greeted warmly, his tone instantly shifting to something gentler.
The two exchanged pleasantries, speaking about how their mornings had gone, the conversation flowing in that comfortable, casual rhythm shared between acquaintances who had seen each other often enough to slip easily into small talk.
Then he saw a crowd of people was gathering at the buletin board, talking about something seemingly important.
Aurelius then looked towards Rose as he begs a question, "What's going on there?"
Rose then looked towards where he was pointing and immediately understood. "O-Oh, didn't you hear? One of the Freya Familia members levelled up to level 8 recently."
Aurelius hearing this was shocked. "Level 8 you say?"
Rose then nodded timidly towards his question.
Aurelius rushingly walked towards buletin board. Upon arriving he saw immediately what was on the board.
The person who levelled up to level 8 had a photo of its notice of levelling up as a girl with green hair demi-human with a long-haired dachshund dog ears.
and her name was,
"Zephyra"
Aurelius uttered the name as he sees someone unfamiliar in this world.
"It seems like....that there are variables in this world that I need to be warry off from now on."
________________________
ZEPHYRA
LVL 7 ----> 8
STR > ???
END > ???
DEX > ???
AGI > ???
MAG > ???
________________________.
Hello! I know it has been two months already since I last uploaded a chapter. Mainly because I lost a bit of passion on doing so for the past 2 months here.
But, I'M BACK! and this marks the end of season 1 by following the anime!
ps. I'm not sure that I'm gonna make chapters as consistent as before though, maybe I'll do it once or twice a week.
Other than that, that's all from me! See you in the next chapter!