The Journey Begins in Danmachi

She flicked her silk-smooth black hair and quickened her pace, running toward the slope.

Watching the woman who had been her rival ever since joining the Astraea Familia, Ryu couldn't help but feel that there was something flustered about Kaguya's retreating figure.

However, before she could even offer a smile, the Captain's relentless pursuit—which showed no distinction between friend and foe—followed in quick succession.

"Ryu, you too. Don't just say she was only trying to scare you; even if she had actually held your hand, was there any need to react like that? You've been in Orario for two years now. If you keep acting like this, I'm genuinely worried you'll end up growing old all alone."

There was not a shred of malice in Alise's voice; if anything, it was filled with sincere concern.

But for that very reason, it carried more lethality than Kaguya's aggressive remarks.

Because lies do not hurt; the truth is the sharpest blade.

"Th-that sort of thing isn't necessary! I only need to dedicate my life to 'Justice'!"

Watching the golden-haired elf make her impassioned vow, Alise sighed and shook her head.

"Devoting one's life to justice is our duty, but if you ever find a man who can touch your heart, don't you dare hesitate or refuse! Such a rare creature is even scarcer than an Aurora Dragon. If you miss him, you might not encounter another in your lifetime—even if you have to use underhanded tactics, you must seize him!"

I would never do such a thing!

Unless my name were written backward!

Just as Ryu prepared to retort, a violent tremor tore through the long, sloped cavern, followed by a deafening roar that surged like a tidal wave.

"Is this... are there adventurers fighting a Goliath?"

"Captain?"

Under the gaze of her members, Alise pondered for a few seconds before making a decision.

"Let's go catch up and take a look. It would be troublesome if another party of adventurers ran into a Goliath."

However, when the members of the Astraea Familia reached the exit, they were instantly stunned into silence by the scene before them.

"Are you kidding me? Is he... soloing a Goliath?"

At this moment, a battle that was undoubtedly a 'fierce struggle' was unfolding before the Astraea Familia.

The massive giant threw its head back and roared, causing the long hall to tremble violently and sending countless shards of stone raining down.

The Goliath raised its fist and slammed it heavily into the gray stone slab before it.

Debris splattered, and a sky full of rocks flew toward its enemy like missiles.

Standing a hundred meters away was a silver-haired swordsman clad in pale silver armor.

He looked quite young, at most fifteen or sixteen years old.

Even through his armor, one could see his slender build, and the longsword in his hand was certainly not the heavy sword, war hammer, or giant axe typically used by power-type adventurers.

To the members of the Astraea Familia, he appeared to be a speed-type swordsman who relied on velocity and agility, much like Ryu and Kaguya.

But precisely because of that, it was all the more shocking to the girls when he didn't flee from the barrage of hundreds of boulders, but instead raised his sword and unleashed a strike.

Even ordinary stones, empowered by the strength of a giant-type monster, roared like cannonballs leaving a barrel, whistling through the air.

The large boulders rained down onto the floor of the seventeenth-floor hall like a torrential downpour, causing the otherwise level stone slabs to shatter as if struck by the bombardment magic of a high-level mage.

Amidst the overwhelming scale of the attack and the dust clouds rising to the ceiling, the silver-haired swordsman's figure appeared so ethereal and fragile, with all his escape routes sealed off.

But when the dust suddenly dissipated and they saw how the silver-haired swordsman had handled it, they were left dumbstruck.

If you cannot run, then face the enemy head-on—even from two or three hundred meters away, they could feel the aura of someone making exactly that vow.

And his actions—the silver-haired swordsman swung his longsword, which looked exceptionally delicate compared to the boulders, with arms that didn't look particularly thick, striking at the stones!

A flash of silver light flickered, and the massive boulders were instantly split in two, crashing down on either side of the silver-haired swordsman and vanishing into the dust.

Before the piercing sound of metal blades cleaving rock could echo through the hall, the silver-haired swordsman had already swung his blade again to cleave another boulder.

Sword energy crisscrossed, the momentum shaking the very earth.

Sometimes turning to spin-slash, other times stepping forward to sweep upward...

Occasionally thrusting abruptly, at times gently parrying...

It was no longer possible to distinguish the longsword; one could only see the silver light connecting into a single sheet, forming an impenetrable barrier of blades.

Every time the giant boulders and the slender swordsman crossed paths with a hair's breadth of distance, it was heart-wrenching to watch.

No one doubted that if the silver-haired swordsman made a single mistake, he would be severely wounded by the power contained within those massive rocks.

Yet, even in such a perilous situation, the silver-haired swordsman showed no intention of retreating. Like an iron anchor amidst a stormy sea, he stood firm in place.

No, not standing still—he was advancing!

With breathtakingly gorgeous and skilled swordsmanship, and a ferocious aura that made one want to scold him for his recklessness, the young swordsman bathed in the bombardment, stepping closer to the Goliath through the countless gales and dust.

To the girls of the Astraea Familia, the scene was identical to the image of the young swordsman in heroic tales who takes the initiative to attack a giant monster!

If I read any more heroic tales, I'll know exactly what to imagine the protagonist looks like... It wasn't just one of them who had this thought.

Among the girls, Ryu could see more.

Unlike the other members of the Astraea Familia, the moment Ryu laid eyes on the silver-haired swordsman, she recalled that encounter on the North Street.

For those first few days, those silent, tranquil eyes appeared in Ryuu's dreams time and again, leaving her utterly bewildered.

There was not a shred of malice in that gaze, yet it held something that troubled Ryuu even more... Was it nostalgia? Or perhaps sorrow?

Who is this person?

Have we met before?

Why would he wear such an expression?

It was not until she embarked on an expedition and engaged in high-intensity combat that these thoughts gradually began to fade.

But now, Ryuu saw him again!

If there was one difference, it was that Ryuu felt she could see a smile on his face!

It was not tension or fear, not a gritted-teeth struggle, nor an angry roar—it was a smile!

A joyful smile, an excited smile, a gratified smile!

A smile full of wildness! A smile full of desire!

Since coming to Orario from Lumia Forest, Ryuu had seen too many smiles like that.

On the faces of drunks in the tavern, on the faces of patrons in the Pleasure Quarter, on the faces of wealthy merchants in the casino... even on the faces of the Evilus members committing atrocities, there were similar smiles.

Yet, none of those smiles were as pure—or perhaps, as dangerous—as the one worn by this silver-haired swordsman.

This person is dangerous... The instinct of an Elf led Ryuu to this conclusion in an instant.

Just as one would be scorched by drawing too close to the sun, even if he harbored no subjective malice, one would be infected by his will and subsequently captured by it if they stood too near...

One only needed to look at the sparkling eyes of the other girls in the Familia to understand this.

I must stay away... Though she told herself this in her heart, Ryuu simply could not tear her gaze away from that tall, upright figure.

Her reason clearly told her that such a head-on, brute-force style of combat against a Floor Boss was far too reckless.

Yet, that heroic, valiant posture—disregarding life and death, focused solely on swinging his blade to shatter everything in his path, surging forward against the current—along with his masterful technique, was truly dazzling and mesmerizing...

Noah, who stood at the center of so many gazes, remained oblivious to them, immersed entirely in the collision of power against power.

Whether it was the thrill of shattering obstacles, the numbing vibration echoing through his arms, or the immense pressure felt in his legs, everything left Noah feeling invigorated, his body and mind filled with pleasure.

As expected, a head-on clash is the romance of a man!

From today on, I will become a man who possesses not only technique but also strength!!

However, this Goliath ends here.

This giant-type monster is likely the most unimpressive Floor Boss in the Dungeon.

It cannot summon minions, possesses no special skills, and relies entirely on throwing rocks for ranged attacks; aside from its massive size, it is completely useless.

Even in terms of strength, it failed to provide Noah with any sense of suppression; one could say it was utterly devoid of any final utility.

...Still, something felt off, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what.

Regardless, he would just finish the battle quickly and be done with it.

Another flying stone came hurtling toward him. Tired of hacking at them, Noah chose not to shatter it this time, instead resting his blade against the side of the rock.

With a flick of his wrist and a rotation of his body, he sent the stone flying back at Goliath like a bird in flight.

Caught off guard, the giant was struck in the eye socket and immediately clutched its face, letting out a roar of agony.

Taking advantage of this opening, Noah transformed into a blur, reaching the area beneath Goliath in a few breaths.

He swung his sword horizontally, a blinding silver light tracing an afterimage as it sliced through the monster's massive right leg without the slightest resistance.

"Awooooo!"

As Goliath stumbled and fell amidst a pained roar, a massive spray of blood erupted from the wound.

Yet, as the blood rained down, not a single drop touched Noah.

Leaping from the rock wall, he held his sword with both hands, channeled his full strength, and struck toward Goliath's other eye.

I take back what I said earlier; this Goliath's defense is truly tough.

And so, Noah decided to show his respect by giving it his all!

Consequently, Goliath's other eye was also reduced to scraps of flesh and gore amidst its pained groans!

However, just as Noah landed and adjusted his stance, preparing to launch his next attack, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

The Floor Boss, which should have fought to the death without retreating, actually covered both its eyes and fled!

It was then that Noah realized what had felt wrong—this Goliath seemed to sense the threat Noah posed; from the moment it was born, it had stood by the Wall of Sighs throwing stones, never once initiating a charge.

Was it waiting for a chance to escape?

Its brain might be a little clever, but clearly not clever enough.

How ridiculous; where could it possibly run to?

To fight Riveria?

That is nothing short of suicide—

Noah's expression shifted instantly the moment his gaze swept over the dozen or so girls standing by the exit leading to the lower floors.

"Retreat, now!"

Because its right leg was injured, Goliath ran with a pronounced limp, its massive body tilting heavily to one side.

If one were watching from a distance, they might find the sight rather comical.

However, when locked onto by this monster, watching its gargantuan form charging head-on, and feeling the violent tremors radiating from the ground, no one could find a reason to laugh.

At the very least, the girls of the Astraea Familia could not laugh at all, for they were not the silver-haired swordswoman who had just crushed Goliath head-on.

Even the most lackluster floor boss is still a floor boss!

Its immense size, overwhelming strength, and regenerative capabilities dictate that it is nearly impossible for any group of adventurers to contend with a floor boss without multiple members of an equivalent level.

Although the Astraea Familia had successfully subjugated Goliath several times in the past, those victories were built upon being fully rested and having made thorough preparations in advance.

But now, they had just concluded an expedition, were in a state of utter exhaustion, and had been caught in a sudden ambush!

The others might be able to manage, but they had Celty and Lyra, two fragile mages, as well as several rearguards who lacked close-quarters combat capabilities!