As Rayleigh chanted the release command, the gleaming blade began to disperse from its tip, transforming into countless blade fragments.
Reflecting the light, the blades took on a cherry-blossom pink hue, like a sky filled with dancing cherry blossom petals.
In an instant, the dense petals multiplied tenfold, then a hundredfold!
"Flowers?"
The onlookers stared in bewilderment at the floral rain.
Kaguya, after a brief moment of surprise, wore a nostalgic expression.
'These are the flowers of my homeland.'
At that moment, they hadn't realized the deadly intent hidden within this beauty.
The countless cherry blossom petals converged, coalescing into a long dragon.
Rayleigh manipulated Senbonzakura to encircle Goliath's legs. The blades spin at high speed, enveloping the giant's left leg.
Inside the cherry-pink storm, a chilling scene was unfolding.
Innumerable blades shredded the giant's flesh!
ROOOOAR!!!
Unable to withstand the agony of being sliced to pieces, Goliath's body swayed and crashed to the ground.
Though the giant had fallen, its sturdy arms still propped it up.
"This thing's unbelievably tenacious," Kaguya muttered, slipping into Goliath's shadow and moving to its wrist.
"Futaba!"
Two slashes like flashes of light struck Goliath's wrist, severing its muscles.
Ardi blinked forward to follow up.
She plunged her trident into the wound Kaguya created, then unleashed a torrent of ocean waves from within the injury.
Splat!
Water mixed with blood sprayed from the pores of Goliath's arm!
Overwhelmed by excruciating pain, Goliath raised its fist and slammed it into the ground.
Though it was just a punch against the earth, the impact rivaled a massive explosion.
The shockwave blasted Kaguya and Ardi off their feet, sending them flying into the air.
"What—?!"
'It can still launch such a powerful counterattack?'
Suspended in mid-air with no leverage, they were sitting targets.
Goliath grinned, its smile looks like a savage.
It raised its house-sized palm, preparing to crush the two enemies.
Just then, the mysterious wind struck again.
This time, it was even stronger!
Two wind blades struck Goliath's widened pupils, slicing its eyeballs into pieces.
Yet the descending palm continued its path.
...
Alicia cried out, "Captain! Lady Riveria!"
From her perspective, casualties were inevitable.
Against Goliath's immense strength, even a Level 3 Adventurer would be killed by a direct hit from it.
A tanker adventurer would be critically injured and lose the ability to fight.
The gap between Levels was that absolute, not to mention Goliath's strength was at the peak of Level 4.
Finn's gaze remained fixed on Rayleigh.
In his eyes, the young man showed no sign of panic, even in this dire situation.
Just as he'd hoped, the boy made his move.
"Bakudō Four: Hainawa."
Rayleigh flung out two yellow ropes of light that wrapped around the girls' waists. With a powerful tug, he pulled Kaguya and Ardi toward him.
Thump.
Rayleigh caught them, cradling one girl in each arm.
"Nice one, Rayleigh!"
"That's a huge help," Kaguya said, straightening her kimono.
"We need to strengthen our suppression," Rayleigh declared, drawing his other sword.
"Bloom in a frenzy, Ruri'iro Kujaku!"
The blade transformed into shimmering vines, their colors shifting like iridescent glass—a beautiful sight.
"A second one?" Finn's eyes widened.
Compared to when Rayleigh was Level 1, Ruri'iro Kujaku's restraining power was far greater, and its vines spread over a wider area.
The vines coiled around the giant's arms and neck.
Rayleigh tightened his grip on the hilt, and an immense force pulled the giant toward the ground.
A few seconds later, Goliath let out a terrified roar.
Everyone present felt the tremor in its cry.
'The Floor Boss... was afraid?'
"I've seen those bewitching vines before," Riveria murmured. "They drained the monsters' life force and killed them."
Finn's expression grew solemn.
'Draining life force.'
'Tough enough to bind Goliath.'
It seemed impossible to do it with a 'weapon'—since it was more outrageous than Magic.
Moreover, Magic consumes Mind and requires complex incantations.
In contrast, that sword activates almost instantly and can even absorb energy. Their combat effectiveness isn't in the same league.
'Does that mean... if your stats are lower than Goliath's, you'd be completely helpless against that sword?'
"Something's strange..."
Riveria's soft murmur caught Finn's attention.
"What is it?" he asked.
Riveria replied, "Last time, those vines didn't seem this powerful. Was he holding back? No... back then, he was only Level 1. But now, he's already Level 2!"
Hearing this, Finn's expression shifted from surprise to shock.
"Are you saying that weapon can grow!? That its performance improves as its master gets stronger!?"
The Pallum Hero bit his thumb, his mind racing to grasp the implications.
'If such power could be attain at level 2, what would happen if he reached Level 5, or even Level 6?'
Finn realized he'd been wrong.
This wasn't some substitute for a Magic Sword, nor should it be classified as one.
"It's called a Zanpakuto, right?"
"That's what the boy called it."
"Is that so... Perhaps we're witnessing something extraordinary, Riveria."
The Elf Princess was taken aback.
For Finn to regard it so highly—to speak of it with such gravity—was astonishing.
It seemed that both last time and now, she'd overlooked something crucial.
...
If Rayleigh knew her thoughts, he'd understand.
After all, in this world, the hierarchy was clear: Magic > Skills > Status.
Rare and powerful Magic reigned supreme, capable of bridging a gap of three Levels and still proving effective.
Skills were similar, allowing an Adventurer with early-stage stats to rival those at their peak, or even match the power of a higher Level.
Mages were a scarce talent.
As the city's strongest Mage, Nine Hell, Riveria rarely paid attention to anything beyond her own Magic.
Only a handful of things could capture her notice.
"Now, Lyra!"
"Alright! I was about to fall asleep waiting!" The Pallum girl finally popped her head up.
She'd been busy planting landmines around the area, biding her time.
"Take this! BOOM!"
The words Lyra shouted synchronized with the explosions.
A ring of landmines detonated around Goliath, shattering the ground and burying the giant's hands and feet deep within the fissures.
"Go, Senbonzakura!"
Rayleigh condensed Senbonzakura into a massive, cherry-blossom-colored greatsword.
It plunged vertically, piercing the back of Goliath's head, punching through its chin, and pinning the giant to the ground.
"Burn fiercely, burn fiercely, burn fiercely! Full flame power Engetsu!"
Alise seized the moment, activating her Magic.
Flames cloaked her body like a robe.
Her Skills, Lubrude Bequia and Batleate Asyrath, activated.
In that instant, Alise, a Level 3, achieved a combat power close to that of a Level 5!
Ryuu also grasped the opportunity, completing her chant.
"O distant forest canopy, now long gone. O boundless night sky, studded with infinite stars..."
"Answer my foolish voice and grant me once more the blessing of starlight. Bestow merciful light upon those who have abandoned you."
"Come, wandering wind, roaming traveler."
"Soar across the heavens, race across the wilderness, with speed surpassing all things."
"Imbued with the brilliance of the stars... Strike down my foe!"
"Luminous Wind!"
"Agaris Alvesynth!"
Alise and Ryuu's ultimate attacks erupted, bombarding the giant's head from the left and right.
Just as the battle seemed about to conclude...
A disturbance echoed from the passage leading to the 18th Floor.
"Hm? Someone's coming."
Rayleigh sensed a massive surge of spiritual pressure approaching and raised his guard.