"As expected of a monster. Its bodily structure is completely different from a human's."
After obtaining the answer she wanted, Elise's interest in Goliath diminished considerably. She even stopped attacking it.
In that case, I should just finish it quickly. After I get back tonight, I still have to cook for Astraea and Est...
"Hm? What kind of attack is this?"
Elise, who had been maintaining a defensive barrier of Prana around herself, suddenly felt a pulling force from behind her clothes, almost flipping her entire body over.
"Goliath! What are you doing? Goliath!"
Within Elise's perception, Goliath had swung its fist at her as usual. But she had long prepared her Prana shield. With Goliath's strength, even if it could break her shield, it should have taken considerable time.
But Goliath...
Mid-swing, it changed its move!
Perhaps realizing that its attack could not harm the human before it, Goliath opened its tightly clenched fist and reached out with both massive hands to grab Elise directly.
But Elise's shield was no mere decoration.
It blocked Goliath's grasp outright. However...
Elise's clothes were a little too long.
Inside the Dungeon, she was probably the first person to dress so unlike an adventurer.
Although her Prana defended against Goliath's attack, the corner of her clothing was caught firmly in the giant's hand.
The tug on her clothes immediately drew Elise's attention. To prevent her outfit from being torn apart, she had no choice but to let Goliath pull her backward.
Elise had no intention of ending up wrapped in holy light!
Even if others could not see anything, she still had a sense of shame!
If someone asked her on the way back, "Why are you glowing all over? And why is your silhouette so clear?"
How was she supposed to answer that?
At once, the killing intent in Elise's heart skyrocketed with a rapid thump-thump-thump!
The way she looked at Goliath grew increasingly dangerous.
"Although my physical strength isn't particularly high, with multiple abilities layered together, I can achieve a temporary boost in physical prowess!"
"Est, I'm counting on you!"
Elise raised the sword in her hand and spoke softly beside it.
"Sister, are you really planning to fight like that?"
Through their contract, Est clearly sensed Elise's intentions and could not understand what she was about to do.
If she were in human form right now, she would probably be staring in shock, mouth wide open.
"That method doesn't really match the image of a saintess you strive for, does it? Why choose something like that?" Est's puzzled voice echoed in Elise's mind.
"Est, it's been a long time since I've exercised properly... I just want to loosen up a little. Is there a problem with that?"
Elise's voice was gentle, but Est could sense the turbulent undercurrent hidden beneath its surface.
"Mm... as long as you're happy, Sister!"
"Such a good girl, Est." Elise smiled and gently stroked the Sacred Demon Sword before canceling Est's summoning, returning to an empty-handed state.
"Oh, right!"
As if remembering something, Elise continued, "This doesn't contradict the image of a saintess, you know?"
"In the distant past, there was once a saintess named Martha."
"People said Martha was gentle and kind, beautiful and dignified. Wherever she passed, everyone praised her."
"She used her power to fight evil and save the people. She is someone I deeply respect!"
"And the weapon that saintess used... was her fists!"
"Est, do you understand now?" Elise asked again. In response, Est's somewhat timid voice drifted back.
"Mm... I don't really understand... I'm sorry, Sister."
As a sword spirit, although Est had lived for thousands of years and followed the Saintess Areishia for many of them, her understanding of certain matters was still like that of a child.
And besides, who said a thousand-year-old loli couldn't still be mentally a loli?
That was why Est called Elise "Sister."
"Forget it, Est. Just remember this..."
Elise spread her arms and clenched both fists as the Prana within her body began to circulate.
'Est, use your holy attribute!'
In the next second, golden starlight gathered around Elise, converging onto her fists.
Before long, her small, delicate fists were completely wrapped in radiant golden light, dazzling to behold.
Even the giant Goliath seemed startled by the golden spectacle, instinctively taking several steps back.
"A so-called saintess will not be influenced by any external form. As long as she carries the heart of a saintess, then she is a saintess!"
"As for appearances... paying a little attention is enough!"
"Forgive me, Lady Astraea. Please avert your gaze for the moment!"
With her holy-light-wreathed fists raised, Elise stomped her left foot hard against the ground and shot forward like a rocket, aiming straight for Goliath's head!
And Goliath had just opened its mouth, preparing to unleash a powerful sonic attack!
Which one would be faster?
The answer was...
Goliath!
The giant's sonic attack clearly preceded Elise by several steps. Before she could fully close the distance, the attack had already been released!
Roar—
The violent soundwaves surged toward Elise. If an ordinary adventurer took that head-on, they would either die or suffer severe injuries. Even a Level 4 would not fare well.
And judging from Elise's reaction, she had no intention of dodging?
"Hmph! As if mere sound could defeat a saintess!"
Skill Scales of Judgment activated.
Elise was designated as good, Goliath as evil. The giant's overall abilities were reduced, while Elise's parameters increased!
Of course, relying on this single skill alone was far from enough to turn the tide.
The key was the holy light in Elise's hands!
"Bring it on!"
Elise swung her fist, charging forward without hesitation to meet the incoming sonic attack.
"This is my Holy Fist—"
In the next instant, golden starlight shattered the sound into pieces!
Riding the momentum of her strike, Elise closed in on Goliath and met its enormous eyes face-to-face.
Sensing the threat, Goliath swung its massive arm once more.
But unfortunately...
It was too late!
Thud—
The golden fist slammed directly into Goliath's face. Visible ripples spread across its features from the impact.