Finally, under the terrified gazes of everyone present, the colossal body of the Goliath was cleanly and decisively cleaved in two.
Even the core Magic Stone within its body was perfectly bisected by this unrivaled strike. It shattered completely, transforming into a sky full of motes of light that dissipated into the air.
One strike, instant kill!
This time, Aiden didn't save the Magic Stone as he usually did.
He knew very well that Floor Bosses like the Goliath possessed extremely high durability and regeneration. To end the battle as quickly as possible, he had to completely obliterate it, Magic Stone and all.
Silence.
The entire 17th Floor fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at the figure slowly sheathing his sword, their minds completely blank.
At the tunnel entrance above, Ottar still maintained his steady, mountain-like posture, but the gaze he directed at Aiden had completely changed.
If before, he only viewed Aiden as a junior with immense potential, now his eyes viewed him as a true opponent—someone qualified to stand in the exact same arena.
That was—Lumina Slash.
A pinnacle of swordsmanship mastered by only a handful of fighters. A technique capable of projecting pure slashing power with destructive force rivaling a mage's magical bombardment.
Even Ais Wallenstein, the "Sword Princess" blessed with supreme talent who reached Level 5 at a young age, hadn't mastered this sword technique.
In all of Orario, aside from Leon Vadenburg—the "Knight of Knights" far away in the School District—only Ottar himself could execute this technique using his transcendent physical strength.
And now, someone at Level 4 had executed a perfect Lumina Slash.
The fact that Ottar could still maintain his outward composure was a testament to his incredible mental fortitude.
Allen Fromel, who also recognized the Lumina Slash, clicked his tongue in displeasure.
The contempt he previously held for Aiden vanished from his eyes, replaced entirely by grave solemnity.
Killing a Goliath in a single strike.
Not even a Level 5 First-Class Adventurer could do it so easily. Although the Freya executives believed they could also instantly kill the Goliath if they stepped in, they were Level 6s—veteran top-tier adventurers who had been at Level 6 for a very long time.
But this guy was only a Level 4.
"It's over. Mr. Hedin, let's keep moving."
Aiden acted as if he had just done something completely trivial. He casually waved his hand, and the Godslayer: Surtr transformed into a streak of red light, merging back into the stigmata on the back of his hand.
"...Alright."
Hedin's voice carried a microscopic pause for the very first time.
He pushed up his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the stigmata without betraying any emotion.
"Wait, Aiden, I'm coming too!"
Just as they were about to move, Lefiya Viridis suddenly clutched her staff tightly and ran up to Aiden, her blue eyes brimming with absolute determination.
"Us too! We have to go save the Captain and Lady Riveria!"
Raul Nord and the other members of the Loki Familia eagerly voiced their pleas.
"Shut up!"
However, the response they received was a cold, ruthless reprimand from Hedin.
"Do you honestly think you'd be of any help in your current state? Do you want to be dead weight?"
The crushing, palpable pressure of a Level 6 powerhouse slammed down, instantly choking the words out of Raul and the others.
The Loki Familia members turned pale, completely speechless.
It was true... Every single one of them was running on fumes.
Following along wouldn't help; it would only drag down the rescue team's pace.
Raul took a deep breath, forcibly swallowing his frustration.
He knew Hildr was right.
"...Hildr is right. If we go back down now, we'll just be a burden."
He turned to his companions and spoke in a low, heavy tone. "Everyone, let's head back up first. I believe the Captain and the others will be fine."
Then, he turned toward Aiden, Hedin, and the others, offering a deep bow.
"We leave the Captain and the rest... in your hands!"
Seeing Raul make the call, the other Loki Familia members could only lower their heads in silence, their faces written with disappointment and reluctance.
Only Lefiya stubbornly stood her ground. She didn't look at Hedin; she merely stared at Aiden without blinking, her eyes pleading yet resolute.
"...Mr. Hedin."
Aiden sighed helplessly. He could read the emotion in Lefiya's eyes.
She was worried about Riveria. She was worried about Ais.
He completely understood that feeling. He could only turn and look at Hedin.
"Do as you please."
Surprisingly, Hedin relented.
"Just don't drag us down."
Perhaps the strength Aiden had just displayed had earned the proud White Elf's recognition.
"Thanks."
Aiden thanked Hedin, then turned back to Lefiya. "You can come, but you have to listen to me. Absolutely no acting on impulse."
"I know. Thank you, Aiden!"
Lefiya took a deep breath and nodded vigorously, her eyes turning slightly red.
The next second, Aiden bent down and effortlessly scooped the petite elf up into a standard princess carry.
Lefiya instantly understood his intent.
In a race against time like this, she didn't feel an ounce of shyness or embarrassment. Right now, she was far more worried about the safety of Ais, Riveria, and the others down below.
So, without any struggle, she obediently wrapped her arms securely around Aiden's neck and curled her body against his chest to minimize wind resistance while he ran.
Fortunately, the elf girl was incredibly light; to Aiden, her weight was virtually negligible.
Wasting no more time, Aiden carried Lefiya and darted into the tunnel leading to the 18th Floor, vanishing as a blur alongside Hedin, Ottar, Hogni, and Allen.
Left behind, Raul silently prayed for Finn and the others far down on the 27th Floor. Then, he began directing his exhausted companions to clean up the aftermath and prepare to retreat to the 18th Floor, regrouping with the wounded left behind and returning to the surface together.
They had fulfilled their mission.
The rest was entirely up to the strongest rescue team composed of Orario's absolute apex fighters.
High up in the air, Asfi maintained a highly awkward posture, holding her patron deity, Hermes, by the scruff of his neck like a restless kitten.
The flight boots on her feet jetted faint streams of magical air, allowing her to hover silently and trail far behind Aiden's high-speed group.
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