Danmachi: Strongest Familia

As the massive rocks buried them, most of Rivera's adventurers, only at LV1 or LV2, braced for injuries that would be both painful and costly to heal once they returned.

Nearby, Liate, who had recently gained access to short-chant magic, chanted, "Crimson fairy, breathe the breath of flames; burn the bodies of all enemies." Instantly, waves of fire cascaded down, engulfing Black Goliath.

"Now's our chance! Wind, become my wings!" Veronica whispered. With a surge of energy, a gust from her enchanted wind wings lifted her above the blazing battlefield. She aimed for the creature's vulnerable neck, hoping to sever it completely and halt its relentless regeneration.

Her grip tightened, muscles straining as she swung her sword. But as her blade connected with Black Goliath's neck, a harsh metallic sound erupted, sending sparks into the air. Her weapon, crafted with great care and precious materials, had splintered on impact. Horror dawned on her as she recognized the damage: My sword….Broken!

Veronica's mind flashed to Tiona, who had worked tirelessly in the dungeons, eating boiled potatoes daily to earn enough to repair her own prized weapon. She couldn't end up like that, she thought bitterly, glaring at the half-broken sword in her hand. Frustration surged through her, her fury nearly tangible, and her eyes burned with a dangerous red glint.

Her other hand joined the first on the sword hilt as she delivered another powerful slice. The wound she inflicted on Goliath's neck was deep, but on a creature of this size, it barely seemed like a scratch. Just as she steeled herself for a follow-up attack, a massive hand swung through the flames, knocking her aside like a doll.

Shyvana, watching from above, swooped down with her dragon wings, catching Veronica in mid-air. They rolled across the uneven ground, coming to a stop only after some distance. Although Shyvana's wings had softened the impact, Veronica felt a sharp pain in her chest, likely from a broken rib or two. But the anguish over her sword's damage hurt even more.

My death sentence... ruined...

"Hey, Veronica, are you alright?" Shyvana asked, noticing her despondent expression.

Veronica barely acknowledged her, still staring at the shattered weapon. Shyvana tried to encourage her. "If you've got time to mourn, focus on taking this thing down. Black Goliath's magic stone will be worth a lot, and maybe we'll get some drop items, too."

Shyvana's words sparked hope in Veronica, who felt her determination rekindle. "Once this big guy's down, you can have all the magic stones," Shyvana added with a smirk.

"Shyvana…" Veronica murmured, touched by the offer. Though Shyvana hadn't mentioned the potential drop items, Veronica was grateful; she knew it was rare for an adventurer to share such valuable spoils willingly.

"Thank me after we're done here," Shyvana replied, her eyes glinting as they shifted to slitted pupils—a sign she was ready to transform into her dragon form.

The Black Goliath's resilience had exceeded everyone's expectations, and it was clear they'd need Shyvana's full power to bring it down.

"We're here to help!" Alise called out, leading the rescue team forward after ensuring Rivera's civilians were safe. The Astraea Familia warriors felt a wave of relief upon realizing the monster before them wasn't Juggernaut, though Black Goliath was every bit as powerful.

Even so, they preferred facing Black Goliath, a massive creature with high endurance, over Juggernaut, a glass cannon with lethal attack power but fragile defenses. At least Black Goliath wouldn't annihilate them in one hit.

"We've got it covered," Shyvana said firmly, declining Alise's offer of help. Alise and the others, understanding their intent, took a step back. They knew Shyvana's team wanted to finish the battle on their own for the sake of their growth, a common rule of respect among adventurers.

As Shyvana's body began to emit clouds of white smoke, her transformation took full effect. Her hands morphed into dragon claws, and with each step, she left deep prints in the ground. Spreading her massive wings, she launched herself into the air, and a formidable dragon took her place.