Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 24. The Black Goliath

Bell observed it closely, intrigued. Was the strength of his shadows linked to the adventurers' levels? If that were the case, then his own Level 51 status should have made him practically unbeatable. Yet, the Minotaur was more powerful than his standard infantrymen but still fell short of Igris.

Even so, he couldn't deny it—his new summon looked undeniably cool.

His thoughts were interrupted as Ryuu and Asfi approached, their expressions resolute. "We're going to act as decoys," Ryuu said. "The mages need time to prepare another spell, and we'll keep the Black Goliath distracted until then."

Bell nodded, assessing the battlefield. "I'll send reinforcements."

With a silent command, sixteen shadow infantrymen surged forward, seamlessly integrating into the plan.

Lili regrouped with Hestia, her sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. "We need to gather all the supplies," she said firmly. Hestia nodded, quickly delegating the task to a nearby man, who rushed off to fulfill the request.

As they prepared, Lili's eyes landed on an object wrapped in cloth, marked with a joker symbol. A chill ran down her spine. Something about it felt... ominous. But there was no time to dwell on it now.

Meanwhile, Ryuu continued her battle against the Black Goliath, her breath ragged as she pushed herself to the limit. The monster's regeneration was relentless. No matter how many times she struck, it simply refused to stay down. Even Bell's shadow infantrymen struggled against its sheer might, their bodies torn apart—only to reform again as long as Bell had the MP to sustain them.

Across the battlefield, Bell's right hand crackled with energy. The golden light of Argonaut surged through him as he unleashed a charged Firebolt. The searing bolt of flame rocketed forward, detonating against the Black Goliath's skull. A deafening explosion ripped through the air, the top of the monster's head vaporized in an instant.

But even headless, it refused to fall.

With a guttural roar, the Black Goliath fired off a Roar Blast—a compressed wave of pure destruction aimed straight at Bell.

"Igris!" Bell commanded.

From the depths of his shadow, Igris materialized, his longsword gleaming as he stepped between Bell and the attack. With a single, precise swing, he deflected the blast, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

Even as its head fully regenerated once more, the Black Goliath lunged forward, its colossal hand swinging toward Bell in a devastating slap.

CLANG!

Ouka intercepted with his shield, the force of the impact sending a thunderous tremor through the ground. Without missing a beat, Bell and Igris charged together.

Bell activated Rasaka's Fang, his dagger sinking into the Black Goliath's flesh. A faint glow spread from the wound, inflicting both Bleed and Paralyze. At the same time, his Shadow Minotaur lunged into battle, locking horns with the regenerating beast.

Even with its immense durability, the Black Goliath faltered. Though it managed to resist Paralyze, the Bleed effect took its toll—its wounds reopening faster than it could heal.

Bell saw his chance. As he began charging for another attack, Asfi hurled a blinding flash bomb, momentarily disorienting the beast. Ryuu followed up, summoning a whirlwind of emerald light—Luminous Wind—that cut into the monster's skin like a thousand blades. The Shadow Mages stepped in, their fire magic engulfing the behemoth in waves of searing flame.