The more relaxed a moment is, the more likely something unexpected will happen, just like right now.
Altair had been waiting for two hours, long enough for his stomach to start growling. Just as he took a bite of his sandwich, the floor boss, Goliath, appeared. Altair suspected that Goliath had been hiding behind the wall the whole time, waiting for the perfect moment to interrupt his meal.
Although speechless at the timing, Altair quickly packed up his lunch, leaving the half-eaten sandwich hanging from his mouth, and instantly shifted into battle mode.
Goliath stood over ten meters tall, and his enormous size prevented him from leaping out of the wall immediately. His full emergence would take some time, and that gave Altair just enough time to prepare.
Hoisting the rocket launcher onto his shoulder, Altair didn't aim right away. Instead, he observed the giant's next move while keeping the launcher ready.
Goliath's face first appeared as if it had slammed through the wall from the other side. After the massive face showed up, his entire head forced its way out, followed by his upper body, with his thick arms bracing against the wall to pull himself free.
"Almost there."
Altair watched as Goliath yanked his right leg out, planting it firmly on the ground. Satisfied, Altair glanced back at Lili.
"Remember what I told you. Keep your distance."
"Got it."
Lili, now too nervous to finish her sandwich, quickly shoved it back into the box, closed it, and dashed away with her pack. She didn't want to get caught in the battle.
Altair wasn't concerned about whether she'd run off. His focus now was on defeating the freshly respawned floor boss before him.
"Now then, this should be easy."
Altair turned his attention back to Goliath. The towering monster had fully freed himself from the wall, standing on the ground with both legs.
His glowing, crimson eyes locked onto the only adventurer present, Altair.
"Alright, let's see. Will you step with your left foot or your right?"
Altair watched Goliath's feet closely, ready to react based on which foot moved first.
Goliath glanced down at Altair for a second, then let out a thunderous roar that echoed across the entire 17th floor. Other adventurers, upon hearing it, didn't rush to help. They knew they couldn't handle Goliath at their levels.
After roaring, Goliath glared at Altair and raised his right leg to step forward. His first step landed right on top of the C4 Altair had buried earlier.
"Perfect placement."
Altair pulled out the detonator and waited, watching Goliath closely. When Goliath lifted his left leg for the next step, Altair pressed the detonator.
The magic-enhanced C4 exploded beneath Goliath's right foot. The force of the blast was far greater than standard C4, thanks to the magic stones Altair had embedded. The explosion completely obliterated Goliath's right foot, blowing apart even part of his lower leg.
"RAAARGH!!"
Goliath roared in agony, his right leg utterly destroyed. Without the support of his right leg, he toppled over, his left leg coming down to catch his fall right onto another C4 charge that Altair had placed earlier.
"What a perfect combo."
As Altair smirked, he pressed the detonator again.
BOOM!
Goliath's left foot also exploded into fragments, with the blast tearing through his shin and shattering his knee. His lower body was now completely destroyed.
As the floor boss of the 17th floor, Goliath had immense strength, but his regeneration wasn't enough to heal such devastating injuries. He had no chance of recovering from this.
"Your fate is sealed."
Standing confidently, Altair mocked Goliath, who was now writhing on the ground from the consecutive explosions.
"RAAAAAH!"
Even with both legs destroyed, Goliath roared furiously, determined to crawl toward Altair with his massive arms and crush the pest that had taunted him.
But the moment Goliath reached out with his arm, another series of explosions rang out.
The six C4 charges Altair had planted were strategically placed, anticipating Goliath's movements. Two of the remaining charges detonated as Goliath fell, triggering another wave of blasts.
Goliath's right arm was blown off at the shoulder, and his left side was ripped open. The mighty floor boss was reduced to a near-helpless state, with only his left arm remaining intact.
"What a pity, didn't even use all of them."
Out of the six C4 charges, Altair had only used four. Two remained, and since they weren't needed now, he planned to recover them for future use.
After pocketing the detonator, Altair hoisted the rocket launcher onto his shoulder and slowly approached Goliath.
The once-formidable monster was now gravely wounded, his body riddled with injuries. Blood poured from his shoulder, his left side, and where his legs had once been. Yet, his immense vitality kept him alive for the moment.
All Altair needed to do now was deliver the final blow.
"Still moving, huh? Come on, surely you're not done already, right?"
Carrying the rocket launcher, Altair aimed it at Goliath's head, continuing to taunt the dying beast.
"RAAARGH..."
Goliath glared at Altair, growling weakly. Altair seized the moment, pulling the trigger.
"Here you go, big guy. Time to take your medicine."
The magic-enhanced rocket shot out, trailing a brilliant streak of light, and flew straight into Goliath's open mouth, lodging itself in his throat.
"Tough medicine, but it'll do you good."
"RAAARGH-"
BOOM!
Goliath let out one last roar as the rocket detonated. Magical energy blasted out of his mouth, followed by his eyes, ears, and nose. His massive head exploded in a burst of light, leaving nothing but a charred stump.
With Goliath's death, his gigantic body quickly disintegrated, crumbling into ash.
As the massive body vanished, only a large magic stone remained.
Altair slung the rocket launcher back onto his shoulder and gazed at the magic stone with a satisfied grin.
"Got it! The magic stone for more rocket ammo."
"G-Goliath... has been defeated?"
Lili, still hiding in the distance, stared in disbelief at the giant magic stone, frozen in place.