The entire 18th floor was quiet. Nobody moved. nobody spoke they just watched as the Goliath stood up going to five feet then ten then even higher. After the initial shock of seeing the beast the whole floor broke out into a panic.
Bell thinking quickly barked out orders."Zenitsu head to the village and get everyone to the cliffs. Genya I want you and Inosuke helping protect the mages while they get their spells ready. Welf get any and all weapons and supplies you can after that help wherever you think you'll do best" Bell said before turning to Rengoku seeing the man smile at him. "Sorry that should've been you" Bell said quietly.
"No you did quite fine Bell just shows you'll be a good fit for captain one day" Rengoku said.
"Nah I'm just your simple rank and file now let's go" Bell said his deflection obvious he then jumped off the cliff and went plummeting towards the ground. Bell landed on the ground with a roll and started running towards the monster. He saw that Ryu and Asfi were already attacking it with Asfi literally flying. Bell paid them no mind however as he threw his blades into the Goliaths shoulder blades and pulled himself up. As he was flying up however he remembered what Kratos had said earlier after his fight with the normal Goliath.
"If it can still see you after you take out it eyes take out its ears. If it can still find you then take out it's nose and if it can still somehow find you than it is a good monster to fight" he thought hearing the words in his head.
Bell was then right in front of the monsters face as he finished his ascent. He pulled his blades out of the Goliath and stabbed it right in the eyes. The monster roared out in pain and started shaking his head violently swinging Bell around. Bell held his ground and kept his blades in the eye sockets of the creature knowing if he moved now he'd be hit and something told him he didn't want to be hit. Bell then took one of his blades out of the Goliath's eyes and served the beasts nose. "All that's left are the ears" Bell thought before stabbing his free blade in the Goliath's head and started climbing.
Over with Genya and the mages he was currently fighting off monsters to protect the mages while they chanted. He had just finished killing a hellhound when he turned to look at the Goliath. He saw Rengoku using his flame breathing on its legs. He saw Ryu and Asfi hitting the beast over and over again where vital organs would be for humans. Then he saw Bell climbing on the beast nearing the top of its head. "Crazy motherfucker" he thought.
He then turned on his heel shooting a hellhound in the face that was about to shoot fire at a mage. Genya then heard someone shout at Bell and the others to move. The group listened with Bell grabbing Asfi's hand after reaching the top of the Goliath. Genya then watched as the mages fired their spells once the attack group was out of range. Genya watched as spell after spell hit the Goliath slowly but surely battering down its defenses until it was killed. When the smoke cleared Genya saw the Goliath still standing up with half its body missing it crystal on display it looked beautiful. What he didn't expect however was for the thing to start regenerating.
"What the hell is going on" he said aloud.
"It's an irregular" a female voice next to him said.
Genya turned and saw Bells elf friend from the Loki familia, Lefyia he thinks her name is. "What do you mean it's an irregular what monster stone could it eat" Genya said. "I don't know but that should've killed it" Lefyia said evidently panicked. Genya turned back around and saw that the Goliath was fully regenerated and looking right at them. It opened its mouth and Genya could see a concentration of magic forming in its mouth.
"GET DOWN" Genya yelled tackling Lefyia to the ground as the beam came towards them. Genya knew the beam would hit them that's why he shielded Lefyia's smaller form with his gigantic one he would be damned if he let one of Bells new friends die and besides as long as it didn't disintegrate him he'd be fine...he hoped. But the blast never came as Bell had intercepted the blast with his shield and was being pushed back. Yet he still held his ground his grunts of pain and strain made it obvious. When the blast was done Bells left arm hung limply at his side burned black. "You two ok" he asked turning to face them.
Genya nodded and tossed Bell a potion for his arm. Bell took the cork off and splashed it on his arm seeing it heal but not completely still leaving third degree burns. "Thanks,looks like this is gonna be a little more complicated than we thought" Bell said. Genya got off Lefyia and stood next to Bell agreeing with him watching the others fight the Goliath. "Bell your hand let me heal it" Lefyia said standing next to Bell. Bell moved his hand out the way and waved her off. "Nah save your mind for another attack I'll be fine had worst burns before" Bell said. Before Lefyia could respond Bell had already jumped off the cliff and was heading towards the Goliath again.
"Don't worry about him he'll be fine" Genya said shooting a hellhound that was over Lefyia's shoulder.
Once again Bell threw himself up at the Goliath swinging around all over the beast cutting up whatever he could. However it didn't matter as the beast just healed those wounds instantly. Not really seeing other options he kept swinging and swinging. He cut its tendons,eyes,ears,nose yet they all healed without a problem it almost looked like he did no damage at all.
"Fuck this is getting an- his thought was cut off as the Goliath massive fist hit him sending him flying into the ceiling of the 18th floor. He could feel shards of crystals shatter against his impact and when he came back down the Goliath hit him again and sent him flying into a cliff.
Genya and Lefyia watched horrified as Bell had hit the cliff directly below them. His impact so so hard that both had to move as the cliff collapsed burying Bell in the rubble. Genya and Lefyia then jumped on top on the rubble and began digging Bell out.
Bell opened his eyes and saw Kratos again this time the man didn't look disappointed but sympathetic. "Boy,it appears you are in over your head with the state you are in. Because no matter how much you damage that monster it will regenerate. I will give you props however as you followed my advice that is why I will again lend you my help" the god said.
"Oh yeah and just how are you gonna do that" Bell asked not sarcastically but curious and desperate. He wanted to save his friends to help people but to him he feels like he hasn't contributed to the fight at all so if the grumpy god wants to help he'll take it.
"Your skill spartan rage not only does it help you grow stronger faster but it also allows the person an immense amount of power if used correctly. But right now that doesn't matter your friends are nearly dead and there's no time to teach you how to use it properly" Kratos said crossing his arms with an exasperated sigh.
"So what I get really angry and beat the shit out of the thing" Bell asked. "Yes but you need to be careful to not lose your mind when it's activated as you do not know how to properly use your anger in combat" Bell went to speak but Kratos cut him off. "While yes you have used anger in combat before this rage will be nothing like you've ever felt so if you're not careful with it you could easily kill your friends in the process" Kratos said looking at the boy who's face was now between a mix of curiosity and terror.
"LEFYIA OVER HERE I FOUND HIM" Genya shouted getting Lefyia's attention. Lefyia went over to the boy and saw Bell in a state worse than we he showed up on the 18th floor. "He's barely breathing move" Lefyia said as she started chanting a healing spell. Genya watched as a green light bathed Bells body until he heard a growl behind him. He quickly turned around and saw multiple hellhounds in front of them. He pulled out his shotgun and pulled the trigger but nothing came out of the chamber.
"Shit I'm outta ammo" he thought unsheathing his sword. A hellhound then charged at him but Genya dodged and sliced its head off. "Behind you" Lefyia said seeing a hellhound about to bite Genya. Genya spun around but lost his footing and fell onto the ground with the hellhound about to land on top of him. Genya then saw a bolt of lighting fly by him and all of the hellhounds present were dead.
"You owe me one" Zenitsu said offering his hand to Genya.
"And you owe me more then one...but thanks" Genya said accepting the hand.
"Where's the pig" Genya asked.
"Still doing what Bell told him only reason I'm here is cause I saw what happened. So I'll hold them off while you figure out that skill of yours"
"My skill but I don't know how to activate it" Genya said.
"It's a armory Genya just think of a weapon" Zenitsu said.
When Genya heard that he smacked himself in the head for being so stupid. Here he was thinking it was more complicated than it actually was.
"Wait are you telling me you never thought of that" Zenitsu said.
"Shut up" Genya replied thinking of a gun then having it spawn in his hands. "Damn sure that ain't a little overkill" Zenitsu asked. "Ask the hellhounds" Genya said as he opened fire with his machine gun at the herd.
As the two were fighting Lefyia was able to heal most of Bells wounds before beginning to feel the effects of a mind down approaching. However she pushed on pouring more and more mind into the spell until she felt a hand gently grip her wrist. "You've done enough Lefyia" Bell said as he stood up. "Wait you're not fully healed yet" she said standing up to go after him but her legs gave up causing her to fall to the ground. "Here drink this and stay out of the way...people are gonna need your help" Bell said handing her a mind potion.
Bell then walked up behind his two friends and patted them on the shoulders as he moved past them. "Stay here it's about to get messy" Bell said before he heard a ringing in his ears. The ringing is his ears grew louder and he started hearing his heartbeat. Bell closed his eyes letting the sensations take over him before red flecks started coming off his hands. When he opened his eyes he felt an indescribable rage course through him. He then let out a guttural roar and charged at the Goliath once again.
An intense bloodlust was let out on floor 18 with all the adventures there feeling it. Rengoku having a feeling of who it might be told Ryu and Asfi they needed to move away from the beast because something worse was coming. He was right as a burning tree from the forest come flying in from nowhere impaling the Goliath right in the face. The two women listened and the trio then moved away as two more trees came flying at the beast. When they felt they were far enough away they saw Bell attacking the beast with his bare hands and to them it looked like his strength was on par if not stronger than the Goliath. They watched as Bell grabbed the Goliath by its leg and lifted it over his shoulder slamming it on the ground.
However the beast got up quickly while Bell still held onto its leg and kicked him away. It was about to crush Bell but Welf appeared out of nowhere and hit the beast with a magic sword blowing up the left side of the monster exposing his ribcage. The monster than batted Welf away. Bell seeing this became even more enraged as he grabbed the monsters leg again. Except this time he tackled the monster and seeing how it was missing the muscle on its left side it easily fell over. Bell then broke one of the monsters ribs and climbed inside the beast coming face to face with its magic crystal. Bell then unleashed a fury of punches on the crystal his hands becoming bloodier with each hit. Until finally, finally the crystal shattered and the monster turned to dust.
Bell stood there his skill deactivated covered in blood as it rained down on him. The entire floor was quiet as all eyes were on him. Bell shakily raised his fist into the air signaling that the battle was over. Then everyone cheered.
"Good show good show" a blonde god clapped while on top of babel a silver haired goddess became even more curious about the boy.
And that's the conclusion to death March to 18. Bell unlocked another portion of his skill and Genya finally figured out how to activate his. I hope you enjoyed leave a comment and tell me what you think. Next chapter is gonna diverge from canon a little as Rengoku thinks it's time for a vacation.
