The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 56: Infernal Goliath

The cavern pulsed red with rising heat. The Infernal Goliath stood tall—an armored colossus of molten fury. Its chest core pulsed like a living heart of magma, and its blade-arms radiated blistering heat that warped the air.

> [SYSTEM]: [Mid-Boss Analysis Complete.]

Name: Infernal Goliath

Class: Brute

Size: Extra Rude

Mood: Smashy

[Note: Attacking head-on = VERY BAD IDEA.]

Zen took a step forward, voice calm but eyes sharp. "Sylvia, we'll keep it moving. Find a weak spot."

Sylvia gave a short nod, her sword already glowing cold. "Understood."

Lyra raised her staff .

The Goliath didn't wait. It roared—a blast of molten wind knocking dust into a whirlwind—and then charged, each step cracking the floor.

Zen blurred to the left with Skystep Cleave, his blade slicing at the beast's leg. Sparks flew—but the Goliath didn't even flinch.

> [SYSTEM]: [Armor Integrity: 93%. You tickled it.]

"Great," Zen muttered.

Sylvia slashed across its back leg—her ice slowing the joint movement. The creature paused, staggered slightly.

> [SYSTEM]: [Weakness Found! Ice slows its movement. Target the joints.]

"Lyra, now!" Zen shouted.

Lyra's staff flashed—and Frigid Chains of light bound the Goliath's arm mid-swing, buying a second.

"Zen!" she yelled. "You better hit that glowing butt before I do!"

Zen didn't answer—but moved. He surged forward, blade flashing as he unleashed Sword Slash – Piercing Fang, aiming for the exposed gap under the Goliath's knee.

CRACK!

The beast dropped to one knee.

> [SYSTEM]: [Armor Integrity: 76%. Progress. But we're still in spicy territory.]

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The Goliath swung wildly—one blade-arm crashing toward Lyra.

"Lyra, move!" Zen shouted.

But Lyra stood her ground—just enough time to activate Aether Barrier. The blow struck and exploded in fire and smoke, sending her skidding back.

Her knees buckled. "Ugh... Okay. Maybe that was a bad idea."

> [SYSTEM]: [Correction: That was a terrible idea. But stylish.]

Zen's heart jumped—but Lyra stood, grinning through soot-covered cheeks. "Still alive, dummy. Focus."

Sylvia charged in cold silence, her sword shifting into an extended Ice Lance Mode, slashing at the Goliath's arms. Ice crusted over its right blade, weakening its swings.

> [SYSTEM]: [Combo Opportunity Detected. Suggest: Ice-Lock + Flame-Core Strike.]

"Right," Zen whispered—and his sword shimmered.

For a brief moment, the blade turned dark... glowing faintly violet at the edge.

"Dark Sword slash"

With a flash, Zen slashed upward with power—not brute force, but refined precision through the frozen joint.

"FROZEN CROSS — SLASH!"

A burst of icy flame exploded from the impact point.

The Goliath stumbled back—its chest core cracked.

> [SYSTEM]: [Core Vulnerable. ONE SHOT WINDOW. GO GO GO.]

Lyra, battered but standing, flicked her fingers. "Zen."

He met her eyes—and nodded.

"Light me up," she said.

He surged forward, launching her into the air with a burst of mana.

"Let there be light... AND ICE!" Lyra shouted, staff glowing as she plunged down.

Sylvia launched an Ice Spear at the same moment, striking the core.

Lyra landed—

"Glacial Nova: Sacred Break!"

A radiant blast burst from her staff, amplified by Sylvia's ice and Zen's opening.

The Infernal Goliath froze in place—literally. Crystallized solid.

Zen leapt up for the finishing blow, blade glowing red-blue.

"Sword Art – Silent End."

The sword slashed clean through the frozen chest.

The Goliath gave a final roar, then shattered into obsidian shards.

> [SYSTEM – Mid-Boss Defeated!]

Loot: Flame-Core Fragment x1

EXP Gained: +960

[Level Up!]

Zen – Level 7

New Skill Unlocked: Flame Eater Blade (Passive)

Effect: Absorbs residual fire mana to empower next strike.

Zen landed in silence.

Sylvia exhaled. "That... was difficult."

Lyra sat on a rock, grinning up at him with a cut on her lip. "Was it just me... or did I look awesome?"

"You almost got flattened," Zen said, offering her a hand.

She took it—and didn't let go.

"For you? Worth it," she smirked.

> [SYSTEM]: [Romance Progress +3]

[Embarrassment Level: Zen.exe is overheating.]

Zen coughed and looked away, cheeks red. "Let's just find the exit."

> [SYSTEM]: [Awww. Look at you two. Dungeon almost killed you and you're flirting. Peak adventure energy.]

As the three walked forward, light began to filter in from the far cavern.

They weren't done yet.