The simulated Dimensional Tower, probably giving them a break from all its psychological intricacies, had become significantly easier after the second floor.
The third floor, a completion to the tower's "tutorial phase," was nothing but a grind floor.
[Objective: Wipe out every creature residing within the floor.]
A simple slaughter objective.
Additionally, it had a feature that had greatly assisted them.
[NW: 300m.]
It had a compass system. A compass that directly led to the monsters.
For that reason, Bradon and Raven had easily slaughtered the monsters with a bit of teamwork.
It took a total of three hours to complete the initial tutorial phase.
But Raven could solemnly swear that wouldn't have been the case if Brandon wasn't around.
Everytime he would see him, he would always surprise him.
A sudden pang of envy flooded his thoughts. But Raven quickly shook off those thoughts every time they did.
If he had to describe it, he felt like a jealous bitch.
He didn't want to feel like that anymore.
'I should focus on myself.'
That was the most important part.
While there was still a sense of distrust towards Brandon, the second floor had actually deepened their bond somewhat.
No lies, no facades.
If there were discrepancies during their ascents, the two didn't need to hold back, easily voicing out their thoughts.
From Brandon's side, it wasn't pleasant at all.
"You're fucking holding me back!"
Brandon exclaimed.
"...."
All Raven could do was sigh and move out of the way.
But.... there was a sudden change inside Raven's heart.
A typical goody two–shoes who had always put on a mask just so others wouldn't dislike him.
Why did he need to trouble himself like that when he could just be his real self?
Why suffer in self deprecation, when he could just....
"Fuck off."
Curse.
"...."
It felt good to finally open himself up like that towards Brandon.
And Brandon, who looked at him with surprise, would always scoff or smile.
"Haha."
Raven laughed.
If this was the kind of bond they would foster further in the future, then Raven was all in on it.
Much better than drowning himself in the suffocation of expectations from others.
It felt rather....
Thrilling.
***
Soon after, they emerged to the fourth floor.
But this floor was rather different from the rest.
It was smaller in size—an open field dome. But the problem was the complete utter darkness the room shrouded itself in.
"Not again."
"....It's a minotaur."
Raven's eyes trembled, a sense of hesitation in his voice echoed as he stared at the minotaur.
"Scared?"
Brandon sneered. But a contrast to his confident tone, he wasn't confident at all. But for the record, he just wanted to set him at ease.
After all, Raven would be a key figure in the fight.
More so, because of his skill, [Reflection].
"Nah."
But Raven merely shrugged it off, a grin etching on his face.
"Oh?"
Brandon's brows raised.
"So you can make a face like that now, huh?"
"And who do you think was a bad influence?"
"Ha."
Brandon scoffed.
Maybe....
Maybe this is why Jin turned out the way he did.....
Brandon could only laugh himself upon pondering on that thought.
In any case.
Thump!
The entire room shook. The minotaur stood up, hands on his weapon—a talwar.
"Hm?"
Brandon had just begun to notice it. Talwar? That wasn't what he had seen in the vision.
It was something else.
'Am I just overthinking it?'
Might've been the case.
It was then.
Thump! Thump!
The minotaur took two heavy steps, its weight echoing a loud thumping sound within the entire chamber.
There was often an unspoken rule in the shows Brandon had watched in his previous life.
While an enemy is about to awaken, most of the time, the main characters would stand still and allow it to happen.
But in the first place, why?
Wouldn't it be more advantageous to just—
Swoosh—! .net
"Ah, hey!?"
Brandon was moving, his figure like a blur as Raven's surprised voice echoed from behind.
Mist gradually permeated the air around Brandon as his figure continued to blend seamlessly.
Why wait?
When they could just—
Slash—!
Like a phantom, Brandon leapt up, cleaving his sword to the side. Blood spattered in the air as he landed swiftly on the ground.
Swinging his sword to the side, the blood smeared on it stained the ground as Brandon stood right beside the minotaur, who was just about to brandish its weapon.
Brandon gave it no time to do so and immediately launched his attack.
Without looking back, nor looking at the minotaur, Brandon muttered.
"Dominion."