Brandon was well aware his sword wouldn't cut it.
Not that he didn't have enough strength, but the minotaur was completely impervious to melee attacks.
It was the minotaur's main defensive ability.
However, just like everything was related to magic, the minotaur's defensive skill was a creation of the minotaur's mana.
Meaning, Raven would be its natural counter due to his [Reflection] skill. An ability that allowed him to tear—or repel magic, relative to his strength.
However, Raven was still an A+ ranker, he couldn't deal with the minotaur mechanically.
But regardless, all Brandon needed to do was create an opportunity for Raven.
Crash!
The chamber shook violently as the minotaur's talwar crashed down, but Brandon's figure swiftly faded within the mist, hovering right above him.
Tossing his sword in the air, unarmed, Brandon's knuckles connected with the minotaur's head, the impact reverberating through the chamber like a thunderclap.
Bang——!
The massive creature's head jerked to the side, momentarily disoriented.
Brandon's ice–blue eyes flickered, his body twisting mid-air, catching his falling sword and landing behind the beast.
—Kaaah!
The minotaur roared, the sound shaking the very walls, its red eyes flaring in rage.
It spun, swinging its massive talwar with lethal intent, but Brandon was already on the move, his figure blurring, evading the blade by inches.
"Raven!"
Brandon roared, his voice drowned out by the beast's rage, but Raven was already moving.
Raven dashed in, two daggers in his hands glowing faintly.
Brandon's eyes locked onto the minotaur's movements, his sole focus on creating openings for Raven.
The minotaur swung its talwar in a vicious arc, and Brandon ducked low, skidding beneath the blow.
He lashed out with his sword, aiming at the minotaur's knee. Just enough to throw its balance off.
"Now, Raven!"
Nodding his head, Raven seized the opportunity, leaping forward.
Swoosh—!
He drove his dagger into the minotaur's side, piercing through the defensive mana under the effects of [Reflection.]
The creature howled in pain, stumbling slightly, but the mana shield was already starting to reform.
—Kaaaaah!
It recovered, swinging its talwar wildly.
Brandon dashed forward, slipping inside its guard, and delivered a swift punch to the creature's ribs.
The same exchange continuously repeated. Brandon created opportunities, taking significant damage in the process as his speed started faltering.
Raven, unharmed, didn't waste the opportunity presented before him.
The two's attacks coordinated, they were in complete unison as if they were one person fighting.
The entire exchange repeated until there were six hours left on the timer. A total of two hours had passed since they tackled the fourth floor.
The minotaur swayed, weakened, but it refused to fall. With a furious growl, it attempted one last desperate swing of its talwar, aiming to crush them both.
Brandon didn't hesitate. He rushed in, throwing his body against the beast's arm, redirecting the blow. Read the latest on m_v-l'e|-novelhall.net
Crash!
The talwar crashed into the ground, leaving the minotaur open and vulnerable.
"Finish it!"
Nodding his head, Raven's eyes narrowed.
He poured every ounce of mana into his daggers, the glow intensifying.
With a swift, powerful leap, he drove both blades into the minotaur's chest, piercing through the last vestiges of its defense.
—Kaaaaah!
The minotaur let out one final, guttural roar before collapsing, its massive form hitting the ground with a resounding thud.
"Haaa.... H-haaa...."
"Haaa...."
Brandon's breathing came in ragged, his chest heaving, adrenaline coursing in his veins as he felt his heartbeat quickening.
"Haaa...."
He glanced at his arm, purple bruises entered his peripheral vision, the pain throbbing with each heartbeat.
He'd put everything into keeping Raven safe and creating those openings.
"H-haaa.... Haaa...."
Raven, too, was catching his breath, his daggers slick with the minotaur's dark blood.
He looked at Brandon, concern flickering across his tired expression as he went on and asked,
"Your arm... You okay?"
Brandon forced a confident grin, shaking his head slightly.
"I'll live. We needed that win."
Shortly after, blue words appeared.
[Objectives Cleared!]
[Floor 4 Cleared!]
WHIII—
In the next moment, a blinding light engulfed the chamber, forcing them to look away.