Extra's Descent

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."

"...."

Raven suddenly felt worried. The second floor's psychological break had already worn him out. So much so that he intended to remain quiet if that was the case on the current floor.

But that never happened.

Instead.

Voosh—!

A blue torch lit up from one side.

The left.

Voosh—!

The right.

Voosh—! Voosh—! Voosh—! Voosh—!

Several blue torches started to lit up, casting an eerie blue glow, allowing the two to see the long winded corridor forming like a path towards some kind of large gate entrance.

An entrance that had yet to be opened.

Brandon and Raven exchanged wary glances before nodding their heads. The blue torchlights were barely enough to reveal the path ahead.

Tak. Tak—!

Silence gripped the surroundings as the sound of their footsteps could only be heard, reverberating throughout the entire corridor.

Raven followed, staying close behind. The air was thick, the shadows between the torches seemingly alive, flickering with every step they took.

As they approached the gate, it loomed larger—a massive, dark structure covered in unfamiliar symbols. Raven hesitated for a moment, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

The entire atmosphere reminded Brandon of a show he had watched before.

Something about some swordsman who had to reveal his trump–card against a floor boss, dealing with it solo since his friends were about to die.

'I should try dual wielding one day.'

Brandon thought to himself.

In any case, the two exchanged brief glances before Brandon stepped forward, placing his hand on its cold surface.

His thoughts were clear and empty, remaining vigilant. There were two ways this floor would go down, and Brandon was ready for it.

Rumble. Rumble….!

The moment his hand touched the entrance, the symbols glowed, and the gate began to rumble.

With a deep groan, the gate slowly opened, revealing a dark void beyond. A gust of cold air rushed out, sending a shiver down both his spine.

"Ah."

A dome–like chamber spread wide, blue torches sputtering an eerie glow.

He had seen Jin. Or rather, Raven, tackling this floor in his memories.

And he couldn't solemnly swear it wasn't an easy fight.

The darkness swallowed them, the torches behind flickering out, leaving only an ominous, empty silence ahead.

"...!"

"...!"

Brandon and Raven immediately took their stances, eyes narrowing as a sinister aura filled the air.

From the darkness, two red eyes flickered, locking onto them.

Voosh—!

A massive blue torch ignited on the center wall, revealing a towering figure seated on a grand throne.

The creature's eyes glowed, the torch further casting a blue glow, revealing two shaped horns protruding from both sides of its head.

As Brandon looked to the side, Raven looked like he was trembling.

As if a wave of realization hit him.

"That's…."

"You know what that is?"

Brandon asked. He knew exactly what it was, but pretended to be oblivious. It was a creature unique only to the tower.

At least,

….As of this moment.

"....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."