Kracka! Kracka!
All sorts of magic flew in the air. The entire floor shook violently as rankers in the ranks of B to S– engaged in combat against two people.
Two people.
"Two people…."
Yi Jihyeon whispered hoarsely. She had not joined the battle, but led each of her mbers to attack in coordinate.
But….
"Akh!"
"Kh…!"
It wasn't enough.
They were being pushed back.
Two figures, whom Yi Jihyeon had no information about, had been easily holding her mbers off.
A man and a woman.
And the fact that Yi Jihyeon had no idea who they were, despite the strength they held, told her enough of their identities.
'They're from Milis.'
Yi Jihyeon refused to shake these thoughts off.
It was the only possible answer.
A sudden chill ran down her spine, as cold sweat trickled on her back upon realizing this fact.
'Just two people from Milis….'
And they were already at this level.
A level that a re S–ranker couldn't handle.
But Yi Jihyeon was by far not just a re S–ranker.
While S was her limit, she had fifteen years of experience under her belt.
However, during this mont, her thoughts drifted sowhere else.
The cadets.
This continent's future.
'They mustn't die.'
'If they really are in this tower, then they should never encounter them!'
'Soone has to alert them.'
On the off chance a cadet would explore the lower floors in an attempt to go back ho, and would find themselves witnessing this entire catastrophe, the two figures from Milis could use them as leverage, taking them as hostage.
Yi Jihyeon couldn't allow it.
For that reason, she scread, calling out for her Vice–Leader.
"Leon!"
Leon fared a bit better compared to the other mbers, especially in the combat departnt.
He had exchanged the most blows against the two figures. After all, he was only second after Yi Jihyeon.
"Guild–Leader!?"
A bit startled, maybe annoyed that his na was being called during battle, exclaid.
His head flicked towards Yi Jihyeon with raised brows.
"Find them, Leon!"
Yi Jihyeon's desperate voice resounded.
Just how did things escalate like this?
Hours ago, she was just in the academy, monitoring the students undergoing the exam.
And now,
….She was fighting with her life on the line.
Leon was confused for a brief second, but his thoughts suddenly broke as Yi Jihyeon took that first step.
Tak.
The sound of her heels clicked.
Tak. Tak—!
Attention fell on her. The guild–leader was finally about to go all out.
That was what the elated expressions of her guild mbers had told her.
Leon nodded his head briefly before rushing ahead. However, the two figures didn't allow him.
One of the figures blurred, appearing right behind Leon who was running without ever looking back.
Before the figure's attack landed, Yi Jihyeon was already moving. Yi Jihyeon's hand, wrapped in ice, clashed with the woman's fist.
Bang!
The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber as Yi Jihyeon gritted her teeth, her feet digging in as she absorbed the blow. Ice spread up her arm, forming armor.
Frost spread under her feet as she twisted, deflecting the next strike. The woman retreated, and Yi Jihyeon seized the chance.
"Leon! Go, now!"
She roared out.
Leon sprinted away. However, the male figure moved to chase him, but Yi Jihyeon blocked his path. Slamming her foot down, ice erupted, forming a barrier.
Cr–Crack!
Yi Jihyeon's eyes flickered, emanating a chilling blue glow as her face darkened. Glaring at the man, her lips parted open, her tone sounding cold.
"ssing with Holy Britannia's youth is the worst mistake you've ever made."
***
Brandon and Raven entered the fifth floor.
It was the final floor.
"...."
"...."
The sheer sight had taken them aback.
A vast garden extended endlessly before them, filled with beautiful, alien plants.
The sky was filled with a golden color, and a hollow light shimred, casting a fixed radiant glow in the distance, most probably the center of the floor.
It was beautiful.
A complete contrast from the other floors thus far.
The two exchanged brief glances before nodding. Then, they made their way towards the light's direction.
The two looked around, taking in the beautiful fight.
There wasn't a single monster on sight.
Nothing but floors as far as the eye could see.
But regardless, the two remained vigilant. The flowers must have their own gimmicks.
After all, this was the fifth floor. It should be the hardest one thus far.
As Brandon further scrutinized the vicinity, he could see the flowers blooming at an unusual pace.
"...."
They navigated their way through the path spread out for them, trying not to harm the flowers in any way.
"Raven."
Brandon's mouth parted open.
"What?'
"It's probably not the ti for this, but could you help out tomorrow?"
"Sure, what do you need?"
"It's Evelyn's birthday tomorrow, so I'm planning on throwing a surprise party for her. Could you let the others know?"
"Oh? Sure, though why—Ah."
Raven paused in his steps, brows raised. Brandon halted as well and glanced back.
"You…"
"...?"
Brandon's head curiously tilted. It seed like Raven had a sudden realization.
"Don't tell …."
"What?"
"Do you…. perhaps…. like her? Our teacher!? You damn cheater!?"
It was only when he had heard Raven's ridiculous statent, did Brandon react. His brows knitted, and a look of disgust spread across Brandon's face.
"But like…. I don't think she's interested in you like that, dude. You're a kid in her eyes…. You're like…. probably not even her type."
It wasn't just the fact that he was getting accused of cheating, but Raven's look of disapproval irked him for so reason as he looked at Brandon from head to toe, grimacing.
Not that Brandon was interested in Evelyn in that way.
But not her type?
'Did he just call ugly?'
That seed to have been the implication, especially by the looks Raven was giving him.
'I definitely look better than you, bastard. Have you ever seen yourself?'
"First of all, go look in the mirror."
Brandon's words trailed off from there. It felt like he was dissing himself for so reason.
"Secondly, no, I don't like her like that. The hell is wrong with you?"
Brandon spat out.
"Then…?"
"Because she's like family to ."
"Oh."
Silence.
The entire exchange beca awkward as the two stood still montarily.
However, the silence was soon broken by Raven, who seed to have just realized sothing.
"Hey...! What do you an go look in the mirror!?"
But Brandon completely dismissed it off, shrugging his shoulders and walked back towards the center.
"Did you just call ugly!?"
Raven chased him and started yapping.
"You know, I received over a dozen of confessions throughout my li—"
Brandon raised his hand, flashing his middle finger, silencing Raven.
"...."
Raven paused once again as if he couldn't accept it.
Then, he rushed towards Brandon, who was completely ignoring him.
But Brandon could hear Raven continuously mutter, "I'm not ugly, am I? Now that I think about it, Amy's never called handso before…."
Poor guy.
In the end, they reached the center.
Blue words suddenly entered Brandon's peripheral vision.
[Ti Garden.]
[Ti Remaining: 3:48]
[Guidelines and Objectives:]
[Guidelines: Ti moves differently depending on the area of the garden. So areas speed up the growth of the flower, while others slow it down. The challenger must control the balance of ti to allow the seed to bloom.
The passage of ti is tied to the challenger's emotions. If they are impatient, ti speeds up too quickly, causing the plant to wither. If they are too passive, ti slows to a crawl, delaying progress indefinitely.]
[Objective: The challenger must learn to regulate their emotional state, maintaining calm focus to keep ti flowing in the garden at a steady pace. ditation or ntal clarity techniques are key to controlling the flow of ti and ensuring the flower blooms perfectly.]
"Oh."
A sudden mory triggered, and Brandon realized what this floor was.
"Isn't this kinda easy for the final floor?"
Raven massaged his chin as he mulled over the instructions.
However, Brandon remained silent, peering into his thoughts.
"This floor…."
….Was the 32nd floor.
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