Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world Chapter 477: The First Companion [1]

Beneath them sprawled the endless desert as Rheanne soared with graceful ease, while Brandon hovered at her side, buoyed by her strength.

Hours seemed to have passed in their flight, yet time flowed unreliably in this realm.

Dunes stretched infinitely below, now and then interrupted by sharp black rock outcrops resembling the skeleton of a long-forgotten monster.

Rheanne fixed her gaze ahead. "I can see another gate in the distance."

Brandon nodded and peered toward the distant rock formations.

"Down there."

Her finger directed attention to a group of massive black rock pillars thrusting up from the sands.

A weathered stone archway stood between the two biggest pillars, partially swallowed by the dunes.

Together, they descended toward it.

The instant their feet met the sand beside the arch, the earth quaked.

*THOOOM* Sand erupted skyward in three ferocious blasts.

Four guardians, bigger than the last batch, surged up from the sands this time.

Brandon’s eyes narrowed. "Same as before."

Rheanne gripped her silver blade more firmly.

"Stay focused," she instructed calmly. "These are stronger."

The guardians struck without any prelude.

The lead one charged Rheanne, shaping a huge sand blade that sliced through the air with a whistle.

Like liquid in motion, Rheanne evaded with fluid elegance and retaliated with a smooth horizontal sweep of her sword.

SHING-

The guardian split neatly in two, its halves bursting into sand before striking the ground.

Meanwhile, the other two closed in on Brandon from opposite flanks.

To save ether, Brandon skipped skills and infused his body straight with it.

A measured flow of ether surged into his muscles and bones, boosting his velocity and might.

His gaze intensified.

When the first guardian’s sand blade descended, Brandon slipped within its range and hammered his empowered fist into its torso.

CRACK!

Like fragile glass, the guardian’s body crumbled, sand spraying wildly outward.

Ere it could regroup, Brandon whirled and unleashed a mighty roundhouse kick, pulverizing the second guardian’s skull.

*THOOOM*

The final guardian barreled at Rheanne from the rear.

With a deft wrist flick, she sent forth a slashing arc of elemental force—a crescent of wind and light that rent the air.

*SWOOSH*

Mid-stride, the guardian cleaved apart, its sections dissolving before reaching her.

Brandon arched a brow in interest. ’Wind and light energy? Wonder if she wields every elemental force.’

’So the first awakener’s ability involves elemental control? Nah, there’s gotta be more to it.’

Swirling sand encircled the archway once more as two fresh guardians took shape.

Rheanne stayed composed. "Together,"

Brandon nodded and surged ahead.

Propelled by his boosted physique, he rocketed forward in a burst of speed.

He crashed into the closest guardian, ramming his shoulder through its chest and wrecking its core.

Ere the sand could regroup, a brutal uppercut followed, blasting the creature’s head apart.

*BOOOM*

Rheanne synced flawlessly with him.

Darting in, her silver blade danced through swift, exact strikes.

Every slash unleashed elemental surges—fierce wind gusts blended with silver light beams that carved the guardians effortlessly.

One guardian attempted to remake itself at her back.

Without a glance, Rheanne pivoted and stabbed rearward. A focused light ray shot from the blade’s point, drilling the creature’s chest and vaporizing it.

*FEEN*

The remaining guardian bellowed and heaved a colossal sand hammer at Brandon.

Firmly rooted, he maxed out his arms’ enhancement and clashed fists directly against the hammer.

BOOM!

A shockwave raced over the dunes from the collision.

The guardian’s hammer fragmented instantly, and Brandon pressed with a fierce torso kick, scattering it into lifeless sand.

Quiet descended as the archway’s runes blazed briefly before fading.

Rheanne sheathed her blade partly and whispered, "Another fake gate."

Turning to Brandon in wonder, she mused, ’First time fighting alongside someone just like me.’

A soft smile curved her lips. ’He feels like my partner...’ The warmth filled her heart.

’This sensation... it’s pretty good.’

She edged nearer slightly. "You fight well... your physical strength and instincts are impressive. Also, your control over that energy when you flawlessly pour it into your body."

Brandon shrugged his shoulders while the ether boost ebbed from his frame.

Offering a weary grin, he answered, "Actually I am conserving my energy."

A slight frown appeared on Rheanne's face. "Hm? Conserving? Why? Can't you draw energy from the air like I do and restore it?"

Brandon let out a silent sigh in his mind. ’I can't reveal that I require intimate contact with women to restore my ether, especially when she believes no other awakeners exist in the world.’

He nodded before answering, "Actually, yeah, I can't manage that for some reason."

"The energy remaining in my body came from ’breakthroughs.’ "

Rheanne arched an eyebrow at his words. "Breakthroughs? You mean that sensation when you break through a barrier and suddenly feel more powerful."

Brandon nodded again. "Yeah, exactly that sensation..."

With a pensive glance her way, he thought, ’That’s when your ether core advances, say from A rank to S rank...’

’Maybe I can persuade her to touch or kiss me to refill my energy, or would that be too dangerous?’

’She seems like a direct and earnest woman... ugh, it’d be risky.’

Rheanne sighed softly. "That could spell trouble down the line, Brandon Kael. Imagine if your energy runs out completely during battle—you’d be completely vulnerable."

Offering a ’weary’ smile, he responded, "I’ve experimented with all sorts of approaches over the past two years, but no luck finding a fix."

His statement made Rheanne pause in contemplation. "We’ll definitely discover a solution, Brandon Kael. Count on my help from here on out."

He nodded gratefully. "Thanks. Oh, and feel free to call me Kael."

Rheanne found it amusing. "You prefer your family name? Fine, I’ll oblige... Kael."

She pivoted, her white hair flowing as she started moving forward. "Let’s keep going."

Brandon eyed her sidelong while matching her pace. ’She’s undeniably a serious type.’

’This Rheanne now and the Rheanne of the future seem worlds apart.’

The pair proceeded in peaceful quiet for a stretch.

Eventually, Rheanne broke the silence. "You know... I’ve often pondered how it would feel to share this power with someone who truly gets it."

Turning toward him, a gentle smile graced her lips. "And you’re only the second with this gift. It’s as if... you’re my true companion."

Brandon’s eyes widened at her radiant smile. ’Damn... she’s breathtaking.’

Briefly, everything else faded from his mind.

He stood mesmerized by her beauty—not merely her looks, but the poised strength she bore so elegantly.

Noticing his intent gaze, Rheanne cocked her head. "...What’s wrong?" she inquired softly.

Brandon snapped back, clearing his throat.

"Nothing," he replied with a sincere little smile. "Just... it means a lot to hear that. I’ve been isolated with this power too, in my own manner. Having someone who understands... it’s reassuring."

Her smile lingered as Rheanne whispered, "I’m glad."

"For ages, I believed I was alone. People either idolize me or dread me. Nobody ever viewed me as... simply someone shouldering a massive load."

Her gaze shifted forward once more, turning reflective.

"My first awakening terrified me. Rifts began emerging. No one else could combat them. So I fought solo."

She looked over at him. "But now... with you at my side, battling as one... it’s changed. I no longer bear it all alone."

A sharp ache struck Brandon’s heart.

He recognized the burden she’d endured and the solitude of being the sole defender against the shadows.

In a hushed tone, he said, "Yeah, you don’t need to shoulder it solo anymore. I mean... I’m here now."

Rheanne’s smile bloomed anew. "Thank you, Kael."

Side by side they went, the quiet between them now cozy and inviting, not burdensome.

Soon after, Rheanne commented once more, "Your speech patterns stand out. The terms you choose, your demeanor... unlike anyone I’ve encountered."

Brandon offered a faint smile. "I’ve journeyed far and witnessed many lands."

Though curiosity sparked in her eyes, Rheanne nodded acceptance.

"I see. Regardless of your journey, I’m thankful our paths intersected here."

Her sight fixed on the next luminous archway rising ahead.

"The next gate approaches. Stay alert. As we near the core, the tower will unleash fiercer guardians."