Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world Chapter 494: Dungeon clearing

"Let's sleep together then. You can absorb ether from me," she stated directly.

Brandon blinked, taken aback by the blunt proposition. He slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard and observing her expression. Rheanne showed no trace of embarrassment or hesitation. Her demeanor was calm and matter-of-fact, though a gentle softness in her eyes betrayed her understanding of the intimacy involved."I sensed it earlier when we held hands," she explained. "The etheric flow intensifies with closer contact... skin against skin. Sharing a bed will accelerate your recovery far more than merely holding hands."She tilted her head, gauging his reaction. "Unless... you feel uncomfortable with that?"

Brandon exhaled slowly, reaching back to rub the nape of his neck. "No, it's not that. I'm just... surprised by your directness."

A subtle smile graced Rheanne's lips. "We faced mortal peril together. We've already witnessed each other at our most vulnerable. Sharing a bed to replenish ether seems... practical."She shifted closer on the mattress, her nightgown rustling against his leg. "However, I won't impose. If you prefer to rest alone, I completely understand."

Brandon inwardly sighed, 'She is truly kind... No wonder she became a goddess.' He reached out, gently taking her hand, their fingers lacing together as if by instinct. "I'm not uncomfortable. And... thank you. I do need the ether. Tomorrow presents potential dangers."

Rheanne's smile deepened. She gave his hand a single squeeze before releasing it and moving to lie down beside him on the expansive bed. She positioned herself on her side, facing him, leaving ample space for him to choose his proximity. Brandon lay back down, turning to face her as well.

For a quiet moment, neither moved. Then, Rheanne shifted closer, narrowing the small distance between them. She rested her head lightly against his shoulder, draping an arm across his chest. Brandon's body tensed instantly. 'Man... I've been with many women, but I'm surprisingly nervous now.' At that instant, he felt the steady stream of ether flowing into his body. He carefully wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close but not tightly.

Rheanne let out a soft, contented sigh. "This feels... pleasant. Having someone near like this." They remained together in the tranquil room, their bodies lightly pressed against each other, the constant flow of ether passing between them.

---

The following morning dawned crisp and bright, a light mist still shrouding the trees as the sun ascended over the eastern mountains. Brandon stood at the edge of a dense forest clearing, his gaze fixed upon the rift before him. A swirling, vertical tear of dark violet energy pulsed in the air, approximately ten feet in height and six feet in width.

Rheanne stood beside him, her silver blade sheathed at her hip, her long white hair secured in a simple braid to stay out of the way. "It seems to have appeared five weeks ago. The creatures emerging have been unusually powerful. Nearby villagers have already fled their homes."

Brandon nodded, rolling his shoulders as he felt the steady influx of replenished ether humming within his body from their shared rest the previous night. "Ready when you are."

Rheanne glanced at him. "Stay close." She stepped forward first, and Brandon followed immediately behind her. The instant they crossed the rift's threshold, the world transformed. The forest vanished.

They found themselves in a dungeon cavern, illuminated by luminescent crystalline veins adorning the walls and ceiling. The ground consisted of uneven stone, and the ceiling soared high above, lost in shadow. A low, guttural growl echoed from the depths of the cavern. They advanced together, and the first creatures materialized within seconds. They resembled twisted, wolf-like beasts with crystalline spikes protruding from their backs.

Rheanne drew her silver blade in a single fluid motion. She met the initial beast with a graceful slash, her blade severing its shoulder and sending it crashing against the wall with a yelp. Brandon moved in perfect synchrony, beheading another aberrant with a precise strike. He utilized controlled bursts of ether to augment his speed and strength, conserving his reserves while maintaining effectiveness. When two aberrants attempted to flank Rheanne, Brandon intercepted one with a forceful shoulder charge, driving it into the ground before finishing it with a downward thrust. As a larger, spiked aberrant charged at Brandon, Rheanne waved her free hand, conjuring a minor spatial distortion that momentarily staggered the creature, allowing him to deliver a clean killing blow. After dispatching the first wave, they paused briefly in a wider chamber.

Observing her, Brandon inquired, "You possess a variety of powers, correct? I observed you utilizing wind energy recently... why don't you employ it more often?"

Turning to face him, she responded, "I simply relish the sensation of dispatching these creatures with my blade."

She momentarily tightened her grip on her sword's hilt, remarking, "There's a certain... authenticity to it."

"The heft of the steel in my grasp, the resistance as it cleaves through flesh and bone, and the distinct feeling with every strike. It serves as a reminder that regardless of how potent the internal Qi becomes, I remain a person making the conscious choice to fight."

Brandon's gaze shifted downwards towards the silver sword sheathed at her hip.

A slight furrow appeared on his brow as a notion surfaced in his mind: 'Should I inform her about the process of artifact creation?'

However, the mere thought gave him pause.

'I inadvertently introduced the concept of "ether" into this world.'

'Considering the bootstrap paradox I'm caught in, such occurrences are inevitable... because the past is immutable and already set in stone.'

This concept had occupied his thoughts repeatedly since his arrival in the year 1502.

This was unlike conventional time travel, where a minor alteration could cascade outwards and reshape everything.

In a bootstrap paradox, the events were intrinsically self-perpetuating.

The future gave rise to the past, which, in turn, generated the future.

'What I am currently doing... has already been accomplished by my future self. Therefore, any actions I take here will not deviate from the future timeline.'

That very realization was the primary impetus behind Brandon's relaxed demeanor in this era.

He harbored no fear of disrupting the timeline... because, within this recurring cycle, the timeline had already been "shattered" and subsequently mended by his very existence.

His present actions were not alterations... they were the events that had perpetually occurred in the past.

His frown deepened further as he fixed his gaze upon the blade, 'But still...'

There always existed that persistent flicker of doubt. The very 'but still' that deterred him from speaking with unbridled candor.

Imparting knowledge of advanced artifact fabrication to Rheanne could potentially accelerate technological or ether-based advancements within this timeframe.

Even if the paradox posited that it was preordained, the very notion of actively molding history... even a history that was already shaped... caused him to falter.

A dry chuckle escaped his lips, 'Even this hesitation is predetermined. Ah... damn my existence.'

Rheanne, sensing his extended silence, tilted her head slightly. "Is something amiss, Kael? You appear troubled."

Brandon blinked, shaking his head and forcing a faint smile. "No, it's nothing. I was merely contemplating the diversity of combat styles. Your swordsmanship is a magnificent sight to behold."

She accepted the compliment with a subtle smile. "If you wish, I can instruct you in my sword techniques."

Hm? Upon hearing this, Brandon was momentarily stunned. 'The renowned sword style of Goddess Rheanne?'

A faint smile graced his lips. "Certainly."

With a slight nod, she responded, "Let us proceed."