Skyler walked alongside Charles as they entered the forest. When they were at the boundary of the dimension, they didn’t see any beasts since creatures in the crystals usually do not roam near the boundary.
They both were in their college uniforms, but due to everything that had happened, their uniforms were torn in several places and stained with dried blood.
Their steps were cautious. After all, they not only had to be careful of the monsters in the dimension but also of the two villains who had arrived through the field.
To make matters worse, although they knew they were in an orange crystal, it was uncertain which tier crystal it was, as well as what types of monsters they would see here and how strong they might be.
Skyler held the silver spear firmly in his hand, his gaze sharp. Fortunately, he didn’t lose this precious weapon and had put it in his storage ring in time. Yet, even after a while, they did not see any monsters.
"Isn’t an orange crystal supposed to be swarming with monsters and on the verge of turning red and breaking to release them into the outside world? So, why is it so calm here? It’s almost as if..."
Charles completed his words.
"...the monsters are either hiding, dead, or have gathered together somewhere."
His face was grim as he looked around.
"It’s impossible for an orange crystal to have no monsters in it. If that were true, it would have turned gray or white to show that. This only means one thing: they are being controlled by something stronger."
Skyler agreed with his words.
"Perhaps it’s this crystal’s boss monster? It is the strongest being within the crystal and can control all the weaker monsters."
They glanced at each other, surprised at how well they were coordinating. Charles’s impression of him improved a tiny bit.
"You are quite knowledgeable."
"That’s to be expected. After all, I have always been the top in my class."
Charles’s impression of him dropped more than it had just increased. He was just too unnecessarily cocky, even though he knew that the person walking next to him was also a top student in his year.
He changed the topic.
"How about we locate the boss monster’s chamber in this place? We have to destroy the dimension’s core in it to get out of here. The two villains will be looking for it as well to leave before anyone knows about them, so we can hide and let them do the work."
Skyler was actually considering the same thing as him. Who knows how strong the boss monster might be? It would be wiser to let the enemies take charge and fight.
They both sped up through the trees, looking for the boss monster’s chamber that every dimension in the crystals has. The deeper they ventured into the forest, the thicker and quieter it became.
Skyler squinted to see further.
"The entrance to the boss monster’s chamber should be easy to spot, as it is always marked by a prominent indicator above it in ancient letters or symbols."
Charles already knew this. It was quite surprising how they both possessed so much knowledge about the crystals even though they hadn’t joined any academy.
This was simply because they both had studied everything available to them in the past two years. One, who had awakened as a 1-star Light, wanted to drown his sorrow in study. The other had to prepare for the preliminary test without any support.
Charles looked at Skyler’s sleeve, which was burned by the fire from the skill Scar used. However, all of his burned skin had healed, leaving not even a mark behind. He instinctively clutched his stomach with a grimace. He was injured too.
"You healed your injuries with the Light element? Can you heal mine too?"
Skyler could only smile awkwardly.
"I don’t know any healing spells."
"Are you kidding me right now? The language of the spells is difficult, but even those with no brains can learn at least one basic spell after forming their first crystal."
Skyler looked at him, surprised. He didn’t stop running and pointed at his nose.
"Oho, you don’t know me? I thought I was ’quite’ famous online in Nowan City."
"No, I didn’t have time to waste on trivial matters, as I was focused on preparing for the preliminary test over the past 4 years."
Charles was lucky enough to be among those who were teleported inside a shelter surrounded by a barrier deep in the forest. As a result, he cleared the test easily.
Skyler chuckled softly.
"It’s better that way. You cleared the preliminary test this time around? I did too. Unfortunately, we didn’t meet there."
Charles came to a halt and blurted out.
"You cleared the test? How is that even possible?! You’re only 18!"
Skyler hushed him as the ground beneath them shook faintly, and the distant sounds of fighting echoed through the air.
"Let’s talk later."
They both fell silent and quickly moved forward. Stopping just near the noises, they peeked through the gaps in the trees. Their eyes widened when they saw many giant red spiders surrounding both Dread and Scar, who were struggling against them.
"1... 2... 20... 35 spiders!!"
Skyler muttered. This was when they could clearly see multiple dead spiders in the area that the two villains had already killed!
Charles gestured toward the tree the spiders were surrounding. It was larger than the rest, with a dark hole in its trunk. Above the hole, an ancient letter was engraved.
"That’s the boss chamber!"
Their expressions turned grim.
Both villains were already gravely injured. Even though the spiders surrounding them were all 2-star, 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star, their numbers were too great. Any light would struggle against such a multitude.
Charles turned away from the scene.
"It seems the villains woke up earlier than us and arrived here. Let’s do as planned. Given the strength of the spiders, it’s clear we are in a Novice-tier crystal. The boss monster won’t be stronger than 6-star or 7-star."
Skyler suddenly felt conflicted. He hadn’t killed anyone other than monsters yet. At least, not in this life. A white glint flashed in his blue eyes, making him feel terrible.
"So, we just let them die?"
Charles scoffed at his words. He didn’t think Skyler was the noble type. He glanced at his hands; they were already stained with blood. He had killed a few humans in the test.
"They are dark lights. Their nature is evil. Even if we helped them, they would kill us. So, don’t you dare do anything stupid."
He felt a chill when the youth standing beside him spoke again. Skyler’s words were very faint, yet he heard them.
"They should be chopped into pieces."
"What did you say?"
Skyler glanced at him, a bit confused.
"I didn’t say anything."
Charles wanted to argue but shut his mouth. Perhaps he misheard? His frown deepened.
Suddenly, he saw Skyler becoming agitated, evident from the restless tapping of his foot.
"What’s wrong with you?"
"I don’t know... I just feel like creating my second elemental crystal."
"Now?? Are you insane?!"