The next level opened into a massive parking lot full of cars. I looked into the distance but saw only roads—no buildings at all.
We could ride the motorcycle, but cars were safer. Looks like I needed to drive. Fortunately, the roads here were wide.
I found a cool-looking red sports car and pulled the driver's door handle. It opened immediately. Kind of unsafe… if someone wanted to steal a car, they could just help themselves—though realistically, who would even get here?
Lina opened the passenger door and peeked inside with curiosity before sitting down.
I sat in the driver's seat. A little nervous. I'd never seen a car that didn't require a key to start. So I searched around the steering wheel area and finally spotted a button labeled "Start".
I pressed it, and the engine roared to life. Then I recalled the steps my driving instructor taught me.
First, adjust the seat so your legs feel comfortable when stepping on the pedals.
Second, adjust the rearview and side mirrors so you can see behind you.
Third, fasten the seatbelt for safety. Lina buckled hers too.
Fourth, make sure the gear is in neutral… oh wait—this was an automatic. It was in P (park)… right, no clutch pedal.
Fifth, headlights, turn signals, wipers… not necessary right now.
Once everything was ready, I gripped the steering wheel and looked at Lina.
"Lina, do you trust me?"
"Mm. I do."
"Okay. Then I'll trust the you who trusts me."
I stepped on the brake, shifted to D (drive), released the electronic parking brake, and slowly let go of the pedal. The car began moving.
Once enough of the car was out, I turned the steering wheel and eased onto the road, gently pressing the accelerator as we left the parking lot and entered the highway.
Now I was driving at 80 km/h on an empty highway. Oddly enough, I wasn't nervous anymore. With no other cars in sight, it was relaxing.
We drove for about ten minutes. No intersections, just endless winding roads. Still no entrance.
Lina had fallen asleep a few minutes ago, probably tired from all the sliding.
I checked the clock—3:11. Same time as Level 91. Then I yawned. Getting sleepy wasn't good while driving, so I slapped my own cheek to wake myself up.
I turned on the radio—maybe a familiar song would help. I switched to a Chinese music channel. Some songs sounded familiar, but I couldn't remember their names or lyrics. I hummed along anyway.
After who knows how long, the entrance finally appeared. So this was a highway that led directly to it. The road layout was ridiculous—twisting and looping however it wanted. Thanks to all that, my driving skills even improved a little.
I stepped on the brake, slowing down until we stopped in front of the entrance. Then I shifted back to P, pulled the electronic parking brake, and released the pedal.
The clock read 4:08. It had taken an hour to get here from the parking lot. If we used the motorcycle, it probably would've taken at least an hour and a half. Walking? I didn't even want to imagine it.
I looked over at Lina, still sound asleep.
"Lina, we're at the entrance. Wake up."
"…Mm? We're finally here? Ahh~ mmm~"
She stretched with a cute sound, rubbed her eyes, and looked at me.
"Karen, you must be tired. Don't you want to rest a bit?"
She asked with genuine concern. But the radio was now playing an energetic song, a mix of lively instruments making it strangely uplifting. I didn't feel tired at all.
I pointed at the radio.
"No need. After hearing the music, I'm wide awake."
"Music? …It feels energizing. Amazing!"
Lina listened for a moment and felt it too. I immediately agreed.
"Right? Makes you want to tap along."
Our hands were tapping with the rhythm. Lina only realized it after I pointed it out.
"You're right!"
Seeing her so happy—and so used to new things without being shocked—made me realize just how adaptable she was.
After the song ended, we finally got out of the car. We left it there and headed toward the next level.
Level 95 was the Highway. No surprise there.
As soon as Lina and I stepped out from the entrance of Level 95, a wash of colorful lights hit our eyes. Shops lined the streets in dazzling hues, and there was even a massive shopping mall towering in front of us.
We wandered around the outer shops first. They carried every kind of daily necessity imaginable—listing them all would take forever. There were entertainment spots too: an arcade, a karaoke center, and more.
After that, we entered the mall and browsed through several clothing stores, trying on outfits together. The moment I slipped into one of the shirts, I could only think of one thing—this is way too comfortable. The fabric was soft and smooth, without the slightest discomfort.
Lina even commented that the fashion sense here was miles ahead of the outside world. I honestly couldn't tell; Lina looked good in anything she wore. Still, the combinations here were impressive—definitely a feast for the eyes.
We picked out some new clothes, but we didn't pay for them… and I wasn't even sure where we were supposed to pay. That was when I suddenly wondered whether I should really be using the word "buy".
It felt wrong—taking things without paying sounded too much like stealing.
So instead, I changed the term in my head to "take".
We took some new clothes.
Somehow, the guilt dropped a little.
…Though for some reason, being inside the mall made the guilt stick around.
Whatever. I decided not to think about it.
Next, we stopped by a watch shop. I'd always wanted a watch—something that could tell me the time outside. Relying on my internal clock was getting tiring.
But while picking one out, I stared at my wrist and hesitated.
Did I really need a clock strapped to my hand?
I couldn't wear it during battles, or it would get scratched.
But if I stored it inside my spatial pocket, I'd have to reset the time every time I took it out.
So I chose a pocket watch instead. I could slip it into a pocket during fights without worrying about damaging it.
As for Dex—he could have an ordinary wristwatch. A pocket watch existed in this era anyway; it just took a long time to craft, which made it very expensive.
After that, we headed to the movie theater. I stared at the posters displayed on the giant screens along the wall, tilting my head.
Had I… seen this movie before?
If I had, that meant the Goddess of Fate knew about my original world and recreated the movie using divine power.
I wasn't sure if that thought was right or completely off.
Lina and I watched some trailers and picked the one that interested us most—a comedy.
After checking the screening time and theater number, we grabbed popcorn and drinks, then headed to the room.
Since it was just the two of us, we could sit anywhere. Naturally, we chose the comfortable middle seats.
The movie had us laughing nonstop. The characters' ridiculous antics were stupid, absurd… and hilarious.
When it ended, it was already dinner time. But there weren't any restaurants nearby.
We found a long bench, sat down, and took out the food we'd bought from the food court earlier.
By the time we finished, it was past 8 p.m. The sky outside was already dark.
It was time to find a place to sleep.
Through the glass windows, I spotted several shops outside. If there were entertainment facilities here, surely there would be a hotel as well.
We left the mall and located a hotel not far away. I grabbed two keycards from the counter and took the elevator up to our rooms.
Finding the room number, I used the keycard to unlock it and slipped it into the slot on the wall. The lights flicked on.
Then I turned to Lina.
"Lina, remember to take your card when you go out. Otherwise, you won't be able to get back in."
"Mm."
Then I stepped outside and pointed at the room next door.
"You sleep here. I'll sleep in the next room."
The moment I said that, Lina grabbed my arm and yanked me back inside.
"No. Sleep with me. Get in here!"
"...Fine."
And that's how I ended up sitting on the bed, getting scolded by Lina for saying something she absolutely hated.
"Karen, why do you always want me to sleep alone? I told you this morning—I don't want to sleep by myself. Did you forget? Are you ignoring me? Or do you just not care?"
"I'm not…"
I never forgot.
Not once did I ignore her words.
Every single thing she said—I kept them all in my heart.
I just wanted her to get used to sleeping alone.
"Then why did you want me to sleep by myself?"
It seemed I couldn't dodge the question anymore.
I took a breath and answered her honestly.
"Do you remember what I told you before? We have to wait until we're adults before we can sleep in the same bed. Up until now, we only shared one because there was no other room available. So… could you maybe try sleeping alone?"
"I…"
"Tonight I'll sleep with you. I said I would, so I will. I'm going to shower first."
I was going to keep my promise.
But at that moment, things were getting too intense—so I retreated to the bathroom.
"..."
Lina lowered her head in silence.
Once inside, I leaned against the door, wondering if I had messed up.
But I couldn't think of a better explanation.
There were too many things I had to keep hidden.
Even though honesty was the best solution, it would make everything so much more complicated.
Lina and I weren't lovers or spouses.
We weren't supposed to sleep in the same bed.
But if I told her that, she would absolutely say, "Let's become lovers or get married."
Which was exactly why I never dared to bring it up.
After defeating the demon who destroyed my home back then, I would tell her everything.
But as I thought about it…
What if I never found that demon?
Would that mean I'd never be able to tell her? Ever?
(Fine… let's set a deadline. Before I turn twenty.)
Lina might not be able to wait forever.
And as for my status as the Brave…
Did I make the right choices?