The X Guide-Chapter 30: The Other Side of Forbidden Zone (4)

It was a dreamless sleep; Ayen felt completely refreshed when he finally woke up. His gaze turned to the room and found it empty. Getting up slowly, Ayen noticed a note on the bedside drawer.

The handwriting was neat; it must be Devion.

’In case you woke up. Heat the food you want in the kitchen. We’ll be back.’

Ayen put it down and noticed similar notes on the side. While the contents were slightly different, they were all fundamentally the same.

He looked at his hand in case of an IV attached to him, but there was no discomfort. Still, he checked, and sure enough, none. Ayen did not know how he managed without it, or the two did something different instead.

Ayen could not feel any hunger at all. There was no weakness either. While thinking about his condition, he did not linger in bed and stretched.

After doing so, he washed up and went to the kitchen. He was not really hungry but decided to heat up some food and eat. It only took him a few minutes.

Looking at the clock, it was still early afternoon. Devion and Khal usually would not return for lunch, and so Ayen was not expecting them.

But then, the door of the kitchen opened, and two men arrived.

"Ah!" Devion exclaimed, "You’re awake!"

Ayen waved his hand but did not turn around, focusing on washing the plates he used.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, now beside Ayen.

Ayen turned and met his eyes as he answered. "Good."

"But still cold, huh?" Devion folded his arms, grinning. Ayen blinked, about to answer, but another presence made him stop.

Khal’s towering figure, with still a hint of coldness, almost enveloped Ayen. Although Devion was still the same height as he was, Khal felt more muscular in comparison.

"Stop bothering Ayen, go heat us some lunch," Khal reprimanded Devion, sipping on the instant coffee he made. Sensing Ayen’s eyes on him, he gave a smile. "Glad you’re awake now."

He replaced Devion in standing beside Ayen, watching him.

"Did you finish clearing up the monsters?" Ayen did not know what to say, so he asked something instead.

Khal seemed to notice this too and answered honestly. "No, we returned to check on you."

"Will you fight again?" Ayen wiped his hand and finished with his task.

Khal sipped on his coffee before answering. "Hmm. But clearing a dungeon this time."

"Hey, stop flirting and eat," Devion hissed at the back.

Khal shook his head with a smile. "Am I like you?"

"Bullshit." Devion glared.

Ayen did not leave the kitchen and sat with them.

The two usually had a lot of things to say while eating. Ayen listened attentively sometimes if he was being generous. It made him wonder how they never tire of each other’s company, much less run out of stories when they were always together.

"Have you experienced entering a dungeon before?" Devion asked out of the blue, paused, then added. "Before the incident last time."

"What are you on about?" Before Ayen could answer, Khal interjected and frowned.

Devion shrugged. "Just thinking... if Ayen wants to come with us."

Huh? Come with them to clear a dungeon?

Khal was about to argue, but he closed his mouth and looked at Ayen. It seemed Devion’s idea was not so bad for him.

Ayen’s first reaction was to refuse. He did not have any experience, and the last time was merely out of desperation for survival.

However, Ayen did not rush to answer. Thinking deeply, if Devion was not confident about Ayen’s safety, he would not suggest it. The same was true for Khal, who did not reject the idea outright.

They were SS-class Espers, too; protecting one Guide must be easy for them.

Still, Ayen had to confirm.

"Won’t that be dangerous?"

"We’ll raid a dungeon that popped out recently. It hasn’t been nourished for long, and so, the rank isn’t exactly high. Only A-class."

In the forbidden zones, S-class dungeons were the norm; A-class could really be considered low. Yet, Ayen’s expressions could not help but crack after hearing that.

What was the concept of A-class dungeons for an ordinary guide like him?

"I mean," Devion obviously panicked, seeing his expression. "It’s very easy for us to clear them alone."

He clearly wanted to bring Ayen for him to act like that. Khal was amused by his appearance and chuckled, earning a sharp glare once more.

Finally, he spoke and helped in convincing Ayen.

"There won’t be a problem. I assure you." Khal’s assurance had an effect; it always did.

And so, Ayen was finally convinced.

"Deceptive bastard." Devion’s murmurs were heard, earning a laugh; that was all.

Ayen did not need to use the heavy suit and mask that they had last time. Instead, the two gave him a bracelet with the same core as the device isolating the building from the miasma.

The bracelet was plain, with only a small black bead as decoration. Its impression was also fleeting, and it truly looked ordinary. However, Ayen could clearly sense the familiar wavelength emanating from it.

Khal and Devion’s mana was evidently present inside. While he sensed that, Ayen did not ask further and remained acting ignorant. Knowing too much was not good. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The feeling of entering a dungeon gate was as nauseating as the first. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Ayen opened his eyes and witnessed that the scenery had changed.

"Grrr..."

A massive wolf immediately greeted them as soon as they arrived.

Ayen had yet to blink when the monster’s head slowly slid off and fell on the ground, followed by its body. He did not even know what happened or who had taken action.

"Hey, you scared our guide." It sounded as if Devion was reprimanding Khal, but his expression said otherwise.

"Sorry." Khal did not sound so apologetic either.

Ayen sighed and became convinced that this dungeon was truly like a playground for the two. The lingering worry left in his heart dissipated at that.

"Tease me one more time..." Ayen warned and narrowed his eyes at them.

At this, the two bit their lips and looked away. However, they did not look guilty. If anything, they were smiling. After all, Ayen’s different expressions were hard to come by.