The X Guide-Chapter 86: Visitors (2)

Ayen returned to the house after his work. He was not staying in the dorms, and no one actually bothered to ask. The higher-ups in this zone did not care where they stayed as long as they did not neglect their work.

Once they were done for the day and were in the room, Khal and Devion pulled Ayen into a discussion. They had been doing this nowadays and planned to continue in the future.

It was not an established rule, but discussing first between them to decide something began to take shape.

"We plan to leave tomorrow," Devion started, looking Ayen in the eye. "Khal received reports that the tension is likely to escalate in a month. And..." He glanced at Khal, who nodded his head as if to encourage him.

Devion returned his gaze to Ayen and continued; there was a sparkle of excitement in his eyes that piqued Ayen’s curiosity.

"Do you want to return immediately or... We can travel slowly?"

"Travel slowly?"

"Devion wants us to travel at our pace and tour while we’re at it." Khal smiled; he had already seen through Devion’s intentions. It was more than welcome.

It had also been a while since he and Devion made a trip together, only holing up in the forbidden zone. The forbidden zone was not in a critical season, and their leaving it for a month or two was not a problem.

Ayen seriously pondered before he decided. The idea was actually good. He might have always been transferred everywhere, but he had never formally made a trip or vacation anywhere.

And as the world was chaotic, normal people would not even think of traveling far away. Ayen did not have such an issue; he was with two SS-class espers, so it was absolutely safe. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

However...

"What about the forbidden zone?"

Devion quickly answered him.

"Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t need our supervision much on normal days."

That was true. The main reason they were secluded there was because of Devion’s condition; cleaning it up every day was secondary.

Only in the critical season when they were truly needed.

Ayen looked at Khal. "Will traveling mess up your plans?"

Khal was the most eager to return because he did not want Devion to be implicated this early in the chaos. Devion was very sensitive to negative emotions; the curse also feeds off such emotions, making it relentless.

Ayen’s concern was that if they lingered outside for too long and someone recognized the two, it might ruin not only the trip but also Khal’s considerations.

Khal understood his concerns; his expression quickly softened. He reached out and touched the tip of Ayen’s hair and played with it with his fingers.

"Not really. Don’t worry," Khal assured Ayen.

Devion nodded. He truly wanted this trip to happen. While variables might happen, that did not matter to them at present.

The trip could also help them be closer and get to know Ayen more as he did to them.

Since the two were confident, Ayen nodded and agreed.

"We can travel slowly then."

If Ayen was late to arrive in the red zone, so be it. The two espers would straighten it out for him. Was he becoming too casual with his job?

Maybe. After all, the association was just a means to survive. He might as well take this opportunity to broaden his horizons... and see if it could help him enjoy living a little more.

Their trip was thus decided. There were no plans, and they only intended to truly travel at their own pace.

As the three were getting ready for that trip, a towering figure had descended into this red zone. It was not exactly loud, but the air was disturbed in the area.

"Huh? What’s that?" A guard tilted his head.

"Probably just a wild beast." There was no need to make a fuss. Since the stronghold had been at peace lately, there was no way a monster had secretly appeared near the gates.

They then returned to patrolling the area.

In a dorm, Nolan was already preparing to fall asleep. However, Lucian was restless as though he had a hunch something was about to happen.

He kept looking at his phone, but there was no call at all.

Nolan sighed and opened his eyes.

"I can’t fall asleep. I can hear you moving so much," he complained.

"Ah, sorry. I’m a little disturbed by something." Lucian apologized and sat up.

"About?"

"This and that," Lucian vaguely answered. He also did not know. That old man could possibly... He paused and gulped.

That was not possible. He did not have free time to come... Was he? Lucian bit his lips, actually nervous right now. He rubbed his head, feeling anxious that his hunch was right.

Damn. He should have answered the call!

Nolan stared at him, not saying anything.

Suddenly, a knock was heard.

"Uh?" Nolan was startled. He turned to the closed window. He was sure the sound came from there.

Lucian swallowed and looked at the window.

Ah, this was crazy! He almost pulled his hair, but since it was too short, he could only rub his head again in frustration.

Then, another knock. Now, Nolan was sure someone was knocking at the window. But, how? This was the fifth floor. An esper?

He was about to stand up to see when Lucian suddenly stood and arrived at his side.

"Don’t!" Lucian whispered.

Nolan was about to ask again, but Lucian stopped him.

"Sshhh." Lucian bit his lips, looking at the window.

The knock then became twice at each interval.

Nolan realized that Lucian knew who was knocking, so he did not insist and watched.

Lucian was debating whether to open the window or what, but then, a deep voice was heard.

"Open this, or I’ll break it. Choose." It was a threat.

Lucian gasped.

What the hell! He was here!

"What should we do?" Lucian panicked and asked Nolan.

Nolan shrugged. He did not want to be involved. But watching the drama was also fun!

Lucian rubbed his head, and he shouted as the knock became forceful.

"Wait! I’ll open it!" Lucian sounded annoyed, but he looked so nervous. "Stop knocking, old man!" he reprimanded as he walked towards the window.

He paused, and then slowly he opened the window. Once the window was opened, a towering figure immediately appeared in their sight.