The report of the mission quickly arrived on Khal’s table. The efficiency was high, which proved how important it was.

The three were now in one of the private rooms on their floor, as this matter could not just be talked about anywhere.

"You even sent Renji?" Devion asked calmly. He knew how meticulous Khal was, but to send an S-class esper on just one short notice was even something the President could not do.

Although he joked about Khal being a scammer, he was actually amazed. Devion did not even do the extent of his organization at all.

"They must be secured." Khal did not look up as he answered. "I can even send two more S-class espers."

This was so excessive that both Ayen and Devion were stunned, falling silent beside him. After all, one S-class esper should be enough. At least, if one considered that the group did not have an S-class in its ranks.

Khal did not think so.

In matters like this, there was no room for errors. Khal was only guarding against any variables. And he was right. They unleashed another item that had something to do with curses.

Renji was the only one available around the area, and so he was dispatched. The other S-class espers were far and might take a few more days to arrive.

"Look." Khal passed the papers on to them. The detailed reports and analysis were on them, especially the initial diagnosis of the unit’s condition. "Various curses are found in their bodies."

Ayen turned solemn, and he leaned to take a look with Devion.

He bit his lips. A foreboding feeling crept into his guts. And a worry of the impending storm that was about to show itself on the horizon.

When Aegi told him about the suspicious people trying to find the town, Ayen quickly told the kid to hide as much as he could. After all, Aegi’s energy was being spent every second of that duration.

Even as an anomaly, his mana was not infinite. Sooner or later, he would be forced to show the town.

Ayen quickly left the paradise and bid farewell to Keeran. The woman sensed something and did not ask questions, and let Ayen leave.

He soon found both espers, and after telling them, Khal quickly took action and contacted the unit that was near the area to secure the people there.

"How can they... do that?" Devion lifted his gaze, confusion and disgust filled his eyes.

Curses were... repulsive in nature. Most humans, especially espers and guides, who were sensitive to mana would feel a certain aversion to them.

Normal people would not even feel them until they died without knowing how they died. Curses were terrifying.

They could even make an SS-class esper, who was thought to be the peak of humanity, fall to its knees.

Yet, there was a group of madmen using those very horrifying curses as weapons? What were they thinking?

At Devion’s question, neither Ayen nor Khal had an answer. None of them could. This was alarming and far more threatening than the monsters invading their homes.

To put it in perspective, monsters and dungeons were predictable; one could still fight them. Humanity had already adapted to a world infected by monsters.

However, once humans became monsters themselves, they were capable of bringing a catastrophe much more horrifying than what the dungeons ever would.

And this was the sign of that. Curses, even those monsters feared, were now being weaponized...

It was not perfect, but they could already feel the threat. What if... it matured?

For a moment, the three fell silent. Tension clearly hangs in the air. After all, these three were aware of how terrifying curses could be.

"We’ll meet them," Khal spoke after a while; he was leaning on his table.

Ayen and Devion sat before him. The two shifted their gaze to him and listened.

"The others are now being transferred to the headquarters."

Headquarters, he meant, was for his organization, though Khal rarely called it that. However, one could see that it was already one.

This was both the unit he sent, which was now suffering from different curse symptoms, and the massive beast, a transformation-type esper. Her group was included, but she was the most important and was traveling with the unit.

He looked at the two of them. Before Khal focused on Ayen.

Devion had already gone to that place, and Ayen was about to do so as well. It was earlier than Khal planned, but he did not have any apprehensions either.

"Do you want to come with us?" That was an offer, but he soon added. "I want you to meet them."

Khal was not referring to his subordinates. If Ayen were to visit the headquarters, then letting him meet them was a matter of course.

Devion glanced at Khal, who looked serious, and at Ayen. He remained silent and only watched them. The corners of his lips rose, and the tension he felt calmed down by a notch.

Ayen did not know yet... how Khal’s words were heavy.

Khal...

Devion glanced at the esper. You’re falling too, huh? Or... already fell.

Ayen did not think too much and quickly nodded.

"Yes, I’ll come with you."

Of course, he thought that Khal was talking about his subordinates.

Neither of the two espers corrected his thoughts or elaborated; they only nodded with a meaningful gaze.

With this matter settled, they were about to go on a journey again. Before that, Ayen was concerned about one thing, or a few more things.

First, about Keeran and this red zone.

"Don’t worry, Renji’s coming here."

Renji was Ayen’s bodyguard and originally on his way here after finishing his personal matters, but was tasked to secure the suspicious group.

Ayen, since he was always with his espers, did not really have a need for an additional bodyguard. So, the mission for him was to guard this place and, especially, Keeran.

The other guides were also part of it; it was just that Keeran was the priority.

After all, Arstem’s and Clynne’s arrangements had also arrived in the compound.