The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 254: Stress Relief Monster Fighting

One good thing about Forbidden Zones? Outside laws didn’t apply here. That’s not to say there weren’t any laws - killing residents was frowned upon, unless it happened in a fight between two (or more) willing participants, and stealing was also outlawed. The city wouldn’t be able to function as well as it did if the people were just left to do whatever they wanted. There was a group belonging to the secret organization, dedicated to maintaining peace, so that businesses could function, and people could still live their lives - perhaps not normal by the outside standards, but no one who came to a Forbidden Zone expected that.

There wasn’t any rule forbidding the use of abilities, though. Every Esper just used their abilities as they pleased, and it was only when they did something they shouldn’t have with them that they were punished for it.

Not that it was much different from how Lane functioned on a daily basis... But that was not the point. Unlike in the outside world, in the Zone, he could do it openly, in public, without having to be sneaky about it.

And another good thing? There was no shortage of stress relief dummies... that is, the monsters around. They were wandering around the back alleys, parks, and abandoned blocks, not to mention all the (uncleared!) Gates spread around everywhere, easily accessible, with no blockades or alarms set up to stop people from entering.

Thus, when Lane had left the meeting in a bad mood, he didn’t have to look far. Soon, he was able to find some monsters he could slash in order to relieve his frustration... And once he was done with them, he just moved on, and it didn’t take long before he found more.

It was a good opportunity, actually. Let out some steam and fight freely. He wouldn’t have many such opportunities soon. Once he joined the Association, truly this time, as Lane Allen, there wouldn’t be many raids for him to go on. And even when they happened once in a blue moon, he wouldn’t be able to fight the way he did now. With all of his abilities. He would be restricted to what he was going to report...

With this in mind, he spent the whole night just fighting monsters without even a break. It was only long after the sun had risen again, that he finally stopped, and went to his favorite local bakery to have some sweet treats for breakfast.

Then, at 10 AM (or around ten minutes past, to be precise), he went to the stadium as scheduled. His reluctance to proceed with the plans aside, it was good to personally check the state of his forces. In case he ever needed them, to deal with the Allens, for example.

Vulcan presented to him their major forces stationed in Forbidden Zone No. 74, starting from the elite squads, and finally ending with the new recruits - already a completely different batch than the one Lane had seen the last time. The group that was personally tested by him a few months ago had already advanced to other teams... Or at least most of them, cause there were almost always casualties, or attempted deserters.

"What about those two I had sent the recommendation for?" Lane couldn’t help but ask, when after briefly scanning the group, he noticed the new Esper he and Damien had met in Forbidden Zone No. 183 was nowhere to be found. "Haven’t they arrived yet? Or did they not join?"

"The two..?" For a moment, Vulcan was confused, but the light bulb lit up in his head soon enough. "Ah, do you mean Zeke, Boss? The A-rank Esper with the water-based ability. He has joined us, of course, it’s just that his ability is a bit special, so he hasn’t joined the training yet. He is working as a test subject in the lab... Would you like me to see him, Boss?"

"In the lab?" Now Lane was even more intrigued. He did think the man’s ability was curious from the moment he had examined him with his Mana Scan, but to be special enough to catch the scientists’ interest... Not every Esper was interesting enough to be treated as an experimental subject! "Yes, please," he quickly agreed, eager to find out more. "What about that other man who came with him?"

"...The other man?" Vulcan paused, thinking about it for a minute. "Was that... That was a civilian, right?"

"Right. I would just like to know how he was settled."

"Ah... Boss, I’m sorry, but I don’t know. He entered the Zone with Zeke, but after that... I think he was left on his own?"

"You mean, he is no longer with that Zeke or whatever?"

Vulcan shook his head. "No, as far as I am aware, they had parted ways shortly after entering the Zone. As a high-ranker, Zeke joined us immediately, and was provided with a decent apartment. The other guy was a civilian, so he wasn’t recruited... Should I investigate him, Boss?"

"Yes. You don’t need to give me a full report, I just want to know what he’s been up to."

"Yes, Sir!" Vulcan bowed his head, and gestured at one of the underlings to step out to help.

Lane only nodded absentmindedly. Although he didn’t get a full report yet, it seemed the Awakened one from the duo tossed out his companion once they had reached No. 74... Probably because without awakening, the other guy was nothing but a burden.

Would Damien be sad if he had heard it? He really wanted to help them back them, feeling guilty for something that wasn’t his fault at all... And now the two were betraying each other out of convenience. Lane wasn’t surprised... But Damien still wanted to believe in human good nature...

"Let’s go to the lab now, then," Lane commanded, discarding all thoughts. He could decide what to tell his boyfriend once he had more information. Now, he was curious about this special ability his organization had obtained!